Man with beard wearing a green jacket and baseball cap looks pensively off into the distance while sitting in the open door of a travel van
Ben Dawson
Gear Analyst

Ben is a full-time traveler, father, and adventure journalist/photographer based in the western United States. He has a passion for conservation and utilizes his writing to help make the outdoors a more accessible space for all types of people. 

He began his career in the outdoor industry by running the day-to-day operations of a popular hunting and fishing network but slowly transitioned out of the office and into the field. Ben has over ten years of experience working in the outdoor industry. He has written for numerous outdoor publications, helped film and produce a video gear review series, and has rigorously tested all kinds of outdoor gear.

He has authored three guidebooks for Falcon Guides covering a range of topics from how to build your own van and live nomadically to hiking with kids in Glacier National Park.

Articles by Ben Dawson

The North Face Base Camp Waterproof Duffel Review
Yellow The North Face Base Camp Waterproof Duffel 50L sitting partially in shallow lake water.

The North Face Base Camp Waterproof Duffel Review

Author
A fully welded, submersible duffel that kept its contents bone dry through a week of Colorado weather, a garden hose, and a bathtub submersion test.
REI Big Haul 60 Duffel Review
REI Co-op Big Haul 60 duffel opened in a truck bed, showing the wide main compartment, interior mesh pockets, exterior pocket, and compression straps.

REI Big Haul 60 Duffel Review

Author
A lightweight, feature-packed duffel with compression straps that actually compress, stowable backpack straps, and a carry system that handles airports, campsites, and everything in between.
Gregory Alpaca 60 Duffel Bag Review
Person carrying the black Gregory Alpaca 60 duffel by the top handles near a lake.

Gregory Alpaca 60 Duffel Bag Review

Author
A tough, no-frills duffel built to take a beating across overland trips, airport tarmacs, and everything in between, with durability that outperforms most of the competition.
Hydro Flask Insulated French Press Coffee Maker Review
A French press sitting on a camp table with its light gray handle and powder-coated body visible.

Hydro Flask Insulated French Press Coffee Maker Review

Author
An insulated French press built around Hydro Flask’s signature stainless steel quality, this double-wall, vacuum-insulated design keeps your brew at drinking temperature long after the first cup.
Alpine Mountain Gear Stainless Steel Percolator Review
A coffee percolator brewing on a camp stove in an outdoor trailer kitchen setup.

Alpine Mountain Gear Stainless Steel Percolator Review

Author
A classic stainless steel percolator done right: no plastic, no fuss, and enough capacity to keep an entire group caffeinated from the first morning to the last.
nCamp Cafe Coffee Maker Review
A coffee maker disassembled to show the nesting mug and stainless steel brewer components side by side on a tree stump.

nCamp Cafe Coffee Maker Review

Author
For coffee lovers who refuse to settle at camp, this Moka pot-inspired, all-in-one design brews cafe-quality espresso in a stainless steel package barely bigger than a water bottle – nested mug included.
Benchmade Mini Griptilian Pocket Knife Review
Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 open in hand outdoors with wet ground and light snow around the campsite.

Benchmade Mini Griptilian Pocket Knife Review

Author
One of the most trusted names in everyday carry, now in our lineup after months of daily testing across beaches, rivers, boxes, and everything in between. It held up just fine.
Kershaw Bel Air Pocket Knife Review
Kershaw Bel Air closed and resting in an open palm to show compact carry size and handle shape.

Kershaw Bel Air Pocket Knife Review

Author
A USA-made folding knife with premium MagnaCut blade steel and buttery smooth action that raises the bar for what you should expect in an everyday carry at this price point.
Coast Contra Pocket Knife Review
Coast Contra knife stuck blade-first into fresh snow with snowy forest in the background.

Coast Contra Pocket Knife Review

Author
A slim, all-steel entry-level everyday carry knife that arrives sharp, opens smoothly, and fits just about any pocket.
REI Base Camp 6 Tent Review
Side view of the Base Camp 6 tent's vestibule fully deployed with the rainfly extended over the front entry.

REI Base Camp 6 Tent Review

Author
Durable and weather-ready, this robust family camping tent has exceptional storage, dual vestibules, and premium materials built to last.
REI Westward 6 Tent Review
The REI Westward 6 tent pitched at camp with the rainfly and front vestibule fully set up.

REI Westward 6 Tent Review

Author
Tall enough to stand in, roomy enough for the whole family, and ventilated enough to stay comfortable on hot summer nights, this REI tent is worth your attention.
Coleman Skydome 4 Tent Review
A person stepping out of the Coleman Skydome 4 tent through the front vestibule, showing the low ceiling height and covered entry area.

Coleman Skydome 4 Tent Review

Author
This is an entry-level tent that nails the basics. Integrated poles make setup nearly foolproof, and the mostly mesh body delivers better airflow than most tents at this price..
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