At GearJunkie, we test, use, and rely on all manner of gear — for all seasons and conditions. Take a peek at the products we love this month!
Obtain top-shelf camping the High Camp Firelight 750 flask. Drinking whiskey on a cold night in front of a fire is one of the simple pleasures I adore while camping. Glass bottles aren’t allowed in many places, and the plastic flasks give me the same vibe as the basement bottom liquor sold in such bottles. The High Camp Flasks Firelight 750 flask is a classy solution.
The High Camp Flasks Firelight 750 had the look and feel of “top shelf.” The 100% 18/8 vacuum flask and stainless steel plug cap screamed bulletproof quality, and the silicone seal proved leakproof regardless of handling.
The drip-free lip delivered a professional pour (I know, I was a bartender), and the magnetically stowed “six-shooter” tumblers’ fluting fit my fingers perfectly. It was uncanny how the entire setup heightened the fireside whiskey ritual. And I must say the copper finish (four color schemes available) looked terrific in the firelight.
A sturdy table is essential for any car camping site. But sturdy and compact don’t usually go hand in hand. Enter the Dometic GO Compact Camp Table . Standing out in a stacked field of camp tables, the GO Compact Camp Table has a lustrous bamboo tabletop bolstered by four adjustable-height, foldable aluminum legs.
Three different height settings give this table a leg up in functionality, and its ability to fold into itself makes it easy to carry and store in a smaller vehicle.
I tested it throughout the summer, at some of my favorite campsites and at picnics in the park. With plenty of room for all the camp kitchen essentials, and generous space for four adults to take a seat around, the GO Compact Camp Table is a glamping-style table upgrade to your camp experience without the glamping price tag.
Comfort, weight, performance — get all three with the DMT KR0 road cycling shoe. With many modern road cycling shoes, you frequently have to sacrifice something to gain comfort or performance, but that’s where the new DMT KR0 shines.
Knit uppers, more common in running and ball sports footwear, are not new to cycling, but they’re becoming more and more prevalent. And DMT is leading the way with refinements to their revolutionary KR1 in the new KR0. Think of these like durable socks with webbing integrated into the material to hold your foot snugly in all the right places.
The new KR0 features the upgraded BOA Li2 with dials fore and aft for fine-tuning fit and performance. I was able to crank them down without any noticeable pressure points. The other impressive feature of these shoes is the venting system.
The knit upper has specific zones that are looser knit where air can flow all the way through the shoe from the mesh vents in the carbon sole. This is by far the coolest (temperature) shoe I have worn. It’s perfect for long rides, hot days, or for anyone who suffers from the dreaded swamp foot.
Similar to other DMT shoes I’ve tested, the KR0s have an anatomical footbed that feels like you have custom insoles right out of the box. At close to $500 a pair, these are clearly made for pros or cyclists that are willing to shell out for the top-of-the-line gear. But at a ridiculously low 260 g (size 42), you get what you pay for.
If you’re in the market for a high-end road shoe, you should seriously consider the DMT KRO.
If you want to go all-in on a lightweight sleep system, there are tons of options out there. As a side sleeper who frequently tosses and turns, this is the one I’m digging right now.
Featured in our Best Sleeping Pads of 2022 lineup, I can confirm the Summit Ether Light XT is a great lightweight sleeping pad.
At 4 inches thick, my side-sleeping self felt plenty padded from the hard ground beneath me on my latest bikepacking adventure. And the pillow lock system comes in clutch for those who move around a lot in their sleep like me. The Aeros Premium Pillow and other Sea to Summit pillows stay put thanks to their 3M micro loop and hook system.
I paired this pad and pillow with my Ultralight Flame sleeping bag, made specifically for women to be narrower at the shoulders and wider in the hips. The bag also made “Best Of” Backpacking Sleeping Bag list, but maybe the true hero in the sleep system is the COOLMAX Sleeping Bag liner.
Yes, it’s added space and weight, but it’s worth it for those humid summer nights. I hate feeling like I should wash my sleeping bag every time I camp because of all the sweat and bug spray it absorbs in the summer. The liner is a great solution for that.
All said, I’m a bit of a convert after testing this system during a couple of backpacking and bikepacking trips, due to the system’s packability and comfort level.
Sea to Summit has always been at the top of my list when it comes to dry bags (up there with NRS). This spring, we got the chance to test out the new Clear Stopper dry bags (from $35) — fully translucent but also fully welded seams, allowing you to both waterproof, store, organize, and see your gear at a glance.
For day trips and shorter overnight paddle trips, we found the 5L and 8L sizes the best — though there are six volumes to choose from. Why? The smaller bags can hold your smaller, more important (even higher-use) items like maps, first aid kits, a phone/GPS, or food for the day.
Other gear that I’m paddling with, like camping or sleeping gear, that I don’t necessarily need to see when on the water. Our 5L Clear Stopper weighed in at 5 ounces.
The Clear Stopper bags have an oval base, a clear TPU film and 210D TPU-laminated nylon fabric exterior, a Field Repair buckle, and fully welded seams. The clear material doesn’t condensate too much in hot or cold weather, and water easily beads off the exterior — so you can still identify what’s what when paddling.
Overall, we have been loving the functionality of these bags.
Though not gear, Cuyuna Cove has been our basecamp for several gear tests through the years. Guests can stay in one of its six cabins (from $250) or six glamping tents (from $175), both of which are fully immersed in the woods.
The best part? Its proximity to adventure. Cuyuna Cove offers ride-in and ride-out singletrack, connecting to the vast network of world-class Cuyuna mountain bike trails.
Plus, the surrounding area is dotted with pristine mining lakes that are perfect for kayaking, swimming, and stand-up paddleboarding. (Bonus: Cuyuna Cove provides SUPs to guests for free.)
We recently spent one night in a cabin and one in a glamping tent. Both were incredible. The cabin is small but simple, complete with amenities like a shower and toilet, heater and A/C, two-burner stovetop, French press, a balcony with a grill, and a very comfortable bed facing floor-to-ceiling windows. The glamping tent has fewer amenities, but it’s nearly as comfortable.
We took advantage of its personal fire pit and enjoyed the slightly more rugged vibe (more nature sounds, a short walk to nice bathrooms and showers, etc.). During daylight hours, we spent our time mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and exploring the nearby town of Crosby.
Craft non-alcoholic or near beer is in the middle of a mini-renaissance of sorts, and that’s a great thing. Gone are the days of sub-par tasting alcoholic alternatives. One N/A beer that recently grabbed the attention of my discerning beer palate is Athletic Brewing’s Superfood Swell Non-Alcoholic Tropical IPA .
Superfood Swell IPA is brewed in collaboration with Laird Superfood, a brand known in the nutrition and athletic performance world for its big-wave surfing founder, superfood creamers, and other fueling products. With flavors of pineapple, mango, and a hint of coconut water, less than 0.5% alcohol per volume, and only 85 calories per can — Superfood Swell IPA is a great beverage to take along on any adventure.
With a fruit-forward flavor that hazy IPA fans will love, Athletic Brewing proclaims Superfood Swell IPA as “the taste of Hawaii in a can.” I’d call it the most real beer-tasting near beer I’ve ever had the pleasure of sipping on. It’s a crushable, post-activity companion that won’t affect how you feel later. So go get after it, and enjoy some near beer while you’re at it.
If you’re looking to get out and easily explore nearby bodies of water this summer and fall, stand-up paddleboarding is the way to go. Hala Gear is one company that’s leading in the packable, inflatable SUP space.
Packing down to checked bag size and inflating to a stable 10 feet 6 inches, Hala’s Straight Up Inflatable All Water SUP Kit is just what’s needed to confidently paddle lakes, rivers, and beyond.
The SUP kit includes a three-piece lever-lock carbon paddle, a rolling backpack, a fin, a manual pump, and a repair kit.
I found the Hala Straight Up at home, whether dallying on alpine lakes or navigating small, swift rivers. Its streamlined shape had it moving through the water at a clip reminiscent of a solid, fiberglass SUP. I was surprised at the time it took to inflate with the hand pump, too: the board was ready to go in a few minutes.
For beginner to experienced paddlers, the Straight Up All Water SUP ($999) comes with all the tech and functionality needed to inspire confidence and help you comfortably enjoy a day out on the water.
If you’re searching for a trustworthy all-around SUP, this is it. The Hala Straight Up comes with a 5-year warranty.
A burly lunchbox might seem excessive, but the YETI Daytrip lunch box has become a go-to travel companion for me.
The Daytrip Lunch Box is constructed of YETI’s cold-cell foam flex insulation offering cold-holding technology. For a perfect ice-pack fit, use a YETI Thin-Ice Medium to keep your items cold. It can also be used to keep your hot items hot! The Daytrip is easy to wipe clean or wash with soap and water.
The YETI Daytrip Lunch Box is great for many things, but it will be a nursing mom’s go-to piece of gear. I’ve used the Daytrip for several flights over the past couple of months. At my largest milk haul, I had about 50 ounces of frozen milk that stayed frozen for over 10 hours of travel time. The side handles also make it easy to carry or clip onto a piece of luggage.
If you’re looking to share warmth on a night under the stars, single-person sleeping bags aren’t the way to go. Big Agnes’s King Solomon 20° Doublewide Sleeping Bag & Rapide SL Insulated Tent Double Floor Pad is an ideal sleeping kit to cozy up with your cuddle buddy or your snuggly pup.
Doublewide, insulated with 650 Downtek water-repellent down, and constructed with recycled materials — the King Solomon 20° Doublewide Sleeping Bag is a plush, spacious, and durable three-season sleeping solution for two. The top layer can be used as a comforter or zipped traditionally. It’s compatible with single- or double-wide sleeping pads.
Combine it with the Rapide SL Insulated Tent Double Floor Pad via the Pad Cinch System, and the sleeping bag will stay put and fully insulated all night long. The Rapide SL pad has PrimaLoft Silver insulation for three-season warmth, is quick to inflate/deflate, and is quite packable for a double pad.
Together, the two create a dream backcountry bed.
Safety on your SUP is a priority, even on inshore adventures. The Mustang Survival Minimalist Belt Pack is a perfect solution.
There’s nothing like spending a half-day Friday soaking up some vitamin D on a Minnesota lake. It is hard to justify putting on a bulky life jacket when my SUP experiences include inshore paddling.
I was stoked when I found out that Mustang Survival made a Minimalist Manual Inflatable Belt Pack so I could still be safe should something drastic happen, but also able to enjoy full movement on the board.
Thankfully, I haven’t needed it yet, but the Minimalist Belt Pack will inflate with a manual inflation cord. It provides at least 15.7 pounds of buoyancy when deployed. This device uses a 16g carbon dioxide gas cylinder to provide buoyancy, but also can be inflated by mouth should the tank not work or be empty at that moment.
It’s for wearers with a chest range and waist range of 30-52 inches and weighing over 88 pounds (in essence, not for kids). It also includes Molle webbing to keep things like my phone or keys accessible and secure.
For some paddling instances, a full PFD will be necessary, but if you’re a solid swimmer and are spending the majority of your time on inland waters like me, do yourself a favor and try the Mustang Survival Minimalist Belt Pack.
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