3 minute read
Fitness: Camp It Up
CAMPIT UP
Go wild with some of the best outdoor tech around. byDan Metz
THE CAMPING SEASON is just around the corner, and we are ready! Downtown’s associate editor Dan Metz road-tested some top-of-the-line gear that is lightweight, versatile, and user-friendly. Most of this equipment is backpacker-friendly, but it is also great for campsite and family camping.
Bugaboo Camper, Four Person Nesting Camp Cookset Whenever my family went camping, my dad would pack a tub full of pots, pans, plates, cups, and bowls for our family to use. When I go camping, I take the Bugaboo Camper, which uses nesting technology to fit all of that gear into a 9”x9”x5.8” container. The Bugaboo Camper gear is easy to use, easy to clean and is backpacker-friendly with a total weight under 4 lbs. gsioutdoors.com
MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 - Inflatable Solar Light Simple but super cool. Leave this outside during the daytime, and use it to charge your phone, GPS, or whatever other small electronic devices you have. When the sun is setting, hang it in your tent for a full night’s worth of light. If you’re traveling during the day, you can deflate it and strap the light to your backpack so it can charge on the go. mpowerd.com Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Backpacking Tent My partner nicknamed this the “impossible tent.” If you are hiking to your campsite, or if space in your car is a premium, this is a perfect 1-2 person tent. It weighs next to nothing (3.8 lbs) and rolls up to the size of a log of firewood. It is easy to set up, deceptively big on the inside and kept us warm all through the night. msrgear. com
Headlamps: Black Diamond We used these headlamps when we set up our campsite in the dark. We used them whenever we walked away from the fire, and when we had to clean up camp before we went to sleep. When we got home, we used them to pack everything into the backs of our closets, and we still use them several times a week when we are home. blackdiamondequipment.com
Primus Tupike Stove This grill was our luxury splurge item. It is heavier than the others, including the tent. You could strap it to your back and go hiking with it if you really wanted, but it is perfect for a casual campsite setting. primus.us
Breadcrumb Bluetooth Location Marker Whether you are through-hiking the Appalachian Trail, or just a giant amusement park, Breadcrumb is the perfect piece of tracking tech. This little Bluetooth GPS connects to a phone app. Give access to friends and family, and they can track your location on any hike, with a battery that lasts up to six months. Give it to your kid at Six Flags, and you can keep track of them anywhere in the park. Put it on your luggage, and you always know if it made your connection. breadcrumbtech.com DT
QUICK ESCAPES, FOR WHEN YOU NEED FRESH AIR NOW:
Taconic State Park: Head here for a day trip or casual camping. Beautiful nature without leaving society behind.
Peekamoose Mountain: Check this out if you’re ready for self-sufficiency far from the usual traffic, lights, and plumbing.
Macedonia Brook State Park: See the Catskills and the Taconics from the Connecticut side at this massive park with some interesting local history.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Minnewaska is picture-perfect, with 50 miles of trails leading to scenic lakes and waterfalls.
Governor’s Island: Governor Island’s “Collective Experience” feels more like a hotel room surrounded by nature. If you want to be outdoorsy and pampered, this is your place.
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