There are times when a tent isn’t needed but sleeping under the stars isn’t quite possible either. Bugs and critters make sleeping on the ground a little less desirable, but the Blue Ridge Camping Hammock from Lawson will get you off the ground and have you covered as well. It features a nylon pack cloth bed, nylon rope, aluminum alloy poles and no-see-um netting. There is an O-ring in the ceiling for hanging light while a nylon rain tarp will have you covered in case the weather turns. It weighs just 4.25 pounds making for less to carry while on the go.
Tag: camping
Hydration Packs For All Occasions
No matter what the adventure one thing you probably can’t bring enough of is water. Platypus, which has created a niche with its collapsible water pouches, has looked to create a hydration pack for virtually any cycling occasion and more, and its new line-up includes three primary lines: Cross Country (XC), All Mountain (AM) and the Multi-Sport (XT). The above XC line is for those who want to go out on a causal road or mountain bike ride, with just enough liquid refreshment. These feature build in pump sleeves and tool storage pocket.
Wedge Issue
We’ve seen no shortage of innovative tent designs, and Heimplanet has impressed us with its geodesic inflatable Cave tent, which his ideal for those looking to take the family – or several friends – to the woods. Now the company has created something a little more compact with the inflatable Wedge, a tent made for two! The company says setting it only requires for users to “roll out, inflate, finished.” There is no ripcord, no semi-rigid poles to assemble, no hooks or gussets. Just inflate, stake and shelter is ready – instant campsite.
Bike Friendly Tent
Getting away from it all still has its downsides, and those who head out to the wilds on a motorcycle need to worry that it will have to endure sitting out in the elements. It isn’t as if you could put in the tent with you… but actually that’s the idea behind the Series II Expedition Tent by Redverz Gear. It offers the capacity to house two people and a bike. Video after the jump
Cold Weather Cocoon
When camping in the winter no ordinary sleeping bag will do, but the Canon -40 from Nemo Equipment, which made its debut at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Show, is no ordinary sleeping bag. This one is rated (as the name suggests) to minus-40 degrees F. It is an odd looking sleeping bag, but it reportedly does the job.
And since it might do such a good job those inside could get heated up, so the Canon -40 offers ventilation gills to let you cool off. It also features arm holes so it can be worn while sorting gear and getting ready to face the cold morning!
Cook Out
The mountain won’t come to Mohammad so Mohammad had to go to the mountain – or something like that. At any rate if you opt to go to the mountains, the back woods or just about anywhere else you can bring your food in a sack or you can head out with the Grub Hub and have a freshly cooked meal when you get there.
The Grub Hub can pack up like a rolling suitcase and hold pots, pans, stove, campfire grill and just about anything else for cooking in the wilds. It is ready to roll with six-inch “all terrain” wheels and weighs in at about 45 pounds. It can unpack in minutes and let you cook a meal fit for a prophet (or just about anyone else).
Smart Throw
We knew we’d hear good things about Bush Smarts, and one product that caught our eye was the Bear Star, a titanium line thrower that includes 50 feet of highly-visible cable. It features a simple design but one that should make throwing a line a little easier. This can allow picnic baskets and other things that you want to keep away from pesky bears tied up where they can get to it. Smart idea, so once again Bush Smarts lives up to its name!
Bush Leagues
Bush Smarts is about Living Wile, and the New York-based builder, designer and supplier of camp gear has put together a robust library of outdoor gear that includes stuff that is truly practical and not gimmicky. With more than 70 products this could be smart gear to have out in the bush, brush or wilds.
Survival Knife for a Mountain Man
According to movies and TV mountain men were quite rugged individuals and the SK Mountain survival utility knife would probably be something that intrepid individual might want to carry. It is part of a collaboration between Camillus Knives and Survivorman series host and survival expert Les Stroud.
It features a 4 3/4 –inch long by 1/8-inch thick 440-stainless steel blade that offers a 3 ¾-inch cutting surface and one-inch long saw tooth blade. This makes for a handy knife for camping and general outdoor use, while the Carbonitride Titanium bonded drop tip blade is reinforced to survival serious use.
The handle is made of glass filled polypropylene, with visible green thermoplastic rubber inserts to make it easy to grip and easy to find should it end up on the ground. The knife features a large lanyard loop, and rugged steel pommel that can be used as a hammer in a pinch, while hard ballistic nylon automatic lock knife retaining sheath is like a second tool. It features a signal mirror mounted on the fold out compartment, which can also be used to hold small items like a sewing kit or matches, plus it offers an integral pull through blade sharpener, fire starter, miniature LED flashlight and signal whistle. There is also 10-feet of nylon cord that come on a built in wrap area behind the mirror and sharpener.
This might almost be too much knife for a mountain man!
Holiday Gift Idea: Trail Tray
When camping or backpacking you might often times find that there isn’t exactly the right place to set your plate, cup or other items. The typical option is the ground, but that often means waiting for a spill to happen. The Ozen Solo Table from Snow Peak solves the problem as it provides a nice flat surface so you can cook, and have a place to eat. The flat surface can make it easy to get organized as well.
Woodman’s Multi-Tool
Clearly something is going on, as in the past month we’ve seen all sorts of innovative new tools that put a twist on the traditional shovel and sledgehammer/axe. Now the Woodman’s Pal shows that campers, hunters and other outdoors types have been doing something wrong. This multi-tool features a sickle hook blade that can cut back branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter with a mere single stroke. It also features a 10.5 inch carbon steel blade for normal cutting and there is even a bottle opener. All these devices have a bottle opener so maybe it is beer company that is behind this conspiracy of tools. Continue reading Woodman’s Multi-Tool
Made in America: Crafty Blade
Having a good knife while out in the wilds is never a bad idea, and even if you’re not an outdoorsman you probably would appreciate the fine crafted American made Bush Crafter ($99.99) from Camillus Knives. Made of 1095 high-carbon steel, this knife offers a razor-sharp edge that will remain sharp even after a whole lot of abuse, while the light drop tip fat belly blade is designed to be highly-functional for campers and hunters along.
It features a tough-as-nails canvas Micarta handle that is 4.5 inches long and which provides an serious grip for the user, while the steel lanyard slot will work with both traditional leather/nylon cords or a nylon strap used by climbers. This one even features a hand-made leather sheath.
Modular Camper
For those who like camping out of their Jeep – or other SUV – the Dinoot Modular Camping Trailer might be just what you’ve been seeking, even if you didn’t know you needed it. This unique modular system provides the extra space that might not be available in the Jeep, but also means that you don’t have to camp on the cold hard ground either.
And yet this isn’t exactly the old school trailer either, so you get the feel of camping out while having a bit of comfort as well. The company is even in the process of developing a compact motorcycle trailer.