Great Gear Ideas for When Home Is the Outdoors
All of these items are recommended here based on personal experience and/or excellent customer reviews, and most of them are handy to have around the home as well. If you use any of these your feedback would be greatly appreciated!
1. The Kelty Low Loveseat Chair
Who knew it was so much nicer to sit lower to the ground?
The Kelty Low Loveseat Chair is a very sturdy double camp chair that places you in a low, slightly reclining position with your legs stretched out in front of you. Many people find that this makes it exponentially more comfortable than a standard camp chair, and it also means you're a bit more likely to find yourself looking upward at trees and birds (i.e., the interesting stuff) than at the ground in front of your feet. It has two drink/item holders on each side, and while a bit heavy for long treks, it's very easy to pack up in its shoulder bag and carry on moderate walks or around a campsite.
Tip: Even though it's a loveseat, it works well for one person because the second seat is a good place to set books, binoculars, or even a medium to large-sized dog.
Price: Currently under $100 on Amazon. Since it can also be used on patios and balconies, this would actually be a nice housewarming gift for virtually anyone.
2. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
The LifeStraw is the perfect tool for anyone who doesn't want to lug bottles of water around when they're hiking to or near a water source. (This makes it very useful for freshwater paddlers as well.) Extremely effective screening methods remove 99.99+ percent of waterborne bacteria and protozoan parasites, allowing users to drink directly from non-polluted lakes and streams.
Tip: At less than 2 ounces, even if you carry water with you this is a good item to take along in case of an emergency.
Price: Currently under $20 on Amazon.
3. The Inflatable Multi-Color Solar-Powered Lantern by EMPOWERD
Inflatable solar-powered lanterns are extremely light and easy to transport because they squeeze flat when deflated, and being able to recharge them during the day means no fiddling around with disposable batteries that tend to lose charge at inopportune times. This multi-color version is waterproof and comes with eight different color modes, making it fun for kids. (There's also a color-changing mode for those optional "woodland disco" moments.) When charged they last for 6 hours.
Tip: These lanterns are nice for home use as well, creating a soft lighting touch at evening BBQs or even as floating party decor in swimming pools. It's also useful to have a few on hand in case of a power outage.
Price: Currently under $23 on Amazon. A
non-colored version that lasts 12 hours on a single charge is currently available for under $15.
4. The JetBoil Flash Personal Cooking System
Have you ever needed a quick, easy way to boil water for coffee or to prepare a dehydrated meal while camping?
The Jetboil brings two cups of water to a boil in two minutes and features a color-change window that alerts you when the contents are hot. Easy to clean and pack up, it's one of those camping gear items that make life in the outdoors much, much simpler.
Tip: This is another item that's handy to have at home to use during power outages.
Price: Currently under $80 on Amazon.
5. The Slip Stone Folding Handle Frying Pan
Forget about trying to find room for regular frying pans when you're packing up to go camping. This pan has a convenient folding handle that lets it fit compactly into gear boxes, and
many people find the surface so non-stick and easy to cook with that they use it at home as well. For those concerned about non-stick surface chemicals, the maker states that it is free of PFOA (perfluorooctonoic acid).
Tip: These pans needs to be seasoned with some oil while cold before the first use, and should not be put in the dishwasher. (They are very easy to clean by hand.)
Price: Currently under $14 for a 12-inch pan on Amazon.
Quick note: The links to the products go to Amazon because it tends to have the greatest number of customer reviews; however, these items are also available from other sellers and this is not meant to recommend any specific shopping source.
