Multiday traverses, winter-camping trips and travels to far-flung destinations might sometimes seem like adventures you only experience vicariously through Instagram and Facebook. But there’s plenty of gear available today that makes ambitious pushes into the mountains more accessible. To push you toward that skintrack walkabout or remote vacation, check out these camping and travel selections that can help get you out there and back safely and smoothly.
Garmin inReach Explorer+
Garmin may have absorbed satellite messenger company Delorme, but that doesn’t mean the handheld devices the brand is known for are going anywhere. With the Explorer+, Garmin offers a palm-sized safety net with GPS tracking that allows travelers to route-find, share trips and create waypoints along the way. Need more beta while already on the go? The Explorer pairs with a cell phone via Bluetooth to download topographic maps and weather charts. If the going gets rocky, the Explorer also sends and receives text messages and can trigger SOS signals to a 24/7 search and recue center. $500, garmin.com
Western Mountaineering Down Booties
Western Mountaineering, a notable name in down insulation for more than 30 years, has dialed in a booty that walks the line between the hut and the outhouse. Eight-hundred-fill European goose down offers ample warmth for sub-zero nights, and a DWR-treated nylon shell keeps encroaching moisture at bay. A grippy outer sole material provides added traction, and a foam insole helps keep heat from escaping. At 6 oz. a pair, choosing to stuff these in an overnight bag is a no-brainer. $100, westernmountaineering.com
Black Diamond Equipment Recon Pant
Black Diamond’s Recon pant—available in men’s and women’s options—exemplifies a new trend toward ultra-durable softshells. The Recon’s face fabric, a four-way-stretch nylon, boasts Black Diamond’s proprietary BD.dry treatment for waterproof, windproof and breathable qualities to keep up with whatever weather a trip may dish out. Thigh pockets with an integrated beacon holder offer ample storage—although thicker-legged individuals may experience a snug fit with an added beacon. High gaiters with a reinforced instep protect against edge and crampon slashes, and side vents keep sweaty skintracks a bit more breezy. $330, blackdiamondequipment.com
The Douchebag
Despite the somewhat off-putting name, the Douchebag holds its own in the luggage department. The polyester-shelled ski bag swallows up to 150 liters of gear—that’s two pairs of skis, plus apparel. There’s no need to sweat the airport baggage handlers roughly tossing your goods, either, thanks to patented “rib cage” construction that employs ABS framing to protect what’s inside, all while enabling the bag to fold into thirds for compact storage when not in use. $250, douchebags.com
Patagonia Capilene Air Hoody
For busy transitions from the airport to the skintrack and back again, Patagonia offers a new, cozy one-stop layer. At least, that’s what one editor found while wearing this top for weeks on end through ski tours and flights, attributing the Air Hoody’s wicking and odor-free comfort to its merino-wool/recycled-polyester blend and high-collared hood. The seamless construction is designed to eliminate chafing, too, making this layer as efficient as any well-planned itinerary. $150, patagonia.com
Black Diamond Equipment Mega Light Tent
For intrepid campers who strive to cut weight while maintaining warmth and comfort in the cold, the four-person Mega Light tent—formerly known as the Megamid—offers versatility and durability in a package that weighs less than 3 lbs. The floorless tarp-style tent is made from 30-denier SilNylon fabric, designed to ward off wind, rain and heavy snowfall. The best part: a collapsible carbon center pole or two ski poles attached with Black Diamond’s Pole Link Converter is all that’s needed for setup. $300, blackdiamondequipment.com
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