A dozen don’t-leave-home-without-thems for summer adventures.
The Black Diamond Storm 450 headlamp has standard illuminating features (450 lumens, dimmable, red glow setting) and the best latch headlamp closure we’ve seen, but its real strength is its Dual-Fuel capability. It’s powered by Black Diamond’s BD 1500 rechargeable battery (sold separately), but also accommodates three AAA batteries. If you want to go rechargeable but worry about needing backup, this is a bright idea. US$59; blackdiamondequipment.com
Camelback’s M.U.L.E. 14 Pro has a place for everything, for those who want everything to be in its place. For others, the many different sections and zippers might take some getting used to. Most useful will be the elasticized sleeve opening down the back for cramming windbreakers into while keeping pace. Hydration-wise, you are covered by a 3L reservoir with an easy on-off valve plus a self-sealing bite valve, kept at the ready by a magnet attachment on the chest strap. The women’s model (pictured) is 3cm shorter than the men’s. $249; camelbak.com
Thanks for the idea, Ikea, but Cotopaxi will take it from here. Their Allpa 60L Gear Hauler looks at a packing list and says, “Yes you can.” Top compression straps let you pretend you didn’t pack as much as you did and a zippered interior pocket and two quick stash pockets offer a chance at staying organized. Materials are 100 percent recycled, in keeping with Cotopaxi’s certification as a B Corp (Beneficial Corporation). US$170; cotopaxi.com
The Signal is heavier than Leatherman’s minimalist Skeletool (212g vs 142g), but has an impressive 19 functions, almost all of which could conceivably be useful, in a multi-tool kind of way (the supposed hammer and two box wrenches being questionable). Whether for everyday utility, or emergency backup, the Signal comes through loud and clear. $188; leatherman.com
Rolling down to near the size of a tallboy beer can, the 476g MEC Vectair UL 3S sleeping pad won’t slow anyone down on the trail. With no self-inflating foam core, set up takes a little longer, but is aided by the waterproof roll down sac that doubles as an inflator. The process takes about three minutes and produces a 10cm-thick pad. Reflective Mylar baffling inside provides an R-value of 3.9. At just 53cm wide, tapering to 44cm at the base, this low-profile pad is for light packers, not light sleepers. $184; mec.ca
With a smartphone in every pocket the utility of a standalone camera could be questioned. For the Olympus TG-7, the answer is in the name. The T stands for Tough. Waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, this durable camera lets you keep your indispensable pocket computer packed safely away, and yes, it has Bluetooth so you can connect to the phone at snacktime in case you just can’t wait to share. Panorama shooting, underwater mode, vertical video and Ultra HD 4K video are all available in this rough and ready companion that’s ready to be stuffed in a PFD pocket. $749; explore.omsystem.com
Supple, soft, stretchy, breathable and lightweight, the Outdoor Research Stratoburst Stretch Rain Jacket’s attributes start with its 2.5-layer Ventia material that’s both performance-oriented and free of forever chemicals (PFAS). From that starting point, the designers got to work, sewing in an inside cargo stash pocket, petite pit zips, a cinching hood and cinching hem, all with taped seams. Available in men’s or women’s (pictured). $215; outdoorresearch.com
Much more stylish than one of those pop-up changing tents and just as useful, PackTowl’s Changing Poncho doubles as a quick-dry towel. It has generous arm openings so you can slip your hands inside to shimmy into your swimsuit. The fast-drying material is mostly recycled and can absorb three times its weight in water. $74; packtowl.com
SPY’s Flynn have a squared, peripheral frame, giving them a refined look, as far as shield sunglasses go. There are a dozen subtly different polycarbonate lens and Grilamid frame combinations, some with polarized Happy Boost lenses. This proprietary technology enhances colour and contrast, meaning the wide-coverage specs will serve you well in the peloton or on a goggle-less ski tour. $200; spyoptic.com
Lightweight sport lenses in supermodel frames. That’s one way to sum up the Vallon Howlin’. The polarized acetate lenses have an Abbe value of 52, promising high clarity. Choose sage, tortoise, dark tortoise or black frames and go on the mobile site to test their virtual try-on feature, which uses your phone’s selfie camera to superimpose the Vallon on your face. They come with a removable sport band, in case the adjustable temple ends don’t create a tight enough fit for these glasses, which you really won’t want to risk losing while on a fashionable adventure. $188; vallon.com
Whether it’s for lashing to a SUP, serving as a catch-all in a canoe or offering worry-free cargo capacity on a roof rack, waterproof duffels like the Yeti Panga and SealLine Pro Zip, with reliable but pliable zippers, are proving their time has come.
The Panga is slightly larger at 50L compared to the Pro Zip’s 40L, but weighs more than twice as much (2.3kg vs 1kg). The Pro Zip has more grab handles and lash points outside but the Panga has two zippered mesh pockets on the inside for keeping things organized. Both have adjustable and removable shoulder straps, adding versatility to the watertight convenience. For durability or fashion, go with the Panga. For going further faster, pick the Pro Zip Panga: $400; yeti.ca. Pro Zip: $349; seallinegear.com
