I have more shells than I can count on both hands in my closet. It’s a problem, I know. But in my mind, every shell has a time and place for use. What do I turn to when I need a lightweight shell with pit zips and hand pockets? Lately, it’s been the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket.
Sunscreen is an absolute must in summer months when you’re hiking up a storm and sweating bullets in the heat. But a lot of sunscreen is a pain to pack and carry making it easy to forget to stop and apply. Bullfrog Sunscreen’s new WaterArmor line makes it easy to stay protected.
Sometimes you just need to kickback and relax in the backcountry. What better way than to pack in some libations after a grueling day underneath a starry sky? In desperate need of a lightweight, packable flask last year, I picked up the Vapur Incognito Flexible Flask and it’s been my trusty friend ever since.
Hiking pants are a dime a dozen. Every brand’s got one. Or two. Or maybe even three. Me, I decided to go for the cheapest option, and the most colorful. Lately, my go-to trail and outdoor climbing pants have been the REI Sahara Roll-Up Pants, like zip pants, minus the zip functionality because the way those are cut are never attractive.
Pillows are kind of a thing of luxury when you’re out in the wilderness. Why pack extra weight when you can just stuff some clothes into a stuff sack or your down jacket into its hood and call it a night? With the Pillow Plus, you can call those uncomfortable nights a thing of the past.
Made out of thick plastic and covered in a polyester-spandex material, the Pillow Plus weighs about 4 oz and packs down to about 6″ x 4”. To inflate the pillow, you bite down on the valve and blow; it’s pretty simple, as long as you remember to bite. Otherwise, you’ll be huffing and puffing for nothing. You also need to make sure you’re inflating the Pillow Plus inside the cover. It’s near impossible to get the cover over the fully blown up plastic. Inflated, the Pillow Plus dimensions are about 18” x 10”, large enough for even the biggest of heads. The stretchy fabric comes with a strap that you can use to clip to your sleeping pad, preventing your pillow from sliding around.