Special Edition Beast28 Helium Ultralight Frame Pack
I remember backpacking with my first frame pack 30 years ago. It weighed almost more than the sum of its contents, was extremely cumbersome, and I would almost topple over when hoisting it onto my back. Granted, I may have packed too much stuff, but the Beast28 Helium ultralight frame pack, which weighs a mere 625 grams or 22 ounces, certainly helps to lessen the burden. The Beast28 has a flexible steel frame suspension system, allowing it to move with your body while providing lumbar support. The ultralight frame pack also features a hydration sleeve that accommodates 1-3 liter reservoirs, gear loops for alpine tools, and daisy chains for additional external storage. Built with 70D Robic nylon UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) reinforced ripstop with PU waterproofing, the Beast28is nearly tear-proof, making this the ideal alpine frame rack.
$200 | matadorup.com
Kammok Outpost Hammock Stand
Kammok, the designer and manufacturer of the popular Crosswing hammock, has been at it again, designing another great product for the overlanding market. If you’re camped out at the beach in Baja or tackling some trails, the Outpost hammock stand might make more sense than laboring away in the heat, putting up a tent, or opening the rooftop tent. The Outpost can be mounted to almost any roof rack, and with the quick-release ball hitch mount and telescoping legs, setting up takes less than a minute. Friends and family can join in on the fun by erecting several stands allowing the deployment of multiple hammocks and ending the fierce competition that hammocks often inspire. Heck, under an awning, the Outpost might be the perfect low-weight, low-cost, long-term sleep solution for mild-weather destinations.
$500 | kammok.com
KC Flex Era 3 Light
The street-legal Flex Era 3 SAE dual-mode fog light is a game changer for off-roaders. No more swapping lenses when returning to the tarmac after hitting the trails; just a flip of a switch, and you’re ready to go. Use the fog light as a “low beam” when driving on the highway, and the spot beam for the trails. The fog beam delivers an incredible 3,682 lumens, and the high beam a remarkable 5,949 lumens. Two yellow lenses are included in the quick install kit for those foggy and rainy days and are available as a bolt-on kit for Toyotas, Jeeps, Subarus, and more.
$480 | kchilites.com
The Explorer’s Library: Books That Inspire Wonder
Atlas Obscura is an online magazine that features unusual and obscure travel destinations, and they are currently offering a book set containing the second edition of the Atlas Obscura and Gastro Obscura. The Atlas Obscura contains hidden gems across the globe, such as the “Gates of Hell,” a fire that has been burning in the Turkmenistan desert for over 45 years, and taking a ride on Beijing’s Dragon Escalator, rising to 846 feet the world’s largest outdoor escalator. The accompanying Gastro Obscura allows you to read about some unexpected culinary traditions around the world, from beer brewed from the fog of the Atacama Desert in Chile, to a berry in Nigeria that is a thousand times sweeter than sugar, to the history of butter-carving competitions in the US.
$85 | Available from several retailers such as your local independent bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble
Coleman OneSource Rechargeable String Lights
Every camper loves the ambiance and soft romantic glow that string lights offer a campsite, and instead of purchasing your fairy lights from Amazon (which often just last the weekend), take a look at the Coleman OneSource string light instead. The 20-foot nylon braided cord with 38 LEDs is water-resistant, able to dim from 250 lumens to 25 lumens, and has a runtime of over 90 hours on low and 9 hours on high. The LED lights are powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is interchangeable with other Coleman OneSource products and allows for charging other devices via the USB port.
$85 | Coleman.com
Ti-Line Insulated Ramen Bowl
Ramen is the perfect soul food that is both healthy and comforting, and this Japanese tayoudon (multi-purpose bowl) ramen bowl is the perfect vessel for such a delightful and healthy meal. This titanium, vacuum-lined, double-walled bowl will keep your noodles hot and tasty. If that was not enough motivation, campers will love this ramen bowl purely for its durability as it cannot, apparently, be corroded, broken, cracked, or even chipped. Of course, this bowl is also perfect for serving other meals such as beef stew, chili, pho, udon, and so on, and with an 8-inch diameter, the bowl is perfectly sized for your average serving. Remember to pair it with the Ti Take Down Chopsticks.
$90 | prometheusdesignwerx.com
Lolo Diesel Heater by Cor
We’ve been gearing up and looking forward to the cool and crisp winter days while enjoying the summer vibes down in Mexico, so when I spotted this great portable diesel heater, it piqued my interest. If you have limited space and are not in the market to spend a vast amount of your savings or travel income on a Webasto or similar heater, this might be the next best thing. The Cor portable diesel heater is a 5-kilowatt, crush- and water-resistant, self-contained unit. The heater holds a 5.5-liter fuel tank which will keep you toasty for up to 10 hours. If you find yourself out of diesel, you can run the heater on heating oil, a kerosene/diesel mix, and even anti-gel additives in a pinch. The kit comes with a user guide and manual, relevant electrical connections including a 10-foot power cord and wired controller, six feet of ventilation hose, as well as an intake and exhaust vent. It is powered via 12-volt DC.
$950 | camplolo.com
VSSL First Aid Stash Collection
When Todd Weimer, the founder of VSSL, was a child, he wasn’t able to carry much when he explored the wilder parts of his native Canada. Needing to travel light, he would pack his bare necessities into small, practical kits. Many years later, while holding his Maglite, he had the genius idea that the flashlight handle could be used to carry essential gear. I love this story and the sleek but rugged aluminum VSSL cylinders that hold more than just survival gear. Let me introduce you to the VSSL first aid stash collection. It is customizable, includes over 45 different medical essentials, and contains a whistle, an oil-filled precision compass, and a four-mode LED flashlight.
Starts at $45 | vsslgear.com
Sea Run Cases Norfork Expedition Case for Fly Rod and Reels
Sea Run Cases, which are manufactured in Italy by Negrini Case, has designed a new ultralight fly rod and reel carrying case. The Norfork Expedition Case is constructed of a double-wall composite perfect for camping as well as air travel. The interior has a padded bottom and removable foam inserts for more storage options, along with a divider wall that separates the bottom from the top to fit up to six 9.5-foot fly rods with large arbor reels and accessories. This case is just begging for a trip down to the Patagonian lakes. Sea Run Cases have a limited lifetime warranty.
$449 | searuncases.com
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