The solution? A cooler with wheels.

Hunting for the top wheeled cooler isn’t about just picking any cooler that rolls. You need one that glides over beach sand, dock steps, and bumpy trails with ease. Yet, some wheel designs are flimsy and others might cost you your paycheck.

So, I dove deep into cooler research, sampled a bunch, and tested them like a relentless airport security guard. Finally, I found the crème de la crème, the BEST wheeled coolers.

Here’s our list of of our top picks. Stick around to see how we tested them and what you need to look for.

More of a visual learner? Watch our Best Coolers with Wheels video review here!

DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on a link we may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

The 6 Best Wheeled Coolers of 2023: Outdoor Empire Reviews

The YETI Tundra Haul is our top pick for the best wheeled cooler, scoring high on ice retention, durability, and mobility. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly option, consider the RTIC Ultra-Light Wheeled or the Coleman Xtreme Roller, both offering solid performance.

1. Best Overall: YETI Tundra Haul
2. Best for the Money: RTIC Ultra-Light Wheeled
3. Budget Pick: Coleman Xtreme or 316 Series Rolling 62 Qt
4. Beach Pick:  Igloo Trailmate
5. Also Great: Lifetime High Performance Wheeled
6. Best of the Rest: Monoprice Pure Outdoor Wheeled Emperor

	Best Overall	Best Value	Budget Pick	Best for Beach	Also Great
Product	YETI Tundra Haul	RTIC Ultra-Light Wheeled	Coleman Xtreme or 316 Series Rolling 62 Qt	Igloo Trailmate	Lifetime High Performance Wheeled
Outdoor Empire Score	4.4	4.1	3.0	3.5	3.9
Portability	Best	Best	Good	Better	Good
Ice Retention (Our Test)	7 days	6 days	6 days	5 days	7 days
Benefits	+ Excellent build quality and rugged so it will last a long time + Smooth wheels roll well on all surfaces + Easy to tow + Holds ice longer than other wheeled coolers	+ High-quality build for a lower cost + Loaded with useful features + Best wheels and tow handle out of all we tested + Lighter than most competitors + Excellent customer service	+ Affordable for nearly any budget + Holds up well to abuse and impacts + Excellent ice retention for the price + Extremely lightweight for easy portability + Great customer service gives confidence in purchase	+ Large wheels and clearance for use on rough terrain or sand + Excellent beach and fishing accessories included + Telescoping handle with built-in butler tray that includes self-draining cup holders + 70-quart capacity allows for storage of up to 112 cans and ice	+ Reasonable price point + Built like a rotomolded cooler + Good warranty and customer service + Great ice retention + Bear-certified
Drawbacks	- Lid prone to warping in extreme heat - Lid leaks when towing which can reduce ice retention - 50% more expensive than next best alternative	- Leaks considerably when towing - Short warranty - No bear certification	- Wheels only function well on hard surfaces - Lid doesn't clamp down - Basic wheels with limited off-road ability	- Bulky and difficult to get in smaller vehicles - Build quality falls short for the price point - Design less versatile than other coolers on this list	- Underbuilt wheels are bad on sand and dirt - Tow handle can rust - Heavy and awkward to lift - Prone to warping
Price Range	$$$ Check Price	$$ Check Price	$ Check Price	$$ Check Price	$$ Check Price

The author of this review, Chase Fly, has had his garage full of coolers for the past year. He takes a different ice chest each time he goes fishing, camping, hunting, or on a Costco run. Chase’s real-world use of these coolers combined with rigorous testing provides Chase with unique insight about how good they really are.

1. Best All-Around Wheeled Cooler

Best Overall

YETI Tundra Haul

4.4

Portability Rank: 2

Approx. Price: $450

Volume: 62 quarts

Weight: 37.8 pounds

Construction Type: Rotomolded

Where Made: Philippines

Warranty: 5 years

Variations: Roadie 48 & 60, 6 colors

View on Amazon View at YETI

Compare prices: Bass Pro Shops, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Cabela’s, Moosejaw, Scheels, Dick’s Sporting Goods

As much as I was kinda hoping to prove otherwise in favor of an underdog, the YETI Tundra Haul emerged as our preferred wheeled cooler. Its robust construction, marked by a dense foam-injected rotomolded design, strong wheel assembly, and rigid handle, set it apart. This quality construction ensures the Tundra Haul can withstand considerable abuse, like falling out of your pickup, without debilitating damage.

The cooler’s durability is demonstrated in part by an IGBC bear-resistant certification, which you need to camp in some places including select National Parks in the Western US. However, the Tundra Haul isn’t invincible, with reports of lid warping in extreme heat, which could affect cooling efficiency.

Despite this, the Tundra Haul excelled in ice retention, maintaining cool temperatures for 7 days in our tests. The compact design of its wheels makes it easier to pack and transport than many alternatives, and their never-flat wheels enable a smooth ride over diverse terrain. Plus, the tow handle is designed to to provide a comfortable walk and pull experience.

The Tundra Haul isn’t without flaws. When your ice melts to water, it leaks when towed, which in turn makes the remaining ice melt faster. Also, the wheels rattle, but that’s not a big deal. It’s heavier than its rivals, so you might need help lifting it. Although it’s the most expensive cooler we tested, it lacks some simple frills like a bottle opener.

Customer service was inconsistent, with the chat function repeatedly failing, but their extensive online support materials and a solid 5-year warranty give peace of mind. Despite its shortcomings, the YETI Tundra Haul’s rugged quality and superior ice retention make it a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

2. Best Wheeled Cooler for the Money

Best Value

RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled

4.1

Portability Rank: 1

Approx. Price: $300

Volume: 52 quarts

Weight: 30 pounds

Construction Type: Injection molded

Where Made: Cambodia

Warranty: 1 year

Variations: 3 colors

View on Amazon View at RTIC

The RTIC 52 Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled is a real winner in value-for-money. Its build quality is impressive considering its lower cost, courtesy of smart design choices like injection molding. That makes it cheaper and lighter than rotomolded coolers like the Yeti, but it still feels sturdy and well-made.

And while it’s not bear-certified, it remains tough as manifested in my over-the top durability test where I towed it around behind a side-by-side and tossed it off a roof just to see what would happen. Check out my YouTube video on that below!

This cooler boasts several handy features, including an air-sealing freezer-style gasket that helps it hold ice longer. Convenient tie-down slots and grippy feet ensure stability during transportation, while a standard lock hole protects your adult beverages from little ones. Easy-to-handle grips allow effortless movement, and kid-friendly latches ensure smooth access. Anglers will appreciate the hose-compatible drain plug with a tethered cap for easy drainage off boats. A unique addition is the silicone net in the lid, perfect for quick access items like snacks. And yes, it also includes a built-in bottle opener.

Challenging YETI, this cooler excels with wheels and a tow handle that produce the smoothest overall ride out of all the wheeled coolers we experienced whether on sand, grass, or gravel. Its ice retention stands strong at 6 days in our test, making it an all-round performer.

While it’s lighter than most competitors, at 30 pounds, “ultra-light” is marketing buzzword bologna. And it does leak considerably when towing if there’s a lot of water inside. Customer service responds swiftly, but a 1-year warranty is limiting.

Yet, its portability, durability, and functionality make the RTIC Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler a great value pick.

3. Best Cheap Wheeled Cooler

Budget Pick

Coleman 316 or Xtreme Series 62 Qt Wheeled

3.0

Portability Rank: 6

Approx. Price: $80

Volume: 62 quarts

Weight: 13.6 pounds

Construction Type: Blow molded

Where Made: USA

Warranty: None

Variations: 50 quart

View on Amazon View at Bass Pro Shops

Compare prices: Sportsman’s Warehouse, Cabela’s

Our best budget pick is the Coleman Xtreme Rolling or its equivalent, the Coleman 316 Series, both 62-quart wheeled coolers. At an affordable price and made in America, these coolers prove that a reliable wheeled cooler need not cost a small fortune.

Constructed from basic plastic, they won’t stun you with premium quality, but they certainly do the job. The 316 Series is practically identical to the Xtreme, and might be easier to find. We tested a non-wheeled 316 and it performed just like the Xtreme. And it appears they upgrade the wheels on the 316 compared to the Xtreme. These unsophisticated coolers are a whole lot less likely to get stolen out of the back of your truck, which is a thing with fancy Yeti coolers.

Lightweight and sturdy, these Colemans can withstand some rough handling. During our drop test, the Xtreme just bounced, showing it won’t easily break. They live up to their promise: simple, functional coolers with good capacity. Their handles make lifting or towing easy, and usable cup holders on the Xtreme are a neat bonus.

Coleman’s customer service is top-tier. When I inquired about a potential issue, they offered a replacement despite the lack of a warranty.

Where they excel is ice retention, keeping ice for 6 days in our test, one day more than advertised, and a match for pricier options.

The downside? Their wheels only work well on solid ground, struggling on sand or dirt. However, their narrow, lightweight design allows for easy dragging in such circumstances. I would advise against the smaller 50-quart versions with retractable handles. While I haven’t tested them myself, past experiences with weak sauce telescopic handles on other coolers leave me skeptical.

In summary, Coleman’s wheeled coolers are a cost-effective choice that delivers on functionality and ice retention.

4. Best Beach Cooler with Wheels

Best for Beach

Igloo Trailmate

3.5

Portability Rank: 5

Approx. Price: $250

Volume: 70 quarts

Weight: 34.4 pounds

Construction Type: Injection and blow molded

Where Made: USA

Warranty: 1 year

Variations: 10+ colors

View on Amazon View at Sportsman's Warehouse

Compare prices: Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Scheels, Dick’s Sporting Goods

The Igloo Trailmate is our top choice for beach and fishing coolers, brimming with features for beach days and surf fishing. However, its build quality and durability are average given the price.

With the largest wheels of any cooler we tested, it’s specifically designed for beach use. Despite being made of basic plastic, they easily overcome obstacles due to its SUV-like ground clearance. The functional telescoping tow handle allows for both wheelbarrow-like pushing or handcart towing.

It’s loaded with accessories: a basket, tray, fishing rod holders, and dry box are included for beach convenience and concealing of valuables. The tethered drain plug is a smart touch to avoid losing it, and the bungee hooks are perfect for loading it up with extra gear.

Customer service responded within 48 hours, but the warranty is only for one year. Ice retention lasted 5 days for me, which is better than advertised.

Its main drawbacks are its bulky size and less-than-premium materials. Occupying 2/3 of an SUV cargo area, it’s not suitable for smaller vehicles but perfect for pickups. Despite these issues, its beach-friendly features, easy towability, large capacity, and good customer service make it a great choice for beach and fishing trips.

5. Also Great

Also Great

Lifetime 65 Quart High Performance

3.9

Portability Rank: 8

Approx. Price: $250

Volume: 65 quarts

Weight: 29.4 pounds

Construction Type: Blow molded

Where Made: USA

Warranty: 5 years

Variations: 55 quart

View on Amazon (without wheels) View at Lifetime

The Lifetime 65 Quart High Performance Wheeled Cooler, while not topping any category, is a worthwhile contender. The blow-molded plastic and budget-friendly components may not seem premium, but it’s built like a rotomolded cooler. Certain features, like the latches, show thoughtful engineering. While it may be mid-grade quality overall, it delivers on its high performance promise, especially in terms of ice retention.

Ice retention is impressive, lasting seven days in our ice challenge, on par with the Yeti Tundra Haul. And it leaks less when towing. It boasts a good feature set for the price, including a gasket, lock holes, and grippy feet. Lifetime’s customer service is laudable with a 72-hour response time and a 5-year warranty.

The cooler is durable and bear-resistant, but the wheels and tow handle could be stronger. The wheels are similar to the budget Coleman coolers and struggle on sand and trails, getting easily gummed up. The metal tow handle, while sturdy, has basic welds and shows early signs of rusting. I’ve also seen some reports of lid warping on Lifetime coolers.

The cooler’s size makes it bulky and hard to maneuver, with the tow handle adding to the difficulty due to its inability to lock in place. Despite these flaws, its good price, reliable warranty, large capacity, and excellent ice retention make it a solid choice, especially in a Lifetime store where they’re even cheaper.

If you don’t need wheels, I think the non-wheeled version of this cooler is a bargain. But since this review is about the top coolers with wheels, it didn’t rank higher simply because portability is its weak point.

6. Best of the Rest

Good Deal

Monoprice Pure Outdoor Wheeled Emperor 50

3.5

Portability Rank: 3

Approx. Price: $200

Volume: 50 quarts

Weight: 33.4 pounds

Construction Type: Rotomolded

Where Made: China

Warranty: 1 year

Variations: None

View on Amazon No Wheels Option

While it may be a generic brand, Monoprice’s Pure Outdoor Wheeled Emperor 50 Cooler offers considerable value for its price. Though its build quality has room for improvement, with rough-cut latches and the like, its rotomolded construction promises decent toughness and ice retention.

The cooler’s durability is commendable, though the tow handle lacks the robustness of models like the YETI or RTIC. Notably, the handle’s welds were not strong enough to prevent bending during our truck toss. And I’m afraid to bend it back as it appears it would break.

For its price, the cooler comes with a nice set of features, including a bottle opener, grippy feet, and a ruler on top. Its wheels, while not top-tier, offer smoother rolling than most, and its ice retention competes with the YETI Tundra Haul, lasting up to 7 days.

Monoprice’s customer service leaves much to be desired. They never responded to my inquiry. However, the cooler’s price, good rolling capabilities, and impressive ice retention make it a compelling budget-friendly choice.

The Emperor 50, despite its cheaper parts and disappointing customer service, remains a strong contender for those looking for affordability without sacrificing functionality. It’s also available without wheels at an even better deal.

3 Coolers With Wheels We Don’t Recommend

The first couple of coolers I don’t recommend may not sit well with a lot of die-hard fans, and you may even find them on the Best Wheeled Cooler lists on other websites. But my guess is the people who wrote those reviews have not used or tested these coolers to the extent I have.

I have nothing against the companies who make them. These companies make other coolers and products I really like and there are some things I like about these ice chests too.

There are specific reasons I don’t recommend these wheeled coolers based on actually using them myself. You’ll see why below.

1. Pelican Elite 45QW

The US-made Pelican Elite 45QW Cooler’s build and durability are commendable, with its robust rotomolded design, bear certification, and impressive lifetime warranty. However, it disappoints in its overall user experience.

Better Without Wheels

Pelican Elite 45QW

3.6

Portability Rank: 7

Approx. Price: $450

Volume: 45 quarts

Weight: 38.6 pounds

Construction Type: Rotomolded

Where Made: USA

Warranty: Lifetime

Variations: 65 qt, 80 qt, 3 colors

View on Amazon View at Pelican

Key issues I found include an exposed axle and wheels that often jam under regular use making transportation difficult, especially on sand.  The tow handle’s hand grip is too narrow which causes the cooler to hit your calves when towing. And it’s far more bulky than other coolers of the same size making it hard to move around. Additionally, customer service never responded to my written inquiry, which might cause concern for customers needing support.

Although the cooler boasts a watertight lid and the Pelican brand name, its high cost, merely average ice retention, and especially cumbersome portability make it a less-than-ideal rolling cooler option. It would be better without wheels in its current design.

2. RovR RollR 45

Despite the RovR RollR 45’s feature-rich and versatile design, with bicycle towing option, its enhancements often create problems.

Dealbreaker Handle

RovR RollR 45

3.7

Portability Rank: 4

Approx. Price: $440

Volume: 45 quarts

Weight: 38.9 pounds

Construction Type: Rotomolded

Where Made: USA

Warranty: 5 years

Variations: 60 qt, 7+ colors

View on Amazon View at Moosejaw

The tow handle is a major issue to the point that it’s a dealbreaker for me. You really have to yank on it to make it extend, then it won’t retract easily either. And it feels more flimsy than my cheap rolling suitcase handle when fully extended.

Although the pneumatic wheels ensure a smooth ride, the risk of puncture and handle problems hinder its portability. Disappointingly, the ice retention falls short of what the company claims, and customer service never responded to my message. Given its price, the cooler’s flaws overshadow its innovations. If drawn to RovR, the larger RollR 60 may be a better choice, with a superior handle design.

3. Igloo MaxCold Latitude 62 Roller

The Igloo MaxCold Latitude 62 Roller is a popular model in large part because it has gone on sale at Costco the past couple years in the Spring and Summer. That’s where I got mine. But this cooler fails to deliver quality, with a particularly dangerous and unreliable telescoping tow handle.

Do NOT Buy!

Igloo MaxCold Latitude 62 Roller

1.7

Portability Rank: Last

Approx. Price: $65

Volume: 62 quarts

Weight: 14.6 pounds

Construction Type: Blow molded

Where Made: USA

Warranty: 1 year

Variations: 40, 70, 100 qt, color varies

View on Amazon

The first time we used this cooler the plastic tow handle broke on one side when my daughter was towing it empty from the house into the backyard. Later, when I filled it half way with water to tow it around and compare it to the other coolers on this list, the other side of the handle broke. A remaining shard of plastic sliced a nearly 3-inch cut in the palm of my hand.

See what happened to the handle in the short video below.

Its poor ice retention, flimsy construction, and underwhelming features make it an option to avoid. While it’s cheap and lightweight, the negatives far outweigh the positives.

How to Choose the Best Cooler with Wheels

When selecting a cooler with wheels, there are a few important factors to consider. We used the following criteria for testing and evaluating the wheeled coolers on this list.

1. Construction Quality

Coolers are not just for backyard barbecues – they’re designed to withstand rugged outdoor conditions. Rotomolded coolers typically provide the most durability, with high-quality polyethylene plastics and dense internal foam insulation materials. Non-rotomolded options, while often less expensive, should also be made of robust components and materials to ensure longevity.

There is also a close association with value when it comes to quality. You shouldn’t expect the same build quality in a $100 cooler compared to a $400 cooler. But if you find a $200 cooler that’s as good as other $300 coolers, then it’s a great deal. I looked at this closely when researching and testing these coolers.

By researching specs, visually inspecting more than 30 different coolers, and finally using them for real outdoor activities, I was able to clearly recognize quality based on firsthand experience.

2. Durability

Rotomolded cooler tend to be the most rugged, but they are prone to warping or damage from extreme heat. Injection molded coolers are often a close second in terms of durability, but even cheaper blow molded coolers are tougher than they look when it comes to everyday accidents like rolling down some stairs.

Scuffs and scrapes should be anticipated with any cooler, but rusty or bent handles, mucked up wheel axles, and breakage from minor tumbles are red flags.

Bonus points if a cooler is certified as bear-resistant by the International Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). This means the company invested extra effort and money into product development and had the cooler tossed in a pen of real live hungry grizzly bears who attempt to break into the cooler to eat what’s inside.

One fun durability test I did involved chucking each cooler off the tailgate of my pickup. While no cooler rolled away unscathed, some took the asphalt better than others.

3. Ice Retention

Ice retention is crucial for a cooler’s effectiveness and is arguably the most important feature a cooler can offer. The longer the ice lasts, the longer your food and drinks stay cold. Some companies advertise some pretty unbelievable claims about how long their coolers retain ice, while others (ahem, Yeti) don’t make promises since there can be so many variables, including how you pack it.

In the end it comes down to insulation and air tightness. So a plastic outer shell with thicker injected foam insulation in the sides and lid make all the difference. The best insulated coolers also have a freezer-style gasket that creates an air tight seal around the lid to keep cool air inside from being displaced by warmer outside air.

In order to test the ice retention on these coolers, I filled each cooler with ice and monitored them over a week outdoors in the heat of summer. I checked ice levels daily, noting when each cooler no longer had any ice left and the food inside was no longer at a safe temperature.

4. Features

Additional features can add convenience and functionality, but not all features offer a real benefit. Things like bottle openers, cup holders, accessories, and tie-down capabilities can all enhance the user experience, or not, depending on how you want to use it. So look for the things that matter to you and don’t be oversold on gimmicks.

I considered overall ease of use of each cooler’s features whether unique like the silicone net in the RTIC or universal like the drain. But the most useful testing was in the form of real-world use. I have had most of these coolers for months as of the time of writing and I have used them on campouts, hunting trips, weddings, and lake days. That’s where I discover what’s really useful and what I don’t care about.

5. Customer Service and Warranty

Coolers have become one of the most expensive pieces of gear in an outdoor goers kit, so expect great service and a satisfaction guarantee from premium cooler brands. A company’s responsiveness and the warranty it provides can also be indicative of a cooler’s quality. If something goes wrong, it’s important to know that the company will back its product.

Customer service was tested by contacting each company directly in writing either by email or by submitting an online form. I submitted the same general inquiry about a hypothetical warranty issue and I recorded their response time and helpfulness. Some responded right away like RTIC and Coleman while others never did like RovR, Pelican, and Monoprice. I found Yeti impossible to contact in writing, but maybe I was looking in the wrong place.

6. Portability

While the above criteria are important to consider for any cooler, portability is paramount for a cooler with wheels. And a cooler’s portability is significantly influenced by its wheels and handles.

I filled each cooler up about half way with water to simulate being packed for an outing. Then I towed them through a “terrain gauntlet”, rolling them across different surfaces including asphalt, steps, grass, sand, and gravel. During this process, I evaluated how well the wheels handled various terrains and how comfortable and efficient the tow handles were. I also noted which coolers leaked from water sloshing inside.

The top wheeled coolers have sturdy wheels that are low maintenance, roll smoothly over a variety of surface types (not just asphalt). They also sport a tow handle that’s sturdy and comfortable to use over long-ish distances. Ideally they’re easy to push as well as pull, which is often not the case, so keep an eye out for that.

Bulky designs can be unwieldy, especially when trying to load, unload, and fit them in a vehicle. The grab handles should make it easy to lift without straining. Size and weight also factor in here. Heavy coolers can be a pain if it takes two people to move them all the time, so they better have some great benefits to make up for that.

Why Trust Us

At Outdoor Empire, we pride ourselves on offering trustworthy gear advice, backed by rigorous, hands-on testing. We didn’t just ‘borrow’ information from the web for this review. Instead, we invested our own money, acquired each wheeled cooler featured in this article, and put them through their paces in real-world situations. We even went the extra mile and used them extensively in our own lives, because we believe in ‘walking the talk’ before recommending any gear.

Although we occasionally accept product samples to enrich our gear guides, we never do paid or sponsored reviews. Our views in this article are as authentic, unbiased, and personal as it gets. After all, we wouldn’t recommend something we wouldn’t use ourselves or suggest to our loved ones.

Finding the Perfect Wheeled Cooler

Choosing the best cooler depends on what you do most. Campers and anglers should get durable coolers with top-notch ice retention. For picnics or tailgates, a light, simple cooler will do.

Check the wheels and handle carefully.

Good wheels are tough, roll smoothly on different surfaces, and give the cooler enough ground clearance to prevent dragging. The RTIC, YETI, and Igloo Trailmate are great at this. On the other hand, the Coleman, Lifetime, and Pelican fail in sand where it feels like you’re dragging dead weight. Good wheels can make the difference between breaking a sweat or not.

A top-notch tow handle lets you stroll upright next to your cooler, not crouched down right in front of it as it bumps you in the calves with every step. The best ones, like on the Yeti and RTIC, let you both push and pull the cooler without collapsing.

Think about extra features. Handy things like bottle openers, cup holders, or storage spaces can make your cooler even cooler. But if you don’t need it or won’t use it, don’t mind it!

Lastly, consider the company’s reputation and warranty. This can keep your cooler protected and you stress-free. Pelican has the best warranty, but they were hard to reach. Coleman doesn’t offer a warranty but was willing to replace a cooler quickly when I reached out.

In the end, the perfect cooler blends durability, cooling, convenience, your needs, and your budget.

Wheeled Cooler FAQs

The post 6 Best Wheeled Coolers of 2023 and 3 to Avoid appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

One of the great things about ultralight backpacking is that because your gear will be much lighter, you can indulge a little extra weight in your meals and snacks. Even still, there are some general guidelines and tricks to follow for choosing ultralight backpacking food.

What Do Ultralight Backpackers Eat?

Ultralight backpackers prioritize calorie-dense, lightweight food. Choosing food like instant oatmeal, dried fruits, jerky, tortillas, and dehydrated meals can help keep your pack light while meeting your energy needs.

How to Plan a Full Day of Ultralight Backpacking Food

The most important thing to do when packing food for an ultralight backpacking trip is meal planning. This way, you’ll stay organized, ensure you have enough calories per day, and avoid over or underpacking.

Consider the nutrients and calories you’ll need to sustain your energy levels and support your mileage.

Here are some steps to help you create a well-rounded backpacking meal plan.

1. Determine your daily calorie intake.

Calculate the approximate calories you’ll need to consume during your backpacking trip. This can vary depending on your body weight, hiking speed, and trail conditions.

Generally, you can expect to burn about 150 calories or more per mile. Multiply this by your daily mileage to get a rough estimate of your caloric needs.

2. Factor in nutrition.

In addition to calories, it’s helpful to ensure you’re getting a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Ideally, aim for a diet that supports overall health and muscle recovery while promoting high energy levels.

I prefer a protein-rich diet while hiking, as I find it brings the best-sustained energy throughout the day without any crashes. (Like those you may deal with if you’re relying on sugar and carbs.) You can also supplement with electrolyte powders, green drink mixes, or protein powders to ensure you cover all of your bases.

3. Choose lightweight, calorie-dense foods.

Choose foods with a high ratio of calories per ounce. Some examples include dried fruits, trail mixes, nuts, and protein bars.

Freeze-dried or dehydrated meals are also convenient options that are lightweight, require minimal preparation, and often provide a good mix of nutrients and high calories.

4. Plan your meals.

Divide your day into meals and ensure you’re packing adequate snacks, too. See a few ideas and options below.

Best Ultralight Snacks

Snacks provide quick energy bursts and help keep you going between meals. On a long-distance trip, I like to use the pro tip of eating a small snack roughly once an hour. Below are some of the best options for ultralight backpacking snacks.

Nuts and trail mix: Nuts are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and calories. Trail mixes live up to their name and are calorie-dense and easy to pack.

Dried fruit: Dried fruits like banana chips, cubed pineapple, mango strips, or craisins are lightweight, natural sources of sugar. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious snack choice.

Fruit snacks: You can buy a box of fruit snacks, which usually come in a bunch of small, single-serving packets. A little package of fruit snacks made with real fruit juice is one of my favorite ways to get a burst of sugar.

Jerky and other dried meat: Jerky and other dried meats are excellent sources of protein, making them an ideal snack for replenishing energy during long hikes. I’ve even brought air-dried beef slices that are more lightweight than jerky.

Nut butter packets: Almond or peanut butter packets are a convenient way to pump up your protein and fat consumption on a hike.

Small cheeses: Some cheeses are lightweight and resistant to spoiling on a backpacking trip. I like Babybels and Laughing Cow spreadable cheeses as they last a while without refrigeration.

Protein bars: While there are endless options for bars available these days, try to pick bars with high levels of protein rather than junk calories based on sugar. ProBars are my favorite because they’re lightweight and are high in protein with clean ingredients.

Energy blocks and gels: Energy blocks and gels are basically highly-concentrated sugars and electrolytes. They’re great when you really need a pick-me-up mid-hike.

Tips to Make Your Backpacking Food Lighter

The ultralight backpacker seems to be always searching for ways to cut down on pack weight. It’s a never-ending game, and ultralight backpacking food storage is one area where you can shed some grams!

Food will always get lighter as your trip goes on since it’s a consumable, but it’s great to be as lightweight as possible to begin with. In addition to choosing lightweight snacks, here are a few tips to make your backpacking food lighter:

1. Remove everything from its original packaging.

Transfer your ultralight backpacking food items to resealable bags (e.g. Ziploc). This eliminates unnecessary bulk and weight. And it really simplifies the Tetris game of packing your food, especially if you need to use a bear canister (like in some national parks and parts of the Pacific Crest Trail).

2. Don’t bring canned food.

Cans are heavy, take up too much space in your pack, and create awkward trash you’ll have to carry around.

3. Make a detailed plan.

Calculate precisely how much food you need for your trip, then add one extra meal for emergencies. Consider your daily calorie requirements and pack accordingly.

While it’s better to overpack than under-pack, making a meal plan for your backpacking trip will help you to avoid bringing excess food. And that will help cut weight that you don’t need.

4. Consider a food cache.

Consider a food cache if you’re taking a longer backpacking trip, a trek, or a thru-hike. Rather than packing food for the whole trip, just take enough for a few days or until you’ll intersect another trailhead or road.

On your drive to your starting point, swing by that spot and hide a food container from public view, where you can find it a few days later. Just make sure it’s in a bear and varmint-proof container and that you’re not breaking any rules.

Once you pick up your fresh batch of food, you can even ditch some of your trash or other used items. Just don’t forget to pick it up on your way home.

How to Find Cheap Backpacking Food Anywhere

If you are embarking on a thru-hike, by necessity, you’re eventually going to become an expert at finding cheap backpacking food at random places. Even if you’re only going on a shorter adventure, you can still benefit from buying backpacking food at a supermarket, rather than a specialty outdoors store, to keep your food costs low.

Any grocery store or gas station will have light, cheap, non-perishable food suitable for backpacking. Look for options like:

Ramen: Ramen noodles are a staple for many backpackers due to their low cost, availability, ease, and low weight. They can also be enhanced with additional ingredients like dehydrated vegetables or meat.

Mac and cheese: Instant mac and cheese is another budget-friendly and easy-to-prepare option. Look for single-serving boxes.

Instant mashed potatoes: These come in several different-sized bags and are a calorie-dense, inexpensive, and extremely lightweight option.

Ramen bombs: Combine a regular-sized bag of Idahoan instant mashed potatoes with a package of ramen noodles, and you have a super cheap base for two ultralight backpacking dinners. Put these into two separate Ziploc bags in advance for less hassle.

At camp, you’ll just add half to 1 cup of boiling water, gobble it up quickly, and sleep like a baby when you’re done. You can combine different flavors of ramen or potatoes and even add a pack of tuna or pre-cooked chicken for some protein.

Pre-packaged meals: I’ve used pre-packaged rice and Indian or Asian-inspired meals from the grocery store on trips. Tasty Bites or similar options are fully cooked and flavorful.

Instant oatmeal: Buy a box of single-serving oatmeal packets for convenience and flavor variety, or purchase a big box of instant oatmeal and portion it in ziplocks.

Tuna and chicken salad packets: Single-serving packets of tuna or chicken salad can be eaten with crackers or tortillas. I usually look for little boxed chicken salad meals with crackers and a plastic serving spoon.

Trail mixes and small nut packages: Look for small packages of nuts or trail mixes in the snack aisle. Sometimes these are only 99 cents at a gas station!

Toaster pastries: High in calories and sugar but actually sometimes fortified with vitamins, toaster pastries are available in any grocery store. I like to buy mine in advance from health food stores for a slightly more nutritious breakfast option on the trail, but you can find Pop Tarts anywhere.

Candy: While not the most nutritious option, candy can provide a quick burst of energy when you need it. Choose lightweight options like gummies, M&M’s, or small candy bars.

How to Find Cheap Backpacking Food at a Grocery Store

So you find yourself in a supermarket or gas station looking for cheap backpacking food. Wading through aisles of food for something suitable to throw in your pack doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Just ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is it shelf-stable?

Look for food that does not require refrigeration.

2. Is it lightweight?

Choose foods that are lightweight and easily packable. Avoid cans and other bulky items that can’t be re-packaged for your trip.

3. Is it calorie-dense?

Read the nutritional labels and choose items that provide a good number of calories per serving. High protein is a plus.

Does it meet all of these requirements? If so, bring it along. Congratulations, you’ve successfully shopped for your ultralight backpacking trip at a grocery store without spending a bunch of money at an outdoor retailer!

Homemade vs. Store-bought Backpacking Food

There are plenty of nutritious, lightweight, and tasty backpacking meals on the market. You can have a variety of good meals on the trail just by purchasing pre-made dehydrated food.

These pouches are convenient, lightweight, and calorie-dense. Most can be cooked in the package they come in just by adding boiling water, saving you from dish cleanup.

However, building an entire trip around pre-packaged, dehydrated meals can get expensive.

Some hikers make their own backpacking meals using a dehydrator. Dehydrating food at home allows you to save money in the long run. Plus, you can also cook and bring almost whatever you want!

While there is an initial investment in the dehydrator, the cost-per-meal can be significantly lower than purchasing pre-packaged meals.

Homemade backpacking meals do require an extra level of preparation and planning. Dehydrating food can be time-consuming. Additionally, homemade dehydrated food has a shorter shelf life than store-bought, pre-packaged backpacking meals.

Ultimately, deciding between homemade and store-bought backpacking food depends on your personal meal preferences, budget, and the time you’re willing to dedicate to food preparation.

Some of the best hiking meals I’ve ever had have been homemade, but there are great pre-made options on the market, too. It’s up to you how much time and preparation you want to put into creating your backpacking meals.

The post Ultralight Backpacking Food Tips and Meal Planning Guide appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

These insightful hacks stem from extensive experiences in the woods, where countless mistakes were made. The lessons learned from those errors, as well as the weighty loads borne in the past, now contribute to making your life considerably easier.

On my first backpacking trip, I was an absolute mess. My pack weighed nearly 60 pounds, my gear was everywhere, and I was always the last to pack up. Over time, the systems that work for me have become routine. Every time I pack up and get ready to head out, I know exactly what goes where and what to leave at home.

The best backpacking hacks will make your life so much better on the trail. From trying out lightweight gear to slicing off your backpack straps and hoarding condiment packets for the next trip, making life more comfortable is hard, but valuable.

These are just a few of the backpacking tips and tricks that have been picked up over the years by everyone on the trail. Try some of these out and add them to your own toolbox to make life on the trail a little bit easier.

What Is and Isn’t Worth the Weight

Talk to anyone and you’ll hear tips about cutting weight when it comes to backpacking. Everything comes down to shedding an ounce of weight here and another ounce there in ultralight backpacking. While it can become extreme, the extra weight lost will add up quickly and you can truly feel the difference as the miles stack.

That being said, leaving everything at home isn’t the answer either. There are certain bits and bobs that are well worth bringing along, even if it means a heavier pack. Some people are sworn ultralighters and will refuse to bring anything that isn’t 100% necessary.

While being ultralight isn’t our goal here, getting down to just lightweight status is worth our time and effort. Check out our Backpacking Base Weight Guide to have an idea of how much your bag should weigh with all your non-consumable gear.

What’s worth it to you is something that you have to determine for yourself, but the following suggestions are where I’ve found it easy to shed weight and where it’s okay to put on a couple more ounces.

1. Cut your Backpack Straps

One of the biggest practices in the backpacking game is to cut weight by literally cutting gear. Backpack straps are often far too long for what you need and you can shed a few ounces right out of the gate by trimming those straps down.

Obviously, you’ll need to keep them long enough to adjust slightly while hiking, but when there are so many different straps, you can trim them down quickly before heading out.

2. Trade out Nalgenes for Smart Water Bottles

A 1L Nalgene bottle weighs around 6.1 ounces and costs around $10, depending on where you buy it. A Smart Water bottle on the other hand weighs in at 1.2 ounces and will only cost a couple of dollars at the closest gas station.

Many different backpacking brands and pieces of gear work perfectly with a Smart Water bottle. For example, the well-loved Sawyer Squeeze filter will screw directly onto the bottle, unlike with a Nalgene. Not only will switching your bottles over save a lot of weight, but it will also save money and provide convenience on the trail.

3. Save your Feet with Camp Shoes

One of the best ways to actually add weight to your pack is to bring along a pair of camp shoes. Nothing is better than slipping out of your hiking boots at the end of the day and into a comfortable pair of shoes that let your feet breathe and rest when you aren’t hiking.

Crocs tend to be one of the best picks for camp shoes because they are ultra-lightweight and breathable. They’re cheap, easy to find, and will last for many years.

Backpacking Hacks on When to Save and When to Spend

Cutting down on weight can be easy when you can spend a small fortune on all of the lightweight gear you want. There are certain instances where it’s worth spending that money, but there are also several pieces of gear that will cost a bit more but aren’t worth the price tag.

4. If You Can, Buy Lightweight Gear

As mentioned, ultralight backpacking gear can be incredibly pricey. If you can do so, buying some lightweight gear is well worth the price.

In general, there are three main items that you can shed a lot of weight by buying ultralight.

Tent: A tent is likely the heaviest item (other than food) you’ll carry. With a lightweight backpacking tent, you can shave multiple pounds. Keep an eye out for tents that utilize hiking poles that you already have. Your hiking poles can become tent poles for some great tents. This can make a massive difference in the long run.

Sleeping Bag: Dependent upon the weather, going lightweight on a sleeping bag is a great move. Down bags pack down to almost nothing and weigh significantly less than synthetics. Big Agnes even makes sleeping bags that don’t have insulation on the bottom portion and instead have a sleeve for your sleeping pad.

Backpack: A big backpack is often heavy and clunky. While a heavier, clunkier pack is more durable, the best ultralight backpack can cut pounds off your entire setup.

5. Don’t Waste Money on a Titanium Spoon

While buying ultralight with the big three items, the little stuff can be unnecessary. Many ultralight hikers will argue this point, but the cost to weight ratio of small pieces of gear like a titanium spoon doesn’t work out in your favor.

6. Choose Maps over GPS

Modern-day GPS systems likely save lives almost every day. That being said, they cost a ton of money to buy initially and to keep a subscription for.

Maps are now considered old school but are debatably better for navigation in the backcountry. If you know how to use a map properly, you can find your location and never have to worry about running out of battery. Learning how to use a map and compass is generally considered one of the biggest safety points while backpacking.

Once I learned how to use a map and compass, I not only felt far more competent and confident in the backcountry, but I felt that GPS devices were no longer necessary. I was able to sell my GPS and have yet to get (really) lost.

Backpacking Ideas on How to Care for Your Gear

Part of being out in the woods is ensuring you take care of your gear so you can stay there for a long time without issue. This requires close attention to detail and knowing how to fix things when they inevitably break.

Taking good care of your gear doesn’t mean you must carry multiple sleeping bags or more than one pair of good pants. It just means taking preventative measures rather than letting the elements and heavy use destroy everything.

7. Pack a Spares and Repairs Kit

My spares and repairs kit for backpacking is quite small. Each item will add weight and space, so I am incredibly picky about what to bring. The things that have always made it into my spares and repairs kit are:

• Sewing needle with 50 feet of heavy-duty thread
• Spare lighter with duct tape wrapped around it
• Single spare large buckle
• Sleeping pad patch kit

8. Keeping Dry

Getting wet on the trail can be dangerous, not to mention absolutely miserable. Wet clothes and gear can lead to hypothermia in higher temperatures, rashes and blisters, and severe discomfort. When gear gets wet, it can be difficult to dry it out, so it’s imperative that you keep dry from the get-go.

The best way to stay dry is to have a solid layering system with an exterior waterproof shell and moisture-wicking base layers that can be easily removed to prevent too much sweating. In addition to keeping yourself dry, use a pack cover to keep your bag as dry as possible.

I will always line the interior of my backpack with a thick garbage bag to take care of any heavy downpours or overnight surprise floods. If the outside of my bag gets wet, that’s okay. It only becomes a problem when everything inside is wet.

Even with the liner, everything inside the backpack goes into its little dry bag. This may be overdoing it, but I always sleep in a dry sleeping bag.

9. Bring a Butt Pad

The most important piece of gear you need to take care of is your body. It’s doing all the heavy lifting and hard work. Keeping comfortable when sitting on uneven and rocky terrain for days on end is hard to do.

Bringing a butt pad along for the ride is a multi-faceted backpacking trick. It keeps you comfortable and warm and can save your pants from getting ripped by sharp rocks you didn’t see coming.

This can just be a small chunk of an old closed-cell foam pad that you may have used before getting an inflatable sleeping pad, but they also sell small pads made specifically for this use.

How to Eat Like a King or Queen

Anyone that’s ever been backpacking knows that one of the best moments of the day is finally sitting down to eat dinner after walking all day. A lot of the time, I can eat just about anything and be grateful for it, but having a nice meal is one of those things that you thank yourself for after a long day on the trail.

10. Try it Out Beforehand

You can always go with the premade dehydrated backpacking meals, but the cost adds up fast, and in my opinion, homemade food can be just as good.

Try out some meals and different ideas at home in the kitchen. You can recognize that it won’t be as well-made in the backcountry, but it will give you a good idea of what’s possible.

You should try your meals beforehand, and you can easily repackage them and throw spices into the Ziploc baggy with the rice and beans, or whatever it is you’re eating. This will make the cooking much easier when you arrive at camp and want to eat as quickly as possible.

11. Collect Condiment Packets

Every time you swoop through the grocery store or a restaurant with packets of ketchup, mayonnaise, salt, or pepper, grab a few and bring them along backpacking. They don’t weigh much, but they can make a drastic difference when you throw them on the same meal you’ve eaten for the past few nights.

12. Food Cozy

A backpacking pot cozy is one of the most brilliant backpacking hacks out there. This insulating sleeve helps save fuel and keep food warm, making a great insulating barrier between your hand and your morning’s hot coffee.

When you’re on the trail, saving fuel by using a cozy can mean that you carry less fuel between resupplies. This is a great way to save both money and weight that you must carry daily.

13. Electrolytes and Fats

Many people will eat high-sugar foods that provide a short burst of energy when exercising, and think the same applies to backpacking. In reality, backpacking is all about playing the long game. Fats are a rule of thumb for making good backpacking meals.

Fatty foods provide nutrition that burns slower in your body over long periods. While fats are essential, you must also pay attention to the sugars and electrolytes you’re packing.

Sugar is in almost everything these days, so that isn’t too hard. Electrolytes, or salty foods, can also be pretty easy to find. You can ensure that you have enough by simply bringing along electrolyte packets for your water that will likely have salts and sugars.

14. Always Bring More

No matter how much you think you’ll eat, you’ll probably want to eat more. A good backpacking calorie calculator is a great way to determine how many calories you need per day, but bringing more than you think you’ll need is always a good idea.

The reason for this is two-fold. First, you’ll probably be hungrier than you think and will love yourself for packing a few extra Snickers bars.

Second, if something goes wrong in the backcountry, you may find that you’re stuck out for an extra day before making it to town where you can get more food. Having a thousand, or even two thousand, extra calories is always a good move worth its weight in gold.

The post 14 Ridiculous Backpacking Tips and Tricks (Hacks You Gotta Know) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

We put these two top-notch walkie-talkies head-to-head through hands-on testing and real-world use to see which is the best and which one you should spend your hard-earned money on.

BC Link vs Rocky Talkie at a Glance

*Going price at time of publishing. Prices may change or vary.

Rocky Talkie

The Rocky Talkie is a small handheld radio perfect for outdoor adventures. It is compact, light, and easy to use (once you watch the video). The Mammut carabiner easily clips onto whatever you want it to and allows you to keep it within reach.

The leash is a nice touch for times (like riding a chairlift) when dropping it could lead to problems. I find the Rocky Talkie more versatile than the BC Link, and, spoiler alert: it is the walkie-talkie I usually reach for.

Pros

• Well-built and sturdy
• Small size
• Great audio quality
• Well-laid-out buttons
• Easy to find and use the push-to-talk button
• Leash

Cons

• Expensive
• I wish you could switch out the carabiner for a more traditional clip
• Not completely waterproof

Rocky Talkie

4.3

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Who Should Buy the Rocky Talkie

Best For

• Hard outdoor use
• People that like high-quality equipment
• When you need the radio fully secured to you

Not For

• Budget-conscious
• Need a fully waterproof radio (e.g. kayaking with kids)
• Ability to change settings with gloves on

Backcountry Access BC Link Radios

Backcountry Access (BCA) makes two models, the BC Link 1.0 and 2.0. I have extensive hands-on with the Link 1.0 and reviewed the differences between the two. I have not had any real-world experience with the 2.0, but I will highlight the differences, when necessary, in this head-to-head review.

BCA designed the BC Link for winter sports athletes that need a sturdy radio that can be used effectively with gloves on. That is where this walkie-talkie shines, but other users will also appreciate the Smart Mic’s convenience.

While some will enjoy the Smart Mic experience, others might find it heavy and overkill for more casual use.

Pros

• Well-built and sturdy
• Easy to use and change settings with gloves on
• Lapel mic has a ton of functionality
• Great audio quality

Cons

• Has to be used with the lapel mic
• Heavy
• Expensive
• Not waterproof
• Short battery life compared to other high-end radios

Backcountry Access BC Link 1.0

4.2

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Who Should Buy a BCA Radio

Best For

• People who need to manipulate radio settings but don’t want to take off their gloves
• Best used in conjunction with a backpack
• Need to access multiple channels easily

Not For

• People on a budget
• People looking for a fully waterproof walkie-talkie
• If you’re looking for a stand-alone radio without a lapel mic

Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0

4.3

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Head-to-Head Comparison

Now we will put the radios head-to-head to compare them in various aspects. I will tell you which walkie-talkie I think wins in each category.

Range

Winner: Tie between the BC Link 2.0 and the Rocky Talkie

Neither of these brands has a truly long-range radio, but for license-free FRS radios, the range is admirable.

The winner is a tie between the Rocky Talkie and the BC Link 2.0. The BC Link 1.0 loses points for only using half the watts. It should be noted, however, that half the watts do not halve the useful range. Indeed, in my field testing, I found very little actual difference between the BC Link 1.0 and the Rocky Talkie.

Clarity

Winner: 3-Way Tie

Both the Rocky Talkie and BC Link radios have best-in-class audio quality.

Ease of Use

Winner: BC Link Radios

The ease of use category includes several different aspects. It includes how easy it is to set up and use, button layout and usage, and finally, how useful the screen is.

This was close because both radios are incredibly easy to use, but the BC Link takes a slight lead for several reasons.

First, I could set up the BC Link without any instructions but I needed to watch a short YouTube video to set up the Rocky Talkie. After watching the video, I had no issues, but the win still goes to the BC Link.

Second, the function of all the buttons on the BC Link Radios is easy to figure out. On the Rocky Talkie, all buttons, except push to talk, have at least two functions. Once again, after watching a short video it all made sense.

Last, the display on the BC Link had all of the pertinent information I wanted, and I did not have to search for it. The display on the Rocky Talkie was missing essential information like how much battery life was left and what sub-channel I was on. I could find the information but had to search for it.

Battery Life

Winner: Rocky Talkie

The Rocky Talkie lasts longer and is faster to charge thanks to the USB-C charger. The battery is also removable so you can buy spares for long trips.

The BC Link 1.0 comes in second since it also has a removable battery so that you can carry spares if needed.

Clip

Winner: BC Link Radios

I really like the BC Link radio clip. It is the best-designed and sturdiest radio I have tested in the FRM category. It is strong and spring-loaded. In my testing, I found that the radio and lapel mic stayed where I put them.

The Rocky Talkie went in another direction with their radio clip. They attached a high-quality carabiner to the radio. It attaches securely to whatever you clip it to, but it does tend to swing during dynamic movements, and at times, I wished it had a clip like the BC Link.

Weight and Size

Winner: Rocky Talkie

I am an ultralight fanatic, so weight and size matter to me. I tend to weigh anything I must carry for any distance, and the Rocky Talkie is smaller and about half the weight, making it easy the winner in this category.

Extra Features

Winner: BC Link Radios

Neither of these companies put too many extras in to clutter up their walkie-talkies. They are what they are: well-built, rugged, and reliable. With that being said, the BC Link takes a slight edge here. I will put the Smart Mic in this category, and I think you will either love or hate it.

The BC Link also has weather channels to provide updated weather information when you are out of cell service.

The one notable extra that the Rocky Talkie has is the provided leash. I love the leash. It saved my radio several times from being lost in the snow. It can also be taken off if you don’t need it.

So Which Radio To Buy

It really comes down to the Smart Mic on the BC Link. If you need or want the functionality it gives you, you should buy it. Just know that it is a little much for casual uses like hiking with your kids.

The Rocky Talkie is more versatile. It still works great in snowy and cold environments but is just as easy to clip on for a casual hike without the fuss of a lapel mic.

The Rocky Talkie is also lighter and has better battery life. That is why, for me, the Rocky Talkie is the two-way radio that I prefer.

The post Rocky Talkie vs BCA BC Link Walkie-Talkie Comparison appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

I have a box on my desk of Winchester Universal shotshells. Here’s the information presented: 20 gauge, 2-3/4 inches, 2-1/2 dr. eq., 1200 velocity, 7/8 oz., 8 shot.

Once you understand what these numbers mean, it’s easy to tell that this is a good load for shooting clays, doves, and other small upland birds.

“8 shot” refers to the shot size. The larger the number here the smaller the pellet, so 8 means the pellets are pretty small. “7/8 oz” refers to how many ounces of shot are in the 2-3/4-long shotshell. Both “2-1/2 dr. eq.” and “1200 velocity” tell you how fast the shot will travel.

Of all that information, the shot size is the most important. Let’s learn why so you’ll know how to choose the shotgun shells you need.

Shotgun Shot Size Chart

Shotgun Shell Basics Explained

A shotgun shell, or shotshell, is constructed of multiple components that contain the load you’ll shoot at your target when you pull your shotgun’s trigger.

A tube called a hull holds everything inside. These are typically plastic with a brass base nowadays, though historically they were also made of plastic or brass.

Inside is the projectile, which is either a metal slug or a large number of metal spheres called shot.

The shot sits atop a wad, which has multiple purposes. A wad cushions the shot from the rapidly expanding gasses that expel the load from your shotgun’s barrel.

The wad also prevents all of the shotshell’s components from bouncing around and even helps control the pressure curve so firing your shotgun doesn’t blow it apart.

Under the wad is the gunpowder, ignited by the shell’s primer to give the force necessary for your shot to strike and knock down your target.

Those are the basics of how shotgun shells work.

If you’re not loading your shells, then the most critical parts of the shotshell are its gauge, shot size, shot weight, and–to a lesser extent–its velocity.

Gauge

You absolutely must match your ammo’s gauge to your shotgun’s gauge.

That’s because, much like a rifle’s caliber, the measurement dictates whether or not the ammo even fits in your gun.

If you have a 12 gauge shotgun (the most common gauge), you must use 12 gauge ammo.

A 10 gauge shell won’t fit in your gun’s chamber. A 20 gauge shell is too small and may slide forward far enough in your barrel to allow you to load another 12 gauge shell, which will explode your gun if you try to shoot!

Past that, though, gauge does not have as much of an effect as some people think it does.

However, larger gauge shotshells have a larger capacity than smaller gauge shotshells. This can be taken up with more shot, a larger wad, and/or more gunpowder.

This means a 12 gauge shotgun can accept a larger variety of load weights than a 20 gauge shotgun.

Bonus: How Gauge Affects Shotgun Shell Effectiveness

A load of an ounce of 8 shot fired at 1,200 fps will hit basically the same whether it’s fired from a 12 gauge shotgun, 16 gauge shotgun, or 20 gauge shotgun.

Some people will argue that using a larger barrel diameter (such as 12 gauge) will result in a wider shot cloud, increasing your chances to hit.

Others will argue that the narrower shot cloud from a smaller bore (such as 20 gauge) means you’ll put more pellets on target, increasing the damage you do.

In practice, though, the differences are small enough that almost nobody will be able to tell.

Shot Size

Shot size is the second most important factor to consider because it strongly affects what type of targets you can shoot.

The smaller shot has more pellets per ounce. However, each pellet carries less kinetic energy, so the smaller shot won’t hit as hard as the larger shot.

Shot size is given by a number or letter. The smaller the number, the larger the pellet, the larger the animal you can shoot.

Shot is divided into two categories: Birdshot and buckshot.

This gives you an idea of what you can hunt with that specific shot size.

Birdshot

Birdshot ranges from 12 shot to 1 shot. Then, to represent pellets larger than 1 shot, you use the letters B, T, and–very rarely–F.

The more letters, the larger the shot size, so the BBB shot is larger than the BB shot.

You can calculate the pellet’s nominal diameter for the numbered birdshot sizes by subtracting the number from 0.170″.

So, each 8 shot pellet is about 0.090″ wide, though manufacturing tolerances mean that the actual size will deviate slightly.

Extremely small birdshot sizes are often called snake shot, rat shot, or even dust shot. You’ll find this type of shot loaded in handgun cartridges or .410 instead of shotshells because they are meant for short-range pest control.

Buckshot

Buckshot only uses numbers, starting at #4 and getting larger from there. Annoyingly, #4 buckshot is larger than 4 birdshot, having a diameter of 0.240″ versus 0.130″.

Note: This is why I’m not using “#” before any numbered birdshot. Remember that when talking about shot sizes, people typically say “number four birdshot.”

Buckshot sizes larger than #1 start at #0, go on to #00 buck, and so on. Rather than “number zero,” call this “ought,” “double ought,” etc.

Double-ought buckshot is the most common load with a nominal diameter of 0.330″.

Shell Length

As you can guess, shell length is the longest measurement of the hull, typically given in inches.

Longer shells have a larger internal capacity and can fit more shot and propellent for longer-ranged, harder-hitting loads.

2-3/4″ is the most common shell size and is more than adequate for clay shooting and small game hunting.

3″ shells are popular for hunting to get a bit more power for just enough of an edge to turn the occasional miss into a good hit.

3-1/2″ shells have also become common for hunting waterfowl and turkeys as they can deliver devastating impacts on large birds at long ranges.

Modern shotguns will have their maximum chamber length stamped on the barrel. You can load a 2-3/4″ shell into a shotgun with a 3-1/2″ chamber just fine, but the reverse won’t fit.

The development of 3-1/2″ shotshells effectively obsoleted 10 gauge shotguns, by the way. They both fulfill the same purpose, but a 3-1/2″ 12 gauge shotgun is more versatile than a 3″ 10 gauge shotgun.

Ounces or Shot Weight

Rather than telling you the number of pellets in a load, shotshell manufacturers give you the weight of the load.

This is partially conventional and partially because the size of each pellet can mean that small shot sizes have hundreds of pellets per ounce.

A heavier shot weight means you’ll fire more lead per shot.

This results in hitting your target with more pellets, making heavy loads popular for hunting. You don’t want to hit that bird and merely wound it!

However, thanks to Newton’s Third Law of Motion, heavier loads will also produce more recoil, so light loads are commonly used for recreational shotgunning.

Velocity

Rather than telling you how many grains of gunpowder are in each shell, ammo manufacturers tell you how fast the load travels in feet per second.

The higher the velocity of your load, the farther the shot cloud will travel before expanding. However, it’ll also produce more recoil.

Also, some high-velocity loads will “blow out” in some shotguns, meaning the pattern will open up much faster than you want.

Plus, some trap fields won’t allow you to fire loads past a certain maximum velocity.

There’s not a huge difference between a velocity of 1,150 fps and 1,250 fps in practice, so you should practice patterning your shotgun to figure out which velocity puts the most pellets on target rather than just going for the fastest load you can find.

Dram Equivalent

“Dr. eq.” means “dram equivalent,” which is an old way of approximating velocity still used by some shotgunners.

It comes from the days when shotguns were loaded with black powder. Back then, shot and powder weights were measured in drams. 16 drams equal one ounce.

Nowadays, most people don’t use drams to measure how much propellant is in a shotshell, especially since smokeless powder isn’t equivalent to black powder.

All you really need to know is that the higher the dram equivalency, the higher the velocity of the load if all other weights are equal.

When to Use What Shot Size

The takeaway from the above information is that shot size is the most important consideration when trying to figure out which shotshell to buy for what animal you’re hunting.

However, ask three hunters about the best shot size for any specific animal, and you’ll get six different answers.

Truthfully, neighboring shot sizes are generally close enough that it doesn’t matter which specific size you’re using so long as you use one in the right size range.

So, we’ll suggest a range of shot sizes for each animal.

However, there is some information to keep in mind.

Since larger pellets carry more kinetic energy, they have more momentum than smaller pellets. This means you can get a longer effective range by increasing the size of your shot.

Conversely, you’ll get more pellets by using a smaller shot size, so you’ll hit the animal with more projectiles by going with a smaller shot size. This can be advantageous if you get closer to your prey.

So, let’s talk about specific animals.

Birdshot

As the name indicates, birdshot is for the birds.

You get many small pellets, which is excellent for ensuring a hit on a small, quick animal.

Waterfowl

Waterfowl refers to birds that spend a lot of time in and around water.

They are typically hunted at medium-to-long range and can be surprisingly tough birds.

This includes coots, geese, swans, mergansers, and many duck species.

Most waterfowl hunters will reach for a medium or large birdshot load. This lets them hit those animals hard despite the range.

The most common waterfowl hunting loads use loads from 3 to 1 shot. Even a 4 shot load will cover almost any duck species, including those pesky geese.

Dedicated geese hunters prefer large shot, from 2 to T.

Small ducks at closer ranges can be hunted with shot sizes down to 6.

Upland Birds

Sometimes called landfowl, this category covers birds hunted on land rather than water.

They are generally smaller and less tough than waterfowl, so you don’t have to use as heavy a pellet.

This is good because these birds tend to be more unpredictable in their flight paths so you may want to get the improved hit chance provided by the larger pellet numbers from using smaller shot.

This covers birds from doves to pheasants and includes chukar, quail, grouse, woodcock, and partridges.

Shot sizes from 7 to 4 are great for hunting most upland birds.

Chukar and pheasants, since they are larger in size, should be hunted with 6 to 4 shot.

Doves and quail, since they are so small, can be hunted with even smaller shot, down to 9 shot, though 8 to 6 is more common.

Turkey

Though technically a landfowl, the size and toughness of a turkey mean they are their own category.

Some hunters will go as heavy as possible when hunting turkey, using BBB or T shots.

However, many hunters have taken turkey with shot as small as 6 shot, so long as you get close and make a good hit.

Shorebirds

Snipe and rails are shorebirds, flirting with the boundary between waterfowl and upland birds.

However, they are quite small birds, so 8 shot is commonly used on them.

Small Mammals

Rabbits and squirrels are sometimes hunted with a shotgun. 6 shot is the sweet spot when hunting these skittish mammals, though some hunters go smaller.

Clays

Your shot choice when shooting clays depends on your discipline, skill level, and handicap.

Generally speaking, the most common clay load uses 8 shot. 7 is also popular.

The argument for 7 shot is that it’s more likely to break the clay if you hit it with even a single pellet.

Most sporting shotgunners won’t see any difference in scores between 7 and 8, though.

Pests and Snakes

Shot used for pest control is fired at close range, typically around 10 yards or closer, so you don’t need heavy pellets to kill the animal.

This category also includes snakes, as the same shot size is often used for defense against rattlesnakes.

Honestly? Whether 10 or 12, shot size doesn’t matter. Use whichever is available.

Buckshot

Buckshot is used against medium and large mammals, which are less maneuverable than birds and rodents.

Deer

“Buckshot” gets its name from hunting male deer bucks.

Which buckshot size you should use depends on the size of the deer in your region and how close you can get to the animal.

00 buck is an excellent all-around choice. However, you can use down to #4 buck against small deer at close ranges, such as in forested mountains.

Other Large Game

Depending on local laws, buckshot can also be used against other large mammals, such as boar, bear, and coyote.

With coyote, you can use small buckshot and even large birdshot and still put the animal down. The hard part is getting close enough to the yote to hit it with a shotgun in the first place.

For bear and boar, though, you want large, heavy-hitting pellets. These can be dangerous animals, so you must ensure a single-shot kill that deals devastating tissue damage and shatters bones.

I wouldn’t use anything smaller than 00 buck against these mammals.

For Self Defense

The proper size of buckshot to defend your home is a much-debated topic.

If you don’t want to delve deep into this conversation, then 00 buckshot is an extremely common choice for self-defense.

However, with only 9 pellets in the typical 12 gauge shell, it’s possible for none of your balls to hit the target.

With smaller shotgun gauges or when over penetration is a factor, you can go down to #4 buck.

Personally, I keep the #2 buck for my 20 gauge in case I ever need to grab it to defend my home. This provides me with eighteen 0.27″ pellets per shot.

How Steel Affects Shot Effectiveness

The recommendations given above default to using a lead shot.

Because of its harm to the environment, though, many hunters use alternatives. Some, such as bismuth, are just about as heavy, so you don’t have to adjust for the different metal.

Steel, however, is the most common alternative to lead and the most different when it comes to mass.

This means you must use a larger shot size to get the same knockdown power.

A good rule of thumb for adapting to steel is to use shot two sizes larger than you would with lead.

Keep in mind that this adjustment has already been made for you when it comes to waterfowl species, as it is illegal to hunt ducks and geese with lead shot.

How to Choose the Right Shotgun Shell

Choosing the right shot size is essential when you want to hunt and knock down your prey in one shot without injuring the animal.

There seems to be an overwhelming variety of choices to make when choosing the right sporting, hunting, or self-defense load.

Thankfully, you don’t have to choose the perfect shot size. There’s a range to choose from. So if you’re hunting, say, pheasants, both number 4 shot and number 6 shot will help you achieve success.

I recommend starting with a shot size about in the middle of the suggested range and then experimenting with larger or smaller shots depending on your results.

Good luck shooting!

FAQs

How Many Pellets Are in a Shotgun Shell?

The number of pellets in a shotgun shell depends on the shot size and the amount of shot in the shell, which is given by telling you the load’s weight in ounces.

You can calculate this by finding the shot size in the above chart and multiplying it by the load’s weight.

For example, a load with 7/8 ounces of number 8 shot will contain approximately 359 pellets.

How Big Is #4 Shot?

“#4 shot” can refer to either #4 buck or number 4 birdshot.

#4 buckshot pellets are 0.24″ wide, and number 4 birdshot is 0.13″ in diameter.

What Is 12 Gauge 7.5 Shot Used For?

7.5 shot is commonly used for shooting clays, rodents, and small birds.

The post Shotgun Shot Size and Shells Explained (What to Use When) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Camping and backpacking tents are great examples of how two things can be similar but still different. For beginner campers, the standoff of camping vs. backpacking tents will come down to a few main characteristics, including the size and weight, comfort, and various features that are included. But it doesn’t stop here.

A camping tent can be as big as you want, meaning the material will be heftier, more weather resistant, more spacious, and more feature-rich overall. A backpacking tent is designed to be compact, lightweight, and easy to set up and take down.

What’s the difference between a backpacking and a camping tent?

The primary difference between these two is that a camping tent is much larger, heavier, and more spacious than any backpacking tent. They’re designed to provide comfort, while a backpacking tent works for a balance of comfort and portability.

When you’re hiking twenty miles per day, you don’t want a hefty canvas tent strapped to your back, no matter how waterproof it may be. But when you’re setting your tent up right where your car is parked, that doesn’t matter nearly as much.

This main difference encompasses all the different features of a tent. Each area is worth considering as you debate which is right for you.

Looking at all the different features, it’s easy to see that a backpacking tent seems to fall short in most categories. But that can be highly debatable as it depends on what you’re hoping to use your tent for.

Backpacking tents are designed to be small, compact, and portable. This means they must use lightweight material that packs into a small bag. Camping tents don’t need to do much more than fold up and be crammed into your car’s trunk, so they have no size restrictions.

What is considered a regular camping tent?

Regular camping tents can be almost any kind of tent. A camping tent is designed with comfort in mind more than anything else. That means it will often have a thicker, more durable fabric that will stand up to harsher weather and can take a beating.

Choosing a canvas tent as your camping tent will keep you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The fabric is durable, waterproof when treated, and highly breathable. Canvas is significantly heavier than any other tent material, meaning you won’t want to lug it very far.

Camping tents come in a variety of styles.

• Dome
• Tunnel
• Cabin
• Wall
• Springbar
• Bell
• Pop-up
• Truck
• Rooftop

Perhaps the best tent design for new campers on a budget is a simple dome or tunnel tent.

A regular camping tent allows you to have space inside, sometimes even enough to stand up straight and get changed rather than wiggling in and out of pants while fully horizontal.

What is considered a backpacking tent?

Backpacking tents, on the other hand, don’t provide the spacious luxury that most regular camping tents do. The best backpacking tents might allow you to sit up straight, but not much more than that. They’re designed to be light and easy to pack in a small backpacking pack.

These small, compact, lightweight tents are typically made from lighter, more fragile materials. Some designs utilize a large amount of mesh, some stick to nylon, and some rely on hiking poles instead of tent poles.

Now, with the specialization of a backpacking tent, many options exist:

• Ultralight
• Tarps
• Bivys
• Hammocks
• Single wall
• Double wall
• Non-free standing
• Trekking pole
• Hot tent

It’s essential that when you’re just starting, don’t let all of these options overwhelm you.

The best advice is to go with a basic, lightweight, freestanding, double-wall tent design and use it for a while. This will give you a better idea of whether you want to expand and try something different or are happy with a basic setup.

When to Use a Backpacking vs. Camping Tent

Each of these tents will shine in certain areas, as they both have a right time and place to use them. When making the decision, you need to be able to visualize when you plan on using the tent.

Will you be hiking long distances with the tent strapped to your back? Are you even going to be hiking short distances with it?

Or do you plan on doing mostly car camping? You like to pull off to a campground and have all your accessories and amenities available.

This is the first place to start before even looking at tents. Know what you want to do, and make a choice from there.

When to Get a Camping Tent

If you’re looking to go camping but aren’t interested in hiking before you get to sleep, a regular camping tent might be the best option for you.

Many times, people will choose a camping tent when they’re planning on driving a long distance and are choosing campgrounds over hotels, they’re going camping with a big family, or they just prefer to stick to structured campgrounds over wild camping.

There are a lot of positives to getting a camping tent, but there are also a few drawbacks to keep in mind.

Pros

• Heavy duty construction
• Durable and long-lasting
• Built to withstand severe weather
• More affordable
• Spacious and comfortable for multiple people or families
• Lots of features

Cons

• Heavy and bulky
• Can be difficult to set up

When to Get a Backpacking Tent

Now, if you want to try hiking down a trail and setting up a campground for the night, a backpacking tent will be more suited for the job.

The lightweight and compact design lets you fit the tent conveniently inside or strapped outside your backpack. They’re quick and easy to set up, so you can have shelter in just a few minutes when a storm is heading in.

But they aren’t perfect for everyone. There are plenty of drawbacks. In fact, there are a lot more drawbacks to a backpacking tent than a regular camping tent.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• Easy to set up
• Portable
• Good models are very wind and waterproof

Cons

• Expensive
• Less durable
• Provide very little space
• Very few extra features

Can you use a regular tent for backpacking?

The extra weight of a regular tent makes it a pretty poor choice for backpacking, and it’s something that I highly recommend you don’t bother trying.

I have personally used my regular tent for the first few backpacking trips I ever went on, but it didn’t take long to convince me that dropping the money for a nicer backpacking tent was well worth it.

Now, I have both and actually tend to use my backpacking tent for just about everything while the regular tent sits in storage collecting dust.

What to Get if You Only Get One Tent

If you’re single and only looking to get one tent, which makes a lot of sense, my advice is to grab a good backpacking tent.

But that is only if you’re likely to do any backpacking in the future. If you’re dead set on never hiking with a tent, then a regular tent is perfectly fine. You just need to know what you’ll do with it, and the decision should be pretty simple from there.

That being said, families with a lot of people that only want one tent will most likely need a regular camping tent. There are four-person backpacking tents, but they tend only to sleep about three people comfortably.

The backpacking tents available today are much more durable than those of the past, and you don’t need to buy the most lightweight model. You can buy a heavier backpacking tent with more space and use it for everything.

No matter what you end up buying, make sure it’s something that helps get you outside more. Get out and enjoy a night or two beneath the stars, waking up to the calling birds.

The post Differences and Use Cases of Camping vs Backpacking Tents appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

This fishing rod size guide aims to steer you toward picking out the perfect rod length to deliver peak performance for the job. The right rod is the foundation for any angler’s tackle box. In this guide, we will look at how the length of the rod is influenced by the species you’re after, the angler themself, the type of fishing, and what type of rod is used. Choosing the right fishing rod length is the first step toward finding the perfect rod.

Fishing rod length greatly impacts the distance and accuracy of your cast. The right size depends on the type of fishing, fish species, and level of experience. Shorter rods under six or seven feet work for accurate casts and more control. Longer rods cast farther, with less accuracy.

Fishing Rod Sizes Explained

With such a wide range of lengths, you need to understand why there are so many different lengths of fishing rods. Choosing the best fishing pole is hard, but the length is a great launching point. The length can drastically affect the performance and success of a rod, meaning that it’s near the top of the list of things to pay attention to.

Small rods, those that are around four feet, are typically used for children or ice fishing. The shorter length allows kids to handle them more easily and makes them more manageable in a small heating hut on the ice. A short rod can be a great pick when there isn’t much action necessary.

On the other hand, a longer rod works well for a long cast, so long as you’re willing to sacrifice accuracy. Surf rods made for casting into the ocean from the beach can be insanely long, closer to fourteen feet. This allows the line to make its way into deeper water and provides the leverage necessary to haul in fish as big as a halibut.

Rods that sit right in the middle tend to work well as a “do-it-all” rod that can do almost everything, albeit not perfectly. This is why most people recommend a six-foot rod for beginners and amateur anglers. It encompasses all aspects without overwhelming novices. These mid-range rods are great for fishing freshwater lakes and rivers when more control and accuracy are needed over a long cast and strong leverage.

Fishing Rod Size Chart

So while that gives a brief look into fishing rod lengths, what is each size fishing rod good for? The length will always change depending on your fishing technique, the type of fishing you’re used to, experience level, fish species, and so much more. This chart is a great place to start.

Pros and Cons of a Short Rod

Grabbing a larger rod and trying to bring in a monster is an all-too-common goal of more novice anglers that don’t know what they’re doing. The fallacy is that long rods are the best for when you want to catch a huge fish. While it’s true sometimes, that doesn’t mean any angler can do so.

Fishing rod sizes are almost as much about the person using them as they are about what they’re being used for. Someone super tall and strong could try casting an 8-foot pole and run into trouble immediately, while a shorter person who has been fishing their whole life will know exactly how to cast and utilize an 8-footer to its full potential.

That said, shorter fishing rods have their benefits over long rods in many situations.

For starters, short fishing rods are by far the best choice for kids who are just learning how to fish and anyone that’s going ice fishing. The ultra-short rods (around 4 feet) allow the user to fish with control, learn how to cast, and fish from a small confined space like an ice shack.

Even six-foot rods are considered short when put up against their longer counterparts. These rods, which land more in the middle of the length spectrum, are perfect for any beginner, anyone fishing freshwater lakes and rivers, or anyone using rod techniques like pitching, flipping, or jigging. The shorter rod provides more control over the line, meaning you can move the bait around more intentionally.

The biggest drawback of shorter rods is that you can’t cast very far and you get way less leverage to bring up larger fish. So if you’re looking to bring big fish up from far out or deep down, a shorter rod isn’t going to cut it.

Pros and Cons of a Longer Rod

Where the short rods fall short, a longer rod excels. The longer rods are mostly considered to be anything that is seven feet or longer. In this range, you begin to sacrifice accuracy for pure power. To cast farther out, the longer rods help provide the range of motion necessary to throw a line past 50 yards.

Then, when you snag something larger, the physics of fishing starts to come into play. The rod’s length allows you to have more leverage, making it easier to pull in a heavier fish that is putting up a tough fight.

While you can get a line out an incredible distance with a longer rod, very little accuracy comes with that cast. You also lose a lot of control as the rod length increases. The distance you move your wrist will move the tip of the rod even more when there’s more distance between the two.

When you want a delicate touch, a long rod won’t give it. When you want power, nothing does it like a fourteen-foot surf caster.

Fishing Rod Length for a Beginner

Buying your first fishing rod can be incredibly overwhelming with all the different options, but getting into fishing can be a movement towards recreation, conservation, and more. A fishing rod size guide is a good place to start, but even then it can be tough because, even as a beginner, the choices vary.

The general consensus is that a seven-foot rod is an excellent choice for beginners. With that size, you can begin to understand how the rod moves and how to control it, gaining experience before moving on to something else.

I started with a 7-foot rod that belonged to my dad, and in retrospect, it was likely far too big for me as a young kid. But for older kids and above, it’s a great length to start with.

Nowadays, I am grateful for that experience, as I can control longer rods with a bit more finesse than I would have if I had started on a shorter rod.

Something like the St. Croix Victory Spinning Rod can be great for those looking to start fishing. It is an excellent balance of all the different features that makes it easy to learn.

Both lengths of the Falcon BuCoo SR make for a good rod to learn on. The 6’6” and the 7’ options can provide more range to help learn more accurately on a shorter rod or focus on practicing longer casts.

Best Fishing Rod Length for a Child

Kid rods are great because they’re tiny and made for simple use, but they aren’t always exactly what you need. If your child is getting to the age where they can figure out a spinning rod or a bait caster, it might be worth buying a five-foot rod just for more practice to be ready to move up to a longer rod.

I started fishing with my dad when I was around 8 years old. He used a seven-foot rod and would cast it for me and I would sit on the shore and watch for the bobber to dip below the water. If I was lucky enough to snag a fish, he would help me reel it in.

This scenario is the best of both worlds: a little bit longer rod, cast by someone with longer arms, gets the line out farther. But the kid still gets to feel like they’re a part of the adventure. And they have a better chance of actually catching something with the longer rod.

The shorter kid rods are best for children who won’t understand a rod and reel quite yet but still show interest in fishing. They’re unlikely to catch much, but it’ll excite them to go out!

Fishing Rod Length by Fish Species

You may need a different-sized rod depending on what fish species you’re after. This can vary due to the different techniques used for catching certain fish, and the correct length rod does wonders to help you maneuver the bait through the water just the right way.

In different environments where all these species live, you must choose rod length based on what’s around you and where the fish live.

What Length Fishing Rod for Bass

Length is at the top of the list when looking for the perfect bass fishing rod.

Rod length for bass has changed over time, significantly so with the development of the flipping technique. When this was added to the angler’s toolbox, two additional feet of rod length were added to everyone’s rods. The extra length helped move the bait around with a small flick of the wrist, dramatically affecting the other end of things.

With this new addition of technique, bass rods are typically around 6.5 to 8 feet long, depending on how you plan to fish. This is perfect for casting far enough out while still having great control over the rod.

Short bass rods (6’-6’6”): Drop shot rigs, skipping docks, and topwater baits are all the best when paired with a shorter bass rod.

Medium bass rods (6’7”-7’3”): Medium bass rods perform well for worms, jigs, buzz baits, and frogs or all other standard uses.

Long bass rods (7’4”-8’): The longest bass rods are used for jigging, flipping, and pitching, some of the most common techniques when fishing tubes.

What Length Fishing Rod for Trout

Fishing for trout can take you to some beautiful places, which will often determine the length of the rod needed. In the clear and open alpine areas, trout fishing can be done well with a longer rod that allows for a farther cast, so you can try out a 7-8 foot rod.

In the lower regions surrounded by scrub and brush, you want a shorter rod that won’t get caught up in the trees around you. This makes a shorter rod more acceptable for trout fishing. It is easier to maneuver in a tight space.

Fishing Rod Length by Rod Type

Different rod types will also call for a certain length, which can be unsurprising as you will use these other rods for various fish species. It’s still essential to understand what kind of fishing you will be doing primarily because the rod length will change dramatically between an ice fishing rod and a fly rod.

Spinning Rod Length

You want something that can set the hook well and cast a decent distance when using a spinning rod. You’ll usually want a rod no shorter than 6’6”, but a 7’ rod is often recommended. These provide a good balance of casting distance and control over the rod itself.

Spinning rods will range from 4’5” to 9’5”, but it’s more common to see people stick to a 6’ to 7’5” rod.

Baitcasting Rod Length

Baitcasting falls into a similar length category as spinning rods. When you want more accuracy, grab a rod under 6’, but when you want to go for distance, try something closer to 7 or 8’.

You can find a good bait caster rod that’s 5’5”, but you can also find them up to 9’ in length. It all depends on how and where you’re hoping to use it!

Fly Rod Length

Fly rods are typically a bit longer than others just because of the action used in casting. A good fly rod will be between 7’ and 9’, but you can find some down to 6’ or up to 10’. I have had several moments where I tangled a fly rod in some willows by a stream where I should have used a shorter rod.

The lengths will most likely be determined by where you’re fishing. Fly fishing with a dense canopy surrounding you will call for a shorter rod, but wide open spaces let you have a long rod that will make a long cast.

For fly fishing in saltwater, a nine-foot rod gives the best range of versatility and can be easily used during bone fishing.

Like fly fishing rods, Tenkara fishing rods must be significantly longer. These range between 9-14’ but are most commonly closer to 11’.

Surf Fishing Rod Length

Surf fishing rods are all much longer. You must cast from the beach, set the hook far enough to find the fish, and avoid the rocky bottom. The longer the rod, the better the cast when fishing from the shore.

Most surf fishing rods are around 12’, but a 10’ rod can also suffice when learning, or when you know the beach well enough and don’t need to cast as far. Each inch on the rod will change your distance and make a huge difference when well-practiced.

I’ve seen anglers on the coast of Alaska using 14’ rods to surf cast for halibut, bringing in the same monstrous fish you can get in deeper waters.

Boat Rod Length for Inshore vs. Offshore

A boat rod will change when you’re inshore or offshore fishing, but a middle-ground rod of 6’ to 6’6″ will work well. These are manageable without getting snagged in the boat’s ropes and equipment.

An inshore rod around 7’ can work well to get a longer cast and set your hook near mangroves or other areas where fish would be spooked if the boat came too close. Offshore fishing is more about getting depth than distance, so the rod doesn’t need to be nearly as long.

Trolling Rod Length

When trolling, you want a longer rod to help provide leverage, get the line far from the boat, and make bringing in a huge fish easy. Many trolling rods can get up to 14’ in length, but it’s most common to see some between 9 and 11’.

Ice Fishing Rod Length

Most ice fishing doesn’t involve an active cast, meaning you can use an incredibly short rod to help pull fish out of the water, and it won’t ever be in the way.

Some ice fishing rods are under two feet long, but most of them are closer to three feet, making them easier to manage. Remember that you aren’t worried about casting with these, so the longer ice fishing rods should be used when you expect to catch larger fish.

What Size Fishing Rod Should I Get?

Even at the end of a fishing rod size guide, so much information is laid out that making a final decision can be tough.

If you want something that can “do it all,” a 7-foot spinning rod is your best bet for almost anything outside the ocean. This changes when you’re hoping to get into fly fishing or trolling.

Most experienced anglers likely remember growing up with a 6-7 foot rod given by their parents or grandparents. Some probably have memories of learning with a far too-short or too-long rod, which likely hindered their learning process.

In reality, knowing the type of fishing you’re hoping to do is what can make a quick decision easy for you. Use this size guide to choose your fishing rod length, and then play around with the size you land on. You’ll get a good feel for how that rod handles before trying other lengths and gaining more experience.

The post Fishing Rod Size Guide: How To Choose Fishing Rod Length appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Luckily, there’s no shortage of excellent options when it comes to coolers crafted on American soil. Whether you need a small cooler for tailgating, a spacious one for a multi-day camping trip, a convenient backpack cooler for when you’re on the move, or a sturdy companion for hunting expeditions, American companies have got you covered.

Discover the truth about coolers made in the USA! Not all popular brands, like YETI, are entirely American-made. But fear not! Look for Igloo, Pelican, Otterbox, Cordova, and more. These American-made coolers keep drinks chilled and adventures exciting.

Who Makes Coolers in the USA?

1. Igloo

Made in: Katy, Texas
Popular US-made models: IMX Collection, Trailmate, Tag Along Too
Best for: Small personal coolers (Tag Along Too), camping coolers in many different sizes (IMX collection), and large-wheeled cooler carts (Trailmate). Igloo is a well-known American brand that produces many rugged coolers for any outdoor adventure.

2. OtterBox

Made in: Fort Collins, Colorado
Popular US-made models: Trooper series
Best for: Durable soft-sided coolers (Trooper), backpack coolers, and tote coolers. Otterbox is known for its protective phone cases, but they also offer a small line of USA-made coolers. Otterbox coolers are best when you need something portable and lightweight that will stand up to most easy adventures.

3. Pelican

Made in: South Deerfield, Massachusetts
Popular US-made models: Elite series, Dayventure series
Best for: Wheeled hard-sided coolers (Elite), heavy-duty backpack coolers (Dayventure), and rugged personal coolers. Pelican offers a variety of options for the person who needs a cooler that will stand up to the elements – and to wildlife. The Elite series is registered as bear-resistant.

4. Cordova

Made in: Nampa, Idaho
Popular US-made models: Basecamp Class series, Backcountry Class series
Best for: Hard-sided coolers designed to keep things cold for days (Basecamp). Cordova Basecamp Class coolers are also bear-resistant. Cordova also offers soft-sided day pack coolers for when you need to bring your cooler on the go (Backcountry Class).

5. Orion

Made in: Sparta, Tennessee
Popular US-made models: Core series
Best for: Kayak fishing, boating, whitewater, camping, and long trips. Orion coolers are made by Jackson Kayaks, one of the most respected names in the kayak industry. Their coolers take on a similar look and feel as their kayaks. Out of 28 coolers tested, the Orion Core cooler won our very own ice retention challenge, holding ice a full two days longer than other popular rotomolded cooler brands like YETI. It has gobs of cool accessories, and it’s just a solid ice chest all around.

6. Grizzly

Made in: Decorah, Iowa
Popular US-made models: Grizzly series, Drifter series
Best for: Coolers made with hunters and anglers in mind. Grizzly’s American-made ice chests are available in any size that you could ever need. They offer some of the largest outdoor coolers on the market in 400-quart sizes. The Drifter series also offers small soft-sided coolers for lunch or cans on short trips.

7. RovR Coolers

Made in: Boulder, Colorado
Popular US-made models: RollR series
Best for: All-terrain wheeled coolers with plenty of accessories (RollR). RovR coolers come with a dry storage bin and a cutting board that can be mounted on the cooler’s side. They also sell additional storage bins that fit into the top.

8. Orca Coolers

Made in: Nashville, Tennessee
Popular US-made models: 20 quart, 58 quart, 65 quart wheeled, 140 quart
Best for: Hard-sided rotomolded coolers in a variety of sizes. Orca offers USA-made coolers from 20 quarts up to 140-quart sizes and several sizes in between for any need. They also have one wheeled model in a 65-quart size.

9. Bison Coolers

Made in: Fort Worth, Texas
Popular US-made models: Gen 2 series, XD series
Best for: Heavy-duty coolers for tailgating, hunting, or fishing. The Gen 2 series features roto-molded coolers with multiple drains and up to 7-day ice retention. Bison also makes soft-sided coolers in 12 or 24-can sizes.

10. Kong

Made in: South Bend, Indiana
Popular US-made models: 20 quarts, 50 quarts, 110 quarts, Kong Cruiser
Best for: Rotomolded coolers in a range of standard sizes, built with extra insulation and sealing to keep ice cold for ten days. Kong also offers a wheeled cooler (Kong Cruiser) in its 50-quart size, a versatile option for camping, tailgating, or other adventures.

11. Magellan

Made in: Katy, Texas
Popular US-made models: 40-Can Rolling Cooler, Explore Icebox, 30 qt Insulated Bait/Dry Box
Best for: Versatile hard or soft-sided coolers for fishing or camping trips. Magellan is a Texas outdoor retailer Academy Sports + Outdoors brand. Magellan also makes insulated bait/dry boxes for fishing trips (30 qt Insulated Bait/Dry Box). Magellan’s line of cooler backpacks and totes are leak-proof and easy to take on the go; some even convert into rolling coolers (40-Can Rolling Cooler).

12. Lifetime

Made in: Clearfield, Utah
Popular US-made models: 28 quarts, 48 quarts, and 65 quart High-Performance Coolers
Best for: Various uses, such as camping, tailgating, and fishing. Lifetime coolers come in most common sizes up to 115 quarts. They are built to keep ice cold for up to 5 days and are certified to be bear-resistant.

13. Rubbermaid

Made in: Atlanta, Georgia
Popular US-made models: Modern Red Victory Ice Chest, Rubbermaid Water Coolers
Best for: Tailgating or car camping. Rubbermaid is a very affordable option for all-around coolers, available in stores like Walmart or Home Depot. These are a good choice if you don’t need something rugged but want to keep ice or water cold on a budget.

Popular Coolers Made Overseas

Some of the most popular brands, such as YETI, are at least somewhat outsourced to other countries. Some models may be made in America, while some may be made overseas. It’s best to check specifically for the model you want to purchase. But even then, you don’t always know for sure.

Even though they aren’t fully made in the United States, these brands are still known for high-quality coolers.

1. YETI

Made in: Philippines, Iowa, and Wisconsin (select models)
Popular models: Tundra, Hopper, Roadie
Best for: Camping, hunting, fishing, tailgating – when you need something rugged to keep ice cold for days. YETI coolers are extremely popular because of their durability, thick walls, and various designs. They offer traditional coolers (Tundra), wheeled coolers (Roadie), and soft-sided coolers (Hopper).

2. Cabela’s

Made in: China (some models), USA (Polar Cap)
Popular models: Polar Cap
Best for: Lightweight but heavy-duty cooler needs. Cabela’s says their Polar Cap series is made in the USA. These hard-sided coolers are designed to be easy to carry, with glow-in-the-dark handles and insulation without excessive weight. The series also claims to keep ice cold for up to 12 days.

3. Coleman

Made in: China (some models), Wichita, KS (some models)
Popular models: Xtreme series, 316 series, Pro series
Best for: All-around trips or outdoor adventures. Coleman is an affordable option for coolers that will fit most needs. The 316 series is an excellent all-around cooler available in many sizes. Coleman also offers the Pro series hard-sided coolers for something a little more rugged.

4. RTIC

Made in: China
Popular models: Ultra-Light Cooler, Hard Coolers
Best for: Lightweight, portable cooler needs. The Ultra-light line of hard-sided coolers weighs 30% less than competing rotomolded coolers and comes in sizes up to 52 quarts. They also include a wheeled ultralight option.

5. Engel

Made in: Thailand
Popular models: 25 quarts to 320 quart High Performance Cooler
Best for: Hard-sided rotomolded coolers made for any adventure. Engel coolers have an air-tight silicone seal, and Heavy-duty soft-sided coolers made with waterproof ripstop material, built to withstand harsher conditions than most soft-sided coolers.

6. Canyon

Made in: China, using American-made materials
Popular models: Outfitter, PRO, Nomad
Best for: Tailgating, camping, fishing. Canyon is based in Flagstaff, Arizona but assembles its coolers overseas. The Nomad series of soft-sided coolers claim to keep ice cold longer than hard-sided coolers, weighing only 5 pounds. The hard-sided Outfitter and PRO coolers are mostly smaller but durable and convenient.

Why Buy an American-Made Cooler?

Buying USA-made coolers will reduce your carbon footprint. When you purchase anything made overseas, transporting that item to you creates emissions. You can cut back on that by reducing the distance the products you buy need to travel to get into your hands.

American-made coolers will also guarantee, for the most part, that workers making the items will be employed in safe working conditions. Additionally, it will be easier to track where your cooler comes from, and you can buy more confidently.

The quality of American-made coolers may be better than coolers made overseas. Purchasing a cooler made in America will help ensure you’re buying a quality cooler that will keep ice cold for a while.

Finally, you will support the US economy by purchasing a cooler made in the USA. This ensures your money goes to American businesses and people. You might pay more for an American-made cooler, but that money stays local.

See also:
Best Wheeled Coolers
Best Rotomolded Coolers Reviewed

The post 13 Coolers Made in the USA and 6 That Surprisingly Are Not appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Walkie Talkies are a great way to keep in touch with other members of your party in both urban and wilderness spaces. Radios can even be more convenient than a cell phone. But there are so many out there that choosing which walkie talkies to get can be tricky.

I have been using radios to communicate both professionally and on my own for more than 20 years. So I’m pretty picky about them at this point.

However, as you’ll see in this hands-on Motorola Talkabout T800 review, this model passes my sniff test.

T800 vs T801

I will get this out of the way right at the start. I used both radio models side by side and couldn’t find any differences besides the colors. The T800 is black and blue, while the T801 is black and green.

I have read online that the T801 comes with a carrying case, but mine did not, so I am a little sad about that.

The T800 is more widely available amongst many retailers, while the T801 seems to have limited availability only at select retailers like REI.

Given that the radios work identically and the T800 is more widely available, I will refer to the T800 in this review. However, this is with the understanding that the T801 is identical in function and therefore can be reviewed in the same way.

Motorola Talkabout T800 Series at a Glance

The Motorola Talkabout T800 series walkie-talkie has extra features not found on other radios, like making and receiving text messages while off-grid. Not everyone will use those features, but they don’t get in the way. It is not fully waterproof but did handle heavy snow without issue.

The only other downside that I found was a subpar clip.

Best For:

• Looking for a great radio but don’t want to pay a premium
• Want/Need to text off grid
• Casual users

Not For:

• Hard use (not the most durable radio out there)
• Someone looking for a waterproof radio
• You only buy the best/most expensive gear

Motorola Talkabout T800

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Are the Motorola Talkabout 801 and 800 Worth It?

The Motorola Talkabout 800 and 801 are great, mid-priced radios that worked well for me. While they held up to the abuse of multiple ski days while being clipped to the outside of my kid’s jackets, they are not the most bombproof radios out there.

I found the clip not to be as good as other radio clips. I was glad that I put leashes on the radios, or they would have fallen off the ski lift on more than one occasion, to never be seen again.

The inclusion of offline texting is a great addition, and while I did not use it myself, I can see it being useful while hunting when you want to communicate with your partner but don’t want to make any extra noise.

Should you buy the T800 or the T801?

Given that the T800 and T801 are essentially the same radio I would buy whichever radio you can find the best deal on.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Affordable
• Great extra features for the price

Cons

• Not the most durable
• Not waterproof
• Subpar clip

What is the Range of the Motorola Talkabout T800?

The Motorola Talkabout T800 uses the FCC maximum of 2 watts to push out radio transmissions. Under optimal conditions, this gets you about 30 miles of direct line of site communications. However, under most conditions, you will get significantly less.

Motorola Talkabout T800 Range in Real Life

During my testing for the Motorola T800 review, I was happy to get anywhere from .5 to 2 miles of range depending on terrain, with heavy trees and ridges decreasing the range.

I was able to hear and talk to my kids anywhere on the front side of my local ski hill. However, I would immediately lose connection if anyone went to the back side.

In town, which in my case is pretty flat and treeless, the range was closer to 3 to 4 miles. I could get ahold of my wife from anywhere inside my neighborhood without any problems.

Clarity

The T800 has average clarity. It was definitely easy to hear and understand, but it was not as clear as the BCA Link or the Rocky Talkie.

The Motorola Talkabout T800 Was Very Easy to Use

Let me clarify that statement just a bit. The base radio features were easy to use. I was able to program the radio and use the radio functions without using the owner’s manual or YouTube.

On the other hand, I had to dig into the provided owner’s manual a bit to use the extra features, and then I was good to go.

Buttons

There are many buttons on the front and side of the Motorola Talkabout T800. With a little bit of experimentation, I was able to figure out what most of them did. For the remainder, a quick look at the owner’s manual was all I needed.

I had no problems changing channels or functions in my testing for the Motorola Talkabout T800 review. There is also a lock function in case you need it.

There are actually two push-to-talk buttons. The first uses a total of 2 watts of power, while the second only uses .5 watts. This saves battery life but reduces range.

I actually found having 2 buttons cumbersome as I never knew which one I was pressing, especially while wearing gloves. If I really wanted to see it, I had to look each time.

Clip

This is the one feature of the radio that I was disappointed in. The clip is plastic and feels cheap. While I didn’t break the clip, I always felt like I was about to.

It also lacks a spring, so it just has to slide over the belt or strap. I prefer a spring, like the one found on the BC Link radio by BCA. In fact, I had the radio slip off several times and was happy to have the radio on a leash.

Display

The T800 has a nice and easy-to-read digital display that will turn off in about 10 seconds after use to save battery life. The display has all the relevant information I wanted to see at a glance.

It’s Not as Tough as I Wanted it to Be, and Please Don’t Throw it in a Lake

The Motorola T800 has a rating of IPX4. This means that it is tested to withstand water splashed on it and does not have a dust rating like other radios. This is a lower standard than more premium radios like the Rocky Talkie.

In real life, my kids wore this radio all winter on the outside of their jackets while skiing without any issues. The radio still works and looks brand new, but I wouldn’t have it out in anything more than a moderate rainstorm, and please don’t throw it in the lake.

How Long Does the Battery Last?

The Motorola T800 comes with a 3.6-volt NiMH battery. It is rechargeable using a Micro USB cable or an optional desk charger. Its stated battery life is 14 hours, and in my testing for the Motorola Talkabout T800 review, I was easily able to get two days of skiing with limited use. If you plan to be a heavy user, you should charge it after every use.

It takes several hours to fully charge, so plan ahead to have it ready to go. If you procrastinate like me, however, the T800 can also use three AA batteries.

The AA batteries also extend the battery life to 25 hours of standby time. I never used the radio like this, so I can’t speak to how well they work, but I appreciate the option.

Does it Have Good Extra Features or Just Gimmicks?

Motorola decided to double down on extra features with the Talkabout 800 series. I find some of them kind of gimmicky, but your mileage will vary, and something that I find gimmicky could be the exact function you are looking for.

Fortunately, the Talkabout T800 stands on its own as a great radio and the extra features don’t get in the way, so I guess we both win.

App

The free app allows for a multitude of different features. I downloaded the app, and it initially worked but when I tried to open it back up to write the Talkabout T800 review, I couldn’t get it to load. I didn’t spend much time on the app, so here is a list of its features.

• Offline maps, just remember to download them before leaving home
• Activity tracking
• Track other users
  • This is, unfortunately, not in real-time. Other users have to send you a notification so you can see where they are.
  • The FCC does not allow real-time tracking on FRS radios
• Offline text messaging
  • This is the most interesting “extra” to me and I can see it being useful during hunting or other activities when you want to communicate but don’t want to make a lot of noise.
  • Allows you to send text messages to an individual or group over the walkie-talkie frequency (without cellular service).
  • Just know that you get less range with texts than with the radio.
  • Using this feature isn’t very intuitive.

It is always a bit of a hassle to connect via Bluetooth and set the app all up, so my guess is that most people won’t take advantage of this feature.

Small Flashlight

There is a small flashlight on the top of the radio. It is not super bright but can be turned on when the radio is off. I like this feature and see how it could come in handy in many different situations.

iVox/Vox

Vox is a voice-activated system and while it’s easy to think of it as an open mic, that’s not exactly how it works. It opens the mic when it hears you start to talk instead of just being open like a phone. You can also adjust the volume or sensitivity so that only loud noises open the mic versus just a whisper.

My biggest problem was that the system would not activate until I was halfway through my first word so it always got cut off.

Weather Channels

The Motorola T800 has 11 weather channels, including 7 from NOAA. You can also set the radio up to receive weather alerts.

Distress signals

You can send distress signals to other radios in the area.

Leash Attachment

The Motorola T800 does not come with a leash, but there is a place to attach one. It is burly and big enough to attach a good size leash. This feature was useful for me, and I am glad it had the space.

Do You Need a License to Use the Motorola T800 Series?

No. The Motorola T800 series works off the FRS radio frequencies and they do not require a license in the United States.

The post Hands-on Motorola Talkabout T800 vs T801 Review (Same Thing?) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

I know this because I have been using radios professionally for the past 20 years. First as a wilderness guide, then as a ski patroller, and now as a full-time paramedic for the past 17 years.

The Backcountry Access BC Link 1.0 (camo addition) is a mouthful but a great radio. It is a two-piece set with a main radio that can be kept in a pocket while the lapel mic is clipped to the front of your pack for easy access.

The magic, which differentiates this radio from others, is that the mic includes essential adjustments that you need while leaving the main radio protected in a pocket or pack.

The BC Link is expensive and not fully submersible, so if you are on a budget or go kayaking with kids, you should look elsewhere. If, however, you want a serious tool for your winter activities, this is a great choice.

BCA BC Link 1.0 at a Glance

Backcountry Access BC Link 1.0

4.2

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• MSRP: $159.95 for one radio
• License-free FRS frequencies
• 12 ounces
• Charge with a mini USB connection
• IP56 (splashproof and dust resistant but not fully waterproof or submersible)

Best For:

• Winter sport enthusiasts
• Using in conjunction with a backpack
• Need to access multiple channels easily
• Hunters

Not For:

• People on a budget
• People looking for a fully waterproof radio
• Those looking for a stand-alone radio without a lapel mic

Are BCA Radios Worth It?

I think that the answer to this question depends on what you plan on using it for.

If you are a casual user who just wants to check in occasionally with other users or doesn’t want the hassle of always using a lapel mic, then this radio is probably not for you. It’s also expensive and not waterproof, so keep that in mind.

If you’re looking for a robust radio for your winter adventures, particularly for activities like hunting where gloves are essential, this radio is the perfect fit. Additionally, if you appreciate the convenience of a lapel microphone, it further enhances the appeal of this radio. Moreover, individuals who require seamless access to multiple channels with just a simple dial click will also find it highly appealing.

Pros:

• Well-built and sturdy
• You can change the setting with gloves on
• Lapel mic has a ton of functionality
• Great audio quality

Cons:

• Has to be used with the lapel mic
• Heavy
• Expensive
• Not waterproof
• Short battery life compared to other high-end radios

The Smart Mic

A radio is only worth carrying if it is accessible. If it is stashed in your pack, you will never use it. BCA recognized this and set out to design a radio that is convenient to use. More specifically, they went for a radio that is easy to use in the winter with gloves on.

To keep the radio easily accessible, they have come up with an interesting concept. They call it the Smart Mic, which is basically a lapel mic with added functionality.

This functionality differentiates this radio from other radios in the same class. First, I will go over a quick list of functionalities the lapel mic has, then give some of my thoughts on it.

Functionality of the Smart Mic

• Turn the radio on and off
• Adjust volume
• 6 Preset channels that you can scroll through
• Push to talk

What I Liked About It

In my testing for the BC Link 1.0 review, I mostly used the radio at the ski resort to keep track of my kids while skiing. I was able to stash the radio in a pocket or my pack to keep it protected from the elements and then just use the Smart Mic.

The functionality of the Smart Mic is definitely handy when in cold environments, and you don’t want to take off your gloves to dig a radio out of your pocket. It was most handy when I had a pack to put it in.

I also like having 6 preset channels that you can flip through. I think this could come in handy if you ever need to talk to multiple groups on different channels or if the channel you are on becomes busy. When this happens, you just move to the next one.

What I Didn’t Like About It

My biggest complaint is that you have to use the Smart Mic no matter what. The radio doesn’t work without it. On several occasions, the mic disconnected from the radio in my pocket, and then I couldn’t hear or send any radio traffic. There is no way to know it is disconnected; the radio just stops working. This happened enough to be a problem.

I am probably a little biased here because I have never liked lapel mics, but I feel like the radio would be more versatile if you could use the two separately.

Lastly, this setup is heavier than other setups in its class.

What is the Range on the BCA BC Link 1.0 Radio?

Range Score: 4.5/5

FCC regulations allow FRS radios to power the transmissions up to 2 watts. The BC Link 1.0 uses 1 watt instead, probably to save on battery life. However, that doesn’t mean that you lose half of the range.

Indeed, in my testing, I saw little difference in range and probably wouldn’t have noticed if I didn’t read the information page on BCA’s webpage.

Range

While testing the BC Link 1.0 at my local ski hill, I got a good signal all across the front side but would lose the signal as soon as one of us would go around to the backside. I wouldn’t count on getting more than 1.5 miles, with heavy tree cover and small hills cutting it back to half a mile.

In town, which in my case is flat and fairly treeless, I was able to talk to my wife anywhere in our subdivision. I was, however, unable to get her to the soccer field 3 miles away.

Clarity

In my testing for the BC link 1.0 review, I found the sound quality excellent. I didn’t have any problems hearing or understanding any transmission.

The BCA BC Link 1.0 was Easy to Use

Easy of Use Score: 4.5/5

The radios I got for testing did not come with a user manual, but I could still easily program the radio without it.

Buttons

The buttons are all easy to locate and well-marked. My only problem with the buttons is that my daughter accidentally hit them once while the radio was in her pocket, and it inadvertently turned on the NOAA weather forecast.

I did notice, after the fact, that there is a way to lock the buttons on the front so I guess that one is on me.

The push-to-talk button was hard for me to locate and I had to look down every time. Not sure what the problem was, but it was annoying. On the other hand, I never accidentally hit the button or had an open mic.

Clips

The clip holding the radio was by far one of my favorites out of all the radios I tested. There was a removable clip on the radio and one on the mic. The mic clip also rotated, making it easy to orient the radio how you want.

Both clips were well-made, durable, and had strong springs. I wish other radio manufacturers, like Motorola, would put quality clips on their radios like BCA did.

Display

The display is bright and easy to read. It also has all the pertinent information I want to see on the screen.

How Tough is the BC Link 1.0 Radio and Can I Throw it in a Lake?

Durability/Water Resistant Score: 4/5

Like the Rocky Talkie radio, the BC Link 1.0 Radio has a rating of IP56. This means it is water and snow resistant but not thoroughly waterproof. It is also rated to be dust resistant.

Related: Rocky Talkie vs BCA BC Link Radios

In real-world testing for this review, I spent several days skiing in heavy snow. The radio was inside my jacket pocket with only the lapel mic out. Snow got shoved down into the mic several times without any issues.

Durability takes a small hit here because of the extra connection between the radio and the Smart Mic. I didn’t have any issues in my testing, but I feel like it could be a weak spot.

How Long Does the Battery Last?

Battey Life Score: 3.5/5

In my real-life testing, I was able to get two full days of skiing in with my kids with mild use of the radio. You will probably want to charge it every night if you are a heavy user or use it in sub-zero conditions.

It gets about 40 hours in standby mode.

How do I Charge my BCA BC Link 1.0?

The BC Link 1.0 has a 3.7 VDC lithium-ion battery. It is rechargeable with a mini-USB charging port. Mini USB is getting a little old and unlike USB-C cables, I just don’t have spare charging cords.

Charging took about 4 hours, which seems forever if you need the radio. It is best to plan and charge these radios the night before you need to use them.

The BC Link 1.0 also has removable batteries, so you can buy spares if you need or want them. I would suggest buying some if you plan to use this radio a lot or over several days when you can’t return to a charger.

Does it Have Good Extra Features or Just Gimmicks?

Extra Features Score: 3/5

Besides the Smart Mic and the extra functionality that we have already talked about, there are very few things that I would consider to be extra features, but I will mention those here.

Weather Channels

The BC Link comes with 10 standard NOAA weather channels. These are nice for getting weather updates when you can’t get them over the phone.

Low Watt Channels

Channels 8-14 cut the wattage in half from 1 to .5 watts. This saves on battery life but cuts down on the range.

Camouflage?

I’m not sure that camouflage is really an extra feature, but the BC Link 1.0 comes in either a muted black or green and black camouflage.

Adjustable Beeps

After each transmission, a beep lets you know that the transmission has ended. The volume of this beep can be changed, or you can get rid of it altogether. This is great for hunters who need to make the least amount of noise possible.

BCA BC Link 2.0 vs. 1.0

Backcountry Access has slightly updated the BC Link, and there is now a 2.0 version. This is not a full review of the new version but I thought I would highlight some key differences.

Backcountry Access has also updated the button layout and changed how the Smart Link is attached to the radio body. For the most part, just looking at the specs, this is a modest update—more of a Link 1.5 than 2.0.

Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0

4.3

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In full disclosure, I did not get the chance to test or use the Link 2.0. However, for the price difference, I would buy the new model. It has slightly more range and charges faster. More recent models also tend to get more support from the manufacturer.

But it gets more interesting since the Link 1.0 is on sale for $119.96. At this price point, I don’t think the newer model adds enough to overcome a $70 difference.

Plus, if you need a camo unit, there is only one way to go!

The post BCA BC Link Review: Backcountry Access BC Link 1.0 appeared first on Outdoor Empire.