Gear Room

GREGORY WOMEN’S KALMIA 60 PACK

Backpacking has come a long way. When I first went backpacking in Costa Rica over 20 years ago, my pack was heavy and hot. The Kalmia backpacking pack, on the other hand, is the most comfortable multi-day pack I’ve ever worn. The FreeFloat 360 suspension system adapts to your hips and shoulders and pivots with your body as you hike on down the trail. (Watch the video on their website.) And the suspended, ventilated back panel keeps your back from turning into a waterfall of sweat.

There are so many other cool features that I love about this pack, including the odor-controlling fabric treatment, molded loop zipper pullers, Like more and more hikers these days, I wear my trail running shoes whether I’m running or hiking trails. But some more rugged trails call for a beefier shoe to avoid slipping, falling, and foot injuries. Hells Canyon and the Selkirk Crest come to mind. Tecnica’s all-new MAGMA was

The benefit of floating sunglasses are pretty obvious to anyone who spends much time on the beach, boat, or out paddling. But eliminating the risk of losing your shades in the drink might not be worth it if said floatable sunnies make you look like a creep. Fortunately

customizable hip belt and torso length, multiple access points to the main pack compartment including a full side zipper, internal hydration sleeve, and lots of storage space in zippered and mesh compartments throughout the pack, including hip belt storage for snacks and a water bottle holster that you can reach while hiking. Gregory has also made 14 of their hiking, backpacking, and everyday adventure packs in plus sizes for men and women in the 2x to 6x range. MSRP: $279.99. Gregorypacks.com (Shallan Knowles)

TECNICA MAGMA TRAIL RUNNING/HIKING SHOE

made to fit this niche. These shoes are light, breathable, tough, and mega Vibram grippy all over, even on the toe and up the sides of the shoe. In fact, the unique tread pattern was inspired by endure MTB tires, and an 8mm drop makes for some sweet running performance. MSRP: $140. Blizzard-tecnica.com/us/en (Wil Wheaton)

Blenders’ Float20 sunglasses come in three stylish options with three color patterns for each style. The ultralightweight and durable frames offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. MSRP: $48 Blenderseyewear.com (Derrick Knowles)

BLENDERS FLOATING SUNGLASSES

Tubes, Apparel, Sunglasses, Wake Boards, Slalom Skis, Surf Boards Paddle Boards, Kayaks, Play Pads, Accessories, and More (509) 534 - 4554 2925 S Regal - Spo, Wa

F ul l P ack a g e B o a r d , $499 P a d d l e, B a g , E le c t r ic Pump

AKU PILGRIM HI COMBAT GTX BOOT

I have struggled for years to find the right boot for off-trail, backcountry elk hunting trips, and I think I finally found what I’ve been looking for with this AKU boot. These boots fit like a lightweight hiking boot but offer exceptional foot and ankle support for walking off-trail in steep, rugged country. The Pilgrim boot has been a UK Army combat boot for years in Europe, and the boot’s features cross over to hunting like a dream. The upper is made with AKU’s Air8000 breathable nylon and full grain leather, with a GoreTex liner and Vibram sole that has a high-toe spring for miles of comfortable walking. MSRP: $229-249. Akuoutdoor.us (Derrick Knowles)

SOLIGHT SOLAR LANTERN & CHARGER

Replacing traditional battery-powered lights around camp with solar-powered lighting helps reduce waste and reduces carbon emissions. While I’ve been living out of my van on public lands this spring, I used the Solight QWNN self-inflating solar light and charger every night for general outdoor lighting. Left out in the sun during the day, it provides up to 40 hours of beautiful lighting after an 8-10-hour solar charge. You can also charge it up with the USB port. Made from recyclable, non-toxic materials, the QWNN lantern has five light-level settings. The QWNN is easy to unfold (no inflating required) and includes magnets to hang the light on a metal surface. MSRP: $110. Solightdesign.com (Wil Wheaton)

GIGA LOUNGER

I first hit the button that started immediately inflating my new Giga Lounger at the Entiat City Park this spring. I was waiting to go surfing in Chelan, Wash., at Lakeside Surf and had nothing to do but drink a beer in the sunshine and relax. And in about 60 seconds when the lounger was fully self-inflated thanks to its built in, USB chargeable pump, I was kicking back at a super comfortable angle on the cushy, air-filled lounge chair. It was kind of magic and the most relaxed I can remember feeling in months. The Giga Lounger packs up to the size of a small sleeping bag, weighs next to nothing, is waterproof a n d floatable, and comes in bunch of fun colors. Go to the Giga Lounger website to pre-order one through the Kickstarter Campaign for 47% off. Gigalounges.com (Derrick Knowles)

MALOJA GRÜNERLEM SHIRT

Not surprising given this German company’s “Soul in the Woods” slogan that is patched onto Maloja’s GRÜNERLEM shirt, this checkered beauty features UV protection by using a special tight knitting instead of a chemical finish. With a deep chest zipper and back yoke with ventilation openings, this shirt is ideal for biking and running or long, sweaty hikes. The stand-up collar and invisible zip breast pocket complement the stylish pattern and, like pretty much all of Maloja’s activewear apparel, the attractive designs transition from trail to pub without a hitch. MSRP: $159. Malojaclothing.com (Derrick Knowles)

BIOLITE HEADLAMP 330

I took this BioLite rechargeable headlamp on a 360-mile desert bikepacking odyssey this spring and didn’t come close to needing to recharge it during the trip. (The battery lasts up to 40 hours on the low light setting.) It’s super light (69 grams) and has a slim profile that sits flush and snug on the forehead. The battery is in the back but the wiring is integrated into the moisturewicking headband fabric, which keeps it protected. At a maximum light output of 330 lumens, it’s by far the brightest headlamp I own, and I rarely cranked it up past the lowest light setting, although the brighter setting would have come in handy if needed for night riding. One feature I really liked is the pivoting light panel that adjusts down at the things you need to see instead of shining into your pals’ faces. Another cool thing about BioLite is its mission to provide 20 million people around with world with access to clean energy and reduce climate impacts, something you can support by purchasing one. MSRP: $59.95. Bioliteenergy.com (Derrick Knowles)

GOSUN SOLAR FLASHLIGHT

I almost always have a headlamp on my head around camp come dusk, but invariably I’ll go bumbling about in the dark at some point looking for something without a light. That’s why I started keeping a GoSun Solar Flashlight lying on my camp table. It charges in the sun during the day and provides 280 lumens of light whenever you need it come nighttime. The integrated solar cell keeps the flashlight plenty powered up during sunny weather, but you can also plug it in with a USB cord. The flashlight features a lantern mode, spotlight, and red emergency strobe setting, and a magnetic back allows for hands-free lighting when attached to a metal surface. MSRP: $39. Gosun.co (Wil Wheaton)