Outdoor Gear Reviews - Man Makes Fire

Gear

Man Makes Fire publishes in-depth outdoor gear reviews designed to help you find the right gear for your outdoor adventures. We use, test, and review gear including the best camping tents, best fly rod and reel combos, best fishing waders, best soft coolers, best camping stoves, SUPs, bikes, ski and snowboarding gear, and much much more.

Fly Fishing Gear

Frogg Toggs Hellbenders Stockingfoot Waders Review

This image shows the Frogg Toggs Hellbenders fishing waders in action fly fishing on a river.

The Frogg Toggs Hellbenders Stockingfoot Waders are a solid entry-level wader that boasts a great price-to-value ratio. They have a...

Gear

Cabela’s Orion Backpacker Tent Review

This is an image of the Cabela's Orion 2 Backpacking Tent fully setup.

The Cabela’s Orion Backpacker Tent is an entry-level backpacker tent with a stable and durable design. It’s roomy enough for two...

Camping Gear

10 Best First Aid Kits for Camping

The best first aid kits for camping in 2019 and beyond are those that have a lot of core first aid...

Fly Fishing Gear

10 Best Water Shoes

This best water shoe image shows the excellent Columbia Drainmaker III water shoe at Lake Tahoe.

The best water shoes are robust and versatile enough to wade in a river, trek across a sandy beach, ride...

Backpacking The Experience

7 Steps: How to Save Weight Backpacking

Learning to save weight backpacking is all about making compromises and smart decisions. Sure, you can shell out hundreds —...

Backpacking Gear

Best First Aid Kit for Backpacking

The best first aid kit for backpacking is lightweight but packed full with a variety of first aid gear —...

Gear

KÜHL FIREFLY Jacket Review

This image shows the kuhl firefly jacket.

It’s hard to overstate how good the KÜHL FIREFLY Jacket looks in person. The KÜHL FIREFLY is a lightweight jacket that...

Backpacking Gear

10 Best Backpacking Tents

This is an image of the best backpacking tent freestanding construction

The best backpacking tent question and answer often ignites heated responses from experienced backpackers because so many believe their favorite tent, tarp,...

RTIC Outback Jug Review: ‘We Crave Cold Water’

L.L.Bean Acadia Tent Review: ‘Awesome Door’

Retrospec Siesta Dock Inflatable Platform Review

REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair Review

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp Review

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Review: Long-Term Report

RTIC Outback Jug Review: ‘We Crave Cold Water’

L.L.Bean Acadia Tent Review: ‘Awesome Door’

The Best Screen Tents for 2026

Lightweight Wading Boots: My Favorites and Why

Best Wading Boots for Fishing in 2026

Orvis Clearwater Combo Review: Long-Term Update

Black Diamond Storm 500-R Headlamp Review

Petzl Aria 2 RGB Headlamp Review

10 Best Headlamps for Hunting 2024: Tested and Compared

Leki Helicon Lite Ski Poles Review: Great Versatility

Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Mitt Review

The Best Stio Holiday Sale Deals 2023

Retrospec Siesta Dock Inflatable Platform Review

BOTE WULF Aero Review: Best Beginner iSUP

The 10 Best Inflatable Swim Docks for 2026

How to Make Your Traeger Pro 575 Produce More Smoke

Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill Review

BlendJet 2 Portable Blender Review: ‘Surprisingly Handy’

Gear

Frogg Toggs Hellbenders Stockingfoot Waders Review

Cabela’s Orion Backpacker Tent Review

10 Best First Aid Kits for Camping

10 Best Water Shoes

7 Steps: How to Save Weight Backpacking

Best First Aid Kit for Backpacking

KÜHL FIREFLY Jacket Review

10 Best Backpacking Tents