Louis Dzierzak

A journalist specializing in outdoor recreation, Lou has covered product design innovations, participation trends and environmentally sustainable manufacturing for over 20 years. On the other hand, he’s had some less than successful outdoor adventures: once, completely spent after a hard day on the trail, he managed to set a vintage MSR Whisperlite stove ablaze before accidentally kicking the burning contraption into a lake. A published author, his book about invasive fish threatening the Great Lakes watershed will be published in 2021. craftedwords.com

Latest articles by Louis Dzierzak

Man wearing hiking boots

Best hiking boots 2022: for unbeatable protection, performance and comfort

By Pat Kinsella, Louis Dzierzak published

We round up the best hiking boots, from winter ready to lightweight options, for your hiking adventures in 2022

best hiking shoes: hikers on a trail

The best hiking shoes: for day walks and backcountry hikes

By Fiona Russell, Pat Kinsella, Berne Broudy, Louis Dzierzak, Alex Foxfield, Julia Clarke published

A pair of the best hiking shoes are lighter and more comfortable than their boot equivalents, while giving you many of their best features

Best camping mattress

Best camping mattress: for a great night’s sleep when you’re car camping or glamping

By Louis Dzierzak, Pat Kinsella published

If you’re camping with all the comforts, the best camping mattress or airbed is the must-have luxury. Here are the ones we’ve enjoyed lazing on most…

Best sleeping pad

Best sleeping pad: lightweight camping mats for backpacking adventures

By Matthew Jones, Sian Lewis, Louis Dzierzak, Berne Broudy, Pat Kinsella published

Packable and lightweight, these are the best sleeping pads for overnight hikes and wild camping escapades

best sleeping bag: couple sat out in sleeping bags

The best sleeping bags for cozy nights in camp or on epic expeditions

By Matthew Jones, Louis Dzierzak, Sian Lewis, Berne Broudy published

Our selection of the best sleeping bags rounds up the finest options for the whole year round, from super warm winter ready bags to lightweight models for summer

best 3-season sleeping bags: camper enjoying sleeping bag by lake

Best 3-season sleeping bags: for great camping adventures throughout spring, summer and fall

By Louis Dzierzak published

Our roundup of the very best 3-season sleeping bags showcases bags perfect for toasty sleeps throughout spring, summer and fall

best hiking backpacks: hiker approaching Skiddaw in the Lakes

Best hiking backpack: from daypacks for shorter hikes to the finest expedition packs for epic adventures

By Jonathan Manning, Louis Dzierzak, Alex Foxfield, Matthew Jones, Jessie Leong published

Our selection of the best hiking backpacks for your hiking and wild camping adventures, no matter how big or small

best wood-burning stove: Camp Chef Alpine Heavy Duty Cover

The best wood-burning stoves: for cooking up campsite cuisine with natural fuel

By Louis Dzierzak, Pat Kinsella published

The best wood-burning stoves are great fun to cook with, and represent a natural alternative to canister gas and liquid fuel stoves

best hiking pants: man striding

Best hiking pants: for protection and comfort on expeditions in all conditions

By Pat Kinsella, Louis Dzierzak, Matthew Jones published

The best hiking pants for all seasons and situations, from day hikes, epic hiking expeditions and alpine adventures

best camping coolers: couple with a big camping cooler box in the backcountry

The best camping coolers: boxes and bags that keep your food and beverages beautifully chilled

By Louis Dzierzak published

The best camping coolers, be they boxes or bags, will keep your food fresh and your drinks ice cold for the duration of your camping expedition

Best double-burner camping stoves

Best double-burner camping stoves and grills: for cooking up a storm on camping holidays, picnics and beach barbecues

By Louis Dzierzak published

When weight isn’t an issue, there’s no substitute for the best double-burner camping stoves or grills as an alfresco cooking system

best headlamp: hiker with headlamp

The best headlamps for adventures before dawn and after sunset

By Pat Kinsella, Alex Foxfield, Louis Dzierzak published

The best headlamps open up a whole host of epic adventures like pre dawn ascents and night hikes, while giving you peace of mind and a handy light around the campsite

best pop-up tents: Decathlon Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh&Black lifestyle shot

Best pop-up tents for backpacking, easy camping trips and festival bliss this season

By Sian Lewis, Louis Dzierzak, Alex Foxfield published

Our top picks of the best pop-up tents pitch unbelievably quickly, suit most budgets and come in all shapes and sizes for a range of adventure styles

best solar charger: a camper powering up his tech with a solar charger

The best solar chargers: for keeping your tech juiced up in the campsite and in the wild

By Jonathan Manning, Louis Dzierzak published

Check out the best solar chargers to keep your GPS, phone, smartwatch, head torch and other hiking essentials topped up during trips in the great outdoors

best hammock: camper sleeping in hammock with lake and mountain behind

The best hammocks: for spring snoozing beneath a canopy of leaves and stars

By Jasper Winn, Louis Dzierzak published

Our selection of the best hammocks will help you pick your optimum option for spring and summer sleeps, wild backpacking expeditions and woodland adventures

best camping chair: couple on camping chairs by tent

Best camping chair: for summer festivals, glorious camping trips and everything in between

By Sian Lewis, Louis Dzierzak published

Our definitive selection of the best camping chairs, from featherlight backpacking stools to cosy two-person loveseats for chilling at the campsite

A camper tucking into food in a food container

How to store food when camping: tips and tricks to keep your grub fresh and safe from critters

By Louis Dzierzak published

Learn how to store food when camping so you share your eats with only your (non-furry) friends

best camping stoves: hiker cooking at sunset

Best camping stoves: for scrumptious campsite cuisine and tasty nosh in the backcountry

By Jonathan Manning, Alex Foxfield, Louis Dzierzak published

Our definitive selection of the best camping stoves cover all bases, from the finest campsite cooking systems to compact backpacking stoves

wood-burning stove

What is a wood-burning stove, and should I buy one?

By Louis Dzierzak, Pat Kinsella published

When you’re out camping, there’s nothing quite like wild-cooking a feast over naked flames – but do you really need a wood-burning stove to do that?

How to use a wood-burning stove

How to use a wood-burning stove to get the most out of your meals on camp

By Louis Dzierzak, Pat Kinsella published

Cooking over an open flame sounds simple, but knowing how to use a wood-burning stove can significantly improve your results

best family tent: Outwell Airville 6SA lifestyle shot

The best family tents: the finest shelters for your tribe this coming season

By Louis Dzierzak, Matthew Jones, Jen and Sim Benson, Alex Foxfield published

Our selection of the best family tents for this year's camping season, from traditional pole tents to palatial air tents and luxurious glamping options

best 4-person tents: family wild camp

The best 4-person tents: for fun family camping trips or epic wild camping adventures

By Sian Lewis, Louis Dzierzak published

Our guide the best 4-person tents for perfect camping trips with friends and family, whether you're off to the campsite or the backcountry

best camping flashlight: father and son in tent with flashlight

The best camping flashlights: we shed light on the finest options for adventures in the dark

By Louis Dzierzak published

Let us illuminate you on the best camping flashlights, torches that are an essential part of your kit and provide a powerful beam for hours and hours on end

Camping with teenagers

Camping with teenagers: how to ensure your trip is fun for everyone

By Louis Dzierzak published

Adolescent years are a time of turmoil for kids and parents alike, as hormones rage and a yearning for independence grows. But camping with teenagers doesn't have to be an ordeal

best binoculars

Best binoculars and monoculars: for wildlife watching, navigation and studying the heavens

By Matt Swaine, Louis Dzierzak, Alex Foxfield published

Our comprehensive guide to the best binoculars and monoculars out there will help you study nature's beauty and enhance your navigational arsenal