Jeans Made In The U.S.

• AG Jeans — Los Angeles, California — jeans (only selected products)
• Jean Shop — New York, New York —  jeans
• Levi Strauss & Co. — San Francisco, California —  jeans (only selected products)
• Rag & Bone — New York, New York —  jeans (only selected products)
• Raleigh Denim — Raleigh, North Carolina —  jeans
• Tellason — San Francisco, California —  jeans
• The Stronghold — Los Angeles, California —  jeans
• True Religion — jeans

Accessories Made In The U.S.

• American Optical — sunglasses, eyeglasses
• Bollman Hats — Adamstown, Pennsylvania — hats
• Buffalo Gold – Goodnight, Texas – Bison wool clothing
• David Hart & Co. — New York, New York — neckties
• Dodo Case — San Francisco, California — iPad / iPhone cases
• Edgar Leather — Tallahassee, Florida — leather goods
• Faribault Woolen Mills — Faribault, Minnesota — blankets
• Geier Glove Co. — Centralia, Washington — leather gloves
• The General Knot Co. — Bedford, New York — neckties
• Gfeller Casemakers — Meridian, Idaho — leather goods
• Noble Buffalo — St. Louis, Missouri — leather belts
• Leather Man Limited — Essex, Connecticut — belts, accessories
• Optimo Hats —Chicago, Illinois — hats
• Pierrepont Hicks — Minneapolis, Minnesota — ties, accessories
• Randolph Engineering — Randolph, Massachusetts — glasses, sunglasses
• Shuron — Greeneville, South Carolina — glasses, eyeglasses
• Solesu — Belleville, Illinois — leather belts
• Tanner Goods — Portland, Oregon — leather goods
• Wiley Belts — Charlottesville, Virginia — belts, leather goods

Luggage Made In The U.S.

• Accessories Unlimited — Portland, Maine — bags
• Acorn Bags — California — cycling bags
• Artifact Bags — Omaha, Nebraska — bags
• Bailey Works — Portsmouth, New Hampshire — bicycle bags
• Billykirk — Pennsylvania — bags, leather goods
• Beckel Canvas — Portland, Oregon — bags, tents, etc.
• Buzzline — Fort Pierce, Flordia — bags
• Dandux — Ellicott City, Maryland — bags
• Domke — Hauppauge, New York — camera bags, accessories
• Duluth Pack — Duluth, Minnesota — luggage
• Emil Erwin — Nashville, Tennessee — luggage, accessories
• Estex Mfg. Co. — Fairburn, Georgia — bags
• Equinox — Williamsport, Pennsylvania — bags, outdoor gear
• Frost River — Duluth, Minnesota — bags, tents
• Ghurka — New York, NY — bags, leather goods, accessories
• Goruck — Bozeman, Montana — bags, hats
• Johnson Woolen Mills — Johnson, Vermont — bags, clothing, accessories
• Joshu+Vela — San Francisco, California — bags
• J. W. Hulme Co. — St. Paul, Minnesota — briefcases, bags, accessories
• Klein Tools — Lincolnshire, Illinois — bags, accessories
• LL Bean — Freeport, Maine — luggage (only selected products)
• Makr — Orlando, Florida — luggage, accessories, leather goods
• Mer — Brooklyn, New York — luggage
• Moop — Pittsburg, Pennsylvania —bags
• Port Canvas — Kennebunkport, Maine — canvas bags
• Red Oxx — Billings, Montana—  adventure luggage
• Topo Designs — Denver, Colorado — bags
• Tough Traveler — Schenectady, New York — bags
• Triple Aught Design — San Francisco, California — bags, accessories
• Utility Canvas — Gardiner, New York — bags, accessories
• Wm. J. Mills & Co. — Greenport, New York — bags
• Wood&Faulk — Portland, Oregon — bags, accessories

Clothing Made In The U.S.

• Anderson-Little — Tamarac, Flordia — navy blazerslected products)
• Berle Manufacturing — Charleston, South Carolina — trousers
• Beyond Clothing — Seattle, Washington — outdoors clothing
• Bill’s Khakis — Reading, Pennsylvania — khaki pants, clothing
• Brooks Brothers — New York, New York — clothing, sportswear, footwear, accessories (only selected products)
• Bemidji Woolen Mills — Bemidji, Minnesota — clothing, blankets
• Camber — Norristown, Pennsylvania — tee shirts, sweatshirts
• Carhartt — Dearborn, Michigan — workwear, outerwear (only selected products)
• CC Filson — Seattle, Washington — outwear, bags, accessories (only selected products)
• CEGO — New York, New York — custom shirts
• Commonwealth Proper — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — shirts
• Centralia Knitting Mills — Centralia, Washington — outerwear
• Crescent Down Works — Seattle, Washington — outerwear
• Ebbets Field Flannels — Seattle, Washington — jackets, jerseys, accessories
• Engineered Garments — New York, New York — clothing, bags, accessories
• Epaulet — Brooklyn, New York — shirts, ties
• Gitman Brothers — Ashland, Pennsylvania — woven shirts
• Hamilton Shirts — Houston, Texas — custom shirts
• Hart Schaffner Marx — Chicago, Illinois — tailored clothing
• Hertling Trousers — Brooklyn, New York — pants
• Homage — Columbus, Ohio — tee shirts, sweatshirts, accessories
• Individualized — Perth Amboy, New Jersey — woven shirts
• Langlitz Leathers — Portland, Oregon — motorcycle jackets
• New England Shirt Company — Fall River, Massachusetts — shirts
• Oxxford Clothing — Chicago, Illinois — tailored clothing
• Pendleton Woolen Mills — Portland, Oregon — sportswear, blankets (only selected products)
• Pointer Brand — Bristol, Tennessee — clothing, denim, workwear
• Post Overalls — New York, NY — clothing
• Ramblers Way — Kennebunk, Maine — wool clothing
• REI — Kent, Washington — outdoor clothing  (only selected products – see their “Made In USA” section)
• Rogue Territory — Los Angeles, California — clothing, accessories
• Round House — Shawnee, Oklahoma — denim, workwear
• Self Edge — San Francisco, California — clothing
• Schott NYC — New York, New York — outerwear
• Spiewak — New York, New York — outerwear
• Sterlingwear — Boston, Massachusetts — outerwear
• Steven Alan — New York, New York — sportswear, accessories (only selected products)
• Stormy Kromer — Ironwood, Michigan — hats, clothing, outerwear
• Taylor Stitch — San Francisco, California — shirts
• Thom Browne — New York, New York — tailored clothing, sportswear
• Vanson Leathers — Fall River, Massachusetts — leather jackets
• Western Mountaineering — San Jose, California — down jackets, sleeping bags
• Wrath Arcane — Cleveland, Ohio — sportswear

Footware Made In The U.S.

• Allen-Edmonds — Port Washington, Wisconsin — shoes (only selected products)
• Altama — Atlanta, Georgia — boots
• Arrow Moccasin Company — Hudson, Massachusetts — footwear
• Chippewa Boots — Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin — footwear (only selected products)
• Danner — Portland, Oregon — footwear
• Darn Tough — Northfield, Vermont — socks
• E. Vogel — New York, New York — boots, shoes
• Fox River Mills — Osage, Iowa — socks
• Keen – Portland, Oregon – footwear — (only selected products)
• Limmer Boots — Intervale, New Hampshire — boots
• LL Bean — Freeport, Maine — boots
• New Balance — Boston, Massachusetts — athletic shoes (only selected products)
• Oak Street Bootmakers — Chicago, Illinois — shoes, boots
• Oliver Moore — New York, New York — custom shoes
• Perry Ercolino — Doylestown, Pennsylvania — custom shoes
• Quoddy — Perry, Maine — footwear
• Rancourt & Co. — Lewiston, Maine — footwear
• Red Wing — Red Wing, Minnesota — footwear (only selected products)
• Russell Moccasin Co. — Berlin, Wisconsin — footwear
• Townview Leather — Dexter, Maine — footwear
• Vincent & Edgar — New York, New York — bespoke shoes
• Weinbrenner — Merrill, Wisconsin — footwear
• Wesco Boots — Scappoose, Oregon — footwear
• White’s Boots — Spokane, Washington — footwear
• Wigwam — Sheboygan, Wisconsin — socks
• Wolverine – boots (only selected products)
• Yuketen — Hermosa Beach, California — boots, shoes

Tools Made In The U.S.

• All American Pressure Cooker — Wisconsin — Pressure Cookers
• Ambruster Tent Company — Springfield, Illinois — Canvas Tents
• Annin & Company — Roseland, New Jersey — Flags
• Baxter of California — Los Angeles, California — Men’s Grooming Products (only selected products)
• Benchmade — Oregon City, Oregon — Knives (only selected products)
• Buck Knives — Post Falls, Idaho — Knives
• Estwing — Rockford, Illinois — Axes / Wood Splitting
• Field Notes — Portland, Oregon — Notepads, Writing Instruments
• Fisher Space Pen — Boulder City, Nevada — Writing Instruments
• Klhip — Ketchum, Idaho — Nail Clippers
• The Good Flock — Portland, Oregon — Technology Cases
• Jacob Bromwell — Tempe, Arizona — pots, pans, accessories
• Klein Tools – only selected products
• Leatherman — Portland, Oregon — Multi-Tools
• Luma Labs — Portland, Oregon — Camera Straps
• PortaBrace — North Bennington, Vermont — Camera Bags
• Pocket Pin High Pro – Knoxville, Tennessee — Golf training equipment
• Rada Cutlery — Iowa — Kitchen Utensils
• School House Electric — Portland, Oregon — light fixtures, home accessories
• Scout Books — Portland, Oregon — Notebooks
• Springbar Tents — Salt Lake City, Utah — Canvas Tents
• Snap On Tools – only selected products
• Steelcase —  Grand Rapids, Michigan — Chairs
• Streamlight — Eagleville, Pennsylvania — Flashlights
• Surefire — Fountain Valley, California — Flashlights
• The United States Playing Card Company — Cincinnati, Ohio — Playing Cards
• Vornado Fans — Andover, Kansas — Fans
• Wiggy’s — Grand Junction, Colorado — Sleeping Bags, Outerwear
• Wilson Bohannan Co. — Marion, Ohio — Padlocks
• Woodman’s Pal — Boyertown, Pennsylvania — Machetes
• W.R. Case & Sons — Bradford, Pennsylvania — Knives
• Zeroll — Fort Pierce, Flordia — Ice Cream Scoops
• Zippo — Bradford, Pennsylvania — Lighters

Audio Gear Made In The U.S.

• Audio by Van Alstine — Woodbury, MN — preamplifiers, amplifiers, digital-to-analog converters, and phase inverters
• Ayre Acoustics, Inc. — Boulder, CO — full line of audio and video components
• Audeze — Headphones
• Car Audio Factory — Richmond, TX — subwoofer enclosers
• Carr Amplifiers — Pittsboro, NC — guitar amplifiers, made by guitarists for guitarists.
• CI Audio — Port Hueneme, CA — headphone amplifiers, monoblock amplifiers, and power supplies.
• Fargen Amps — Sacramento, CA — all tube (not solid-state) guitar and bass amplifiers
• Grado Labs — Brooklyn, NY — high-quality headphones and phono cartridges (their SR80-i is one of the best headphones under $100)
• KCS Loudspeakers — Sun Prairie, WI — custom horn loudspeakers
• Klipsch –  Hope, AR – audio gear
• Koss Headphones – Milwaukee, WI – headphones
• Manley Labs — Chino, CA — Hi-Fi and professional recording gear
• McIntosh Labs — Binghamton, NY: fine audio and home theater sound systems
• Mohu, Inc. — Raleigh, NC — makers of the LeafTM, a USA-made indoor HDTV antenna
• Moog Music — Ashville, NC — miniMoog Voyager analog monosynth, MoogerFooger guitar pedals, and Etherwave theremin
• Ohm Acoustics — Brooklyn, NY — high-end speakers for audio and home theater applications
• Orb Audio — Sherman Oaks, CA — Mod1 and Mod2 satellite speakers for flat screen and home theater applications, handmade in the USA. “Small Speakers for Smart People”
• Schitt Audio – Audio Gear
• Synthesizers.com — Tyler, TX — modular analog music synthesizers, assembled in USA with domestic and imported components
• SVS — Ohio — speakers and subwoofers for music and home theater
• Wavefront Technologies — Los Angeles, CA — theremin musical instruments and accessories
• Westone — Colorado — Earphones
• Woo Audio — New York — amps
• Zinky Electronics — Flagstaff, AZ — electric guitar amplifiers & accessories

Camping Equipment Made In The U.S.

• American Outdoors — coolers, boat totes, camp chairs, etc.
• Arc Flashlight —Phoenix, AZ — LED pocket flashlights that run on a single AAA battery
• Awl for All —Arlington Hts., IL — indispensable wooden-handled awl for repairing leather, canvas, and vinyl outdoor gear
• Butler Bags —Cedar City, UT — sleeping bags, bedrolls, and gear bags
• Cascade Designs —Seattle, WA — manufacturer of camping gear of all sorts (including Therm-a-rest self-inflating camping mattresses, MSR camping stoves)
• Equinox. —Williamsport, PA — makers of ultralight backpacking gear, including sleeping bags, tarps, ponchos packs, and totes
• EZ-Sales and Mfg. —Gardena, CA— American-made hammocks, folding aluminum camp chairs, cots, and canteens (only selected products)
• Feathered Friends —Seattle, WA — sleeping bags, outwear, and comforters
• Fuerte Cases —La Mesa, CA — waterproof protective cases for laptops, PDAs, firearms
• Kirkham’s Outdoor Products —Salt Lake City, UT — manufacturer of Springbar and AAA canvas wall tents
• Nalgene —Rochester, NY — water bottles, bike bottles, travel mugs, and other “hydration necessities” (only selected products)
• Northern Lites —Wausau, WI — high-tech, lightweight snowshoes for all uses, from racing to hiking
• Open Country Campware — aluminum camp ware kits, plates, pots, and canteens made by Metal Ware Corp. (Two Rivers, WI)
• Outdoor Research —Seattle, WA — shelter systems, headwear, gaiters/footwear, and storage systems/stuff sacks (only selected products)
• Princeton Tec — headlamps, outdoor gear, bikes lights
• Purcell Trench Mfg — Addy, WA —ultra-lightweight camping grills and tarp shelters
• REI — Kent, Washington — outdoor equipment  (only selected products – see their “Made In USA” section)
• TarpTent —Redwood City, CA —ultralight, mobile shelters made with US materials in Seattle, WA
• Tektite —Trenton,NJ — LED flashlights and lanterns, divelights, and marker lights

Bikes Made In The U.S.

• Ahearne — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• A.N.T. Bicycles — Holliston, Massachusetts — bicycles, bicycle accessories
• Bilenky Cycle Works — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — bicycles
• Brooklyn Machine Works — Brooklyn, New York — bicycles
• Calfee Design — La Selva Beach, California — bicycles
• Courage Bicycle MFG Co. — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Cygolite  — bike lights
• Davidson — Seattle, Washington — bicycles
• Fast Boy Cycles — New York, New York — bicycles
• Gunnar Cycles — Waterford, Wisconsin — bicycle frames
• Hufnagel — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Independent Fabrication — Somerville, Massachusetts — bicycles
• Ira Ryan Cycles — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• J.P. Weigle — Lyme, Connecticut — bicycles
• Lightspeed — Chattanooga, Tennessee — bicycles
• MAP — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Metrofiets — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Moots Cycles — Steamboat Springs, Colorado — bicycles
• NiteRider  — bike lights
• Outlier — Brooklyn, New York — cycling clothing
• Pereira — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Phil Wood —San Jose, California — bicycle components
• Princeton Tec — bikes lights
• Richard Sachs Cycles — Chester, Connecticut — bicycles
• Seven Cycles — Watertown, Massachusetts — bicycles
• Signal Cycles — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Six-Eleven Bicycle Co. — Roanoke, Virginia — Bicycles
• Steelman Cycles — Redwood City, California — bicycles
• Strawberry — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Tet Cycles — West Branch, Iowa — bicycles
• Townsend Bicycles — Monrovia, California — bicycles
• Waterford Precision Bicycles — Waterford, Wisconsin — bicycle frames
• Worksmen Bicycles — Queens, New York — bicycles

The post A List Of Goods Still Made In The USA appeared first on Reactual.

• The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2
• The Best Bluetooth Speaker for Sound Quality: FUGOO
• The Best Indoor Bluetooth Speaker: Bose SoundLink Color

The Details

The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2

Pros: Waterproof, rugged, great battery life, impressive sound, lightweight

Cons: playback controls occasionally unresponsive

A favorite pick of top tech magazines, the UE Boom 2 is a remake of the popular, original UE Boom.  Although just over 1 lb., the compact, cylindrical speaker projects a loud, clear sound with deep bass in all directions.  Unlike many delicate tech gadgets, these speakers were meant to be taken outside – the outer shell is resilient, rugged and made to withstand dings and dents.  It’s not just water-resistant – it’s waterproof – and can be submerged in over three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.  The rechargeable battery lasts an impressive 15 hours, perfect for a weekend camping trip with a group of friends.  The UE Boom 2 also offers a variety of other features, including the ability to sync with a second UE speaker for even more sound, intuitive app features, and a variety of color options to suit any style.

The UE Boom 2 is available at Amazon for around $200.

The Best Bluetooth Speaker for Sound Quality: FUGOO

Pros: Powerful sound, excellent battery life, durable design, customizable “jackets”

Cons:  Does not give visual cues on volume or battery life, changing jackets requires some dis-assembly

According to TechRadar, the FUGOO Bluetooth speaker is one of the industry’s best-kept secrets.  Although some high-end Bluetooth speakers from well-known brands, such as Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen, Sony, Marshall Kilburn, and Bose, may boast of higher quality sound, many of these are not realistically portable, or likely to be used as portable speakers, due to their size, weight, and price tag.  However, the FUGOO is a true portable speaker at a little under 1.5 pounds, and includes a durable core and different exterior “jackets” depending on the purpose and environment.  Specifically, the core is itself a rugged machine capable of handling dings, dents, and spills.  The “style” jacket offers additional protection and a streamlined silhouette.  The “sport” and “tough” jackets offer additional protection.  The speaker sound is exceptional; music lovers will be astounded by the depth and clarity of the sound produced via its six drivers, including two tweeters, two mid/sub drivers, and two passive radiators.  The FUGOO also offers an unbelievable 40 hours of continuous battery life.

The FUGOO does have some small drawbacks.  Its streamlined, minimal visual design only indicates whether the machine is turned on or off.  All other cues are voice-activated, which means a simple glance to check the volume level or battery life is not possible.  Additionally, the jackets are not easily interchangeable.  Although the “style” jacket slides and locks in, the other jackets require a little more assembly; many reviews noted changing jackets was frustrating and somewhat confusing.

The FUGOO Bluetooth speaker is available on Amazon for $178 to $230, depending on jacket type.

The post The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Paper is on the way out, but it isn’t gone yet. Offices around the world are full of documents produced before the digital age, filled with boxes full of memos and important documents. Scanning and uploading these documents doesn’t need to intimidating. Whether you have a basement full of files or just want to upload paper receipts to help balance your budget, a portable scanner is your best bet.

A good portable scanner is a fraction of the price of a big Xerox machine. Plus, they go places your printer can’t. They can scan up to a dozen documents at the same time and send them directly to your PC as searchable PDFs. As always, assess your needs before you decide what is best for you. We’ve assessed the field and found the best portable scanners available in 2016.

The Best Overall Portable Scanner of 2016: Doxie Go Wi-Fi

This fully portable scanner is light enough to carry in a backpack, but powerful enough to serve as your full-time desktop scanner. The flagship of Doxie‘s respected line of portable scanners, it is Wi-Fi enable so you can go from paper to PC or Mac in seconds without the use of any wires or cables.

Unlike some wireless scanners, the Doxie Go Wi-Fi is truly portable. It is less than a foot long and and about 2 inches tall, so it fits a piece of  standard computer paper but not much more. Barely heavier than a pound, it can go in an archivists backpack or legal aid’s tote-bag without feeling like a burden.

But the real magic of this product is the technology and utility. You can scan everything from business cards to receipts. It scans up to 10 pages of loaded A4 paper at a time. While you can instantly transmit the scanned document to your PC or Apple device (including Mac, iPhone, and iPad), it holds up to 1,800 scans at a time, and more if you put in an SD card. That means you can upload scans without a computer present, which means you can leave your laptop at home and scan away. Most people will never need this storage, but ask anyone who has had to scan an archive before and they will be extremely thankful for this functionality.

What is useful for everyone is ABBYY OCR technology that recognizes text in your scanned PDFs. That means you can search your documents for keywords or files, saving you the trouble of tracking down that one purchase or memo. Doxie Go Wi-Fi is also compatible with Evernote, OneNote, and Dropbox, which makes organizing your documents even easier. One downside is that it does not have duplex, or dual-sided, scanning.

The Best Dual-Sided Portable Scanner: Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i

If you have filing cabinets full of double-sided documents that need to be digitized save yourself a ton of hassle by investing in a dual-sided scanner. Fujitsu’s ScanSnap S1300i Deluxe is the perfect tool for the job, though is a bit on the bulky side for a portable scanner.

This well-built machine weighs in at nearly 5 pounds, but justifies the extra weight with diverse functionality and quality scanning. You can scan in color, grayscale, or monochrome at a clip of 12 double sided pages per minute. It doesn’t matter if you are scanning medical files, receipts, or handwritten notes. The ScanSnap has auto size and color detection, cropping out empty room for the perfect quality and size scan. ABBYY FineReader lets you  create automatically searchable PDFs on PC or Mac.

The ScanSnap can be recharged with via USB or AC Adapter, so it works everywhere your laptop does. You also get a wide array of cloud options. It can upload documents to Evernote, Google Docs, Salesforce, SharePointOnline, One Drive, and more.

The Best Handheld Scanner: MSRM iScan Wand

In the library and need to scan a page for your research paper? The handheld MSRM iScan Wand is your best friend. This battery-powered device is perfect for scholars and artists who need to get up to 900x900dpi reproduction of photos, textbooks, or whatever.

The lightweight device weighs a bit more than half of a pound and is charged by USB. It is about the size of a rolled up magazine, so you can fit it in your purse or bag easily. Like the other products on this list, it scans into a searchable PDF or to cloud technology. Because it is handheld, it isn’t ideal for scanning huge quantities of documents, since each needs to be done individually. But the high image quality, ease of use, and portability make it a precision tool to take on the road.

The MSRM iScan Wand is available on Amazon for about $55.

The post The Best Portable Scanners of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Even die-hard traditional book readers have to admit that an e-reader has advantages over analog books in certain situations. Nothing quite replicates the feel and smell of an old paper book while curled up at home on a rainy autumn day. But try reading a cumbersome door-stopper like Infinite Jest while sitting poolside without your arms withering and the pages flapping in the wind. Or if you are going on a backpacking trip for a few months you can bring thousands of books with you instead of just two or three.

The latest iteration of e-readers replicate the look of a book. Unlike backlit tablets they are easy on the eyes and perfect for reading outdoors. Online marketplaces have gotten much better over the years, giving you access to millions of choices anywhere there is wifi. They are also lightweight and comfortable to hold, easy to keep in hand on long plane rides or days at the beach.

There are a few important factors to weigh when choosing which E-Reader is right for you. Backpackers and travelers want to opt for options with the longest battery life, as they will last the longest in between charges. Beach bums want a model that is waterproof and can stand up to the brightest sun. Read below to find out the best e-readers you should go for.

Best Overall E-Reader: Kindle Voyage

The Kindle Voyage tops the list in all of the categories that make up a great E-Reader. First, there’s the lightweight design, weighing in at a breezy .4lbs. Then there is the screen, a 6″ display using E-Ink Carta to replicate the look of a printed book page in an impressive 300-ppi display. It doesn’t strain the eyes in the way an LED or LCD tablet will, which means that you can stay up late in to the night trying to power through the final chapters in your A Song Of Ice And Fire marathon.

What sets the Voyage apart from other high-end competitors is an adaptive brightness that automatically adjusts to ambient light. So whether you are reading in a dim coffee shop or out by the pool, your Kindle’s screen will adapt to make the experience as easy on the eyes as possible. This is thanks to a built-in lighting system that uses 6 bulbs as opposed to the 4 used in many other e-readers.

The design is also lightweight and thin. It features a thin bezel and sleek look, with a feature called Page Press that lets you change pages without even lifting your finger. You really can’t ask for much more than that.

Finally, the Kindle Voyage comes with 4GB memory which is perfect to store you entire digital collection of books and more. Amazon’s reading collection is the broadest and subscription services give you access to more books than anything else on the market.

Best Water Proof E-Reader: Kobo Aura H20

For a durable Reactual-approved e-reader that can survive the elements, go for the Kobo Aura H20. As the name suggests, this is a waterproof and dustproof device that can be taken with whether you are heading out on a cruise or to the desert. It even has an IP67 certified rating, meaning it is resistant to splashes and small-particle ingress.

It has a large 6.8″ screen, one of the largest of any e-reader, and it reads just like the printed page of a book, thanks to ClarityScreen+ technology. The screen is a beautiful high-definition that presents your books in wonderful quality. At 265dpi, the resolution is a bit worse than that of competitors like Nook and Kindle, but most readers would not even be able to notice the difference.

There is a great deal of customization and fun features in the interface. The ComfortLight feature redirects light away from your eyes and on to the screen, reducing glare and giving you enough light to read. Other nice features include 24 font sizes and the ability to highlight and save, as well an integrated dictionary.

The device has 4GB of storage and can offers a great deal of variety in terms of formatting. It plays files including Epub, PDF, Mobi, and CBZ, which is an advantage over Kindle and its proprietary restrictions.

One more huge advantage of the H20 is a 2 month battery life that far exceeds its competition. One great weakness is a lackluster online store with a clunky UI that causes headaches when looking for appropriate titles.

Best Value E-Reader: Kindle Paperwhite

Get an 8 hour battery life and a HD resolution screen for an affordable price with the Kindle Paperwhite.

Previous iterations of the Kindle Paperwhite were a bit lacking in resolution and crispness, but the latest one sports an impressive 300ppi, which matches the flagship model the Voyage. It also has a vibrant and pronounced differences between black and white which leads to a satisfying reading experience. The screen is bright enough to to eliminate glare in direct sunlight and there are 4 LED lights for night reading.

There are less features than on the Voyage like microSD slots, and the device is heavier than others on the market. At the lowest price point it does show you advertising, which is a major turn-off for some readers. An upgrade can take the ads off entirely, which lets you enjoy the Amazon bookstore through WiFi.

The relatively plain Kindle Paperwhite can’t compete with the more expensive Kindle Voyage’s design. At nearly half a pound, it is a little on the heavy side, and like other Kindles there’s no microSD slot. However, with 4GB of internal storage there’s enough space to store thousands of books, making this one of the best e-readers around.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

The post The Best E-Readers of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.

• The most durable tent of 2016 is the Hilleberg Anjan 2. This 3.6 pound tent is made with top-tier materials and it is very strong. The tent was tested with a wind machine for six hours, and it survived admirably.
• Other most durable tents include the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 and the MSR Hubba Hubba NX, which cost $430 and $400 respectively. These are also two-person backpacking tents.
• The durability of a tent refers to how long it will last, and is determined by the quality of materials, combined with the design and manufacturing process.

 The Details

Your ability to stay warm and try is a key factor in a backpacking trip. It can mean the difference between a fun adventure and a miserable experience. Having a good tent is a key to keeping out of the cold and damp when camping, and spending the money on a good one that will both hold up in stormy weather and last for years will be worth it in the long run.

The most durable tent of 2016 you can find is the Hilleberg Anjan 2. Named after a lake in northern Sweden, his two-person, three-season tent is made from Hilleberg’s Kerlon 1000 outer fabric, supported by two 9-millimeter aluminum poles that together create an extremely strong tent that is also lightweight. The Anjan 2 is just 4 pounds (1.8 kg) packed weight, making it easy to carry on those long trips.

Its light weight doesn’t come with a compromise in comfort. The Anjan 2’s tunnel-style design makes it large enough to comfortably sleep two 7-foot-tall people, and includes a good-sized vestibule for storing your wet gear.

It’s also extremely strong, according to Hilleberg, this tent was tested in the company’s “wind machine,” which subjected to it the equivalent of six-to-eight hours worth of very strong winds and the tent admirably withstood the bashing it took.

The durability, size, weight and strength make this tent ideal for go-light two-person trips in the spring, summer and fall.

It’s all backed up by Hilleberg’s lifetime warranty against material and craftsmanship defects, which includes a no-cost repair or replacement guarantee.

Accessories are available, including: an optional footprint that further protects the tent bottom from moisture, and a mesh version of the inner tent for warmer temperatures.

The Hilleberg Anjan 2 is available at Amazon for about $645.

The tent’s home page is here.

Other Alternatives

 The competitors for most durable tent of 2016 include the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 and the MSR Hubba Hubba NX,, They are significantly less durable, but do have their own strong points.

The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is quite spacious relative to its weight (3 pounds, 2 oz, with a low profile that makes it sturdy in strong winds. The MSR Hubba Hubba NX Is also lightweight (3 pounds 13 oz.) and features two doors and configurations for setup.

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The lightest waterproof jacket currently available is the Outdoor Research Men’s Helium II Jacket. The jacket weighs just 6.4 oz and is made with 100% Nylon and a 2.5 layer 30D Pertex Shield DS rip-stop fabric.

There is also a women’s version of the Helium II.

The Details

A waterproof jacket is an item you hope you won’t need when travelling, but is something you never want to be caught without. That’s why an ultra-lightweight option is a perfect way to assure you’ll never be exposed or have to lug around a cumbersome coat. The Helium II is the lightest waterproof jacket out right now and it weighs about half a pound, a full 10 oz lighter than most rain jackets marketed as “lightweight.”

It is a pared down jacket, so it doesn’t include any pit zips and only has one pocket. It is very compressible, and can easily fit in a backpack or even a sweatshirt pocket. The lone pocket is located on the upper chest. Personally, I prefer hip pockets to put my hands in when its cold. The chest pocket is an advantage if you have a hiking backpack strapped at your waist. The Helium II also has an adjustable hood and a 7.5″ internal stormflap.

The Nylon material is breathable and will keep you dry in all but the fiercest of storms. It cuts the wind well for an ultra-lightweight jacket, although not as well heavier waterproof jackets. The elastic cuffs are a nice touch.

Outdoor Research also offers the Helium HD, which is a heavier-duty waterproof jacket. It has a Pertex Shield+ that is both breathable and waterproof. It’s wire-brimmed Halo hood does a better job of shielding your face than the standard edition. It also comes with a few extra pockets, which do increase the weight. It is still very light at 9.3oz.

Another Option

The Marmot Minimalist Jacket is another great lightweight waterproof option. It is GORE-TEX with Paclite technology. The Marmot Minimalist comes with pit zips, hand pockets, and an adjustable hood. As with the Helium HD, these extra features push its weight close to 10oz. It costs about $170.

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This umbrella sports a windproof canopy that is made with a 210T micro-weave fabric coated with a water-repellent Teflony. It also comes equipped with UV blocking technology that dispels cancer-causing waves.

The Lifetek costs around $35 and it comes with a 2 year warranty, making it a more affordable purchase than other umbrellas in the same category.

The Details

Every aspect of Lifetek design is engineered to withstand the elements. Its 9-rib frame is constructed from steel, high-grade resin, and wind-resistant fiberglass. Standard umbrellas come equipped with 6-8 ribs, and the Lifetek’s extra rib adds to the umbrella’s durability. Premium chain stitching secures the ribs to the umbrella canopy, and the ribs are invulnerable to rust and deterioration.

The canopy arc has a coverage diameter of 39 inches, so it is best for individual use. I did find that it is wide enough to fit an intimate two, though I wouldn’t rely on this umbrella to keep yourself and a work acquaintance dry. The umbrella is 11.5 inches long when closed, so it can fit in a large purse, backpack, or suitcase. It weighs 15 oz.

The automatic open feature is very responsive. Its rubberized grip handle is ergonomic and feels secure, but is less stylish than some luxury models. The Lifetek is available in three colors: black, red, and blue.

I do wish the frame was a little longer, but that is a necessary sacrifice for a travel-sized umbrella. Most importantly, it keeps you completely dry in all but the most intense of storms.

The Lifetek is available from Amazon for around $35.

Other Alternatives

The GustBuster Pro Series Gold is a good option for those who want a larger diameter umbrella. The Gustbuster is a golf umbrella that is broad enough to comfortably shelter two or three people. It has a double-canopy design that is tested to withstand wind up to 55-miles per hour. Its all-fiberglass frame is rustproof and flexible.

The GustBuster Pro Series Gold is available on Amazon for about $45.

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The Details

Ultralight backpacks are ideal for hikers who enjoy taking a minimalist approach to backpacking, as they allow you to cover more ground than do traditional packs. Read about the basics of Ultralight backpacking here. The Arc Blast has an ultralight Flexed Arc carbon fiber frame that transfers most of the weight away from the shoulders and to the hips. It also creates airflow between you and your pack. Custom made, the Arc Blast can carry up to 35lbs of gear- good for at least a three-day outing.

In addition to a main compartment, the Zpacks Arc Blast comes standard with removable hip pockets, a water bottle sling, and a tent pole pocket. The outside of the pack is adorned with loops you can attach gear to, as well as a fully removable lid for the top of the main compartment. Members of the ultralight backpacking community have commented that the updated version of the Zpack Arc Blast, released in 2015, has new hip belt fasteners, the ability to raise and lower the pack height, and a new padded hip belt which goes all the way around the torso.

The Arc Blast has a Cubin Fiber interior as well as a protective layer of 50 denier Polyester on the outside to minimize rips and tears, but as with all ultralight packs, durability is still a concern and the pack is inadequate for winter or rainy season.

Other Alternatives: Ultralight Multi-Day Backpacks

The Osprey Packs Exos 48 Backpack offers an excellent compromise between durability and weight. At just over two pounds, the Exos 48 sports an ExoForm sewn-in hipbelt with mesh-covered foam for external comfort. It is an ideal starter pack for those interested in minimalist hiking.

The Osprey Packs Exos 48 is available at Amazon for around $190.

Other ultralight weight packs, such as the Mount Laurel Designs Exodus, are even lighter (the Exodus weighs 17oz), but they lack the built-in frame and therefore require padding for extended hiking expeditions. The Exodus costs $195.

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