Looking for the best croquet sets to turn your backyard into the weekend hangout spot? I’ve been chasing that question for the better part of three months. I gathered eight of the highest-rated sets on the market right now, set them up on my lawn, and let my family and a few neighbors put them … Read more
I’ve spent the last three months shooting through eight different archery target stands in my backyard and at the local range. I’ve watched targets get blown sideways by 70-pound compound bows, drilled dozens of arrows into layered foam, and learned the hard way which stands actually hold their ground when the wind picks up. The … Read more
If you’ve ever spent a Saturday afternoon tossing a frisbee into a trash can and yelling “Got it!” you already understand why Kan Jam became one of America’s favorite backyard games. It’s the same wild energy as cornhole, the same simple rules as horseshoes, but with a flying disc and a slam-dunk twist that turns … Read more
Last summer our team spent three months hauling spikeball sets to beach weekends, backyard barbecues, and a local roundnet tournament. We broke a rim, popped two balls, and argued about whether the Pro Kit was worth double the price of the Original. That hands-on testing is the backbone of this guide to the best spikeball … Read more
Last summer, my family hosted a backyard reunion that turned dull fast. The kids were bored, the adults sat on the patio, and the only entertainment was a deck of cards. I bought a couple of cornhole boards the next week. That decision changed everything. Now we have a small rotation of lawn games that … Read more
I spent four weekends testing the best ring toss games with my family and a group of friends at backyard barbecues, beach trips, and even a few indoor game nights. What surprised me most was how different the experience feels between a $15 plastic combo set and a $36 premium wooden ring toss game. The … Read more
Spending a summer weekend on the water usually means juggling two headaches: where to store your boat and how to launch it without a trailer. I have tested inflatable dinghies for years, both as a sailboat tender and a weekend fishing platform, and the right one changes everything about how you approach boating. The best … Read more
Jon boats are the Swiss army knife of the water. They get you into shallow backwaters where bigger boats cannot go, they cost a fraction of what a bass boat runs, and they are simple enough that anyone can launch and operate one without a learning curve. I have spent years fishing and hunting from … Read more
I tested 8 inflatable fishing boats across lakes, rivers, and ponds over three months, and what I found changed how I think about portable fishing craft. Inflatable fishing boats have earned a serious reputation among anglers who want boat-grade fishing capability without paying for trailer storage, ramp fees, and a fuel-hungry engine. They roll up … Read more
I spent six weekends on Chesapeake Bay testing inflatable life vests across kayaks, a center-console fishing boat, and a sailboat. The goal was simple: figure out which ones actually keep you safe, stay comfortable for hours, and pack down small enough that you forget you’re wearing one. An inflatable life vest uses a CO2 cartridge … Read more