Man Makes Fire publishes unbiased outdoor gear reviews and buying guides that help people choose which outdoor gear is right for them.
We take pride in publishing in-depth outdoor gear reviews that reveal who the gear is best for, including beginners as well as expert outdoor enthusiasts. We’ve been publishing high-activity, outdoor-focused content since 2010.
Our review and testing process includes actually using the outdoor gear in the field: We take outdoor gear outside to the environments where it is intended to be used and test it in the wild. Most of our outdoor gear review testing takes place in forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes in Idaho and surrounding states.
If you like to spend time in the great outdoors, our reviews and buying guides focus on identifying the best outdoor gear, including, but not limited to:
- Fly Fising Gear
- Camping Gear
- Hiking & Backpacking Gear
- Kayaking Gear
- Rafting Gear
- iSUP Paddleboarding Gear
- Biking Gear
- Skiing & Snowboarding Gear
- Hunting Gear
If the gear is useful and fun outside — and when we believe we can help recommend the right outdoor gear to people looking for trustworthy advice — we’re usually interested in testing it outdoors.
Man Makes Fire Gear Review Policies
#1. Man Makes Fire publishes unbiased outdoor gear reviews and buying guides.
#2. In addition to Man Makes Fire buying gear for reviews and guides, gear manufacturers occasionally ship review units to Man Makes Fire. If we like it, we spend some quality time with the gear and review it, noting if it was provided to Man Makes Fire. After the review, we return it, give it away, or work on longer-term review follow-ups when applicable to reader interest.
#3. We do not accept any gear in exchange for coverage. If we do not truly appreciate the gear, we don’t write about it at all — bad gear will fade into obscurity on its own if everyone ignores it. In addition, we focus on gear from reputable companies, reputable brands, and reputable retailers we trust.
#4. The gear links on Man Makes Fire are focused on what we are willing to recommend to our own family and friends. Many of our specific gear links connect to industry-standard affiliate advertising programs. When you buy something using the retail links in our guides and reviews, we may earn a small affiliate commission that helps pay for our work.
#5. Basically, we deliver the advice and insight you need, you get the gear you want, and then everyone wins. Pretty straightforward.
Who We Are
Chris Maxcer at the oars having a great day on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River!Man Makes Fire is led by Chris Maxcer, the primary author and publisher of Man Makes Fire. As an outdoor enthusiast, he has spent decades fly fishing, camping, backpacking, boating, hunting, exploring, and generally enjoying the great American outdoors.
Maxcer has fly fished for coho salmon next to Kodiak brown bears, backpacked among mountain goats, whitewater rafted (and fished) a 100 miles of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, has chased bugles in rugged terrain while archery elk hunting in Idaho, and, perhaps most importantly, has cracked open cold beers in front of hundreds of campfires with friends and family.
With his experience, Maxcer can usually spot high quality outdoor gear, as well as identify the kinds of people who will get the most benefits from it. He appreciates great gear that delivers quality above its price point, whether it’s designed for beginners on a budget or dedicated enthusiasts.
Trusted Experts
Ski pant testing!In addition to Maxcer and contributing writers, Man Makes Fire utilizes the expertise and experience of trusted outdoor experts who test gear, report their findings, and often have little interest in being in the limelight. And that’s ok — not everyone who is a gear expert wants to be out in public online. Many of our gear reviews and buying guides utilize feedback from trusted outdoor experts who identify key features, competitive alternatives, and changes between previous versions of gear.
Why We Care About Outdoor Gear
There is something important about fresh air and wide open public land in the great outdoors. We think people who spend time outside are happier than those who spend most of their lives living in concrete jungles. Yes, a good city can be a fun time, but . . . balance: In our experience, the people we like to hang out with are more appreciative of our whole world and the life we have when they are able to get outside.
Great outdoor gear can help you have a better, safer experience far off the beaten path
Because so many of us don’t get enough time outside, it’s important to find the right gear to help you have the experience you’re going for in the time you have. For instance, if you only get to go camping once a year, you’ll want a tent that can hold up to an all-night rain storm so your trip isn’t ruined.
Meanwhile, most people don’t get out enough, and many of those who do limit their experiences to just one passion. You’ve met the guy who only rides mountain bikes, right? He’s really good at it. But that’s all he does. Where are the epic backpacking trips? The backyard mountain summits? The snorkeling, kayaking, the casting of a tiny fly on a tiny hook to a monster trout? Where is the attempt to learn something new?
Our mission at Man Makes Fire is to help people find the right outdoor gear they need to learn new skills, find new experiences, and bring others along with them on their journeys outside.
