Gear We Love: Issue 102

 

1. Yakima HighRoad Bike Rack

Secure, sleek, and simple to use, the HighRoad is Yakima’s newest premium upright bike mount.

The adjustment-free hoop, with its TorqueRight™ tightening knob, loads a variety of bikes quickly and easily. The HighRoad secures the bike by the wheels for ultimate bike protection.

The rack’s new versatile wheel hoop fits 26″ to 29″ wheels and tires from 23mm to 3.25″ with no adjustment needed. Its new integrated TorqueRight™ knob quickly and easily secures the bike with precision, requiring no wheel removal and making no contact with the bike frame. This makes the HighRoad a great option for carbon fiber bikes and custom paint jobs.

The rack boasts a sleek, low profile tray that minimizes hatch interference, and its tool-free, universal mounting hardware fits most roof racks. Add your own bike lock to the integrated lock loop for additional bike security when your vehicle is parked.

MSRP: $229.00 • yakima.com

2. Alchemy Goods Haversack Shoulder Bag

For those who love to upcycle and also appreciate quality construction, the Ag Haversack is a great option. Made from recycled bike tubes, this bag can be used everyday as a purse and is also roomy enough to accomodate a laptop, ipad, camera, lunch or whatever else you might need for work or travel.

The full front flap offers extra security and a zippered pocket underneath the flap makes it easy to protect and organize your stuff. The adjustable strap is made from a recycled seat belt and is easy to adjust to a wide variety of lengths and is very comfortable even when you have the bag at max capacity.

The 7.5″ L x 11″ H x 4″ D bag is plenty roomy, holding 330 cubic inches / six liters of goodies. It weighs just 20 ounces,    and is made of upcycled bicycle inner tubes and nylon fabrics. The piping comes in a variety of colors.

This bag will stand up to the toughest use — you won’t know how you lived without it.

MSRP: $100.00 • alchemygoods.com

3. Big Agnes Q-Core SLX Sleeping Pad

The Q-Core SLX ups the ante on quilted comfort in the backcountry.

Redesigned offset I-Beams create incredible multi-directional support and stability. The Q-Core SLX is lighter, tougher, easier to inflate/deflate, packs smaller, sleeps warmer. When it comes to superlight, three-season comfort this pad stands alone.

This compact pad is rated to 15°F, boasting built-in advanced heat reflective technology, and antimicrobial treatment inside the pad prevents microorganism growth. The quilted top provides a cushioned pillowy sleeping surface, as comfortable as your bed at home; larger outer chambers keep you comfortably cradled in the middle of the pad.

Made of durable superlight nylon rip-stop fabric that improves tear strength and durability by 25%, the pad also boasts aviation grade TPU lamination technology for ultimate durability. Its high volume valve allows for efficient and easy inflation and super-fast deflation.

The Q-Core SLX comes in a variety of lengths and widths. We especially enjoy the doublewide which tucks perfectly into our Cabin Creek doublewide sleeping bag.

Repair kit included.

MSRP: $139.95 – 249.95 • bigagnes.com

4. Montem Sneaky Snuggler Puffy Camping Blanket

The Montem Sneaky Snuggler Blanket is the ultimate camping quilt! With a temperature rating of 40°+ it keeps you warm indoors and out and you’ll stay comfy no matter where you go.

Made of 20D Ripstop Nylon with DWR, the blanket is water and tear resistant. It folds out to a comfortable 54″ by 80″ making it perfect for one and extremely cozy for two.

And it’s not just for camping! We love lounging with this quilt at home, taking it on picnics in the park, and relaxing at festivals and concerts on it.

The Sneaky Snuggler easily converts to form with its convenient carry bag, which packs down to a mere 9 by 17 inches, making it the ultimate travel companion.

MSRP: $119.99 • montemlife.com

5. GSI Outdoors Microlite 500 Flip-Top Vacuum Bottle – 17 fl. oz.

This incredibly lightweight vacuum-insulated bottle is the answer to our prayers. With its sleek design and clean construction, this high-spec, durable Glacier Stainless Vacuum Bottle will keep your beverages hot or cold for hours and hours. Perfect for commuting, picnicking, sporting events and base camping. Hot beverages stay that way for a whopping ten hours, while cold ones stay icy for double that time.

As if that’s not enough reason to love this bottle, it’s 33% lighter than traditional designs. Its 2mm walls are thinner than most single-wall plastic bottles for a compact footprint, and its push-button, flip-top cap locks closed for transport and locks open for easy drinking.

MSRP: $25.95 • gsioutdoors.com

6. Crazy Creek Drop Sac

The Crazy Creek Drop Sac boasts an ingenious design for holding unruly gear of all sorts. Simply lay the Sac flat, place gear on top and pull the drawstring to “containerize.” The sac is perfect for holding wet fly-fishing waders and boots … and makes a great changing mat too. Use it for climbing ropes, ski gear, children’s sporting goods and toys or just about anything when you are in a hurry to pack up and go.

The Drop Sac tucks into its own integrated zippered pocket for easy peasy storage. It’s made of 420D coated ripstop nylon fabric, and includes a reflective nylon drawstring. Capacity is 4300 cubic inch / 70 liter volume; it measures 56 inches in diameter, and weighs just 15 ounces.

MSRP: $30.00 • crazycreek.com