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Shopping Picks in Essential Camping Gear
Showing results 1 - 20 of 62
Tanka Bites
It's extremely important to keep your body fueled with nutritious food for the tough trails ahead, which means you have to be picky with your food choices. Tanka Bites are made from 100% natural buffalo and cranberries. The delicious bites provide seven grams of protein per serving, which gives you long-lasting energy. The bites are low in fat and are free of gluten, lactose, MSG, and nitrates without sacrificing flavor.
Nemo Meta 2 Person Trekking Pole Tent
The Nemo Meta 2 Person Trekking Pole Tent is designed to accommodate backpackers that like to use trekking poles while on the trails. This extremely lightweight tent is 2.9 pounds when unpacked (3.4 pounds when packed), but features over 60 square feet of interior space, including a vestibule. It offers plenty of ventilation with its 43-inch interior height. The tent includes stakes, a watertight stuff sack, and a repair kit.
Patagonia Merino 1
When backpacking, wearing the right clothing is just as important as taking the right gear. Patagonia makes a line of merino wool shirts that will keep you dry and cool. Available in t-shirts, crews, and tanks, the Patagonia Merino 1 line features ultra-soft, superfine merino wool with an all-recycled polyester core that prevents odor. The wool also insulates when wet and dries quickly. The shirts can be worn alone or worn in between layers... more
Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove
It's hard to believe that a stove can weigh 2.6 ounces, but that is indeed the case with the Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove. The extremely light, single burner stove features a micro regulator that creates a consistent flame in cold temperatures and throughout the life of the fuel canister. A piezo igniter runs through the center post of the stove, protecting the igniter from impact and creating reliable lighting performance. The pot supports... more
Salomon XT Wings GTX Trail Running Shoe for Men
If you plan on running the trails, you can't just wear any old running shoes. Trail running shoes have to be able to handle mud, water, rocks, and any other debris that gets in your way. This Salomon XT Wings GTX Trail Running Shoe for Men features a waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membrane, gusseted tongue, and sidewall mudguard to keep moisture and debris from getting into your shoe and ruining your trail run. The OrthoLite... more
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Tent
When hitting the trails for an overnight excursion, you have to keep in mind that everything you need goes on your back, including your sleeping quarters. The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Tent is extremely lightweight and durable. It features a single-hub design for easy setup. The mesh body offers excellent ventilation. The DAC Featherlite poles feature an eco-friendly anodizing process to minimize environmental impact, and all of the seams are taped with waterproof,... more
Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Instant Coffee
Just because you're out on the trails doesn't mean that you have to give up your beloved cup of joe. Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Instant Coffee has become a big hit with campers and backpackers because it delivers rich, quality coffee in an instant. All you have to do is simply pour a Starbucks VIA Ready Brew coffee packet into your mug, add 8 ounces of hot or cold water, let the coffee brew... more
Arcteryx Altra 65 Backpack
Backpacking gear may seem a bit pricey, but it's important to remember that you're buying equipment that needs to stand up to extreme wear and tear. And you're not really saving money if you have to replace items year after year. The Arcteryx Altra 65 Backpack is extremely durable and comes with a dizzying array of features that keep you comfortable on the trails, such as an internal hydration pocket, padded bottom, anatomically correct... more
Evernew Titanium Non-Stick Cookware
There is nothing like a having a hot meal after an exhausting day of hiking. But since you're carrying everything on your back, you have to have the right cookware that is both functional and lightweight. The Evernew Titanium Non-Stick Cookware is perfect because it is made of lightweight titanium and features silicone-covered handles, a silicon-ceramic non-stick coating that is free of PFOA, and a nylon stuff sack for easy storage while you're backpacking.... more
Zamberlan Men's 760 Steep Gt Hiking Boot
When hiking, it is extremely important to keep your feet dry and comfortable. After all, they will be doing most of the work while you walk and climb. That's why you definitely don't want to skimp on hiking boots. The Zamberlan Men's 760 Steep Gt Hiking Boot is handcrafted from Italian nubuck leather, and features a Vibram sole for comfortable support, and triple stitching and iron hardware eyelets for durability.
MontBell UL Spiral Down Hugger #1
It's warm, dry, and packs down smaller than a football, earning the MontBell UL Spiral Down Hugger #1 a Backpacker Editor's Choice Award for 2009. And since it weighs only 2 lbs., this sleeping bag won't weigh you down when you're carrying it on your next outdoor adventure. Backpacker says the "bag felt roomy to everyonedespite different body shapesbut it never had excess space to heat."
Garmin Oregon 400t
While you may be a pro working all the gear that helps keep you on the trail and heading in the right direction, it's nice if the less experienced hikers can too. That's the case with the Garmin Oregon 400t, a GPS that has all bells and whistles to impress the gear-head, but that Backpacker's novice testers "were navigating within minutes of turning it on." We especially like the integration with map software and... more
Mammut X-Zoom
If you've been looking for the perfect headlamp, but haven't been happy with those you've tried so far, pay heed to Backpacker's recommendation for the Mammut X-Zoom. Their editors call it "groundbreaking" and "the most versatile headlamp. Ever." From a flood light for spotting dangers in the dark to a soft light for reading a book when you're tucked into your sleeping bag, this headlamp does it all.
Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews
Most campers and hikers know it's hard to find food that tastes good, is nutritious and easily fits in a backpack. But Backpacker has found a trail snack that covers all three bases. Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews come in a variety of flavors and, according to Backpacker, they "beat all comers in the taste department." In fact, you might find you keep these around for a snack even when you're carrying a briefcase... more
CAMP FUN: Gibbon Slacklines
In the city, losing your balance on rain-slick streets can be embarrassing but isn't usually fatal. On a steep trail overlooking a cliff, it's a different story. If your next trip includes some sketchy stretches of trails, Gibbon Slacklines are a great way to build up your balancing skills in your backyard. If you're not familiar with slacklines, think of a tightrope that's only a couple feet off the ground. Backpacker chose the Gibbon... more
BACKPACK: REI Flash 65
Streamline your gear by getting rid of all those backpacks you have for different types of trips and try the REI Flash 65, which got top marks from Backpacker for its versatility. Their editors noted that, "Every tester who carried the Flash 65whether for fast-and-light weekends or long-and-overloaded weeksthought it worked perfectly for the job." It hugs the back, has wide straps for comfort, and adjusts to keep any load balanced. You can pack... more
VIDEO CAMERA: Sanyo Xacti VPC-E2
Although you'll need to take along extra batteries, Backpacker recommends the Sanyo Xacti VPC-E2 as the perfect companion to capture video on your outdoor adventures. On trips that included a swim through a slot canyon and "pounding rain in Wales" they found it produced "quality video in conditions that fried a lesser unit." Their only caveat is that the rechargeable batter is only good for a couple hours. Still, the camera comes in at... more
Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4
While you don't wish for inclement weather when your camping, it's always good to have gear that can handle it. Backpacker put the Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 to the test and came up with their favorite for 2009. In their tests in the harsh climate of Snowdonia National Park in Wales, it withstood "40-mph gusts that knocked testers off their feet." And unlike some tents that claim to fit four, this one actually... more
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir
It may cost you more than the average sleeping pad, but the inflatable Therm-a-Rest Neo Air got rave reviews from Backpacker testers. We were impressed that the Neo Air deflates to "pint-glass size" and weighs around 13 ounces, but that was just the beginning. Backpacker notes "the pad is in a class by itself in terms of warmth and comfort for the weight." And, if you've had a pad that slides around on the... more
Nikon Coolpix P6000
There are plenty of cameras that take great pictures, but it takes more than that to make Backpackers Editor's Choice list. With its internal GPS, the 13-pixel Nikon Coolpix P6000 digitally stamps your pics with latitude and longitude, which Backpacker testers say puts this camera "in a class by itself." Tests on "200 geotagged photos shot in two countries and three states" proved the Coolpix was right-on when compared "with a high-end handheld GPS."... more
