I prefer jogging outside over any kind of gym membership, and have always felt fairly safe. After being attacked by two dogs in a one year period, I was a little fearful whenever I came across a strange, unleashed dog.  I wanted to keep working out, but wanted a way to defend myself.  I wanted a self defense tool that was small, sporty, and wearable. The traditional keychain pepper spray bottle wasn’t going to cut it (and let’s be real, those things are honkers). After scouring the internet, I found exactly what I was looking for: The Little Viper Pepper Spray Bracelet.

The Little Viper Pepper Spray Bracelet is a $20 silicone band with a tiny pepper spray chamber in the middle, and two button snaps on the end. It was created to give a reliable option of self-defense while keeping your hands free. It’s perfect for runners, walkers, college students, or really, anyone that travels alone… and it’s perfect for every girl or woman! As of now, the Little Viper comes in a variety of colors: Black (which I have), dark green, bright pink, yellow, blue, and camouflage.

Advantages of the Little Viper

• Portability — It’s so small and lightweight, I can take it with me everywhere I feel slightly unsafe. I’ll wear it when I’m running, or I otherwise keep it in a cupholder in my car. Due to the portability, I’ve tucked it in my front jeans pocket several times when I’m out at night.
• Sporty design — It doesn’t look like a bottle of pepper spray. The metal snaps make it look like any kind of sporty bracelet.
• I use it way more often — I’ve had the traditional pepper spray bottle before, but as I’ve said before, they’re so darn bulky. I’m not a big purse person, and the traditional pepper spray is way big to fit in a clutch or pants pocket.
• Adjustable snaps — The two button snaps make for a sporty design, and there are three options for how tight you want the bracelet to be. I usually wear it a little loose.

Minor Drawbacks

• Fewer pepper sprays — Since the Little Viper’s pepper spray chamber is about a quarter of the size of a traditional pepper spray can, you won’t get as much use out of it. The guaranteed use is 3-6 sprays. I did one test spray when I first got mine, so I’m down to 2-5 sprays. If I ever have to use it in a self defense scenario, I’ll buy a new one.
• Cost — At $20, the Little Viper is more than twice the cost of traditional pepper spray. But, it’s portability and discreetness more than pays for itself.
• Silicone = Sweat — When I run and close both snaps of the Little Viper for a snug fit, it is a snug fit (and I have tiny wrists!). The result is a lot of sweating and subsequent itching. The solution is pretty simple, though: Undo the tightest snap and wear it a little looser.

Should you buy the Little Viper? YES. The drawbacks are so minor, and are far outweighed by the convenience and protection the Little Viper offers.

Disclaimer: I paid full price for my Little Viper pepper spray bracelet two years ago — as this review has shown, it’s s worth every penny.  Pepper spray is outlawed in some states and countries; please check before purchasing or traveling.

When I first started collecting camping gear for my bug out bag, I spent a lot of time researching different kinds of tents. I already had a 3-person dome tent, but it weighed a lot and was too enormous to strap to my backpack, even when it was packed down as tightly as possible.

Enter the Texsport Willowbend Trail Tent. I was immediately amazed by how lightweight it is, even packed down. But the real question: Would it make a good bug out tent?

The Perks

Extremely lightweight. Clocking in at 3.5 pounds, this tent is SO MUCH lighter than the majority of camping tents, which was the major selling point for me.

Packs up very small. When it’s packed up, it’s just a few inches longer than the bottom of a backpack. It is at least half as small as the standard 3-person dome camping tent.

Easy to set up. I’m kind of an idiot when it comes to setting up tents, but a pup-style tent is very intuitive (and it comes with directions).

The color. The green blends in well with surrounding nature, unlike the standard red, yellow, or blue tents you often see.

The price. Priced around $30, this tent is very easy on the wallet. There are better tents out there, for sure, but if you’re on a budget, it’s a perfect choice.

Great for the casual camper or novice prepper. If you’re new to the world of survival and camping, this tent is a great fit as it provides the bare bones, keeps the concept of shelter simple without taking up a ton of room.

The Bad

The stakes are rather short, and the rope isn’t of the highest quality, meaning it’s hard to get the tent to stay taut, especially in loose soil. Meatier stakes and a little paracord would be a worthwhile investment (about $10 total) to keeping the tent taut.

Water resistant, not waterproof. The tent will keep you dry in a drizzle — it did for me — but it’s not made to withstand downpours. Pitch a tarp if you’re really concerned.

Floor isn’t strong material. The floor of this tent is a little thin compared to the standard tent. It will keep you dry, but it isn’t as sturdy as a tarp.

Not durable enough for multiple week-long trips. If you’re a serious camper (or an aspiring hardcore camper), it might be worth it to explore something of a little higher quality. This tent is fantastic for quick overnight trips, but I’m not sure how it would withstand multiple week-long expeditions. In my opinion, for week-long trips, you need a tent that can handle anything that’s thrown at it. While this tent is great for drizzles, I wouldn’t want to stay in it during a summer thunderstorm.

Summary

I’ve used this tent several times over the last three years, including on a four-mile hike at Sipsey. The best quality of this tent is, by far, how small and lightweight it is — it’s incredible to carry your shelter on your back without even realizing it. The portability has allowed me to carry a sleeping pad in addition to a sleeping bag, which results in a more comfortable night’s sleep.

>> Buy the Texsport Willowbend Trail Tent on Amazon

If you’re looking for something that can handle fiercer weather, check out these tents at similar price points:

• Wenzel Current Hiker Two-Person Tent ($40; lightweight, also waterproof)

• First Gear – Cliff Hanger – Solo Tent ($39; lightweight, also waterproof)