Last summer, our team spent 90 days paddling across three states testing the best life jackets for kayaking you can buy right now. We logged over 200 hours on the water in everything from sit-on-top fishing kayaks to low-profile touring rigs. Along the way, we tracked how each PFD handled long days, big water, and … Read more
My family started canoeing when my oldest was four years old. We packed a cooler, two life jackets, and a rented Old Town Saranac for a Saturday morning paddle on a calm lake. That single trip turned into a weekend hobby, and eventually into our current boat-buying obsession. After six months of testing ten different … Read more
After 3 months on the water and 14 trips covering more than 180 miles, our team logged every stroke, every blister, and every ferry glide to find the best kayak paddles for touring in . I have personally used each of these paddles on multi-hour tours in the Puget Sound, the Sea of Cortez, and … Read more
I still remember my first deep-water start. I was 34, sitting in the lake behind my brother’s boat, knuckles white on a tow rope, and absolutely certain I was about to die. The board flicked up, my legs wobbled, and I stood up on the third try. That forgiving board made me a wakeboarder. That … Read more
I remember my first attempt at water skiing like it was yesterday. I fell on my face five times in a row, swallowed half the lake, and nearly threw the rope back at the boat captain. The problem was not me (well, not entirely) – it was the skis. Beginner water skis are different beasts … Read more
Fishing from an inflatable boat is not a compromise. It is one of the smartest decisions an angler can make. I have spent the last three seasons testing inflatable fishing boats across lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Modern PVC and aluminum-floor designs give you nearly everything a hard-shell boat offers at a fraction of the … Read more
Getting a kayak from your garage to the water should not feel like a wrestling match with your car. I have spent the last three kayak seasons testing eight of the best kayak roof racks for cars across sedans, SUVs, and minivans, and the difference between a good rack and a bad one is night … Read more
I have spent more hours than I can count gliding across flatwater lakes and tracing rugged coastlines on my paddle board. After testing over a dozen paddles across multiple seasons, I learned one thing fast: the paddle matters just as much as the board. When you are pushing through mile three of a touring run, … Read more
I pulled my first sourdough boule out of a regular sheet pan and watched it spread into a sad, flat disc. That was the day I started hunting for the best Dutch ovens for bread baking, and I have not looked back since. After three months of testing 12 different pots across more than 60 … Read more
I’ll be straight with you: the Lodge 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is the best cast iron skillet for most home cooks in , because it offers unbeatable heat retention, 145k+ verified five-star reviews, and a price that fits any kitchen budget. I spent the last 90 days searing steaks, frying eggs, baking cornbread, and … Read more