New Toys for 2016 - Part 1

Each year we fine tune our travelling gear. Keeping an eye on the internet, Facebook, blogs, articles, to see what others suggest and deciding if we might want to try that too. So far this is my list of new gear to try out for the upcoming season.

On a vacation to Arizona in November I went to a Cabela's store for the very first time. It was quite the experience. Before I even entered the store I heard a woman in the parking lot, who was carrying her newly purchased handgun in the box (they didn't even give her a plastic bag), discussing with a stranger the pros and cons of the particular model she'd chosen. 

The store was huge, I found my way back to the camping gear. Most of the stuff is meant for people that get to their camping sites in large motorboats or on ATVs with trailers. In other words, it's not lightweight. I still bought something, a table. I find it tough when cooking that there's so much stuff strewn around on the ground. I don't think this table will make it on a long trip with a lot of portages, it's a bit heavy and bulky. But it will definitely make it on some shorter trips.

It came with its own bag

It will hold up to 125 pounds, including 2 beers

This table has an interesting design feature. There are straps that are tightened at each of the 4 corners. It gives the table its strength. This table was around $15 US.

At Costco last weekend I picked up a down throw.

In its stuff sack

Out of the bag

We've been looking for a way to keep warmer during the spring and fall. I didn't want to invest $300 in a new sleeping bag. I may sew some velco on the corners of this and on my sleeping bag so the two silky fabrics don't repel each other. This throw was $29.99.

I took out my sleeping bag and laid it on my bed then checked the size of the throw with it. I might just fold it in half, sew the bottom and one side, then put a couple of velcro tabs on the top to keep it over the sleeping bag in place. 

A perfect size to go over my sleeping bag!

I sought advice from a friend at work, he has experience as a professional photographer, to get some tips. He suggested a polarizing filter. While I was at the camera store getting one the strap below was on sale and is perfect for my small camera. I've dropped it in the drink before and this strap will ensure it at least floats.

New camera gear

I have my Christmas presents too that are new for me this year. First and foremost my new hammock! But I also have some new drybags, a neck wrap, a clearbag (for the map) and hot chocolate from Godiva.

I have a whole post on my new dehydrator, the Excalibur.And I still have that $100 gift card to Algonquin Outfitters to spend!

What is Santa bringing you?

Here's a wish list for canoe campers. Have you been good enough this year to get any of these great camping items?

Camping hammock
One of the main pieces LT added to his kit this year was this hammock from Hennessy Hammock:

Click here to go to the web page

I ordered this through MEC online for LT's birthday in June. He put it to use for all trips he took except the long weekend in May. It was especially handy for his 6-day solo trip. 

I attempted to make my own hammock tent from my parachute fabric hammock. However, I'll probably invest in one of these for next year - same brand, but a different model.  I'm not so tall to need the 6 foot version. For the record, two hammocks will weigh more than a single 2-person tent. However, LT swears that being off the ground completely alleviates any back pain from lying on the ground and he's a complete convert so I'll have to follow suit.

We're tweaking the mattress system to use with the hammocks. Also I did sew up a set of much longer hanging straps for LT's hammock.

Dehydrator

This is probably number one on my wish list to Santa. However, I have a feeling I'm going to have to save my pennies to get it. I'm currently using a Salton dehydrator I bought at Walmart for $50. This is quite the step up:
 

Click here to go to the web page

Saw
This isn't a new item for us but it's a good one. It packs light, takes up little space, really works, and is MUCH safer than an axe or hatchet. Just ask Kevin Callan.

It took me a while to this online, LT has had this item for years. Its' official name is: Take-Down Buck Saw

Check here for availability

Thermos
This sounds like a bit of an odd piece of kit to have on a wish list. I picked one up late this summer and took it on my last trip in September. It was the most useful thing I bought this year for camping. It has multiple uses. I selected it to use to carry my lunch. I use dehydrated food and this allowed me to quickly add some boiling water to the prepped food at breakfast. It rehydrates during the day and when I want to stop at a portage to eat, it's ready, hot and delicious. The only thing I'd do differently is buy a size larger. 

Besides lunches, I used it for hot tea and to rehydrate all the fruit I use for dessert at dinnertime. It rehydrated pineapple so well, you wouldn't have known it was dehydrated in the first place.

Comfy chair
LT doesn't push his opinions very often, but the first opinion he expressed about camping is how important it is to have a comfortable chair to sit in at the end of the day at your campsite. That chair must have a back to it. I didn't believe him, last year I carried a very light tripod chair made by Eureka! It was small, light, perfect for carrying in my backpack. But it was horribly uncomfortable. This year I vowed to do it differently, I just didn't want to pay $100 for a Helinox chair from MEC. I found a similar chair at Lebaron's on sale and snapped it up. Here's my gear review on it: Nano chair

Being used in the field

All the pieces

This chair packs into a relatively small space, doesn't weigh much and is really comfy!

Comfy air mattress for a hammock
I have a comfy air mattress, but it takes up a lot of space. LT was eyeing the Exped blow up mattress with the down filling, but with his new hammock, such a large mattress isn't as necessary. I found when I used his hammock that blowing up my air mattress to full capacity made the hammock uncomfortable. A real Goldilocks situation! Here is a mattress that might be better suited to a hammock, especially for cooler nights:

Click here to go to the web page

You may already have a cheat for this bubble pad if you have those silver heat liners for your car's windshield. 

Footwear
My favourite footwear for canoe camping are these sandals from Keen:

Okay, my pair are slightly larger than this key chain

The only downfall is that bugs can bite any exposed skin. I wore wool socks in these during my last September trip, which was perfect. Light socks work as well. They are light, I don't mind getting them wet - they dry fast, and they're comfy. I don't need a pair, but you might want to put a pair on your list to Santa!

Clothing
What you wear while canoe camping is very much a personal preference thing. LT recommends a long sleeved lightweight shirt that is a muted colour, preferably beige. I have a couple of Columbia ones that fit the bill. This year I added a new shirt that I really like because it doesn't have buttons! I got it at Dick's Sporting Goods in Watertown, it's made out of the same fabric as my Columbia shirts:

And it has a hood (note the aforementioned sandals)

Sunglasses
I'm torn when it comes to spending a lot of money on sunglasses. They're so easily lost or broken. I'm kind of a klutz. I'm currently wearing "Mall Bans", you know, those fake brand name sunglasses you can get at that kiosk in the middle of the mall, 3 pair for $30. But I really need a decent pair of sunglasses that are polarized so I can see through the reflection off the surface of the lake so we don't hit any rocks or sunken logs.

Click here to go to the web site

Camera Equipment
This is on my list, in case I don't get it I am saving my AMEX bonus points for it. I just need to spend probably another $10,000 on my card....

Some of these are definitely going on my wishlist! Whats on yours?