|
|
 |
|
 |
|
The Well-Outfitted Weimaraner
Dogs have been integral to the outdoor scene since pre-Roman times, but lately the canine-accessory market is howlin'. A new generation of pooch packs help Spot carry his own kibble with more comfort; advanced doggie life jackets are practically Coast Guard-certified; and your best pal's base-camp quarters are now much more posh than a pile of leaves. The Evidence: Therm-a-Rest's Camp K-9 Dog Bed, with washable fleece cover. >> Ruff Wear's Mutt Hutt, a three-season pooch tent complete with rain fly. >> The Cool Pooch Sport Water Bottle, which lets you and Spot drink from the same bottle without sharing slobber. Our Take: Bring the pup along, sure, but please-no matter how remote your trek-pack out the poop.
|
Tarp Tents
Historically the heaviest camping essential, tents have in recent seasons landed in the crosshairs of the fast-and-light evangelists. More and more companies offer way-pared-down shelters. In some, trekking poles replace the traditional aluminum supports, while others lack floors, or have walls made of mesh -- if they have walls at all. The Evidence: The MSR TwinPeaks, a tent/tarp hybrid that pitches with trekking poles or paddles. >> Outdoor Research's Alpine Awning, a one-pound-eight-ounce whisper that sleeps two. >> The Black Diamond Beta Light, 40 percent lighter than its decades-old daddy, the Betamid. Our Take: Because full-blown tents offer refuge from more than just the elements, these tarps and wings -- which ward off rain and little else -- are actually pretty macho. The message? "Wild animals? Let 'em march right over me!"
|
Hydration, Generation Next
Now that just about everyone is in on the hydration craze, companies are catering slurp systems to specific sports like climbing - a flopping hose will really get in your way on that dyno - while also tweaking the performance and cleanliness of mildew-friendly bladders. The Evidence: The Platypus Watt packs, which feature a built-in flashing LED light for urban cyclists. >> Backcountry Access offers the low-profile Stash pack for multipitch climbing - the straw tucks into the shoulder strap. Tidy! >> HydraGo's 70-ounce bladder costs six bucks and comes pre-loaded with electrolyte powder. Our Take: Next up? Dehydration bladders, effective depositories after you've gone nutso with all that water consumption.
|
Twilight for the Flashlight
Slow-burning LEDs have all but replaced the chunky flashlights and headlamps of yore, but still the tinkering goes on. Firms are trying to make their lights more useful than the competition's. Witness hybrid bulb systems, lights that last longer on less juice, and even torches embedded in gear. The Evidence: Princeton Tec's featherweight two-LED Scout clips to a pack strap and includes two flashing modes for Twighlight road runs. >> Cassin's AstraLED is a mountaineering helmet with a built-in three-LED lamp. >> Petzl's MYO 5 bundles five LEDs with a focusable xenon halogen bulb, for long-range illumination. Our Take: Running, climbing, and cycling just became all-hours pursuits, and not exclusively for round-the-clock adventure racers, either. |
Have It Your Way!
Recession-spooked campers are demanding that new gear do more with less. Where once you needed different tents or several sleeping bags, now one does the job - thanks to components that can be added or subtracted, via zippers and Velcro, to suit the trip and the team. The Evidence: The Sierra Designs Nova, a two-person tent that can be halved to make a one-man cocoon. >> The North Face's Expander sleeping bags, with zip-in inserts that add nine inches to the bag's circumference. >> Beyondfleece.com lets you order tailored pants or jackets with custom sleeves, your choice of pockets, and the like. >> Mad River Canoe's adjustable IQ Gunwale System invites paddlers to outfit craft for slack water or whitewater. Our Take: We're still waiting for the road bike that morphs into a mountain bike with a push of your pinkie. |
|
|
|
|
