I’ve been field testing a range of gear and apparel this summer, from alpaca fiber undies to semi-essential (and slightly luxurious) car camping items. I’m taking some of these items into the backcountry, some to walk-in tent sites by the lake, and a few down the street, where the IcyBreeze cooler and Din O Mite table/bar made me a hero at the neighborhood happy hour. Enjoy.
Apparel
Elevate Lightweight Hoodie ($78) from Free Fly apparel (pictured above on a swim trip with the kids to Carter Lake) has been my number one hoodie since last fall. I’ve used it on river trips, on the trail, at the pool, at the ocean, and on the back patio to watch the sunset, where it helped keep the bugs at bay. It is lightweight and breathable, and super quick-drying, which is what you want in a sun hoodie. I’ve tested its stretchy hood over some wide brimmed hats, and its UPF 25+ sun protection during some very hot, exposed days—and it works. Colors include smoke, fig, and, seen above, canyon clay.
Wallowa Nylon Sandal ($130, also pictured above) is named after the Wallowa mountain range in Eastern Oregon and is the newest outdoor sandal from Danner, a revered boot company known for traction and toughness. The Wallowa is water-friendly and quick-drying, perfect for stream crossings and long walks on the beach. Last week I experienced the Vibram Traction Cascade outsole with texturized micro lugs as I scrambled across wet sandstone boulders, trying to keep up with my cliff-jumping kids. The one-piece footbed and midsole have nice cushioning and the newfangled clasping system is easy to manage with one hand (and doesn’t pinch my skin or hair).
Men’s Briefs by Paka Essentials ($38) are ultra soft, alpaca-blend adventure underwear. Crafted from a blend of 48% Tencel, 33% organic cotton, 14% Royal Alpaca, and 5% spandex, these briefs are soft and durable. Royal Alpaca fibers are, they claim, as fine as cashmere but three times lighter than sheep’s wool. They are naturally hypoallergenic, thermoregulating, antibacterial, and moisture-wicking, to boot. I can vouch for an extra cooling comfort sensation, during a few thigh-chafing, hot weather hikes.
Roark Serrano Run Short ($69) is a versatile, lightweight item made from recycled polyester with a water-resistant finish. I rock them at the gym and on the trail alike. I appreciate the two open pockets, a side zip pocket, and a rear zipped patch pocket. These shorts are unlined, giving you plenty of space to breathe. They pair very nicely with the alpaca underwear mentioned above.
Camping Gear
Helinox Chair Zero ($149.95) has been all the rage among backpackers the last couple of years, mainly for its comfort to weight ratio, so I thought I’d check one out. Even some ultralite backpackers carry the Zero as their one indulgence—for the luxury of being able to sit on something other than a rock or log after a long day of hiking. The entire chair weighs 1 lb 6 oz and has a compact design that’s easy to strap onto a pack.
PARKIT Vintage Camo Voyager Chair ($199.99) is more of a frontcountry captain’s throne for car camping or barbecue situations (it weighs 12 pounds with an empty cooler); it’s a sturdy, updated take on the classic lawn chair with under-chair insulated cooler(!), carry strap, and cup holders. I’ve set it up at the campsite, the county fair, and behind my daughter’s lemonade stand. This is limited-edition collaboration between PARKIT and Free FlyThis is both glamping accessory and practical travel item that may be comfy enough for your living room.
Bolt IPX6-rated Bluetooth speaker ($79.95) from Outdoor Tech has powerful magnets that allow it to attach securely to any metal surface; think camp chairs, cars, tent poles, or golf carts. It’s water resistant, weighs one pound, and can be paired with other Bolt speakers for surround sound. The sound quality is excellent and the Bolt doubles as a power bank for charging small devices.
Ultimate Cooler by IcyBreeze ($499.99) is a glamping accessory and possible game changer for the next heat wave. Not only does its 38-quart capacity fit up to 48 cans, it has a three-hour misting function! So gather round the cooler during that neighborhood happy hour. It also has a fan and doubles as a battery powered air conditioning unit, producing cool, dry air at 35° F below ambient temperature, which you can then funnel through a tube into your tent. It’s solid, with all-terrain wheels, metal grab handle, and USB charging port (all the electronics are powered by a rechargeable Lithium battery). This was also pretty helpful at the lemonade stand (see below).
Dine O Mite ($219.95) is a useful car camping accessory, especially when there’s no picnic table to put your stove on, or the one that’s there is nasty. This camping furniture collapses and pops up in seconds, providing a regular-height, clean, bamboo countertop and cutting board, cooking area, and storage. It has four water-resistant storage cubbies, an aluminum frame, and comes with a collapsible wash basin, steel windscreen for a stove, trash bag holder, bottle opener, and towel holder. This is the small version; there’s also a Dine-O-Max that has extra attachments and a higher price point. I’ve yet to try mine out in a real camp kitchen, but in the meantime, my 11-year-old entrepreneur daughter has discovered that the Dine-0-Mite is PERFECT for a lemonade stand.
Shades & Accessories
CAMP Glacier Sunglasses ($79) are a step up in your aviator game, also stylish and eco-friendly. They’re made from bioplastic frames and have polarized lenses for glare reduction, plus spring hinges for a secure fit. Adjustable temple tips and real wood inlays add a touch of sophistication. CAMP is a Portland, Oregon-based brand that is a member of 1% For the Planet and a Certified Climate Neutral Company.
Selca ($34.95) are more affordable aviator shades from Tifosi Optics. They have a plant-based frame, making them lightweight and durable. The “hydrophilic nose piece” is a no-slip grip that increases its stickiness with perspiration. The polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof and scratch-resistant, with 100 percent UVA/UVB protection from harmful rays.
Shokz OpenRun Headphones ($129.95) are open-ear, bone-conducting headphones designed for sweaty, jostling activities. The design keeps the tech out of your ear holes, which I’ve found gives me better situational during a run or hike. Whether hitting the gym, the trail, or cleaning out the garage, Shokz are a great alternative to small buds which are so easy to lose and probably worse for your ears. They wrap around the back of your head, connect easily to any phone, and have decent battery life of 3-4 hours.
— Joshua Berman is the author of Moon Colorado Camping and Moon Colorado Hiking (Moon Outdoor Travel Guides)
