BY: PHILIPPE DE JOCAS
Spring’s almost upon us, and as the snow recedes, the blossoms bloom, and the trees regrow their old covering of foliage, the wilderness minded among us turn back to getting out into nature for another long summer filled with hiking, fishing, and living it up while the days are long and the sun is shining.
Looking for some hot new gear to take along with you into the wilderness? Is your old camping equipment getting a bit rusty after years of faithful adventuring? We’ve got you covered with some of the best new environmentally friendly gear: guaranteed to leave you feeling great about your trip into the wilderness, your contribution to the planet, and even your wallet. Read on to find out more.
Tent
You can’t go camping without a tent of some kind. It’s the dependable barrier that shields you from rain, snow, sleet, and hail, the surface you can retreat to if a pesky low-pressure system decides to spoil your day. When it comes to tents, you can opt for a glossy polyester mansion or try something a little more rustic. Reliable Tent & Tipi Company has produced canvas tents and tipis since 1945 in a variety of different styles. Durable, waterproof, and reusable, these tents and tipis combine 18th-century style with 21st century portability and reliability.
Sleeping bags
Nights can get cold in the middle of the woods, and on rainy evenings there’s nothing better than curling up snug and dry in a sleeping bag. The Equatorial sleeping bag from MEC creates a guilt-free sleeping experience through reusability and recycling. Made from recycled materials – from a polyester exterior to a synthetic fill, it’s outdoor-certified and designed for balmy summer evenings.
Water bottles
What better way to enjoy wilderness than to take a hike – literally. But all that walking, climbing, and trekking can take a toll on your thirst, and old-school water bottles just don’t cut it anymore. Not only are they prone to leaking, but the harmful plastics involved in their construction can leave you feeling guilty every time you want to wet your whistle. So try the the Water Dog Hydration Backpack, a sport backpack that provides handy, comfortable relief for all your on-the-trail needs. Not only does it boast a construction free of toxic materials and PVC, but it also sports a built-in water bladder: you’ll never even have to take it off to stay hydrated.
Cooking
Cooking in the rough has come a long, long way from the days of foraging for berries and hoping they’re not poisonous. Nowadays, we’ve got coolers, cookers, and stoves, allowing us to ferry food from our fridges out into the wilderness. Titanium cooking remains an ideal standard for wild eating: you can eat right out of the pot without ever having to worry about cleanup. If you’re cooking for a larger audience, or you want some class in your meal, try Fozzils’ line of foldable reusable plates and bowls – no garbage to leave behind. Just watch out for hungry bears.
Shoes
When you’re trekking in the wilderness, good footwear goes a long, long way. But finding responsible footwear might involve some hiking of your own through the urban jungle. Try Merrell’s line of vegan footwear. Cruelty free, responsibly assembled, and as comfortable as going barefoot – these shoes offer regret-free hiking.
