Lighten Up! BY TRAVIS PERSAUD
Shed some weight this summer – from the glut of gear weighing you down. Move faster and freer on your next outdoor adventure with these ultralight options good for nearly any situation.
MSR TRAIL LITE DUO SYSTEM
Built for two people, this lightweight cook set saves you a ton of space. The nesting design allows all of the pieces – two double-wall insulated mugs and DeepDish bowls – to fit inside the 2L aluminum pot, complete with a BPA-free strainer lid. The system uses MSR’s most durable ceramic non-stick coating, and everything is PFOA- and PTFE-free. Plus, their folding utensils and MicroRocket stove (both sold separately) can also fit inside this clever package. $69.95 | msrgear.com
PLATYPUS SOFT BOTTLE
It’s tough to get excited about a water bottle, but this is perhaps the most versatile one we’ve come across. It combines a taste- and BPA-free polyethylene lining with a flexible layer overtop. The inner layer resists bacteria buildup and the outer layer provides protection, while allowing you to squeeze, roll and manipulate the bottle in almost any fashion that’s convenient for you. It’s a lot lighter than your regular bottle, and you can choose between a standard cap or their HyperFlow cap with bite valve. Available in 500 ml and 1 L formats. $8.95–$12.95 | platy.com
BLACK DIAMOND REVOLT HEADLAMP
Things just got a little bit brighter. The ReVolt Headlamp has the ability to run off of Black Diamond’s rechargeable batteries, which are recharged via a USB cable, but it can also handle regular AAA batteries when an outlet isn’t available. While fairly simple, this flexibility makes the ReVolt infinitely more valuable, as you’re unlikely to ever be without light. It uses one TriplePower LED for distance mode, two SinglePower LEDs on power proximity, and two SinglePower red LEDs in night-vision mode. It’s so streamlined and sleek, you may forget it’s on your head. $65 | blackdiamondequipment.com
NORTH FACE VERTO JACKET
North Face utilizes the lightest fabric to ever grace their Summit Series in this jacket. Specifically designed for climbing, the denier fabric is water- and wind-resistant, so it will never become a burden – whether you’re scaling a rock or not. When the shirt on your back is all you need, the jacket folds into its own pocket, becoming no larger than an energy bar, and its external stretch loop is made to slip into a carabiner. $130 | thenorthface.com
24 summer 2013 adventuramag.ca