Gearing up for summer camping trips and hiking adventures? We've got you covered—here are just a few new gear items you'll want to check out for 2021:
1. BUFF® Bucket Hat
Buff Canada
Believe it or not, bucket hats were a hot trend in 2020—and a fashion report from Wear Next confirms they “aren’t going anywhere in 2021.”
Luckily for us adventurers, bucket hats are extremely practical. Unlike a standard baseball cap or truckers’ hat, bucket hats offer 360-degree protection, shielding your face, neck, ears and scalp from the pounding sun, whether you’re camping in the hottest weeks of summer or fly fishing in a nearby stream.
Buff Canada
The BUFF® Sun Bucket Hat is designed with a wider brim for greater sun protection, ventilation holes for breathability and a smart bungee-chord cinch for the perfect fit. With UPF 50+ certified protection and an inner moisture-wicking sweatband, this is a comfortable, versatile option for sunny summer adventures.
2. ’73 Originals Crewneck and Trail Pack
’73 Originals Crewneck
There’s nothing better than snuggling up around the campfire in a cozy sweater. I dare you to find a comfier option than the ’73 Originals Crewneck. High-quality and carefully detailed, the crewneck features a 3D-embroidered logo, reverse cover stitching on all seams and is made from 100 per cent ring-spun cotton. This creates a garment that is soft, warm, durable and ideal for chilly nights camping.
How can you go wrong with a trail fanny pack? Once considered quite unstylish, these hip belt packs have made a comeback with Instagram influencers slinging them cross-body. Practically speaking, this fanny pack provides a plethora of pockets that make it easy to stash gear for a quick trail run, day hike or cycle. Similar to the crewneck, ’73 Originals opted for high-quality materials like tear-resistant CORDURA® fabric and YKK zippers. Plus, it's made of 30 per cent recycled fibres.
3. Sea-to-Summit Tents
Sea-to-Summit, Camilla Rutherford
Known for their camping gear and lightweight equipment, Sea-to-Summit released their first backpacking tent this year. A three-year, multimillion-dollar project resulted in two new lightweight technical backcountry tents, featuring a specifically chosen space-to-weight ratio, modern tent living, ventilation and climate control.
The Telos Model features a proprietary Hangout Mode™ allowing users to 'Hang Out or Hunker Down' in inclement weather, converting the rainfly to an open-air shelter for shade or weather protection.
4. FORLOH Base layer system
FORLOH
New outdoors brand FORLOH (For the Love of Hunting) is 100 per cent sourced, designed and made in the USA. Most hunters hike, but only a few hikers hunt—so the designs are functional across the outdoor adventure spectrum, and now, they’re expanding into Canada.
FORLOH’s three-layer system was designed from “the skin out.” The base layer uses NASA-level technology to disperse heat. The insulation layer is a waterproof, breathable puffy jacket. The protection layer uses technology from an industrial HVAC system and used PVD to make it softer, quieter, waterproof and breathable. FORLOH has a lifetime warranty on everything they make, justifying the price tag.
5. Pipamoka Camp Coffee Maker
Pipamoka
Personally, I don't really care what kind of coffee I drink when I'm camping, as long as it isn't instant coffee. I was intrigued by the Pipamoka, the first nomadic coffee maker that uses a vacuum pressure to brew coffee anywhere.
It's a strange contraption that comes in a handy carrying bag and stacks neatly within a travel mug. Within two minutes, you can be enjoying a fresh cup of pressure-brewed coffee in the great outdoors. It does take a bit of effort to extract the coffee from the hot water and the 10-ounce cup is slightly on the small side for me. But otherwise, it's an innovative idea that doesn't rely on single-use paper filters and may be the perfect companion for fussy coffee campers.
Disclaimer: Some of these items have been provided for review.