Strung out along miles of trail or traveling in a tight cluster, camp’s the goal. When you arrive after a day’s glorious labor, there’s no need to delay dinner, struggle in darkness or be uncomfortable. Active Junky’s pulled together a tight selection of Chile- and Colorado-proven products that earn their carrying weight.
Boots off. KEEN UNEEKS on. Testers in Pucon jettisoned their heavier footwear in favor of paracord perfection. Pulled on quickly, these grippy tools spell competent comfort on loose gravel, wet rocks and slick grass. Backcountry ounce counters can relax, knowing Uneek doubles as a day-hiker on moderate terrain.
CamelBak All Clear Water Purifier Bottle
Next comes finding water, backed up by Camelbak’s All Clear UV Water Purifier. Scoop from rivers, streams and springs and use the bottle-topping system to do the heavy lifting – microorganism-wise. A minute later, you’re sipping with confidence powered by long-lasting (80 fills) rechargeable power.
Grand Trunk Collapsible Micro Stool
Pitch the 10oz Grand Trunk Collapsible Micro Stool to contemplate your next move. Active Junky’s carried this one everywhere, even plopping down in airport and bus stations when no seats were available. A 9” x 9” seat is surprisingly supportive and the 1680D Oxford nylon cover defies wear.
Gerber Freescape Folding Sheath Knife
While it’s been at the ready all day, the Gerber Freescape Folding Sheath Knife finds the best locations to drive tent stakes even as it whittles tinder for your fire. The 3.5” blade combines slicing and cutting power to prep the campsite as well as expedite dinner. Testers relished the positive grip when rain flowed across Chile’s expansive Lake District.
Armed with multiple Fenix CL20 Lanterns, claim your turf for the night thanks to 165-lumen output from AA or CR123A batteries. Active Junky put these in tents and by the stove for anti-glare illumination with four brightness levels along with red map and SOS modes. More versatile and stable than most with built-in hanging loop and magnets, the 3.6oz (without batteries) CL20 is a camp champ.
The Ibex Unisex Indie Quick Link, already trusted to battle dust and wind during the day, continues to keep the faith when night falls. Pulled up higher, Indie’s 18.5 micron New Zealand Merino turns any shirt or jacket into a hoody in a pinch. At 2.4oz and featuring flatlock seams, this is a smooth operator around the globe.
Aerobie AeroPress Coffee & Espresso Maker
Not everyone needs caffeine at night, but Aerobie’s Aeropress is ready whenever hot water is handy. Active Junky’s been a fan for years, with this durable system capable of rapid cycling with little to no waste; small paper filters are reusable. What’s more, the extraction method tolerates imperfectly ground beans better than nearly every option available.