Camping is taken to a whole new level when you have the right gear. From a roomy tent complete with pop-up bed to a pair of high definition binoculars so you can see deep into the woods, if you are more of a glamper than a camper, here are our picks for the top essentials to take with you on your next overnight trip.
Sleep in style
Whether you are camping with two people or four, let’s face it; you all need your space, especially when it comes time to sleep. One of the best ways to ensure you have enough room is with Coleman’s 10-person instant cabin with rainfly. It’s so easy to set up and takes just about one minute with its instant pre-assembled poles. The spacious interior is large enough to accommodate four queen-sized airbeds and even comes with a privacy room divider. The water resistant tent is made with WeatherTec to ensure you stay dry all weekend in case it rains. For added comfort, we recommend sleeping on a cot with an airbed. Coleman has a great selection that includes both a frame, airbed and quick pump so you can easily set the bed up in no time. There are two side tables with cup holders that are also included.
Gourmet accessories
When it comes to cooking, one of the must-haves for camping is the Broil King Keg 5000. This kamado-style charcoal cooker has more than 450 square inches of cooking surface so you can grill up all of your favorite foods. The grill, which can also be used as a smoker when adding lump charcoal, sears steaks to perfection as it can reach temperatures over 600 degrees. There is even a trailer hitch adaptor (purchased separately) that can be added to your vehicle to enable you to hook it up for easy transport.
Essentials
Instead of bringing a Swiss army knife, we recommend the Buck/Hood Thug Knife from Buck Knives, an essential designed for the most rugged conditions. The 13-inch ultra lightweight, multi function outdoor/survival/adventure knife is made with shock mitigation system to reduce wasted energy when chopping. The US made steel blade is designed with a powder coat finish for corrosion resistance. This midsize model comes with a nylon sheath and front storage pouch.
Nothing says camping better than a great fishing trip to go along with it. To fish in style, we recommend Randolph Engineering’s Angler sunglasses, a recently released collection of stylish Aviator style polarized shades made in Massachusetts designed specifically for fishing adventures. We love the sportsman inspired details like the luxe chestnut leather wrapped sports brow and “cable” ear temples that ensure the glasses will not fall off when reeling in the big catch. The medium yellow lens highlights orange objects and enhances contrast in low light or overcast conditions.
Photo Credit: Randolph Engineering
When you are just about to reel in that big fish but can’t quite see where it is, take out HTC’s RE Camera. The waterproof camera comes in a variety of different colors, works with iOS and Android and is simple to use. Just point and shoot. The wide angle lens will work to capture everything you shoot underwater and its 16-megapixel camera sensor and 1080p HD video results in incredible clarity. There is even a time lapse and slow motion option so you can show off all your skills in catching that big striper.
If you want a crystal clear view of the natural beauty surrounding you, be sure to take along a pair of Bushnell Legend binoculars. The Ultra HD line was redesigned this year and offers precise clarity with its light transmission for dusk to dawn performance. The lead-free glass comes with a RainGuard coating for 100 percent waterproof protection. The Legend M-Series model, which is available in Realtree Xtra camouflage, comes with a cover to protect the lens and has a dielectric coating on the prisms to assure high color reproduction. The coating reflects more than 99 percent of incoming light to allow for maximum light output at dusk and dawn.
Fishing gear
To get your camping trip off to the right start, one of the essentials to a perfect weekend getaway includes a fishing trip. When it comes to taking a canoe along for the ride, Yakima knows how best to get it there safely. One of the easiest ways to load and offload the canoe onto your vehicle is with their DryDock system, which features a tilting mast and Y-frame design to make it easy to place the canoe on top of your vehicle. The model can easily be adjusted to match your roof rack and can be secured to a 2-inch hitch receiver with the HitchLock system.
When it comes to canoes, we love Mad River Canoe’s Journey 167, a spacious, durable design that is so large you can have peace of mind that your long trip will be as comfortable as it is stable. This 16’-7”canoe is designed for greater speed and maximum 1,000 pound capacity and comes with two web seats for added comfort. You can even add a fishing rod holder to finish off the perfect fishing trip.
Once you have offloaded your canoe, there is only one way to transport it and that’s with the C-Tug canoe cart. This might be the easiest way to go from the car to the water. The cart with puncture-free wheels is designed for all terrains and assembles in seconds to allow you to easily stow when not in use and tow when put together. It can hold up to 300 pounds and comes with a strap and buckle to keep the canoe properly secured while transporting.
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