Both the Kansbol and the Garberg have some significant advantages over the American Air Force Survival Knife which has a 1095 carbon steel blade with a leather handle and sheath. In a survival situation the blade can rust, and the leather can mold, mildew, and rot.
There are times when the ability to start a fire is much more than that. In a survival situation, being able to start a fire means warmth. It means you can cook food and boil water to ensure that it's safe to drink.
As we saw during the 2021 grid-down situation in Texas, it is extremely important to prepare for natural disaster survival. Short-term problems like a hurricane, blizzard, tornado, or flash flood can lead to devastating results if you aren’t ready.
With a bit of preparation and planning ahead of time, you could sit down to a hot and satisfyingly spicy meals in the great outdoors. One of my favorite go to meals after a long day in the field is a double dose of hot ramen.
If you’re going to be heading out for a camping trip. One critical thing you don’t need to forget is your source of light. Think about this scenario – bonfires, tents, and a flashlight – what could be better?
Keeping gear light and minimal will enhance any outdoor experience and will also provide a solid safety net.
With thousands of knots it’s tough to decide what ones are important to know. Someone on a sailboat is going to answer much differently than someone who is climbing a mountain. Luckily, the knots used when camping work perfect for tasks around the house.
Food is key when you’re camping. You can’t live on hot dogs all week if you want to keep your energy up—and it’s easy to get tricked into thinking you have to spend tons of money on freeze-dried meals so that you can eat well while in the rough.
Sharing your passion for nature, exercise, and eco-responsible recreation with your kids is a great opportunity to bond, educate, and start them on a “path” to success.
Sometimes all you need is a positive attitude and a sharp knife. Whether you are a backpacker, survivalist, hunter, fisherman or boy scout you know the importance of a sharp knife...
You don’t have to be a complete Doomsday Prepper to want to be prepared in the event of a grid down emergency. A grid down emergency doesn’t necessarily mean Armageddon or anything like that....
When it comes to camp life, two words we need to remove from our vocabulary are struggle and hassle. Every problem we face in the outdoors can be solved with the help of Mother Nature. Sometimes, you just need to know where to look!
Campfire cooking can make or break your trip. Let’s face it, everyone loves a good meal, and when you spend the day outdoors, that good meal becomes the pinnacle of camp life...
The first night of our backpacking trip we came into camp at last light. As the light faded, I opted for the Sprout+ instead of the headlamp...
Looking for UCO candle lantern replacement parts or have other questions about keeping your collapsible candle lantern in good condition?
From hot wings to spaghetti to even a blueberry pie, it’s all possible. All that it takes is a few simple tips and tricks with the campfire and you can turn camp food into delicious gourmet backcountry cuisine.
Chickpea Salad is everything you look for in a friend: Easygoing, you can bring them along anywhere or enjoy time with them in the comfort of your own home. Healthy, they are positive influences in your life that will give you the energy to get outside the box and live your life...
Alpine ecosystems are typically defined as those areas occurring above treeline. As unique as the different climates, so is the list of gear you need...
Nothing beats the ability to have a fire anywhere, at any time. However, there are times when a large, open campfire is not an option, for a variety of reasons. That’s where the UCO Mini Flatpack Grill and Firepit comes into the picture...
When the seasons change and the weather has you more inside than out, it’s time for a getaway. What are your options in the winter? You can rough it and sleep in a tent, which I will opt for in optimal conditions, or you can get fancy...
There are no two ways about it. Hiking gear changes in the winter months and backpacks become heavier. That shouldn't stop you from getting out in the woods...
When it comes to happy hour, there’s no better way to do it than in the backcountry, surrounded by amazing vistas and nature. Here’s our guide to having the best backcountry happy hour...
While we always keep our fingers crossed every trip will be uneventful, an emergency car kit is a good way to make the best out of those uncommon situations...
Keeping your knife sharp may seem like a daunting task. There are dozens of different techniques and tools to get the job done. Simplicity though, proves to be one of the best practices!
at the heck do you get the person who has everything? Hard to say but we think it's safe to say that this outdoorsy person will appreciate any and all the gifts below...
Summer and the warm weather that goes along with it may be over but that doesn't mean you have to retire your house for the year. Make your next outing a little bit more comfortable...
Everyone loves a great meal at camp. It doesn’t get much better than a cool evening, sitting next to the campfire, eating a hearty meal. Wicked White Chili is one of our camp favorites and we wanted to share it with you!
when a major event occurs, the average household can be without power for 20 hours. This is only an average and depending on the natural disaster...
Do you have (or have access to) a car? Do you have a desire to wake up in a park? Well, good news: you've already covered the two most essential requirements for car camping!
Maybe you are ready to take fire making to the next level? Maybe it is time you become a fire wizard? Maybe…well….you get the point! Here are 5 tips that will help you how to get the most out of your ferrocerium rod...
So – you’re ready for your first backpacking trip where weight really matters. Maybe you’ve done a few short-distance trips, but you’re now ready to cover 10+ miles a day...
Everyone and their mom is moving into a van - everywhere you go there are sprinters and sweet VW buses and smiling people spilling out of them. And it seems for good reason - the type of life that comes with it is very attractive...
Washington is blessed to have so many climbing areas in close proximity to the Seattle metro area. Vantage, Index, the Exits, Leavenworth and Mt. Erie are some, just to name a few...
Coffee roasting used to be widespread, and many households would roast their own on a regular basis. With the rise of modern conveniences, most people now buy stale coffee in stores. But you don't have to....
Ferro rod is referred to as the ultimate emergency fire starting device is because it is impenetrable to all weather and has an extremely long lifespan...
Shelters come in all shapes and sizes with the most important being the home we live in. Creating a home away from home will provide safety, security, and comfort...
Back in 2015, the UCO #TrashTag Project started and encouraged the public to clean up litter. Nearly 4 years later, the #TrashTag Project has made a major comeback...
Avoid crawling out of your sleeping bag, scavenging for firewood, and battling the cold while camping. Learn how to build a the self-feeding fire.
One of those chores is preparing and purifying water. Filters, chemicals, and boiling are all great options, but boiling trumps them all.
Go ahead, grab some friends and hit the road. These tips are sure to help you enjoy the experience more!
The 5 W's to help you stay safe in the wilderness.
Your guide to meal prep to conquer your weekend adventure goals.
Following these simple steps can quickly and easily diminish the chances of causing any forest fire.
UCO Mess Kits can help you reduce plastic waste in 10 ways.
This quick campfire oatmeal recipe is a heart and muscle-healthy backpackers choice.
This campfire cooking recipe is for a flavor and protein-rich paella.
Simple steps you need to know for campfire safety.
Learn the survival priorities to make sure you are staying safe on your next adventure.
This easy-to-make camp recipe combines comfort food with high-protein tuna.
Our guide to headlamps helps you understand power, fit, brightness and projection to help you know what to buy.
Know these tips. There are a few, "outside the box", tricks that anyone at any skill level can use.
Which type of lantern is for you? Sound complicated? Don’t worry. Here, we shed light on the details.
It is difficult to distinguish every plant and tree in nature. Dan tells you which plants to use to start a fire.
Do you need this item in your kit? Survival Instructor Dan Wowak gets real helps you improve your kit in 3 minutes...
Even if you only follow some of these tips, you'll see a major boost to the battery life of your devices on your next camping trip!
Don’t just ask kids if they want to help - tell them you need their help! Nothing will make kids feel more grown up or more excited about campfire cooking...
Creating a sustainable fire is the challenge, it’s the need, and it’s the want to be near something we can’t live without.
Numerous things can go wrong when you are camping and sometimes it’s completely out of your control, but other times it’s your own mistakes that can ruin your trip.
Blow your friends away with your amazing trail tacos and general tips on camp cooking.
Fire is at the core of human existence as it provides warmth, utility, and comfort. Enabling us to cook food at camp, keep warm on a cold night, and purify water; learning to start a fire is essential.
Whether you’re in the desert, jungle, forest or on the sand, the natural experience of cooking under an open night sky and against a warm blaze is as primal as it is gratifying and hunger-quenching.
Ahh, cold-weather camping. There’s so much to love about it: uncrowded trails and parks, getting the first choice of campsites anywhere you go and enjoying fresh, Hot coffee as you watch the morning fog lift right outside your tent.
Knowing how to start a fire is one of the most important survival skills you can learn. Whether your're a survivalist, a backpacker or just a person who wants to be prepared...
Mountaineering isn't always about charging for the summit, so take your time and stop to smell the roses. Aidan talks about a recent trip up Mt. Adams.
A Photo Collection from Colton Jacobs of a recent splitboarding trip around Bend, OR.
Gemina Garland-Lewis got her start in the outdoors at a young age. Thanks to her parents' guiding hands, she's pursued a rich life full of outdoors experiences. Here's to Mom and Dad!
Kathy drops in to talk about a life on-the-move, and how she's settling in to the crossroads between a climbing life and a professional life.
Aidan covers the NORRA Mexicana, an off-road race through Baja that is renowned for thrashing vehicles. Especially a 30 year old van.
Otis and Aidan head off to catch the elusive 'Super Bloom' in Death Valley National Park.
Otis' latest hiccup has left Aidan in central California, but that suits Aidan just fine.
Gemina Garland-Lewis sails to the tip of the Baja Peninsula from Santa Barbara, CA.
UCO President Graeme Esarey is pissed off at the way Utah government handles public lands like Bears Ears National Monument.
A weekend of product testing and cabin fun in Hoodsport, Washington.
Vol. 1 of our series with Aidan Klimenko and his VW Syncro as they travel together across the Americas.
As the Holidays quickly approach, it’s time to begin finding gift ideas that will be a hit with even the most tricked-out gear junkie. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite items that we know will make you a hit with your family and friends:
In honor of the 100th anniversary they are visiting all 59 National Parks via RV.
The UCO Gear Creatures of the Night crew headed up to Gold Bar, WA for some night climbing & camp vibes.
Nominate a world changing organization on instagram and win some gear and money for the organization.
January always starts the year with a bang for UCO: We get to attend Outdoor Retailer and SHOT SHOW.
Winter Outdoor Retailer always comes with some fun times on the mountain for our crew.
The start of a new year always brings about the inevitable question: What will your New Year's resolution be?
We want to help you have the most festive holiday yet. Follow these tips and you'll be prepared for anything this holiday season.
We’re pretty lit up about our Titan Stormproof Match Kit™ winning the 50 Campfires Award!
In early October, we officially launched our #TrashTag Project. We’ve signed on an ambassador crew that has done a stellar job helping us clean up, spread the word and encourage others to pack out trash spotted on the trail.
We asked our resident climbing fanatic, and Product Design Engineer, to spell out his most favorite climbing gear. So if you've got a climber, or any outdoor adventurer on your shopping list this holiday season, read on.
We are extremely honored and ecstatic about our Backpacker Editor's Choice Award!
We’re so eager to introduce the brain child of UCO + Steven Reinhold, the #TrashTag project. Here’s how it came to be:
Light My Fire, a UCO partner is a very proud supporter of the Big City Mountaineers, and their Summit for Someone charity climbs. UCO People member, Steven Reinhold, reflects on his experiences with the program
In honor of this very important month, we have released our new Stormproof Survival Kit.
Noted survival expert Dave Canterbury shares his 10 C's for survival at the 2015 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show.
UCO Team Member Graeme Esarey and the Elsie Piddock crew take first place in the 2015 Race to Alaska from Victoria, BC to Ketchikan, AK.
