Rooftop tent vs ground tent
Gravel bike vs hardtail mountain bike
Sawyer Squeeze vs LifeStraw
Desks
Latest field notes
September 17, 2026
Sit-on-top vs sit-inside kayak
Buy a sit-on-top for a first boat, fishing, or a dog. Buy a sit-inside from a paddling shop if you already own a wet-exit and you want miles. Wear the vest either way.
September 17, 2026
Backpacking tent vs hammock and tarp
Buy a backpacking tent if the ground is the site. Buy a hammock and tarp if two live trees are the site and you will insulate underneath. Most people should own the tent first.
September 17, 2026
Baitcaster vs spinning combo for fall bass
Buy a baitcaster for fall cranks, chatterbaits, and wind. Buy spinning for wacky rigs, light jerkbaits, and a first bass rod. Most October days want both.
September 17, 2026
ArmaLite AR-10 pattern vs DPMS LR-308 pattern
Buy a DPMS-pattern .308 AR unless you already own ArmaLite receivers. The two families do not mix. The rifle stays at a licensed dealer.
September 16, 2026
Early archery whitetail on public edges
Early archery on public edges is a first-and-last-light sit on an oak or cutover. Walk the nasty edge, glass until the deer is a sentence, and buy the bow at a licensed shop.