Author: news

There are many hills I’m game to die on. Few are farther from the grace of both car campers and ultralighters as this one: For camping and backpacking, tables are usually more useful than chairs. To the former group, to cut either is to have an unfinished camp. To many of the latter, the extra ounces of a table are outright unconscionable. Yet, while there are plenty of places to sit — rocks, stumps, foam pads, hammocks, etc. — tables are harder to come by. Finding a dry, relatively level, fire-resistant, wind-shielded space to place things and store gear can…

Darley Named One of Crain’s 2025 Fast 50 ITASCA, IL – August 7, 2025 – Darley, a leading provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment, is proud to announce it has been named one of Crain’s 2025 Fast 50 by Crain’s Chicago Business. This honor recognizes Darley as one of the 50 fastest-growing companies in the Chicago area based on year-over-year revenue growth. “Darley is deeply honored to be recognized among Crain’s 2025 Fast 50,” said Paul Darley, CEO and President of Darley. “This recognition is a testament to the relentless innovation, dedication, and passion of our incredible team…

This week saw some big-name brands dropping hot new gear: HOKA released a trail runner, Evolv put out a performance climbing shoe, and Patagonia announced a tougher version of its bestselling jacket. Celebrity inspiration was also on full display: Zendaya worked with On to design a new shoe and apparel collection, and Simms released fishing gear inspired by the OG jam band, the Grateful Dead. Check out this week’s Emerging Gear for more. HOKA Mafate 5 HOKA designed its new Mafate 5 ($185) for trail runners who put in serious miles on tough trails. It’s “a very protective trail running…

Don’t let an arctic blast crash your plans. Whether you’re dashing through snowy streets, braving frosty commutes, or strolling through a real-life snow globe, these women’s winter jackets have your back. We’ve tested the coziest, most weather-ready silhouettes built for everyday adventures — not the hardcore gear meant for scaling icy peaks or shredding backcountry lines. Think warmth, comfort, and style that keeps you moving when the temps dip low. We’ve updated this guide six times since we first published it in 2021, after spending thousands of hours testing winter jackets in the frigid Gunnison Valley and Roaring Fork Valley…

When I started planning my latest campervan build, I should have known better than to fall into the rabbit hole of the great chassis debate. Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit? What about the Ram ProMaster? Every aspiring van lifer must make this pivotal decision. Having owned or used all three platforms for over a decade, I was still second-guessing my choice. But after over 100,000 miles of experience, I made the right decision. My latest is a 2022 Transit Cargo van with the naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 that I picked up with 32,000 miles on it. It’s a tall van…

Streamlight Inc. recently unveiled the new Streamlight ProTac 2.0 HP, a tactical and everyday-carry-friendly flashlight that delivers large amounts of candela and draws power from Streamlight’s SL-B50 USB-C rechargeable battery pack. This tactical handheld light has many of Streamlight’s classic features that its customers have come to appreciate, including a ruggedized 6000-series anodized aluminum construction. It also includes features such as Streamlight’s “Ten-Tap” programmable tail switch that allows the end-user to cycle between different lighting and intensity giving them the option between three different modes: high/strobe/low; high only and low/medium/high. The ProTac 2.0 HP also features an anti-roll head and…

Combat-proven, AI-powered eVTOL UAS joins select list of drones approved for U.S. government procurement and deployment MOORPARK, Calif., Aug. 5, 2025 — Quantum Systems, a leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial intelligence solutions, today announced that its mid-range eVTOL small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS), Vector, has been added to the U.S. Department of Defense’s Blue UAS List. The Blue UAS List, managed by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), recognizes UAS platforms that meet the U.S. government’s most rigorous standards for cybersecurity, supply chain integrity, and operational performance. Vector’s inclusion affirms its field-proven reliability, strategic relevance, and combat credibility…

When Leatherman released the Signal ($140) in the spring of 2015, it wasn’t like any other multitool on the market. In fact, Leatherman hasn’t released any other tool like it since — a legitimate outdoor survival multitool. Sure, you could argue that all of Leatherman’s multitools are aimed at the outdoors. However, the inclusion of a hammer, safety whistle, ferro rod, and knife sharpener puts the Signal in a league of its own. I remember standing in my driveway, tearing open that box from Leatherman that my mailman had just handed me. I was stoked. Inside was one of the…

By Steve Tarani Posted in #Skills Needing to react physically in a gunfight or a fistfight means that you have found yourself behind the action-reaction power curve and must rapidly regain the initiative. What critical tips from the professionals can help you build faster reflexes to put you ahead of the curve? Each of us is born with natural attributes. Some can run faster, jump higher or are way better at math than others. However, we all have an innate ability to react at varying speeds. As part of this, the world of professional protection is divided…

Global Ordnance, LLC Expands GO-Branded Line with Magazines, Ammunition, and Accessories Sarasota, FL – Global Ordnance, LLC, a trusted supplier in the defense and commercial firearms markets, announces the expanded availability of its GO?Branded product line. Featuring steel and polymer magazines, a growing variety of ammunition, and essential accessories, the GO lineup is designed to meet the needs of today’s shooters with dependable, mission-ready performance.  GO?Branded Products Now Available Magazines 5.56/.223 AR15 Steel Magazines – 10?, 20?, 30?, and 40?round capacities in black and FDE (select capacities also available in OD Green) 7.62×39 AK47 Steel Magazines – 10?, 20?, 30?, and 40?round capacities…