Straight-up reviews of water, beach and outdoor gear.

Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT Tent

The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT tent is lightweight and packable, but the vestibule setup is finicky and time-consuming. With this in mind, it’s a great tent for climbers and mountaineers who need a lightweight, versatile shelter for short trips.

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Em Forster Em Forster

Aqua Marina Laxo 285 Review

The Aqua Marina Laxo 285 benefits from its V-shaped hull and is able to maintain decent straight-line tracking. Read about how it sets up and packs down and how it is to paddle in our in-depth first-hand review.

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Em Forster Em Forster

Aqua Marina Laxo 320 Review

The Aqua Marina Laxo 320 has made our list because it’s able to track reasonably well in a straight line, which is unusual at this price point. However, there are some serious downsides, like a cramped cockpit and hard-to-dry fabric covering.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Itiwit X100 1-2 Person Kayak Review

We like that Itiwit's upgraded the X100 1–2P to now be available with a drop-stitch floor for a reasonable price, but a lot of the old problems remain: bulky side tubes, drag in the water, slow-drying fabric and really, too short for two

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Em Forster Em Forster

Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 Review

The Lagoon 1 is a shorter, more packable offering from Advanced Elements in their typical style, but suffers from many of the drawbacks in the rest of their range without the redemption of excellent in-water performance.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

MSR Access 2 Review

The MSR Access 2 is weather resistant and has large vestibules but its packed size is not great for price. Overall, it’s an excellent, versatile 4-season tent.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL-2 Review

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL-2 is light and has good accessories, but it’s an asymmetrical tent. It’s a quality 3-season tent that’s well priced.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Kelty Wireless 2 Tent Review

The Kelty Wireless 2 is a comfortable and durable tent but is heavy and gathers condensation. Overall, it’s a great, durable tent for the price.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

MSR Elixir 2 Tent Review

The MSR Elixir 2 has a high-quality construction and considered features, but its weight and size are its downfall. It’s a versatile choice, prioritising comfort over lightweight.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Marmot Tungsten Review

The Marmot Tungsten has a large living space but it’s weight is quite considerable, as is its size. It’s better suited for short trips & camping.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Forclaz MT500 Dome Tent

The Forclaz MT500 Dome Tent is an impressive option for campers and budget-conscious hikers who need reliable shelter without breaking the bank. Compact, sturdy and well-designed, it’s a solid all-rounder for a variety of conditions and offers more than you’d expect at its price point.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Brunner Bula XL Beach Chair Review

The Brunner Bula XL Beach Chair is easy, cosy and robust but it’s not adjustable and has low armrests. Overall, it’s a very comfortable and easily transportable beach chair.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Solenny 4 Positions Chair Review

The Solenny 4 Positions Chair has breathable, quick-drying textilene fabric and is extremely lightweight and portable with built-in handles. It only has a limited weight capacity of 100kg, though, and the no headrest, and low backrest height reduces comfort for taller individuals. Overall, it’s a great pick for light, practical use.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Dometic GO Compact Chair Review

The Dometic GO Compact Chair is lightweight, compact, made with good materials and has a stylish design. It does, however, lack common features, has a low seating position and only moderate back support. It’s a durable and portable camping chair with a sleek design, best for those who value aesthetics and compactness over added features.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Quechua Comfortable Folding Chair Review

The Quechua Comfortable Folding Chair is comfortable for average-height people and breathable, but it would be great if it had a side pocket and it’s not the most comfortable for taller people. Overall, it’s a practical chair that’s well made, but it’s missing features that make it stand out.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

Lightwave Sigma S22 Review

The Lightwave Sigma S22 is roomy, lightweight and waterproof, but it’s quite dark inside and you have to the thread poles to set it up, which is not great for everyone. Overall, it’s a great option for a single-walled tent.

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Courtney Cunningham Courtney Cunningham

KXOne Slider 410 Review

The KXOne Slider 410 made our list of top 10 best 2-person kayaks as it is easy to set up and is well made. While it’s high-quality, there’s still room for improvement, and the kayak is quite short to comfortably seat two adults.

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Rob Thickett Rob Thickett

Gumotex Twist 2/1 Review

The Gumotex Twist 2/1 is a high-quality and lower-cost convertible choice that made number 6 on our list. It’s not as firm as the next level up of drop-stitch kayaks, but for this class of kayaks provides good durability and handling.

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Rob Thickett Rob Thickett

Sevylor Tahiti Plus Review

The Sevylor Tahiti Plus is extremely portable and comes at a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, this sacrifices the quality of the paddling experience. Read more in our in-depth Sevylor Tahiti Plus review.

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Rob Thickett Rob Thickett

Gumotex Thaya Review

The Gumotex Thaya is an excellent kayak for its quality, packability and versatility. We love that it packs down all-in-one and can be configured to fit one, two or three people.

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