MAKE & MODEL
GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Microlite 500
DIMENSIONS
3 by 2.6 by 9.2 inches
MSRP
$26
NOTES
Most outdoor enthusiasts own a vacuum-insulated water bottle because it can retain cold or heat for way longer than regular vessels. But many of these popular bottles feature lids that require two hands to operate. Enter the Glacier Stainless Microlite 500. This model has a flip-top cap that locks closed for transport but stays open with a simple push-button. The bottle's moniker comes from its 500ml capacity (or 17 fluid ounces for those not fluent in metric), yet it's a third lighter than conventional designs of the same capacity. How? Its 18/8 stainless steel body has 2mm-thin walls that remain durable, yet keep hot beverages hot for 8 hours and cold libations cold for 16 hours.
MAKE & MODEL
First Tactical Fathom Stainless Steel Dive Watch
COLORS
Black, titanium
MSRP
$250
NOTES
A dam bursts, a boat capSIZEs, a tropical storm makes landfall – emergencies can and do happen in and around water. The Fathom Stainless Steel Dive Watch should perform no matter how wet it gets. It's waterproof up to 200 meters, thanks to pressurized construction and a screw-down crown. It features a durable polymer band with a ruler and Morse Code on the back. It has a tough stainless steel housing and bezel. Its three hands are coated with Super-LumiNova, a photoluminescent pigment that can glow for hours after a charge with sunbeams or artificial light. The Fathom will keep you on time, whether you need to make a rendezvous with your survival group or catch a screening of the Baywatch movie with your beach volleyball team.
MAKE & MODEL
BioLite Inc. CampStove 2 Bundle
WEIGHT
Approx. 5 pounds
MSRP
$200
NOTES
The award-winning BioLite now offers its innovative products in convenient packages. The CampStove 2 Bundle includes the KettlePot (it cooks like a pot and pours like a kettle), the Portable Grill (with an intake lid that lets you add branches to the fire without disturbing the grill itself), and of course the CampStove 2. As the heart of this package, the CampStove 2 uses any biomass (twigs, pinecones, etc.) as fuel to cook while producing 3 watts to charge devices or to store in its 2,600-mAh battery. The CampStove 2 conveniently nests inside the KettlePot for storage and portability. There's also the CoffeePress (sold separately for $15 and shown here with the bundle), which brews six cups of java at a time using a French press-style design.
MAKE & MODEL
OluKai Makolea / Kia'i Wahine
MSRP
$80 / $70
URL
www.olukai.com
NOTES
After a weekend of hog hunting or trekking through tough terrain, we love sliding into a pair of flip-flops to soothe our beaten hooves and promote foot recovery. But OluKai makes sandals that you could practically hike in. The men's Makolea (gray pair shown here) features a non-marking, sticky rubber outsole with multiple zones for traction in wet conditions. The compression-molded EVA midsole is paired with a brushed ICEVA drop-in footbed for maximum ergonomics. The whole thing is water resistant, breathable, and quick drying. Likewise, the women's Kia'i Wahine is built to last in and around water, has a multi-layer footbed for comfort and stability, and has a non-marking rubber outsole for enhanced traction and durability. Both models are as comfy as they are rugged.
MAKE & MODEL
Silky GOMBOY Curve Professional Series Saw – 210mm
WEIGHT
8.3 ounces (saw), 12.4 ounces (with case)
MSRP
$64
URL
www.silky.jp
NOTES
We're hard-core hatchet fans. But, when we got our hands on Silky's latest update to its Gomboy series folding saw, it made us reconsider our allegiance to the hammer axe. This saw is fast. We cut through 2.5-inch, live saplings in 30 seconds without fear of amputation or even needing to protect our eyes from flying woodchips. The chrome-plated, curved blade cuts on the pull stroke, preventing the blade from getting bound up in the material. The teeth are formed inside the width of the blade – reducing friction and making for cleaner, faster cuts. And, instead of hardening the entire blade, only the teeth are heated and hardened. This means the blade stays flexible while the teeth enjoy a longer, sharper life. It comes with a belt-mountable case and is made in Japan with a limited lifetime warranty.
MAKE & MODEL
Microtech Knives Ultratech S/E Partial Serration
OVERALL LENGTH
8.48 inches
MSRP
$280
NOTES
The most common everyday-carry pocketknife is the folder; hence our buyer's guide on page 36. But if you're looking for something that's lightning fast and brings the awe factor, look no further than an out-the-front (OTF) automatic. (Of course, make sure it's lawfully kosher in your area first.) Microtech's latest from its popular Ultratech OTF lineup offers both sexy form and practical function. The partially serrated single-edge blade is 3.4 inches long and made from premium Elmax stainless steel. The handle features a double-action OTF mechanism: the blade shoots out and retracts by pushing or pulling the button. This allows for a satisfying Wolverine-like thunk sound and the reassuring knowledge that you can deploy a blade in a split-second. Comes in a variety of COLORS and finishes. Made in the USA.
MAKE & MODEL
Eureka! Gonzo Grill
WEIGHT
14 pounds
SIZE
14 by 11 inches
MSRP
$190
NOTES
When it comes to cooking in the field, nothing beats the ease and convenience of a propane stove. Add the ability to go from griddle to grill to stove in seconds and you've got something special. The Gonzo grill has your three-squares-a-day covered with it's reversible, cast iron cook top that has a stove grate beneath. The whole thing runs on a 10K BTU/h burner that has an infinitely adjustable output thanks to its 4-turn burner control. The onboard Piezoelectric electric igniter lights the stove in a snap and all other accessories are stored onboard for easy transport.
MAKE & MODEL
Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair; 3rd Edition
PAGES
241
MSRP
$25
URL
www.parktool.com
NOTES
When the gas is gone and the horses are history, bikes will be a go-to form of transportation. If you aren't already, you'd better get smart on them. And, that's no easy task since bike tech seems to make generational leaps in technology every 10 years. Even if you were a pro at toeing in rim brake shoes and swapping out worn bottom brackets once-upon-a-time, hydraulic disc brakes and externally threaded bottom brackets on today's bikes might have you scratching your head. As old fashioned as books are, YouTube won't always be there to hold your hand. Park Tool is an authority on bike maintenance, and it lays out 17 chapters on everything from fixing a flat to overhauling headsets. Clear explanations and excellent illustrations demystify all aspects of bike repair.
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