Tag: outdoors

The Best Binoculars to Zoom In on Real Life
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One caveat: Cabela’s frequently sells the pre-2018 model of these at a steep discount but doesn’t label it as such. I have not tested that model, and while the deal is pretty good, the optics are definitely different and potentially inferior.

More Great 10×42 Binoculars
- Best luxury upgrade: Maven B1.2 42mm ED Binoculars for $1,000. These are in my top three all-time best list. If you can afford these, but not the Leicas, don’t feel bad. Images are clear, sharp, and crisp with no distortion or softness in the edges. I used them every day for two months and only noticed purple fringing once. They’re expensive but well worth the money.
- Budget pick: Nikon Monarch M5 10×42 for $267. These are the stronger-magnification version of our top pick, and everything I say about those holds true for the 10×42 as well. For those on a budget, these are a great 10×42 option.
- Another good budget pick: Celestron Regal ED 10×42 for $320. The Celestron Regal EDs are what I call a sleeper deal. That is to say, you’ll find very little information about these online, but they’re excellent binoculars, and the price is almost impossible to beat. You get great field of view (6.5 degrees), a sharp clear image, and very little chromatic aberration. I have not tested a better binocular that costs less.
- Another upgrade: Nikon Monarch HG 10×42 for $997. Nikon’s Monarch HG offer a slightly wider field of view and are brighter and sharper than the Vortex or the Celestron. I like the Maven B1.2s better, but that might be a matter of taste. If you want to keep going price-wise, the Swarovski EL 10×42 for $2,399 are deservedly legendary.
What if you want 8X magnification, but not the size and weight of 8×42 binoculars? That’s where 8×32, 8×30, and even 7×32 in some cases, come in. They offer the same magnification, but a narrower field of view—it can be more difficult to track small objects like a warbler flitting through foliage, but with a little practice it’s not too hard to manage. For hiking and traveling light, this size is a good compromise. I am still in the process of testing more models in this size range, but here are my picks so far.

When I head out hiking, the Celestron 8×32 Trailseeker ED (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are the binoculars I want around my neck. They’re light enough to hardly notice them, but have great optical performance for this price. The Trailseekers offer phase and dielectric-coated BaK-4 prisms, which is rare in this size binocular at this price (another way you might see this listed is roof prism binoculars with multi-coated optics). It works. The ED glass keeps fringing and other chromatic aberrations under control even in very bright, high-glare conditions. With a roughly 7.9-degree field of view, I find birding with these to be very similar to my 10X42, both the power and objective lens size are smaller, but the field of view ends up almost the same.

Small, lightweight, and portable. Comfortable eyecups. Easy to focus. Very little chromatic aberrations.

These Pentax are also excellent for the price. The 7.8-degree field of view is wide enough for most uses and the extra-low dispersion (ED) glass is very effective. I saw basically no chromatic aberrations, even on the edges. Even better, the sharpness to the edge is outstanding, better, in fact, than the Celestrons, but the magnification is less and the FOV is also slightly narrower. As with most of our picks, these are waterproof and fogproof. The focus knob is also very smooth. And at 20 ounces, I didn’t mind having them around my neck all day. If you’re hiking and this is in your budget, these are also a great choice.

More Great 8×32 and 7×32 Picks:
- Another solid option: Nocs Field Issue 8×32 for $175. These Nocs (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are compact and lightweight, but still provide a nice sharp image. They’re not quite as nice as the Pentax above, but they’re also cheaper. As with Nocs’ other binoculars, the Field Issue are waterproof and fogproof, and they come in a variety of colors. They offer comfortable eyecups and a nice oversized focus wheel that you can’t miss. These manage to hit the sweet spot between magnification, price, and weight.
Compact binoculars often involve a significant compromise in image quality. Depending on your use case, the weight savings may be worth the trade-off, but in general, I suggest that birders and hunters stick with 32-mm or larger binoculars. Yes, you can bird with 8x25s, but it’s often frustrating.

Maven’s C.2 series is the first compact binocular I’ve tested that didn’t leave me frustrated. Yes the 28-mm field of view is narrow when you’re used to 42 mm, but these are so small and light—just 4.5 inches and weighing only 12 ounces—that I barely even noticed them around my neck. If you want compact, lightweight optics that still deliver a bright, sharp image, these are the binoculars to get. They’re good for general-purpose use—wildlife, sports, travel, or any time you want binoculars but don’t want to know you have binoculars.

More Great Compact Binoculars
- Another option: Zeiss Terra ED 8×25 for $399. I have not tested these extensively, but I’ve used them enough to know that they’re lightweight (10.9 ounces) and deliver a very good, sharp image. They have 8X magnification and come with a nice rugged, waterproof case. The folding design means they also easily fit into your pocket. The downside is that they’re more expensive than the Nikon Monarch 8×42 yet offer a much smaller field of view.
- Best budget compact: Nocs Standard Issue 8×25 for $106. These are detailed below, but the short story is that these are wonderfully compact and light, and the price is right, but the image quality could be better. These are a great choice for the ballpark or general use, but not as good for birders and hunters.
Before I dive into why the Nocs are great for kids, let me be clear: Nocs are not kids’ binoculars. They’re fine compact binoculars that fit well in the ultralight category above. I “borrow” them from my kids all the time. I wouldn’t suggest these as the best first pair of binoculars for young kids (in that case, see our budget pick below), but for anyone over the age of 8, these make a great, compact, first pair of binoculars.

You get good magnification, with a waterproof (IPX7 rating) and fogproof design in a lightweight package (11.8 ounces). These also have two things that specifically make them great for kids: rugged construction and a nice, rubberized grip. I can’t tell you how many trees and rocks these have bashed into while around my son’s neck, and they’re still as good as new.

More Great Kids Binoculars
- Budget pick for kids: Let’s Go Binoculars for $20. If you have little ones that are new to binoculars, the price tag of the Nocs might be too high. If you want to see if your kids actually use their binoculars before diving in, there are a multitude of options. I’ll be blunt: None of these are great, but they’re cheap and light and don’t cost a fortune. Another option is the Obuby Binoculars for $20.
When you think stargazing you probably think telescopes, but binoculars can work too, especially larger, higher magnification models like these Celestron Skymasters. The first thing to know is that these are huge, most of the time you’ll want to use them with a tripod, which is not included in the price (they do include an adapter, which I used to put them on a photo tripod, which worked fine). The Porro prism design (see below), with 15x magnification and 70mm objective lenses make these are nice and bright, perfect for getting good views of the moon. They also work for larger clusters and nebulae. They do work for birding as well, but its more like using a spotting scope. They’re nice for digiscoping though if you’re viewing something reasonable stationary, like water birds.

As with all Celestron binos there’s a nice big, smooth focusing knob, and they also have long eye relief which makes them easy to use with glasses. There is a fair bit chromatic aberration, especially with bright stars or the moon, but I didn’t find it distracting. In fact, for the price, these provide surprisingly great views.

Best Binoculars for Special Use Cases

Fujinon 14×40

Photograph: Fujinon

Image-stabilized binoculars: I am still testing, as this is a huge category, but so far my top pick are the Fujinon 14×40 Techno-Stabi Image-Stabilized Binoculars for $1,300. If you’re on a boat, these are the binoculars you want. They offer industry-leading stabilization of plus or minus 6 degrees, there’s hardly any image lag, they carry an IPX7 waterproof rating, and as an added bonus, they float. I did most of my testing on an SUP, which is about the most unstable watercraft I could come up with, and these made it possible to bird-watch without going ashore. They’re not cheap, but they definitely deliver.
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Scott Gilbertson

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April 28, 2024
The Best Sleeping Bags for Every Adventure
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John Muir famously set off for the mountains with “some bread and tea in a pair of blankets with some sugar and a tin cup.” I admire his ultralight spirit and disdain for comfort on the trail, but I’d be willing to bet that if Muir were around today, he’d bring a good down sleeping bag with him, if for no other reason than they’re lighter than old blankets. The tea is essential though, I can’t argue with that.

Whether you’re following Muir into the backcountry, are planning the perfect family camping trip, or are trekking the Camino de Santiago, there’s a sleeping bag for that. No matter how you travel, where you’re headed, or how much comfort you seek, after years of testing, we’ve found the best sleeping bags for everyone.

Adrienne So, Martin Cizmar, and Matt Jancer contributed to this guide.

Be sure to read through our other outdoor guides, including the Best Sleeping Pads, Best Tents, Best Camp Stoves, and our Camp Cooking guide.

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The Best Sleeping Bag for Backpackers

Mountain Hardware’s Bishop Pass 15 offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio while also managing to pack down small and not be too expensive. It isn’t perfect, but it strikes the best compromise for most backpackers, being warm enough for the shoulder seasons and light enough (2 pounds and 5.4 ounces) that you won’t mind it even when you barely need it in the summer. I have slept in this bag for more than two weeks, with nighttime temps ranging from 28°F to 65°F, and, yes, it was too much in the heat as a sleeping bag. But on those warmer nights, I unzipped it and covered myself like a warm blanket. For everything else, I slept very well. It’s a versatile bag.

The Bishop Pass 15 uses 650 fill power down wrapped in a 20-denier water-resistant ripstop nylon shell. (Note: You’ll often see 20-denier written as 20D; see below for more on what those terms mean.) One of the great things about this bag is the draft collar and face gasket feature, which does a great job of keeping your head warm. With the drawcord cinched down, you can conserve even more body heat. This is one of the few bags I’ve tested where I didn’t feel the need for a hat. The insulation does a good job of staying where it should; I didn’t find any bad cold spots in this bag.

My only gripe about this bag is that it’s tight—there’s not much room for anything but me. That makes it efficient and keeps you warmer, but this is not a good option if you’re looking for something roomy (see the Therm-a-Rest Questar below). I also don’t love the zipper. The pull glows in the dark, which is great, and the zipper doesn’t snag much, but in my experience, it also doesn’t pull as easily as others. Still, those are minor gripes about a bag that gets the rest right.

Specs:
- Temp rating: 15°F/-9°C
- Comfort rating: 26°F/-3°C
- Fill: 650 Fill Power Down
The Best Sleeping Bag for Car Campers

Car-camping sleeping bags aren’t a place to spend lots of money. Should your best efforts to cocoon warmth around you fail, there is, after all, a car to retreat to. That’s why we love the REI Siesta Hooded 20—it’s plenty warm and affordable. It’s also not a mummy bag, because you’re not climbing Denali; why cramp yourself if you don’t have to? The Siesta’s rectangular cut makes for a much roomier, more comfortable bag. The Siesta is made of recycled polyester throughout, with a polyester filling. Despite that, the lining on this bag is noticeably softer than many others in this guide.

The Siesta’s 20-degree rating makes it enough for three-season trips, and unlike most rectangular bags, the Siesta has a hood, which helps on those cold nights. What makes this such a versatile bag, though, is the double zipper system. There’s a full-length zipper, which means you can turn it into a quilt on warmer nights, and there’s also a second partial-length zipper on the other side so you can have more airflow when you want it. (You can also now zip two Siestas together, which wasn’t possible with earlier versions.)

Specs:
- Temp rating: 20°F/-6°C
- Fill: 650 Fill Power Down
Best All-in-One Sleep System

The Zenbivy Bed 25 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is hands down the most comfortable backcountry sleeping experience I’ve ever had. It wouldn’t be my top pick for extreme situations, but so long as your expected temperatures fit in Zenbivy’s range, it doesn’t get more comfortable than this. The Zenbivy isn’t just a sleeping bag though. It’s a sheet, hood, and quilt-style bag that can be combined in various ways depending on what you want.

The top sheet that covers the sleeping pad is made of 50-denier polyester pongee, which is wonderfully soft and feels like your bed at home. The sheet has the hood portion of the sleeping bag attached to it. Then you lay the top quilt (made of 20D nylon) over that. This is the coolest, loosest way to use the system, perfect for those warm nights. This is how I did most of my testing since I sleep rather warm. Should the temperature drop, you can zip the quilt foot box up into a mummy bag configuration and zip the upper sides to the bottom sheet. I did this on a couple of cooler nights in the Keweenaw Peninsula when it got quite frigid.
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Scott Gilbertson, Gear Team

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April 28, 2024
The Best Sleeping Pads for Camping, Backpacking, and Travel
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What are these sleeping pads you speak of? When I was young, all hiking was uphill both ways and everyone slept on the ground in sleeping bags with only a half-inch of thin closed-cell foam between us and every pebble. We also filtered our water with our teeth and ate mainly raw meat and foraged ramps. Kids these days.

Still, I suppose there is something to be said for a comfy sleeping pad at the end of a long day on the trail, or even in the campsite next to your car. There are now many ways to make sure no peas (or pebbles) ever disturb your sleep in the outdoors. For years, we’ve been testing sleeping pads of all varieties in all kinds of conditions, and we’re happy to report that in all this time we’ve never had one fail on us. That said, there are some standouts and a few to avoid.

Be sure to read through our other outdoor guides, including the Best Tents, Best Hiking Gear, Best Camp Stoves, and our Camp Cooking guide.

Update April 2024: We’ve added three new Nemo pads, including our new favorite ultralight pad, the Nemo All-Season, as well as some more general buying advice.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

The Best Super-Comfy Car Camping Pad

Therm-a-Rest invented the self-inflating camping mattress. The brand has kept pace in the 50 years since, either innovating or successfully aping every major development in the field. The MondoKing is the most comfortable, deluxe mattress in the line, the flagship for picky car campers and those who are stationary in the backcountry for weeks or months at a time. This burly mat is a full 4 inches thick and weighs 4 pounds. You won’t want to lug it far, but even a large-bodied side sleeper won’t bottom out.

The StrataCore foam inside gives it an R-value of 7, so the claimed comfort is below the temperature at which vodka freezes. (In our nights of testing, WIRED has not independently verified good sleep at -20 degrees Fahrenheit.) It’s also very, very comfortable. Like the Megamat below, it’s 70-denier on the bottom with a stretchy 50-denier top that provides the natural sag of a real mattress. The MondoKing also has a nice firm edge, meaning you never feel like you’re about to roll off. The MondoKing is better than a lot of hotel mattresses and inflates and deflates fast enough that you might just roll it out the next time you find yourself on a lumpy hotel bed. —Martin Cizmar

Other Options
- Exped MegMat 10 for $180: This is the beefy, ultra-luxury pad that started the trend of huge car camping pads. And for that we thank Exped. The MegaMat remains a great choice and is pretty well equivalent to the MondoKing, though the MondoKing weighs less and packs down smaller. On the other hand, the MegaMat has slightly better insulation and might be a better choice if you sleep cold or are headed out in the shoulder seasons where colder temps are possible.
Best for Couples and Families

We’re big fans of REI’s in-house line, which is sturdy and works well without breaking the bank. On a recent camping trip, every family with kids under 10 had this mattress, including my own. It’s 56 inches wide and 6 inches tall, wide enough to fit Mom and two elementary schoolers and fit inside MSR’s 6-person Habitude tent. (Dad and the dog still had to sleep on the ground.)

It comes with a small stuff sack for easy transport that includes a manual air pump, but the universal nozzle means you can ditch the pump and use a battery-powered one for quick and easy inflating. The welded seams kept the mattress taut and bouncy through three days and nights of kids jumping up and down on it. The surface is soft enough to sleep with your face pressed against it if you slide out of your sleeping bag, and it’s insulated, but with an R-value of 2.6. I definitely needed a quilt under our sleeping bags for 40-degree nights. —Adrienne So

Other Options
- Kelty’s Kush Queen Airbed for $100: This PVC-free queen-sized airbed from Kelty includes a pump that makes inflating a snap (make sure you charge it before you go), and the 6-inch-thick pad is plenty comfortable. It is not an insulated air mattress like the REI above, so it’s best for warmer months, but it can double as a spare bed at home.
The Best Ultralight Sleeping Pad

When you venture into the backcountry, especially if you’re an ultralight backpacking nerd, every ounce counts. In the case of sleeping pads, there’s always a trade-off. You want the fewest ounces with the most R-value. Nemo Equipment’s new 2024 Tensor-insulated sleeping pads (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have the best R-Value to weight ratio of anything we’ve tested. The Tensor All-Season featured here sports an R-Value of 5.4 and weighs just 18.2 ounces. That alone is impressive, but what I love about the Tensor is that it’s thick, comfortable, and most importantly, dang near silent. I hate that swish of nylon that’s pretty much synonymous with backcountry sleeping. There is hardly any of that with the Tensor, making it well worth the money. The insulation is a double layer of reflective film, with a baffled air chamber design, which helps keep it quiet. The design also helps it roll up into a tiny stuff sack. It’s about the size of a 16-ounce Nalgene bottle. If you want to save a little weight and money, there’s also the Tensor Trail for $190. It weighs just 16 ounces for the regular wide, but the R-Value is quite a bit lower at 2.8.

Other Options
- NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad for $210: The obvious competitor to the Tensor is Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir XLite, according to WIRED reviewer Matt Jancer. The Xlite NeoAir might be light in weight but not on warmth. He has used it on icy glaciers without a chill sneaking up on his backside. You have to blow it up manually, but the easy-twist valve makes it simple, and he has been impressed with the durability over five years. No holes or scratches. It has a tendency to slip around, but it’s quiet.
- Sea to Summit Ultralight for $129: If you are the sort who cuts off your toothbrush handle to save weight, this mat is worth considering. It has an R-value of 1.1, making it a summer-only pad. But it weighs a mere 11 ounces, packs up very small, and is $70 cheaper than the Tensor. If most of your camping is in summer, it’ll do the job. It is a bit louder than the Nemo.
The Best for Backcountry Comfort

If you’re willing to carry a few extra ounces in exchange for some added comfort and a (theoretically) better night’s sleep, the NeoAir Topo is our favorite pad. At 21 ounces, it’s definitely on the heavy side, but it’s also 3 inches thick, and we promise you don’t feel the pebbles, or even small rocks, under this thing. The 2.3 R-value makes it a good choice for three-season camping or backpacking, and I found even the regular to be plenty wide enough. Therm-a-Rest includes a breath-saving pump sack, compact stuff sack, and field repair kit.

Best Old-School, Closed-Cell Foam Pad

I was sort of kidding in the intro here, but I also was not. This pad was my intro to backcountry sleeping, and I remain a fan (though, technically, mine was a no-name brand). The Z-Lite and its ilk weigh next to nothing (10 ounces for the small), fold up small enough to lash to the outside of any pack, and double as a chair, extra padding on cold nights, table, you name it. I am too old to use just a Z-Lite anymore, but I still have one around on almost every trip I take. Pairing it with the Nemo inflatable above gives me a wide range of sleeping and sitting possibilities for a total weight of under 2 pounds. That means I can carry more steak, and good backcountry food is really the key to everything.

Best 4-Season Backcountry Pad

If I were heading out to camp in the snow, this is the pad I would bring. Exped’s Ultra 7R offers (as the name suggests) an R-value of 7 in a pad that weighs under 2 pounds for the wide version. And I do suggest going for the wide version. I found the regular to be a bit on the narrow side, and the weight difference (5 ounces) doesn’t justify the lost sleeping space. I used this pad down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and was very comfortable (in a 20-degree bag). Exped rates it to –20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Exped’s Schnozzel pump bag ($45) is also excellent and is necessary if you’re camping in the cold, as you don’t want the moisture from your breath inside your mat.

Other Options
- Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions ($260): With an R-Value of 8.5 and weight of only 22 ounces for the regular wide version, Nemo’s new Tensor Extreme Conditions pad has the highest warmth-to-weight ratio on the market right now. It uses four layers of foil and offset baffles to achieve that lightest, warmest pad status. It will likely be our top pick for this category in a future update, but at the moment I have not had a chance to finish fully testing it in more extreme low temps. As with the Exped pad above, I suggest going for the wide pad, as the regular is pretty narrow.
Best Kids Sleeping Pad

Let’s be honest—if your kid is old enough to go backpacking, they’re probably old enough to be fine with an adult-sized sleeping pad that will age with them as they get older. However, in a moment of parental weakness, I bought my children child-sized sleeping pads to match their Kindercone sleeping bags, which have been useful for a surprisingly long time. My daughter is in the third grade and has had hers since kindergarten.

After all, 60 inches is pretty long—that’s almost tall enough for me to use. This one has an R-value of 4.5, and my kids have slept pretty warm on these for a number of years in temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The separate valves for inflation and deflation make it much easier for little kids to not get confused and help set up. Weirdly, these sleeping pads are also much easier to roll up and stuff back into their sack than my own sleeping pad; REI may have secretly done me a solid there. —Adrienne So

Honorable Mentions

The following sleeping pads didn’t impress us like the ones above, but we’ve tested them and still like them enough if none of the others strike your fancy.

Sea to Summit Women’s UltraLight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat for $160: We debated for some time whether women need different sleeping pads. After some long conversations with our female testers, we decided there just isn’t much difference. That said, this is a fine sleeping pad for anyone. It’s very close to the Sea to Summit Ultralight above.
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Scott Gilbertson, Gear Team

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April 27, 2024
The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone

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Unlike last year’s Galaxy Watch5, this year’s Watch6 Classic brings back the fabulous, clicky, rotating bezel (7/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s fun and tactile and not a feature that you’ll find on many other smartwatches and fitness trackers. Other than that, it doesn’t look or feel too terribly different from the Watch5, which is a good thing. The Watch6 Classic comes in a 43- or 47-mm case, and the standard Watch6, which doesn’t have the mechanical rotating bezel, is available in 40- and 44-mm cases.

The Watch6 runs Wear OS, which means you have access to Google Maps and Google Assistant, and it also has access to Samsung’s fairly robust health features. In addition to the usual suite of SpO₂ measurements, auto-workout detection, and sleep tracking, it now has FDA-cleared irregular heart rate notifications and blood pressure monitoring (the latter is not available in the US nor cleared by the FDA). Some features are also restricted to users who pair the watch with Samsung phones, rather than other Android phones, like the ECG. If you prioritize design, you might want to stick with a Pixel Watch; if you don’t have a Samsung phone, you might want to stick to a Garmin. All that said, It’s a fairly capable watch with a fun party trick.

★ Alternative: Stick to a Garmin, you say? Garmin’s entry in this category is the Venu 3 ($460), which has a stainless steel bezel, Corning Gorilla Glass for the lens, and two amazing weeks for battery life. It has Garmin’s multi-band satellite capabilities for workout tracking, along with Garmin’s killer proprietary health software, which now includes a new sleep coach with nap detection, along with Morning Report and Body Battery. However, it is pricey, does not have temperature sensing, and the onboard mic and speakers sound pretty terrible.

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Adrienne So

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April 23, 2024
7 dog-friendly hiking trails in metro Phoenix

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Everything is better with a four-legged friend — especially hiking. As residents of metro Phoenix, we have no shortage of local mountain ranges and nature parks that welcome dogs (on leashes, of course)…

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Phoenix New Times

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April 22, 2024
Review: Milo Action Communicator

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As a group, we were all of similar ability and speeds, so range rarely became an issue while skiing. When someone did fall back from the group, stop for a couple of minutes, or even turn a particularly big, rocky corner, we would get a “Jeremy is out of range” alert. The Milos work best with a straight line of sight, and for our resort riding needs were more than capable. They didn’t always work from the resort bar though, which meant drinks orders were missed, but we’re not blaming Milo for this. Not much, anyway.

We were also impressed by Milo’s Proximity Mute, which turns down the microphones when you’re close enough for a normal volume conversation. This worked well, with anyone not close enough still able to communicate through the speakers to the gathered group.

Recent software updates have also added some voice commands to Milo, with more expected soon. We weren’t able to test these, but they include one-on-one side chats, allowing you to talk to individuals in the group with a simple “OK Milo, speak with Chris” prompt.

Milo founder and CEO Peter Celinski also told WIRED they’re about to launch a Long Range Messaging Mode that will allow you to use voice commands to record and send messages to specific individuals in your group. You get a confirmation when your message has been received and recipients can play back messages at their leisure, including multiple times. This will be a handy extra, and another reason to keep your phone safely in your pocket.

Hardest Button to Button

Milo is intuitive and, once you appreciate its limitations, extremely useful. But it’s not without issues. With the exception of the massive main mute/unmute button, the rubber controls are bafflingly difficult to use wearing gloves, especially considering skiing is cited by the company as a prime activity for Milos (alongside kayaking, surfing, hiking, and surfing).

Using the main button also requires accuracy—we estimated an 70 percent first time hit rate, although this did improve with practice. It’s very irritating, too, that the volume of each Milo gets reset to low when powered down.

Curiously, Milo doesn’t give a specific battery life duration, but, for the most part, our devices survived a long day on the slopes, though that did require each person to power down their units at lunch to make it through to the last lift.

In a group, the Milos create a secure mesh network so comms are more stable.

Photograph: Wired

A maximum of six Milos can be linked in a group, which seems a little limited, but given the high price of buying multiple units it might be a blessing. At $249 a pop, can you persuade your mates to invest? Milo does offer group deals—great for families—with four units plus armband and action clips costing $925 instead of $1,120.

We’ve not tested Milo on bikes or water, but in the mountains we quickly learned to appreciate how useful they can be. Chatting as you ski, sharing tips, and generally enthusing about being in the mountains is fun—and being able to keep tabs on a group and help as necessary is a real bonus. And, remember, the free alternative of phone communication isn’t possible when surfing and the like.

If you’ve got cash to spend, we’re happy to recommend Milo, especially as the brand rolls out more voice- and AI-based features. If the price were a little lower, the battery life a little longer, and the fiddly volume buttons a little bigger, Milo’s modern take on walkie-talkies would be a clear win.

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Chris Haslam

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April 18, 2024
The best outdoor dining spots in Raleigh

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It’s finally spring! That means it’s time for outdoor dining, which is an incredibly popular choice in the city. Both locals and tourists flock to outdoor bars and cafes to grab a bite to eat.

Check out these restaurants with the best outdoor dining in Raleigh!

The best outdoor dining options in Raleigh

If you are looking for outdoor dining in Raleigh, we have a few restaurant recommendations for you. Here is our complete Raleigh outdoor dining guide.

A Raleigh favorite, Taverna Agora has a gorgeous outdoor seating area.

Mulino Italian Kitchen offers a dining experience like no other. While the property was temporarily closed for repairs in spring 2023, it’s worth watching for some of the best Italian food in the city on the patio, complete with a swimming pool!

Mulino is known for its craft cocktails and delicious wood-fired pizza.

Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing has one of the most famous patios in Raleigh. Take in a stunning view of downtown Raleigh while enjoying classic bar food and a craft beer.

Whiskey Kitchen is exactly like it sounds. It is one part whiskey bar, one part Southern kitchen. Grab one of their famous burgers and choose from one of their 300 whiskey options.

This restaurant is close to downtown and offers a large outdoor seating area that can fit more than 100 people.

They offer unique burger creations with toppings such as fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese. Grab a burger and a margarita, and lounge on their outdoor patio.

St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar brings New Orleans cooking to Raleigh. The restaurant is known for its classic pairing of champagne and oysters.

You can also visit them on the weekends between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a classy outdoor brunch.

Irregardless Cafe is one of Raleigh’s oldest and most popular restaurants. The cafe won Open Table’s Top 50 Vegetarian Restaurants contest in 2019. However, you can still enjoy classic favorites such as shrimp and grits and smoked salmon hash.

Located in the former Raleigh Times newspaper building, Raleigh Times Bar is a must-see.

They have a beautiful rooftop patio that offers a great view of the city.

They also have many incredible craft beers and cocktails to choose from while you are enjoying the fresh air. If you’re lucky enough to stop by on a Tuesday, you can take advantage of their incredible tacos.

Gravy and Sitti are two of downtown Raleigh’s most popular outdoor dining restaurants. They are often lumped together as they share a beautiful secluded courtyard.

Sitti serves authentic Lebanese food, while Gravy is a family-owned Italian eatery.

Bittersweet is the perfect place to catch up with a friend or bring your laptop to work. This cafe is perfect for a light bite and serves delectable coffee, cocktails, and desserts. Bittersweet has a seasonal menu, so you get something new every time you go.

Make sure to stop by every Thursday for a new cupcake flavor that is served with a mini champagne bottle to-go.

Diners can enjoy an intimate dinner on Jolie’s rooftop patio, “Le Rooftop.” This cozy French bistro serves both classic and modernized French dishes from world-famous Chef Scott Crawford. If you want to get a table up on the roof, it is recommended to make a reservation, as tables are limited.

Craving pizza? Check out Trophy Pizza in downtown Raleigh. Trophy has a cozy outdoor patio where you can enjoy an incredible pizza paired with one of their many craft beers.

You can even order dough-to-go so you can make your own Trophy pizza in the comfort of your own home!

Raleigh Beer Garden is nearly 8,500 square feet with a large outdoor dining patio and rooftop bar. This location has been made famous by Guinness World Records for having the largest selection of draft beer (around 400 beers on tap).

In addition to their beer, they also have delicious bar snacks, refreshing salads, and mouthwatering pizzas.

Wilson’s Eatery is a favorite among locals. It is a traditional Southern restaurant serving locally sourced sandwiches, flatbreads and salads that will leave you both full and happy.

Wilson’s Eatery shares its property with Lynwood Brewing Concern, so you can finish your meal off with one of their incredible beers in the outdoor garden. Dogs are also welcome here!

Did we miss something? Email us your favorite outdoor dining spots in Raleigh at deyermann@wral.com.

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April 14, 2024
The Best Accessories and Tech Essentials for Your Dog

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AT WIRED, WE really love our dogs. We also love each other’s dogs, whether they’re adorable little nuggets in New York City apartments, pit mixes in the country, or loyal heelers that spend all day, every day within 6 inches of my left foot. For the past few years, my colleagues and I have been trading tips, tricks, and gear. These are the best dog accessories we’ve bought or tested for our very, very good boys and girls.

Don’t forget to check out our other pet guides, including the Best Dog Beds and Best Cat Toys and Supplies guides.

Updated April 2024: We’ve added the DoggoRamp, Neakasa S1 Pro, Eufy Pet Cam, and Blueberry Pet jackets.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

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Julian Chokkattu, Gear Team

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April 11, 2024
Watch the Total Solar Eclipse Online Here

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It’s shadow time, baby! Soon, people living in North America will get to experience their first solar eclipse in almost a decade.

Even though the last solar eclipse in North America happened in 2017, the next one isn’t expected until August 2044, so seizing this moment is critical. More than just a peculiar shadow, the solar eclipse is a perfect opportunity to hang out with loved ones outside and meditate on humanity’s smallness compared to the vast universe.

And even if you don’t live in the path of totality or you aren’t one of the millions of people traveling to see the major event, there are multiple ways for you to join in and watch the total solar eclipse online.

What Is a Total Solar Eclipse?

“It’s an alignment of the sun, the moon, and the earth in such a way that the moon passes directly between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun’s rays from reaching the Earth’s surface,” says Noah Petro, an Artemis III project scientist at NASA. If you’re in the path of totality, then you will see the moon completely cover the sun. Outside of the main path? You may still see a partial eclipse, where the moon covers a slice of the sun.

Despite the involvement of the moon, a solar eclipse is not to be confused with a lunar eclipse. During those, the moon passes into the shadow of Earth and turns a dark red color. Lunar eclipses are visible for most of the entire hemisphere that’s facing the moon at the time.

When Is the Solar Eclipse?

Passing through portions of North America, the total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8. Depending on where you are in the path of totality, the solar eclipse will happen in the afternoon and potentially last around four minutes. For more specifics, refer to NASA’s map detailing the exact time different US cities will experience the total eclipse.

What about a partial eclipse? For example, even though I’m based in San Francisco, far outside the path of totality, I should still see a small portion of the sun covered between 10 am and noon. Check out this handy link to see when it occurs wherever you’re located.

Where Will It Be Visible?

While the total solar eclipse is primarily happening in Mexico and the United States, a small section of eastern Canada is also along the path of totality. To see what it might look like in different locations, check out this fantastic website created by a retired mathematician that simulates the solar eclipse.

Three major Mexican cities where you can see the total solar eclipse are Mazatlán, Durango, and Torreón.

There are numerous locations across the US where you can potentially experience totality. A few of the locations include Dallas, Texas; Russellville, Arkansas; Carbondale, Illinois; Greenwood, Indiana; and Buffalo, New York.

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Reece Rogers

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April 7, 2024
Celestron’s TrailSeeker Binoculars Offer High Quality Without the High Price

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I started bird-watching around the age of 0. That’s what happens when your parents are birders. I started using binoculars by age 5, an ancient pair of Bushnell 10x50s I’d grab when my father wasn’t looking. They were huge—so heavy I could barely lift them—but the world they opened up was well worth the neck strain. Forty-five years later, I am less cavalier about the neck strain.

When I head out of the house these days, my binocular of choice is 8×32. (I explain what these numbers mean in my Best Binoculars guide.) Celestron’s TrailSeeker 8×32 ED binoculars offer the best combination of image, quality, durability, and price that I’ve been able to find. Many a time have I brought these to my eye and thought, I can’t believe these are only $324. They perform well above their price, matching the performance of models that cost twice as much.

Optical Performance

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

Celestron’s TrailSeeker 8×32 ED binoculars have phase and dielectric-coated BaK-4 prisms, which are rare in binoculars of this size at this price. You might also see them listed as “roof prism binoculars with multicoated optics.” What this all means is that the air-to-glass surfaces have multiple layers of antireflective coatings, ensuring that very little light is lost within the prism. More light being reflected off the prism and getting to your eye ensures a brighter, sharper, and more contrasty image.

In practice, the TrailSeeker binoculars deliver an excellent image with a sweet spot—where the image is sharpest and has the most contrast—that is absolutely tack sharp and occupies roughly 60 percent of the image, expanding out from the center. That’s very good for a $320 pair of binoculars. The image softens toward the edges, but not to such a degree that I notice, unless I go looking for it.

The edges are still sharp enough that I catch motion, at which point I can move the binoculars to center the bird, or whatever subject it is, into the sharper center. Additionally, based on my testing, most of the minimal distortion near the edge can be corrected by focusing for the edges. I never felt the need to do this in real-world use, but for the sake of testing I discovered it is possible (with a corresponding loss of sharpness in the center, since you’re adapting to curvature distortion at the edges).

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

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Scott Gilbertson

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April 3, 2024
The best desert wildflower hikes in metro Phoenix

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Wildflower season is a magical time that draws visitors and residents alike to area hiking trails in search of bursts of natural color. Lucky for us, Phoenix is surrounded by beautiful landscapes waiting to be explored…

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Phoenix New Times Writers

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April 1, 2024
The Best Grills to Up Your Cookout Game

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Snow is Melting, birds are migrating, and pitmasters are dusting off their smokers—just kidding, pitmasters never let dust get on a smoker. But grilling season is on the horizon. It’s time to think about getting out the grill, and maybe even replacing it. It’s a little overwhelming though. Which is the right grill for you?

We’ve been testing grills for years—searing, smoking, grilling, and even baking on them in all kinds of weather—to find the best choice for everyone. Below, you’ll find our top picks for each category (charcoal, gas, pellet, hybrid, and other types) as well as a few alternatives, plus general buying tips if none of these capture your fancy.

For all your outdoor needs, be sure to check out our other buying guides, like the Best Portable Grills, Best Grilling Accessories, Best Camping Gear, Best Tents, and Best Binoculars.

Updated March 2024: We’ve added some updated testing notes for various grills, a new section on high-quality charcoal, and updated links and prices throughout.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

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Scott Gilbertson

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April 1, 2024
The Best Travel Accessories and Gear to Make Your Trip Easier

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Travel isn’t always as luxurious as the brochures make it seem. Sure, the destination may be intoxicatingly gorgeous, but the journey to get there is often one of cramped seats and uninterrupted noise. Traveling can be a gauntlet to be endured or, if you equip yourself properly beforehand, a mere speed bump to glide over. From travel pillows and noise-canceling headphones to luggage trackers, it turns out you actually can purchase peace of mind. These are the best travel accessories after years of traveling and testing.

Don’t forget to check out our Best Travel Bags and Best Travel Adapters guides for more recommendations.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

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Matt Jancer

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March 29, 2024
Our Favorite Garmin Smartwatches Are on Sale

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to celebrate the start of the spring season, Garmin is holding a sale on various gadgets and accessories—including a few WIRED-approved smartwatches. Whether you’re a novice runner or a seasoned hiker, we’re confident that at least one of the discounted smartwatches below will make the perfect companion for your next outdoor adventure.

These deals aren’t just at Garmin either—we’ve also linked to other retailers like Amazon and Target. Don’t see anything you like here? Check out our buying guides, like the Best Fitness Trackers, the Best Sleep Trackers, or the Best Camping Tents.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

Garmin Smartwatch Deals

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Smartwatch

Photograph: Garmin

WIRED senior associate reviews editor Adrienne So says this is currently her favorite smartwatch. The second-generation version (9/10, WIRED Recommends) comes with a high-resolution display, improved solar charging, and an insanely impressive 21-day battery life (even when tracking multiple activities per day), all packed into a compact 40-mm case. (You can also choose a 45-mm or 50-mm size.) It’s a great option for tracking outdoor workouts or activities like camping, trail running, and more. The price has dipped as low as $300 back in November, but this is still a great deal.

Forerunner 255

Photograph: Garmin

The Forerunner 255 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) holds the title of Best Running Watch in our Best Fitness Trackers guide. It packs a ton of great features, including multiband GPS support, a compass, a barometric altimeter, Bluetooth compatibility with a variety of heart rate monitors, and improved sleep tracking. It has excellent battery life, too—WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson says he got about 30 hours of continuous use. You’ll also have access to useful features like Morning Report (which includes a daily greeting, weather, and more) and Body Battery (which measures your energy throughout the day, based on other metrics like activity, sleep, and VO₂ Max). It dipped slightly lower to $239 earlier this month, but it’s still a good deal.

Garmin Venu SQ

Photograph: Garmin

The Venu SQ (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was released back in 2020, but Garmin wearables are known for their longevity. This is still a great entry-level fitness tracker. It has an always-on LCD touchscreen that’s both responsive and bright, along with high-end features like energy level monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, and sleep tracking—in addition to tracking basic metrics like step count, calories, workouts, and more. The Venu SQ often dips to this price at Amazon and reached as low as $116 in January, but this is still a solid deal.

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Brenda Stolyar

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March 27, 2024
The Best Tents for Campers, Backpackers, and Families
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There are hundreds of tents out there. If none of our top picks quite works for you, here are a few things to consider while doing your own research.

Know how you plan to use your tent. Are you a car camper? Backpacker? Bike packer? All of the above? If you’re primarily headed to established campgrounds there’s no need for an expensive ultralight tent. By the same token, if you’re not happy until the trail head is 20 miles behind you, it might be worth sacrificing living space to save weight. The unfortunate truth is that there are very few tents that work well in the backcountry and the campground. It’s often worth buying a good backcountry tent and something cheap for campgrounds to spare your expensive tent the added wear and tear.

Keep the weather in mind. “Three-season” or “four-season” usually refers to how much ventilation (that is, mesh) the tent has. A three-season tent will offer better ventilation but will have a harder time retaining heat. For most people, a three-season tent is fine. But if you’re planning to snowshoe into the backcountry, or if you live in northern climes and want some protection against the occasional early or late winter squall, then a four-season tent might be appropriate.

What specs are important?
- Floor space: We look at all the dimensions, rather than the four-person or six-person designations. Those tend to assume that all campers are pint-sized people. Remember that you will probably want to keep spare clothes or a backpack in the tent itself and that you need it to be long enough to stretch out comfortably for your height. Be aware though that there are some restrictions on tent size, be sure to check out the regulations at the campground you’re planning to visit.
- Headroom: Can you stand up in the tent? How steep are the walls? The steeper the side walls the better, since that gives you more space to move around.
- Storage areas: Are there plenty of pockets to stash your smaller items? The more mesh pockets the merrier, especially higher pockets that won’t reduce sleeping space. We love corner pockets for stashing headlamps to give the tent a nice even light to read by.
- Vestibule: Does it have one? Two? Is it big enough to store boots and other gear that you want to stay dry but don’t want to have in the tent with you? If you’re backpacking, is it big enough to safely cook under?
- A Footprint. What kind of tent, in the year 2024, doesn’t come with a footprint? Quite a few it turns out. We suggest them in most cases, so you’ll want to factor in the added cost if the tent you’re interested in doesn’t have one.
- Materials: These days, most tents are made from nylon that’s coated in polyurethane, silicone, or acrylic to help it shed water. Most, but not all, tents come seam sealed so water doesn’t leak in, but if yours isn’t, REI has a great guide to doing it yourself. We also like to look for more eco-friendly, possibly healthier fabrics that have certifications like bluesign.
How Heavy Should a Backpacking Tent Be?

Is a 6 pound tent too heavy for backpacking? How about 5 pounds? Four? The answer is that it depends how much everything else you’re carrying weighs, but a good rule of thumb is that your tent should weigh about 2.5 pounds per person on the trip. So for two people, a five pound tent would be fine. Split the weight by having one person carry the tent and stakes while the other carries the poles and rain fly. That said, obviously a 4-pound tent is going to be even lighter divided like this. If you can afford it, go with the lighter tent, your back will thank you. It also may well be possible to shave some weight off the rest of your backpacking kit, thus making a 6 pound tent acceptable so long as you split the weight with your partner.

Less weight means more money. This isn’t always true, but unfortunately, it usually is. If you want to go ultralight, you’re going to have to spend more. But before you fork over the big bucks, ask yourself: Do I really care about saving 6 ounces? Are you going to notice those 6 ounces at the end of a 20-mile day? If the answer is yes, then rejoice. There is an internet subculture of people who obsess over saving ounces. The r/ultralight Reddit is a good place to start your research.
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Scott Gilbertson, Gear Team

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March 1, 2024
Explore Florida’s wildlife during FWC’s ‘Florida WildQuest 2024’ event
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FLORIDA — Adventure is out there! Explore the outdoors during the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s “Florida WildQuest 2024” event.

This year’s event will take place in Florida’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) across the state from April 27 to May 5.

Florida residents and visitors can use the GooseChase app to join a wild adventure to complete scavenger hunt missions and discover Florida’s wildlife.

During the event, WildQuest players will have opportunities to explore Florida’s extensive WMA system and learn about its wildlife, habitats and recreational opportunities. Registered players can also qualify for a chance to win wilderness-inspired prizes.

(Photo Courtesy: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Follow these steps to adventure:
1. Find It: Find your closest WMA with the WMA Recreation Finder Map.
2. Charge Up: Make sure your phone is charged and the GooseChase app is installed. Not all areas have mobile coverage, but you’ll be able to take pictures for your scavenger hunt missions and submit them later. Visit FloridaWildQuest.com for instructions on how to join.
3. Be Safe: Stay on marked roads and trails. Before you enter a trail, be sure it fits your skill level and the distance you’re prepared for.
4. Pack Smart: It gets hot outside and there are no vending machines in the wilderness. Check the weather before you go. Pack water, sunscreen and snacks!
5. Snap a Pic: Most WMAs have a kiosk at the main entrance with a welcome sign that includes a map and important reminders for visiting the area. When you see this sign, be sure to take a picture for reference. Grab a guide at the kiosk if one is available.
(Photo Courtesy: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Florida has one of the nation’s largest systems of state-managed wildlife lands, according to FWC. The WMA system includes more than 6 million acres managed primarily for wildlife conservation and nature-based public use.

The FWC maintains, enhances and restores native natural habitats for the benefit of plant and animal populations as well as for the people of Florida.

To learn more about Florida’s WMA system, visit MyFWC.com/WMAs.

(Photo Courtesy: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
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Spectrum News Staff

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February 27, 2024
This $13K Hydrofoil Meant for Amateurs Is a Rough Ride

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I’ve been trying to ride this electric hydrofoil board for over an hour now, and have been bleeding for nearly half that time. The open wounds are on my hand, inflicted after the electric jet propulsion motor shot me and the eFoil board up and out of the water, and we splashed back down in a jumble of wet limbs, metal, and carbon fiber.

I don’t know what part of the board hit me this time. It’s hard to keep track of which fall has whacked which body part. I float for a moment, panting, hand bleeding, toes, knees, and elbows bruised. Then all I want to do is pull myself back up on the board again.

The appeal of an eFoil is probably obvious: It’s a small, self-contained watercraft similar to a short surfboard, but with an electric hydrofoil underneath that propels you at up to 30 mph. The motor is mounted on a mast below the water and has fins attached to its sides. When that motor engages, the board pops up out of the water, gliding a foot or so above the surface for a smooth ride that feels like flying. Efoils surged into prominence a few years ago, when Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg became the unfortunate pasty face of the product after he was photographed riding one. Now the industry is growing, and companies are offering more ways to let you soar over the water than ever.

The Flitescooter.

Photograph: Flite

Flite is an Australian company with several eFoil models in its lineup priced between $7,000 and $17,500. Flite wants to make these flying surfboards more accessible to beginners, which is where its $12,995 Flitescooter comes in. This beginner-oriented model was introduced at CES in January 2023. Flite has positioned it as an easy-to-learn device that’s ideal for resorts, yacht goers, and families.

Flite wants you to think of the Flitescooter as a kind of Segway of the sea—an easily mounted surf-skimming device that will appeal to beginners and water-sport mavericks alike. It’s meant to be a fun, chill time, but in my experience, the Flitescooter is not exactly smooth sailing. In fact, the Flitescooter smoothly tumbled me into the water repeatedly as I struggled to get used to riding it.

The Flitescooter’s inflatable platform has a carbon-fiber core, a design which aids both buoyancy and portability. The foils, stem, and board can all be disassembled to make transit simpler. A removable handle that resembles the handlebar of an electric kick scooter ostensibly makes it simpler to control, though I found that the handle didn’t always make things easier. (More on that in a moment.) Inflated and assembled, the Flitescooter weighs 61.7 pounds by itself. Flite offers three battery sizes, which come in 13-, 24-, and 32-pound options. So it’s more transportable than a jet ski, but harder to lug around than a surfboard.

The rectangular batteries are swappable; they snap into the board’s core just beneath your feet. Flite says the battery for the hydrofoil lasts around an hour and a half before needing a recharge. I rode it for nearly that long, and the battery got down below 20 percent, so the company’s estimate feels right.

The removable handlebars have a throttle and a display.

Photograph: Flite

The electric jet motor powers the hydrofoil action.

Photograph: Flite

Flite’s foilboards have a variety of propulsion options, from spinning propellers to jet engines. Flite’s latest foray into its motor tech is the AMP Jet, which is built directly into a newly designed board. That model is sadly not available for testing yet. The Flitescooter, one of several Flite models you can already buy and the one I rode, only comes with Flite’s existing jet motor. The jet engine on the Flitescooter is fully encased, so there’s no danger of losing any digits to a spinning propeller. That said, the fins on the sides of the hydrofoil are sharp and wide, so it takes some mindfulness to avoid kicking them when splashing around—or falling. Which you’ll be doing a lot.

I’ll pause here to offer the teensiest of credentials. I’ve wakeboarded, surfed, snowboarded, and lounged around on paddle boards. I’m by no means a watersports expert, but I’m at least decent at keeping my balance on these kinds of fancy rafts. Despite that, whatever kraken had apparently chosen to possess my Flitescooter clearly wanted to keep me down in the deep.

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Boone Ashworth

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February 25, 2024
Video: Are ski-slope moose encounters rising, or just going viral more often?

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It can be hard enough for skiers and snowboarders in Colorado to avoid trees, other downhillers, poles, mystery bumps and mashed-potato snow — without also having to worry about running into a moose. But that’s not always possible, as several recent social media videos have shown.

Since the 2023-24 ski season began, there have been at least three major viral moose sightings at Winter Park, one at Steamboat and one at Breckenridge. But that doesn’t include other sightings, and there have been several, that didn’t make it onto Instagram, YouTube, Facebook or TikTok.

Still, representatives of these resorts say the encounters aren’t rising in number.

“I am not aware of any recent moose sightings or encounters at the resort for Breck or Keystone this season,” said Sara Lococo, a spokesperson for Keystone and Breckenridge. “Since we do share the mountains with a variety of local wildlife, including moose, it is always possible that they are around though. It is important for our communities and our visitors to remember that, be aware of their surroundings, and to respect and give space to local wildlife if/when encountered. In the event of a sighting or encounter, we encourage guests to call and report this to ski patrol.”

Saw a moose today at breck
byu/UgoNespolo inskiing

Maren Franciosi, of Steamboat, said: “Steamboat Resort shares the land with many native species including moose. It is common to see wildlife on the resort and we do frequently see moose during operating hours. We work closely with the USFS and CPW, our ski patrol will close/detour ski trails if needed for moose activity and to limit interactions with guests. It does not seem more than usual this year. We have had some sightings in our new terrain, which was expected.”

Jen Miller, of Winter Park, said: “Feels like normal moose activity. We have several sightings every winter season … Winter Park has had several confirmed moose sightings on its slopes during the past few weeks. Moose call Winter Park home, and they occasionally wander onto open ski trails. We remind guests that moose are wild animals, and guests should keep their distance. If necessary, Winter Park ski patrol will close trails and lifts to help protect both the animals and people.”

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.

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John Meyer, Jonathan Shikes

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February 22, 2024
Homemade bird feeders: easy DIY + 6 simple ideas – Growing Family
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Homemade bird feeders

These homemade bird feeders are a great way to give your local wild birds a real treat. You can make a bird feeder at any time of year, but it’s particularly important to support wild birds in winter.

Why homemade bird feeders are great for feeding wild birds in winter

Winter is a tough time of year for wild birds, as natural food sources such as insects and berries are scarce. Also, birds need lots of energy-rich food to maintain fat reserves, which are called upon most when temperatures drop in colder months.

Providing a winter food source (such as a winter bird feeder) for birds is not just a perfect way to help your local wildlife. Encouraging a lot of birds to visit your garden will supply you with plenty of interest during the cold winter months.

How do you make a simple bird feeder?

You can buy a wide variety of *bird food and *fat balls to keep your feathered friends happy, but making your own homemade bird feeders is simple to do. It’s also a lovely activity to get kids of all ages involved with.

How to make homemade bird feeders

Here’s how to make easy bird feeders with lard or other solid fats.

Homemade bird feeder recipe

You will need

Lard, suet or solid vegetable fat (this last option is great for vegetarian-friendly feeders)

Homemade bird seed mix. Wild *bird food, oats, breadcrumbs, sultanas, currants, unsalted peanuts (you don’t need all of these, a mixture of any is fine)

Empty, clean paper cups or yoghurt pots

String

Easy DIY bird feeder instructions

To make your own bird feeders, start by mixing your dry ingredients in a bowl. We’ve found that a ratio of about 2 parts dry to 1 part fat/suet works well.

Melt the lard or suet in a saucepan, then add it to your dry ingredients and stir until everything is well mixed. Supervise children very carefully while doing this. I let mine do some mixing, but handle the heating and pouring myself to avoid any risk of burns.

How to stop leaks!

Once your ingredients are well-mixed, leave them to cool a little while you prepare your paper cups. This will make the mixture safer to handle, but will also mean you get less leakage.

Cut a 40cm length of string. Use a pencil to make a small hole in the bottom of each paper cup, and thread the string through. Leave about 10cm on the outside of the cup, and about 20cm on the inside of the cup.

Tie a double knot in the string at the base of the cup, on the outside. It’s a good idea to put a small circle of cardboard with a hole in the centre at the bottom before tying the knot, this will help stop the feeder slipping off the string.

Fill the cup with your food mixture, making sure to pack it down quite tightly. Try to keep the string in the middle of the cup.

Once you’ve filled all your cups, pop them on a plate or cookie sheet and put them in the fridge to set. This can take quite a while; we usually leave our bird feeders overnight.

Hanging your handmade bird feeders in the garden

When the mixture is set, you can cut away the cup to remove the bird feeder. This can be a bit fiddly, so it’s best left to the adults and older children. Have some kitchen roll handy too, you’ll get quite greasy!

The knotted string is at the bottom of the feeder. Use the string at the other end to hang it up outdoors.

Remember to position your homemade bird feeders where you can see them from the house, and out of the reach of cats.

Fun things to do after you’ve made your DIY bird feeders

Here are some questions you might like to explore with the kids once your homemade bird feeders are in position.
- Could you do some bird watching and keep a diary of the different birds who visit your homemade feeder?
- What time of day are your feeders most popular? Why do you think this is?
- Do particular types of bird visit at the same time each day? Can you think about why this might happen?
- How long does it take for your own DIY bird feeder to disappear?
- If you hang more than one feeder in the garden, is one more popular than the others? Why might this be?
These are all a fun way to help kids learn about their local wildlife, and encourage them to stay engaged with the garden all year round.

More ideas for easy homemade garden bird feeders

Looking for more ideas for bird feeders? Here are some great variations on homemade wild bird feeders.

Fun shaped garden bird feeders

You can use the same fat and bird seed mixture to make homemade bird feeders in fun shapes too. Large shaped cookie cutters and hollowed out orange halves are perfect for this; check out my easy DIY bird feeder for kids post for full instructions on this great project.

Easy drinks bottle DIY bird feeder for kids – make a bird feeder out of a bottle

This easy way to make your own bird feeder with waste household items is so much fun. Empty plastic bottles or (empty plastic milk jugs) and old wooden spoons or a wooden dowel are great for making bird feeders with dry bird seed.

Simply make small holes in opposite sides of the bottles or plastic containers, push a thin dowel or wooden spoon through, pop the lid back on, fill with bird seed, and use a piece of twine to hang the feeder up.

Wild bird feeders made from pumpkins

Pumpkins and squash make great bird seed feeders. We made this hanging bird feeder from half a hollowed-out pumpkin, sticks and string; my pumpkin bird feeder post has a step-by-step guide to this great craft. Birds will love to eat the pumpkin as well as the bird food.

You could also use large oranges, grapefruits or coconuts for your bird food holder instead of a pumpkin. You could even grow sunflowers and use the seed heads to feed backyard birds.

Pine cone bird feeders

You can make a simple bird feeder with a pine cone – so quick and easy!

This video shows you how to make pinecone bird feeders with peanut butter, but you can also use vegetable fat or lard if a peanut butter bird feeder isn’t an option due to peanut allergies.

Simple upcycled bird feeders for small birds

This is another easy bird feeder crafts idea – perfect for a rainy day. Just use an old plate or saucer to make a homemade bird feeder:

How long do homemade bird feeders last?

The answer to this question depends very much on how many birds there are visiting your garden. In our experience, a homemade fat ball feeder is always demolished in a matter of days – much more quickly than shop-bought ones. Our local birds clearly think they taste better!

You may also find that once you start providing homemade bird feeders, more and more bird species will visit your garden. I think they must be spreading the word that there are rich pickings on offer 😉

More nature inspired craft and play ideas

Making a simple bird feeder diy is just one of the fun nature projects in my book *‘A Year of Nature Craft and Play’. There’s a nature play activity for every week of the year and it includes fun crafts, gardening, nature games, art and science experiments – perfect for inspiring kids to get creative with nature and explore the amazing natural world. You might like to take a look at my other book *‘A Year of Nature Walks and Games’ too.

You might also like to check out my posts on spring nature crafts, autumn nature crafts, winter nature crafts, 60 fun garden activities for when you’re stuck at home with the kids, and Twinkl’s winter activities for families resource for more ways to keep them busy!

I’ve also got a useful post on how to garden for wildlife, this has lots of other ideas for making your garden more wildlife friendly that children can join in with. You could even grow some low maintenance outdoor plants in pots with the kids, or have fun with some bee puns.

And finally, take a look at this post on how to keep greedy squirrels off bird feeders.

Do you think you’ll have a go at making your own homemade bird feeders? What birdseed feeder do you use to encourage wild birds to visit your garden?

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Catherine

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January 13, 2024
Explore the Outdoors in Comfort with a $99 Discount on CARSULE | Entrepreneur

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November 26, 2023