Jake Reyes
Lead gear tester
Based in Bishop, California
Jake spent his twenties guiding raft trips and rock climbing in the Eastern Sierra and now leads our gear-testing program. If a piece has been on a Pack Your Tent gear list, odds are Jake has carried it for 50+ miles or chopped wood with it in 20-degree sleet.
40 published articles · most recent April 26, 2026
Jake spent his twenties guiding raft trips and rock climbing in the Eastern Sierra and now leads our gear-testing program. If a piece has been on a Pack Your Tent gear list, odds are Jake has carried it for 50+ miles or chopped wood with it in 20-degree sleet.
His specialty is the brutal honesty that gear marketing never gets near — what fails in the third season, what blisters when you carry it 18 miles, what you actually grab from the gear closet at 4am for a permit hike.
Articles by Jake Reyes
The Three Water Rules That Keep Us Alive in the DesertAfter ten Mojave winters and one bad scare in Anza-Borrego, here are the only three water rules our team enforces in the desert.
Which Colorado Fourteener Should Be Your First?Bierstadt is the obvious answer. Here's why we still recommend it, and three trickier ones that build better skills.
How to Pick a Backpacking Tent Without Falling for MarketingHow to pick a backpacking tent: five specs that matter, four marketing terms to ignore, and a sensible starting point for first-time buyers on trail.
Angels Landing in November: What Permit Day Was Really LikeAngels Landing in November on permit day: icy chains, a 20 minute wait for the sun, and what we would change next time, including start time and traction.
Best Travel PillowsOur guide to the best travel pillows covers filling types, support areas, size, features and ten reviewed picks for flights, road trips and long journeys.
Best Travel BackpackChoosing the best travel backpack comes down to use, capacity, weight, durability and features. Compare ten reviewed packs for flights, commutes and trails.
Best Camp ShowerLooking for the best camp shower? Compare solar, propane, battery and pump models, plus specs, flow rates and reviews, to pick the right one for your trip.
Best Carry-on LuggageFind the best carry-on luggage with our guide to size limits, weight, wheels and security, plus ten hardside and softside spinners reviewed with pros and cons.
Best Toiletry Bags For TravelFind the best toiletry bags for travel: how to choose size, compartments and materials, plus ten hanging and compact bags reviewed with pros and cons.
Best Duffel BagFind the best duffel bag for travel, the gym or the outdoors, with advice on capacity, size, materials and features, plus reviewed picks to compare.
Best KayakWith being home to some of the most beautiful waterways and coastal regions in the world, it's no wonder kayaking is such a popular activity. Getting out on…
Best Beach ShelterFind the best beach shelter for your group: how to judge size, UPF, wind resistance and setup, plus ten shelters compared, with pros and cons for each one.
Best Inflatable SUPLooking for the best inflatable SUP? Compare board size, construction, accessories and key specs, plus pros and cons of popular boards for beginners.
Best Inflatable KayakChoosing an inflatable kayak? Compare solo and tandem designs, materials and portability, then see popular models with their pros and cons side by side.
Best Packing CubesLooking for the best packing cubes? Compare materials, features, compression and accessories, plus ten reviewed sets to suit any trip and luggage.
Best Carry On BackpackFinding the best carry on backpack is a travel essential. With increasingly strict airline luggage allowances, having a backpack that maximizes your…
Best Car FridgeChoosing the best car fridge: types, sizes, power draw and ten portable fridge freezer reviews with pros and cons for road trips, camping and beach days.
Best Camera BagChoosing the best camera bag means matching style, size, padding and weatherproofing to your kit. See what to look for and ten bags compared.
Best Sleeping BagChoose the best sleeping bag for your trip: compare shapes, weights, temperature ratings and reviewed picks for backpacking, family and couples camping.
Best Family TentFind the best family tent with our guide to tent types, capacity, setup, weather ratings and ten reviewed models for car camping and group trips.
Best Camping Stove AustraliaWhether you're a weekend warrior or a hardcore outdoor enthusiast, a quality camping stove is essential gear for any camping trip. The right stove allows…
Best Hiking Backpacks AustraliaLooking for the best hiking backpacks in Australia? Compare capacity, fit, weight and features, plus honest reviews of top day and multi-day packs.
Heater Body Suit Body Suit ReviewsBody suit reviews for the Heater Body Suit: how it traps heat, what it's made of, sizing, pros and cons, and when cold-weather hunters should skip it.
How To Heat Tent Winter Camping In 7 Easy WaysPlanning to go camping but afraid of the cold? I have shared my secret methods in this article on how to heat tent winter camping. Winter camping has its…
12 Tips On How To Insulate A Tent For Winter CampingWondering how to insulate a tent for winter camping? Follow the steps below and learn the art of insulating your camp! Camping during the winters may seem a…
Best Discount Outdoor Gear Websites in 2021My favorite discount outdoor gear websites, and other ways to steal a deal
The 5 Best Lock Laces For CampingTired of stopping to retie? Our guide to the best lock laces for camping covers five no-tie picks, what to look for, and answers to common questions.
Best Headlamps For CampingCompare five of the best headlamps for camping, with pros, cons and a buyer's guide covering lumens, battery life, waterproof ratings and comfort.
Best Reclining Camping ChairsCompare the best reclining camping chairs, from the ALPS Escape to the Nemo Stargaze, with pros, cons, weight limits and advice on picking the right one.
Best Tent Air ConditionersOur pick of the best tent air conditioners for hot summer camping, with pros, cons and a buyer's guide covering power, size, BTU ratings and insulation.
Best Tent FootprintLooking for the best tent footprint? We compare five waterproof options, from ultralight to family size, with pros, cons and a simple guide to sizing.
Best Safe Tent HeatersCompare five of the best safe tent heaters for cold weather camping, with pros, cons, safety rules and a buyer's guide to ventilation and features.
Most Efficient Camping Stoves (Buying Guide & Reviews)Most Efficient Camping Stoves Did you know that studies show that convention camp stoves are only 40% efficient? You don't have to be an expert to know that…
WindTAMER Camp Stove Companion ReviewOur WindTamer Camp Stove Companion review covers wind and rain protection, fuel savings, Nomex fabric, setup, pricing, pros and cons for car campers.
When Does Camping Gear Go on Sale (And More Saving Tips)When does camping gear go on sale? Learn the best sale windows, which gear drops when, and how to stack coupons, memberships and used gear to save more.
The 8 Best Hiking Leggings With PocketsSo you just found yourself a great pair of leggings for hiking... but there's one issue - no pockets! A complaint by pretty much every hiker everywhere. And no, those little fake pockets don't count. This is why I compiled a list of some of the best hiking leggings with pockets.
Best Ultralight Down Jackets: Top 12Ultralight down jackets are a favorite among backpackers, climbers, and backcountry skiers who are counting every ounce. Let's look at the best
Ozark Trail 2 Burner Camp Stove ReviewThe Ozark Trail 2 Burner Camp Stove is one of the more affordable camp stoves from Walmart. There are better stoves out there, but the Ozark is popular…
How to Pick the Right SnowshoesHow to Pick the Right Snowshoes Though many people enjoy hiking during the warmer months, there seems to be a precipitous drop-off as soon as winter…
How To Choose Crampons: The Ultimate GuideHow To Choose Crampons For climbing steep icy areas or crossing open summits, crampons will be necessary. If you are doing lighter winter travel, other…