The outdoor industry has seen tremendous growth in the past year. After coming to a screeching halt, international travel has still not recovered so folks are looking for closer-to-home getaway solutions. Whether it’s a week-long road trip, a weekend overnight backpacking trip, or a day trip to lounge by a creek and fish, more people have been getting out and exploring the wilder side of life.

We’ve compiled some of the best outdoor gear to help you prepare for a summer full of adventures. This year, we’ve split the guide into three sections, providing you with ideas for basic survival tools, lightweight options for backpacking or bikepacking, and to sum it up, some products to heighten your basecamp or glamping experiences.

More people are heading towards the mountains to embrace their inner John Muir or Heather Anderson (she hiked the PCT in 59 days), and that means more people driving on the roads, trying to get spots at campgrounds, and more traffic on the trails. Do your part to ensure that these wild places are left better than you found them, even if that means carrying out that seemingly forgotten doggie bag that was so graciously left in the middle of that path so it couldn’t possibly be left behind.

Please remember to always practice Leave No Trace principles.

• Plan Ahead & Prepare
• Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Survival Gear

“Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance, Pain, and Punishment”

Spot Gen 4
$149.95 at REI
Spot has been trusted by adventurers far and wide. When you’re in a pinch and need help, press the SOS button to get you out. You can also use it to notify loved ones of your GPS positions so they can follow along.

Garmin Montana 700i
$700 at REI
A high tech backcountry GPS system featuring color bird’s eye view maps to help you navigate your way along even the most rugged terrain. Garmin has been leading the world in high-grade GPS devices to keep you safe. The Montana is the pinnacle.

EST Survival Shovel
$119.99 on Amazon
Eighteen tools in one. This tool is great for overlanders, basecampers, or even just folks hanging out at home. With enough tools to keep up with your survival skills, the EST Shovel is a fully loaded all you can need survival tool.

Leatherman Wave
$99.95 at REI
Made in the U.S.A., Leatherman has paired its ever popular Wave Multi Tool with a repair kit to make sure you’re ready to fix your gear when they break.

Victorinox Mini Champ
$42.99 at Victorinox.com
Lightweight, small, and full of potential, this tiny tool is perfect for backpacking or everyday carry. It’s great for making some lunch and other smaller less serious tasks that come up while in the wild.

Artilect A/SYS-1 Base Layer
Attempting to build a full configuration of A/SYS layers, from base to polar, Artilect is creating innovative clothing using Nuyarn Merino to ensure your safety by maximizing your ability to stay dry, move with ease, look good, and stay warm in even the harshest of conditions.

Benchmade Steep Country
$130.00 at REI
Made in the U.S.A., this fixed blade is made of CPM-S30V steel and a Santoprene handle and comes with a Boltaron sheath. A sturdy and robust all-around knife that will surely prove itself worthy in the wild.

VSSL Camp Supplies
$135.00 on Amazon
VSSL makes lightweight tubular wilderness gear sets, this one comes with 70 different accessories to make sure you’re prepared whenever you go out in the wild. Examples include an LED light, a beeswax candle, a wire saw, water purification, and so much more.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series – Hiker Medical Kit
$25.00 at REI
Absolutely mandatory. First aid is the first thing to consider when going in the backcountry, but more importantly you need to know how to use it. So take that first aid or wilderness first aid course to gain the skills you need.

SOL Emergency Blanket
$5.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
When sh** hits the fan, you need to be ready. It’s not going to be a comfortable night, but these emergency blankets will radiate your body heat and hopefully prevent you from entering a hypothermic state. They’re lightweight and cheap.

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
$24.47 on Amazon
Hydration matters. Liquid I.V. produces high quality hydration products to amplify your water and get you hydrated quicker. With several different flavors and high quality ingredients, Liquid I.V. is a go-to for on the go hydration.

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock
$23.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
Made in the U.S.A., Darn Tough makes awesome socks that last and stands by it with their fantastic warranty program. Lots of different styles and colors, the Hiker Micro Crew are great for long treks or simply walking around the block.

Lightweight

“The more you know, the less you have to carry. The less you know, the more you have to carry.” – Mors Kochanski

Western Mountaineering Cloudrest Down Pillow
$70.00 at Neptune Mountaineering
Made in the U.S.A., Western Mountaineering brings some of the finest sleeping bags and down gear to the outdoor industry. Their pillows, containing 3.5 oz 800 fill goose down, are a game changer whether backpacking or car camping.

UCO Stakelight
$19.99 on Amazon
Has no one thought of this yet?! If you hate tripping over guy lines or want a little help to find your way back to your tent at night, these fun little LED tent stakes are for you.

Hennessy Hammock Scout
$99.95 at hennessyhammock.com
Get up off of that ground. Hammocks have evolved to include bug nets, rain flys, and even down underquilts to provide you a floating backcountry haven to gently rock you to sleep.

Alpine Start Coffee With Benefits
$19.99 at alpinestartfoods.com
Boulder local, Alpine Start has taken the industry by storm, providing people of all walks instant coffee goodness. This one contains mushrooms that help activate peak brain function. Cool!

SlingFin 2Lite
$338.00 at slingfin.com
Founded by the co-founder of Mountain Hardwear, SlingFin is changing the tent and pack game. The 2Lite is a lightweight option for those trying to hit a lower base weight when backpacking.

Gossamer Gear The Two
$375.00 at gossamergear.com
Trekking pole tents require more set-up but they sure do weigh less. The Two is one of the best ultralight weight backpacking tents, with durable materials, and decent volume, you and another can easily share this space for weeks on end.

Ursack Allmitey or Major
$89.95 – $139.95 at REI
Protect. Your. Food. Because you don’t want to be without it and because animals shouldn’t be eating it. If you don’t want to carry a bear vault, these Ursacks are a great alternative using kevlar to protect.

RTD Recreational Services
$5.25 at RTD
RTD will take you to find lots of access to local hotspots to spend the day. Whether hiking around town, or a stroll through the woods, Nederland is a great place to spend the day.

FusionStix
$11.49 (set of 2) at Mountain People’s Co-op, Nederland, CO.
It’s a fork! It’s chopsticks! It’s FusionStix. Whether you’re forking it, spooning it, or eating sushi in style, the FusionStix are a great and fun way to get rid of that old spoon and eat in style.

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
$129.95 at REI
I didn’t think trekking poles were necessary. I was wrong. They’re amazing. They help keep balance, keep your hands from swelling, and they can even be used with some tents!

Osprey Exos/Eja 38
$99.50-$180 at REI
Colorado local, Osprey’s mid-sized day pack for a day at the crag, or a hike up Mt. Sanitas. With 38 liters, you’ll always have enough room for food, water, and some layers to make sure you’re always prepared.

Base Camp/Glamping

“Home is where you park it.”

TemboTusk Adjustable Leg Skottle
$395.00 at tembotusk.com
Made in the U.S.A., a skottle is a large cook plate with a single burner beneath it. Great for large meals, stir fry, steak, whatever you can imagine and clean up is super easy.

Primus Campfire Prep Set
$79.95 at primus.us
Prepare your meals with high quality good-looking kitchen tools. Primus is renowned for their cookware, now they’re providing the prep set we’ve all been looking for.

Stable Goods Pint
$32.00 at stablegoods.co
Take the lid off the canteen, flip it and voila, you have a sleek and stylish pint glass for all your camping beverage needs. Bring something with you on a hike or make cocktails at basecamp.

Helinox Sunset Chair
$149.95 at REI
Helinox has been known for creating fairly lightweight chairs for backpacking. Now they’ve produced the basecamp sunset chair. It’s 5lbs, backed by an awesome 5 year warranty, and it’s carrying case can be used as a headrest.

Coghlans’s  Pop-up Recycle/Trash Bin
$31.82 on Amazon
Forget about that nasty garbage back lying in the dirt or hanging off the side of your car, having a dedicated trash can keeps things clean, protects the animals, and looks a whole lot nicer than this morning’s spam and eggs smeared on the side.

Igloo IMX 70 Qt Cooler
$219.99 t McGuckin Hardware
Coolers don’t need to be absurdly expensive. The cooler industry is fierce these days and Igloo has been stepping up their game to provide high quality, lighter weight options that look and work great.

Dometic CFX3 45
$959.99 at dometic.com
The way we camp is changing, and many of us have turned our vehicles into mobile living units. Getting a fridge (that also makes ice) is an expensive and yet completely awesome solution to that melted water that gathers at the bottom of your cooler.

Helko Werk Germany Vario 2000 Universal Hatchet
$135.00 at helkonorthamerica.com
Beautiful hatchet made of American Hickory to help you split those logs into kindling for the best campfire you’ve ever had. They aren’t the cheapest axes, but they sure are one of the best in class.

ARB Series III Simpson Roof Top Tent & Annex
$1507.00 at Slee Offroad
We’ve all seen them driving around, but we’re never quite sure if that person ever actually uses it. Nonetheless, they’re rad and are super popular with good reason. They’re easy, comfortable, and basically floating seven feet off the ground.

Goal Zero Yeti 200X Portable Power Station
$299.95 at Jax Outdoor Gear
If you’re setting up basecamp for a while, road tripping, or overlanding, you want a reliable solution to power your electronics along the way. Goal Zero is there for us making high quality batteries that last. Please note larger batteries are required for larger electronics.

Goal Zero Boulder 100 Solar Panel Briefcase
$299.95 at Jax Outdoor Gear
Pair this with a Goal Zero Battery to make sure you never run out (sun required!). Please note that the smaller the panel the longer it will take to charge. They make several options, and all are compatible.

Tentsile Safari Stringray 3-Person Tree Tent (3.0)
$949.00 at tentsile.com
If you can handle the set up, you deserve the reward. A floating three-point tent with enough space for three. Forget about those roots and weird ground lumps that bother you will you sleep, how can you be bothered when you’re floating?

Kokopelli Rouge-Lite
$1049.00 at kokopelli.com
Packrafting has become an ever popular way to travel. Bike half, then take the river back, or just take the river the whole time. Whether you’re riding rapids, fishing, or just floating along, Kokopelli has a packraft for you.

Nemo Helio LX Pressure Shower – 22 Liters
$149.95 at Moosejaw
We like to be clean. If you’re heading to the mountains or the desert for the next two weeks to climb or to mountain bike, what’s better than a nice shower to end the day? Nemo’s shower provides 22 liters of water to make sure you don’t get stuck soapy.

Gravity Haus Pass
$50-$640 per month at gravityhaus.com
Gravity Haus Pass is an all-encompassing stay, eat, play, and work experience providing unlimited gear access (free), hotel discounts, food discounts, and even a fully loaded travel van in addition to member events. Their plans range to fit your needs. It’s a membership like we’ve never seen before.

The post Gear Guide 2021: From the Basics to the Luxurious, Prepare for Adventure! appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The mountains are calling and we mustn’t go, at least not yet, and definitely not in large groups. That doesn’t mean we can’t dream a little dream for all the hikes, campfires, crisp morning air, and high altitude rippling lakes that await us. And what better way to truly get into the spirit than to contemplate upon all the gear we could buy. Whether kicking it at home Kardashian style or sitting in your showerless van waiting for the pandemic to blow over, I’ve come up with an incredibly biased list of badass gear we can all gain from. If you don’t own them, at least you’ll know about them.

Who am I? As in, why should you take my advice and consider this gear…Well, I’m a writer and outdoor professional of sorts. I started as a guide for a Therapeutic Wilderness Program in Utah, then last year I hiked the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail, and I currently work for Snow Peak.

Disclaimer: I’ve included some of their products, making the conscious decision to only include those which I either had or would have purchased prior to joining their team. Can you blame me for wanting to work for a company that I also use?

Living in Boulder County, we’re in the mecca of outdoorsy greatness. With the Flatirons towering beautifully to our West, a constant reminder of the sheer might that lingers ever so sweetly beyond their jagged peaks, our town has become a city of purveyors and makers. From high calorie nourishment that gets us through those 20+ mile days, to authentically crafted Japanese Tenkara Fishing Rods, from American made knives to cosy teardrop trailers, the outdoor industry booms with crafts(person)ship and thoughtful execution of products we can all be proud of.

As I made my way through the virtually endless amount of gear, I placed my chips on two values above all others. The first was that I wanted to highlight local companies, especially those in the Boulder area but also in greater Colorado. Secondly, and this is why some non-local companies are included, I want to help bring ultralight into the mainstream. The word ultralight has been misused to represent a niche group of ultra-ripped thru hikers, when in reality, none of us want to carry more weight than we have to. This is especially true if we don’t have to pay more, give up comfort, and we can still receive the same functionality.

A gentle reminder: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance and Pain and Punishment. Practice Leave No Trace (LNT).

Plan ahead and prepare

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Dispose of waste properly

Leave what you find

Minimize campfire impacts

Respect wildlife

Be considerate of others.

And so, I’ll start my guide the same way I start the majority of my mornings, with coffee. (Click to enlarge images.)

Coffee

“Our culture runs on coffee and gasoline, the first often tasting like the second.” – Edward Abbey

Alpine Start – $8.99 (8 pack) alpinestart.com,REI

Boulder based and founded by badass Matt Segal, they’ve stormed the industry revolutionizing instant coffee into something sensationally more tasteful and enjoyable. Medium Roads, Non-Dairy Coconut Creamer Latte, Dirty Chai Latte.

Kuju Pour Over – $7.95 (5 pack) kujucoffee.com, REI

All-in-one, ‘true’ coffee with a functional pour over contraption ready to rock. Brings you coffee without whatever that instant coffee taste is.

Snow Peak French Press $55.95 snowpeak.com, REI

Coming in at 6.3oz, this titanium french press serves up 24oz in a shareable (or not) format.

GSI Collapsible Java Drip – $12.95 Backcountry.com, REI

Compactible, easy to use, just bring your own filters.

Wacaco Nanopresso – $64.90 wacaco.com, williams-sonoma.com

Espresso, boiling water, press, bada bing bada boom. With a cup as a lid you’ve got a portable, fairly lightweight, option for you and your winding trails. 15 bars of pressure.

Cooking

“The echoes of beauty you’ve seen transpire, Resound through dying coals of a campfire.” – Ernest Hemingway

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove $44.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering.

Best ultralight stove on the market, check the reviews. Comes in a cute little case for easy and safe storage, all you need is a fuel canister.

Snow Peak Trek 700 – $44.95  Snowpeak.com, REI, Neptune Mountaineering

If you’re counting ounces the 700 is all you’ll need. Large enough to heat water for meals, small enough to comfortably drink out of. Made in Japan using high grade titanium and comes in at 4.8oz.

Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spoon –  Long – $10.95 REI

Spork! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. I never ate anything in the wild that I couldn’t manage with a spoon, especially a long one like this. Good for deep corners, alright to scrap with, unnoticeable to hike with at .04oz

Jet Boil Micromo Cooking System – $144.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering

Cooking faced a major renaissance when liquid fuel slowly phased out. Jet Boil became a force to reckon with. Whether you’re boiling water or cooking a 5 star meal that requires heat variety, the Micromo captures the essence of elaborate simplicity. 12oz.

Camp Chef Everest 2x –
$148.00 REI. It’s all about the BTU’s. The Everest has two 20,000 BTU burners fully capable of taking your basecamp to culinary enlightenment… or something like that. Heavy.

Sleeping

“Sleeping bags are like soft tacos” – Bears

Western Mountaineering Alpinlite – $570-$615 Neptune Mountaineering

American made, freaking badass, and an awesome company. If you’ve ever woken up in morning dew you’ll know that most down sleeping bags won’t stand a chance, this one does.

Big Agnes Copper Spur ULV 3 – $499.95 bigagnes.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

I’m biased, but so are all gear guides. I used the 2 person version for the entire PCT and sure, the rain fly has a couple rips from getting snagged but the tent held its own. Hands down would buy again and again, in fact I own two. Get the 3 person if you’re sharing with another.

Zpacks Duplex – $599.00
zpacks.com

The thru-hikers tent. You’ll need hiking poles to set this up, which if you aren’t using them already, you probably should be. At 19oz, you’ll be able to carry all the other cool stuff on this list.

REI Co-Op Backpacking
Bundle – $275 – $295 REI

Great place to get started. For under $300 you get everything you need to sleep out. With a 2 person tent, 30 degree sleeping bag, and 2.9 R value sleeping pad, REI has come up with a good middle ground suitable for a wide range of conditions and locations.

Sea-to-Summit Comfort Plus Insulated Air – $199.95 REI, Neptune Mountaineering

Decently lightweight without that annoying crinkling sound, it also has two air chambers in case you pop one side, which eventually you will. An R value of 4 will keep you warm as you dream of pina coladas in a snowstorm at 13,000ft, (don’t take my word on it.)

Kelty Discovery Low Cot – $79.95 REI

I don’t know much about cots but this one was pretty comfy. Although they are certainly predestined for car camping excursions (or home use) they definitely add a layer of comfort that pads just can’t manage. Some people say this one can be hard to set up.

Food

“Hunger is the best sauce in the world” – Miguel de Cervantes

Kate’s Real Food – $29.88 (12 pack) katesrealfood.com

Think energy bars that use nut butters, fruit, and complex carbs. Think tasty. Good bars are hard to come by and even harder to stick with, these ones taste pretty good, best of all, they feel good, and that can make all the difference. Our editor recently took some on his Ouray Via Ferrata adventure and loved em.

Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai
$9.95 backpackerspantry.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Supposedly they’re currently making a killing during the pandemic, and although I can’t say all their food is awesome (I’ve tried most of it) a lot of them are absolutely delicious and high in calories, especially their Pad Thai.

Wild Zora Mountain Beef Stew – $12.95 wildzora.com, Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Tasty, healthy, and paleo, with a texture as though it was mildly blended before being freeze dried. With calories around 400 there’s definitely more bang for you buck out there but at least you know what’s in your food with Wild Zora.

Honey Stinger Energy Waffle – $1.50 Neptune Mountaineering, REI, University Bicycles

Proper nutrition goes way beyond three square meals, Honey Stinger is filling those gaps. Easy, tasty, pretty organic.

Backpacks

“No Pain, No Rain, no Maine” – Common Appalachian Trail saying

Osprey Aether AG 60 / Aura AG 65 – $290 / $270 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Bred in Colorado, Osprey has been making packs for a long time. Although they eventually moved their manufacturing abroad, they continue to work very closely to maintain the high level of quality they are known for. And don’t forget the All Mighty Guarantee

Deuter Trail 28SL / 30 Women/Men – $135 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Day hikes can range from an hour to 10 hours, either way you’ll want some key ingredient for a successful trip. Water, layers, food, first aid, and with 28 – 30L of space these two packs provide the space and comfort you’ll all want and need.

Accessories

“Carry as little as possible, and choose that little with care.” – Earl Shaffer

Kylmt Luxe Pillow – $39.95
rei.com

Creature comforts at their best. Using a layer may be lighter but they just don’t hold their form, go ahead, pack that pillow, there’s definitely room for it ;). Easy to pack, easy to expand, the better the sleep, the better tomorrow can begin.

Black Diamond Storm 400 – $49.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

I count ounces, but not here. If I’m going to be wandering around the woods late at night, be it to dig a hole or to get to camp, I want nature illuminated like I’m the freaking sun without looking like Robocop, so 375 lumens is enough.

Adventure Medical Kits – .7 Medical Kit – $28.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

First aid is super duper important! Not only should you have it, you should know how to use it. This one is good for a group of 1-2 for 1-4 Days. While you’re buying this, sign yourself up for a first aid course.

Rumpl Nanoloft Psychotropic – $111.00 REI

The way we sleep out in the wild is changing, goodbye mummy bags, hello loosely draped synthetic blankets (or down). Whether you’re at glamptopia 5000 or the middle of nowhere Rumpl has you covered. Pun intended.

Anker Powercore 13000 – $29.99 Best Buy, Amazon

Whether you’re in a pinch or working your phone like a professional photographer, this battery has enough to get you through a decently long trip. Up to 5 phone charges.

Solo New York Re:move
Duffel – $64.99 solo-ny.com

Using Recycled materials and working to tackle environmental issues, the Re:move Duffle provides space and organization in a comfortable and sleek travel bag to accompany you on any trip.

RTIC 65 – $239.99 McGuckin

I don’t know anything about coolers ‘cept the ones that everyone wants to buy. This one I found with very little research, same performance, less expensive, with a four letter name just like you know who.

Garmin InReach Mini or Explorer +     $299.99 – $349.99 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Garmin confirms that your message was received. Others (and I wont say which) just shoot the signal into the sky and hope for the best. There’s two main players, the mini and the not so mini, it’ll come down to what you’re doing with it. Be aware, active bluetooth drains batteries, very quickly.

Spyderco WolfSpyder – $189.95 spyderco.com, Jax Outdoor Gear

The WolfSpyder is made right here in the USA by Spyderco based out of Golden. All around a great knife. Slice through a little salami or whatever it is that you may use this for, just don’t fight a bear.

Tenkara USA Hane –  $160
tenkarausa.com

At 10ft 10in, it’s long enough for you to reach that pool and short enough to conquer some backcountry creeks. As a telescopic rod, it shrinks down to just 15 inches, perfect for backpacking. 3.5oz

Sawyer Squeeze – $36.95
Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Ultralight, compatible with Smart water bottles, kind slow, but gets the job done. If you’re not supplying an entire basecamp with water, it’s the way to go.

MSR Guardian Purifier – $349.95 Neptune Mountaineering, REI

Yeah, it’s pricey but it’s the best, and if you are supplying a basecamp, well here you go. Easy to use, produces fast clean water, all you have to do is carry it with you.

Foot Love

“There is one item of G.I. gear that can be the difference between a live grunt and a dead grunt. Socks, cushion, sole, O.D. green. Try and keep your feet dry when we’re out humpin’.” -Lt. Dan, Forrest Gump

Western Mountaineering Standard Down Booties – $100.00 westernmountaineering.com, Neptune Mountaineering

Handmade in the USA, these booties have textured soles soft enough to sleep with yet tough enough to wear around camp.

Smartwool – +/- $20 Neptune Mountaineering, REI, Pedestrian Shops

Steamboat Springs is home and with their lifetime guarantee they’re determined to keep your feet warm, dry, and healthy.

The I’m Drooling Wish List.

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

Alpacka Packrafts – $595 – $2450
alpackaraft.com

Pack it, strap it, and eventually blow it up and ride that river. These things are cool and amazingly lightweight. People even strap their bikes to them.

Colorado Teardrops – $13900 – $27700 (base prices) coloradoteardropcamper.com

Off road capable, spacious, and constructed to last for generations. This local company is producing sexy little teardrops with enough room to hit the road for a while.

Biolite Fire Pit – $249.95 bioliteenergy.com, REI

I was hesitant about this one because it’s a lot. A bluetooth powered fire pit / grill / with an integrated fan to create smokeless campfires. Yeah, it’s pretty rad. Biolite has given you the controls to your fire and for the most part, it seems like it’s working.

AT Overland Atlas – $9600 atoverland.com

Truck bed cap mixed with pop top tent. This New Mexico based company has developed an alternative to the traditional truck bed camper and they’re pretty sweet.  Endless possibilities for customization.

Earthroamer – $490,000 (base price)
earthroamer.com

Based in Boulder, Earthroamer starts with a Ford chassis and turns them into badass overlanding monsters. With a base price of close to half a million, we’re probably thinking the same thing. BUT THEY’RE SO COOL.

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The post 2020 Outdoor Gear Guide: From Local to Ultralight, Your Guide to Getting Out appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.