Best of Explore: Camping Gear
The dull tint of a landscape that has just escaped the grip of winter has now been replaced with a luscious green as spring settles in. With it comes the itch to pack up the car and head for the wide-open wilderness.
It’s time to trade the hustle and bustle and lights of the cityscape for still nights beneath impressive peaks and lush forests. Dust off the storage bins of gear, get out the maps and devise all kinds of wonderful camping adventures. But first—you need the right gear.
This thoughtfully curated list features the best and most noteworthy camping gear that is top of the line in durability and functionality, preparing you for a memorable and successful season ahead.
Ready? Let’s go camping!
Helsdon Outdoors
Suspension Bridge Hammock Tent
The patented suspension bridge Helsdon Hammock tent is designed to adjust to the shape of your body, give support for your knees and lower back while offering a comfortable sleeping experience plus extra storage. It’s good for back, side and stomach sleepers. It will keep you comfortable, stable, dry and well rested. Moisture will not get to you from above or below. The double bottom fits a sleeping pad to insulate you from below to keep you warm. The integrated bug-shielded windows ventilates to keep you cool. Hang between two trees for a beautiful night in the Great Outdoors, knowing rain will never be an issue for your outdoor sleeping again.
Price: $435
Buy it here: helsdonoutdoors.com
KUMA Outdoor Gear
Kozy Bear Chair
Keep your drinks close at hand and your camping buddy right next to you with the new Kozy Bear Chair. The central cooler fits a six pack and provides both you and your camping partner easy access to your drinks all night. The slightly curved chair design grants a little more shoulder space between each other and the perfect amount of heat around the campfire. It has zippered mesh pockets to store your valuables (no more lost phones!), a padded back and armrests, and two beverage holders. This double chair will keep you and a friend Kozy on all your outdoor adventures! Rated for 500 pounds.
Price: $190
Buy it here: kumaoutdoorgear.com
Hotcore Outdoor
Mantis Tents
Hotcore Mantis tents are perfect for camping, backpacking and cycling. A great tent does not have to be expensive! These three-season tents are completely waterproof with full-length rainflys. They use a one-piece Mantis aluminum pole design for easy set up. This functional pole geometry allows for ultimate headroom, storage and livable space. The two- and three-person sizes have two doors and two storage vestibules. Other features include locking tips on the poles, storage pockets and mesh gear loft, vents, silent zipper pulls and aluminum tent pegs. Available in one-, two- and three-person sizes. Aftermarket tent footprints are available.
Price: $179.00 to $244.99
Buy it here: hotcoreproducts.com
Hotcore Outdoor
HYPNOS Insulated Sleeping Pads
The new HYPNOS full-size insulated air pads are all-purpose sleeping pads, insulated for warmth and designed for comfort, featuring Thermolite Ecomade insulation to trap heat and keep you warm. The baffle wall construction means there are no cold spots, avoiding surface area exposure to the cold ground and providing comfort in all positions. The roll top stuff sack doubles as an inflation sack, so there’s no need to waste your energy by blowing air into a mouthpiece. A repair kit is included.
Dimensions: 195 x 65cm tapered shape. 7cm height.
Hypnos 3: R value 3.1 Weight: 785 grams
Hypnos 4: R value 4.5 Weight: 880 grams
Price: $129.99 to $159.99
Buy it here: hotcoreproducts.com
Tentsile
Trillium Giant 3-Person Camping Hammock
Tentsile’s Trillium hammock is the ultimate gear for relaxing outdoors. Super big and durable, it’s ideal for sharing with your family or friends. Perfect for setting up in the garden, the campsite or the backcountry, it’s easy to use and convenient enough to be pitched on a whim for a family picnic in the woods. Manufactured using the most durable, long-lasting and robust fabric materials, reinforced with 20 metres of seatbelt webbing and secured by our three-ton heavy-duty ratchets and straps, it also includes Tentsile’s patented anti-roll system which creates three separated hammock bays and stops everyone from rolling into the middle!
Price: $538.65
Buy it here: tentsile.com
Nalgene
Nalgene 32-oz Wide Mouth Loop Top
The original. The trailblazer. The Sir Edmund of water bottles. Tritan Renew/Sustain is crafted from next-generation recycled resin that transforms plastic destined for landfills into high-performance, BPA-, BPS- and phthalate-free bottles. Completely leakproof with continuous, straight-shouldered, semi buttressed threads that keep the bottle sealed tight. Easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe Tritan Renew copolyester material is free of BPA, BPS and phthalates. The wide-mouth design fits most filtration devices (not included) and is easy to fill with ice cubes. The new Nalgene Sustain product line is made from 50 per cent certified recycled content. Built to last, guaranteed by Nalgene. Made in USA.
Price: $21.50
Buy it here: nalgene.ca
