Choosing what type of gear to buy for outdoor adventures isn’t easy to do. There are so many options out there—and so many low-quality ones—that you can often end up walking out of a store having no idea what you bought or why you bought it. But these five pieces of gear are without a doubt some of the best in the industry and will not let you down.
Eton Rugged Rukus Portable Wireless Speaker – $99.95
Technology usually doesn’t make the outdoors better in any way, but this solar-powered wireless speaker manages to do the trick. Simply let it soak up the sun, link it to your phone or any other bluetooth-compatible device (which can be charged through an integrated USB slot) and let the tunes accompany your adventure. It’s also extremely durable and splashproof (a step below waterproof), so it can last through essentially any condition—even up on the slopes during winter—which is always quite the crowd-pleaser.
Jetboil Zip Stove – $79.95
Cooking over a fire is one of the most barbarically-satisfying things to do while spending time outdoors, but the conditions don’t always cooperate, making things more stressful than satisfying. Whether it’s due to a classic Colorado dry period, or the opposite—a wet period—this stove can really come in handy. It’s extremely small and packable, and also includes a large mug for boiling water that allows a lot of cooking options on the trail like tea, oatmeal and pasta. Look for the Jetboil brand fuel for the best compatibility, which is sold separately at most outdoor retailers.
Arcade Belt – $24 – $32
Spending time in the outdoors with your pants falling down is no fun, and your mother would be ashamed. So keep ‘em up with this awesome belt from Arcade, a ski and snowboard-focused company based out of California’s beautiful Olympic Valley. These stylish straps are partially made of elastic material, aiming for comfort and resulting in a perfect fit to any form—even after a night full of stuffing yourself with s’mores by the campfire.
REI Camp Dome Tent – $129
Tents are expensive. But, this one from REI is not—which is totally awesome. It holds a really simple design with a zippable door on each side and just two rods that hold it all together, making it easy to use and set up—the only two things you really need to look for in a tent. It’s not built for especially cold conditions, but that’s what warm clothes and sleeping bags are for, which you can buy with all the money you save on this tent.
Buff Headgear – $20
Click here to buy now
Now that the temperatures in Colorado are beginning to drop—especially up in the mountains—layering correctly is crucial. This includes your head, neck and face, and Buff’s “headgear” takes care of all three wonderfully. You can wear it as a neckwarmer, a hat (which looks kind of goofy but gets the job done) or a headband, and there are a ton of colors and styles to choose from so you can stay fashionable. It also packs really well, saving you and your baggage a whole lot of trouble.
