Author: Jack Bogart

FORT BENNING, Ga. — The Army’s toughest course just got tougher. On April 21, 2026, the first class of U.S. Army Ranger students tackled Fort Benning’s new Bayonet Assault Course, a rugged addition to the Malvesti obstacle course. Integrated into the grueling Ranger Assessment Phase, the high-stress, obstacle-packed site provides a new way to assess a Soldier’s physical and tactical readiness at the very start of the course. “The Bayonet Assault Course allows us to introduce a level of grit, a level of violence of action, very rapidly into Ranger school,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Hartung, command sergeant major…

From steep crag trails to slabby scrambles, the best approach shoes blend hiking comfort with sticky rubber. We also look for climbing precision and enough durability for repeated abuse on rock. For this update, GearJunkie editor Chris Kassar and lead tester Ryan Kempfer tested five new approach shoes over a three-month cycle. From the Tetons to Moab, we logged rocky approaches, desert scrambles, crag days, and mixed trail miles to see how each shoe handled grip, fit, stiffness, support, and durability. After further testing, we awarded our top spot to the La Sportiva TX4 EVO for its unmatched mix of…

The sun’s blazing overhead, you’ve got miles to go, and there’s not much shade in sight. The best sun hats protect your head, face, ears, and neck from harsh UV while staying breathable, secure, and comfortable enough to wear all day. For this update, GearJunkie Editor Chris Kassar tested four new sun hats over nine months while sweating through trail runs, scrambling exposed routes above the tree line, paddleboarding, and logging long days out photographing wildlife. While none of the new contenders unseated our current favorites, the process reinforced the strength of our existing selection. This guide has been shaped…

H. Clay Aalders is a lifelong edged tool user. He spent the past 20 years as a woodworker and fishing guide in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Tennessee. While guiding in Idaho, Clay worked part-time writing for a local newspaper, and upon moving to Tennessee began writing for the blog The Truth About Knives – spending his last 5 years there as Managing Editor. His background is in fixed-blade hunting and bushcraft knives, but has jumped into the world of vintage slipjoint collecting with both feet since coming to work at Knife Magazine. Clay’s primary role is as Digital…

A climbing rope is your literal lifeline. The best options strike a perfect balance between smooth handling, reliable fall-catching, and the durability to withstand seasons of abrasion. For this update, GearJunkie contributor Miya Tsudome spent three months evaluating two new ropes, tying into each cord for three to five separate climbs on the sharp granite of Pine Creek Canyon and the welded tuff of the Owens River Gorge. The Mammut Alpine Core Protect takes the top spot as our favorite overall rope thanks to an innovative cut-resistant core that provides unparalleled safety on sharp edges, while the Edelrid Tommy Caldwell…

Dear Industry – Cut The Slop Dear Industry, For the past several years we have been VERY generous here at SSD in publishing your press releases free of charge, regardless of whether you are an advertiser or not. What’s more, despite being very clear that we don’t accept them in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) we’ve republished entirely too many, even though they take a great deal of time to correct the multiple issues you introduce by sharing them in such a ridiculous format. But now things have gone too far. Many of you have begun to use AI to create…

From gym laps to alpine objectives, the best climbing harnesses keep you secure. The best designs also keep you comfortable and organized without adding bulk or hindering movement. For this update, lead tester Miya Tsudome evaluated two new climbing harnesses over a three-month cycle from her home base in Bishop, California. She put them to the test while sport climbing in Owens River Gorge and during long trad days in Pine Creek Canyon. From hanging belays to racking cams and draws, she rigorously assessed fit, pressure points, gear loop accessibility, and all-day comfort The Black Diamond Solution remains our best overall pick for…

Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More Heads up, fellow gear nerds: It’s Small Business Sales Week. From now until May 19, a bunch of independently owned, small outdoor gear brands are offering deals. These up-and-coming brands are often run by a single person, or just a few folks, and make some seriously cool products, like trail food in fresh flavors, nifty gadgets, or ultralight, hand-sewn packs. Use code SBSW2026 to save. Shop small, support these entrepreneurs, and grab some cutting-edge gear. Garage Grown Gear: 10% Off Select Gear Garage Grown…

Hotspur Launches SOLDIER Line with Coin To mark the launch of the new SOLDIER brand at the recent British Army RSM conference, Hotspur commissioned an exclusive coin and pin badge set for the occasion. Each coin case was wrapped in a black outer card with silver hot foiling for the SOLDIER brand. We are tired of plain white card wraps that offer no branding or presence. The case inside was covered in a camouflage pattern to match the event. We believe this is yet another design first from Hotspur. The SOLDIER brand is hot foiled into the lid for a…

Chilean brand Rokum could have entered the U.S. market with a small line of sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Instead, it went with a rarer approach: combine them together. The Umak — part sleeping bag, part sleeping pad, and part couch — launched on Kickstarter last week. This three-season kit may provide enough use cases to entice summer campers looking for a flexible sleeping system — if not quite those seeking backcountry adventures. The bag’s bulkiness and weight make it an unlikely contender for long-distance backpacking. At $100, it’s a wild but affordable sleep kit. We don’t yet know how…