I attended the 2014 Out of doors Retailer present this yr and was launched to various actually cool merchandise. As an avid outside particular person, I actually get pleasure from tenting and backpacking—because the present, I’ve been testing out quite a lot of merchandise. Listed here are a number of the greatest, and, important backpacking gear I’ve come throughout to date this yr.
Hydrapak Softflask – Light-weight, collapsible and sturdy…what’s to not like. The SoftFlasks™ by Hydrapak options a big filling port, shut off valve, mud covers, and carrying loops. The SoftFlasks™ are available in a number of sizes and colours and is bought completely at REI. Worth: Ranges in value from $13-$21 relying on dimension and mannequin.
Highlights:
- No-drip chew worth.
- Twist shut-off valve.
- Smooth, sturdy TPU building. Dishwasher/freezer protected.
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Eagle Creek Packing Cubes – I’ve been utilizing these Packing Cubes for months now on quite a lot of journeys and completely love them! Packing Cubes save area and simplify packing (and unpacking). With completely different colours and sizes, I all the time know the place my stuff is…that is significantly useful for backpackers who’ve plenty of small issues that want to remain collectively and arranged. Click on right here for a fantastic video overview. Worth: $13 to $38 for a set of three.
Highlights:
- Sturdy and water/stain resistant. The material appears to be waterproof, nevertheless water will leak in from the seams.
- Extremely light-weight nylon material…just like tent materials.
- Many various sizes and configurations, akin to their compression baggage, to select from.
Suntactics – Right now it’s inconceivable to not have electronics with us on a backpacking journey, out of your digital camera, mobile phone to devoted GPS units. It’s crucial to maintain these things charged. Suntantics has various transportable photo voltaic chargers that may preserve you charged even when the batteries run out. Worth: begins at $139
Highlights:
- Fees cellphone in lower than 2 hours (I’ve examined this a number of occasions, lives as much as its declare).
- A number of sizes with completely different outputs to select from.
- Sturdy, light-weight, very compact, waterproof and made within the USA.
Eagle Nest Outfitters (ENO) – I’ve been a fan of ENO for a very long time now. I merely love the lightweight packability, sturdiness and ease-of-use of their hammocks. An ENO Hammock is an important backpacking merchandise in case you’re going to be climbing in an surroundings in which you’ll cling it. Even in case you’re not in a great forested space with loads of bushes, the ENO Hammocks will be fairly malleable…I’ve hung my hammock utilizing two boulders and even a big piece of driftwood earlier than. These seeking to save weight of their pack will love the The ProNest Hammock, which is available in at solely 13oz (separate straps an extra 8oz), that’s a lot lower than a tent! ENO has a big selection of hammocks and equipment, some with insect protect, some with built-in mosquito netting, rain flies and far more. Worth: $60-$85 relying on mannequin. Notice: you have to order hanging straps individually.
Highlights:
- Very versatile, light-weight, sturdy and compact.
- Extraordinarily straightforward and fast to hold.
- Is available in a big number of colours with many fashions to select from.
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Icebreaker – Having the appropriate clothes once you’re backpacking is essential…not just for consolation, however your survival can depend upon it. Icebreaker makes a line of a number of the greatest Merino wool efficiency clothes in the marketplace. Having an excellent base-layer is the 1st step within the layering system. I’ve a Drifter tee-shirt that’s excellent on a heat day, and because it cools within the night and early morning, I’ve a Quantum Hoodie that retains the chilliness off. The breathablity of Icebreaker’s Merino wool prevents overheating, which is ideal when lugging a heavy backpack. Worth: Drifter t-shirt $80 retail. Quantum Hoodie retails for $189.
Highlights:
- You’ll admire the truth that the fabric is non-itchy, odor resistant, mechanically cleanable and dries in a short time.
- Skinny, pure fibers make Merino wool heat in chilly climate, cool in heat climate. It’s additionally light-weight, breathable and simple to look after.
- Quantum has a drop tail hem for additional safety and chest pocket with media port.
Past Coastal – An inherent threat whereas backpacking is solar publicity…the oldsters at Past Coastal are devoted to producing a pure line of skincare merchandise to assist protect us from the dangerous rays of the solar. They’ve a full line of sunscreens for pores and skin and lips. Costs: Begin at $5.99 (1 oz) for sunscreen and $2.99 for lip balm.
Highlights:
- Broad spectrum UVA/UVB waterproof safety.
- Sunscreens take up properly into the pores and skin and rub in straightforward and clear.
- Full line of sunscreen that protects, nourishes, repairs and hydrates.
CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Instrument) – For minimalist backpackers, you’ll love the RSK Mk5 by CRKT (with survival tin). This small, however versatile knife could make fuzz sticks, assemble shelter, intestine a fish, gown sport or for self-defense. Whether or not it’s wilderness or city survival, the Mk5 will do its half to maintain you alive and kicking. Worth: $29.99
Highlights:
- Weighs lower than an oz and is a skeletonized fastened 1.75″ blade.
- Excessive-carbon metal blade has a stonewashed end for improved corrosion resistance.
- Customized-fitted glass crammed nylon sheath and a mint-size carrying tin for constructing your individual private survival package.
Dorcy Flashlights – In fact it’s important to have the ability to see what you’re doing as soon as evening falls, so for backpackers, a compact, minimal weight flashlight is a should. The oldsters at Dorcy mix high-quality supplies and modern bulb know-how to create some very shiny and environment friendly flashlights. Their LED headlamp is nice for tenting and backpacking, whereas harnessing cutting-edge know-how of their ultra-efficient gentle sources to correctly illuminate any state of affairs. Worth: $24:99 for the headlamp
Highlights:
- Shiny at 120 Lumens and a beam that reaches 157 ft. Additionally has three gentle modes; dim, shiny and flashing.
- 12 hours of run time on 3 AAA batteries.
- 50 diploma adjustment for pin-point focusing.
GU Power – I’ll always remember the time that I used to be backpacking out of the Grand Canyon…it had been raining and snowing and the bottom was so muddy that my boots felt like they have been carrying an additional 5lbs every. It’s an extended hike out of the Canyon and my buddy and I have been burning so many energy that we couldn’t replenish them quick sufficient. If solely we’d had some GU on the time.
GU Power has an in depth line of diet power merchandise in quite a lot of flavors.
Highlights:
- Engineered to do one easy factor: present the physique with the important diet it must preserve going for hours.
- Merchandise vary from gels, drinks, chomps, tablets to brews.
- Many flavors to select from. And, they style nice!
NeoAir Trekker sleeping pad by Therm-a-Relaxation– I’ve been a fan of Therm-a-Relaxation for a pair a long time now and have owned a number of of their self-inflating mattress over time. I’ve all the time been impressed how they proceed to shave weight and bulk, whereas rising consolation. The most recent within the Therm-a-Relaxation sleeping pad line is the NeoAir, which is feather gentle, sturdy and intensely compact. That is by far the smallest and lightest backpacking pad I’ve seen in the marketplace. And, the consolation is kind of exceptional…with 2.5 inches of loft, not solely is the Trekker comfortable, however the insulation worth is spectacular. An excellent evening’s sleep is important, with the Trekker, you gained’t dis the sandman whereas backpacking. Worth: $109-$149 relying on dimension (3 sizes to select from).
Highlights:
- 50% hotter with new reflective ThermaCapture™ know-how.
- Weighs only one.1 lbs. In the event you can bear an additional 6oz, get the big which is 5″ wider and 5″ longer.
- Compact and sturdy…in stuff sack, solely 4″x4″x8″. Rugged too, with 75D polyester backside and supple, 50D prime guarantee most versatility.
- Suggestion: I counted 30 breaths of air to completely inflate…you might need to contemplate one of many NeoAir pumps out there. I selected the Mini, it’s solely 2.3oz and actually compact.
In the event you get pleasure from tenting and backpacking as a lot as I do, please go away a remark beneath and share a few of your favourite /important backpacking gadgets. I attempted to characteristic gadgets that have been geared particularly towards backpacking for his or her stage of essentialness, and, their dimension and weight.