Winter is almost over, and we are all looking forward to spending time outside again. Of course, some pests make our time outdoors less enjoyable, mosquitoes being the worst! That’s okay; the new Thermacell LIV system promises to repel them, and it will work with Alexa and Google Assistant!
If you own a dog, you know the worst part of an otherwise wonderful experience is having to walk the pup in lousy weather. As a matter of fact, I just got back from a long walk with my older dog Nava in the freezing rain. However, I was toasty warm thanks to BN3TH Merino wool base layers.
When spending time outdoors, going to a friend’s backyard BBQ, or bringing home cold items from the store, it’s always handy to have an insulated bag to carry your supplies. There are times when a full-on ice chest or cooler is just a bit too much, but you still need something durable that can keep items cold or warm, and that’s easy to carry. Sound familiar? You need a Grizzly Drifter Carryall Bag!
The most important part of smoking meats and outdoor cooking is temperature. Many people ask how long something takes, and my answer is always, “What temp does that food needs to be?” With that said, a tool that monitors those temps is essential; if you can make that tool completely wireless, then you have something special. The MeatStick Wireless Meat Thermometer is just that, a wireless probe that works flawlessly.
We’d all like to think that when severe weather hits, we’ll be prepared. We’ll have food, water, and candles ready and waiting with enough notice. But if there isn’t a plan in place for providing emergency power during sustained blackouts, there’s still an important issue that needs to be addressed. Planning ahead and getting a 1100W OUPES Portable Power Station will give you peace of mind; when the power goes out, you’ll be able to keep your essential devices powered. It’s also handy for camping and other off-grid outdoor activities.
The new Olivers Gold Coast Shirt Jacket has just been announced, just a few months after one of my personal favorites, the Olivers Stadium Shirt Jacket, came to market. This new offering is made from a Merino Wool and recycled Polyester blend; thermoregulation and anti-microbial properties are just the beginning of what will make this outwear a winner.
When I was younger, I considered Rockport shoes to be “clunky shoes for older folk.” After reviewing several styles of Rockport’s current shoe line, I have found that their shoes are neither clunky nor meant for older folks; they’re now pretty much all I wear anymore. The waterproof Rockport Men’s Total Motion Sport Boot is the latest style I’ve tried.
If you’ve ever needed to place a security camera in a remote location, only to realize that without reliable Wi-Fi access or electricity, it simply wasn’t going to work, you are going to love this news. Arlo has just announced that the latest generation Verizon Arlo Go 2 LET/Wi-Fi Security Camera is now available. Whether you are keeping an eye on a construction site, vacation home, boat, RV, the far end of your oversized yard, or some other location that doesn’t have reliable (or any) Wi-Fi, the Arlo Go 2 is an excellent and relatively inexpensive option worth considering.
Headlamps are one of the most convenient ways to carry a flashlight hands-free when you are in the dark. Most headlamps have a single focussed beam that aims light directly in front of you, but that’s not the case with the Liteband PRO 1000 Headlamp; it provides a 210º beam, shining a light on everything directly in your path and on both sides. Wondering if this might be an even better lighting solution, especially when walking or working outdoors at night, I asked a long-time headlamp wearer, my husband Kev, to give the Lightband PRO 1000 a try.
Having a high-quality, reliable flashlight is essential, and that’s what Fenix aims to deliver. I was recently sent the Fenix PD35 V3.0 Tactical Flashlight to test; it’s the third version of Fenix’s popular PD35 series, and this model promises even better performance. I prefer flashlights that are easy to hold, small enough to carry, and that are also plenty bright; let’s see if the PD35 checked off all of the boxes.
Coalatree Trailhead Pants are described as “the outdoor pant you can wear to the office.” Waterproof, antimicrobial, tear-resistant, and made for activity, their four-way stretch makes them comfortable regardless of what you are doing. Plus, they’re available in a range of colors and in a regular or slim fit. A unique and unisex take on hiking pants, they’ve got a new member of their fan club.
For the last year, I have been rather obsessed with clothing made for merino wool. It is light, warm when you need it, cool when you need that. It repels odor and dries incredibly fast. I was interested when I learned that the Kora M’s Neema SS Crew T-Shirt adds yak wool into the mix. Here’s a look.
I don’t have a huge living space, so I’ve never bothered with surround sound or big speakers. Still, sometimes you just want to enjoy music in a 360-degree experience, so I was very excited to check out the iLive Indoor/Outdoor Dual Bluetooth Speakers. How did they handle my space? Read on to find out!
Electric bikes have gotten super popular recently, and Espin bikes have taken full advantage of the trend. With the versatile Espin Nesta, you can take your bike on offroad adventures or commute to work, thanks to the all-terrain tires and folding frame. The Nesta is a really nice bike that sometimes feels like a motorcycle and retails for $1,400.
Take a look at the watch on this guy’s wrist. At first glance, you’d think he was wearing a high-end Swiss diving watch, right? The Withings ScanWatch Horizon has all the features we expect to see in luxury dive watches, including a chunky stainless steel wristband, a laser engraved stainless-steel rotating bezel, and Luminova hollow watch hands and indicators with thick indices that glow in low light. But looks aren’t everything; the Withings ScanWatch Horizon is also a powerful, medical-grade hybrid smartwatch that can help keep you on the right track for good health and extensive body monitoring.
Usually, when I write a review, I end up liking, disliking, or feeling ambivalent about the product. Even when a product isn’t something I need or might use, I can understand the target audience and give it a fair review. Even so, I’ve struggled while reviewing the Wristcam for Apple Watch, but not for the usual reasons.
Need a classy-looking portable speaker that can also function as a light? Take a look at the LG XBOOM 360. Made to radiate sound in all directions for up to 10 hours when on battery power, the LG XBOOM 360 is one of the more sleek and stylish portable speakers we’ve seen. Inside the LG XBOOM 360’s conical-cylindrical body, there is a 5.25″ glass fiber woofer and a 1″ titanium horn tweeter; LG says that the reflector structure of the tweeter and woofer will deliver 360 sound with minimal distortion indoors and outside. Available in four colors, including Burgundy, Peacock…
There are many times I find myself needing to see in dark conditions. Working on my Jeep and golf cart, hunting, fishing, or smoking meats in the dark. It seems to happen a lot, and having two free hands is always a must. The cure for that is a headlamp, and I recently got to check out the Fenix HM65R headlamp.
A good pair of shorts should look good, be comfortable and be tough enough to take whatever your warm-weather activities can throw at them. The LIVSN Flex Canvas Shorts cover all those bases and more. I’ve worn them hiking, mowing the lawn, and out to dinner. They were up to it all. That makes them my favorite shorts right now.
The Yadea KS5 Electric Scooter is the third scooter I’ve had the opportunity to review, and it’s the first that is more than merely fun to ride. Thanks to its powerful motor, excellent range, and assorted comfort and safety features, this scooter has enough “oomph” for me to use as a daily ride to and from my office a mile away.
The pandemic inspired many people to get back outside and enjoy biking, hiking, and other social-distancing-friendly activities. It was the inspiration for me to start biking again, and I’ve really enjoyed getting back into it with the State Bicycle Company 4130 Road Bike.