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Gadgets, gadgets, everywhere! That was the resounding cry last January at the Outdoor Retailer
convention in Salt Lake City, where manufacturers, retailers, and the outdoors press gathered
to gawk at the latest and greatest outdoor gear. This year was notable for its bonanza of
innovative, high-tech gear that will help make the great outdoors safer, more convenient,
and lots more fun. Here’s some of the best:
BYE-BYE BUGS
Since all water, no matter how pristine it seems, may be contaminated nowadays, you need a
water purifier—even on simple day hikes. That’s why the Exstream Orinoco ($39.95),
named after the largest river in Venezuela, is so useful. As the market’s only
water bottle water purifier (others are basically filter pumps that take several minutes
to fill bottles), it is easily the most convenient water-cleaning device for on-the-go
outdoor types; namely, trail runners, mountain bikers, and speed hikers. There’s no
need to stop and pump. Just open the top, dip the bottle in a river, replace the cap, and
sip. There’s only one rule: You must hold the bottle upright and squeeze as you suck
on the cap’s built-in straw. This way, the water goes through Exstream’s
EPA-registered ViruStat microbial purification cartridge (to eliminate bacteria and viruses)
and its 1-micron cystfilter (to get rid of giardia and cryptosporidium). Since the filter
will only process 26 gallons before becoming ineffective, consider Exstream a good
complement to pump filters on long backpacking trips. Replacement filters cost $29.95.
Link: http://www.exstreamwater.com
NIGHT VISION
With up to 40 hours of burn time (using lithium batteries), the amazing Princeton Tec Outdoor
Matrix ($49.95) is the world’s longest-running headlamp. That’s not too shabby,
considering it runs on 2 AA alkaline batteries. The trick is a new LED technology that
provides a flat light that is adequate to read by. For brighter light, an incandescent bulb
is also included.
Link: http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4860128&prmenbr=8000
PERFECT POLES
It’s hard to turn down hiking poles once you find out how much easier they make your
trekking. And it’ll be even harder to turn down these new featherweight Leki Makalu
Ultralite Titanium poles, the lightest poles on the market. These telescoping, three-section
titanium-aluminum poles weigh just 1 pound for the pair, which is 20 percent lighter than
Leki’s classic model. The $89 pair includes a carbide tip and dome basket, and extends
to 130 cm (52 inches) and compacts to 59 cm (23 inches). An angled-handle model runs $129.
HOT STOVE
Superlight, superstrong titanium has proven itself on airplanes and bike frames, so how about
camping stoves? Meet the world’s lightest campsite cooker, Snow Peak’s 2.5-ounce Giga
Power stove (model GST-100; $80 or $99 including igniter). With 10,000 BTU, it’s a sure
hot seller.
Link: http://www.snowpeak.com
FOREVER BLADE
A hiker without a knife is looking for trouble, so it’s good to have one that won’t
get lost and will last for years—like the SOG X-42 AutoClip ($60 with 3.6-inch blade;
$50 with 2.9-inch blade). “X-42” refers to BG-42, a super-hard and durable steel,
used for years in ball bearings and capable of holding a knife edge forever.
“AutoClip” refers to a patented SOG clip-on device that locks onto any thickness of
material with the turn of a thumb wheel. Together, they make a folding knife that won’t
fall from your belt or pocket, can cut everything from fruit to rope, and is a rare BG-42
for less than $100. Features include a lightweight Zytel handle, reinforced blade tip, and
choice of serrated or straight edge. The X-42 won’t be available until late May.
Try http://www.fogdog.com, http://www.altrec.com", or contact SOG at
888-405-6433.
ROUTEFINDER
If it seems like you need a graduate degree to find your direction with a standard compass,
you’ll love the Brunton Eclipse, the world’s first needle-less compass ($75).
It’s as easy to use as it is cool looking. Housed within the sleek flip-phone design of the
top-of-the-line 8099 model is a patented disk magnet; just align the two circles (like an
eclipse—get it?) to get your direction. The lower-end 8097 model ($40) does not include the
fancy rubber case.
Link: http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=660348&prmenbr=8000"
BULLETPROOF BINOCS
Even if you’re not a klutz, you’ll appreciate Tasco’s Sierra binoculars.
Drop them in the mud, in the river, on rocks? No worries: They are rugged, completely waterproof,
and so durable that Tasco offers a lifetime no-fault warrantee. The exterior is protected by
a honeycomb-textured, rubberized surface, and a dry nitrogen barrier protects the optics.
Fog-resistant and ultralight, they come in pocket size (11.1-oz., 8 x 25, $69; 10 x 25, $99) and
midsize (18.7-oz., 8 x 30, $179).
GEAR GUARD
Why become a statistic? Thieves love unsuspecting travelers—and hate Outpac’s
Pacsafe ($55), an ingenious steel-mesh net, which encloses your backpack and others valuables,
securing them with a built-in cable lock. Larger sizes can lock a sleeping bag to a tree or a
post in a hostel or bus station, letting you day hike or explore a city in peace. Plus, wear
Pacsafe around your pack while hiking and the mesh stops clashing. A new, smaller-sized
“Travel Safe” bag ($49.99) can be used to lock valuables inside a car. In fact,
the company claims that the FBI stores their guns in them when they stop to get donuts.
Link: http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=121184&prmenbr=8000
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