– Boys Life Magazine

Q: My troop is going on a 25-mile hike soon. What is the best way to prepare for it? A: We went straight to an expert for this question: Joe Koehly, director and guide for Backwoods Adventures, which takes people hiking and backpacking all over the world. Here are his top tips: Make sure your…

Q: I’m having trouble finding a healthy energy bar that doesn’t have too much sugar and is filling. Do you have any suggestions? — Carson, Austin, Texas A: You’re right; many popular energy bars are sugary or unsatisfying. Find some better options by shopping keto. Bars catered to a ketogenic diet (very low carbs, high…

Q: Every time it rains, the inside of my tent gets wet. And, yes, I have a rain fly and a ground cover. The water still seeps through and gets my pillow and my sleeping bag wet. Any tips? — William, Edwards, California A: First, check for any leaks. If you find one along a…

Tomahawk throwing can be a rigorous yet rewarding activity. The secret to throwing tomahawks is “lots of practice and follow-through,” according to Life Scout Claudia Mattingly. To properly throw a tomahawk, stand several paces from your target. Grab the tomahawk at the bottom of the handle like you’re shaking someone’s hand. Face your target. When…

Q: Does rolling up your clothes really work when packing? — Cody, Orange City, Iowa A: It will depend on what you’re packing. Try this: Empty a dresser drawer at home, and then fold and place your clothes inside until the drawer is full. Then take the clothes out and roll up each item tightly…

OK, OK, this cot is heavy, bulky and pricey. But this is “Stuff We Like,” and we like the RIO Gear Smart XXL Camping Cot from ShelterLogic ($100, shelterlogic.com). It measures about 7 feet long and more than 3 feet wide. It’s comfortable, easy to set up and strong enough to hold 600 pounds. A…

Whether you’re a dayhiker conquering local hills or a hardcore wilderness backpacker, your most important piece of gear is the same — and it might be the item you’ve put the least thought into buying: your boots. The wrong hiking footwear can send a backcountry adventure downhill fast. Take your first steps on your next…

Thousands of years ago, ancient astronomers observed the night sky and saw stars bunched together in what they called constellations. In one part of the sky, there was a group of stars that looked like a connect-the-dots lion, and they named it Leo. In another part, they saw stars that looked like a hunter with…

It’s drizzling, and you want to start a fire. Any tinder you gather will likely be too wet, right? Wrong. You can create an effective fire starter, even with a wet piece of wood. Just grab your knife so you can make a “fuzz stick.” The best piece of wood to use is one without…

Serious mountaineers, polar explorers and other adventurers who routinely face extreme cold follow a hard-and-fast rule: Always bring extra gloves, because losing the use of your hands creates a life-threatening situation. You might never encounter such danger, but whatever your outdoor activities, the choice of handwear matters a lot. GLOVES OR MITTENS BUYING TIPS Gloves…