Since 2016, Outdoor Empire has been your go-to independent source for outdoor gear product reviews you can trust. Here you’ll find in-depth, hands-on hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking gear reviews based on the real-world experience of our experts and enthusiasts.

OUTDOOR GEAR REVIEWS

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Mission-Driven

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Our mission is to equip you with top-notch outdoor gear and a conservation mindset. Love nature, choose quality gear, then bring it all together and make it last. Whether you’re into hunting, fishing, camping or hiking, let’s enjoy the outdoors responsibly and sustainably.

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We’re real people – experts, gearheads, and enthusiasts with a passion for the outdoors – no AI, no armchair critics. From backpacking to deer hunting, our team lives and breathes adventure. It’s what we love to do, and we want to share our knowledge with you.

What We Do

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Expect nothing but honest, 100% independent outdoor gear product reviews, practical answers to your questions, and insightful tips for success. Be it articles or videos, we deliver trusted information to enhance your camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking adventures.

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No vague info or regurgitated Amazon reviews here. We dive deep, research, purchase, and personally test gear to bring you genuine, first-hand experiences and advice. From extensive spreadsheets to torture tests, our detailed analysis is unmatched.

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Hunting

Best 30-06 rifles lined up along tree

The Best .30-06 Rifles of 2024

BY

Chase Fly

The .30-06 Springfield cartridge is arguably the most significant cartridge in American history. As Ron Spomer put it, it’s “the …
Man pointing behind him to a wall of stacked best coolers

10 Best Coolers of 2024

We have over 60 different coolers currently sitting in a storage unit …
Homemade deer feeders

How To Build a Homemade Deer Feeder: Instructions, Tips, and Ideas

Hunting is a hobby that involves a lot of dedication, knowledge, hard …
9 308 rifles for hunting and target shooting laying next to each other

Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose the Right .308 Rifle

The .308 Winchester cartridge is one of the oldest and most prolific …

Fishing

Man pointing behind him to a wall of stacked best coolers

10 Best Coolers of 2024

BY

Chase Fly

We have over 60 different coolers currently sitting in a storage unit that we have acquired over the past couple …

Fisherman holding largemouth bass he caught

How to Fish a Tube Jig (Rigging, Lines, Baits, Technique)

If you’ve ever fished for bass or even looked into bass fishing, …
A man fly fishing in oregon with scenic background.

Fly Fishing Etiquette: 9 Unwritten Rules You Gotta Know

Fly fishing for beginners is pretty tough. There seems to be a …
Main types of fishing reels on rods laying on floor

What Are the Most Common Types of Fishing Reels?

The difference between reels is often a confusing subject for anglers — …

Conservation

Camping

Man pointing behind him to a wall of stacked best coolers

10 Best Coolers of 2024

We have over 60 different coolers currently sitting in a storage unit that we have …

How much camping tents cost - two tents setup side by side in forest

How Much Camping Tents Cost in 2024 (Budget to High-end)

If you’re starting your journey into camping and looking to purchase your first tent, you …

Yeti cooler on black pavement in bright sun

Don’t Ruin Your Cooler: How to Avoid the 9 Most Common Cooler Mistakes

In the world of outdoor adventures, a quality cooler is your trusty sidekick, keeping your …

Nine of the best wheeled coolers stacked up in a backyard

6 Best Wheeled Coolers of 2023 and 3 to Avoid

Ever tried to lug a fully loaded cooler all by yourself? All too often once …

Couple pitching tent

Differences and Use Cases of Camping vs Backpacking Tents

The world of camping gear is filled to the brim with variations of similar products, …

Six different homemade ice packs lined up on rim of cooler with lid open

6 Easy DIY Ways to Make Ice Packs for Coolers

Are you tired of buying store-bought ice packs that can be expensive and unreliable? Making …

Hiking

Midland gxt1000vp4 and gxt 1050 in action

Midland GXT1000VP4 & GXT1050VP4 GMRS Radio Review

There are a plethora of great license free FRS two-way radios on the market. However, …

Best cheap walkie talkies lined up on a log

4 Best Cheap Walkie Talkies That Are Still Useful

We tested four budget-friendly two-way radios and rated them by range, clarity, ease of use, …

Cobra acxt345 walkie talkie review

Cobra MicroTalk Walkie Talkie Review (ACXT345/ACX390)

Due to the plethora of license-free radios available, choosing a walkie talkie can be confusing. …

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