Review: Roundup: Hardcore Travel Gear

1. Black Diamond Ion
Blinding, tiny, and tough, this headlamp is impervious to almost any abuse and cheap enough that you won't care if you lose it (until you need it).

$20, blackdiamondequipment.com

2. Leica Ultravid 8 x 20 BR
The best compact binoculars we've ever used: water-resistant and burly, with a bright, clear image.

$700, leica-camera.com

3. Keen Powerline
These kicks handle hours of foot pounding on tough trails and urban streets. But flashy styling screams, "I am a rich tourist. You should rob me."

$100, keenfootwear.com

4. Osprey Atmos 35
Well-designed pack lets you comfortably carry more crap than you probably should. Too bad the front pocket's stretchy skin tears easily.

$160, ospreypacks.com

5. SteriPEN Adventurer
This purifier uses UV light to make even polio-infested water Evian-safe in 48 seconds. The optional solar-paneled case, however, takes up to five days to charge the batteries.

$180, steripen.com

6. ExOfficio Clothing With Insect Shield
The bug-proofing built into apparel from socks to shirts keeps mosquitoes away, but the retirement-chic aesthetic repels people under 50.

$40, exofficio.com

7. Spot Satellite GPS Messenger
Uploads your location to an online map every 10 minutes, letting friends (or rescue teams) follow your moves. Warning: The 911 button is easy to hit by mistake.

$170, findmespot.com

8. Iridium 9555
This sat-phone always gets a signal (outside), but the grayscale screen, belabored SMS (no T9!), and lack of Web access make a local SIM a better option.

$1,600, iridium9555.com

9. Canon Powershot D10
This dunkable and droppable digicam falls down when faced with indoor shots. Unpocketable shape was the real deal-breaker for us.

$330, canon.com

10. Timex Expedition WS4
What's worse than not having a compass? Having a compass that is consistently wrong. Like the one on this otherwise very cool watch. Thanks for getting us lost, Timex.

$200, timex.com

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