iPhone 8: Here’s Everything You Need to Know This New Lexus Coupe Pisses Off Honda Drivers 10 Great Minimalist Watches Meet the Holy Grail of Retro Gaming Consoles The Most Insane Jeep Wrangler Money Can Buy Leaving the urban sprawl and confines of pavement in your mirrors and seeking out undiscovered country to call your own: adventure riding fosters the ultimate escape. That doesn’t mean pouring over TripAdvisor reviews, making reservations for nightly turn-downs, chocolates on pillows and an omnipresent concierge: it means setting up camp — at least for a couple nights along the way. Don’t let the C-word scare you, though. Even if you’re new to pitching tents and cooking over a campfire, by packing the right goods, you and your riding partners can maintain a five-star life off in the backwoods. Best of all, every essential you need to move from roughing it to rocking it packs down and fits on your adventure ride of choice. And that’s with squeezing in some creature comforts, too.
The incredibly simple two-pole design of the the Snow Peak Fal 2 tent allows you to go from saddle to slumber in less time than it takes you to peel off your socks. The 20-denier PU-coated fly doubles as your shelter’s exoskeleton with the inner living quarters attaching from the inside. The Fal 2 technically sleeps the same amount of people that can sit on your bike. Featuring a 50/50 mesh and solid ripstop design, the Shifter 2 is an excellent way to air out after a long, hot day carving canyons. Should the weather turn foul, the included fly is rated to handle over 50 inches of downpour. For a full day. It also packs down to a minute 7 x 25-inch tube. After a hard day negotiating off-road trails, fording rivers and hopping downed logs, most riders are happy to sleep on the head of a pin. Considering the packed size of the Sea to Summit Comfort Light Air Mattress comes in at 3.5 x 6.5 inches, why anyone would adventure ride without one is beyond me. Available in three sizes (1.4, 2.8 and 4 liters), the new X-Pot line from Sea to Summit provides an excellent selection of cookware without the hassle of stealing space.
Each X-Pot is constructed of collapsible silicone walls with an all-aluminum base. That means dinner doesn’t take long to go from packet to mouth, which is what matters most. Multifunctional gear is always a great idea when space is limited. Enter the BioLite Camp Stove — a small and simple stove that boils water in minutes and doubles as your own personal, kinetic phone charger. This is a must have. Greeting a new day without a cup of Joe at the ready is like riding a motorcycle without handlebars: just plain wrong. The AeroPress quickly brews a cup of coffee that rivals even the most surly barista. The fact that it does so around a campfire is just a bonus. Sometimes the smallest piece of your kit can make all of the difference. This kickstand pad fits in any jacket pocket and will keep your ride shiny-side up whether you’re in the bush or at the office on a hot summer’s day. the only time they should hit the ground is because you did something heroic, not stupid.
Bungee cords are no match for the securing prowess of RokStraps. Easily attachable to any free structural mount, RokStraps are adjustable and incredibly strong. I’ve been using them for all sorts of two-wheeled adventures for years and they’ve never lost a load, even when I’ve lost control of the bike. It’s not often a rider can roll into camp with a comfortable chair to enjoy the fireside stories; they eat up too much space, so they get left behind. No so with the Helinox Chair One. Packing down to dopp kit proportions, the Chair One easily sneaks into a pannier without giving something else the boot. After a full day of riding, your ass will thank you. Lightweight, durable, easy to clean, and it gets food into your face in a most civilized manner. I call that win, win, win. If you’re going to carry a knife — and you damn well should — you’d be hard pressed to do better than the Benchmade Valet. Its three-inch drop-point blade will turn skirt steak into tartare, shape a makeshift tent pole and even clean that biker gunk from under your fingernails.
I’ve personally logged well over 5,000 miles with the Aether Welded Duffle strapped to the back of various adventure bikes. I’ve crashed with it, rode through mud, dust, rain, blazing heat and even snow. Nothing has ever gotten through this bag and I don’t plan on stopping the abuse anytime soon. If duffles aren’t your thing, arming yourself with any of Kriega’s US line of dry bags will do an incredible job of keeping clothing and essentials clean and dry. The bonus is, with Kreiga’s Universal mounting system, you can easily add on extra bags as your adventures extend. Accidents will undoubtedly happen, usually when you’re farthest from help. The SpeedKIT from Cruztools is a great starter collection, making sure broken bikes don’t translate to blown vacations. You’ll undoubtedly need some specialty tools at some point in your adventure. The Velomacchi Tool Roll carries all of the quick-fix essentials to get you back on your bike and moving along the trail.
Designed by a rider, for riders, I torture tested a prototype along the way for durability. No matter how hot it feels in the blazing sun, nights under the stars can get pretty cold. Fight back the frost with the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket. Moisture-repellent, Q-shield 800-fill down insulation is warm enough to handle January mornings in Winnipeg and it compresses to something the size of a king can.Phil & Ted's Traveller Full-Size Travel Crib It only weighs 7 lbs.--compare that with other play yards! Add to that its terrific versatility and its hard to find a better travel bed. Use it from birth on up through three years (or more), indoors and out. Breathable mesh panels let you take this to the park and beach just as easily as Grandma's house (where rubber feet will protect her floors). The self-inflating air mattress works much like a Therm-a-Rest (or backpacker's mattress), providing good insulation from the cold ground as well as padding from hard floors.
An optional UV-protective cover fits over the top to offer protection outdoors (though you'll have to throw a beach towel or something over the sides for sun protection now that they are 100% mesh (please let me know when you've finished thinking that one through, Phil&Ted). The Traveler also has a zipping side panel to allow in and out access for playtime on the beach, and for older children who are ready to come and go on their own from their "travel bed." It stands 51" x 24.8" x 31" when open, and folds to 24.8" x 8.6" square packed in its carrying case. At 11 lbs. it weighs a little more than Phil & Ted's full-size travel crib, costs around $100 more, does not include a zipping cover, and you probably won't be able to use it as long (it also doesn't offer the unzipped side self-access for older children). That said, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is worth it to some parents for the 1-minute (or less) set-up time, space savings when folded and set-up, and eco-certified softer fabrics--every bit of which can be gently washed in the machine.
In theory, the BabyBjorn Travel Light can be used for newborns up to around 3 years old (older children may be happier with the longer mattress of the Phil & Ted or Peapod Plus, both of which they can freely come and go from when they're ready). Measures 32” x 44” x 24” set up, and is 19" X 24" X 6" packed in its travel case. Brica Fold 'n Go Travel Bassinet This bassinet sets up in 10 seconds (okay it took us 20 the first time, but...) and features a rigid frame that locks into place, providing a sturdier alternative to some baby travel beds with soft sides. Mesh side panels also allow for better air circulation. Includes a foam mattress and cotton mattress cover. Folds to 22" at its widest point x 16" x 2" thick and weighs less than 3 lbs. Unfolds to 30.5"L x 22"W x 10"H with a 29" x 18" mattress. For more photos and details, see my complete review here. Helps create your "tent within a tent" safely on cold camping trips, and gives a clean, safe place for baby to snooze bug-free, whether indoors or out.
Folds into its own carrying case at 16.5" diameter and 3" thick, then pops up when needed to 46"L x 28"W x 18"H. Weighs less than 3 lbs. Although this is recommended for 1 to 3 years, you may prefer the slightly larger Peapod Plus, which can be used on through the preschool years (see below). The Peapod Plus can be used from infancy well through preschool, and includes a lightweight sleeping bag. In addition to the UV mesh found in the smaller Peapod, the Plus also has roll-down nylon sides for added wind protection. Other differences: The poles used in the Plus are thinner and more lightweight than the very heavy-duty ones used in the original above, keeping its weight down, but at the cost of some stability (if you have rowdy rompers in the house, you may prefer the original Peapod). Travels at 19" diameter and 6.5" thick in its carrying case. Unfolds to 52.5" x 34" x 25". The very popular Snuggle Nest has been improved with new safety features, including ventilation through breathable sidewalls and an optional 1.5" incline wedge to help elevate baby's head--very helpful should a little nose get stuffy during your travels.
Plays soft music or womb-like sounds and includes a convenient night light you'll be glad to have when checking on baby in an unfamiliar hotel room. Cover can be removed and washed. What I don't like about the new model is that the wrap-around bumper means it won't last as longer for taller/longer babies, and the new "vented" side walls actually look less breathable than the earlier mesh used. Still, for travel with a swaddled infant, this may be just what you need. Open dimensions are 17.5 x 6.5" x 18". Folds in half for travel. First Years Close and Secure Sleeper For an extra measure of protection, this co-sleeper buffers your baby from head to toe, making it a suitable sleeping spot for infants both in the "family bed" and out. It also features a built-in night light, which can be helpful for late-night checks, especially when staying in new and unfamiliar places. Machine washable cover and sheet included. Overall dimensions are 26" x 16" x 6" (24"L within bumpers). Folds to 19" x 17" x 7 1/2" with carrying handle.
Summer Infant Travel Bed with Shoulder Strap Great for the airport and possibly even on the airplane. It starts out folded into a travel bag with a shoulder strap and bottle pockets on each end. Then, when you need a clean, safe spot for baby to stretch out while you await your flight, just unfold and the toy bar is already in place. There's NOT a changing table in the lavatory on your flight? This will give you a clean, workable surface with no-roll sidewalls to use either on the airplane seat, floor, or--if the toilet design suits--in the lavatory over the closed lid. And when you get to the hotel, you'll also have a handy travel bed. The Shrunks Inflatable Travel Bed for Toddlers/Preschoolers Great solution for occasional visits to Grandma's house, car trips, and camping (but at 6 lbs. and still bulky when deflated, you probably don't want to pack it on the plane). The mattress insert is the same size as a standard crib mattress, and you can use it with your own crib/toddler bed sheet sets.