Gear Guide: 12 Essentials to Lead You From Fall to Winter
From gear for your dog to tasty snacks and lightweight air mats to self-care products… Explore staffers are always on the hunt for new gear items. We’re obsessing over these 12 outdoor adventure items—find out why.
Yeti Camino Carryall 35
($200; yeti.com)
For sopping wetsuits, muddy gumboots, heavy camp kitchen gear or whatever else you can stuff in, this overbuilt, waterproof, free- standing tote from Yeti is a must. Heck, fill it full of water if you wish—it can, as the name suggests, carry all.
Hurtta Weekend Warrior Harness & Rope Leash
($46 to $54/$37; hurtta.com)
Hikes are better with a dog along. And Finnish company Hurtta wants to make hiking easier on you and Fido with their ergonomic Weekend Warrior Harness. Strap it on without lifting the front legs; run hard and know the breathable mesh won’t chafe your best friend. Pair it with the Weekend Warrior Rope Leash, a climbing-rope inspired tether with a soft-grip neoprene handle.
Basecamp Cards
($15; basecampcards.com)
You always pack a deck of cards when camping, right? Amp up your play with Basecamp Cards—outdoorsy playing cards that feature conversation-starter questions. Stoke up the campfire conversation and connect over good times outdoors. (A Canadian company!)
Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof
($210; obozfootwear.com)
While the all-leather upper of the Bridger nods to classic hikers of yore, there’s nothing old-fashioned about these stats: a pliable, extra comfortable collar; a lightweight TPU forefoot plate that preserves the shoe’s integrity, B-DRY waterproofing; metal hardware and a lightweight, aggressive outsole. And, unlike the waffle stompers of yore, the Bridger’s supple leather requires practically no break-in.
Buff Original
($25; buyabuff.com)
If you don’t own a Buff Original, are you even an outdoor enthusiast? Endlessly useful in virtually all-seasons, this multifunction headwear is a hat, a neck warmer, a bandana, a face-shield and so much more. Featuring four-way stretch seamless construction, every Buff Original keeps two water bottles out of the landfill to boot!
Helly Hansen Trollvann Anorak
($225; hellyhansen.com)
One of our favourite lifestyle pieces of the season, Helly Hansen named this anorak after a Norwegian lake popular for swimming and camping. It suits the vibe. The waxed cotton-canvas is breathable and water-resistant. Waterproof- by-construction panels on the shoulders shed storms. A massive pouch pocket swallows essentials and a side- zip takes the awkwardness out of on-and-offs.
Duckish Lip Balm
($4; duckish.ca)
Canadian company Duckish makes a variety of natural bath and body products—but it’s the lip balm that has our attention. With shea butter, olive oil and coconut oil, you can be assured the layer on your lips is so pure you can eat it. A must in the frigid fall winds and winter to come.
Merrell Zion Mid Waterproof
($190; merrell.com)
Built on a trail-running platform for a sneaker-like fit, the Zion has a durable ballistic mesh and full-grain leather upper, as well as Vibram Megagrip outsole for aggressive grip on every terrain. The M Select DRY impermeable membrane seals out water and lets moisture escape. Plus, the lightweight FlexPlate technology provides torsional rigidity with dual-density EVA inserts in the rearfoot and forefoot for extra cushioning. Men’s and women’s available.
Purica Curcumin
($60 to $150; purica.com)
This is an optimal pain relief and anti-inflammatory supplement. With 30 per cent BDMC Curcumin, one tablet daily helps relieve joint pain and inflammation and even promotes skin health and regulates blood sugar. If you’re heading out on hard fall hikes, this stuff’s a must.
BIGS Dill Pickle
(facebook.com/BIGSSeedsCanada)
BIGS Sunflower Seeds are a snacking essential for any outdoor activities you have planned this fall. BIGS is proud to be the Official Sunflower Seed of Baseball Canada, and is available in five unique flavours including Dill Pickle, Zesty Ranch, Original, Sizzlin’ Bacon and the newest launch, Taco Supreme in partnership with Taco Bell.
Duke’s Original Single Serve
Duke’s Smoked Meats are the perfect snack to bring along on all your outdoor adventures. Duke’s offers four flavours of Smoked Sausages crafted with real whole ingredients and no MSG. The new single serve size is portable and ideal for your on-the-go activities. Duke’s is available in four flavours including Original, Hot & Spicy, Hickory Peach BBQ and Hatch Green Chile.
