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Best 22 Floor Jacks

BEST FLOOR JACKS

1Arcan XL20 2-Ton Low Profile Steel Floor Jack

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Kicking of our reviews is Arcan XL20 Low Profile Floor Jack and if you’re one of those lucky ‘BLEEP’ that owns a sports car, this should be one of the first that you check out. We’d actually say that this is one of the best low-profile floor jacks that money can buy right now as it has a lift range of between 3.5in and 18.5in and offers a great blend of portability and durability.

Steel construction means that this hydraulic floor jack is as durable as they come but also fairly heavy compared to those made from aluminum. Steel jacks do have a higher weight capacity though, so it all comes down to whether you prefer capacity or mobility. The XL20 has a 2-ton capacity so it’ll have no problem lifting smaller cars and even some medium-sized cars. Arcan does have a 3-ton variant if you’re concerned that your car may be too happy for this model.

ASME standard approved, the Arcan XL20 also impressed us due to its efficient hydraulic system. You’re not going to have to bust your guts when pumping this baby as much as you’d have to with many of its competitors.

Pros

  • checkCompetitively priced
  • checkImpressive build quality
  • checkEfficient hydraulic system

Cons

  • cross-altThe saddle is a little large

Specs

  • Capacity 2t
  • Weight 915.2oz
  • Dimensions 26in x 6.3in x 13.2in
  • Type Hydraulic
2Pro-Lift F-767 2-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack

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We’ve actually featured several floor jacks from Pro-Lift in this list and for very good reason, they have a very good reputation for manufacturing some of the most popular jacks in the business. Like the previous jack we reviewed, this is ideal for use on low profile cars and will be able to adequately lift all small cars at a height range of between 3.5in and 14in.

Popular in most of the floor jack reviews that we’ve seen online, this low-cost but highly portable steel framed hydraulic floor jack has a good mix of durability and portability. There are not many hydraulic jacks that are light enough to be carried in the trunk but strong enough to support up to two tons – this is one of them.

If you’re looking for a hydraulic jack for your home, this is going to be more than adequate. However, we would recommend something a little more heavy-duty if you’re planning to use it regularly in a repair shop setting. That said, for the money, you’re getting a very nice floor jack that will give you good performance and reliability levels.

Pros

  • checkGood portability
  • checkFits cars as low as 3.5in
  • checkGreat value jack

Cons

  • cross-altNot ideal for repair shops

Specs

  • Capacity 2t
  • Weight 480oz
  • Dimensions 17.9in 5.3in x 8.5in
  • Type Hydraulic
3Blackhawk B6350 Fast Lift Service Jack

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If you’re in the market for something a little more robust and has the ability to lift heavier vehicles, this 3.5-ton Blackhawk B6350 Service Jack is going to be right up your street. Recommended for use in a service garage or for those of you that regularly perform work on larger vehicles, you won’t find it easy to find a better high lift floor jack than this.

We have to warn you though, this well-built jack sacrifices portability in order to provide better robustness and weight capacity. It is heavy, so you’re not going to want to have to lug it around too much. That said, for that sacrifice, you get a jack that can lift as much as 3-tons to heights of between 5 and 21 inches.

We particularly like that this floor jack has a 1-year warranty but other standout selling points include an efficient fast lift feature, a bypass device that prevents any damage from overpumping, and a patented saddle design. Not ideal for low-profile vehicles, however, so check out the two above if you require lifting low profile vehicles.

Pros

  • checkImpressive max lift height of 22in
  • checkFast lift technology
  • checkCan lift most vehicles

Cons

  • cross-altVery heavy

Specs

  • Capacity 3.5t
  • Weight 1,360oz
  • Dimensions 30.1in x 15.8in x 6.9in
  • Type Hydraulic
4NOS NSJ0302 3-Ton Aluminum Service Jack

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There are not too many jacks that are constructed of aluminum and this is basically because steel is the stronger material. That said, aluminum is far lighter and the NOS NSJ0302 makes use of aluminum that is aircraft grade for added strength. On top of that, they have still made use of some steel reinforcement in key areas of this floor jack.

You’ll be able to jack up cars that sit as low as 3.7 inches and will be able to lift anything up to three tons in weight up to a maximum height of 18.125 inches. We also have to say that the aluminum construction and design also make this one of the sexiest jacks on the market – that is of course if this matters to you!

Complying with ASME PALD standards alongside some excellent safety features such as safety valves and a joint release mechanism also means that you’re going to be getting a jack that is as safe as anything out there right now. This is one of our favorite hydraulic floor jacks and therefore have no issues with including it on this list.

Pros

  • checkTop quality construction
  • checkComplies with ASME standard
  • checkLight for a 3-ton jack

Cons

  • cross-altNot as durable as steel jacks

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 928oz
  • Dimensions 28.4in x 13.8in x 6.3in
  • Type Hydraulic
5Pittsburgh Automotive Ultra Low Profile 3-Ton Steel Floor Jack

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The Pittsburgh Automotive is a floor jack that excels in just about every department. Firstly, it can accommodate just about any vehicle due to its capacity of 3-tons and an exceptionally low minimum lift range of 2.875 inches. Secondly, and thirdly actually, its steel construction and very affordable price mean that it is both strong and excellent value for money respectively.

In terms of mobility, this is probably its weakest area but even here it is lighter than many other of the best floor jacks that are constructed of steel. The heavy-duty rollers on the bottom also aid it in this area by giving you the ability to move it around the floor quite easily. Using a double pump system, jacking your car up does not take nearly as much effort as is needed with many of its competitors, another big benefit with picking up one of these bad boys.

We’re very impressed with Pittsburgh and that’s why you’ll notice a few of their other floor jacks in our list. This one in particular though has to be the best floor jack for the money in our opinion.

Pros

  • checkSuperb value for money
  • checkVery low profile
  • checkAble to handle most vehicles

Cons

  • cross-altNot the prettiest

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 1,264oz
  • Dimensions 28in x 12in x 10in
  • Type Hydraulic
6Liftmaster 3-Ton Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack

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For the price, the Liftmaster 3-Ultra Low-Profile Steel Floor Jack is right up there when it comes to our favorite floor jacks. Once you get past its rather basic and uninspiring looks – you’ll quickly see that this jack has so much going for it. At the end of the day, who actually chooses a floor jack on how they look anyway?

First of all, it has an excellent lift range of between 3in and 19.7in which gives it an excellent price to height ratio. That low starting point means that it can lift even the lowest of cars while the maximum height means that you can really get underneath a vehicle to get your work done. We also have to mention the high levels of durability that this steel-constructed 3-ton floor jack provides.

Some other positives include a saddle that comes with anti-slip padding that adds an extra element of safety, the fact that you can pump a vehicle up to full height within ten pumps, and a foam coated handle that aids grip and helps to prevent scratch damage. All in all, the Liftmaster is a great jack at a great price and should be among your considerations.

Pros

  • checkLift range of 3in to 19.7in
  • checkSaddle has anti-slip rubber
  • checkEfficient pump action

Cons

  • cross-altPlain looking

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 1,164oz
  • Dimensions 31in x 15in x 6.5in
  • Type Hydraulic
7Torin Big Red 3-Ton Heavy Duty Floor Jack

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First and foremost, the big appeal with this floor jack is without a doubt the price. You’re not going to be able to find many other 3-ton jacks at this price, let alone any that gets as many good floor jack reviews. Sure, there are better jacks out there but they are going to cost you substantially more than the budget price that this one is available for.

As for the specs, well, with a lift range of between 6 inches and 21 inches you can instantly see that this was designed for larger and heavier vehicles. If you have a low-profile sports car, we suggest you go and look at something that has a much lower base height. The Big Red does have a high maximum height which is great for larger vehicles and a big reason for this height is the long neck that the jack has.

Another surprising thing about the Big Red here is that it’s not as heavy as you might expect. Yes, it’s heavy but not nearly as heavy as other heavy-duty 3-Ton jacks on the market. That and the fact that it has swiveling rear wheels means that getting the jack into the right position under the car isn’t going to be too difficult.

Pros

  • checkGreat for trucks and SUV’s
  • checkValue for money
  • checkSwiveling rear wheels

Cons

  • cross-altNot suitable for low-profile vehicles

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 702.4oz
  • Dimensions 26in x 11in x 8in
  • Type Hydraulic
8Jegs 80077 3 Ton Professional Floor Jack

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At the opposite scale to our last 3-ton jack above in terms of price comes the Jegs 80077 3-Ton Professional Floor Jack. This comes in at almost three times the price and certainly falls into the premium category. That said, this is definitely one of the best portable car jacks that money can buy for a number of reasons.

It has been constructed of lightweight aluminum which means that it’s far more portable than those made of steel. Additionally, because it’s a low-profile jack with a lift range of between 3.5 and 19.25 inches, you’re going to be able to lift almost any car.

Where the extra price really comes into play however, is the additional features that budget jacks do not offer. One of these is a sealed hydraulic system which prevents dust and other debris from giving you issues, a safety valve that stops the jack from overloading, and a reinforced left arm. The icing on the cake is that this floor jack complies with ASME PALD 2014 standards.

We also have to comment on the bright yellow coloring which not looks great but also makes it very easy to spot in even the dreariest of dreary garages.

Pros

  • checkLightweight aluminum construction
  • checkASME standards
  • checkQuality-build

Cons

  • cross-altTakes a few pumps to fully extend

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 928oz
  • Dimensions 32in x 15in x 8in
  • Type Hydraulic
9MarchInn 5 Ton Hydraulic Floor Jack Tire Inflator and Flashlight

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For all you lazy types out there that hate the thought of having to manually jack your car when a flat tire occurs, you’re going to absolutely love this electric floor jack, tire inflator, and flashlight from MarchInn. You’ll now have no trouble changing out that flat tire as you’ll have all of the tools that you need. You could even opt to take their more expensive bundle that even includes an electric impact wrench that even makes removing the wheel nuts a breeze!

It should be noted that this jack is designed to be used sparingly and not in a workshop environment as we do not think it has the durability to hold up. However, as a kit to have in your car for when you need to change a tire on the roadside, this thing is a must have. All you have to do is hook it up to the cigarette lighter or even direct to the battery if you’re worried about blowing any fuses and you’re away.

With a 5-ton capacity it can lift all small, medium, and large cars easily while most trucks and vans will also not pose too much problem. We just love the concept of having everything that you need in one handy kit and at the price, it really has to be considered great value for money as well.

Pros

  • checkAll the tools you need
  • checkLifts up to 5-tons
  • checkTakes a minute to lift a car

Cons

  • cross-altAir pump a little slow

Specs

  • Capacity 5t
  • Weight 243.36oz
  • Dimensions 14.6in x 9.8in x 7.5in
  • Type Electric Hydraulic
10Sunex 6603ASJ 3-Ton Floor Jack

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Designed to be used in a workshop environment, the Sunex 6603ASJ is another that has been getting some rave floor jack reviews. Made primarily from aluminum but with steel used in areas that need reinforcement, this 3-Ton jack offers up an excellent combination of durability and portability. In fact, its weight combined with its wide track wheels means that moving this jack around is something done with ease.

As for the lift range, you’re looking at 6.5 to 19.3 inches and the great part is that it takes less than ten pumps to get it to the maximum. The not so great part is that you’re not going to be able to lift any car that has a lower profile than 6.5 inches. Of course, it’ll be fine for most road cars you’ll have to roll out a low-profile jack for anything too low.

Other features include a handle side handle which also aids portability, a large anti-slip saddle pad that improves safety, and some good looks. On the latter however, we do which the colors were a little brighter but other than that it does look good.

Pros

  • checkGood maneuverability
  • checkQuality construction
  • checkEfficient pump mechanism

Cons

  • cross-altOn the expensive side

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 928oz
  • Dimensions 15in x 7.9in x 31.7in
  • Type Hydraulic
11Pro-Lift F-2315PE Hydraulic Car Jack

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This is the second-floor jack from Pro-Lift on our list and the F-2315PE Hydraulic Car Jack certainly follows in the footsteps of their other affordably priced jacks. While we would not recommend this for extensive or workshop use, we do think that it is a jack that is perfect to have at home or even to be kept in the car.

It weights just 288oz and has strong casters that allow you to move it around easily, a lift range of between 4.92 and 11.81 inches which is suitable for many cars, and a steel frame construction that means that it is more than durable enough. We should warn that with a max capacity of 1.5-ton, we do not recommend lifting anything more than a small car with this jack.

As a budget jack for small cars, the F-2315PE is a very good option in our opinion. Sure, it has its limitations but for the money you’re getting great value. Another nice touch that also shows how portable this jack is, is the fact that it comes in its very own carry case.

Pros

  • checkLightweight & portable
  • checkFantastic price
  • checkCarry case

Cons

  • cross-altOnly for small cars

Specs

  • Capacity 1.5t
  • Weight 288oz
  • Dimensions 18in x 9in x 6in
  • Type Hydraulic
12Torin Big Red 2-Ton Floor Jack

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Another from the lower end of the spectrum in terms of price is another offering from the Torin Big Red range. This 2-ton hydraulic car jack certainly beats most for price but how does it hold up performance wise? Not too bad actually and we’d have no problem recommending this to have at home for when you need to get some work done under your car or as a cheap backup in a workshop.

Designed to be lightweight, this jack comes packed in its very own carry case and can therefore be thrown in your trunk for those times in need at the side of a road. In terms of capacity and lift range, the Big Red can lift as much as 2 tons and has a range of between 5.6 and 13 inches. This makes it suitable for most smaller cars and some medium-sized cars but we would not advise trying to lift anything larger.

As stated, this isn’t going to be your preferred option if you own a garage or workshop but it’s more than durable enough for occasional use. There’s even a safety overload system that will instantly prevent you from trying to lift anything too heavy – a feature that is always handy on a floor jack but definitely on one that’s as cheap as this one.

Pros

  • checkGreat budget buy
  • checkLightweight but durable
  • checkCarry case

Cons

  • cross-altNot ideal for workshops

Specs

  • Capacity 2t
  • Weight 358.4oz
  • Dimensions 9.5in x 19.8in x 7in
  • Type Hydraulic
13Pittsburgh Compact 1.5-Ton Racing Jack

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Constructed of aircraft aluminum for some serious durability and weighing just 640 ounces, it is clear to see why the Pittsburgh Compact 1.5-Ton Racing Jack it is the hydraulic floor jack of choice for many people. This is a premium jack both in terms of its price and of its quality and you really should be checking it out if you’re after something that can lift low-profile cars effortlessly.

Why do we say effortlessly? Well, it takes just three or four pumps on this thing to lift small cars which when you consider that some jacks take ten or even fifteen pumps, you can see the effort that you can save with this thing. This is primarily down to the dual pump mechanism that this floor jack uses which allows for rapid lifting.

This jack was actually designed with professional racing teams in mind as it gets the job done quickly without compromising on safety or durability. This is also clear due to the max capacity of 1.5-ton as racing cars are designed to be as light as possible so to allow them to travel quicker. It also looks great too – one of our favorites in this area in fact.

Pros

  • checkJust a few pumps needed
  • checkConstructed of aircraft aluminum
  • checkDual parallel pump system

Cons

  • cross-altNot suitable for large vehicles

Specs

  • Capacity 1.5t
  • Weight 640oz
  • Dimensions 23in x 10in x 7in
  • Type Hydraulic
14

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NOS has made a series of top-quality portable car jacks over the years and the NSJ0301 is definitely one of their best. Primarily constructed of aluminum but with steel reinforcements where needed such as in the lift arm, this jack is fantastically lightweight but without losing out too much in terms of the durability that it provides.

It literally weighs close to half the weight of other floor jacks made from 100% steel that is capable of lifting the same 3-ton weight. If you’re somebody that values being able to move your jack around a lot easier, this is certainly a jack that you should be taking a closer look at.

Something else that will impress many of you is the fact that this can lift cars that sit as low as 3.75 inches from the ground. This means sportscars, in particular, can be lifted due to the ultra-low profile of the NSJ0301. Even most medium-sized cars and some SUVs can be lifted with this jack due to the weight capacity of 3t.

Pros

  • checkAttractive design
  • checkAnti-slip saddle
  • checkLightweight

Cons

  • cross-altPricey compared to similar jacks

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 432oz
  • Dimensions 28.7in x 13in x 6.6in
  • Type Hydraulic
15ProForge 22-Ton Hydraulic/Air Floor Jack

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Forget lifting your car, the ProForge 22-Ton Hydraulic Floor Jack will be able to lift a 10-story building. No, seriously, this thing can handle some weight and is ideal for any of you that need to lift any kind of heavy load or extremely large vehicles. What you have to remember is that jacks with this kind of capacity usually cost five times what this unit is selling for right now.

Does that obvious value for money affect the quality that the ProForge provides? Well, it is probably not up there with some of the very best hydraulic/air floor jacks in terms of build-quality but at this price, you’re still getting yourself a very impressive piece of kit. Made from steel, you can be sure that it is robust and can take a beating and although it is heavy – would you really want to try and lift a bus, plane, or another heavy vehicle with something that wasn’t?

This jack has a minimum saddle height of 8.5 inches and it can lift to a maximum height that is just over 10 inches. Well worth a look if you’re on a budget but want something that is both able and reputable to get the job done.

Pros

  • checkAmazing price
  • checkLifts up to 22-tons
  • checkMobile despite weight

Cons

  • cross-altNo warranty

Specs

  • Capacity 22t
  • Weight 1,376
  • Dimensions 26in x 14in x 12in
  • Type Hydraulic/Air
16Performance Tool W1640 2-1/2-Ton Floor Jack

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The Performance Tool W1640 is another floor jack that will not break the bank and with a lifting capacity of 2.5 ton, you’re actually getting plenty of moneys worth. Compared to other jacks with the same or similar capacity, you’re definitely making some good savings with the W1640 and this is not at too much of a sacrifice to the quality of the product.

This jack has a a decent lift range of 5 to 15.5 inches which might not be low enough for some sports cars but it’s certainly low enough to lift just about any other small-to-medium car. You’ll even be able to lift some light trucks with the W1640 but you really should check the weight of the vehicle before attempting to lift it.

While the jack that we’re reviewing is 2.5-ton, they do have other weight capacities over at Performance Tools, so essentially you can get the same jack but with capacities ranging between 1.5-ton to 3-ton. If you’re going to be working on heavier vehicles, we certainly suggest you go for something with increased weight capacity.

Pros

  • checkValue for money
  • checkOver load protection
  • checkFairly light

Cons

  • cross-altBetter durability available

Specs

  • Capacity 2.5t
  • Weight 443.2oz
  • Dimensions 22in x 9in x 6in
  • Type Hydraulic
17Pro-Lift G-737 3-1/2-Ton Garage Jack

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This is the third appearance for Pro-Lift with this one being the G-737 Speedy Lift Garage Jack. It offers a standard capacity of 3.5-ton which is more than enough for most cars, trucks, and vans. Furthermore, you can get your vehicle to the desired lift height with a number of pumps that you can count on just one hand. Small cars will take no more than four pumps while trucks might take one extra pump.

Other areas of quality with the G-737 includes the saddle being rubber which protects the vehicle being lifted without sacrificing stability. Additionally, a universal joint release mechanism allows you to lower the jack more precisely which also protects both you and the vehicle. The build-quality of this jack is also at a high level as the car jack reviews that follow it will attest to.

This might not be a gamechanger but one other neat little feature that we find handy is that of the magnetic tool tray. You can place nuts, bolts other metal items in here with the peace of mind that you’re not going to lose them around a hectic workshop. Summing up, this is a great all-rounder and one that we feel most of you will more than appreciate.

Pros

  • checkOnly a few pumps needed
  • checkMagnetic tool tray
  • checkSteel construction

Cons

  • cross-altVery heavy

Specs

  • Capacity 3.5t
  • Weight 1,440oz
  • Dimensions 30.12in x 6.89in x 15.75in
  • Type Hydraulic
18Sunex 6602LP 2-Ton Low Rider Service Jack

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We’ve chosen the Sunex 6602LP 2-Ton Low Rider Service Jack as our ‘Editors Pick’ and you’re just about to find out why. This might be one of the more expensive jacks on our list but we have nothing but great things to say about it. It has a super low profile, makes use of rapid rise technology, is very maneuverable despite its heavy weight, and is as durable as they come.

This jack has a minimum height of 2.75 inches which is low enough to lift even the lowest of cars and a maximum lift height of 24 inches. That is easily one of the best lift ranges that you’ll see on this list but it doesn’t just excel there. Through rapid rise technology, that lift can be experienced in just a matter of six or seven pumps.

Furthermore, this jack is ASME PALD compliant, comes with a one-year warranty, and is constructed of industrial-grade steel that will ensure that it lasts for a good many years. Ideal for use at home or in a workshop environment, you’re not going to find many low-profile jacks as good as this one and that is why it is our favorite of the lot.

Pros

  • checkASME PALD compliant
  • checkLift range of 2.75in to 24in
  • check1-year manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

  • cross-altHeavy jack

Specs

  • Capacity 2t
  • Weight 1,657.6oz
  • Dimensions 36in x 15.8in x 7.5in
  • Type Hydraulic
19Arcan ALJ3T 3-Ton Floor Jack

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You’re certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to the best hydraulic floor jacks as the Arcan ALJ3T 3-Ton Floor Jack is another great option to consider. This premium-grade floor jack has a lift capacity of three ton which is more than you’ll need to lift most small and medium sized cars and while you might think that this will have to have been constructed of steel to handle the load, it’s actually made from aircraft aluminum.

That material allows it to retain its durability but with the addition of far more portability. It still weights quite a bit but not as much as you’ll find with steel-constructed floor jacks. As for the lift range with this particular jack, you’re looking at a minimum of 3.75 inches and a maximum of 18.25 inches which is going to be more than enough for most of you.

This really is a high-quality jack that looks and feels durable, has a number of safety features such as bypass and overload valves, and which adheres to ASME PASE standards. Its dual pump pistons might not lift a vehicle as quickly as a few others in this price range but they still the job pretty quickly to make any lift and easy one.

Pros

  • checkASME PASE-2014 safety compliant
  • checkConstructed of aircraft aluminum
  • checkHas a low profile of 3.75 inches

Cons

  • cross-altMore expensive than others in this range

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 896oz
  • Dimensions 30in x 13.5in x 8in
  • Type Hydraulic
20Jegs 80006 2-Ton Aluminum Floor Jack

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Jegs is another reputable brand when it comes to floor jacks and this low-profile 2-Ton Aluminum Floor Jack is definitely among their best floor jacks right now. Its capacity and minimum lift limit of 3.5 inches means that there are not many vehicles that it will not be able to get underneath. The 2-ton weight capacity also means that you’re going to be able to lift the majority of cars that’re on the road today.

This has been designed to be as lightweight as possible without sacrificing on its durability and this is why it has been constructed of aluminum instead of steel. This means you’ll be able to store it in the trunk of your car if needs must while it’ll also work as a professional level jack in a workshop environment too.

Rubber lift pads, knurled grips, and adhering to ASME PALD standards is where the safety aspects come into play and each of these really do mean that you can have a peace of mind that you have a quality floor jack from a very reputable manufacturer. The price might be the only issue but once again, you’re paying for some of the best quality available.

Pros

  • checkMeets ASME PALD standards
  • checkLightweight
  • checkGood lifting range

Cons

  • cross-altQuite expensive

Specs

  • Capacity 2t
  • Weight 803.2oz
  • Dimensions 7.4in x 14.8in x 31.6in
  • Type Hydraulic
21Pittsburgh 3-Ton Heavy Duty Floor Jack

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The penultimate floor jack on our list is another from Pittsburgh that has to be among the very best car floor jacks available today. As one of the most expensive we’ve reviewed, it would be understandable if you’ll be a little put off but like many others int his price range, you’re really getting the ultimate in quality for your money.

This 3-Ton Heavy Duty Floor Jack is constructed of heavy-duty steel, has a lift range of between 5in and 18.25in, and will be able to lift pretty much any car and even some smaller trucks. The best part is that it’ll only take five pumps to get the jack to its maximum height, something that many other jacks on this list can compete with. In fact, you’ll only need three and a half pumps to get to the ideal height for most cars that you use it on!

As you might expect from a steel-constructed floor jack, it is on the heavy side but it still does offer decent mobility. This is primarily because of the steel casters and wheels which allow you to push and pull it to where it needs to go. Those combined with a minimum height of 5 inches means that you’ll be able to get under and lift pretty much all cars that are not overly low-profile.

Pros

  • checkExtremely durable
  • checkFive pumps for full height
  • checkReputable brand

Cons

  • cross-altOn the heavy side

Specs

  • Capacity 3t
  • Weight 1,248oz
  • Dimensions 27.5in x 13.5in
  • Type Hydraulic
22Strongway 22-Ton Air/Hydraulic Service Jack

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Bringing our list of our 22 best floor jacks to a close is that of the Strongway 22-Ton Air/Hydraulic Service Jack. This uses an air motor to lift just about any heavy loads that you can imagine but, in your case, this is obviously going to be cars, trucks, and other vehicles. That said, with a capacity of 22-ton, there is very little that it’s not going to be able to help you lift.

Built from rugged steel, durability is never going to be a concern and with large 8-inch wheels, moving the jack into position can be done easily and efficiently. Safety is also a big focus of this Strongway service jack which is showcased via safety overload protection and it meeting ASME PALD 2009 standards.

Admittedly, this jack might offer a little too much for many of you that are just after something that can lift your car. However, if you work as a mechanic or need to lift other machinery, industrial equipment, or the largest of farm vehicles, this is certainly a jack you should be considering. The price is also very appealing when you consider the weights that it’ll have no trouble lifting.

Pros

  • check1-Year limited warranty
  • checkLifts up to 22 tons
  • checkSafety overload protection

Cons

  • cross-altA little bit overkill

Specs

  • Capacity: 22t
  • Weight 1,656oz
  • Dimensions 21.73in x 12.4in x 9.88in
  • Type Air/Hydraulic

BUYING GUIDE & FAQ’S

What types of floor jacks are available?

There are several different types of floor jacks on the market and each will be better suited to different uses and environments. Some will be ideal for carrying around in your car in case the inevitable flat tire occurs when you’re late for that all-important date, meeting, wedding, or fortunately when you’re meant to meet the girlfriend for a shopping trip. On the other hand, some jacks are better used at home or in a repair shop as they’re simply too heavy to pick up and move around.

You’ll also have to consider what you’re going to be using your jack for before purchasing one. Yes, we know, you’re going to want to lift your car! Well, some of you might own an SUV or even a truck, so different types of jacks or at least their max capacity will have to be considered.

Essentially, there are three different types of jacks:

  • Scissor Jacks – These are the type of jacks that will be ideal for carrying around in your car. When your tire goes pop these will give you the ability to lift your car just enough for you to be able to change your tire. One thing they will not be able to do, unfortunately, is to stop your girlfriend/wife from whining about being late for that aforementioned shopping trip.
  • Hydraulic Jacks – Now unless you’re Dwayne Johnson, a hydraulic jack is not something that you’ll want to be lifting up too often or storing in the trunk of your car. These things can weigh a lot and are designed to be used at home or in a repair shop environment. Rather than being mechanical jacks like their scissor cousin, these are operated by pumping fluid into a cylinder with the generated pressure forcing the car upwards.
  • Piston/Bottle Jacks – Piston jacks which are otherwise known as bottle jacks simply because, well, they look like bottles, are a good option when it comes to elevating large weights. Due to their standing height however, they’re not going to be suited to lifting vehicles that are lower to the ground such as sports cars.

How to Select the Best Floor Jack for the Money?

No floor jacks are the same and will be able to handle different weights, lift these weights to different heights, and will be able to fit under differing heights of cars. They’ll also be made of different materials, use different pumping mechanisms, and will be available at a variety of prices. All of the above will have to be considered before you make your choice on which floor jack to purchase.

These are just some of the more common things that you’ll have to consider:

  • Weight/Mobility – Even the lightest of floor jacks can weigh a fair amount but some do weigh a lot less than others, so if portability or mobility is something that you’ll need, you’re going to have to look at the lighter models among our list. A heavy-duty floor jack is not going to be ideal for the trunk of your car while a lighter jack should not really be used regularly in a workshop environment.
  • Lifting Range – The lifting range of a jack is also a very important consideration before buying. You’ll have to make sure that the jack is low enough to be able to get under the vehicle that you want to lift and that it’ll be able to lift that vehicle high enough for you to be able to get underneath it.
  • Capacity – This is how much weight that the jack can safely lift and support. Generally, 1.5 to 2-ton floor jacks will be able to support most small cars but if you wanted to be able to lift larger cars, vans, and even trucks, you’re going to need a 3-ton jack at the very least. Make sure you know the weight of the vehicles you want to lift before choosing the weight capacity that you need for your floor jack. 
  • Construction – Most floor jacks will be constructed of steel, aluminum or a combination of the two. These are the only two materials that are considered strong enough to hold the sort of weights that you’ll need to lift with steel being the strongest and aluminum being the lightest. Therefore, if you wanted a jack that is easer to move, you’ll probably want the latter but if you’d prefer a bit more durability, the former should be your first choice.
  • Price – While the cost of the jack that you’re buying should not be the biggest priority, it will of course be important for many of you. Some jacks can cost a small fortune but it’s hard to argue against them being worth it but there’s also some great budget floor jacks that will more than do the job that you need.

How to Operate a Floor Jack Safely

Operating a floor jack is pretty simple once you know how to do it – in fact, even the birdiest of bird brains among you will have no trouble pumping away at your favorite model. That triggered your dirty minds, right?

However, it’s important that you also know how to operate your floor jack in as safe a manner as possible. The last thing you’ll want to do is injure or kill yourself, or worse yet, damage your car.

These are the processes that you should be following if you want to safely operate a floor jack:

  • Find the Most Even Surface Possible – It’s hugely important that you move your car to a surface that is even as possible. You do not want to risk the car pushing over the jack or jack stands and falling off of them – especially if you’re working on the car at the time.
  • Chock the Wheels – You should always chock the wheels of the car, especially on the opposite end from where you’re lifting it. This is to prevent any rollback from occurring as the vehicle is lifted. This should be done even if you’re certain that the surface you’re lifting on is perfectly even.
  • Always Use Jack Stands – Never rely on the car jack alone to support the vehicle that you’re working on – if that jack was to fail, you’re in trouble. Jack stands should be placed under the car in the places that your cars manual states. These will help the jack to support the weight of the car while you perform the necessary work.
  • Raise and Lower Car Carefully – Never rush whenever you’re lifting or lowering the car in order to prevent damage to the car, the jack, and of course, yourself. When pumping you should also keep an eye on the car to make sure that it’s lifting safely and looks stable. When lowering, doing it gently will enable the car to make contact with the ground in a stable manner.

Cover Your Back With A Quality Car Jack

That is some list we’re sure you’ll agree and we’re confident that what we’ve listed above will be among the very best hydraulic jacks that money can buy. Don’t be thinking back to this buying guide when you’re stuck on the side of the road, wishing you’d bought one. We’ve made a point of catering for all kinds of budgets with our selection so that there is something for everyone while we’ve also tested all of the above and checked out the many online floor jack reviews to get other people’s opinions.

We’ve also made sure that we have included a good selection of weight capacities, lifting ranges, and the overall weight of the jacks so that you’ll be able to find something that suits your particular needs. Just make sure that you already know what you’re looking for in these departments as there’s nothing worse than buying a jack that is unable to support the weight of your car or indeed fit underneath it.

To put things as politely as possible, if you’re unable to find your best floor jack out of that lot above – we give up!

Best 15 Portable Camping Showers

BEST PORTABLE CAMPING SHOWERS

1Ivation Portable Outdoor Battery-Operated Shower

Editors Rating

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Remember when we mentioned using a bucket of water as a camping shower? Well with this Ivation battery-operated handheld shower you can transform a bucket or even a sink into an effective shower. This portable and handy device comes with a simple showerhead, a pump and a lithium-ion 2200mAh rechargeable battery with a plug that can connect to a USB port or wall socket.

So, is it really that simple? Yes, you just place the pump into any body of water, like a sink or bucket or some other kind of container. Then you’re ready to have that refreshing wash. The amount of shower time you have depends on how much water you use. For example, 2.5-gallons will give you 7 to 8-minutes, while 5-gallons will give you a rather luxurious 10-minutes.

It really is that simple. What’s more impressive about this seemingly insignificant and minimalist accessory is what it comes with. You get, in addition to the showerhead, a flexible hose of 5.9-feet in length along with a S-shaped hanging hook and suction cup holder. This means that with the pump in water you can hang the showerhead on just about anything, whether it’s a car window or even a tree, for hands-free showering.

Pros

  • checkPractical design
  • checkEffective
  • checkLightweight

Cons

  • cross-altLack of an off switch

Specs

  • Capacity N/A
  • Material N/A
  • Dimensions 3.2 x 2.4 x 10-inches
  • Weight 1.9lbs
2Advanced Elements 5-Gallons Solar Shower

Editors Rating

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Next, we have a great option for anyone looking for a green solution to showering outside. The Advanced Elements portable shower is powered by solar power. This is possible because of its 4-ply vinyl construction that consists of the water reservoir, an insulator panel, reflector panel and solar panel. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a nice hot spray of water when you need to get clean at camp or wherever you may be.

In addition to the main bag, you also get a showerhead that has an on and off switch. Filling the bag is easy thanks to the XL valve and twist-off cap. You then just need to leave for a short time with the clear side up for the solar panel to heat the bag of water up.

In addition to the bag and showerhead, there’s also Velcro strapping for attaching wash cloths, a temperature gauge for the water, as well as a shampoo and soap side pocket. For such a small and compact device, and a weight of just 1.4-ounces, this Ivation portable shower sure packs a decent punch in the water spray department. It helps that it has an incredibly affordable price too!

Pros

  • checkSolar paneling
  • checkRobust construction
  • checkPractical design

Cons

  • cross-altCould do with a longer hose

Specs

  • Capacity 5-gallons
  • Material 4-ply Vinyl
  • Dimensions 20 x 6 x 2-inches
  • Weight 1.32lbs
3Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower

Editors Rating

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Coleman have utilized a similar design and layout to their 5-gallon solar shower as Advanced Elements. The bonus with this is that it’s a fraction of the above device’s price. You still get the benefit of a full 5-gallon container and a similar solar paneling system that warms the water up in no time at all. There’s also a reliably tough handle for easy carrying, but it can also be used to hang the bag just about anywhere.

So, really if you’re choice was between this and the above one, you’d want to consider the price and whether you’re more of a Coleman or Advanced Elements fan. We love Coleman products here at Men’s Gear and have featured them many times before in various buying guides.

5-gallons is also more than enough for not just you to have a shower, but whoever you’re travelling or camping out with. If we had to change anything, it would be to include a larger showerhead, but that’s us just being picky.

Pros

  • checkVery competitively priced
  • checkEasy to setup and use
  • checkSolar powered

Cons

  • cross-altThe handle could be tougher

Specs

  • Capacity 5-gallons
  • Material Vinyl
  • Dimensions 8.7 x 6.5 x 2.2-inches
  • Weight 8.8-ounces
4Risepro 5-Gallon Solar Shower Bag with Switchable Showerhead

Editors Rating

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Don’t be surprised that the next portable shower in our guide, this great option from Risepro, has a similar design to the two directly above it. Most portable showers follow this kind of design and construction, because it has proved to be effective in the past. The bag itself is constructed from highly durable and environmentally-friendly PVC and the solar technology used means that it takes just a few hours to heat the water up to 45-degrees Celsius.

In addition to the shower bag itself, you also get a hose and switchable showerhead for a more authentic experience that’ll remind you of being back home. With the hanging strap, you can hook the bag just about anywhere to free up your hands and to really get the benefit from using the shower.

Like many other models, its incredibly easy to use and can be turned on or off, as well as from low to high pressure, at the touch of a couple of switches. Many other models don’t have quite as large a capacity and are excellent for when you want to keep your luggage light. However, if you favor a powerful shower experience that more than one of you can benefit from every full bag, this is a great option.

Pros

  • checkEnvironmentally-friendly PVC construction
  • checkChoice of low or high pressure
  • checkShowerhead and flexible hose included

Cons

  • cross-altCap for filling point could leak

Specs

  • Capacity 5-gallons
  • Material PVC
  • Dimensions N/A
  • Weight 8-ounces
5RinseKit PLUS Portable Outdoor Shower

Editors Rating

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The RinseKit PLUS is a little different from the portable outdoor showers we’ve featured so far. How so? Well, it offers the same kind of pressure you’d expect from a garden hose. Without the need for batteries or pumping. It was originally designed to give surfers an easy and convenient way to rinse off their wetsuits and surfboards before putting everything into the car and heading home. As the brainchild of the company’s founder Chris Crawford, this became incredibly popular and now is used for a whole host of scenarios.

It’s also rather simple and easy to use thanks to its design and the quick connect feature. You can even use it with a sink or hose, if suitable. It takes less than a minute to fill up its 2-gallon tank and then you’re able to have a continuous high-powered shower experience for as much as 6-minutes. Tank pressure is retained for a maximum of one month.

We really like the RinseKit PLUS and we have a feeling you will too. With it, you get everything you need to turn this bucket into a shower, with a 6-inch hose, a hose nozzle with a nice spray of water, hose bib adaptor, quick connect, hot water sink adaptor, on/off valve. There’s even some storage space within the top section of the RinseKit PLUS, for you to keep personal belongings in, like watches etc., while you wash.

Pros

  • checkDoesn’t need pump or batteries
  • checkProvides 6-minutes of showering
  • checkTakes less than one-minute to fill

Cons

  • cross-altPressure doesn’t always perform as well as it should

Specs

  • Capacity 2-gallons
  • Material N/A
  • Dimensions 17 x 13 x 15-inches
  • Weight N/A
6OnTrackGear Outdoor Portable Electric Shower Kit

Editors Rating

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The next ingenious device we have is this portable electric shower from OnTrackGear. With a simple and elegantly compact design, we think it’s rather cool. Although it only holds around 1.2-gallons of water, it is still enough for a quick clean and thanks to the spray gun-trigger head, you have full control over the pressure of the water. You just need to switch it on and then use the handy pump to build the pressure up, then you’re ready to go.

Powered by a rechargeable battery, it offers enough for 30 showers on a single charge. The thing we really love about this model is just how lightweight and small it is. This means it’ll fit in your campervan, RV or even car, without taking up too much space at all.

OnTrackGear have ensured that this has wide appeal thanks to their simple approach to the problem of washing on the go.

Pros

  • checkUp to 30 showers on single charge
  • checkEasy to use
  • checkSpray gun nozzle with trigger

Cons

  • cross-altCould be bigger

Specs

  • Capacity 1.2-gallon
  • Material N/A
  • Dimensions N/A
  • Weight N/A
7Green Elephant 2-in-1 Solar Shower and Dry Bag

Editors Rating

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We all like to see our money go as far as we can, don’t we? With this 2-in-1 dry bag and solar shower from Green Elephant, that’s exactly what you get. A portable shower that provides you with 5-gallons of water, warmed by the sun thanks to the solar paneling and a drybag when you need to keep clothing and other items dry in wet conditions.

It’s been constructed from durable TPU, so will last a long time even with lots of use. 5-gallon is, as you’ve probably noticed, standard for portable showers. It gives you enough for two adult showers and as many as three for younger ones.

Although simple, Green Elephant have done a sterling job of kitting it out with enough great features. Starting from the base up, it has a wide foundation that means you can stand it anywhere and it’ll stay upright. The PTU used throughout its design means its leakproof while being eco-friendly and free from toxics. The hose is very flexible and free of BPA, as it’s made from silicone. It’s also incredibly flexible and won’t kink easily. Everything in the design and construction of this portable shower has been done to provide a user-friendly experience that won’t disappoint.

Pros

  • checkDoubles as shower and dry bag
  • checkSolar powered heating
  • checkEco-friendly and toxic-free materials

Cons

  • cross-altSlight issues with leaking

Specs

  • Capacity 5-gallon
  • Material TPU
  • Dimensions N/A
  • Weight N/A
8Zodi Outback Gear Extreme SC Hot Shower

Editors Rating

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Another alternative to many of the other options we’ve featured is this great outdoor shower from Zodi. The Extreme differs because it’s durable stainless-steel water tank that also comes with a burner to heat up the water. Capable of producing 10,000-BTUs, the stove burner can warm the 3-gallons of water to 100-degrees Fahrenheit in just five to ten minutes.

There’s a manual hand pump to the top of the tank that makes it relatively easy to pressurize the shower. Then when you come to use it you have a generous six-foot shower hose with shower head. We find this model particularly appealing. Not just because of its sturdy design, but because of its versatility.

You see, because it comes with a separate burner, you don’t necessarily have to bring another burner for food. The burner can be used as a stove, so rather than just being a heated portable shower, it’s also a cooking appliance too. Bazinga!

Pros

  • checkBurner can be used as a stove
  • checkStainless-steel construction
  • check6-foot hose and showerhead

Cons

  • cross-altOften comes damaged in transit

Specs

  • Capacity 3-gallons
  • Material Stainless Steel
  • Dimensions 27 x 11 x 10-inches
  • Weight 11.8lbs
9ELECTRIFIRE Solar Shower Bag

Editors Rating

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The ELECTRIFIRE portable solar shower bag follows a similar design to others we’ve featured already, so you know what to expect. It has a 5-gallon capacity water tank which provides enough for at least two adult showers and a possible three child showers. With non-toxic PVC you have the confidence that it will endure regular use in a variety of different environments, without causing damage to the planet.

As with others, there’s a reinforced sturdy handle that makes it comfortable and easy to carry, even when full. The solar panel helps to warm the water up to at least 94-degree Fahrenheit over a short period of three-hours, meaning that you can enjoy a comforting and refreshing hot shower, no matter where you are. And isn’t that what you’re looking for from a portable shower?

In addition to the standards, it benefits from a shower head that includes a switch to turn it on and off, convenient Velcro straps to keep the hose and all components compact and wrapped securely to the bag. The extra-large filling valve makes it easy to fill and there’s even a small pack bag that you can use to keep your soap and any other toiletries you need while showering, close to hand.

Pros

  • checkExtra-large filling valve
  • checkSturdy handle
  • checkNon-toxic PVC construction

Cons

  • cross-altHose could be longer

Specs

  • Capacity 5-gallons
  • Material PVC
  • Dimensions 18.9 x 19.5-inches
  • Weight 1.1lbs
10DEDC Portable Outdoor Handheld Camping Shower

Editors Rating

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Have you ever wished you could just take your own shower on the road with you when you’re camping or RVing? Although it’s not actually the same shower as the one in your home, the DEDC outdoor portable shower resembles a standard shower. With this product though, you are not lumbered with a bag, there’s no battery pack or any tank – you simply get the hose, the pump and everything else you need, apart from the source of water, in one streamlined design.

How does it work, you might be wondering? To heat the water, it connects conveniently into the 12-volt adaptor in your car (you know, the one you use for your satnav or smartphone). The shower has a 2-metre hose and a proper shower head, that is easy to adjust, so you can get the kind of spray and water pressure you prefer easily. With an electric pump that you just slip into the water source of your choice and you are good to go.

We like the real portability of this great shower and although there’s more powerful and sophisticated products on the market, with its low-ticket price, it’s rather awesome. It also comes with an s-hook that means you can use it like an actual shower for hands-free washing.

Pros

  • checkConvenient and lightweight
  • checkAdjustable shower head
  • checkS-hook for versatile use

Cons

  • cross-altPressure could be higher
11Nemo Helio LX Portable Pressure Shower with Foot Pump

Editors Rating

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It may resemble a punchbag, but the Nemo Helio LX Portable Pressure shower is a great addition to your camping supplies. The punchbag resemblance may be very apt because with a tank that holds approximately 17-gallonsand the solar power design it provides you with around seven to ten minutes of pressurized sprayed water.

The addition of a foot pump rather than the manual hand pump you often get makes this an incredibly effortless and easy shower to use. Did we mention that the actual hose measures at 10-feet in length? More than enough to hold up or clip somewhere high so that the whole experience is as easy as using that shower in your bathroom at home.

This is an updated model of the previous Helio and in comparison, you get a larger capacity bag and around two to three minutes more shower time. If you’re worried about storage, don’t be. This packs right down to 6 x 10.24-inches when not in use, meaning it won’t take up too much space at all

Pros

  • checkPacks down incredibly small
  • checkExtra-large capacity
  • check10-feet hose

Cons

  • cross-altThe screw-on cap can be hard to get off after use

Specs

  • Capacity 17-gallons
  • Material Synthetics
  • Dimensions 9.5 x 9.5 x 21.5-inches
  • Weight 2.05lbs

12OnTrackGear Outdoor Portable Shower Kit

Editors Rating

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Another great portable shower from OnTrackGear is the next item in our guide. This is not quite as fancy looking as the other, but still benefits from the basic, but adequate capacity of 1.2-gallons and has a five-foot hose. The difference is that it has a more compact design than the other model we highlighted.

Similarly, to many it has an easy to use pumping mechanism that helps to build up the pressure to give you a nice spray of water when you need it most. What’s more is the fact that the shower head has been designed to get the maximum pressure while using water economically, so the 1.2-gallons lasts a lot longer than it might with a different portable shower. Now, if you’re the sort to get over-excited when you’re pumping things up, that’s not an issue as the OnTrackGear has built a spring-loaded relief valve into this shower to stop the tank from being over pressurized.

Water sprays from the showerhead and there’s a short, but reasonably-sized hose for close use. While it may be one of the least sophisticated in our guide, we think for an affordable outdoor shower, you couldn’t go wrong with this device.

Pros

  • checkAffordably priced
  • checkSpring-loaded relief valve
  • checkEasy to fill

Cons

  • cross-altCould be a little bigger

Specs

  • Capacity 1.2-gallons
  • Material N/A
  • Dimensions N/A
  • Weight 2.4lbs
13Iron Hammer Portable Electric Shower

Editors Rating

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Want to combine the best of both worlds? The best of Tony Stark and the future king of Asgard? Now you can with the Iron Hammer. Okay, so it doesn’t look at all like Mjolnir, it will keep you fresh and clean when you’re on the road or in the middle of nowhere. It’s powered by a 4800mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery. This gives you enough power for up to an hour.  It doesn’t heat the water but can use water between 5 and 50-degrees Celsius. There’s two power speed options – low and high. With the low speed option, it provides 3-litres of water a minute, while at high speed it produces 4-litres per minute.

It may not seem like a lot, but that’s generally the idea. If space is something of a premium in your camper, RV or car it’s perfect. Particularly if want something to just keep yourself a little cleaner when you’re out there exploring, this is ideal.

At Men’s Gear, we really love the portability and size of this shower. As well as the fact that it has been awarded an IPX7 waterproofing certificate. With a 70.86-inches hose and a shower head with the option to switch it on and off and a mesh storage bag.

Pros

  • checkRechargeable battery with 60-minutes run time
  • checkIPX7 waterproof rating
  • checkCompact and lightweight

Cons

  • cross-altPressure, unsurprisingly, is not very high

Specs

  • Capacity N/A
  • Material N/A
  • Dimensions 82.7 x 2.6 x 2.6-inches
  • Weight 1.27lbs
14KingCamp Solar 5-Gallon Shower

Editors Rating

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KingCamp is a manufacturer that has been officially operated on a global scale since 2004. Therefore, they have a good standing and fine reputation for designing and creating high-quality items to help make outdoor activities more enjoyable and comfortable. Products like this solar shower. For a ridiculously low price you get a very durable polyester construction that includes a tough and reliable handle that makes transport, carrying and hanging this shower bag easy.

Filling it up is simple thanks to the large-sized valve with a twist-off cap. There’s a flexible hose and you can turn it on and off to really enjoy great showers like those you have back home. In addition to the handle, there’s also a hook and hanging rope measuring around 2-meters in length. To warm up the water you need to lay the bag out in direct sunlight for a few hours and then you will have warm water.

To help you understand what the temperature is, there’s a thermometer. So, you never have to worry about scolding yourself, unless you those kinda showers that have a temperature like Mount Doom’s volcanic core in Mordor. The shower can be turned on easily by twisting the shower head one way or the other.

Pros

  • checkHandy hanging hook and cord
  • checkNon-toxic polyester construction
  • checkInexpensive

Cons

  • cross-altHose can kink easily

Specs

  • Capacity 5-gallon
  • Material Polyester
  • Dimensions 12.5 x 6.1 x 12.2-inches
  • Weight 12.2-ounces
15Big Kahuna Portable Shower

Editors Rating

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To round off or guide to the best portable showers, we’re leaving you with a real doozy! The Big Kahuna portable shower may just be one of the most appropriately named products we’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. Big Kahuna by name and by nature too. Especially when you consider there’s three different models to choose from – 4.7-gallon, 8-gallon and 13-gallon.

There’s so much to love about this awesome portable shower, apart from that price, but we’ll get to that later. Let’s just consider the fact that you get a 12-volt submersible pump, by far the most portable in our guide that has a completely self-contained construction. It’s also incredibly easy to use. It’s got an 8-inch coiled hose that connects to the shower head.

The shower head is something special because you have full control over the pressure, meaning you can make your shower as powerful or soft as you like. The water is warmed by solar energy and therefore, the lid has a panel that absorbs UV heat. So, we mentioned that this does come at quite a hefty investment. But really, you need to consider what you’re getting for the price. If you’re looking for the cheapest on the market, this certainly isn’t for you. However, if you’re prepared to spend a little out for something a bit better, then say hello to your brand-new friend. His name is The Big Kahuna and he doesn’t bite but will help you get clean!

Pros

  • checkDifferent capacity options
  • checkDifferent capacity options
  • check8-inch shower hose

Cons

  • cross-altWould be nice if it had a heater

Specs

  • Capacity 4.7, 8 and 13-gallon
  • Material N/A
  • Dimensions Between 12 x 9 x 12-inches and 15 x 15 x 20-inches
  • Weight 6lbs (4.7 and 8-gallon models)

BUYING GUIDE & FAQ’S

What to look for when buying a portable camping shower?

As there’s so many different types of portable showers and shower kits out there, it’s worth knowing what you need to look out for to know if you’re getting one that will suit your needs or not.

Therefore, you need to think of the following:

Shower Weight – While most portable showers are lightweight, some will be heavier than others. If you’re trying to keep the weight of your camping supplies down as much as possible, you’ll want a model that doesn’t take up too much space or that is going to give you a severe arm workout to transport around. Be warned though, not all lightweight showers are as effective or produce the same amount of water pressure as the heavier models.

Capacity – If applicable, you also need to consider the water capacity of portable showers you are looking at, as this will determine how much shower time you have. So, if you enjoy a nice luxurious, hot and long shower, you’ll need to invest in a portable shower with a large enough capacity to accommodate this.

However, if you’re not worried about refilling it every little while and only like short, sharp burst-style showers in the morning, you’ll find that smaller capacities, such as 3 to 5-gallon showers are ideal. It’s important to note also that the larger capacity showers obviously are obviously heavier.

Heated or unheated? – You’ll notice from our list that some of the portable showers we’ve featured heat up the water you store in them, whereas others don’t. One is not better than the other, not anyway. As it’s more down to a personal preference thing. If you don’t mind filling a shower tank with cold water and then leaving it for a few hours in the sun, then a solar-powered portable shower will suit your needs.

If you’d prefer to use pre-heated water, either from your RV or a stopping point somewhere on your travels, then choose one that doesn’t warm the water. You’ll have to be careful not to fill it with water that has a temperature that exceeds the allowed level, but you’ll be able to enjoy showers quicker.

What are the types of portable shower kits available?

You’ll probably have noticed that there’s a few different options when it comes to the types of showers available.

These include:

Solar Portable Showers – the kind that warms the water stored in the shower tank using the sun’s rays. Very economical and environmentally-friendly.

Non-solar Portable Showers – Often these will include just a simple tank and hose with a showerhead or spray gun. You would need to put warm water into these as they do not heat the water up for you.

Pressurized Camping Showers – Another option you’ll come across is portable showers that are already pressurized and ready to use. These do not require a pump, whether its manual or electric.

Hand or electric pump – Unlike the above, there’s also portable showers that require a bit of work to pressurize them. This is normally achieved either by an electrically-powered pump or with the use of a foot or hand pump. Again, we don’t really see either one as being better than the other, it’s more just down to personal taste and preference. However, as the price could vary depending on the type of model you choose, it’s worth giving some thought to it.

Benefits of having a portable shower

Now we really come down to the nitty-gritty of it. If you’re still on the fence about owning a portable shower, it may help you to decide if you understand why so many people bother to invest in them,

Convenience – it’s obviously very convenient when you’re out in the middle of nowhere on a camping trip, to just go over to your car or take from your bag a portable shower. Without one, you may have to consider the nearest lake, and that might mean a very cold shower. Failing that you’d have to find a service station or use the showers available at the campsite (normally at a premium).

Cost – That leads us nicely onto the next major benefit – cost. Using a portable shower when you go camping can reduce the cost of your trip considerably. Campsites often provide showers at a premium and although this mighty not amount to much, it will if your trip is for an extended period. The other option you have is to find another establishment and again, you’d be expected to pay for the use of their showers. Having a portable shower costs, you nothing, well nothing apart from any running costs (that are normally low).

Cleaner and fresher camping experience – Our guide started by highlighting the fact that many people have a problem with the lack of cleanliness involved in camping. With a portable camping shower, even if you can’t achieve the same level of cleanliness you’d have at home, you can still feel fresher and cleaner than you would out in the wilderness without one.

Wash the Dirt Away, Wherever You Are!

Well that’s our pick of the finest portable showers available t the moment. If you’re looking to get out in mother nature and don’t want to look like Grizzly Adams, then you need one of the great gizmos featured above. We know we’ve given you quite a lot to think of, but trust us, you should have seen the list before we whittled it right down to the 15 bad-boys you’ve just looked through.

Given that not everyone has the same budget or likes to spend as much on their camping gear as others, we’ve tried to include a variety of products at different prices. As we consider most above to be the best of the best, we’d argue that you could invest in any of them and get a reasonably good experience using them. However, we know what a fickle bunch you can be, which is why you’ll find those with battery-powered pumps, solar-paneling to heat the water and other technically ingenious features, but we’ve also included a few very stripped back and basic, but nonetheless, effective solutions.

Although many of our team like to just get down and dirty camping, we know others don’t share that same passion. So, that’s why you have the list above to look through. In addition to this list, we know that you might further help deciding on the best for you, which is why you’ll find our handy and informative buyer’s guide and FAQ.

With our reviews above and the guide below, we’re sure you’ll be able to find the right portable shower to improve your camping experience dramatically and never have to worry about looking and smelling like a hobo again.

Best 15 Pocket Knife Sharpeners

BEST POCKET KNIFE SHARPENERS

1Sharpal Pocket Knife

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The first slice of our buyer guide looking for the best pocket knife sharpener will take us to the work of Sharpal. These guys have not only made an awesome product, but they are also selling it for a super affordable price.

This is much more than a pocket knife sharpener. It has a total of six different functions, making it perfect for men who like to hunt, fish and explore nature. These functions include two edges for sharpening your knives, a fire starter tool, lanyard hole, a tapered diamond rod and even an emergency whistle that has a significantly high pitch to attract attention when in danger. The knife sharpening components are made with tungsten carbide blades to make easy work of keeping your knives razor sharp. The tapered diamond rod is also a talking point. It is made with grooves to cater to fish hooks, gut hooks and serrated blades.

Pros

  • checkTwo effective sharpening slots
  • checkDiamond rod
  • checkEmergency whistle
  • checkLanyard hole
  • checkFire starting tool
  • checkAffordable model

Cons

  • cross-altDifficult to replace carbide blades

Specs

  • Weight 1.44oz
  • Slot Material tungsten carbide
  • Extra Features Yes
2Smith’s Pocket Knife Sharpener

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Hunters and knife throwers may want to consider the Smith’s pocket knife sharpener instead. Also at a cheap price, this sharpener offers many features. It has two slots to sharpen your knife. Both slots have had their angles preset so you can be guaranteed of the perfect sharpen for your knives every time. The two slots are not equal either. One slot has been equipped with carbide blades while the other is made with ceramic stone perfect for polishing.

The two options are a great addition, but it gets better. Both are reversible to double the life of the pocket knife sharpener – giving you even more value for money. The other features on this model are a tapered diamond rod to tackle serrated edges. These quality inclusions are matched by the product’s overall convenience. Not only does it have a lanyard hole, but it’s also one of the lightest and most compact pocket knife sharpeners on the current market. It’s the perfect addition to your adventuring backpack.

Pros

  • checkTwo sharpening slots
  • checkCarbide and ceramic material
  • checkReversible blades for longevity
  • checkLanyard hole
  • checkSharpens serrated and straight edges
  • checkExceptionally lightweight and compact

Cons

  • cross-altMore additional features elsewhere

Specs

  • Weight 0.32oz
  • Slot Material carbide and ceramic
  • Extra Features Yes
3Work Sharp Pocket Knife Sharpener

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The first two pocket knife sharpeners were similar in their design. The third model we’re featuring from Work Sharp is much different. So, what did this 4th generation family business from Oregon, USA, come up with? Well, the answer is options.

Along one edge is a ceramic rod that rotates to reveal a coarse finish perfect for sharpening tools, and in particular, fish hooks. On the opposite edge is a leather strop. This is ideal for keeping similar tools a cut above the rest. There is also a diamond plate and ceramic rods to help sharpen straight and serrated edges. It even has an angle guide to make sure you sharpen your knives in the right way. Altogether, this tool offers multiple types of materials to get a brand-new fell for your knives.

Pros

  • checkCeramic rotating rod
  • checkLeather strop
  • checkReplaceable blades
  • checkLanyard hole
  • checkAngle guide

Cons

  • cross-altPriced above average

Specs

  • Weight 2.56oz
  • Slot Material Multiple
  • Extra Features No
4Housolution Pocket Knife Sharpener

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Next up is a pocket knife sharpener by the popular Housolution. This is also the first model that comes with color options. You can get it in a red or black color, and you can also choose to add a keychain to either color. Interestingly, the models with the keychain included are slightly cheaper. We’re not sure why either…

It also has two sharpening slots. The ceramic slot is fine while the carbide slot is slightly more coarse. Both are perfect for sharpening your straight edges exactly as required. There is also a concealed tapered diamond rod that folds out ready to be used on your knives and serrated tools. To make use even easier, the manufacturers have added a finger groove to help you hold the tool securely when in use.

The inclusion of a lanyard hole makes this pocket knife sharpener perfect for any man who likes to go on outdoor adventures as well as backpackers. Click the button below to sharpen your knowledge on the Housolution Pocket Knife Sharpener.

Pros

  • checkColor options
  • checkOptional keychain
  • checkTwo sharpening slots
  • checkLanyard hole
  • checkPull-out diamond-tapered rod
  • checkFinger groove adds control

Cons

  • cross-altNon-reversible blades

Specs

  • Weight 0.96oz
  • Slot Material carbide and ceramic
  • Extra Features No
5Accusharp Pocket Knife Sharpener

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You might not get color options with the Accusharp Pocket Knife Sharpener, but you do get the option to buy in bulk for a friendlier price. This is something a lot of guys do because they can then keep a sharpener in a different location from their bug-out backpack to their kitchen drawer. However, not to overlook that the color of this model is a bright orange which comes in useful if you’re looking for the sharpener in low-light conditions.

This model doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as the previous ones do. By that we mean that it doesn’t have lots of extra features that can come in useful in different situations. Instead, it does what it’s meant to and sharpens knives – even serrated ones. Accusharp even claims that it can be used on machetes and hand axes effectively. Whatever you use it on, you can enjoy enhanced safety from their grip-like design.

Pros

  • checkMultipack option
  • checkOrange color for overnight convenience
  • checkTo-the-point design
  • checkUseful on hand axes too
  • checkIncludes safety handle design

Cons

  • cross-altNo extra features

Specs

  • Weight 2.08oz
  • Slot Material carbide blades
  • Extra Features No
6Lansky Pocket Knife Sharpener

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If the last one was straight to the point, then the Lansky Pocket Knife Sharpener is straight to lots of points. What are we going on about? Well, this design actually has four different sharpening slots to cater to different angles. And that isn’t even mentioning the built-in ceramic stone either. This stone is your go-to tool to complete fine polishing.

The four sharpening slots are made with effective carbide blades. Each slot works at a different angle to cater to your different knives and tools. There is a slot with a 17-, 20-, 25- and 30-degree angle. All of which are clearly labeled so you know the exact angled blade you’re using. This cool design is rounded off with a generous lanyard hole. It wouldn’t be impossible to clip other things on this hole such as your keychain or an ID badge.

Pros

  • checkMultiple sharpening slots
  • checkPolishing stone
  • checkCaters to different angles
  • checkLanyard/keychain hole
  • checkAvailable to buy in packs

Cons

  • cross-altNot as compact/lightweight as others

Specs

  • Weight 4.2oz
  • Slot Material carbide blades
  • Extra Features Yes
7Sungwoo Pocket Knife Sharpener

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Another fantastic and highly in-demand pocket knife sharpener is this model by Sungwoo. This sharpener has been made to be your outdoor companion. Its smaller dimensions and foldability have made it so. Yet, it has also been made to work well for kitchen knives and indoor tools.

There are two stones on this sharpener. These are made with different grit ratings and can be used to sharpen different knives and tools. The folding design keeps these two stones protected when not in use. The folding design also maintains the transportability of the item but allows it to be much bigger than most other pocket knife sharpeners. In fact, when unfolded, this model reaches a length of just under 9 inches. It’s also another model that has been made to keep your fingers protected. This is achieved through a friction handle that keeps you in control while honing.

Pros

  • checkInnovative folding design
  • checkMaintain compactness
  • checkTwo stones for sharpening
  • checkSafety grip
  • checkMultipurpose knife sharpener
  • checkWorks on serrated blades too

Cons

  • cross-altNo bells or whistles

Specs

  • Weight 2.8oz
  • Slot Material Titanium
  • Extra Features No
8Work Sharp Pocket Knife Sharpener For Workshops

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We already saw some of the work from American-born Work Sharp. Well, this product from them brings a new dimension to the table – quite literally. Instead of getting a pocket knife sharpener that can slip into your pocket, some of our following will be looking for sharpeners to go on their workbench. Here is your answer in their bench-top model.

This model isn’t designed to accompany you up the side of a mountain. It’s a worktop knife sharpener ready to maintain your knives from home or work. For that reason, they’re slightly chunkier and heavier than the other models we’ve seen so far. They also come at a slightly bigger cost. Although you can buy in packs of five to save a few bucks.

The product has two sharpening stations to cater to different knives, tools and needs. One of the stations is a unique abrasive belt while the other is a ceramic surface. Together, they cater to flat edges and serrated knives effectively. It’s also an efficient model that makes easy work of keeping your knives a cut above the competition.

Pros

  • checkEffective and efficient sharpening
  • checkSturdy design
  • checkCan buy in bulk
  • checkTwo types of cutting stations
  • checkAngle-guided design

Cons

  • cross-altNot transportable
  • cross-alt Pricier option

Specs

  • Weight 19.2oz
  • Slot Material abrasive belt/ceramic
  • Extra Features Yes
9Work Sharp Compact Pocket Knife Sharpener

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Sticking with the Work Shop gang but showcasing their different talents is this compact pocket knife sharpener. It’s compact, light and ready to go on your next adventure with the guys. It’s the perfect gift for any outdoor-loving guy at a wallet-friendly cost.

It includes two sharpening stations. One of them is a 320-grit diamond plate with a 20-degree angle. The other is a fine ceramic station with a 25-degree angle. When using either station, your hand is placed in a central space with grooves, so you always remain in control when sharpening your pocket knives.

Some other worthy points about this design are that it comes pre-assembled, so you can get straight to sharpening your knives without waiting. Moreover, it comes with a lifetime warranty for the whole family. If this model has an issue in your ownership or when owned by a family member, you can count on Work Shop to replace it for you.

Pros

  • checkCompact for transporting
  • checkTwo sharpening stations
  • checkGrooves help you stay in control
  • checkPre-assembled
  • checkDifferent angle guides
  • checkLifetime manufacturer guarantee

Cons

  • cross-altNo additional features

Specs

  • Weight 1.6oz
  • Slot Material diamond plate
  • Extra Features No
10Smith’s 50264 Pocket Knife Sharpener

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One of the most innovative and well-designed pocket knife sharpeners on the market is the Smith’s 50264 model. It has a slightly different shape to many of the other designs by separating the soft rubber handle from the main area of the tool. This may add a little more bulk, but it certainly enhances safety and adds control. It also has rubber feet to prevent the tool slipping when placed onto a surface.

There are three sharpening stations on this design. There are a coarse slot, a fine slot and a slot for serrated knives. Where it excels the standards set by many other pocket knife sharpeners is in one awesome feature. The sharpener includes a dial which adjusts the angle of both the coarse and fine sharpening slots. Simply turn this dial to fine-tune your sharpening between 14 and 24 degrees. It may not have any additional features, but it has a phenomenal main act.

Pros

  • checkThree different sharpening stations
  • checkDial to tailor sharpening angle
  • checkNon-slip rubber feet
  • checkSoft rubber handle
  • checkInnovative manufacturing

Cons

  • cross-altLess portable than some others

Specs

  • Weight N/A
  • Slot Material N/A
  • Extra Features No
11AccuSharp 001C Pocket Knife Sharpener

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The next pocket knife sharpener is a no-thrills design but will sharpen your knives, kitchen knives and small tools effectively. This USA-born model is perfect for sharpening newbies who have never used one of these products before. It prioritizes safety ahead of anything else. It has a generous ergonomic handle. Below the handle is a full-length rubber strap to work as a barrier between your fingers and your knife’s blades.

The product features one sharpening station with carbide blades to cater to many types of knives. Their blades are expected to last between five and 10 years too – so you know this is a quality investment. When in need of maintenance, you simply get out some soap and water or stick it in the dishwasher. Hit the below link and learn even more about this quality item.

Pros

  • checkErgonomic handle
  • checkAdditional finger safety
  • checkDishwasher friendly
  • checkLong-lasting carbide blade
  • checkReliable and trusted brand

Cons

  • cross-altOnly one sharpening station

Specs

  • Weight 1.6oz
  • Slot Material Aluminum carbide blades
  • Extra Features No
12Lansky UTR7 Pocket Knife Sharpener Pack

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We’ve also thrown a combo pack into our featured list. Instead of just getting a pocket knife sharpener, you can get an EDC pocket knife here as well. This cool and sturdy 440C stainless-steel blade is the cherry on the top of an awesome product.

The sharpener has a ceramic rod made for serrated blades and two other sharpening stations. One of them is another ceramic slot while the other is made with carbide blades. These multiple sharpening stations mean the product doesn’t just cater to one type of pocket knife but can be a versatile addition to your adventuring kit.

Pros

  • checkComes with top-quality knife
  • checkMultiple sharpening blades
  • checkVersatile use
  • checkRespected and experienced brand
  • checkLanyard hole

Cons

  • cross-altNot everyone needs the knife

Specs

  • Weight 9.6oz (combined)
  • Slot Material N/A
  • Extra Features No
13Smith’s 50364 Pocket Knife Sharpener

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We might be calling this Smith’s creation a pocket knife sharpener, but really, it’s every man’s must-have survival tool. This piece of quality gear does more than sharpen your knives and tools. It has multiple additional features to keep you safe and prepared for the great outdoors.

So, what little extras does it include? You will find a firestarter with twice the ehm, firepower, than regular firestarters. It also has a compass to keep you in the right direction, a signal whistle in case of emergencies and an LED light to help you find your way or your other outdoor gear in low light conditions. Despite all these useful accessories, this is one of the lightest pocket knife sharpeners on our list.

These are fantastic supporting acts to the tool’s main function. There are multiple sharpening slots on this product. It has a tapered diamond rod to take care of gut hooks and to sharpen serrated blades. There is also a ceramic and carbide slot to take care of your other pocket knives and tools. You get all these sharpening options and extras for an unbelievable price. Don’t believe us? Take a look for yourself.

Pros

  • checkMultiple sharpening tools
  • checkCompass
  • checkEmergency whistle
  • checkLED light
  • checkFirestarter included

Cons

  • cross-altCompass adds bulk

Specs

  • Weight 0.32oz
  • Slot Material carbide blades
  • Extra Features Yes
14Smith’s 50185 Pocket Knife Sharpener

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We’ve seen similar designs to the Smith’s 50185 model. This ergonomic-handle design will certainly appeal to many guys. However, while most of these designs have offered limited sharpening stations, this model manages to merge their ergonomic handle with multiple sharpening slots. Not an easy feat and certainly not something to be overlooked!

In fact, there are three different sharpening stations on this one pocket knife sharpener. Two of them are featured towards the front of the design and the handle will make using these slots convenient and exceptionally safe. Smith’s have then cleverly added a cutting station within their handle. This is perfect to be used on various knives but is especially useful for sharpening scissors. Certainly not something that every manufacturer has considered but an exceptional and convenient inclusion.

Pros

  • checkErgonomic handle
  • checkMultiple sharpening options
  • checkSharpens scissors easily
  • checkOpen handle works as a clip
  • checkSafer design

Cons

  • cross-altHeavier model

Specs

  • Weight: 5.6oz
  • Slot Material carbide blades
  • Extra Features No
15JEOutdoors Pocket Knife Sharpener

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We will finish our look at the best pocket knife sharpeners with an aluminum design that has not yet been featured. JEOutdoors are the team responsible for this creation and we’re sure they will accept responsibility of such innovation.

This is by far the sleekest and most compact design from all the products listed here. Unlike the rest, this one is exceptionally thin and offers sharpening options in a different way. On one side is a carbide slot to set the edge of your knife perfectly. On the other side is a ceramic slot with carbide blades to maintain your edge.

To ensure your safety without offering a proper handle, it has been created with a hole in the center. This hole is for your finger so you can maintain control and safety when sharpening your pocket knife. There is also a lanyard loop attached to help you keep it on your backpack. To round off an excellent pocket knife sharpener, JEOutdoors provide this item with a lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • checkInnovative sleek design
  • checkMaintains safety with finger hole
  • checkMultiple sharpening slots
  • checkLanyard attached
  • checkManufacturers lifetime warranty included

Cons

  • cross-altMinimalist design won’t be for everyone

Specs

  • Weight 2.4oz
  • Slot Material carbide and ceramic
  • Extra Features Yes

BUYING GUIDE & FAQ’S

What Can A Pocket Knife Be Used For?

Not everyone in the market for a pocket knife sharpener will already own a pocket knife. Some men may be here browsing these cool accessories straight from considering if they need a pocket knife. Well, if you like outdoor adventures then you do. But there are also many uses for a pocket knife at home or in your man cave. Here are just some of the best uses for a pocket knife:

Meal times – when in the wild and needing to refuel, you will find that a pocket knife comes in handy for many tasks. From gutting your catch of the day to just cutting up some fruit, they come in handy when preparing meals and keeping everyone fed.

Camp building – When on your campsite, a pocket knife can be used to help you build many different useful things. They can help you make a washing line for your clothes, or if you’re really in touch with nature, they can help you make your shelter for the evening. Not to forget that they can be used to cut kindling for your firepit.

Opening packages – say goodbye to frustrating attempts at getting into your deliveries. A pocket knife is a perfect tool to get into boxes. The best benefit of using a pocket knife to cut through tape is that you maintain the condition of the packaging. This lets you re-use the box in the future and keeps it intact in case you need to return your delivery.

Emergencies – we’ve all seen movie stars using a pocket knife to save the day. Whether it’s cutting someone free who has gotten stuck, cutting clothes to assess an injury or even performing minor surgery, a pocket knife can be a great help. The various emergency situations that may arise mean there are countless uses for a pocket knife in emergency scenarios.

These are just a few picks of the uses of a pocket knife. Here are some other uses:

  • Opening wine
  • Hanging up your jacket
  • Peeling potatoes
  • Opening a can
  • Skinning
  • Tightening screws

What Are The Benefits Of Owning A Pocket Knife?

Those are the uses of a pocket knife, but what are the benefits? Here are a few of the perks that you get when owning one of these must-have accessories:

Save money – buying a new piece of gear doesn’t sound like the best way to save money. However, if you are already the proud owner of a decent pocket knife, you really don’t want to be spending a lot of money on buying a replacement when the blade gets a little dull. Instead, a pocket knife sharpener is the cost-effective option. These tools come at relatively little cost and can extend the life of your knives considerably.

Convenience – many designs allow users to sharpen their knives and tools anywhere they like. The compact dimensions and lightweight design make them come in extremely useful in some of the most demanding situations. Many of these situations are when a pocket knife would be the only solution – making a pocket knife sharpener a very important tool.

Easy to use – once you understand the different ways to sharpen a knife and the angle of your knife, these tools can be used with confidence. This is why we’ve also addressed these issues here. Now you can use a pocket knife sharpener in nature – like second nature.

Multifunctional – one of the other benefits of a pocket knife sharpener are in the additional features that many of the designs come with. Many of the best models – like the ones above – have other uses that come in useful on outdoor adventures. Expect to see pocket knife sharpeners with firestarters, compasses, emergency whistles, lanyard holes and more.

What Different Types Of Sharpeners Are Available?

Just as our list of pocket knife sharpeners includes many different designs, there are also lots of different types of pocket knife sharpeners. However, not all of them are portable and suitable to be taken on your hunting trips with the guys.

One popular method is to use a sharpening stone. These stones are more commonly referred to as whetstones. They can be of different quality and made from varied materials, including ceramic and diamond. These can be single products, or the stone can be attached to a multifunctional sharpener like we saw in some of the above products. A big advantage of whetstones is that they are highly versatile. They can be used on your knives but can also sharpen tools and fishing gear.

Another popular type of pocket knife sharpener is a honing device. Nearly all of the models above included some sort of honing slot. However, there are different types of slots – as you’ve also seen in our top 15. Some slots will hone and polish your blades while others will sharpen them.

Benchtop knife sharpeners and electric sharpeners provide another option for us guys. They are usually made in the same way as honing devices but may include abrasive belts as well. These models can be some of the most efficient and effective because of their size and power. However, this same benefit prevents them from being taken on your adventures.

These are the three most popular types of knife sharpeners which give you food for thought. You will also discover that many of the more portable models combine honing slots with whetstone-like stations.

Straight Vs Serrated Blade Sharpeners

First, let’s understand the difference between straight and serrated blades. A straight blade is any knife with a straight edge. Most knives have a straight edge. However, some blades have a jagged edge. If you’re struggling to imagine this then think of a bread knife. These serrated knives have a serrated edge which have increased in popularity due to their aggressive and rugged aesthetic. Interestingly, some more modern pocket knives use both edges in a type of straight-serrated combo.

Because these blades are significantly different, they require different types of sharpeners to keep them well maintained. While most types of sharpeners can cater to straight edges, rods are the most effective way to sharpen serrated knives. You will notice that many of the models on our buyer guide include a pull-out rod. These rods give you more accuracy to sharpen the contours of the serrated blade.

A Guide To Pocket Knife Sharpening Angles

When you sharpen your knife, you may have to choose a pocket knife sharpener that adheres to your knife’s angle or find one that can be tailored to your needs (check out product 10 above for a sharpener that has a dial so you can tailor its sharpening angle to your knife!). To help you understand knife angles a little better, here is a handy guide that covers the basics:

Sub 10 degrees – knives with an angle below 10 degrees are often used for cutting materials that are relatively soft. Pocket knives with an angle of around seven or eight degrees will almost certainly be straight-edge designs.

10-20 degrees – these sorts of angles will come in useful for gutting fish and chopping meat around your campfire. They are generally not ideal for chopping stronger materials or to be used in a chopping technique.

20-30 degrees – these knives will be more durable than those with a lesser angle. They can be considered as hunting knives and are great for skinning and similar activities. They will also be more robust for tackling some building tasks in the wild.

30+ degrees – even more durable are knives with an angle above 30 degrees. These knives can be utilized with much more brute force to achieve cutting.

Whichever type of knife you have or plan to own, it’s important that you get a pocket knife sharpener that matches it. Many models have multiple slots to be tailored to knives within a specific angle range. More sophisticated models can be bought that provide a wider range of angles.

Did One Of Them Make The Cut?

We’ve had the pleasure of walking you through some of the best pocket knife sharpeners on the market. We’ve taken a detailed look at models from the likes of Smith’s, Work Sharp, Accusharp and more. There are different types of sharpeners with vastly different designs which is why we made our showcase full of difference to cater to all men and their needs. So, did one of these pocket knife sharpeners make the cut for you?

If you’ve managed to narrow down your search and need some help to make your decision, then click on the links to discover more about each product. Remember, there is no perfect pocket knife sharpener. You just have to find the one that matches your needs and uses perfectly.

Thanks for joining our buyer guide and sharpening your knowledge with us. We hope we have been able to get to the bottom of some of your questions regarding these products. But more importantly, we hope we have managed to help you find another quality possession that will last you for years more of adventuring. Why not check out some tactical tomahawks next to go with your pocket knife sharpener?

2019 Jeep Gladiator “Wayout” Concept

Here’s the perfect overlanding ride. Jeep and Mopar just unveiled a bevy of new concept cars, one of which is the above, called the Jeep Gladiator Wayout. It’s of course a modified Jeep Gladiator, set to be a part of Jeep’s Easter Safari off-roading excursion.

Sure, it’s essentially a Gladiator pickup at its core. But it’s got some notable upgrades plus an intense roof rack that can support a built-in two-person tent and canopy. The pop-tent rests on a rack at the top of the bed, and it comes with a ladder for more efficient access.

For those truly aching for the overlanding experience, Jeep’s got you covered. It put two extra tanks in the bedsides, an onboard air-supply line, and even drawers in the bed. There’s also a custom roof rack over the cab for extra storage. As on other off-roaders, there’s a winch and snorkel on-hand just in case.

Underneath, you’ll find a lift kit sourced from Jeep Performance Parts, 17-inch steel wheels, and 37-inch mud tires. They come together in this gorgeous Gator Green paint, which looks gorgeous, if a bit too on the nose. Inside, the seats are made of brown leather and feature stitched topographical maps. A nice, unexpected touch. And in case you ever need more illumination, there are LED lights onboard.

Unfortunately, the Jeep Gladiator Wayout doesn’t come with powertrain adjustments. Which means it’s got the same 3.6-liter V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. But that’s no cause for concern, as the production Gladiator doesn’t disappoint, anyway.

VISIT JEEP

Photos courtesy of Jeep and Mopar

Stone Notebooks Are The Best Eco-Friendly Journals A Man Can Get

The Stone Journal made quite an impression for The Stone Notebooks brand in the last year. Yet they have been overlooked for far too long, especially by us in America. The company caught up with us and sent some of their journals our way. Now, we cover a lot of products at Men’s Gear. Many are wonderful but some do not live up to the hype.

This was not the case with The Stone team or their notebooks. They not only lived up to the hype, they actually exceeded it in our opinion. The team began like so many, using Kickstarter in 2018 to launch their first notebook, the Classic Stone.

When it launched on Kickstarter, it was quickly supported. In fact, it would become one of the most backed food-related projects in crowdfunding history. The design was meant to be something that could be used by anyone, but chefs became the major lovers of the notebook.

Why Is Everyone Talking About The Stone Notebooks?

Chef who loves the Stone Journal

The Classic Stone Journal became quite popular with Chefs. Major chefs like Marcus Wareing as well as Hell’s Kitchen star and 3-time Michelin star chef Gordon Ramsey loved using this original Stone Journal.

The reason chefs loved the Classic Stone is that the pages, as well as the covers, are both grease & waterproof. They use compelling stone paper material to accomplish this. The waterproof nature of the papers and cover make it useful for people to use just about anywhere. However, the grease-proof ability is unique and useful to everyone too.

Due to the love of the chefs and many others, The Stone Notebooks’ team decided to partner with custom notebook manufacturers Bookblock. With their help, they were able to produce new, compelling additions to their notebook line. They also worked with over 40 Michelin starred chefs to properly put together their new line of notebooks.

The new Stone Notebooks the company is launching include:

  • Pocket Stone – an A6 semi-flex edition of the Classic Stone
  • Memo Stone – passport sized notebooks for quick and easy use
  • Leather Memo Holder – a stylish Italian leather cover for the Memo Stone
  • Stone Diary – a week-to-view diary with produce charts and inspirational quotes
  • Sommelier Stone – a winemaker’s notebook with wine maps and taste charts

They Are Eco-Friendly And Perfect For Any Man Alive

Stone Journal Classic

We at Men’s Gear were given 4 notebooks by the Stone team to look at ourselves. This was the Classic, Chef, Sommelier Stone, and Stone Diary. We loved that each one had cooking conversions in the back of each notebook. This was a nice touch and something we felt truly stuck to brand well.

We wanted to test these notebooks when we got our hands on them. This forced us to take them outdoors to see what damage we could do. Throwing them into the dirt, dropping water on them(and putting them in a pond), among several other tests were done. They passed every single test we tried.

Not only are they perfectly, 100% waterproof, but they simply cannot get greased up either. They never claimed that they stop dirt or pollen. However, they actually do this well. You merely have to wipe off the dirt or pollen when you wish to use it again.

We were surprised when we were able to notice that they also were perfectly eco-friendly. They use natural stone paper, which means trees are not really used to make their pages. The leather used for the notebooks is Vegan, meaning no animals were harmed in the making of these journals either.

This is important, as it means you’re going to buy some impressive notebooks while also supporting a movement for bettering the environments.

They are all different colors, which helps you separate between which is which. They also have either nothing, a logo, or date on the front of the book to further help you separate them too.

How To Buy From Stone Notebooks

Stone Journal Notebooks

It’s pretty easy to buy one of these impressive, new, Stone Journals. You simply have to go to their website and order one for yourself. They arrive relatively quick depending on where you are. Once ordered, you can usually expect to see it arrive in about a week. Again, this depends on where you are and how remote you might be.

Currently, they deliver to people in the United Kingdom and all throughout Europe. As of January of this year, they began delivering to the United States of America as well. If you’re from any of these locations, why not buy a Stone Notebook today?

If you wish to buy one of these amazing notebooks from the Stone Notebooks brand, you just need to click below.

CLICK HERE TO BUY A STONE NOTEBOOK

If you would like your product reviewed and featured on Men’s Gear as well as its vast social media channels, e-mail Joe@Mensgear.net today!

Rivian R1S U.S. Forest Ranger Edition Concept

A while back, Rivian unveiled its all-electric R1S SUV, dubbed as the automaker’s Tesla killer. It immediately grabbed everyone’s attention, and understandably so. The car, after all, offers an intriguing argument against getting one of Elon Musk’s battery-powered beassts.

But even though the road version is set to become a fantastic electric vehicle, designer Mo Aoun couldn’t help but imagine a much better version. Which is why this exists — a concept for a Rivian R1S Forest Ranger Edition.

Aoun cobbled this made-for-nature custom job himself. You can get a better look on his Behance page, which you can check out below. The eco-friendly powerplant tops up to 750 ponies, boasting a range of more than 400 miles in the standard version. That means this 4x4v SUV is ready for navigating forests, however dense or thick.

You’ll also find a lift kit here, massive all-terrain tires, and a front-end which. There’s also a light bar on the roof, a grille guard, and a roof rack.

That’s not the most impressive part. The kicker? If Rivian really wanted to, they could add everything to the existing vehicle after the fact. That means they wouldn’t even have to alter the main vehicle before inputting Aoun’s upgrades. It’s rare that a concept is so close to reality. If we were Rivian, we’d definitely be on the phone with Aoun, stat.

Will Rivian ever try to make this build into a reality? Probably not. Is it a cool concept? Definitely. Hopefully the folks at Rivian frequent Behance.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Volkswagen California Camper Van 30th Anniversary Edition

Volkswagen has done something special to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its iconic California Camper Van. The German automaker has announced a brand-new edition of the vehicle.

Designed for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, the California 30 Years edition builds upon the classic’s already superb offerings with a unique badge showing its production number. Plus all the gear and built-in equipment you need to ensure efficient, no-frills outdoor expeditions.

The California Camper Van comes with programmable heating and double-glazed windows as standard. Both these should make the car feel like home away from home, wherever you may be. Bright wood cabinet trims make the interiors more homey and liveable. There’s a popup sleeper compartment, and even an external shower, to boot.

Let’s not forget the kitchenette. While you’ll likely be spending lunches outside because camping’s more authentic that way, it’s still a nice little addition. You also get a full-length cabin bed for a good night’s rest. Tons of storage are available inside to put all your knick knacks in, and there are many tech features to toy around with, as well.

Volkswagen since the California Camper Van has been a symbol of individual freedom since 1988, and we’re inclined to agree. Made for pure adventure, it’s remains an iconic household name to this day. Note that just 999 units will be made, and only 30 are coming to the UK. If you want one, better order fast. As a side note, hopefully Volkswagen puts something more special than just a badge for the car’s 60th year.

CHECK IT OUT

Photos courtesy of Volkswagen

Honest Camper Van Rentals

If you’re planning an expedition across the great Pacific Northwest, you can go by with just the bare essentials. If you don’t want to leave creature comforts behind, though, there’s Honest Camper. They’ll give you the option to rent both modern and retro rentals. The RVs are based on either the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or Volkswagen Westfalia, respectively.

Both options accommodate four campers and boast essentials such as a cooktop, pots and pans, a fridge and a freezer, and folding chairs. You can pick the van up and drop them off at various Translink Skytrain Stations. Alternatively, you can arrange to have the ride picked up at a totally different city. Honest Camper knows, after all, that you never know where camping adventures will take you.

The vans themselves don’t skimp on aesthetic and quality, just so you know. They’re marvels of compact design, outfitted with all the necessities you need to carve out a fulfilling experience in the middle of the woods. Them being painted in a vibrant a shade of woodland green is just the cherry on top. They’re painted that way because they’re designed to blend right into your backcountry habitat.

When you’re read to turn in for the day, there’s Casper memory foam mattress for you to lay on. If you’re not feeling tired yet, listen to some tunes on the upgraded stereo system, streaming Spotify over the RV’s built-in Wi-Fi. Extras include environmentally friendly soap and fragrant candles. The interiors might be a minimalist at best, but overall it’s on par with any European-inspired decor, only muted this time to keep it clean, spare.

BOOK NOW

Photos courtesy of Honest Camper

The PorTable Might Be The Next Big Thing In Outdoor Fun

The PorTable might be the next big thing. We truly mean that, and you very well could be saying the same thing when you see what it can do. We’d like to describe it as “a party in a box.” Yet it does not come in a box, rather, a table of sorts.

The creators describe it as “a transportable all-in-one charging, power, and speaker table, with a lightweight design that can deliver the highest technical performance.”

The people behind The PorTable originally launched an IndieGoGo campaign that was hopefully going to make their dream a reality. They claim to be a team that lives and breathes the outdoors and liked to spend as much time out there as possible. This is what made them think up, “PorTable.”

The PorTable is a smart device that offers proper open spaces, power outlets, and more. It’s possible to take to parties, family get-togethers, and even camping.

It is simply a table that unfolds like any other. Yet beyond this, it opens up to give us several amazing things that make it quite compelling. We have seen tables that unfold to reveal stuff before. This is often used in the card playing game. However, we looked all over the place and have yet to find anything like The PorTable in the world.

This item officially launched for purchase this month.

For some of you, it’s becoming quite apparent that we’re hyping up this product and you likely want to know what makes it worthy of your time. Sit back and check out all the features that make The PorTable something you should look into even more.

The PorTable Is An Innovative Outdoor Table That Can Do Everything

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Simply put, The PorTable does anything and everything you need it to do. It comes together as a table but once it unfolds, it reveals concealed areas for multiple forms of technology to be. First, it opens up like a normal table and sits on 6000 series aluminum folding legs. These are heavily durable and capable of holding some sizable weight.

The table then has several multi-colored LED lights for visibility during the dark or darker periods of a given day.

One of the coolest features is the drawer with dual cup holders and a removable bottle opener. Do you know how hard it is to find a good bottle opener? Seriously, it’s annoying as crap at parties! They include a great version of one with The PorTable and that just exists us to no end!

A concealable storage drawer is present with a 10W wireless charging station. Meanwhile, there’s a Dual-USB A port that supports up to 10W power output as well as a USB C Port that supports up to 80W power output. They also included an Auxiliary Port that you can use for different types of devices.

The True Power Of Go PorTable That Made Us Fall In Love With It

Go PorTable Table Spot
[Image via Go PorTable]

It uses a 100W power bank with 12* 18650 Lithium-Ion batteries. The power bank is replaceable, so you can continue to use up the battery and swap it out with a fresh one to stay off the grid for multiple days.

Perhaps the most notable part of the Go PorTable is its Bluetooth Speakers with 5W/channel Class D Amplifier. You can sit by the pool or be on a camping trip with your buds and listen to you your favorite music, crack open a beer and don’t worry about spills.

PorTable has you covered with its IP54 certification. That makes it heavily durable and capable of handling your clumsy spills or the weather. If you’re at the beach or the pool there’s no need to worry about water, sand, dirt or dust!

The Important Takeaways You Should Know

Table with Van
[Image via Go PorTable]

Obviously, The PorTable is newer than most products out there. It is possible that little issues or bugs could plague the first launch of a product. However, from what we’ve seen so far, everyone seems universally happy with the product.

It is made for friends to hang out and have a place to put everything and a place for everything to be. It delivered on this mission quite well. You can take it quite literally anywhere, without having to worry about dropping it. This table can handle everything you throw its way.

Yet it is light enough for kids to carry, so dropping likely won’t even happen.

We feel that The PorTable might be the next big thing to have in outdoor fun. We wouldn’t want you to miss out, so go and grab yours today!

Men’s Gear Awards: Best Camping Backpack Brands Of 2019

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It’s hard to find camping backpack brands better than Osprey. For some reason, they think of literally anything one needs to have in a backpack. When you go camping, you want to store items well. However, you truly want to make sure you can walk without any issues.

You want your bag to manage well as you’ll be carrying it for a little while. It must be capable of supplying all major essentials on top of other things you might need to take for your own specific needs.

Osprey delivers this in spades with all of their backpacks. This is especially true of the bags used for camping, backpacking, hiking, and more. When you look up a list for the best backpacks for any of those, Osprey likely tops out the list or you see multiple bags of theirs on it.

It’s simple fact that they know what they’re doing. Like Gregory Backpacks, Osprey wanted to make sure they built a backpack that can have everything you need right there with you. This is pretty essential, as every backpack model should do this.

The question is, what does Osprey provide that Gregory and others may not?

The Rook/Renn Backpack Is The Best Bag Around For Its Price

Osprey has a ton of backpacks, but since our primary concern is camping and outdoor, we wanted to find a backpack that was perfect for this. The Rook 65 is just that.

Keep in mind that the Rook 65 is a male backpack while the Renn 65 is a female backpack. However, they do virtually everything the same. That means you won’t have to deal with assets one bag has that another does not.

As for what these backpacks can do. They are lightweight and have an interesting, new adjustable torso system. That means you can move around the main section of the backpack that uses your back to carry partial points of the weight.

On top of this is The LightWire frame, which helps distribute out the backpack weight even further near the hips.

This only helps it become comfortable to carry all times of the day, in all weather conditions.

On top of this is a mesh, breathable back-mesh to keep you from getting too hot. It also adds a bit of coolness as you walk, instead of built-up warm and sweat.

The Osprey brand also includes a heck of a lot with this backpack.

  • Osprey Daylite compatible with front panel cord loop attachment points
  • Zippered sleeping bag compartment with floating divider
  • Removable sleeping bag pad straps
  • Ventilated AirSpeed Back Panel
  • Internal Hydration Sleeve
  • Integrated, Removable Rain Cover

You read all of that right. This all COMES WITH the backpack. The hydration sleeve is similar to Gregory’s hydro-pack, as it stores water that you can grab out and drink while on the move. The rain cover goes over the backpack effectively giving it waterproof capability too.

The AirSpeed Back Panel looks somewhat like a lumbar rest, but it essentially keeps you from easily touching the backpack with your back, allowing for the sweat build-up not to form.

This is accompanied by soft, edgeless shoulder straps and great hip pads. You can buckle it up with the clips at the torso and hip to keep the backpack from ever coming off. Osprey also includes their Daylite Compatible.

This can easily clip onto the removable panel cord loops, also included.

Of course, inside the backpack itself, you can hold 65L worth of weight and volume. Overall, it can hold about 40lbs without difficulty.

The material that makes up this backpack is 600D Polyester, 450D Polyester, 1000D Nylon Packcloth.

This sells for just $165.

Price Range

It is clear that Osprey gives a lot when they offer a backpack to the world. They don’t like to offer a small bit of something and assume their backpack is all you’ll want or need. They want to include various accessories that can make it worth even more.

This is why their price range, more than most other brands, makes sense. Despite offering so much, they have heavily competitive prices. The average price for an Osprey Backpack ranges from $165 to $375.

Of course, if you thought the model we showed you offered a lot. You should see what the more expensive ones offer.

The Osprey Brand offers a great “All Mighty Guarantee.” This is essentially a lifetime guarantee on their products. Here is what they had to say about their warranty:

“Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it. We proudly stand behind this guarantee, so much so that it bears the signature of company founder and head designer, Mike Pfotenhauer.”

They also offer free shipping on every item but Pro on their ground orders. However, you’ll need to cross by the $40 to $50 range in price. Since most backpacks cross this, you should be fine. They offer expedited shipping, but for more cost.

This differs on international orders. You can see the full shipment information here.

Men’s Gear Awards: Best Tent Brands Of 2019

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The REI brand, or REI Co-Op, depending on you know them, is one of the better tent brands we’ve seen this year. They’re always great with their tents, but it’s clear that they love to go that extra mile with their tents compared to other brands.

It is uncertain how they continue to come up with more unique ways to make large tents and put them out at great, high-quality. However, we hope they never stop inventing and continue to make wild designs and forms of tents that no one has seen before.

They make us interested, heavily, in what they come up with. REI is one of the best due to the fact that they just know how to get it done each time they put a tent together.

We feel one tent represents the company well, as it shows what they are capable of doing. However, it still does not show all they can do.

Thy Kingdom Come

The REI Co-op Kingdom 8 Tent is very special. While it is obvious that it can fit at least 8 people, you’ll likely find that it can fit a few more if you needed it to do so. It appears that the tent is made for families, as it breaks up into two separate rooms inside.

This is great for parents who want their end of a tent and kids who want their own. The center divider that separates the rooms can be moved around to present different sizes for the rooms.

The vertical walls and rectangular floor offer a pretty large space. This tent was updated to increase possible stability and to make it easier to set-up. The tent uses hubbed pole assemblies, pole clips, and sleeves to offer a freestanding tent.

The color coding on the tent parts helps you put the tent together easier.

This tent has 2 big doors, with 4 zipper sliders. One of the doors has a vestibule, which can be used as a single or double door, well as turned into an awning that requires tarp poles. Those poles are sold separately.

The other door is vertical, which offers a drip-free entry as well as extra room inside.

The paneling mesh, which offers a great view as well as great ventilation. It’s also bugproof. A seam-sealed waterproof polyester rain-floor, as well as cut-in floor, comes with the tent too. Inside the tent will be pockets for extra added storage.

The tent also includes a backpack carry bag with pockets for the poles and stakes. They also include 15 stakes and 8 guylines with tighteners and a pole repair tube.

However, it is not compatible with any Kingdom products sold in 2018 and beyond.

The tent is cleared for up to 3 seasons and can handle rain well with the tarp included. It’s also able to stand up to relatively high winds. With one reviewer saying it held up well against 25mph winds without any trouble.

The price of the tent sits at $550.

Price Range

The REI tents are relatively industry-standard on pricing. For tent brands that specialize in outdoor material or tents in general, it makes sense that they’d charge some higher amounts. REI does seem to offer their tents at a competitive price compared to its competitors, however.

Some 8-person tents we’ve seen as high as $900 and up. The fact they even offer one for under $600 is impressive. Their average price range for their tents is $150-$600, which is relatively fair.

REI also has a membership program that will allow you to save a little on each purchase. Typically it’s 10% off of all purchases. You can read more about their membership here.

They also offer free shipping on orders that are $50 and up. They have a couple of other things you might want to check out regarding the shipping, so we suggest you check that out right here.

REI also offers a limited warranty on all purchases.

Naturecruiser Floating House

We dare you to find something as sleek and svelte as this Naturecruiser home by Die Wohnschiffmanufaktur. It’s got everything you want in a home, except land. That’s right — this thing’s floats, which really redefined the term “outdoor pool.”

If you might think its water-floating capabilities are just for gimmicky spectacle, think again. Die Wohnschiffmanufaktur built the Naturecruiser from the ground up with water in mind. As a result, the houseboat makes nary a peep as it wades across lakes and rivers. That’s thanks to its inbuilt hybrid electric drive, which keeps things to a mum.

The Naturecruiser is also almost entirely self-sufficient, using its own water-purification system and solar panels to provide potable water and pull energy. Additionally, the consummate folks behind the project used sustainable materials to create the entire-thing, making it one of the eco-friendliest boats we’ve featured here.

You get 15 meters of living space. That includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and an outdoor deck, to boot. Moreover, you also get a rooftop terrace.

Are you a house, a boat, or a yacht? Make up your mind, Naturecruiser!

All jokes aside, this thing’s a beaut. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out — one look at its warm wood-clad and modern fixtures will make you want to escape the tangled city life and hop in at once. Wide windows abound in this wee Scandinavian gem, offering you spectacular views of the surrounding water.

If this one doesn’t really tickle your fancy, Die Wohnschiffmanufaktur boasts a number of other houseboats that’s as notable.

BUY IT HERE

Photos courtesy of Die Wohnschiffmanufaktur

SylvanSport VAST Camper Trailer

Look — if you want an authentic, rough-it-out, visceral camping experience in the frayed edges of wilderness, camper trailers won’t help you. But if you like bringing along creature comforts in outdoor shenanigans, consider SylvanSport’s VAST camper trailer.

There’s been a surge of camper trailers of late, and while most new models are decent enough, the SylvanSport VAST is another story. Most notably, it’s the brand’s first-ever camper trailer. Thankfully, it’s no botched job, as SylvanSport is redefining what a camper trailer should be.

The result is an ultra-versatile three-in-one trailer with efficient use of space. You get a customizable lounge area that can be converted into a two-level sleeping area. Not to mention twin queen-sized beds that descend from above via motors. When you hop out of bed, you can tuck them back up so as to save space. That then gives you access to an onbaord bathroom and an indoor or outdoor slide-out kitchen.

Oh, and that kitchen — we’re talking a two-burner stove, a fridge, a freezer, a sink, and plenty of storage. SylvanSport designed the entire thing to hold up your camping gear, too. So, you get things like rails for kayaks, a space inside for bikes, and even hideaway storage for dual propane tanks.

The only downside to the SylvanSport VAST camper trailer is that you can’t buy it yet. But if that trip’s coming up and you haven’t settled on a camper yet, this one’s probably your guy. It’s got every essential creature comfort imaginable. It’s not exactly what you’d call a roughing-it-out experience, sure, but who cares?

CHECK IT OUT

Turtlebox Bluetooth Speaker System

Heading outdoors used be just you, your pals, some survival gear, a cooler, and Mother Nature. These days, our high-tech lifestyle makes it difficult to leave behind our gadgets. Other than our smartphones, people usually bring Bluetooth speakers to play tunes while hanging out. In order to survive unpredictable weather and other environmental hazards, a lot of wireless speakers are now water-resistant. However, the Turtlebox is an intimidating gadget that ups the ante not only is durability but also with the sound.

Boasting a max volume of up to 120 decibels, users should proceed with caution unless they want to scare off everything within range. The manufacturer claims that sound quality will not degrade even in the highest setting. With an ingress protection rating of IP67, you’re practically free to dunk throw it in the water. You can even wash off the dirt and grime that accumulates with a garden hose. Not only is it virtually waterproof, but the formidable housing can also withstand a boatload and abuse.

This durable Bluetooth speaker can even pair with another Turtlebox sound system for stereo audio. Not only is this gadget one tough customer, but it’s also built to keep the party going. The built-in rechargeable battery will pump out tunes for up 20 hours (at 50 percent volume). Not only is it an awesome sound system for outdoor adventures, but you can also use it for tailgate and backyard parties. Moreover, knowing that it’s waterproof, users can even bring it aboard their watercraft for roaring tunes while cruising the seas.

Images courtesy of Turtlebox

Go loud with Turtlebox

VW I.D. BUGGY Concept Is One Playful EV

The future of the automotive industry is clearly heading for something greener. The environmental impact of burning fossil fuels is reaching alarming levels. Therefore, carmakers are making a collective effort to reduce or even eliminate carbon emissions. We’ve already taken a big step with hybrid models, but electric motors are even better. Tesla proves that electric vehicles (EVs) are capable of replacing conventional types and carmakers are following suit. Last year, Volkswagen gave us a preview of its future EV lineup. Now, it seems that they’re adding another with the VW I.D. BUGGY.

The latest addition to Volkswagen’s I.D. series makes its debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Just like the previous two, it sports an eye-catching coat of paint. The Buzz and the Buzz Cargo are flaunting bright yellow and blue colors respectively. Meanwhile, the BUGGY is flaunting a body that mostly neon green. They’re calling it Fern Green with a mix of Grey Tech Blue. It’s apparently using the same modular electric drive matrix platform as its two siblings. Nostalgic consumers will find it a wonderful homage to original dune buggies from the sixties.

This concept ride uses a rear-wheel drive configuration and promises a mileage of up to 155 miles. A floor-mounted 62 kWh lithium-ion battery supplies all the power it needs. Another interesting feature is the removable upper body, which opens it up for a lot of customization options. Just like its original source of inspiration, the VW I.D. BUGGY is devoid of windows or a roof, save for black tarp for cover. Each 18-inch wheel sports BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A off-road rubbers, that’s ready to handle various surfaces. We really hope that this fun and awesome ride does not stay in concept limbo.

Images courtesy of Volkswagen

Go Electric With Volkswagen

Bajaboard Pantera Off-Road Electric Skateboard

Skateboards are definitely awesome modes of transportation. All you need is a good sense of balance, safety gear, and a good pair of legs to propel you forward. Nevertheless, getting the hang of it takes a lot of practice. Over time, you’ll be able to pull off complex tricks to impress your friends. Sadly, conventional models only work on even surfaces, which is a major bummer in our opinion. Thankfully, that problem is not a big deal anymore with the arrival of the Bajaboard Pantera. Now you can take your deck anywhere with a little extra to sweeten the ride.

The Pantera is an electric skateboard that can tackle various surfaces including off-road terrain. Its versatility makes it an enjoyable alternative to your bike, car, or even public transport. We know its tempting to grab one right away, but make sure that it’s legal to operate this machine in your area. One look at rugged design makes you want to hop and speed off anywhere.

A word of caution though, this battery-powered skateboard will push on with speeds up to 45 miles per hour. This is a major upgrade over its predecessor, the G4X, which can only muster a top speed of 37 miles per hour.

What makes it possible are the four 3.5-kilowatt motors that drive each of the black anodized wheels. It draws power from a 1,100Wh 10S battery with a total range of about 28 miles on a single charge. Not only can the Bajaboard Pantera handle rough rugged terrain, its ready to take on the dark with custom headlights and tail lights on board. Finally, the matte black finish gives it a stylish and stealthy aesthetic that looks impressively menacing.

Images courtesy of Bajaboard

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Men’s Gear Awards: Best Tactical Flashlight Brands Of 2019

Nitecore

Editors Rating

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If you’ve ever owned a Nitecore Flashlight, you know why we added them to our list of the best tactical flashlight brands. They are simply one of the best you’ll ever find, and this isn’t an exaggeration.

Everyone who knows the world of tactical gear knows Nitecore are serious contenders for the best flashlight makers.

This is for good reason. Nitecore reminds us of Streamlight, due to their set-up. Like them, their website is more about informing you about their product rather than telling you about their prices.

There are just so many that is can be a bit jarring, but this is kind of a good thing.

They are not specifically made for the likes of law enforcement like Streamlight often tends to be. Nitecore is also heavily influenced by their testing and actually puts testing in the hands of people like those who know the world well.

There are pros and cons to every single flashlight in existence, which should be heavily noted here. However, Nitecore actually seems to love getting both about their product from the likes of us, the media.

The reason? This testing helps them better their products overall, even if that means removing a certain type from their line to make sure it’s perfect.

This means you are not just getting testers that work with Nitecore only. Rather, you’re getting people in the real world that are putting these flashlights to the test.

Nitecore’s Proper Testing Led To Better Lights And Inventive Results

They make lights for just about everything. We always feel that great tactical flashlight brands must evolve with the times. Not only do their flashlights need to be made for certain activities, but those lights have to adjust to the very things those activities require from a flashlight.

Nitecore has headlamp lights, for example, that are made specifically for fields like cave exploration, climbing, etc. They have to be perfectly organized, of course, for this particular field.

That is not where their organized tactical flashlights end. They make your standard lights to have around the home for storms, of course. However, they have specific lines dedicated to exploration, as well as lights dedicated to search and rescue.

They also have a tremendous “Tiny Monster” series that combines lights to make a really cool, revolutionary flashlight.

One of them stacks 4 beams in one, offering 6,000 Lumen strength lighting. It seems insane, right? It isn’t, but whoever thought it up must be a genius if you’re asking us.

Another we absolutely love about Nitecore is that they sell their batteries separately as well as together. Many flashlights come with batteries when you buy them. However, places like Nitecore make specific types of flashlights that require batteries you won’t find at your regular, run of the mill store.

This is why they sell them separately so you won’t have to buy a brand new flashlight to get new batteries. Under this as well, they have power banks/chargers that are used to power other things too. This will allow you to charge a cell phone, computer, and much more.

They even sell lasers, the types that can be really annoying at theaters as well as those you can use on a gun to help aim a shot better. Seriously, this is flipping awesome!

Overall, there is nothing but impressive material here at Nitecore. Their prices vary, but most of their flashlights are under $200. This, of course, does not include any accessories or extra batteries you may want to buy along with it.

Best 17 Tennis Elbow Braces

T

ennis is an incredibly graceful, skillful and beautiful game to watch when it’s played properly. It can be captivating and exciting and that’s part of why so many people want to start playing it. Who could argue with just how amazing Roger Federer is on a good day? There’s reasons why some people consider him to not only be the best tennis player of his generation, but the best sportsman overall.

However, if you’ve been playing for a while, or just starting this sport, you’ll soon figure out that it’s a lot more grueling and taxing on the body. All that running, all that ducking and diving and returning those ground strokes, backhand smashes, punishing serves and deadly spinners takes its toll. Hamstring and tendon pulls are just two of the issues, along with another you may have heard of, tennis elbow.

Therefore, you may have armed yourself with that killer racket and may even have those cool tennis shoes, but have you given some thought to protection for your elbows? In this guide that’s what we’re going to look at, the best tennis elbow braces on the market. Now, there’s a wide selection of different tennis elbow braces available on the market right now – so many so that there’s an overwhelming selection to choose from. That’s where we help though.

We’ve managed to whittle down the selection to a solid 17. These 17 are the best on the market. So, you’ll be able to find one that meets your needs and budget nicely. As an interesting aside, if you’ve yet to invest in a racket or shoes, you should check out our great guides covering both the best tennis shoes of and best tennis rackets of 2018.

What is Tennis Elbow?

As stated by WebMD, tennis elbow is a kind of tendinitis or swollen tendons. The condition can cause pain in the arm and elbow. The tendons are collections of tough tissue that connect your lower arm bones to the relevant muscles. Although it’s called ‘tennis elbow,’ it’s possible to get it from several other things outside of tennis.

Essentially, any repetitive activities involving a gripping action, particularly if the first two fingers and thumb are involved, can result in tennis elbow. It can also come into play with merely swinging your arm over long periods of time, as well as other sports like golf, basketball, and much more.

When you’re playing tennis and gripping that racket, you can put too much stress on the tendons, straining your muscles. Over the course of time, the constant tugging on the tendons and muscles can cause tiny tissue tears. It’s possible to develop tennis elbow if you participate in:

  • Weightlifting
  • Fencing
  • Squash
  • Racquetball

Furthermore, even hobbies or small outside chores you might do around the house could cause tennis elbow. Those activities are:

  • Raking
  • Painting
  • Typing
  • Carpentry

What Are The Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

Symptoms are often the first thing people notice for anything wrong with them. You know your body better than anyone, even your doctor. That is why they have to ask YOU the questions in order to help you out. That said, symptoms for problems the body may have could be minor or simply due to age.

This causes several people, ESPECIALLY MEN, to ignore the signs something might be wrong. They refuse to go to the doctor and look into it. As if can hurt to be sure. This isn’t Monte Python, as some things are not “merely a flesh wound.” Tennis Elbow can really be hard to notice right away.

The reason for such an issue is that symptoms often start light and develop into more painful issues over time. You may even start to lose the ability to move it normally. Yet this won’t come right away usually. What should you look out for so you can properly be prepared for the possibility of tennis elbow?

Tenderness and pain in that bony knob-like part on the outside of your elbow are the most common first symptom. This might be lighter at first, as mentioned. Don’t ignore it, as your body is communicating with you here. This is the area where the bone is connected to the tendons, so it’s very important to pay attention to.

The subsequent pain can radiate to the lower or upper arm. Even with the damage occurring in your elbow, you may find it difficult to do things with your hands. This is commonly due to inflammation and possible nerve trouble that can develop.

How Easy is it to Develop?

It’s more likely to develop if you’re performing the same activities time and time again, such as swinging a racket. After all, there’s no way around stopping that from happening. It’s a pretty important part of the whole game. As mentioned beforehand, it’s not as if Tennis is the only place where this can happen.

Here’s another thing you’ll hate about it. You can get tennis elbow issues even if you’re in great shape. In fact, people in the best shape who have gone to the gym for years will likely develop some version of it. Why is this? Just like with what happens in tennis, it’s all about repeatability. Your elbows are heavily needed to do anything with your arms.

Arm curls, for example, are done to add muscle and typically assist your bicep and tricep growth. Throughout this, your elbow has to be the main support bone that almost spots for the tendons. Bodybuilders can develop several issues like bone chips or bone spurs in the arms. In fact, it’s incredibly common.

Tennis elbow would be the easiest to get yet the worst one for them. This led to several wearing pads before they pick up high-end weight.  It’s not necessarily inevitable that you’ll get tennis elbow, particularly if you invest in a good tennis elbow braces that will take the pressure off.

These can help prevent pain from getting worse and save you from major continued problems from it. Pain could only get worse and you don’t want to live a restricted life, right? Needless to say, tennis elbow braces are here for a reason. Use them, and thank us later.

What’s The Most Critical Misunderstanding About Tennis Elbow Braces?

It’s important to be clear that the tennis elbow braces we’ve included in our guide no not actually help relieve pain. They’re used in a preventative way. That is, to stop tennis elbow and the various symptoms that go along with it before it actually happens.

We have to be clear and explain that if you’re getting one with the view to reversing pain you’re already experiencing, it will not do the trick. It may alleviate the symptoms you have, but it won’t actually work like Tylenol or Aleve, which are actual proper painkillers.

Those are medications that relieve body aches and inflammation. It’s their entire job. Meanwhile, there are prescription painkillers that can eliminate issues further.

You wear them on the elbow just past the forearm to provide support to the tendons and muscles that your wrist and elbows use. They put a small amount of pressure on those tendons and muscles to stop them from becoming too tight.

They also help to release some of the tension on the tendons and muscles when they move.

There’s actually a professional term that explains how a brace works known as the ‘counterbalance brace’. It gets its name due to the force applied to the forearm working like a counterbalance against the tension generated naturally in these muscles when they move.

How Do Tennis Elbow Braces Actually Work?

We did note that tennis elbow braces are not painkillers or pain relievers. That said, you may wonder if they actually work at all?  We cannot blame you for the skepticism after what we mentioned earlier. In fact, we’d act very similar to the same thing came into play for us. However, they work very well. We’d like to explain this in more detail, however.

Commonly, there are three ways tennis elbow braces work for the everyday human being. We wanted to go over each in detail for you to make sure you knew how they all benefit you.

Injury Prevention:

Injury prevention is possible from the way the tennis elbow brace supports you. It places pressure on the muscles it’s wrapped around and gives them additional support they wouldn’t have without it. This is considered to be ideal for helping to prevent repetitive injuries. This includes not just tennis elbow, but carpal tunnel syndrome too.

The reason it works so well is due in part to stopping problems to the areas of the elbow that are most at risk. They cannot develop any issue if they are unable to move from where they normally would be located. Your body is amazing and moves various ways to do several different things. Yet this is also a bad thing about it.

The reason is due to what we see here. Your elbow moves a certain way to do something, which is done by design by your body. The problem is that continuing this on the regular can cause these painful symptoms. Unless you begin to wear any of the great tennis elbow braces the moment you feel pain, you cannot prevent pain from never existing at all.

Reducing Pain:

It may not remove pain, but it’s thought that tennis elbow braces could reduce pain by redirecting the stress of an injured area. Essentially, it stops it from getting worse. Basically meaning if you hurt every time you play tennis in your elbow, then tennis elbow braces will serve as an aide to reduce future pains.

Imagine breaking your arm and then trying to use it. Every day you never set it back in place and it’ll just heal wrong if it ever does at all. You’ll never make it better. Meanwhile, if you break your arm and go to a doctor to reset it along with getting a cast, you can ensure the proper healing takes place. You can even use that broken arm for certain things too.

That is basically the case with braces like this. They won’t immediately kill pain like painkillers will, of course. They’re more so about what you could develop. Putting proper tennis elbow braces on before activities will prevent pain, therefore, reduce the pain you might have had if you didn’t wear one.

Helping with Recovery:

When used properly, tennis elbow braces could help speed up the recovery time. As they trap heat in the muscles of the areas they come into contact with. Heat has been shown to help reduce the recovery time somewhat. It’s a nice thing to help soothe aches and pains for sure.

Do not assume that these braces will heal up anything that goes on in this part of the body. If you have a significant injury then you need to see a doctor about possible surgery and/or rehabilitation. These tennis elbow braces will be useful once you’re cleared to do the activities that may have caused your injury to begin with.

Due to being preventative to pains, they will keep injured areas from going out of where they need to be. Think of the cast we mentioned above. Clearly, you need to be active and get your arm back in movement again. Doctors and surgeons, as well as physical therapists, will rejoice if you do light stuff while wearing one. This could be immensely critical to recovery.

How Does One Properly Wear Tennis Elbow Braces?

Tennis elbow braces are some of the most incredibly effective and preventative accessories to have. Well, that’s if they’re worn correctly. It’s always recommended that you consult a doctor or your general practitioner before using a tennis elbow brace.

However, we wanted to add an outline to teach you how to wear one properly.

Start by resting your elbow on a cushioned surface or pillow to help reduce the stress generated from application of the tennis elbow brace. Use your fingers to rub the lateral muscles in your elbow until you find the spot that feels the worst.

Measure roughly 10cm from that spot down your forearm using a tape measure or ruler. You’ll then place the brace component directly onto the measured spot. Now release the strap allowing it to hang from your arm. You should have the brace resting on the top of your forearm while the strap should be resting on the pinky finger or the outside of your arm.

Hold the brace firmly and wrap the Velcro strapping underneath your arm, fastening it on top of the brace section. It should be wrapped firmly around your arm while reinforcing lateral muscles, and not cutting off circulation. Then press your arm splint against the forearm.

Another note to be aware of is any that come with a wrist strap. If your brace has one, then wrap this smaller strap around wrist bone. You’ll do it just like you did with the forearm strap. Check that the unit will stay put by moving your arm.

If you’re experiencing sudden paleness or tingling sensations throughout your arm, loosen off the straps to allow for more circulation. Sometimes, there is a thing as too tight.

1) Simien Tennis Elbow Support Brace

Up first, we have the Simien Tennis Elbow Support. This product is actually a pack of two tennis elbow braces for an incredibly affordable price. This is a very versatile brace as it can fit most people and it can be used on both the right and left forearm. If it doesn’t, Simien have said they’ll give you back your money.

It works with a hook-and-loop strap and it is also guaranteed by Simien to not have a tourniquet effect or cut off your circulation.

Made from 35% nylon and 65% neoprene, it is really built to last. If the two straps weren’t enough themselves, you also get an E-Book and sweatband for absolutely free. The fact that this pack includes two separate and identical straps means you have one that you can keep in your tennis or gym bag, then another you can store elsewhere.

This is perfect for those days when you’re going from one place to another. Of course, it’s also helpful if you’re just really forgetful and might forget to pick one up. With this two pack, you’ll always have a spare.

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2) DashSport Tennis Elbow Brace

DashSport offers up their entry into the tennis elbow braces market with this premium-quality copper compression sleeve and elbow brace pairing. The sleeve is snug and offers a small measure of compression. Meanwhile, the elbow brace can be adjusted and provides the amount of support you need, whether that’s very strong or incredibly light.

Both components also have the benefit of being able to be used at the same time or separately on either the left or right arm.

As copper-nylon is used in the construction, it has anti-bacterial, odor-resistant, and anti-itch properties. It’s also a very high performing fabric that will keep you cool when it’s hot, and warm when it’s cold. With the flatlock seam stitching, you’ll find that there’s little to no skin irritation or chafing.

You can obviously use it for anything, not just playing tennis. Use it for things CrossFit, football, baseball, as the list truly is endless.

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3) Venom Sports Fitness Elbow Strap Compression Brace

If you’re looking for something with a cool name, look no further than the Venom Sports Fitness Elbow Strap Compression Brace. The gel compression pad provides useful and cushioned support. Meanwhile, there’s a double-reinforced strap that helps prevent it from slipping off, which can be fully adjusted to fit most sizes.

It has been made from durable and very high-quality materials that ensure it will last a long time, even with regular use.

If you’re looking to reduce the effects of tennis elbow or stop it happening at all, this is a great option. It also helps that it’s very discreet, so you could easily hide these tennis elbow braces under work clothes if necessary. This is perfect for those weekend courtside warriors that love to be active.

Of course, it also works well if you have a work-life balance that includes lots of sporting activities and lots of office-based working. Multifunctional, the tennis elbow braces are.

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4) Bodyprox Elbow Brace 2-Pack

With these tennis elbow braces from Bodyprox, you can help alleviate the fatigue and stress caused to your forearm. All the while, it helps your tender tendons you damaged while smashing your backhand slice. Breathable and durable, both incredibly sought after in products like this, the Bodyprox product lives up to.

It can be fully adjusted and has Velcro strapping that makes it easy to secure.

At just 2.88ounces, it’s not exactly heavy, so it won’t give you too much weight to carry around. This could be important if you are still competing and taking part in sports. Furthermore, if you arrive at work you’re suffering from tennis elbow, this will at least help protect you from doing further damage to your injured tendons.

All in all, these tennis elbow braces are a nice addition to your tennis or gym bag. As mentioned, they’re even cool for the office.

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5) Kunto Fitness Products Elbow Brace Compression Support Sleeve

The Kunto Elbow Brace Compression Support Sleeve has a four-way compression weave that ensures you get the most support possible, without losing mobility. This is perfect if you have regular meetups and games to take part in. No-one wants to avoid those if necessary.

However, it’s also a great help if your work involves a lot of keyboard and mouse use.

The company has taken measures to ensure you won’t experience any brace rolling. That is a bit of a pet peeve many guys have with this kind of accessory. We know ourselves from times we’ve worn similar implements just how frustrating and distracting it can be if you constantly have to readjust your strap every five minutes.

With these tennis elbow braces by Kunto, you don’t have to worry about that problem. We also love that this product has the look and feel of a top-performance, great quality brace. We liked the patterns on it because it won’t look ridiculous if you’re trying to take serves in it.

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6) PowerLix Elbow Brace Compression Support

The PowerLix Elbow Brace Compression Support is tremendous. This is a very high-quality product that features an anti-slip system and amazing design. Wearing this, you’ll benefit from the four-way compression sleeve that has been ergonomically designed.

You’ll have a full range of protection and motion in your arm with this. Plus, the soft material makes it comfortable to wear for as long as you need.

As the company does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, you need to be careful you choose the right size for you. Consider your regular arm and possible swelling you have now or might have. Do this by taking the circumference of your elbow.

It’s worth noting that the sizes supplied are the averages for compression pressure. Every sleeve can actually be expanded by 60% for a better fit. Although it won’t perfectly fit absolutely everyone, it does have a level of versatility when it comes to sizing.

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7) Copper Compression Recovery Elbow Sleeve

If there’s one thing we think Copper Compression are trying to tell us it’s that their sleeve contains a high amount of copper. That said, be careful if you’re allergic to the stuff as genuine copper is in this and not just the color of it.

It’ll help to keep your muscles and joints warm throughout the day and night. It does this by using a comfortable fabric that allows you to move more freely while providing necessary support.

Not only has it been designed to be anti-slip, but it has also been constructed to be versatile. It’s subtle enough that it can be worn just about anywhere as well. This makes it a perfect choice if you’re looking to put more hours in at the gym, on the court, or just have work to get down to.

We know that it’s important to rest up when you’re injured. However, having one of these tennis elbow braces could help you stay active while protecting yourself from further injuries.

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8) PlayActive Tennis Elbow Brace

From PlayActive, we have some a phenomenal tennis elbow brace to go over. These tennis elbow braces are a great deal because for under $20 you can actually get two high-quality elbow braces. Made from a combination of 35% nylon and 65% neoprene, these are designed to comfortably stay in place and last a long time.

Neoprene is obviously very popular nowadays, and with good reason. It works well!

Each brace has two straps, allowing them to be incredibly easy to adjust and provide just the right amount of support and pressure. The compression pad inside each brace is firm enough that it provides the support you need. Meanwhile, it’s soft enough that it will feel comfortable even when worn for long periods of time.

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9) KYUSport Adjustable Neoprene Tennis Elbow Support Strap

The KYUSport adjustable neoprene tennis strap is a very lightweight and adjustable accessory to invest in. It does the job it was designed for, and it’s very comfortable to wear. The model provides just the right amount of pressure and compression, that it doesn’t prevent you from having a full range of movement.

Rather, it stops you from damaging your elbow further.

You can wear it both day and night. If you’re out with the guys at the weekend, trying to play through the pain like a trooper/idiot or sitting at your desk, it fits your situation. Time is money and money is also another commodity you need to try and get one over your biggest tennis rival sometimes.

That makes many believe this item is overpriced or something. Yet that is not the case, as it’s reasonably priced for what it provided. The neoprene fabric and adjustable strapping make sure it is always comfortable and not too tight. This makes it well worth the buy if you’re asking us.

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10) WIMI Sports & Fitness Elbow Brace and Compression Sleeve

The tennis elbow brace and compression sleeve from WIMI Sports & Fitness contain a copper-infused nylon and spandex design. The brace provides you with an adjustable form of support and a comfortably large gel pad. On top of this, the sleeve and copper content can encourage oxygen delivery and blood flow.

These are two things that are beneficial when you are experiencing pain, or even before you do, and need to protect your arm and elbow. The material is also odor-resistant and anti-bacterial.

One of the best things about this is that you can use both the brace and sleeve together or separately. This is all depending on what you need. In addition to the sleeve and, brace you also receive an excellent E-book. Even if you don’t spend any time looking through it, this is ultimately a very good bargain.

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11) E-Fit Shop Elbow Brace with Compression Pad

Two of the most important things, we feel, when buying tennis elbow braces is for it to be comfortable to wear and easy to use. After all, you don’t really want to deal with something that has too complicated a design when you’re just looking for that balance between support and movement.

The E-Fit Shop brace offers both these qualities. You simply slide the brace on and then use the two straps to adjust it to fit comfortably.

Once it’s on your arm, you’ll still find that you are able to perform a full range of motions. E-Fit has even looked at reducing the bulk of this brace so that it’ll fit nicely underneath whatever you wear.

This is perfect for when you want to go out for a spot to eat. Yet you want to give your elbow some support after you’ve just gone through a blazing match of five grueling sets.

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12) Bracoo Tennis Elbow Strap

The Bracoo Tennis Elbow strap has a very slick and compact design compared to some of the others on the market. It’s ergonomically designed for superior shock absorption and vibration dampening. It’s made from high-quality materials including cotton, spandex, nylon, and EVA.

The EVA pad helps support tense and stressed tendons and aides with their recovery. There’s no point in saying that it works as a painkiller, however. Although it will help relieve the issues, it won’t get rid of the pain. Be aware of this.

Strong-gripping Velcro fasteners are included to increase the durability and fit, ensuring that this counterbalance brace won’t slip out of place while you are wearing it. Easy to use and wear, it comes with anti-perspiration properties too.

This truly is a great and affordable brace that’ll give you the support you really need when you need it. The fact that it’s listed in this guide suggests it’s a pretty good deal already, however.

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13) Mueller Adjustable Elbow Support

The Mueller Adjustable Elbow support ensures to users that their tennis elbow braces are easy to put on, and won’t be a struggle to use. The slip-on design is likely the main reason for this, as it allows for the ease of putting it on to exist. This also helps it become easier to adjust, even with just using one hand.

There are also adjustable straps that help you to find that sweet spot for a comfortable fit.

On top of this, it’s made from special HydraMesh fabric. This special fabric helps manage moisture and improves the level of comfort and breathability you can get all in the areas that need it the most. These tennis elbow pads come with a clever Microbe Shield as well.

This helps to control or eliminate product deterioration, stains, and odors that result from the growth of microorganisms and bacteria. That means no more sweaty and smelly arms, even when they have to be strapped up.

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14) WITKEEN 2-Pack Tennis Elbow Brace

Everyone likes a bargain, don’t they? This WITKEEN 2-Pack Tennis Elbow Brace may have a higher price tag than some in this guide, but you must consider what you get with it. Two tennis elbow braces come into play, which you can share with a partner or friend.

In addition to the effective elbow brace, you also get the silicone 40lbs hand gripper. Although not really necessary, it’s still a nice touch and helps you to work on your tendons and muscles. Ultimately, it helps to strengthen them and help make tennis elbow less likely.

These tennis elbow braces have an intuitive and comfortable design that consists of two parts. That’s the gel compression pad and the Velcro strapping system. This particular strap stands out because it’s made using 20% nylon and 80% neoprene. This is a bit higher than some of the others in this guide.

It has been designed to fit most arm sizes, as long as the circumference is less than 14 inches.

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15) McDavid 489 Elbow Strap

McDavid is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of sports performance apparel and sports medicine braces. Made from 100% latex-free neoprene, it provides support for your soft and delicate tissues. It’s also effective with compression and thermal therapy.

The fully-patented HexPad Technology from McDavid provides lightweight padding with breathability and durability.

It benefits from having a flat-seam construction that offers a comfortable, contouring fit. The padding consists of dual-Sorbothane to provide the right amount of support to ease pain and prevent further pain in the future. We think this is an awesome addition to your tennis or gym bag.

Heck, you could even use it when playing golf, as it’ll protect your arms just the same. It also looks kinda badass too.

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16) AZSPORT Tennis Elbow Brace

AZSport seems to be one of the best at manufacturing tennis elbow braces around. This model can adjust easily by using the Velcro to provide the right amount of pressure you need, where you need it most. It’s made from very breathable material that helps with perspiration management and offers odor resistance.

Similar to others on our list, it also provides a sufficient amount of coolness to your elbow.

This can be used virtually anywhere and manages to offer a very compact and slim design. This allows it to be worn under clothing discreetly. Although the brand may not be quite as popular as others, getting adequate support for your arm while you hit those free winners for under $10 sounds good to us.

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17) Bracoo Elbow Support

Bracoo seems to be great with their tennis elbow braces, among other products. This particular Bracoo brace is just under $10, making it quite a steal. It’s a lot bulkier and more supportive than the other strap we listed by the company. It has a relatively simple, but extremely effective system.

As we’ve discussed at various points in the guide, this is important. This is particularly true if you have to put it on and take it off without a glamorous assistant to help you.

It’s made from that cool skin-friendly stuff that everything seems to be making use of these days, neoprene. We do rate that highly here at Men’s Gear. It offers adjustable support, thanks to the Velcro straps that can be attached across any point along the outside of the surface.

The support is assisted by the excellent range of motion if offers, allowing users to function like a normal human. Don’t worry, it works even for you abnormal humans too.

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Brace Yourself, for Action

Whoever said tennis was a sport for fancy types to play between their cups of tea, has had their head under a rock. Since the sport started to implement more intricate muscle training, it has become much faster and tougher. The price you pay for participation can be nothing short of bone-breaking.

Tennis elbow is not something that any of us enjoy. No one wakes up wanting that, for sure.

Normal, and reasonably normal people, however, like to protect themselves from nasty injuries and nagging pains. That’s why you came to this guide in the first place, right?

That’s why we put together the guide and the reviews. We wanted to provide you with a suitable guide to all you need to know about tennis elbow braces and support bands. We feel we have smashed that ace in here.

Despite some companies claims to pain relief, tennis elbow braces are there for support. They won’t take the pain away like a hit from a great painkiller. However, by redirecting the pain and easing the inflammation and pressure on the muscles and tendons affected, it can reduce discomfort and help with the healing.

We choose 17 tennis elbow braces to give you a wide variety of choice. Sizes and preferences are numerous, but we feel we have something for everyone in the guide. We know with the choices above you’ll be able to protect yourself from tennis elbow. Now get out there and stay active, but be sure to take one these tennis elbow braces with you.

You’ll thank us later!

Best 21 Camping Chairs

F

or us men, our chair is like a throne. May it be your favored seat for watching the game at home, or that expensive gaming chair you just had to have – it definitely improves our performance – chairs are important. So, it’s little wonder that when it comes to choosing the perfect camping chair, we can be a little picky.

After all, the last thing you want is to go on a hike or trip with your mates and find you have a cheap, nasty chair that’s liable to collapse, making you a laughing stock for years to come. Becoming that fabled story from the past is definitely the last thing you want – especially when it gets relayed to potential girlfriends to embarrass you.

Instead, you’ll want your chair to be the envy of your friends. Which is why you’ll need a chair that’s ultra-comfortable and armed with the best features and gadgets.

Of course, choosing the right camping chair for your needs can be pretty tricky, especially when there’s so many options on the market. Which is why we’ve put together a list of 21 of the best camping chairs out there. No matter what you’re looking for from your portable chair, we have the perfect option for you.

How to Choose the Best Camping Chair

Choosing the best camping chair for you is totally dependent on both you and what you’d like from your camping chair.

One of the most important factors when choosing a portable chair is what you intend to use it for. For instance, if you plan to take your chair on intensive hiking trips, you’re going to want a chair that is as lightweight as possible. Or, on the other hand, if you’re taller or bigger, you’ll want to look for portable chairs that have a higher weight capacity and are made from a stronger material.

Comfort should also be a major factor when considering camping chairs, especially if you plan to sit in your chair for long periods of time. Here you should look at the materials the chair is made from as well as whether it has any added extras such as drink holders or padded seating.

You’ll also want to set yourself a budget, as it can be very easy to go a little crazy buying the fanciest chair on the market. However, it would be silly to spend too much money on a chair when you could have bought one – with all the features you needed – for half that price.

Ultimately, choosing your perfect camping chair is more than just nipping into the shop and picking the first one you see.

Top Places to Take Camping Chairs

One of the best things about camping chairs is their versatility. True, they might be called camping chairs, but these chairs have a host of uses. Here are just some of the most popular places people can take their chairs:

Beach – a trip to the beach is, for most of us, one of our favorite places to go. There is one slight downside to the beach though – sand! When you sit on it, even with a towel, it seems to get everywhere, and we mean EVERYWHERE. Taking a camping chair means you get all the benefits of the beach and none of the sandy bits.

Hiking – when you’ve made it up a humongous hill or massive mountain, you’re going to want to enjoy the view. By bringing your own portable chair, you can kick back and enjoy the scenery with your favorite beverage.

Tailgating – tailgating before a big game is a long-held tradition. You get to meet other fans, eat some tasty food and, with a nice camping chair, you can sit back and relax. After all, the game probably isn’t going to be relaxing!

Concerts – outdoor concerts and festivals can be exhausting on your feet, by taking a little folding chair in your backpack, you can sit back and be the envy of those around you. This saves you from trying to sit on cold, dirty floors that cause you more back pain than standing would have.

Family Events – many of us host big family parties outside. It might be for Independence Day, the Super Bowl or just a big family BBQ, either way, it’s likely that you’re going to need extra seating. If everyone brought their own camping chair, seating wouldn’t be a problem.

School Games – If you have kids, it’s highly likely that they’re going to end up playing some sports, which can sound wonderful on paper. In reality, though, long hours of practice in all weathers can be pretty exhausting and painful if you’re stuck standing. You can make these events easier by bringing your own comfy chair, then you can concentrate on cheering.

What Materials Make the Best Camping Chairs  

When choosing a folding chair, it’s important that you choose one with quality materials.

Firstly, you’ll want a decent metal frame. Here steel makes for a stronger frame but is heavier, while aluminum is much lighter but isn’t as strong as steel. You’ll need to decide what’s better for what you’re going to use it for.

Fabric-wise, polyester and textilene are both strong and easy to clean, which is pretty important when using your chair in all weathers and terrains. If you plan to use your chair in particularly warm climates, opting for a meshed material makes for a sensible choice, as this is breathable keeping you cooler. For cooler times, a padded chair will be both comfortable and cozy.

Types of Camping Chairs

Rocking and Camping Chairs

Rocking and camping chairs are those that are best suited for a night in front of the campfire enjoying beers, s’mores and, hopefully, no ghost stories that keep you up all night. These tend to be the most comfortable of those on the market as many have padding for chilly nights.

In particular, rocking chairs tend to be incredibly comfortable as you can lean back and rock yourself, just like a regular rocking chair. These can be very relaxing and are perfect for a family gathering.

As you’re taking these chairs camping, you’ll most likely be taking these chairs via transport, so, you can afford to opt for a heavier chair that’s a little sturdier.

Lightweight and Portable Folding Camping Chairs

If you plan on taking your chair with you on hikes or mountain climbing, you’re going to want a chair that is as lightweight and portable as possible. Otherwise your chair will be cumbersome and you’ll want to chuck it over the mountain, never to be seen again.

Ideally, you’ll want a chair to be under 10lbs and one that folds into a small bundle that can be put into a backpack. This will make for a chair that is easy to transport and won’t cause you issues whilst climbing. Some of us like to train using heavy backpacks to improve fitness, in these cases you may want a heavier chair.

Oversized Camping Chairs

Oversized camping chairs are those especially made for those with a taller or larger frame, which a regular camping chair might not support.

These chairs tend to be made from steel, which is a sturdier metal, and be a heavier, less portable chair – although it is possible to get lightweight and oversized chairs.

As well as having higher weight capacities, oversized chairs tend to have longer backs that are better suited to taller people. They also have wider seats, providing more room and comfort for those sitting in them.

Camping Chairs with Canopy

Chairs that come with an added canopy are particularly suited for those who’d like to use their chairs in the sun, as the canopy will help protect you from harmful sun rays. This can be particularly good if you’d like to take your chair to the beach.

A canopy chair has its uses everywhere, though.  On a sunny day,  camping, tailgating or chilling at a concert can all call for a chair that hides you from the sun. These chairs are useful if you like to read or use your gadgets in the sun too, as the canopy hides you from the glare.

Camping Chairs with Footrest

Like canopy chairs, a camping chair with a footrest is like a handy gadget for your chair. Adding extra comfort, it’s perfect for those of you that love to put your feet up and relax.

These footrests are often detachable, which makes for versatile chairs, especially on camping trips as you’ll be able to use your chair like a recliner and remove the footrest to use like a normal camping chair.

1) ALPS King Kong Mountaineering Chair

Folding camping chairs are wonderful gadgets, but one real annoyance is the fact that, when we’re not using them, they can be annoying to lug around under your arm. Which is what makes the ALPS King Kong offering so wonderful – every chair comes with its own shoulder carry bag. This means that when you’re not using your chair, you can simply stick it in its bag and fling it over your shoulder.

Then there’s the fact that this chair can hold some serious weight. As strong as the real King Kong – of course he’s real! – this chair can take an impressive 800 lbs of weight. Which, even if you’re nowhere near the capacity – makes for an incredibly sturdy chair that is also extremely comfortable.

Unlike many other camping chairs on the market, the King Kong is also very spacious, especially on the armrests. This spaciousness makes the King Kong feel more like a coveted lounge chair in your home, so you know it will add a touch of luxury to any camping trip.

Indeed, ALPS hold so much esteem in the comfort and durability of their chair, that every product comes with a lifetime guarantee.

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2) Caravan Sports Suspension Folding Chair

When it comes to a classic folding camping chair, this Caravan Sports offering ticks all the boxes. Not only does it have all the comfort of a deck chair, it has the added bonus of being portable.

Made from durable textilene fabric, which is easy to clean – particularly useful for rogue mustard drops while tailgating before the big game – the chair also benefits from a double bungee system. This allows you to sink into a natural position in the chair, where the fabric hugs your spine, stopping back pain and giving lumbar support.

Most importantly, these folding camping chairs are free from those painful bars across the front, that tend to dig into the backs of your legs while you sit. This means that you can sit comfortably in these chairs for hours on end, making them especially good for a fishing trip or beach visit.

The chair can be quite awkward to carry, and at 11.8 lbs it isn’t the most lightweight chair on our list. However, these chairs fold very flat, meaning they won’t take up much room in your trunk. So, if you plan to use your chair a short trip from your vehicle, this slight niggle won’t be an issue.

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3) Sunnydaze XL Zero Gravity Lounge Chair

The idea of zero gravity might conjure up images of floating in space, but when it comes to your lounge chair it means one thing – comfort that is out of this world! You simply push back and you’ll find yourself floating on comfortable textilene fabric. The bungee system makes for a very comfortable experience, kind of like lying on a hammock, just without the fear of falling out.

Best suited for your patio or for a day at the beach, these zero gravity chairs fold nicely for storage and travel. It is a tad heavy to carry at 15 lbs, so you wouldn’t want to take it for a hike or anywhere far from your car or truck.

The chair also comes with some handy extras, including a drinks tray and a removable pillow. Just think, on a hot day, you’ll be able to lie back, relax and sip an ice-cold beer in your own little paradise.

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4) CORE Padded Hard Arm Chair

The problem with even the best camping chairs is, although they’re strong and hard-wearing, we tend to need to add some cushioning for extra comfort. Which not only takes up a lot of room on your chair, it also doesn’t look the manliest to need a cushion.

Fortunately, CORE know that our derrières occasionally need that extra cushioning and have added an in-built padded cushion to their folding chairs. Incredibly comfortable, this padded layer makes even the longest of family BBQs bearable. Just remember to take your chair with you to the bathroom, otherwise you might lose it to a sneaky chair thief.

As well as being built for comfort, this chair comes equipped with hard steel arms. Unlike those flimsy offerings that some folding camping chairs have, these harder arms give extra support when getting out of your chair, which is especially useful for those with back problems. So, you may even consider getting a matching chair for an ageing relative, too!

For those who like their gadgets nearby, the chair has its own built-in pocket for storing phones and tablets. There’s even a collapsible cup holder for holding your favorite beverage.

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5) Stylish Camping Folding Director Chair

Some days, you need more than just a cup holder from your folding chair. Where do you put all those tasty snacks while tailgating or enjoying a picnic with the family? Well, that’s when the Stylish Camping Director Chair comes in with its own Hail Mary, it has its own folding table!

Never again will you struggle while juggling snacks, you can just stack them up on the table instead. There’s even a little pocket to hide all your gadgets in and a solid cup holder for your drink.

Plus, this lightweight camping chair is extremely easy to get around. The aluminum makes for a far lighter frame than other steel models, so it can be easily folded and taken to any game. It’s still a little awkward to carry, though, so don’t bank on taking it up any mountains. For a trip to the beach or a day fishing, it’s more than ideal.

One slight issue, although the aluminum is strong, it’s not as strong as steel. So, if you’re tall or larger, you may be better suited to an oversized camping chair.

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6) Trekology YIZI Go Portable Camping Chair

If you’re after a lightweight camping chair, then the Trekology YIZI Go Portable should be at the top of your list. Not only is this folding chair a featherweight contender at just 2.4 lbs, but it’s also small enough to fold away into a backpack or even taken as a carry-on for a flight.

This can be particularly useful for concerts or outdoor events, as it’s light and easy to carry. Never again will you need to struggle on to a cold stadium floor waiting for a band to get on stage. Instead be the envy of everyone around you, sitting comfortably in your foldaway chair.

Best suited for a camping trip or a long hike, the Go Portable is idiot-proof to set up. It’s simply a case of taking it out its useful little carry bag and connecting the seat cloth to the frame. You’ll even be able to assemble after a few beverages – it really is that easy!

If you plan on taking your chair to the beach, there’s a special sand cover that’s sold separately. This will prevent the chair from slipping into the sand, giving a more stable and comfortable base.

One major plus-point for these chairs is the fact it allows for adjustable heights. This means if you’re very tall and your other half is much shorter, it can still be suitable for you both. Simply choose the height setting – it allows for heights of 13, 14 or 15 inches – that suits you most.

A slight word of warning, though. True, this chair claims to be suitable for a weight capacity of up to 300lbs. However, some reviews suggest that higher weights struggle with the chair’s aluminum frame, which can’t withstand those over 250 lbs, which is something to keep in mind.

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7) Helinox Chair One

When you plan on going camping or for an intensive weekend hike, the last thing you want to do is lug around a heavy chair. Yet, there’s nothing quite like having a seat on the edge of a mountain and soaking in the view with a well-earned beer. It becomes quite the quandary!

With the Helinox Chair One, though, you never need to compromise. This wonderful little chair folds away to a size suitable for any backpack. Even better, it weighs less than 2 lbs, so you’ll hardly notice it in your bag – even on the most intensive of hikes.

What’s the catch, then? Well, surprisingly, there really isn’t one. The chair is easy to carry (it even has its own carry bag), is easy to put together and even easy to clean. Even if your hike is marred by torrential rain and chilling winds, your chair will still pop into place easily – even if you’re not altogether keen to have a seat in the middle of said weather.

The frame itself is made from DAC aluminum; this company make some of the strongest and well-made tent poles in the industry. So, as lightweight and delicate as this chair might look, it’s actually as strong as an ox, holding weights of up to 320 lbs.

Of course, this chair isn’t exclusive to hikes or for camping. The fact it’s so light and folds into a small carry case makes it into a very versatile folding chair. It would be ideal for concerts, family events, tailgating and the beach.

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8) KingCamp Compact Folding Chair

The problem with some folding camping chairs is, although they might be light and easy to carry, on a hot day they do nothing to cool you down. Often leaving you with those undesirable sweat patches on your back.

Thankfully, the KingCamp folding chair is armed with a mesh fabric that is both breathable and moisture-wicking. This means, that even on the stickiest of days, you’ll feel cool and comfortable in your chair. Something that is sure to have your neighboring sitters jealous.

As well as the useful mesh backing, this chair also has a side table with drinks holder. A brilliant addition for keeping your snacks and drinks, which makes this chair especially good for tailgating or for summer BBQ while camping.

The chair itself doesn’t fold away as compactedly as others on this list, but that shouldn’t put you off. True, it might not be the best choice for a hike and most concert venues won’t allow it through the doors. For a camping trip or beach day – even just for sitting in the garden – the KingCamp makes for a grand choice. It even has an in-built handle when folding to make for easier transport and the frame doesn’t sink into soil or sand.

Easily assembled, the chair has foam armrests, which are firm and comfortable when sitting on the chair for long periods of time. These are also easy to clean, perfect for stray drips of ketchup and mustard.

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9) GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocking Chair

We tend to associate rocking chairs with memories of our granny knitting on the porch, but there’s something about rocking back and forth on a chair that is incredibly relaxing. Especially to calm your nerves before that crucial playoff match!

The GCI Outdoor rocking camping chairs have their own spring-action rocking technology, making this more than just a chair – it’s actually a piece of scientific gadgetry! A lot of portable rocking chairs can feel too rocky, and no we don’t mean it likes to punch meat and run up stairs spectacularly. We’re talking about chairs that move too much and too easily, making for an overall uncomfortable experience.

With this chair, you’ll not only have a pleasant rocking experience, but the chair also feels like a traditional, sturdy camping chair. This means you get the best of both worlds. Plus, comfort is key here, with padded armrests that make long periods of sitting far more comfortable than they would on other chairs.

Easy to unfold and put away, this rocking camping chair has a useful drinks holder included too. Folding away flat, it will easily fit into your car or caravan. Keep in mind, though, this chair weighs around 12 lbs to carry so it’s far from light. This means you’ll want to avoid using this chair for any trip or event that involves a long walk, unless you’re feeling particularly strong.

The extra-weight comes with other advantages, though, as this is an extremely sturdy chair with its steel frame. The rocking feature will even work in softer terrains such as soil or sand, rather than just working on concrete.

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10) ALS Mountaineering Low Rocker Chair

Versatility is important when looking for a portable chair and if you’re looking for a rocking chair that has all the advantages of a regular camping chair, the ALPS Rocker Chair could be ideal for you.

Strong and sturdy, this chair has a powder-coated steel frame that will last for years. This strong frame means that the ALPS Rocker comes with a 300 lbs weight limit, so it can handle more weight than others on this list.

It also travels well, folding into a compact size. You’ll get a useful shoulder bag with your chair, that it can be folded into and taken with you on hikes or camping trips. However, as compact as it looks, this chair still comes with a 11 lbs carry weight, so if you’re planning an intensive day out, you’ll probably want to avoid the extra burden.

For a short journey from the car, though, this low rocker chair makes for a very comfortable sitting experience. The TechMesh fabric is very breathable, so on a very hot day you’ll benefit from the chair keeping cool. Plus, you really can’t beat that rocking motion for a relaxing seat, especially in front of an open fire on a camping trip.

The chair itself has a locking mechanism, which makes for a safer rocking experience. This will bring peace of mind for those of you that have kids. Or, if you’ve had too many tipples after the game, you won’t need to worry about falling over and your friends posting the video on Twitter.

One small negative, this is a low standing rocker tray, which will be an advantage to some. However, if you’re very tall or you find getting in and out of chairs difficult, you may want to look at other portable camping chairs on this list.

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11) Timber Ridge Rocking Chair

This Timber Ridge rocking chair may be one of the heaviest chairs on this list at 16.5 lbs – meaning it’s not the most portable – however, it’s still worthy of a mention due to its other advantages.

For one, this chair has a very high back, akin to a traditional wooden rocking chair. This not only makes the chair very comfortable to sit in, but it’s also great for those with back problems or the taller amongst us. Never again will you feel like you’re sitting in a child’s seat.

The chair comes fully assembled too, so there’s no need to wrangle with any tools or complicated instructions. All you need to do is unpack and unfold! There’s even a locking mechanism when the chair is folded, so you needn’t worry about the chair unfolding and causing any injury. The chair also comes with a year’s manufacturer warranty against defects, so you get peace of mind.

So where would you use it? Well, it’s not going to be hike-friendly, nor would you be able to slip it into a stadium concert, but there’s many useful ways you can use this rocking chair.

Camping or tailgating are particularly good events for this chair, as it will easily fit into your car or truck. Then, simply, pull it out and enjoy the immense comfort and jealous looks from others who haven’t got as fancy chair as you.

There’s even a little storage bag attached to the side, where you can store your gadgets and snacks.

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12) Timber Ridge XL Zero Gravity Recliner

Like the Timber Ridge offering before, this Timber Ridge XL recliner is another heavyweight, and this one is even heavier at 24.2 lbs. Yet, like before, this isn’t off-putting when you’re using this oversized camping chair in the right situation.

Perhaps the best camping chair in this list for the taller amongst us, portable chairs can often feel flimsy. The Timber Ridge XL recliner, though, feels incredibly safe and sturdy to sit on, and has an impressive 350 lbs weight limit due to its strong steel frame.

As well as a large weight capacity, this recliner is also a decent width at 21.3 inches, which provides extra room and comfort to users. This can be especially useful for a chilly night’s camping where you want to wrap up warm in a blanket or sleeping bag – you won’t feel like you’re getting squished into a tin can like a sardine. Even the cup holder is extra-large for your drinks!

The frame itself reaches 72-inches when fully reclined which, again, is a plus-point for taller users. The zero-gravity feature provides comfort as well as being ergonomic, perfect for those with back problems. This comfort is furthered with a bungee suspension system that removes pressure from your spine while sitting and a removable pillow that can either be used as lumbar support or as a headrest.

When reclining, you can choose your position and then lock it in using the chair’s locking system. This prevents the chair moving unnecessarily when reaching for a drink or adjusting your position, which can be annoying on other recliners.

Unlike other folding chairs that have plastic armrests, this recliner has armrests from natural wood. These are not only friendlier to the environment, but are also far more aesthetically pleasing to the eye, providing a luxury finish to this recliner. Indeed, everything about this chair feels luxurious.

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13) Guide Gear Oversized Camping Chair

Although other portable chairs on this list have a high weight capacity of 300-350 lbs, for some of us that’s just not enough and we need more. Which is where the Guide Gear Oversized Camping Chair steps up to the mark with its impressive 500 lbs capacity.

Even better, this isn’t the kind of chair that claims to take a high weight capacity but, in reality, you’d be terrified to sit on. This chair has an incredibly sturdy steel frame with an intricate leg design that makes it even stronger. Plus, the extra-wide seat makes it just as comfortable as there’s plenty of room, with its high weight capacity it could even be used as a cuddle chair in front the campfire.

Convenient as it is strong, the chair has its own mesh pocket for storing your gadgets or snacks and a large drink holder.

One downside with oversized chairs is that they tend to be heavy and bulky, making them far less portable than other chairs. With this Guide Gear offering though, this is far from the case. This chair only weighs 13.1 lbs, so it isn’t too hard to carry around.

True, you probably wouldn’t take it up a mountain, but for camping, tailgating or a day at the beach, this chair is easy to transport. It even has a mesh fabric, meaning it will be breathable and comfortable on a hot, humid day. Indeed, this chair is so comfortable, you’ll feel like you’re sitting in your favorite chair at home – you might even want to use this at home too!

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14) Caravan Canopy Sports Suspension Chair

When you’re using your portable chair for a long time – such as a day at the beach or a long camping trip – it can become uncomfortable after a while. Not because the chair is particularly uncomfortable, but because with limited room, you tend to get that awful numbness.

Which is why this Caravan Canopy oversized camping chair is such a good investment. It has everything you’d expect from a portable chair, just with extra room to move around get yourself comfy with its 20.5-inch seat.

The size doesn’t compromise on portability, though, the chair is around 14 lbs to carry. True, this is a little heavy, but it’s far lighter than other oversized chairs on this list. So, for a short trip from your car or truck, this chair is easy to carry and use. When not in use, the chair easily folds flat for storage, so it won’t take up too much room.

Perfect for both the taller and the shorter of us, this chair is easy to get in and out of, something that can be harder with recliner chairs. Making it wonderful for everyone in the family.

Comfort-wise, the Caravan Canopy Sports chair benefits from a double bungee system, so you’ll sink into this chair with plenty of spinal support. Just don’t let any of your mates borrow it – you’ll never get the chair back!

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15) PORTAL XL Zero Gravity Recliner

When it comes to finding a recliner when you’re tall, it’s no easy feat. More often than not, you’re left with a chair that has your feet dangling uncomfortably off the end. Which is where the PORTAL XL recliner comes in. Not only is this recliner oversized, taking weights of up to 350 lbs, the reclined length of 71 inches means there’s plenty of room for the tall.

The zero-gravity system has a locking mechanism, meaning you can lock any position – from 0 to 170 degrees – into place. So, you won’t feel like you’re bobbing about when you shift yourself. Plus, the bungee system on the fabric with give you plenty of support, particularly important if you plan to spend all day in your chair.

The adjustable headrest adds to the comfort and can be moved to suit your height. In fact, you might just be making this your new favorite napping chair.

If you do plan on using your recliner for sunbathing, the chair has a mesh back making it breathable on hot days. So, you won’t feel like your cooking in your chair. The handy attached table is ideal for keeping your snacks, and the cup holder will hold your beer. You’ll think you’ve escaped away to a paradise island, rather than being in your backyard.

It’s not just sunbathing that this chair is perfect for, though. With its easy-to-assemble nature and flat storage, this recliner is easy to carry in your car or truck making it a wonderful addition to your camping trip. Just don’t try to carry it too far, as at 27.5 lbs, this is a hefty chair to carry.

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16) SwimWays Kelsyus Original Canopy Chair

When you’re planning a trip, may it be a day at the beach, camping, tailgating or even watching your kid’s game from the sidelines – having a chair makes all the difference. The problem comes, though, when on a particularly hot day you can feel like you’re cooking away under the sun.

Which is when camping chairs with canopy addons become such a wonderful investment. Not only will you get comfort, but the added canopy hides you from the sun creating your own little paradise.

The SwimWays Kelsyus has its own patented sun canopy, this impressive feature shades you from the sun glare making it easier for you to see and avoid any glare. Even better, this canopy has an impressive 50 UPF sun protection, so even if you miss a few bits with your sunscreen, this chair will help keep you from getting burnt.

Fully portable, the chair weighs just over 11 lbs when it’s folded, so it’s light enough to take down the beach or into a summer concert. One of the coolest features of this chair is that, when folded, the sun canopy transforms into a carry case for the chair. Which means you’ll never lose your bag, or have it blow away in the wind so you need to chase it. This is secured with a snap-lock and a shoulder strap, so carrying your chair is simple.

As well as sun protection, the SwimWays Kelsyus comes with a host of other features. Most notably, the chair itself has a large seat for extra comfort. This comes with a rounded front, which adds an extra level of comfort when sitting.

If you’re using your seat for tailgating or similar, the large cup holder will hold one, if not two, ice-cold beers. There’s even an O-ring, a feature that adds extra stability – especially good if you like to jump out of your chair screaming when your kid scores a touchdown at practice.

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17) Quik Shade Max Chair

While the SwimWays Kelsyus has a wonderful sun canopy, there was slight disadvantage to what is otherwise a fantastic folding chair – the sun canopy couldn’t be adjusted so you wouldn’t always be shaded from the sun. Something which isn’t the case the Quik Shade Max chair.

This camping chair comes with a canopy that can be both raised and lowered, as well as tilted. This means that no matter where the sun is, you’ll be able to adjust your canopy to protect your face and eyes from the sun.

This chair is heavy-duty enough to be used in all weathers – not just on sunny days. The fabric is made from 600D polyester fabric, which is stain resistant and easy to wipe clean. Even when subjected to lots of wet weather, this fabric is mildew and mold resistant, so you can use it even on the wettest and wildest of camping trips. This is also made with a mesh, which will be breathable on hot days, helping to keep you cool.

For gadget-lovers, the chair has its own mesh pouch, ideal for storing your phone or tablet. Dual cup holders mean you can keep multiple drinks on the go, whether that be water for keeping hydrated on a hot day, or that perfect beer to enjoy the game.

The chair comes with its own carry case, that your chair easily folds into. Disassembled, this chair only weighs 9 lbs so it’s light enough to be portable. One slight issue with the chair, though, is that its weight capacity is lower than others on this list at 225 lbs, so it may not be suitable for everyone.

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18) Best Choice Zero Gravity Sunshade Lounger

Sometimes you want to lie back on a lounger and enjoy the sun, just without the sun glaring down on your face. True, you can stick a hat over your face, but why do that when you can get your own lounger with a built-in sun canopy?

Completely created for comfort, these zero-gravity chairs give users a weightless experience as you lie back and enjoy the sun. This comfort is added to with the much sought-after double bungee system, which allows your body to sink into an extremely natural position in your chair, giving your spine support as well as comfort.

As well as a removable back pillow – which can be moved around for your own preference – these chairs have their own little table with drinks and phone holder. This is also detachable if you don’t wish to use it.

The canopy itself is UV-resistant, so it will protect your face from harmful rays. This canopy is ideal for those who like to read in the sun, as it will shade the sun from your eyes making it easier to read. This is also useful for using your gadgets out of the sun’s glare.

At 20.5 lbs to carry, this chair isn’t the most portable, however this isn’t a massive downside as it’s really most suited for use in your backyard as a lounger or for a seat during family events. It does fold well, so if you’re using transport it can easily be taken on holiday with you.

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19) Kamp Rite Chair with Detachable Footrest

Versatility is one of the biggest selling points when it comes to a portable chair, and this Kamp Rite chair comes with bags of it.

For one, the chair has its own detachable footrest, which is perfect for those of us who like to put their feet up. You’ll feel just like you’re on a reclining sofa at home, making it incredibly comfortable. Then, when you want to pull your chair up for dinner round the table, you just pull off the footrest and you have yourself a traditional camping chair.

Of course, this chair isn’t just for camping, which is why it’s such a versatile investment. With the footrest attached, you can easily use it in your garden to enjoy the sun. Even tailgating, it’s nice to lie back and enjoy your surroundings.

Being detachable, it means your chair can also be used as a regular folding chair. This means, you can take it friend’s BBQs, your kid’s big game and even to the beach. Again, on the beach, the detachable footrest will make for a brilliant sun lounger rather than lying on sand.

When folded, the chair goes neatly into its own carry bag for simple transportation.

At 11 lbs it’s probably a little too heavy for taking on a hike unless, of course, you’re working on those muscles. In which case it may be perfect!

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20) ALPS Mountaineering Escape Chair

For some, going on a massive hike up the side of a mountain is purely for those Instagram photos. For others, the best thing about making your way up a mountain is to put your feet up, open a beer and enjoy the view.

If you fall into the latter bracket, then you need this ALPS Mountaineering Escape chair in your life. True, it might be a little heavy at 10 lbs for some people to hike with, but when you consider how wonderful it will be to have a chair with a footrest to enjoy those spectacular views, you’ll be more than willing to shoulder the weight.

Incredibly sturdy, this chair has a strong powder-coated steel frame, that will stand strong on most terrains. The weight capacity isn’t as large as others at 225 lbs, but this is just a slight niggle in what is otherwise a very good make of chair. It will give great support to your body and, even on uneven ground, you’ll be able to lie back and feel like you’re on your sofa at home.

Particularly good for camping trips, the chair folds compactly into the bag it’s provided with. This can be easily transported with your other camping gear, and will be perfect for dozing in front of a roaring fire.

As well as the useful footrest, this ALPS Escape chair also has two cup holders for your convivence. Like the Kamp Rite, the footrest is detachable using the attached buckles, so it’s nice and versatile too. Just remove the footrest when you’d like to use it as a normal camping chair.

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21) Camp Solutions Folding Chair with Footrest

If you’re looking for a foldable chair that’s both lightweight and the height of luxurious comfort, then you can’t get much better than this Camp Solutions offering. Not only does this chair have its own footrest so you can put your feet up while enjoying the outdoors, it even has a reclining headrest – perfect for stargazing!

Made from high-quality steel, this is a very sturdy chair with a higher weight capacity of 300 lbs, making it accessible for those bigger and taller men. The chair’s material is meshed, making it very breathable on those hot summer nights too, so you needn’t worry about any sweaty backs or your chair becoming a bit stinky.

As well as the reclining headrest and footstool, this chair also comes with a useful drink cup holder and a mesh pocket for keeping your gadgets and/or books in. There’s even a removable pillow for extra comfort during those forest naps.

Lightweight at just under 11 lbs, the chair folds up into a provided carry case making it easy to transport. As well as camping, it would be possible to take on hikes, as long as you could carry the weight.

One slight downside to this chair, as comfortable as it is, is that the footrest isn’t detachable like the others on this list. So, keep this in mind before buying. It’s pretty easy to put your legs either side to stand upright, though, so this is still a great buy. Especially when you consider just how comfortable this chair is.

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Game of Thrones!

Now that you’ve studied all of our favorite chairs and decided what you’d like to use your chair for, it’s time to pick your favorite. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a camping chair, a lightweight hiking chair or a tailgating throne that will be the envy of all your mates – there is a wonderful chair for everyone on this list.

Choosing the right chair for you is no easy task, especially when each of them come with their own advantages and disadvantages. If you’re really struggling, write yourself a list of everything you’d use your chair for as well as what you’d like from a chair. Then it’s simply a case of matching your wish list to the chair that ticks the most boxes.

What you can be assured, though, is that each of the chairs featured on this list are high-quality, meaning they will last you for years into the future. Indeed, these chairs are so good, that if you fancied multiple chairs for different events, you could easily pick a few.

Just be careful when letting your friends or family borrow them, though. These chairs are all so comfortable that there’s every possibility that you’ll never see them again!

Best 15 Hatchets And Axes For Camping

W

hether you’re preparing for a campfire, an axe-throwing competition or hiding in the mountains awaiting the zombies, you need to be able to rely on your chopping companion. A quality hatchet or ax can make camping trips with the family or with the guys easier. They help get the fire started ready for those tasty burgers and chilling ghost stories. They’re also a great tool to help you bond with the kids and teach them a valuable life skill.

Axes and hatchets have been around forever – which means many companies are making them. This also means there are more to choose from, but choosing can be harder. To help you find the best hatchet or ax for your camping trip, we have found the models that are a cut above the rest.

We found models that are aimed at different uses and will be ideal for different hatchet and ax shoppers. We also found some budget models that still ooze quality and some exceptional backpacking designs too. Read on to discover these camping essentials, but first, let’s take a look at some common questions.

What Are A Hatchet And An Ax Used For?

An ax and a hatchet come in useful for different things. They can both be used to chop wood. The type of wood, its thickness, and its location will determine which one of these tools is best to use in each instance. While camping, chopping wood will be one of your main objectives with these cool tools. After all, what is a camping trip without a cold beer and interesting conversations on an evening – and what is a top evening without a campfire and some sizzling sausages?

For some men on camping trips, their intent will be to go hunting as well. An ax and hatchet will come in useful for any guy going fishing or looking for game in the wild. We won’t spell this out for you because some of our squeamish readers may be listening in.

A camping ax and a camping hatchet are not toys. Yet, this doesn’t mean you cannot have fun with them. They can be thrown towards targets as part of games and people even run ax and hatchet throwing competitions. Before Dave loses an ear, keep reading to discover a safe throwing technique.

What Is The Difference Between An Axe And A Hatchet?

Most people aren’t tool experts. Those that are will tell you that the majority of the population are incorrectly using the terms “ax” and “hatchet” interchangeably. Although they look similar and have similar purposes, they can be distinguished with a little more insight.

The most notable difference is in their size. A hatchet is smaller than an ax because a hatchet is designed to be used with one hand. In comparison, an ax is used with both hands. Through functioning slightly differently, they come in handy – pun definitely intended – in different situations. A hatchet can be used to take down smaller pieces of wood and is especially useful in tight areas where there may not be room for much backswing. Alternatively, an ax is more useful for thicker pieces of wood that require a long backswing and brute acceleration.

That brings us nicely on to the hand ax which is designed to fend off zombies. We’re joking of course, but a hand ax is a mixture of both the hatchet and the ax. It can be considered the love child of these two tools. Often, a hand ax is just called an ax or a hatchet. Can you spot them in our buyer guide?

How To Choose The Best Hatchet Or Ax For Camping And Survival?

When choosing the best make and model for you, you need to consider a few things. To help you buy smart, here are out two key considerations when buying a hatchet or an ax for camping.

Use – do you just need to cut wood? How big of a blade do you need for your wood? The main use for a camping tool like these is to prepare firewood. However, some models include other useful things such as a hammer head. This head is great for hammering in tent stakes when the ground is tough. Another thing to think about is if you have any use for an ax or hatchet in your garden or in DIY projects? What do you need from these tools in these situations? Or, are you about to compete in a throwing competition? Considering your uses is the first step before buying any hatchet or ax.

Size and weight –when it comes to axes and hatchets, size is important. Remember to choose one that will fulfill your needs, but also one that is light enough for you to carry and one that is compact enough to keep on you at all times if needed. If you will be wandering around looking for firewood you don’t want to be out of breath and too tired to swing by the time you find it.

Looking for models that have sheaths, and hook and loop attachments will work even better for men that want to transport their hatchet or ax. To fulfill this requirement, these guys should take a look at our specific backpacking hatchets section near the end of our list.

How To Use An Ax Or Hatchet For Survival?

Some of you will be first-time ax or hatchet buyers. For you guys, we have put together a clear guide on how to use these tools effectively and safely. We already established these tools are not the same and they are held differently. Therefore, we have separated our coaching to tailor advice to each tool. We also brought the Men’s Gear ax throwing specialist along to teach you how to throw safely.

To use an ax safely, the first step is to clear your backswing and ensure you aren’t going to make contact with anything else. If you did, your ax would be sent off course and you will miss your target. Remember, these are two-handed tools. Place your non-dominant hand just above the bottom of the handle and the hand you write with a few inches below the top of the handle.

Before swinging, mark your stance out by clearing any loose debris and standing with your feet at shoulder-width apart. Swing down towards your target from over your shoulder and lower your dominant hand down the grip slightly as the ax accelerates towards the target. The technique can differ depending on the exact task you’re carrying out. Always choose accuracy over full-blown power.

A hatchet is used slightly differently. As a hatchet is more apt for smaller areas, you will not need to check your swing path as meticulously because you won’t be swinging as far back with it as you would an ax. That doesn’t mean you couldn’t try and tackle the camping firewood with a hatchet using big swings – but a safer use for the hatchet will be in a somewhat similar manner to when you use a hammer.

Throwing either of these tools is a fun camp game when done safely. Not all models are suitable for throwing. Heavier models can be a certain “no” if you value your fellow campers’ toes. Check with manufacturers for their guidance on this. Some models have been specifically designed for throwing with curved grips and the perfect weight distribution.

When throwing, grip the tool low down at the bottom of the handle with two hands like you would hold a baseball bat. More advanced throwers can use one hand. Ensure the blade is pointed forwards to make sure it sticks into your pre-agreed-upon target. Bring the ax over and behind your head just like soccer players do when they take a throw-in. Never bring it over one of your shoulders! Now, accelerate your hands forward back over your head and release with your arms fully extended in front of you. How did you do? Communal finger count?

How To Sharpen Hatchets And Axes?

Sharpening an ax or hatchet isn’t going to blow your mind. With some extra bits, these tools are really simple to prepare for the weekend camping trip and can be done in just minutes. Some common methods include filing or using whetstones, grinding wheels, and rotary tools. Here, we will zone in on two of those methods that are most suitable for sharpening an ax or a hatchet.

Ax sharpening – to sharpen an ax, the first step is to clamp the head of the tool in place using a vice. Then proceed to file the original bevel. Make sure your filing technique includes long strokes and follows the bevel as it was originally crafted. Remember to turn the head over, re-clamp and repeat to the other side of the ax’s head. This method is best to tackle an ax and you should always avoid just sharpening the tool’s edge.

Hatchet sharpening – a great option to sharpen a hatchet is using a whetstone. Simply run the hatchet blade across the whetstone at an angle to regain a sharp edge. Again, remember to do the opposite side by reversing the angle.

What Are The Best Brands For Axes And Hatchets?

When we use an ax or hatchet, we put our safety in the hands of the product’s manufacturers as well as our own. We rely on these tools being durable and put together reliably so they do not cause us significant injury during use.

This is one reason why we should choose renowned brands that have established a reputation based on the quality of their hatchets and axes. The best brands for hatches and axes have become known as such because of their attention to detail, customer service, and their safety record.

To ensure you buy a quality hatchet or ax, we have compiled our buyer guide by chopping down the current crop of options to uncover the best of the best. Next up are 15 outstanding options coming from the likes of Estwing, Gerber and first up – Fiskars.

1) Fiskars X7 Hatchet

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet is our first point of call when searching for the best hatchet for men. This black and orange slicing machine will come in useful when preparing the campfire as it’s designed to take on small- and medium-sized logs and kindling. It also has a hammer head on the opposite side for multifunction usage – which will help get those tent stakes in the ground.

The designers took their inspiration from a standard aluminum baseball bat to enhance the weight distribution and make it more feasible to carry for long treks. By making it strong but light, they have made using it more efficient. You can swing the head much faster to accelerate through your target for deeper cuts.

Another thing that makes this model an efficient operator is that it has been sharpened using proprietary-blade grinding. These cleaner and sharper cuts are then protected with a complementary lifetime warranty! To keep your Fiskars X7 Hatchet in top working order, the product includes a protective case that locks in place over the blade and the hammer head.

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2) Estwing Sportsman’s Axe

By making use of quality American steel, Estwing has produced one of the best hatchets on the market. It’s not surprising seen as though they have been in the tool-striking game for over 75 years. With this sort of experience and expertise, you will be buying a product you can trust.

Their design comes available in its standard leather design and also a special edition model. Focusing on their original model, the grip is made with genuine leather. This leather has been sanded and lacquered to add both durability and comfort to its use.

Just like the first hatchet we saw, this one is primarily used to tackle small logs and kindling ready for the evening’s campfire. On top of its undeniably high performance, this model is one of the most durable. It has been forged together in a single piece, so you can feel safe and confident with every strike. The hatchet is even provided with a nylon sheath for convenient transportation and blade maintenance.

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3) MOSSY OAK 2-Piece Camping Set

For impeccable value for money, choose this two-piece set comprising of a survival ax and a machete. The set is perfect for your hunting trips, or these tools can be used around the garden. Both tools boast solid quality blades which are corrosion resistant to outlast competitors.

The ax tool can be used to cut, but it has a hammer head attached to it as well. Go hunting then come home and build a man shed with this tool! The machete is just as multifunctional. Along with the reliable blade, there is a gut hook and a hole which is perfect to attach your lanyard through.

Another way that this design is perfect for the hunters among our pack is through its aesthetics. Both of the tools in this set have camouflaged handles. This helps you activate stealth mode and stay unseen. The grips also host ridges to increase friction and your control – not to mention they look awesome! Both come with a nylon sheath that have a hook and loop attachment to let you keep them at arm’s reach at all times.

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4) Marbles Camp Axe

Next up is the Marble Camp Axe. It will come in useful when chopping small and medium logs in preparation for campfires. On the opposite side of the high-carbon steel head, there is a hammer design to save your hands and the bottom of your sneakers from trying to get tent stakes in the hard ground.

As mentioned, the blade on this design is four-inches long and made from high-carbon steel. It’s tough and sharp enough to become part of your camping gear for a long time and will not falter easily. Yet, the most unique features on this camping ax are on its handle.

The handle itself is made from American hickory to add a rustic aesthetic to an already masculine piece of kit. Now cast your eyes to the lower part of the handle. Here you will notice an enlarged hole. This hole is perfect for attaching a lanyard or can be incorporated into your kit for easy transportation.

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5) Oak Curve Outfitters Camp Axe

Or maybe you would prefer to get hold of this Camp Axe from Oak Curve Outfitters? Unlike some other hatchet and ax providers, they supply their lightweight design sharpened and ready to go. It’s perfect for splitting, chopping and will even come in useful for domestic building or woodwork projects. Why? This is another head which doubles as a hammer!

Another excellent part of this model is the handle and grip. The handle has been made to withstand adverse weather so you always feel safe and in control. It’s also shock resistant so you can work with it for longer without feeling aches or fatigue. However, once you’re done for the day, simply slide it in its accompanying nylon sheath for protection and ease of carrying.

The US outfit even offers a 30-day money back guarantee without asking any questions, and hand over a one-year replacement warranty for purchasing peace of mind.

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6) Schrade Large Survival Axe

From Schrade, we welcome you to the tribe! Their Survival ax is almost 16-inches in length and has one of the longest blade lengths on our buyer guide at 4.2 inches. It’s also one of the lightest models we will be featuring.

The head of this hand ax is made from stainless steel which has been given a titanium coating for added durability. On the opposite side to the blade, you will notice a small steel block. This pommel can be used for any hammering requirement from tent pegs to nails.

The handle is just as impressive. It’s made from TRP and PA but has been enhanced with a glass fiber filling. Two of the coolest aspects of the handle are that it’s flexible and that it’s cold resistant. If you’re rallying the troops for a camping trip in the colder months, this Schrade model will be your best friend – especially when your other ones choose to stay home and warm.

Other noteworthy features of this product are the inclusion of an XL ferro rod kept inside the tool’s shaft and a polyester sheath.

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7) MTECH USA Camping Axe

Do your best Viking impression with the MTECH USA Camping Axe for men. It’s one of the smallest and most compact designs that you’ll find on our buyer guide, but good things do sometimes come in small packages!

Its size makes it one of the most portable options on the market. If you’re going on a camping trip with a number of stop offs and even doing a spot or two of wild hiking, this will be a fantastic choice. The blade is manufactured with 440 stainless steel and finished in a black satin to help it strike effectively – as well as strike fear.

The awesome aesthetics are continued into the rubber handle which has been made to be both durable for product longevity and comfortable for extensive use at one time. A black nylon sheath matches the overall design and keeps the sharp blade from any minor damages and scrapes – to you and to the blade!

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8) Prandi German-Style Hatchet

The Prandi German-Style Hatchet will be a much-loved part of the camping kit for years to come. It’s another model that has a rustic handle aesthetic thanks to the inclusion of American hickory. The grain orientation on this handle is solid and is then enhanced with varnish for protection. With this in hand, your firewood doesn’t stand a chance.

The steel head is also of immense quality and next to it is a cool emblem. Even though the manufacturers have not claimed that the opposite side of the head could be used to hammer, a lot of past customers have taken it upon themselves to utilize this flat chunk of steel for such purposes.

Unlike most designs which come with a nylon sheath, this one is a bit more durable and a lot cooler. It’s supplied with a leather sheath that just covers the blade and has some metal studs and a stud button for a fine finish.

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9) CAMAQUI Hatchet

For a little more money than standard, campers can become happy campers with the CAMAQUI Hatchet for men. This design comes in two different styles that exhibit the same qualities. The head of the hatchet is made using hand-forged high-carbon steel for a hot-knife-through-butter cutting action.

The handmade handle is equally impressive and consists of durable rosewood. It’s an ergonomic design to help you feel comfortable and in complete control from your backswing to follow through. Together with the head of this hatchet for men, a perfect weight distribution is achieved to enable you to make accurate and powerful blows.

They will even supply it with a 100% cow leather sheath and a money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied!

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10) Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe

If you like quality and also place buying locally as a priority, you will have to consider the creations from Estwing. Their camping hatchets and axes are made in Rockford, IL, and make good use out America’s finest steel.

This model doesn’t fall too far from the tree of their previous model we showed you. It’s made to tackle firewood logs, and tree branches in your garden or around the area you set up camp. It’s length, weight, and blade width allow it to accelerate faster into the wood to make more effective strikes. You can enjoy this level of performance for a long time due to the product’s durability and being forged in a single piece.

The same level of reliability is found in its lacquered leather grip. Never feel unsafe or out of control when making powerful strikes to logs and keep the blade maintained and safe to transport with an accompanying ballistic nylon sheath.

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11) Schrade Full-Tang Hatchet

Back to the Schrade camp to see another one of their camping hatchets for men. You can even get it as part of a set that includes a fire striker. The perfect campfire set?

This is an exceptionally durable product made from a host of long-lasting materials you can count on. The blade is made from sturdy stainless steel and the ergonomic handle is manufactured with grooved black rubber. These grooves let you stay in control when the weather is out of control.

You can be confident using this model to chop wood or you can dial down the swings and turn it around to take advantage of its other feature. The head also includes a hammer pommel to take some arguments out of setting the tent up.

This is one of the best-looking hatchets we have on our list. It combines ruggedness with sleek modernity to provide one hell of an option for any guy. It’ll stay looking this cool too because it comes supplied with a thermoplastic sheath that can be attached to your belt for ease of, and safe, transporting.

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Best Budget Camping Hatchets And Axes

12) Coleman Camp Axe

Now we’re moving on to some budget camping tools to keep the fire roaring. Keep this Coleman camping ax with you on camping trips or keep it in the shed ready for when you have the guys around and the firepit burning.

This wallet-friendly option has one of the most innovative inclusions on our whole list. It has the dual functioning head of being able to chop wood and hammer your tent pegs – but it has even more. When it’s time to pack up and get the tent pegs back out, use the cut-in head notch to lift the pegs out without hitting yourself in the head.

Along with its clever addition, it has a drop-forged steel head that won’t let you down, and a friction grip to keep you in control of every swing. This product is great for first-time buyers and fifth-time buyers. Get yours now!

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13) Truper Hatchet

An alternative for budget hatchet buyers is the Truper Hatchet. This model is perfect for camping trips and home use around the garden and shed. This isn’t surprising seen as though Truper has been supplying quality domestic tools for years.

It has a hickory handle for comfort and strength, and a heat-treated blade for a formidable chopping potential. Opposite the blade is a hammer pommel and, on the blade, you will again notice a notch to help you remove tent pegs. How come these hatchets which are great value for money come up trumps for innovation? We’re not complaining; their work has to be admired!

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Best Backpacking Axes And Hatchets

14) Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Hatchet

We’re ending our showcase of the best hatchets and axes for camping with two backpacking hatchets. These models are named so because they can slide into your backpack due to their compactness and overall size.

The first one has been put to the test of survival king Bear Grylls! Hence, why it has been named after him. Despite its compactness, this one still has a relatively long blade length measuring in at 3.5 inches. With this option, you get the double benefit of being super easy to transport with no added attachments needed and it delivers in performance.

This workhorse has a high-carbon steel blade and an ergonomic handle. The handle enables users to enjoy its cutting ability for long durations without getting tired or sore. It has also been covered in a non-slip rubber so you can keep using your Bear-Grylls-endorsed hatchet in any season. Even though it’s suitable to just carry in your backpack, it does come with a belt loop and is also supplied with a nylon sheath for protection.

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15) BladeMate Survival Hatchet

Our final hatchet for camping on our list is the BladeMate Survival Hatchet. This compact operator will be the perfect addition to your camping kit or a Bug-Out-Bag for when the zombies, or more likely, the robots try and take over.

The razor-sharp blade will certainly take care of any firewood and will come in useful for bush clearing. Again, despite its compactness, this hatchet has one of the longest blade lengths. At a whopping 4.5 inches, you certainly wouldn’t want to be clumsy around this product. The blade will keep performing for a long time to due to its anti-corrosion qualities. On the opposite side of the blade, you can see a hook for tent pegs and alike. We secretly think this will work as a bottle opener too. Have a cold one for us!

The handle of the tool has been made to fit your hand position naturally for a stronger swing and impact. It even has multiple grooves to increase grip, which will certainly be welcome in the colder and wetter conditions. To round off a phenomenal product, BladeMate will back up their work with a lifetime guarantee without asking any questions whatsoever. Buy this one for yourself or as a gift for an outdoor-type groomsman.

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Want A Slice Of The Action?

That concludes our buyer guide looking at some incredible hatchets and axes for your next camping trip with the guys. Consider your exact uses with one of these tools to make sure you get the most suitable design for you. When you do use your tool, always follow the proper technique and use it responsibly. Severed fingers only last 12 hours before doctors aren’t able to reattach them, which will make browsing the cool products on our future buyer guides much more difficult!