Tony Carrick
Content Writer & Editor
Featured Work
Cycling and Outdoor Gear
I tested Lectric's XP4 750 commuter e-bike. It's a lot of bike for the money.
The best backpacking sleeping pads for when you’re miles from a mattress
Despite its plush design when inflated, this pad packs down remarkably well. When packed, it's only 8.1 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, which is even smaller than our ultralight pick. The sleeping pad is also very durable, especially when compared to ultralights. It uses a 30-denier top and 40-denier base, and for added peace of mind, Sea to Summit includes a repair kit with six self-adhesive patches and a spare valve insert. Plus, the fabric has a nice, soft feel and is noticeably quieter than...
10 Best Ebikes of 2022 for Commuting and Fun
Since ebikes emerged onto the scene some 20 years ago, they’ve only grown in popularity as people look to abandon their cars for greener and healthier alternatives to commuting. Improvements to battery technology have made these power-assisted bikes lighter while improving their range. Batteries and motors have also become smaller, allowing them to fit into sleeker-looking bike frames, making ebike technology suitable not just for commuter bikes but road bikes and mountain bikes as well.
Ebikes
Ebikes
We Tested the Best LED Lanterns, Our Favorite Lasts Up to 12 Hours on One Charge
If you don’t want to risk being left in the dark during a power outage, after a severe weather event, or while on an outdoor adventure, it’s smart to have an LED lantern at the ready. Even if you have a flashlight under your sink or in your car, it might be better to have a light that allows you to use both hands for cooking, changing a flat, or gathering essentials.
Still, choosing an LED lantern fit for such a variety of potential uses isn’t as simple as it sounds. To help you determine whi...
Still, choosing an LED lantern fit for such a variety of potential uses isn’t as simple as it sounds. To help you determine whi...
The 5 best treadmills for indoor running and walking
I ran my first 5K at age 10 and have been a runner ever since, so I know a thing or two about what makes a good treadmill. I used my decades-long experience as a runner to help inform my decisions. I considered several factors, including, size, foldability, top speed, and incline. Many of my selections also come equipped with large touchscreen displays and apps that give users access to on-demand instructor-led workouts. Since budgets for workout equipment can vary from user to user, I included...
The Best Rain Boots (2024 Review) | Field & Stream
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Best Overall
Xtratuf Performance Series Ankle Deck Boots
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Summary
Xtratuf boots are comfortable to wear, easy to pull on and kick off, and have a sole that provides great traction in wet weather.
Best Women’s
Hunter Original Short Adjustable Rain Boots
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Summary
Crocs is a well-known brand for making reliable—and super comfortable—footw...
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Best Overall
Xtratuf Performance Series Ankle Deck Boots
SEE IT
LEARN MORE
Summary
Xtratuf boots are comfortable to wear, easy to pull on and kick off, and have a sole that provides great traction in wet weather.
Best Women’s
Hunter Original Short Adjustable Rain Boots
SEE IT
LEARN MORE
Summary
Crocs is a well-known brand for making reliable—and super comfortable—footw...
The best folding electric bikes for commuting and navigating your neighborhood
I narrowed in on the top foldable e-bikes through a mix of research and hands-on testing. I road tested the MOD City+ for more than a week, taking it through urban roads and even on a few gravel paths, evaluating its power, ride, and range. For those bikes that I didn’t test, I conducted extensive research, carefully comparing specs for each bike while also scouring through dozens of user reviews. In making my picks, I considered many factors, including weight, power, portability, and price. Sin...
For Under $30, This LED Lantern Lights the Way
Whether camping in the woods, dealing with an unexpected power outage, or facing some other dimly lit situation, it’s crucial to have a quality battery-powered lantern at the ready. To help consumers find the right one for their needs, I recently spent hours in deep, dark woods and pitch-black rooms testing a variety of LED lanterns. With its exceptional brightness, portable size, and versatile light modes, the Lepro LE Super Bright LED lantern proved to be the best of the bunch.
I tested the L
I tested the L
The Best eBikes of 2023 - Futurism
Since eBikes emerged onto the scene some 20 years ago, they’ve only grown in popularity as people look to abandon their cars for greener and healthier alternatives to commuting. Improvements to battery technology have made these power-assisted bikes lighter while improving their range. Batteries and motors have also become smaller, allowing them to fit into sleeker-looking bike frames, making eBike technology suitable not just for commuter bikes but road bikes and mountain bikes as well.
eBikes...
eBikes...
CERO One eBike Review: Make Your Commute and Weekends More Fun
Commuting to work on two wheels is growing in popularity with more and more cities adopting bike lanes and greenways as part of their urban plans. In fact, from 2000 to 2019, the U.S. saw a 61 percent increase in the number of commuters biking to work.
Ebikes, which make it easier to go farther than ever on a bicycle, are no small part of that increase. I spent the past few weeks testing an ebike that’s part of the movement to get more people out of their cars and on bicycles — the CERO One.
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Ebikes, which make it easier to go farther than ever on a bicycle, are no small part of that increase. I spent the past few weeks testing an ebike that’s part of the movement to get more people out of their cars and on bicycles — the CERO One.
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Smart Home & Consumer Tech
Ego’s Power+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer Reviewed: A Mighty Tool but Its Heavy Weight Will Test Your Arm Strength
Most cordless hedge trimmers are good for trimming a few shrubs, but if your yard is like mine—filled with bushes and hedges to manage—you’ll need a machine with serious power and battery life under the hood. My goal was to cut the 75 minutes it takes me to trim the hedges and shrubs in the yard in half, so I went looking for a hedge trimmer with the chops to handle bigger trimming jobs. Having tested both Ego’s impressive and powerful 56V leaf blower and 20-inch electric chainsaw, I was curious...
This Tiny Bosch Drill Fits Easily in Tight Spaces Without Sacrificing Power for Quick Home Repairs
Bosch has an established reputation for making cordless drills that are small yet capable of handling their fair share of fasteners. Such is the case with the Bosch 12V Max Two-Speed Pocket Drill/Driver, the brand’s most diminutive cordless drill. I spent several weeks testing this drill, using it to handle odd jobs around my house and running it through a series of driving and drilling trials.This tool debuted more than 15 years ago, and it’s hardly changed since then, which says something abou...
DeWalt, Worx, and Greenworks Pressure Washers Are Up to 40% Off for Prime Day
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?Amazon’s Prime Day is like the holidays arriving early. The shopping event runs four days from June 23 through June 26, and this year’s summer sale is a perfect opportunity to take stock of your tools and grab what you need.With all of the pollen, mildew, algae, and grime that’s been building up on your home, vehicles, and driveway all winter and spring, buying a decent pressure wash...
DeWalt’s Max XR Cordless Drill Isn’t for Everyone. But It’s Worth Considering for Tougher Home Projects
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?Let me say off the bat that DeWalt’s Max XR cordless hammer drill is probably more drill than most people need. It’s one of the most powerful I’ve ever tested, capable of boring large holes into materials with speed and ease. At $349, it’s also one of the most expensive.Yet what makes this drill worth considering for the average homeowner is its control for harnessing that raw power....
Milwaukee’s M12 Shop Vac Is the Most Convenient Shop Vac I’ve Ever Owned
The Milwaukee M12 FUEL shop vac is small yet mighty. This compact shop vac is a great tool for HVAC pros, plumbers, electricians, and other contractors who often need to clean up small messes on job sites and would do well to take advantage of the impressive convenience offered by this little dynamo. But so would homeowners, who can use it to tackle spills, clean up dry messes all over the house, and give their car interior a nice new look thanks to its impressive collection of attachments.I tes...
Home Mechanics Would Be Hard-Pressed to Find a Nut, Bolt, or Screw They Can't Turn With This Tool Set
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?The first thing anyone who’s interested in performing their own auto maintenance needs to know is that your standard homeowner’s tool set is typically about as useful as a dedicated screwdriver or wrench set. That’s because mechanics tool sets are built differently. They’re centered around a hopefully deep and varied collection of sturdy sockets and ratchets to help you extract faste...
This Greenworks Pressure Washer Is Almost 50% Off For Memorial Day
Pressure washers come in gas, electric, and cordless models. Gas offers the most power and water flow, capable of producing up to 4,000 PSI of pressure. This makes gas-powered washers ideal for larger jobs, such as cleaning house siding or a large, mildew-stained driveway. However, gas pressure washers are loud and more difficult to start. They also require more maintenance to stay in working condition.Electric pressure washers are the most popular option for homeowners. They produce between 1,2...
Ryobi’s Newest Battery-Powered Riding Mower Is Built for the Average Small to Midsize Yard
Yards in the quarter acre to half acre range fall in that gray area when it comes to investing in a riding mower. While riding mowers can save time over a walk-behind mower, the difficulties of navigating around trees and landscaping with a lawn tractor often make them impractical for the average suburban yard. Ryobi's new battery-powered R1 riding mower is an exception. With its 30-inch deck and short wheelbase, it’s one of the most compact electric riding mowers we’ve seen.I spent three weeks...
This Kobalt Home Tool Kit Gives You Nearly Everything You Need—And Very Little You Don’t
I always pause when I see a tool brand touting how many pieces are in its tool set. Sure, 200 sounds great, but when you open up the case and see a clunky hammer and 199 nails—it’s technically accurate, but you’re suddenly a lot less impressed (and still in the market for a lot of essential tools).That’s why the number 158 attached to Kobalt’s flagship tool set didn’t raise a red flag. After all, it’s right around the same number as you get with my favorite tool set for auto repairs from Craftsm...
This Ridgid Shop Vac Marries Impressive Capacity and Fast Performance–All in a Surprisingly Compact Design
For years, Ridgid has maintained a strong reputation for making durable shop vacs that produce excellent suction. That’s why, in my experience, they’re so common on work sites (and why they’ve retained a permanent space in my shed). From ultra-portable 4-gallon shop vacs to rolling 16-gallon models that are big enough to handle any mess, Ridgid has a shop vac for everyone.I became almost instantly attached to the Ridgid NXT HD1200, a 12-gallon model I recently tested for our guide to the best sh...
Earthquake’s K32 Wood Chipper Is the Best Option for Homeowners Looking to Chop Big Branches Into Mulch
When I tested the Earthquake K33 wood chipper last year, I was impressed by its sheer power, which is why it became the one I recommend for yard cleanup that involves breaking down large branches best wood chippers buying guide. That beast flat out chewed through limbs up to 4 inches thick and, dare I say, violently. Earthquake, though, has since discontinued the K33 model, leaving the K32 as the brand’s sole wood chipper.Given how well the K33 performed, I was surprised that it was axed. I wond...
This Skil Cordless Drill Offers Everything You Need—and Nothing You Don’t—for Simple Home Repairs and Projects
When it comes to power tools and particularly cordless drills, I tend to covet top-of-the-line models. For example, the Milwaukee M18 2904 Hammer Drill is the most capable drill I’ve ever tested because it has enough torque to drill a 1-inch hole with a paddle bit and can handle tasks like driving a lag bolt into wood or burying a 3-inch wood screw in 0.4 seconds flat.And while these qualities are undoubtedly impressive, how necessary are they really for the average homeowner? If you want a dril...
The Best Rust Removers Keep Tools and Gear Shining
Rust removers come in various types, from acid-based to the more gentle sodium hydrosulfite. Acid varieties are quick but hazardous, best used on bare metal. Meanwhile, sodium hydrosulfite is more delicate and suitable for sensitive materials like marble and clothing, leading to its use in multi-surface rust systems. The key is knowing which type suits your needs to avoid unnecessary damage while effectively removing the rust.
Rust removers come in various types, from acid-based to the mo...
Rust removers come in various types, from acid-based to the mo...
The Vacmaster Beast Is Nothing More or Less Than a Damn Good Shop Vac
My workshop has limited space. That’s because, like many people’s workshops, my workshop is also my garage, and as such, it shares space with loads of tools, some bikes, my lawnmower, and various other space-claiming essentials such as a pressure washer and snowblower.So when it comes to setting up a reliable dust collection and workshop cleanup system, a full-size shop vac isn’t really an option. I wish it was. When I tested the best shop vacs, one of my favorites was the large-capacity Ridgid...
Husqvarna’s 320iHD60 Hedge Trimmer Helps You Groom Your Hedges in Record Time
I was in the market for a hedge trimmer that would help me reclaim some of my spring and summer weekends, so the search was on for a powerful and easy-to-use option that didn’t feel like I was using heavy machinery.When I evaluated Husqvarna’s 350i PowerAxe chainsaw and Leaf Blaster 350iB leaf blower last year, and was impressed with both, my expectations were naturally high for the brand’s hedge trimmer. Given that all three machines run on the same 36-volt platform, I anticipated the 320iHD60...
I Solved My Lawn Problem This Spring—Removing a Thick Layer of Dead Grass and Debris—with the Walensee Dethatching Rake
My lawn has a problem. A thick layer of organic material—thatch— built up on the soil surface over the winter. A thin layer of thatch is healthy, but if it gets too thick it can suffocate your grass and prevent air and water from getting to the roots. The solution is to remove this layer with a dethatching rake. It’s necessary task needed to give my lawn the boost it needs each spring, however, it’s a physically demanding chore that I loathe.I wanted something more robust than a metal rake to ha...
I Tested Milwaukee’s Flagship Cordless Hammer Drill for a Year. Here’s Why It Became My Go-To.
I’ve tested dozens of cordless drills over the years, including DeWalt and Bosch, but I keep coming back to Milwaukee for the tremendous performance its drills offer. Nowhere is this more pronounced than with the brand’s flagship drill, the M18 2904 Hammer Drill. I first got my hands on it about a year ago, and it’s been my go-to drill ever since.It’s no secret that power typically drives the cordless drill driver market. One of the main reasons the Milwaukee 2904 Hammer Drill is the first drill...
The Worx Hedge Trimmer—Tester Approved for Its Affordability, Ergonomic Design, and Cutting Power
If you’re aiming for curb appeal this spring, it’s about more than just mowing the lawn. You’ll need to tackle large shrubs, bushes, and hedges to maintain your yard and create a welcoming, neat appearance.To get started, consider an electric hedge trimmer. You could go with a corded option, but they’re more of a hassle. Yes, they’re cheap, but require an extension cord that limits their range. It also makes them awkward to use. The cord can get in your way and I find it always threatens to end...
This 180-Piece Crescent Tool Set Has the Best Sockets and Ratchets I’ve Ever Tested
Is it possible for one 180-piece tool set to cover the bases of basic home repair and auto maintenance? This one from Crescent does, as it comes with a sizable socket set that’s worthy of even the most serious home mechanics, plus enough tools to handle such odd jobs as changing out a light switch or repairing a leaky faucet.I recently tested this versatile tool set, as well as seven others to find the best homeowner tool sets out there. I used it for a variety of jobs and was impressed with its...
What's next in home security?
Fierce competition in the home security market will continue to breed new technologies and services that will improve the security and automation in your home. From cutting-edge Wi-Fi sensing technology and smarter surveillance cameras to the emergence of Matter, a universal standard that makes it easier to build a smart home, the home security market is continuing to evolve to the betterment of homeowners everywhere. This article will delve into the exciting technologies you can expect to see in home security systems in 2023.
How secure is my home security data?
While that home security system you invested in may be doing a great job of keeping burglars at bay, it could be opening the door to hackers. Without the proper digital security precautions, cybercriminals can steal your security system password, giving them access to personal account information and even live camera footage of your family.
Can burglars jam my home security system?
Cove Home Security Reviews
Leaf Blowers are Versatile All Year, No Leaves Needed.
While leaf blowers may see the most use in the fall, these handy yard machines aren’t just for clearing autumn's glory off your lawn. I regularly use a leaf blower in spring and summer to blow grass clippings off my walkways and driveway after each mowing. A leaf blower is also my go to tool for cleaning debris off my garage floor. I even use one in the winter to clean powdery snow off cars and walkways.Handheld leaf blowers are ideal for small to moderate leaf clearing efforts and convenient fo...
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