There are few things more exciting in life than checking something off your bucket list. One of the big ones on my list was to take a long destination ride on my bike through the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina and Tennessee. I had done a few day trips here and there, which […]
Men's Lifestyle
Op-Ed: Stop throwing gear at the things you suck at and train instead
“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.” — Miyamoto Musashi, “The Book of Five Rings” Getting “cool guy” gear and tricking out your firearm is awesome, I have several mods and bits of […]
Off the beaten path: 4 tips for mitigating the risks of adventure traveling
I’ve done a fair amount of traveling over the years. I’ve stood next to pyramids on two continents, wandered around the Coliseum and the Acropolis, gone white water rafting in Alaska and relaxed at a wine tasting in Malta. Que Johnny Cash singing, “I’ve been everywhere,” because, although there’s still plenty of world left to […]
Watch: This is what full-color night vision looks like
There is no question that night vision technology has revolutionized the way wars are fought, particularly among America’s special operations community. That said, anyone who’s been stuck wearing the sort of night vision goggles (NVGs) that find their way into the hands of conventional forces can attest that television rarely provides an accurate portrayal of how tough […]
No power tools or forges: Here’s how to make a survival knife using just the stuff in your garage
The looming threat of a nuclear attack launched by North Korea has brought about a resurgence in Cold War era anxieties about survival in a post-infrastructure America. If such an attack were to take place, it may not mean the end of the world, per say, but it could certainly mean the end of yours, and in […]
Streamlight PolyTac X Flashlight: Worth going in your go-bag
If you were to ask me what brand I recommend for tactical flashlights, I would tell you without hesitation, Streamlight. Streamlight offers a wide range of practical products at a reasonable price. They do their job, and they do it well. My trusted flashlight for my EDC bag is my Streamlight ProTac HL-X (you can […]
How to escape handcuffs with a hair pin
Being able to escape handcuffs can be a valuable skill for multiple reasons, the primary one being escaping illegal detainment. Whether traveling abroad as a private citizen or conducting clandestine operations as an elite operative, getting out of a bad situation should be made easier through the pursuit of specialized skills. Getting out of handcuffs […]
Marine Corps Vets weigh in on Top pieces of EDC gear
Everyone can agree that there are some pieces of EDC, survival, and travel gear that you can’t go without. For this article, I polled the writers of the Loadout Room and asked them to share with me in one or two paragraphs what their top three pieces of kit are. Much of it is due […]
Oakley SI Flak 2.0 – Thin Blue Line edition: The right shades for an officer on duty or a great range day
When it comes to the eye protection for the range, I tend to be extraordinarily picky. No, it’s not just because I have a weird shaped head and only a precious few sunglasses designs can both look decent and stay affixed to my dome (but I’ll admit that’s part of it). It’s also because I […]
How to field strip and clean an AK series rifle
A well made AK variant can be incredibly reliable and accurate believe it or not. It still requires routine maintenance to stay at this level of overall quality though. Sure, you can neglect the rifle or run it dry (unlubricated) but it’s not the most ideal state of operation; for any weapon system for that […]