As summer draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the ventures we’ve taken this season—and move forward to the ones we’d like to try anyway. In September, our writers backpacked, SUP camped, trained and fly-fished with the help of these four nifty pieces of gear. Study and find out how they have served us so that you can spend more time outdoors.
Generic Insulated Grocery Bag – $3
I’m generally looking for small items that will make a big difference to how my pack is on my back, and one of the many smallest/biggest ones was my AlpineAire (H)eat Body, a (now discontinued) neoprene cozy designed to keep freeze-dried food piping hot while rehydrating. Situation: It’s only big enough for a one-on-one dinner, which means it might not be suitable for a party. At a father-son SUP camp in Colorado at Orange Mesa Reservoir that month, I tried different things and brought a covered, reusable food bag instead. While practicing, I stored our food, stove and water filtration inside and attached it to our board. At camp, I tucked our rice meal inside and cooked it faster while keeping the water hot. Once the recipes were done, I stuck our scents inside and used them as our hanger. Any reusable hot/cold bag from your local grocery store will do; the $3 from walmart comes in handy. —Adam Roy, Government Publisher
Free Fly Women’s Elevate Hoodie – $88
On the dog days of summer when I may not be catching trout on the lake, my husband and I wander or camp at high altitudes to beat the heat. But anywhere near our home in Taos, New Mexico, we are constantly dealing with high UV conditions. I’m admittedly lazy when it comes to reapplying sunscreen, and after a pep talk from my dermatologist about sun safety, I’ve become a sun shirt nut. Enter Free Fly’s Elevate Hoodie, my new beloved discovery for minutes that need trusted, extra coverage. It’s lightweight but can take a beating, and its combination of UPF 30+ sun protection and next-level drying and sweat wicking features means I’ll be rocking it all day. In addition, the anti-odor surface treatment prevents odors and the equipped cover is a great helper on long walks under dangerous rays. Maybe now my derm will probably be proud. -Patty Hodapp, Outside Meantime Digital Director
Washington Trails Association Trailblazer App – Free
I am a brand new resident of Washington and the WTA is an invaluable reference for trail research and climbing inspiration. The non-profit organization not only mobilizes a large number of volunteers to persistently maintain tracks across the state, but also manages a repository of trail data that is extensive and easy to navigate. The Trailblazer software allows me to search for a hike by selecting my preferences such as usage, dog friendliness, as well as expected parking cards. I save interesting walks in “My Backpack”, which I will return to later. Plus I’ll study hundreds of printed trip studies to get my bearings, or post my own. The WTA trip explanations are super step-by-step and up-to-date, so I can feel confident whenever I choose where to go on my next adventure. —Zoe Gates, Senior Publisher
Skratch Labs Raspberry Limeade Hydration Sport Mix – $22 for a 20 serving bag
I simply moved into a house that doesn’t have air conditioning, and for a dedicated hiker with huge plans for conventions, that means only one part of September: I’m tired at my WFH workplace all day, and I’m also tired when I prepare the following jobs. I want to stay hydrated, but the typical activity drinks on the market (looking at you, Gatorade) are way too syrupy for my taste. I gave Skratch a go instead and it’s a brand I’ll stick with for a while. I really like the raspberry lime and the taste brings me back to the Sonic slushes I would consume on summer trips, but much less saccharine. With less than 4 grams of sugar per 100ml of consumption, Skratch is much less messy than others on the market, and the electrolyte balance strongly matches what is lost at work: 800mg of sodium, 80mg of potassium, 100mg of calcium and 80mg of magnesium per liter. Now I enjoy sipping it throughout the day and use it in the evening to boost my steeps.