Gear Reviews

Overseas Travel: Having an escape and evasion mindset

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Nuremberg, Germany on business. That flight consisted of flying through Atlanta International Airport, Paris France International Airport and then over to Nuremberg. On the return trip, I traveled through Amersterdam. With that said I had to traverse through multiple security checkpoints and Customs. Knowing this ahead of time allowed me to plan for what I would be packing in my bags. It’s vitally important to do your homework before traveling to […]

LifeStraw Steel | Quick look from Costa Rica

On a recent trip to Costa Rica, my wife and I had the opportunity to get out and hike in the jungle a bit. With several water sources on our adventure, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to test the new LifeStraw Steel. Back in 2016, Rick tested and reviewed the original LifeStraw personal […]

A quick look at the Nordic Pocket Saw

This year I had the opportunity to attend the European IWA conference, which is the European version of our SHOT Show. One of the companies there that caught my eye when walking the isles was Nordic Pocket Saw. I’ve heard of it but seen very little of this product. We decided to stop and talk to […]

Assemble the Ultimate Off-Road Conversion-Van Camper (Pt.1)

How to Build Your Own Adventure Van: Getting Started

I would love to do a school-bus conversion like Nick Cahill did, but for my first foray into building a camper, I wanted to start small.

Blue Force Gear Trauma Kit Now Pouch: An Ounce of Prevention

The TKN Pouch An IFAK is easily one of the most important pieces of gear one can have. An IFAK, or individual first aid kit, is standard for all modern military forces. IFAKs save lives. Plain and simple. They treat minor and major injuries. They stop blood loss. IFAKs prevent infections, and treat burns. Without […]

Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker: the complete sharpening system

When I opened the package, I was initially a bit overwhelmed by the Spyderco Tri-Angle sharpening system – particularly by the detailed instructions – but I quickly learned it is really very simple to use. I think electric sharpeners and grinders are a great option but they can be a bit messy, while I found […]

Watch: GORUCK GR-2, Travel the world with one ruck

No matter your size, the GORUCK GR-2 travels hard and well and complies with TSA size requirements for carry-on bags. Patterned after Special Forces medical rucks, GR-2 is big, tough, and efficiently stores all your stuff in its 3 compartments and 8 pockets. If you want to travel the world with one bag, it’s a […]

Watch: Water Filter Comparison

We have covered several water filter systems here in the Loadout Room. Everything from the smaller portable filters to the larger family size filter systems. I typically have some type of emergency filter in my pack when out on the trail or in the woods. They are a nice option to have if you run […]

Swiss Key: An ultralight pocket tool

Sitting in a bar in Ethiopia with my Brother when he pulled out his key chain. On it was the Swiss Key he and I had bought two years ago at the mall. We started talking about how useful it was and we got to talking about all of the different places and different uses […]

Voodoo Tactical 20-0096 Lightweight Plate Carrier

I first heard about Voodoo Tactical about 9 months ago when I was beginning the transition from active duty to a contractor. I had heard very good things from team guys about Voodoo Tactical and decided to give them a chance. After 6 months of rugged wear and tear through everything from salt water, hot […]