25 Best EDC Knives in 2019 (Reviews and Buying Guide)
Is a knife a weapon or a tool? That’s been a long common discussion but here at Marine Approved, we have the answer, it’s both! Carrying a knife with you is by far the easiest and lightest way to ensure you’re ready for a plethora of life challenges and no
17 Best Weighted Vests for Running and CrossFit in 2019 (Hands-on Review)
If you’re searching for a weighted vest to increase the intensity of your workouts, look no further! I actually decided to write this page after researching this topic for myself. Other websites were just doing Amazon roundups and you could tell the authors had never actually used a weighted vest
16 Best Tactical Backpacks in 2019
Being an outdoorsman and a Marine, packing, carrying, and relying on a backpack is an everyday part of life for me. I rarely find myself leaving the house without a backpack. Of course, I know most of you are looking for something with a little more flavor and ruggedness to
24 Best Multi-Tools in 2019 (Hands-on Tested)
In the Marines, one piece of gear I wasn’t issued but always carried on me was a multi-tool. The versatility of a multi-tool is unmatched, and since you won’t always be privy to intel regarding what obstacles you’ll need to overcome throughout your day, the multi-tool reigns supreme as one
10 Best Daypacks for Travel, Hiking, and Hunting in 2019
A good daypack is essential whether you’re hiking, traveling, hunting, going to class, spending a day outdoors, or want a good bug out bag. The possible options out there are literally limitless, which is good for us, but can be a little daunting when you’re first beginning your search. We’ll
18 Best Hiking and Backpacking Knives in 2019
Any outdoorsman will vouch for the fact that a quality knife is one of the single most important and versatile tools in the world of outdoor sports and activities. A high-quality backpacking knife enables you to set up camp, cut up firewood, defend yourself, clean fish, field dress your hunt
18 Best Throwing Knives in 2019 (Buying Guide)
Stabbing is great and all, but wouldn’t it be nice to extend the range of your lethality? Ninjas have been doing it for years and now it’s time to get you outfitted with the knowledge and gear to bring your blade game to the next level with a set of
15 Best Spotlights (Handheld) in 2019
You might not be able to take the sun with you, but what you can take with you is a bright handheld spotlight. Flashlights and headlamps are helpful because of their portability and ease-of-use, however, sometimes, you just need something bigger and brighter. I’m not going to beat a dead
24 Best Camping Chairs in 2019
Something that should occupy a spot on every camper’s list is a camping chair. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, plus options that you didn’t realize that you wanted. But before you pony up the cash to buy something that’s equipped with a well-respected logo, or just looks
15 Best Headlamps in 2019 (Hands-on Review)
One thing I learned in the Marines is that there is no such thing as being too situationally aware, and the first step in knowing what’s going on is being able to see what’s happening. Whether you’re hiking on the trail, running, setting up basecamp, or prepping your gear in
13 Best Plate Carrier Vests in 2019 and Where to Buy Inserts
In this article, we’ll review plate carrier vests from the bottom of the budget barrel all the way up to Mil-Spec vests ready for combat. From weight to breathability to downright tacticool factor, we’ll cover it all! I have used a number of them, so I can tell you which
20 Best Compasses for Hiking (All Types) in 2019
Marine or not, being proficient at basic land navigation and understanding how to use a compass is absolutely essential for anyone who plans to venture into unfamiliar terrain. Land navigation is a skill set that requires a lot of practice to become confident. In the Marines, we practiced land navigation
15 Best Fire Starters for Survival and Camping in 2019
The fire building process can be quite frustrating. This is especially true if it’s a windy day or your working with wet kindling and fire building materials. The process is a lot easier if you have a quality fire starting tool and know some basic fire starting techniques (which I’ll
About Us / Why We’re Different
Every page on our website is written by a former or active duty Marine. We stick to writing about things within our range of expertise! If you want to learn more about us, check out the about page. If you have questions, feel free to shoot us a message through the contact form below.