Misc Gear

The Anymaka Portable Hammock Stand Sets Up in 3 Seconds, Promising Tree-Free Relaxation Just About Anywhere!

Kev and I have been bitten by the camping bug, as evidenced by our new off-road setup. We’ve got camp chairs, but on every excursion, one of us will mention how nice it would be to have a hammock along. We could buy a packable one, but a lot of times, strapping a hammock to a pair of trees is impossible, impractical, or not allowed, and most portable hammock bases are too large or too unstable for our needs. That’s why the anymaka portable hammock, available for the next 15 days on Kickstarter, appealed to me enough to back it.


The $49 Wearable XEdge Flounder Multitool Is the Perfect EDC for People Who Don’t Want to Wear Batman’s Utility Belt

The XEdge Flounder multitool is a little wonder that’s not your run-of-the-mill everyday carry; it’s a little marvel that combines elegance and efficiency in one compact package. I’m impressed by the range of functions this mini-sized titanium, CNC-machined multitool has packed into its sleek design. Not only is it a mini pry bar, but it’s also a bottle opener, bit driver, nail puller, box opener, graphite everlasting pen, firestarter, pocket saw, and more!




Gear Diary’s 2023 Back to School Gift Guide and Giveaway: Preparation Is Key, and We’re Making It Easy!

Where did the summer go? Hopefully, yours was full of good times with the kids and grands, and you were able to fit in a getaway with family and friends, but now it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming school year. Whether that means the kids in your life are attending elementary, middle, or high school or heading to college, our 2023 Back to School Gift Guide has got you covered. We’ve also got a great back to school giveaway running, so be sure to enter at the end!




Nomad ChargeKey: A Handy EDC Classic Is Reborn and Updated!

As I have shared countless times, Nomad’s products are among my favorite device accessories. I use their cases, chargers, and batteries daily. It all started with a single product, the Nomad ChargeKey. A small, key ring-friendly charging “cable,” while great, I never expected it to lead to what Nomad has become. Now, about a decade later, the ChargeKey is updated and reissued.




ICECO VL60 Review: An Extraordinary 63.4-Quart Dual-Zone Refrigerator and Freezer That’s Ready for Every Adventure

Kev and I recently purchased a travel trailer that can be pulled behind his Toyota Tacoma or my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Part of the fun of planning your first big camping adventure is making sure that you have all the necessary gear to go off-grid for days at a time, which is why the offer to review the ICECO VL60 couldn’t have come at a better time. The VL60 is a heavy-duty metal dual-zone refrigerator and/or freezer powered by a Danfoss SECOP compressor that can be used in multiple outdoor and indoor scenarios. Let’s take a look.



Govee AI Gaming Sync Box & Strip Light Kit Review: Dramatic AI Lighting Effects That Enhance Gaming and TV Watching

Since 2017, Govee has been designing and producing smart home products, including ambient lighting, home appliance products, and smart IoT systems. One of their most recently released products is the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box. I had a chance to review the version that comes with a single light strip meant to accommodate televisions between 55 and 65 inches measured diagonally. This version of the kit sells for $167.99. There is also a version that adds a pair of Govee’s RGBIC TV Light Bars, which sell for $299.



Nanoleaf Matter BR30 Smart Bulbs Review: Light Your Home According to Your Mood with These Flood Lights

There’s something supremely cool about having smart lights in your home that are white when you want but can also be any other colors when you prefer a different vibe. If you have recessed lighting, as I do, you may have considered installing smart floodlights, but if you want to get them from a known brand, they can be as much as $50 per bulb! The new Nanoleaf Matter BR30 Smart Bulbs are reasonably priced, and rather than being from some random maker, they come from Nanoleaf, a well-known smart lighting brand. Let’s take a look.







Bote Highwater Hitchhiker Review: A Versatile Waterproof Action Bag

The Bote Highwater Hitchhiker is a new product in the brand’s line of waterproof bags and packs. Measuring 7″ wide by 4″ high and 2.2″ deep, it is the smallest bag in their line-up; it is perfect for carrying most phones and can easily also accommodate your wallet, glasses, keys, and whatever else is in your pockets that you wish to keep dry while enjoying your favorite watersport.