A climbing rope is your literal lifeline. The best options strike a perfect balance between smooth handling, reliable fall-catching, and the durability to withstand seasons of abrasion. For this update, GearJunkie contributor Miya Tsudome spent three months evaluating two new ropes, tying into each cord for three to five separate climbs on the sharp granite of Pine Creek Canyon and the welded tuff of the Owens River Gorge. The Mammut Alpine Core Protect takes the top spot as our favorite overall rope thanks to an innovative cut-resistant core that provides unparalleled safety on sharp edges, while the Edelrid Tommy Caldwell…
Kentucky, despite a Democratic governor and a fairly lengthy history of electing Democrats to that office, is a pretty pro-gun state. I mean, while Rand Paul and Thomas Massie aren’t exactly as beloved as they were a couple of years ago by most gun owners, they’re both from the state and both solidly pro-gun. But Louisville was always going to be an exception. As a relatively large city, its sensibilities are more akin to those of other large urban centers, as opposed to the more rural parts of the Bluegrass State.And now they’re asking the…
Suppressors weren’t just part of NRA 2026, they dominated the conversation. Walk the floor this year and one thing became clear fast: lighter, quieter, and more versatile is the name of the game. From 3D-printed titanium builds to modular, do-it-all cans, manufacturers are pushing hard into the next generation. Here are some of the standout suppressors that caught our attention. Daniel Defense Goes Lightweight and Purpose-Built Daniel Defense rolled out two new cans that hit very different use cases but both lean hard into weight savings. First up is the Mute 30 Ti, a bolt-gun-focused suppressor built using additive-manufactured titanium.…
U.S. officials pressed Israel and Lebanon for a security deal on Thursday as Washington tried to contain another volatile Middle East front involving Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group whose fight with Israel threatens to pull more American attention into the region. U.S. sources cited tensions rising inside the State Department about four hours after the start of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, according to MTV Lebanon, a Lebanese TV station, on Thursday. A U.S. State Department official later described the daylong talks as “productive and positive,” according to the Associated Press, and said the U.S. looked forward to continuing the discussions on Friday. The…
When you think about where to shop for survival supplies, the dollar store might not be the first place that comes to mind. But you’d be surprised at the treasure trove of useful items you can find there! From tools to help you in an emergency to everyday items that can be repurposed, the dollar store offers a ton of affordable options. In this post, we’ll explore 101 invaluable items you can pick up that could make a big difference in your survival strategy. These essentials aren’t only cost-effective but also incredibly versatile. Want to save this post for later?…
From gym laps to alpine objectives, the best climbing harnesses keep you secure. The best designs also keep you comfortable and organized without adding bulk or hindering movement. For this update, lead tester Miya Tsudome evaluated two new climbing harnesses over a three-month cycle from her home base in Bishop, California. She put them to the test while sport climbing in Owens River Gorge and during long trad days in Pine Creek Canyon. From hanging belays to racking cams and draws, she rigorously assessed fit, pressure points, gear loop accessibility, and all-day comfort The Black Diamond Solution remains our best overall pick for…
If you ask most people if a musket or flintlock rifle–yes, they’re different–is a firearm, they’d say it is, and with good reason. It was considered a firearm in its prime, and by most metrics, it still is. However, legally, they’re not. They’re not covered by most gun laws in this country, including things like the prohibition on felons owning firearms. I wouldn’t trust a DA and a jury to see it the same way, mind you, but technically, it sure looks like that’s the way it goes. And at the Associated Press, they were…
You inherited a gun collection, now what? Across the United States, millions of firearms are expected to change hands through inheritance and estate transfers over the coming decade as older generations pass collections on to family members. In many cases, heirs discover firearms in safes, closets, cabinets, or estate storage without knowing: what the firearms are worth whether they are collectible how to legally transfer or sell them where to find buyers how to stay compliant with state and federal laws The good news is that selling inherited firearms legally and safely is easier than many people realize. What Do…
The U.S. Coast Guard’s latest narcotics interdiction involved three suspected smuggling vessels carrying approximately 6,085 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $45.8 million, the service announced Thursday. The announcement comes on the heels of a banner 2025 year for the Coast Guard, which seized a record-high of more than 511,000 pounds of cocaine—more than three times the service’s annual average. Other successful efforts have been attributed to counter-narcotics operations through Operation Pacific Viper, which was launched in August 2025 to combat drug smuggling and narco-terrorism in the Eastern Pacific Ocean by using aircraft, cutters and tactical teams to disrupt trafficking routes…
A Wisconsin turkey hunt turned into something straight out of a predator documentary, and it’s all on camera. A 19-year-old hunter was stalked and then attacked by a bobcat while sitting in the woods near Wisconsin Rapids, according to reporting from KARE 11. The hunter, Carson Bender, was set up and listening for birds when something else caught his attention. “It sounded like something was patting leaves behind me,” he said. Instead of spinning around, he quietly hit record on his phone. Good call. Because what showed up wasn’t a turkey. It was a bobcat, locked in and watching him.…
Military.com has learned that a U.S.-flagged cargo ship operated by Danish shipping giant Maersk, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, cleared the Strait of Hormuz on Monday under U.S. military protection. The vessel, ALLIANCE FAIRFAX, transited the strategic waterway under a “comprehensive security plan” coordinated with the U.S. military, a Maersk spokesperson confirmed to Military.com. The vessel had been unable to depart the Persian Gulf for months. Monday was the first day of a mission dubbed as “Project Freedom,” utilizing guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and roughly 15,000 service members as…
Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More After several years of waning profits, REI Co-op improved its finances significantly in 2025, according to information released Monday. But the nation’s largest consumer co-op and outdoor retailer may face even more turbulence in 2026. The latest financial reports from REI show that it has been successful in narrowing the gap toward profitability. After posting a $156 million loss in 2024, the retailer reduced its net loss to $54.3 million in 2025, thanks to “healthy full-price selling and stronger inventory management,” according to a…
Not a week goes by that we don’t see some example of someone with a long list of felons commit some horrific crime, and we’re left to ask why that person isn’t in prison. Between politicians and judges, our jails basically have revolving doors. No number of felonies seems to be too many to get put right back out on the streets, only to commit crimes yet again. We’ve seen violent offenders get suspended sentences, for example, despite a long criminal record.Then we have people like someone Slate talked about recently. While I’m sure most…
A longtime California hunter who spent decades chasing big game across Africa was killed last month in a worst-case scenario that every experienced hunter understands. But hopes never happens. According to reporting from ABC 10 Sacramento and KCRA 3, 75-year-old Ernie Dosio of Lodi was trampled by a herd of elephants on April 17 while hunting in Gabon’s dense rainforest. Dosio wasn’t new to this. Friends say he had made multiple trips to Africa over the years and was considered a seasoned big-game hunter. On this trip, he was reportedly tracking a rare antelope species when he and his guide…
It’s been well documented that the driver-less taxi firm Waymo racked up 600 parking tickets in San Francisco in 2024, totaling more than $65,000 in fines. Now that Waymo is getting ready to operate in Pittsburgh, PA, it has no excuse to repeat that performance. For that matter, anyone who envisions a future where their autonomous car can moonlight as a revenue-generating taxi while you’re hard at work can’t claim plausible deniability for parking tickets. Honestly officer, I wasn’t driving the car! But we aren’t sure the solution is much better. Two Pittsburgh-based startups, Meter Feeder and Mapless AI, have…
The damage to the United States economy because of relentless wars and inflation is becoming more obvious. Spirit Airlines has announced that it is going out of business and ceasing all operations, effective immediately. Failed government bailout negotiations were also to blame. The Trump administration considered a $500 million bailout but did not reach a deal, according to Duffy, who said the government is a lender of last resort. President Trump floated the idea after Spirit entered bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years, driven partly by rising jet fuel costs linked to the conflict in Iran,…
In 2025, Senator Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, proposed selling off 3 million acres of public land from 11 Western states. The move sparked widespread backlash from Democratic colleagues, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation groups. The effort ultimately failed, but the memory of that almost sale lingered in the mind of Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. And now he’s taking action to prevent any similar plans in the future, with a new bill that would make public land sell-offs harder to pass. What the Bill Does On April 30, Bennet, a Democrat, introduced the Public Lands Integrity Act to the Senate.…
The Annunciation Catholic School shooting was terrible, but it could have been much worse. While 26 people were injured, most of them children, the fact that only two died is kind of amazing, in a way. You’d think the death toll would have been much worse, but I’m thankful it wasn’t. I just wish it weren’t as high as it is. But as Minnesota continues to debate gun control, the arguments continue to be bandied about, and I get where some people are coming from on this. They either had children injured or traumatized by…
A therapist with deep ties to the military community, this is Dr. Emma Smith’s final monthly advice column for Military.com. I’ve sat down to write this column several times, and each time I’ve found myself unable to do what I’ve always done here: translate complexity into something usable or hopeful. For me, this space has always been about that. About naming what often goes unspoken in military life. The invisible labor. The strategic and often geographic calculations. The emotional terrain that doesn’t make it into briefings or homecoming photos. And the fact that our grit and resilience allow us to…
Pennsylvania hunters could get a limited path to hunt deer over bait, but this isn’t a statewide green light to dump corn below your treestand. House Bill 2440, introduced April 27 by Rep. Thomas Mehaffie, would amend Title 34 of Pennsylvania law and allow licensed hunters to use bait for deer on private property in areas designated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The bill would apply only under commission regulations, which means hunters wouldn’t get broad permission to bait deer wherever they choose. The bill is now in the House Game and Fisheries Committee, which has a voting meeting scheduled…
The Department of Justice is threatening to sue the city of Denver over its ban on so-called assault weapons, but city officials say they’re prepared to defend the ban in court if necessary. Last week Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon sent a letter to Mayor Mike Johnston and City Attorney Miko Brown warning that there would be legal consequences if the city doesn’t cease enforcement of its ban on “assault weapons”, which has been in place since 1989. Dhillon vowed to file a federal lawsuit if the city did not enter into a consent decree acknowledging…
