Gallery: 10 Essential Gadgets to Survive and Thrive in the Great Outdoors
01merino-wool-base-layers
Don't believe the slander: Gadget geeks aren't afraid of the great outdoors. Quite the opposite, in fact. Whether were on desolate hiking trails, back-country powder runs, or the sun-baked playa, we relish exposure to the elements -- if only because it gives us perfect opportunity to test our outdoor survival gear. In this collection of essential gadgets, we use the term "outdoor survival" liberally. A hydration pack that filters out protozoa from river water is certainly a survival gadget, but so is a kick-ass mountain bike or solar-powered boombox. Outdoor survival isn't just about maintaining a pulse. It's about fully owning the environment around you. Disagree with our choices? Have even better suggestions? Share your thoughts with a comment below. Merino Wool Base Layers ----------------------- Few things are cooler than dueling ninjas. Few things are warmer than dueling merino wool ninja suits. Merino wool is widely regarded as the ideal base layer for its ability to adjust its properties to differing situations. It keeps you warm when it’s cold outside, it breathes well when it’s hot outside, and it wicks away sweat when you’re exerting yourself. Heck, it doesn’t even pick up body odor. As a big fan of merino wool, I’ve always said that if I could drape my whole body in it, I would. Turns out that I can. Two companies, [I/O Bio Merino and Airblaster](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/10/ninja-suits/), offer one-piece baselayers made entirely of merino wool to provide warmth for snowboarding, skiing, mountaineering, infiltrating castles, and other cold-weather pursuits. The two suits share a host of similarities: Both are made of the soft wool of the Merino sheep; both are full-length, one-piece suits; and both have tight-fitting hoods, thumb loops, and drawstrings around the waist. Both companies make men’s and women’s versions. Ninja suits. Made of what is arguably the finest performance material ever. Excellent. *--Billy Brown* Photo: Keith Axline/Wired.com
Photo by Ariel Zambelich02rig-500-ballistic-geigerrig-hydration-pack
Rig 500 Ballistic Geigerrig Hydration Pack ------------------------------------------ Hydration packs — backpacks with a built-in water bladder and a hose running to your mouth — are a huge convenience for those of us who like to spend all day on the trail. But they have a rather annoying design flaw: Imagine you’re wheezing your way up a hill on your mountain bike. You’re parched, so you reach for the tube of your hydration pack. Now think about what it’s like to suck a drink through a straw while you’re desperately gasping for breath. That’s what we have to deal with. The Utah-based company Geigerrig has eliminated the need to suck on the hydration hose with its Rig line of hydration packs. These packs have a pressurized reservoir, so the water is forced out, like a fountain, when you bite the valve. This not only makes it much easier to drink, but it allows you to share water in a less-disgusting manner — you can fill a buddy’s bottle or your dog’s water bowl. I tested [Geigerrig’s Rig 500 Ballistic](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/01/hydration-pack/) pack ($110). On a 14-mile test run up Northern California’s Kanaka Peak, the pack’s 2-liter reservoir ran dry at about mile nine. I was able to refill the pack at a creek crossing and test the system's filter, which removes *Giardia*, *Cryptosporidium* and other nasty protozoa, making any water you come across on the trail a viable source of hydration. The filter reduces the spray volume, but the water still dribbles out, just not as forcefully. And the filter seems effective enough — after five weeks, I suffered no diarrhea, so I think I’ll be OK. *--Billy Brown* Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired.com
Ariel Zambelich / Wired03north-face-jammu-jacket
North Face Jammu Jacket ----------------------- Generally, the better a jacket is at keeping the wet out, the better it is at keeping the wet in. While the wind whips and the rain pelts, you stay dry -- until your body temperature climbs and that muggy, wrapped-in-plastic feeling sets in. Waterproof-yet-breathable fabric technologies are abundant in the outerwear world, but even with rain jackets marketed as “ultra-breathable” (as most are) some condensation still builds up inside the shell, leaving you clammy, wet, and wondering why you wore a jacket in the first place. With its [Jammu](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/02/north-face-jammu/) jacket, The North Face is the latest manufacturer to tackle this elusive unicorn of a truly breathable, truly weatherproof piece of outerwear. The special sauce inside the Jammu is Polartec’s NeoShell membrane, which claims to possess the industry’s highest levels of clam-free waterproofing. The Jammu is an expensive jacket ($400), but the price is made less painful by a handsome look and a smart design. The cut is just generous to allow for light layering underneath, while the soft shell fabric provides enough stretch to keep you from feeling claustrophobic. Pockets placed high on the body allow easy access when wearing a pack harness, and the helmet-compatible hood adjusts to fit anybody’s dome. It seems best suited to hiking, camping, skiing or snowboarding in above-freezing conditions, but on a sunny, windy day hike in Lake Havasu, the Jammu repelled 20-plus-mile-per-hour gusts all day. Despite the afternoon sun, I never overheated. I was even able to run the last mile down the trail without feeling like I was wearing a sauna suit. *--Billy Brown* Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired.com
04marmot-turrent-3-person-tent
Marmot Turrent 3-Person Tent ---------------------------- The [Marmot Turret 3P](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/12/marmot-tent/) is everything you’d want in a three-man tent. It’s lightweight, compact, and wind resistant. It keeps you dry even in the whipping rain, and it’s remarkably easy to set up. However, with a price tag of $430, you’d half expect the tent to come with maid service. Do not bring this tent to the local Occupy encampment. You’ll likely be chased out, or become the target of a new Occupy movement. Sure, there are plenty of luxe, lightweight, three-man tents made for backpacking that cost more than $400. But with packed dimensions of 8.5 x 28 inches, the Marmot Turret 3P isn’t ideal for stashing in a pack. It’s better suited for car camping, and if that’s your speed, you could spend half as much money for something agreeable. But with the Marmot, you certainly do get a lot for your money. The asymmetrical poles are a brilliant design twist, and the rain fly is strong enough to repel the harsher elements and (in my testing) even bears. During a week-long fishing trip near Yosemite National Park, the Turret 3P withstood a flash rainstorm, then later, a vicious bout of wind and hail. Everything stored inside, me included, stayed bone dry. A bear even rubbed along it one night, leaving behind a set of tracks to prove I wasn’t hallucinating. Setup is so simple that sobriety is not required, and one person can do it in a snap. It’s a 10-minute job, tops, giving you more time hunting for that trophy fish. *--David Kravets* Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired.com
05bheestie-bag
Bheestie Bag ------------ We don’t live in a vacuum. Neither do our gadgets. From steamy bathrooms to grubby, sweaty hands, little bits of moisture tend to creep into our electronics. Enter the [Bheestie](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/07/bheestie//), an airtight plastic pouch that sucks — in a good way. It holds two smaller, porous bags that contain several peppercorn-sized pellets. In theory, these bags act like molecular sieves, absorbing moisture that’s managed to get inside an electronics device. After 24 hours, says the company claim, the beads will extract almost twice as much water as a cup of uncooked rice — a common DIY method for saving soggy gadgets. Now, the company’s FAQ doesn’t promise miracles. But it does say reviving a phone dropped in the toilet isn’t out of the question. We started by stuffing a damp sponge into the bag and were impressed by how much water came running out only an hour later. So we decided to go big. We sacrificed a first-gen Droid — oops! — by letting the phone cannonball from waist high into the bowl. We fished it out, shoved it into a virgin bag, and waited. Within an hour, the bag was giving off noticeable heat, a byproduct of the absorption. Color us optimistic, but after 72 hours, the recommended duration, we cracked the Bheestie and found a dead Droid. If you’ve spilled a drink on your phone and can get it into a Bheestie fast enough, you might be OK. But if your device has spent any time completely submerged in water — or worse — you’re out of luck. But you already knew that. *--Steven Leckart*
06petzel-head-lamp
Petzel Head Lamp ---------------- Most LED headlamps have an on/off switch and maybe a couple of intensity settings. The [XP2](http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/headlamps/compact-tikka-2/tikka-xp-core) has an entire desktop utility that allows you to tweak the trade-off between beam intensity and burn time from the lamp’s high- and low-output LEDs. Crank it up for maximum safety during a nighttime run, or drop it to preserve the battery for a long hike from base camp. The internal USB-rechargeable lithium-ion cell is backed up by a compartment for three AAAs. Includes a flip-up lens for focusing your beam. *--Grayson Schaffer*
07fuego-element-portable-grill
Fuego Element Portable Grill ---------------------------- Holy hibachi! The [Fuego Element Portable Grill](http://www.elementbyfuego.com/index.php/element_portable/) just became the foundation for most of our summer plans. The compact yet expansive gas-powered grill has enough room for six full-size steaks, which combined with its sizzling 650-degree top end let us feed eight guests a meal of burgers and lamb chops without wasting half the party cooking it all. The 13-pound rig packs neatly into itself, latching shut with its own legs, and the messenger-bag-style strap leaves your hands free for the beer. Though ostensibly a portable, the Fuego boasts features normally found on deck-hogging vanity ‘cues, chief among them a cast-iron grill that rides over a dishwasher-friendly catchment tray. Features a convenient push-button electric ignition. Multi-sized canister adapters let you hook up a small propane tank for extra mobility. And the rig is easy to clean. *--Grayson Schaffer* Photo: Spencer Higgins
08trek-gary-fisher
Trek Gary Fisher ----------------- Yes, she’s heavy. And yeah, she’s probably overpriced. But look at her. She goes by the name of Sawyer, just like all those hot girls in high school who had boys’ names: Billie, Sam, Jean, Randi. This specimen is a part of [Trek’s Gary Fisher Collection](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/06/trek-garyfisher/) — a special line of mountain bike models dedicated to the man who started it all. Among a wide variety of frames all bearing his signature, the Sawyer is a sentimental showpiece. Fisher was one of the first bike designers to start mass-producing 29-inch-wheel mountain bikes in 2001, and Trek (which gobbled up his company) is celebrating his 10-year obsession by launching this bike. Given visions of old-timers plummeting down Mt. Tamalpais on their sturdy steeds decades ago, there was no doubt in my mind that when I hefted the Sawyer, she was going to be a tank. And I was right: She’s not quite 30 pounds, but she certainly rolled right past 20 like it was standing still. After letting her sit around looking pretty for a couple of days, I finally got a chance to throw a leg over her and put some time in the saddle. At first, I assumed she was going to be all show and no go. After a few miles, I realized I could not have been more wrong. The Sawyer is fun. A little like the fun your dad might have had if he were a member of the Repack, burning up his brakes and shredding his tires while laughing hysterically down the mountain. A great many riders are so in love with the Sawyer’s curvy steel build, they are just buying the frame and fork and tricking it out. With some effort (and a small fortune) you can get the Sawyer well under 25 pounds, especially if you take advantage of the split dropout and convert her to a single speed. In the end, I decided I liked her just the way she is, flaws and all. I wouldn’t want to spend all day in her saddle, but for shorter rides that involve a little of this and a little of that, give the Sawyer a shot. Just like the rest of her crew — the Randis and the Billies and the Sams — she’ll make you feel like a man and leave you begging for more *--Jim Merithew*. Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired
09keen-a86-tr-minimal-trail-runners
Keen A86 TR Minimal Trail Runners --------------------------------- Trail runners encounter more obstacles than the average pavement runner. We deal with bruising rocks and slick mud all too often, and hungry predators await us at every switchback. Thus, trail-running shoes tend to offer extra sole and toe protection, more aggressive tread, and an overall heavier weight. But this added protection goes directly in opposition to the burgeoning minimalist running-shoe trend, which advocates thinner soles and lighter shoes for a more barefoot-like running experience. [Keen’s A86 TR](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/04/keen-a86-tr/) trail shoe finds a happy middle ground between the two, by bringing a lighter weight and more-minimal profile to trail running. The Keens have an airy mesh upper that helps the shoe stay light (a svelte 8.5 ounces for my size 10.5 dogs) and allows excess heat and moisture to escape during warm-weather runs. The mesh is so airy, in fact, that when you hold it up to the light, you can see through it. I loved these runners the second I put them on. The shoe’s upper wrapped snugly around my feet, but was stretchy enough to feel supportive rather than restrictive. The footbed is just soft enough to be comfortable without sacrificing tactile sensation. The polyurethane midsole is also noticeably soft. The most notable (and most commented-on) feature is the off-center lacing, which starts at the top of the foot at the tongue, but takes a slight turn out, then suddenly veers toward the big toe at about the halfway point of the shoe. Other than drawing attention to itself, the off-camber lacing actually serves a purpose — it follows the contour of the foot, creating a seam that follows the foot’s natural seam as it flexes. As a minimalist trail shoe, it rides the line perfectly between a traditional shoe and a barefoot runner. And it just might be the most comfortable running shoe I’ve ever worn, trail or otherwise.*--Billy Brown* Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
10eton-rukus-solar-powered-boombox
Eton Rukus Solar-Powered Boombox -------------------------------- Most Bluetooth speaker boxes have just enough battery life to play one Grateful Dead bootleg. Here’s one with enough staying power to make it through every note of the Dead’s 1972 European tour. [Eton’s Rukus](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/01/eton-rukus/) solar boombox harnesses the power of the sun, recharging its battery as it goes. The $150 portable has a lithium ion battery inside, and a 40-square-inch monocrystal solar panel on top. It takes about six hours of full sunlight to juice up the battery, or you can use AC power to charge it faster. When you’re outdoors, the battery will continue to trickle-charge and your music will keep playing indefinitely — as long as there’s available sunlight. The underbelly of the Rukus has a USB port and a little elastic pocket for your phone, so you can use the internal battery to charge your mobile as well. The speakers themselves are about what you’d expect: Not great but entirely adequate, and about the same volume and clarity as a Jambox or other sub-compact system. Even on the noisy trade show floor at CES in Las Vegas, the Rukus made enough of a ruckus to get a thumbs up. *--Michael Calore* Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com
