Kelty Base Camp Kitchen

Wanna spice up your camping repertoire?  Literally?  Making elaborate meals outside is so much fun, and if you're car camping, why hold back.  Kelty's Base Camp Kitchen will keep you organized, facilitate preparing more complicated meals (bye bye ramen and oatmeal), and keep picnic table space free.  Also--it's light weight at 18lbs which is important.  I once had an REI camp kitchen, but it was so big and heavy (around 30lbs) that it was unwieldy for me to manage myself and ultimately too much trouble to bother with.  The Kelty is something I can handle on my own and find well worth the effort.

It comes in a carry case, and set up is simple, the whole thing unfolds and comes together with ease and tears down just as easily.  There's a storage compartment for gear (it's a pantry, but I'd be very careful about storing food in there, we put ours in the car while we sleep lest racoons or bears decide to raid the kitchen).  The whole unit is compatible with Kelty's Binto system, but works wonderful without it. 

There's a space for your two burner stove with a removable wind screen, and two counters for food prep.  There's also plenty of extra space for hanging tools and towels, and a handy shelf under the stove which we used to store water.  It really makes cooking at camp such a pleasure.  We made black beans and rice, stir fry, and blueberry pancakes, among other things, and it couldn't have been easier. 

Having a kitchen area at your camp site just makes things run smoother, particularly if you have kids.  The more organized you are, the more time you have for play, and this definitely makes food prep go faster.  Once you use this, you won't want to go without it and you'll wonder how you managed before.  It's a big upgrade to the car camping experience.  Find it HERE.

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Just in Time for Summer: LUST FOR LEAF

Hot off the presses--I just got this in my hands just now or I would have insisted you pick up a copy for the Fourth.  Maybe there's still time to grab one locally?   LUST FOR LEAF is a fresh, sassy and slightly risque vegetarian cookbook packed with recipes for some inspired eating this summer and beyond.

Meals perfect for camping, picnicking, and potlucks but with some serious originality.  I haven't seen a cookbook come my way in a while that made me stop what I was doing and read.  Yes, read.  The prose is entertaining and it's full of glossy photos.  I haven't had a chance to try recipes yet but I will for sure, and most often you know by looking at a recipe whether or not you're going to like it.  First on my list (and on the menu for tomorrow) is the Watermelon-Strawberry Aquas Fresca (with cilantro) and I can't wait to try the recipe for squash blossoms.  V's let you know instantly whether a recipe is vegan while fabulous recipe titles and cool info-icons with drink and music suggestions add to the fun.  Amusing it is, but there's real substance here.  It's full of creativity and made me laugh while making me hungry.

The Kindle version is available now, but unless you have a color display, I'd get the hard copy for the abundance of photos on every page.  It's not for everyone perhaps, I've never been told to stir the shit out of something in a cookbook before, but it's raunchiness definitely gives it a unique voice.  And I think that edge just might appeal to some who otherwise might not be interested in a vegetarian cookbook.  It would be an awesome host/hostess gift if you're headed out for a Fourth of July party tomorrow (or any summer party for that matter).  Find it HERE. 

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National Parks: A Kid's Guide

My favorite thing about the US is our National Parks.  We are so lucky to have them and wouldn't it be fun to go on a road trip for the summer, taking the kids to see the marvels of mother nature?  Camping at each place along the way and discovering the diverse terrain and animal life?  I've done some long road trips, and visited many of our parks, but not to the extent I feel the need to.  Our national parks are pilgrimage-worthy, I think. 

NATIONAL PARKS: A Kid's Guide to America's Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks is a great companion for such a trip or trip planning.  It also serves as an inspiration, a wish list of fabulous destinations, and it's chock full of fun facts and trivia.  Cool retro graphics make it a feast for the eyes and kids won't even notice they are learning.  Every page has Ranger and Birdwatch Facts for each place--what kid doesn't love rangers? There is a quarter collector in the back with slots for quarters from each state--that could be a fun tradition for domestic travels.  My son was all over this book and it is written with kids in mind--but I love it for adults too.  Find it HERE. 

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Nemo Losi 2 Tent: Best of Both Worlds

Need a two person tent that feels like a three or four person tent?  Seriously, Nemo's Losi 2 person tent is BIG.  But it's not that big...I don't know how they did this.  When it comes to tents, I'm always of the bigger is better philosophy for car camping.  I like a lot of space and when I camp, it's sometimes in a six person tent totally tricked out with luxury.  Why not, if I have the space, I enjoy the extra comfort.  However, I have a huge appreciation for minimalism and if I'm being spontaneous or in a hurry, I don't want to fool around with extra stuff and I go into the less is more mode. 

The Losi 2 is a little bit of both.  Light weight and super easy to use, you get a lot of luxury for very little effort.  I can set this tent up in less than five minutes and tear down is just as easy.  There is no struggle at all to get this tent back into its storage bag.  The storage bag is very smart by the way--Nemo makes the nicest I've ever seen for tents, everything has a compartment and things stay nice and organized. For backpacking purposes, I would leave this behind and split the tent up. 

There are two doors, so you don't have to disturb your tent mate going in and out, and there are two large vestibules for gear.  There is a removable organization pouch for your stuff inside the tent including Nemo's headlamp diffuser pocket.  You just put your headlamp in the pocket and it creates a little light for the tent, pretty clever.  And look at the pole design.  Those brow poles create a lot of extra room in there.

Bright green makes you more visible and it just looks super cool, especially paired with the charcoal gray and black.  When you have a glowing lantern inside, it's even more beautiful.  Nemo tents look like functional modern art to me, I love them. 

If you need a tent that is good for both car camping and backpacking, this is it.  If you need a backpacking tent, same thing.   It's quality that will last and comfort you will be grateful for.  For those couple of ounces you might save with an inferior tent, you lose a lot of substance, with the Losi 2, you get a ton of bang for your buck.

A footprint is always a good idea when you buy a tent, it preserves the life of your gear, gives you another layer of barrier and warmth, and it's always easier when you take it down to have the bottom of your tent clean.  Things can get pretty muddy if it rains and this helps to keep it as clean as possible and this is the kind of gear you want to take excellent care of.

Autumn is a great time of year for camping, and for some added incentive, you can find fantastic deals at stores like REI as summer ends.  Learn more about the Losi 2P HERE. 

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Three New Sleep Pads for Your Camping Zzzz's

If you are backpacking or doing ultralight camping of any kind, you want to maximize your sleeping comfort while minimizing weight and bulk in your pack.  I was never a big fan of the self inflating flat pads, they just don't get cushy enough for me.  I want it all--comfort and light weight packability and I also want the pad to do most of the inflation work.  Well here it is, in the Exped Synmat 7 Air Pad with Pump. 

The pad is light weight (though Exped has an even lighter one without the pump) at 31 ounces and has a good R value of 4.9, so it's warm.  The sides are slightly raised, helping to keep you on the mat and more comfortable. There is a smaller and larger size, so if you're not a tall person, you can shave off some extra weight.

It packs down close to the size of a Nalgene bottle and is simple to inflate and deflate and get back into its stuff sack.  I think the packing down is as important as set up, even more important for me because that's the part I don't like.  Set up is fun, tearing down, not so much, so I want it to go smoothly.  The quality is excellent, there's no annoying crinkling sound that you can find in light weight pads, and it just feels substantial. 

I fell in love with Exped's Mega Mat last year and swear it is the most comfortable camping pad on earth.  It's ridiculously off the charts comfortable and if you are car camping, I'd go for that one over all others.  Having said that, the Synmat 7 would still work great for car camping if, say, you were limited on space.  But for backpacking, it's the best of both worlds.

If you don't care about the integrated pump, Big Agnes has a new mat out that packs down smaller than the size of a Nalgene bottle.  The Q-Core, is a light insulated pad weighing in at just 25 ounces for a petite.

This pad features an antimicrobial insulation called X-Static which helps to mitigate odors and beef up the comfort level and warmth. It's got an R-Value of 5 to keep you warm on cold nights and raised outer air pockets which cradle your body and keep you comfortable and cozy.  A generous 3.5 inch thickness is quite comfy and it feels sturdy to me. 

The Q-Core comes in four different sizes, so you can get the right fit. It packs up and right back down easily and I was surprised what came out of its small stuff sack.  You get a lot of bang for your buck here. 

Inflation is not a big deal, the valve has a plastic coated mouthpiece and it doesn't take too long to inflate.  I do prefer self inflation, but it's a trade off.  This mat is pretty great regardless.  I love that you can lay on your side very comfortably and it's quiet and stable. 

Kelty's new Recluse series offer integrated pumps, just like the Exped mat.  They have mummy shaped pads to conform to the shape of your sleeping bag, and they have a rectangular model, the Recluse 3.0.

This one is a full size pad and it works great.  It's a fairly warm pad, with an R-Value of 2.9 (fine for summer), and it's super comfortable.  Weighing in at 2lbs 12oz, it's a little heavier for backpacking and might work best for car campers.

I love the bright orange and the cool little hand graphics at the pump.  The sides, like the other two, are raised and help cradle your body for added comfort. It's easy to deflate and roll back up and fit into its bag with no hassle.

All three pads are PVC free and come in a stuff sack and include a repair kit. 

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Two Must Have Tees

Want an eco friendly, cute, comfy tee that will take you seamlessly from Summer to Fall?   Smartwool and Ibex have some wonderful options.  I love the feminine details on this Flight tee from Smartwool.   It has ruching at the shoulder and a graphic on the side depicting flight.  The super flattering fit is comfortable and generous and it feels great on.  This would work great with jeans, skirts, or yoga pants. 

The Merino Logo T is a fun versatile tee.  This tee also has a feminine cut and looks cute dressed up or down.  The fit is true to size.

I'm very fond of Ibex's cool logo and this tee features the goat logo in the center of the shirt.   It's small and unassuming but adds a little spice and keeps things interesting.   

Both tops are perfect for travel and outdoor adventures because they don't hold odor, pack great, and help regulate your body temperature. 

  I'm an 8/10 and took mediums in both tees.  They are comfy and seem to get softer after each wash.  Both tops come in several fun colors and are a must have for the low maintenance adventure wardrobe.

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Osprey Ariel Backpack

Need a super comfortable, super light, women specific backpack?  You have to check out Osprey's newly updated Ariel series.  They come in three different sizes, a 55, 65, and 75 Liter.  I think the 65 liter is just the right size--not too big, not too small.  This pack is highly customizable, coming in several sizes and with a moldable hip belt that you can have heat molded to fit your body.  The pack compresses nicely, so if you need it for a smaller load, you can just cinch it down and still keep a good balance.

There is a good bit of ventilation on this pack, really great for keeping cool on hot days.  The integrated hydration system works great and I love how Osprey's water bladders have a handle which makes it easier to fill.  The side pockets fit Nalgene bottles for that extra water supply.

The lid comes off and turns into a lumbar pack for day trips.  I personally am not a fan of lumbar (fanny) packs, but you don't have to carry it that way, you can sling it as a cross body and wear it in the back.  It's nice to have this option if you are backpacking and want to stay put for a couple of days but still enjoy some hiking or exploring the area.  Trekking poles stow right on the outside of the pack as well as lots of loops and straps for extra gear.

Access is easy, you can get into the main body from the top or the front.  There's a sleeping bag compartment and overall good organization.  It's a great color and will help you remain visible through the woods, which I think is good for safety.  As a nitpick, I would have liked to have seen a pocket on the hip belt and a rain cover (though sometimes you get better coverage by lining your pack with a garbage compactor bag), but other than that I think this pack is well thought out, comfortable, and fits the bill. Osprey has an iron clad "All Mighty Guarantee" to back up their gear, adding even more value.  Find it HERE. 

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BEARVAULT

Why use a Bear Resistant Canister?  Several great reasons.  Many state parks require bear kegs, it keeps you safe, it keeps the bears safe, and it keeps food from being taken and you going hungry in the back country.  A lot of backpackers like to hang their food from trees at night, which might work for a lot of people.  However, bear experts say that bears will go through unbelievable trials to get at food in trees, even injuring themselves trying to climb out on fragile branches that are way too small for them.  Keeping your food high in a tree is not a guarantee it will be safe.

Bears will break into cars to get to coolers and food items as small as a stick of gum.  They break right through the glass and have been known to tear through the back seats to get into trunks.  Their sense of smell is incredible, topping that of dogs by 100 percent.  And the shenanigans they will go through to get to your food are legendary, they are very smart and relentlessly determined. 

This can be dangerous for humans and for bears.  And thankfully, state parks began instituting precautionary measures back in 1999 which have really helped to curb this problem.  Damages and injuries went way down with bear management programs and the key has been to require humans to lock up their food.  This way bears have no desire to come in contact with us.  They say that bears so quickly discovered the futility of messing around with bear canisters, that many, when they see them, just walk right by them.  That's a win-win.  Keeps us safe from bears and keeps bears safe from having to be put down because they are too motivated to enter human camps looking for food.

A great solution are BearVaults.  They are easy for us to open and close, yet bear proof, certified by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group for Black Bears and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee for Grizzly Bears.  They are clear blue plastic and you can see the contents from the outside, the wide opening makes it easy to get at food, and they make for a good little chair around camp.  They come in a Solo size, weighing 2 lbs 1oz and large enough to contain 4 days worth of food for one person.  The larger size weighs 2 lbs 9 oz and will hold enough food for seven days for one person.  There are grooves on the vault to help you strap it on the outside of your pack if you desire, and they are rain proof.  At night, you put all food, bars, body products like toothpaste and lip balm into the BearVault and place a good one hundred feet away from where you are sleeping.  If you can, try to wedge it between rocks or logs and you're good to go.

If you're going to be camping and backpacking in bear territory, you need a Bear Vault.  Find one HERE. 

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Wholesome Sweeteners: AGAVE TO GO

Are you an agave nectar user who wishes you could take it everywhere with you?  Well now you can with Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Agave Packets.  This is so great for travelers, campers, and folks that just want to take it to work or school. 

Wholesome Sweeteners is a great brand, they are Fair Trade, Organic and quality.  I like every single product I've tried and was thrilled to find this new option.  Agave can be messy and you would probably never consider taking a bottle traveling.  This solves all of that--brilliant idea!  Perfect for all your summer needs (picnic anyone?).  Find it HERE.

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Sierra Designs New Game Changing Sleeping Bags

Campers who live in rainy environments have an ongoing dilemma when it comes to sleeping bags.  Even more so with backpackers trying to minimize weight and maximize warmth in wet conditions.  Down is warm and light, however if you get it wet, you're in trouble.  It doesn't dry fast, it won't keep you warm, and you might end up not having anything to sleep in.  With a synthetic bag, you gain weight and lose warmth but if the bag gets wet, there's a chance you could still sleep in it and it's possible it could still provide warmth.  Also they dry faster.  So you have to kind of hedge your bets.

Until now.  Enter the new Sierra Designs line of DriDown Sleeping Bags. These offer a new technology called DriDown that keeps your sleeping bag from looking like a drowned cat should it get wet seven times longer than regular down.  This is a game changer.

Each individual plume is coated with a hydrophobic finish which help keeps it dry, makes it loft better, and allows it to dry faster.  It has the benefits of down, being light weight and warm, but has a much better chance of staying dry.

The women-specific Eleanor is shaped to better accommodate the female body, and is a toasty 600 fill.  There's extra loft in the foot and hood area because most women are sleep colder than men.  I was able to try this out over the weekend and suffice to say, I'm in love.  First off, it's butter soft, like a dreamy combination of clouds and marshmallows.  The the colors are beautiful.  I love the blue with the lime green lining and zipper, it's a very good looking bag.  But I just can't get past how cozy soft it is, very cuddly and just what you want when you crawl in for a sound sleep after an active day.   I'm also a cold sleeper and thought the bag was plenty warm for a temperature in the 40's.  At 5'5 and a medium size, this bag fit me great and I felt like I had plenty of room.

The zipper does not stick and there's another one at the bottom so you can let a little air in if you get warm.   It comes with a mesh storage bag (I prefer to store it by hanging it on a hanger with the loops on the bottom and store it in the closet) and a stuff sack.  If you are looking for a sleeping bag for Summer adventures or just need an upgrade, be sure to check this awesome bag out.  Find it HERE. 

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The 10 Essentials While in the Backcountry

 

The Ten Essentials, when heading for the woods, are the ten things you need to have with you at all times for safety.  If you're hiking or camping, they're the necessities that belong in your day pack.  If you're on a backpacking trip, you will have them, and if you venture off away from your campsite for exploring, you will take them along for the day.

Everybody tweaks the list a little according to thier needs, but the basics are all there, this is my version. Check out the list, and if there's anything you're missing, start adding supplies so you are ready for the Summer.   The gear you already have can be taken out and examined.  Put new batteries in headlamps and flashlights, inspect everything and make sure it's in good working order for this Summer's adventures. 

1.    Water and Food:  Carry a full Nalgene style bottle along with your hydration system.  A Steri-Pen or purification device is also great to have along for the back country.  Extra bars, granola, etc.

2.    Navigation:  Compass and map, even if you have a GPS.

3.    Clothing:  You should have extra layers for warmth and something for rain.  If you're wearing shorts, take long pants or wear convertible pants. 

4.    Communication device:   Cell phone and/or emergency location device and whistle.

5.    Light:  Headlamp or flashlight (I prefer a headlamp for hands free light).

6.    First Aid Kit:  I have personalized my kit with migraine meds and kid's meds.  Take a small kit, but make sure it has what you need.

7.    Fire:  Matches, fire starter, lighter.

8.    Knife or Multi-tool

9.    Shelter:  An emergency bivy sack, tarp, or blanket.

10.  Sun Protection:  Sun glasses, sunscreen, lip balm, hat.


Image Credit:  GuideGunner

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Holiday Gifts for the Outdoorsy Types

Sea To Summit has some wonderful picks for the stocking.  Wouldn't it be fabulous to put a Kitchen Sink in someone's stocking?  With this portable sink, you can adhere to Leave No Trace principles (you don't want to be washing dishes in mountain streams) and also make things easier on yourself.  Plus it's super cool looking and would make a great gift.

Also from Sea to Summit and perfect for the Stocking is their camp cutlery.  I love the Alpha Set.  It's light weight, also very cool looking charcoal gray aluminum, and also comes with a caribiner to hold it together and clip it to other gear. The holes on the end of each utensil double as hex wrenches--pretty brilliant.  I also like the long spoon for eating out of unusual containers or stirring something hot in a pot.

Trekking poles are something you just might not think to buy for yourself, but wouldn't it be fun to find them peeking out of your stocking on Christmas morning?  These Mountainsmith RHYOLITE Trekking Poles are a really pretty cobalt blue combining great design with practical need.  They are adjustable, which makes them very versatile, and they come with removable baskets.

The grips are comfortable, the poles are lightweight aluminum and they are very good looking (the photo does not do them justice at all), and would make a great and unexpected gift.

Another unexpected gift would be the Steripen Adventurer Opti.  This will purify water whether you are in the woods or in a hotel in a country whose water your body hasn't adapted to yet.  It's also great for emergency preparedness, it's just one of those things that you might not think to have, and you might not use it every day, but when you do need it--it's a lifesaver.  You just place the stem into a glass or water bottle (preferably filtered, if you are getting it out of a stream) and the ultraviolet light sterilizes the water.  It's very straightforward and uses no chemicals.  It takes batteries and they even offer a solar charger--how cool is that?

Finally, Black Diamond Lanterns.  They're the best and I consider myself a bit of an expert on this topic having lived in places where power goes out quite a bit and thus developing a habit of hoarding light sources.  The small ones are compact and so useful with the little clips on the top.  My favorite thing is that they dim, which not only conserves batteries, but also makes for a nicer atmosphere.  A lot of those LED lights are blinding and abrasive, but not Black Diamond's.

I love the small ones (Orbit and Apollo) but sometimes you need a little more light.  Check out their newest lantern, the Titan.  This is the big daddy of the series and a super nice lantern.  Though someone like me would love getting this as a gift, I think it would be great for the elusive male gift.  If you need a man-gift, be sure to have a look at this because if anything, it's going to tap into his inner adventurer and I've never met a man who didn't like that.

* You can find the above locally or on Amazon with overnight or two day shipping.

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NEMO Asashi Tent: Big on Design, Big on Function

"Design like you give a damn," it says in the Nemo Catalog.  Music to my ears.  All your stuff should be as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.  There should be no ugly stuff, period, even your rugged gear should look good to you.  I always say,  just spend the money and get the quality thing that you love, that way you'll take great care of it and have it forever and it's way better than having to go through several mediocre things when you could have had the one good thing all along.   In the end it saves you time and money and it's better for the earth. I think Nemo is one such brand that combines high quality and good looks to create things you hang on to forever.

Nemo is an exciting new company to me, though they've been around since 2002.  I love their philosophy to protect the people and places that make adventure possible.  Nemo allows their employees an off-day each month for community service as part of their Green Re-thinking program.  They have heart and they have brains for great design--it's not an accident that their tents are bad ass and beautiful.  Look at this gorgeous Nemo Four Person Asashi Tent.  It looks like a work of art, but one touch and you can feel the quality materials, and it's loaded with little details that make it function like a dream.

The fly doubles as a beach shelter when paired with the optional footprint.  I always recommend a footprint when they are available because they help to keep your tent in good shape.  It's also very convenient to have a footprint--when you're done with your camping trip, you can just fold up your tent, nice and clean and worry about the footprint when you get home to hose it off.  For the inside of the tent, Nemo offers the optional Pawprint which lines the inside of your tent for added comfort.

This tent has light diffusers--this is something I've never seen before.  You put your head lamps in the four corners and it makes for some nice lighting.  Small flashlights work too.  There are four stash pockets (one for each person) and they all have integrated drink holders.  There's a vestibule with a built in window to store gear.  If you need extra storage room, there is an optional Garage.

I set this tent up myself in under ten minutes without looking at any directions.  It's very straight forward and simple with features that make it all come together seamlessly, like the Jake's Feet corner anchor system which locks the poles into place, and the fly fastens with adjustable clips to get it nice and tight.  It couldn't have been easier.

The carry bag is the nicest I've ever seen with a tent, with pockets and zippers for each thing.  It even has a little diagram of constellations on the inside--how cool is that?  Seriously, it's romantic.  The care that went into this and that artful touch, you just don't find it every day.  Tom Freidman (Hot, Flat and Crowded) was saying recently that in the old days, people put their stamp on things they made, their seal.  They put so much thought into what they did they were proud to put their name on it, they took pride.   Nemo seems to be doing this, in a modern sense, that's what I thought when I saw the constellation patch. He also said that only the companies who do take great care will move forward in our evolving world.  I hope he's right because I'd really like to see more of this.

The Asashi is spacious and very comfortable.  My six year old can stand up in this tent with plenty of room, and though, at 5'5, I can't stand completely, I find it roomy and easy to maneuver in.  I like to size up with tents, so this is great for one to four people.  Why not?  If you're car camping, you can afford that extra luxury.  This tent is too heavy for backpacking, though I'd love to see what Nemo has in store for that type of camping.  This tent would make a super awesome gift for the holidays.  Find it HERE.

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Kelty Sleep Eazy Queen Mattress

For years I have avoided inflatable mattresses because of the PVC.  During the holidays last year, I purchased one for company and when I took it out of the box I almost fell over.  It was off-gassing so much I put it back in the box, took it back to the store, and that was the end of that.

When I heard of Kelty's new eco friendly Sleep Eazy Queen air mattress, I got very excited because it is PVC free and there is no smell.  You can sleep headache free on this one.  The chemicals off-gassed from PVC can ignite asthma attacks, migraines, nausea and all sorts of maladies, I'm so glad to see this option.  

Beyond that, the design is well thought out.  It's lightweight and comes in a small canvas tote bag with extra grab handles.  It includes a small rechargeable pump that works like a charm.   No batteries necessary--just plug it in at home or in your lighter outlet in the car and voila!  Instant bed.  You can have a queen size bed up in just a couple of minutes.

This turns your tent into an outdoor hotel room.  It would be great to throw in the trunk when visiting friends or pull out of your closet for your own company.  Find it HERE.

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Detours Boogie Bag: Organization for Cycling Adventures and Beyond

Traveling to go for a ride?  Detours makes the perfect bag for your cycling gear, the Boogie Bag.  Organization makes your outings more enjoyable.  When everything is easy to get to, you spend your time playing, not scrambing around trying to find your stuff.

This bag holds a ton.  It will keep your helmets, bike tools, jackets, shoes, locks, extra clothes, meals, drinks--there's even a separate insulated bag that comes with it to keep your drinks or food cold.  They thought of every single thing with this bag, the design is flawless.

This bag is made for cycling, but is perfect for camping as well. And I mean perfect.  That rubber bottom makes it extra rugged in the elements, there are a ton of pockets for little lanterns, camp kitchen supplies, etc.

The Boogie is so sturdy you might be tempted to overload it--the bag can take it, but you still have to carry it, so watch out for weight.  It's sitting on my floor at the moment with heavy camp kitchen supplies and the Boogie doesn't skip a beat.  In addition to the padded adjustable shoulder strap and side straps, there are grab handles on either end, customizing it to the way you like to carry your bag and making it as comfortable and convenient as possible.  I love the see-through top compartment for easy access to the stuff you need to get to fast, like maps, flashlights, first aid kit.  The abundance of outer and inner pockets and enlarged zipper pulls are fantastic. 

I don't climb, but suspect it would be great for that too.  For kids that are in some sort of sport, this would be wonderful for parents to keep it all together.  At 20 x 15 x 11 inches, it will fit in an overhead bin on planes, so it would work well for air travel too. 

Aesthetically, the Boogie is great looking.  The burgundy is a rich, deep garnet that is pleasing to the eye and the detailed top stitching almost fools you into thinking it's all looks, but then the bag gets you with its brains.  Incredibly well thought out, wonderful bag, I want one in every color to color code my gear.

If you are involved in any activity that requires gear, you need this bag.  One of my favorites ever.  Find it HERE.

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Black Diamond Mini Lanterns

Need a lantern for inside the tent?  Black Diamond has two brilliant small lantern options, the Apollo Lantern and the Orbit Lantern.  Both utilize energy efficient long lasting LEDs.  Both lanterns are perfect for backpacking, using inside your tent, hammock camping, picnic tables, camp stove, and anywhere you want light.  It's not that blinding LED light you might be familiar with, but a diffused, more pleasing light due to the frosted globe.  At the same time they are both bright enough to be used for task lighting.  They don't take the place of a larger lantern for lighting up the whole camp, but they do what they were designed to do wonderfully. 

The foldaway legs allow you to adjust the height and the loops are great for hanging in the tent or a tree branch.  The loops are split so you don't need a carabiner to hang them, but you could also turn it upside down and hang it by the legs with a carabiner.  I love that you can dim the lantern, adjusting the light output and saving battery power for when you need it most.   It's about the size of a soda can, and a little lighter. The legs are super handy, allowing you to place the lantern on uneven surfaces and to help disperse light the way you need it.

Black Diamond offers a rechargeable battery system for both lanterns which comes with international adapters.  They can even be rigged for use with solar power, I've read about people taking these on research trips to remote locations and using them daily for months on end this way. 

Not long ago, BD sponsored a project to use solar power to recharge lanterns in a small village in Nepal.  To reduce the cost and risk of kerosene lighting, Apollo lanterns were given out to locals who then able to power them with solar panels.  This was life changing for the people in this village who used their savings to improve their water source.

You can utilize solar power with your own lantern by charging reusable batteries with a portable solar charger.  Burn life is up to 60 hours, depending on whether you have the lantern set on low or high.

For backpacking, if you are super mindful of weight, the Apollo's little brother, the Orbit is ideal.  It's about half the size of the Apollo and has a 1 watt output as opposed to the Apollos 3 watts.  It doesn't have legs like the Apollo, so it's not as stable, but it does have the split loops for hanging.  It would work great for a one or two person tent, or for hammock camping.  The globe, like the Apollo's globe, slides over the on/off button so it won't switch on accidentally in your pack and eat up all your battery life.  They come in different colors, so you could give one to each child if you are camping with kids, it's great for reading in the tent.  My son went bananas for these small lanterns, confiscating the Orbit immediately. 

Both lanterns would be great for travel or to keep in your emergency kit for power outages and emergencies.  Black Diamond has excellent environmental and fair labor programs, they also reach out in support of many environmental organizations--it's a company you can feel good about purchasing your gear from.  Find both lanterns HERE on their website.

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Grand Trunk Dunny Privacy Shelter

Have you ever found yourself on the beach wishing you had a place to change your clothes?  Or out on a camping trip wishing for your own private bathroom? Well here is the solution: the Grand Trunk Dunny Quick Set Privacy Shelter.   I haven't seen a privacy shelter out there that compares to this.  It's HUGE and very well made.  Two people could take a shower in there, no problem, they could almost dance the Tango.

This is perfect for camping trips to enable you to avoid public restrooms completely.  You can hang your solar shower inside and include a portable toilet as well.   You could also use it on the beach for changing clothes--I think it would be fabulous for a beach party or an all day outing with friends and family.  When you're ready to go, just pop it back in the bag.  It would be great at home for a pool party to keep a bunch of wet guests from traipsing in and out of your house and also provide convenience for them.

Inside the shelter are plenty of pockets for soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc.  There's a place to hang your solar shower and it's sturdy, it's not going to come crashing down on you.  The floor is removable if you'd rather have the ground under you, it's your option.  Visually, it's perfect.  Low profile, good looking charcoal gray is sharp and kind of blends in with the environment.  It's also quite light weight, so it's not a burden to toss it in the car along with the rest of your gear.

It's so worth the extra effort to set it up, I thoroughly enjoyed a peaceful solar shower with a gorgeous lake front view through the window of the shelter.  The kids used the shelter for changing clothes and bathing suits before and after playing in the lake.  There are plenty of great places to hang your towels and the clean dry clothes.

Definitely stake it down as it's very tall and the wind could play havoc with it if it's not secured properly.  Included are plenty of stakes and the cords to guy it out, and set up and take down is so ultra fast, you won't mind taking the extra two minutes.  It goes right back into it's carry bag easily, which for me is super important as I don't want to be struggling at the end of an adventure.  Even though it's super tall, I can set it up and take it down by myself in just a couple of minutes, it couldn't be easier.  Highly recommended!  Find it HERE.

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Marmot Limestone 6 Tent: Best Tent Ever

Marmot's Limestone 6 is an ideal three season tent that's perfect for families and pure luxury for couples and singles.  First off, this tent is gorgeous.  The designers made something that not only functions like a dream, but looks like one too.  Though it comes in a dark green if you prefer to blend in with your surroundings, I think orange is the ideal color for a tent.  It glows from within at night and looks amazing at twilight against a natural backdrop.  The orange also serves to give you a cozy energized feeling, perfect for more overcast or rainy weather.

The Limestone is a piece of cake to set up and takes well under ten minutes.  Color coded webbing and poles help you assemble the tent quickly and efficiently.   The whole thing is made in such a way that is incredibly manageable despite its size, which is huge.  I'm 5'5 and though I can stand up in this tent, I can almost set it up by myself, I need some help with the fly and erecting the poles.   If you're car camping in warm weather, why not have a large tent you can stand up and maneuver well in in? 

For rainy and stormy weather, the full coverage fly and taped seams make the tent virtually bombproof.  A storm during the night isn't going to send everyone fleeing for the car.  Color coded tabs to help you see where the fly clips to the ground sheet help to make set up even easier. The guy attachments are beefy and substantial, but unless you are going to be in some strong winds, I wouldn't bother to guy it out.  Nevertheless, it's nice to know they're there when you need them.

There are multiple fly vents for ventilation on hot nights and moisture dissipation.  I love that they used reflective material for the guy points and logo to help you spot the tent easily at night.  The zipper pulls are not metal and won't jingle around in the wind which can be annoying while you're trying to sleep and the non-snag zippers are easy to operate and good for kids.

Extra large vestibules on either end are great for stowing gear.  The vestibules have little windows so you can peek out and see what's going on outside, and there's a door mat to help keep it clean inside.   You could fit a smaller camp chair in the vestibules.

This is a major luxury tent for two, but the fact that it has two separate doors makes it really nice for more people.  That way you aren't climbing over each other to get in and out.

The floor is heavy duty and can withstand camp furniture like cots and chairs.   A Marmot rep told me he wouldn't bother with a footprint with this particular tent because the floor is so ultra durable, however I got one anyway because a) the Limestone is magnificent and I want to take the best possible care of it, b) the footprint allows for easier setup when picking out a spot, you don't have to drag the tent around, you just maneuver the footprint until you find the ideal place, and c) if you are camping in rainy weather, when you go to take down the tent, the bottom will be clean and it will be easy to fold up the footprint and hose that off when you get home. 

Even if you are new to camping, a good tent can really make the experience, it's worth the investment to get something of quality, and once you have it you are good to go on many adventures.  The Limestone will last through years and years of camping trips.  It's good looks and attention to every last detail really make it stand out amongst other tents.   This is also a tent that, even if it rains the whole time (hello Pacific Northwesterners), you'll still have fun.  Can't recommend it highly enough, find it HERE. 

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Leave No Trace with Cleanwaste

A lot of our state and national parks are now requiring people to bring in their own bathroom systems so that they will leave no trace.  Cleanwaste offers a great solution for this in a super easy brief case style portable environmental toilet called the Go Anywhere.  This is great for camping trips, even if you are staying somewhere where there are public restrooms, sometimes you just don't want to utilize them, if you know what I mean.

It's very easy to use, you just open the case, unfold the legs, insert a Wag Bag (basically a biodegradable plastic bag with a powder that treats waste), and you're done.  The  eco friendly powder used in the bag does not have a fragrance which for people like me is very important, and it does a great job of containing odor and whatnot, it's very discreet.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say they don't go camping because of the bathroom issue.   This is a great solution.  If you have a big enough tent, you can just do your business right there, or you can set up a secondary shelter dedicated to a toilet and maybe even add a solar shower.  Cleanwaste makes these as well and you can find the entire system on their site.

Cleanwaste also makes Pee-Wee bags which are even easier and faster to use.  This is great for inside the tent in the middle of the night when you don't want to venture out to the woods or a public facility.  Both the Wag Bags and Pee Wee bags come with toilet paper and a wipe.

These Cleanwaste systems are ideal for Leave No Trace practices.  Beyond camping, they are great for emergency situations when you might not have access to water or facilities.  I've personally experienced a hurricane which created those conditions and though we improvised fine at the time, this would have been nice to have.  Find them HERE.

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Multifunctional Coleman 4 in 1 Packaway Table

Stuff that serves multiple functions are both space saving and carbon footprint reducing.  That's a necessary win-win in my book.  Coleman's 4 in 1 Table is perfect for camping and home use--and it has four different configurations, taking the place of several pieces of furniture.  On top of that, it folds up for easy storage and takes very up little space.  This is perfect for the minimalist who needs their stuff to do several jobs while remaining low profile. 

While camping, it's great for food prep, night stands, picnic table, or even coffee tables around the camp fire which is nice for little kids who can't always hold stuff on their laps.  You can use it to set up a buffet indoors or out, you can use it as a make shift office, an extra table during the holidays, a craft table for kids, in the bedroom, the bathroom, anywhere you can think of.  Because you can adjust the leg height, you have so many options.  You can use it as one square table, two separate tables, or one long table, all of set to the height you need. 

I wish the table tops were also aluminum like the rest of the table.  That would keep them light weight and would probably make them last longer.  As it is, the tops are mdf, which some feel is an eco friendly material because it's made from wood that might otherwise go to waste.  I'm not a big fan of mdf due to the glues that are often used to hold it together.  I'm not sure what was used here, but if the table is outside, it's of less concern to me since it will be out in the open for any off-gassing, also there is absolutely no smell emitting from this table and I am a major stickler for this.

They did put a funky neo-retro looking design on the top of the table, which is fun and looks good, really modern and hip a la CB2. This was so smart, you don't have to cover them up to hide an ugly design or color. 

The whole thing is very smart.  It's easy to set up and tear down--literally seconds--and it's easy to clean.   I highly recommend this versatile table.  Find it HERE. 

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