Energizer is a company that is well known for making batteries that power everything from watches to cars. Their power cells are amongst the best in the business and help keep our gadgets up and running when we need them most. But Energizer also makes a line of outstanding lighting products that are durable, bright and perform extremely well even in harsh conditions. They also happen to be extremely affordable, providing an excellent alternative to some of the more well known brands that typically cost twice as much.

Outdoor enthusiasts will be especially interested in the Energizer Ultimate headlamp. This light was built with extreme adventure in mind and was designed for use in harsh conditions. It's case is built out of an aluminum alloy that is rugged enough to stand up any abuse you dish out while continuing to provide plenty of light. It features a single lamp that is capable of putting out a constant beam of 100 lumens which comes in handy when flying down a dark trail on a mountain bike but is probably brighter than most people will need. But just in case you do need a little extra light, a "boost" button on the side of the housing will temporarily amp it up to 130 lumens, at the expense of battery life of course.

Other modes include low and medium settings which give off 25 and 50 lumens respectively. There is also a flashing strobe mode to signal in an emergency and a night vision option that emits a red light that is easier on the eyes when in a dark space. Battery life varies depending on the level of brightness of course. On the highest setting the batteries will last 10 hours but drop the brightness down to low and   that time increases to an impressive 40+. The fact that the Ultimate headlamp uses three replaceable AA batteries (Energizers preferred of course!) means that it is easy to swap out a fresh set when needed.


Other nice touches include a comfortable strap, a pivoting head that allows you to change the direction of the light and a focus ring that allows you tighten up the beam for greater distance. There is also a blinking green light on the back of the battery pack that make it a breeze to find the headlamp in the dark or when it's found its way the bottom of your pack. That can certainly come in handy when you're fumbling around in a tent during the wee hours of the morning.

Energizer had built the Ultimate headlamp to resist the elements and as such it is designed to be weatherproof. While it isn't exactly meant to be immersed in water, it can survive a sudden rainstorm without missing a beat. Better yet, this light is rated for use in extreme temperatures as well. Energizer says that it will operate in a range from -40ºF (-40ºC) to 140ºF (60ºC). That means you can take this light into some pretty remote places and expect it to continue burning bright.

All of these features added up to a great headlamp that is surprisingly versatile and efficient. But what kicks the Energizer Ultimate headlamp into a category all its own is the price. The light carries an MSRP of $44.99, which is a bargain for a piece of gear that performs as well as this one. Even better, you can find the Ultimate at discounted prices online making it an even better bargain. For instance, Amazon has it for just $34.01, which makes it nearly impossible to pass up.

This headlamp is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a quality light. But mountaineers, backpackers, winter campers and other outdoor athletes will really appreciate everything it brings to the table. If you need an affordable headlamp that happens to also be very durable for your next adventure, then look no further. This is the one for you.

Say what you will about Bear Grylls but the man certainly is a survivor. And I'm not just talking about his talent for staying alive in the wilderness. It wasn't all that long ago that he was weathering the storm of the revelation that his television show Man vs. Wild had staged some segments for dramatic effect. At the time, it was quite a scandal in the outdoor world, but Bear has proven to be a resilient guy and he has managed to put that speed bump behind him and become more popular than ever.

The Bear Grylls name has proven valuable to gear companies too. He has put his name on a line of clothing from Craghoppers, a nifty new stand-up paddleboard/tent combo and a number of knives and other tools from Gerber. I've had the good fortune of testing and reviewing several items in the Bear Grylls Gerber catalog and I have continually come away impressed. The blades are always high quality, the handles are sturdy and each of the products comes across as a well designed and built for use in the backcountry. Recently I got my hands on the Bear's Survival Hatchet and true to form it continues the legacy of a high quality and useful tool that you'll want in your pack.

First impressions are always important with any piece of gear and this hatchet makes a good one. It feels incredibly sturdy and well balanced in your hand. The hand axe weighs a mere 20.8 ounces (590 g) but when it strikes its target it hits with more punch than that weight would typically imply. That means this is a tool that feels great on your pack but still offers plenty of power when it comes time to put it to use.

The hatchet's rubberized handle make it easy to grip, even in wet conditions. It has a couple of finger notches ergonomically incorporated into the base, closer to the blade itself, that help you to wield the axe with more precision when doing fine fork. Slide your hand further down the handle when you need to strike with power. Either way, this is a hatchet that can handle all of your backcountry needs without missing a beat.


The blade is a mere 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) in length, which gives you an idea of just how compact this hatchet really is. Despite that, the sharp, incredibly durable blade will slice through wood with ease. Need some firewood? The Survival Hatchet will have you warm and dry in no time at all. The opposite end of the blade features a second striking surface, this time one that is flat and very versatile. Roll the axe over and you have a great hammer for pounding in tent stakes for instance, which will be much appreciated when pitching your tent on hard ground.

Gerber has included a nice nylon sheath for the axe that fits the blade nicely but doesn't detract from the compact nature of the axe. The sheath includes a pair of loops that make it easy to attach to your pack or your belt, keeping it within easy reach when needed. As with all of Bear's other products from Gerber, the Survival Hatchet also comes with a mini survival guide that has plenty of tips for staying alive in the backcountry.

All in all, this is another great product from Gerber and Bear. If you need a compact, lightweight hatchet for your backcountry adventures, than this is the perfect choice to add to your own gear closet. It is a durable, versatile and high quality tool that will prove to be worth its weight in gold.

Gerber prices the Survival Hatchet $48 but it can be found online for less. For instance, Walmart sells the axe for just $32.35, which is an incredible bargain for a tool like this one. The online store has other Bear Grylls products available as well, most of which can be found by clicking here.

From the "now I've seen everything" category we get a new inflatable stand-up paddleboard from Coreban that also has the ability to serve as your tent while out on your SUP adventures. And if that wasn't enough of an incentive to buy, the board also comes full endorsed by none other than Bear Grylls himself.

The new system is called the Ultimate Adventure Tent and it features a specially built shelter that is designed to wrap around Coreban's existing Scout inflatable SUP board. The tent uses three poles – one on the nose and two on either side of the board at the back – to keep the structure in place. When it is full assembled there is room for one occupant with the Scout actually serving as a sleeping pad, which is actually rather ingenious. Mesh sides allow fresh air to get in while keeping insects at bay.

The system has been designed for expedition paddleboarding on rivers, lakes and other relatively calm bodies of water. It includes a waterproof bag for keeping the tent and other camping gear dry while paddling all day and the Scout has integrated cargo nets on the front and rear to ensure essential gear doesn't easily get washed away. In short, it should be just about everything you need to spend a few days or weeks exploring your favorite waterway.

There is no word yet on when the Ultimate Adventure Tent/Scout SUP board will ship. The design is still being tweaked an Coreban has been relatively tight lipped on its specifications at this point. Still, considering how popular stand-up paddleboarding has become in recent years, this has the potential to be an interesting product. There is no word on cost either.

Thanks to Gizmag for sharing.

A few days ago I shared my thoughts on the best gear that I saw at this year's Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. But the half-dozen items that I spotlighted at the time were just a tiny fraction of the new outdoor equipment that was on display there. Here are a few more items that caught my eye and may of interest to you when they hit store shelves over the next few months.

Kelty TraiLogic
One of the more impressive set of products that I saw at OR this year was the new TraiLogic system from Kelty. The company has gone back to its roots, creating a collection of gear that is designed to work well with one another in a very efficient manner. The TraiLogic product line includes a tent, sleeping pad, Dry-down sleeping bag and a backpack that converts from a 50-liter bag designed for backpacking to a 35-liter day pack in seconds. It is difficult to sum up all of the innovation that I saw in the TraiLogic designs but just know that Kelty is focused on making a complete backpacking system that is lightweight and affordable. How lightweight and affordable you ask? The entire collection weighs less than 10 pounds and will cost just $800-$900 depending on which configuration you select. Expect to hear much more about this product as it gets closer to launch next spring.

Adventure Medical Kits Fire Cubes
I've been a big fan of Adventure Medical Kits for years and absolutely love the products they've designed for travel, adventure racing and backpacking. At OR, the company was showing off another new innovative product in the form of their All Weather Fire Cubes. Somewhat resembling small marshmallows, the cubes are designed to help you easily start a fire in the backcountry. They are designed to ignite easily with the included fire sparker, even when wet and they are capable of generating a flame that burns as hot as 1300ºF (704ºC) for about 10-12 minutes. In other words, they burn long enough for you to get your tinder going so you can build a fire when ever you need one. Available in the spring, a $12 bag will include 48 cubes, which can actually be broken down into 8 smaller pieces should the need arise.

Brunton Hydrogen Reactor
One of the more ambitious projects that I saw at the show this year was the new Hydrogen Reactor from Brunton. The device uses hydrogen fuel cells to power our USB-chargeable gadgets such as headlamps, smartphones, GPS devices and so on. The fuel cells are good for approximately six charges of a typical smartphone and when depleted they can be refilled at a local gear store or swapped out for a fresh cell as needed. There will even be a $250 device available to charge you own fuel cells if you find yourself going through them quickly. The point of the reactor is to provide clean, renewable power to our devices from a lightweight and rugged source. The device works great, but Brunton is still building an infrastructure with retailers to support it. You have to commend them for their efforts at the very least.

Mountain Hardwear Optic 2.5 Tent
I'm a big fan of Mountain Hardwear gear so admittedly they can sway me pretty easily with their new products. That said, it is hard to not like the new Optic 2.5 tent that is designed for two people and features a door on both one side and one end. When both are opened you get a nice panoramic view of the landscapes around you that will make you wonder why someone didn't incorporate this design sooner. With a trail weight of 5 pounds, 13 ounces it is a bit heavier than most of the new two-person tents I saw at the show, but it comes with a pretty sweet price tag to help balance it out. The Optic 2.5 costs just $240, which is a great entry level for anyone who wants to buy a Mountain Hardwear tent.

Jetboil Joule Group Cooking System
Jetboil pretty much set the standard for a lightweight cooking system when they released their original
stove a few years back. Since then the competition in this space has gotten stiffer and the company has continued to improve and expand its product line to meet the needs of its customers. The new Joule stove, due in the spring, is large enough to feed 3-5 people and yet still packs down small enough to easily carry with you in your pack. It features a unique design that puts the fuel canister up-side-down which should improve the consistency of performance even as the canister runs low or the temperature begins to drop. The Joule is a cinch to use, heats up extremely quickly and provides ample space for the backwoods gourmet.

Mio Alpha Fitness Watch
If you've ever been to Outdoor Retailer you probably know that some of the more innovative products are often found tucked away in the pavilions that are located across from the main hall. That's where I came across the new Mio Alpha fitness watch which is designed to help athletes train and race better. The watch is capable of monitoring the heart rate of the wearer without the need for a cumbersome and uncomfortable heartrate strap. The watch can then give visual feedback on how much the athlete is pushing him or herself and help them perform better. The watch itself is comfortable and attractive, and can connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth for use with some of the more popular fitness apps out there.

I have a few more products I'll probably spotlight in the next few days. As you can see, there were a lot of items to checkout and excellent improvements and innovation from a number of sources. All of this gear may make your wallet groan a bit, but we're living in a time where things are continually improving and we get to reap the benefits.

Remember the days when you would go camping and you would have to leave some amenities behind simply because they either didn't exist in a portable format or they were just too bulky and cumbersome to bring along? Those days almost seem laughable now considering how lightweight and compact our gear has become. Now days when we hit the trail, there are very few things we have to leave behind, making our time in the great outdoors more comfortable then ever. I was reminded of this recently while testing the new Ultralight Air-Core Hood Camp Pillow from Cocoon. It is a surprisingly comfortable camp pillow that takes up almost no room in your pack and weighs next to nothing, making it a no brainer to carry with you on all of your adventures.

The pillow is made of a durable nylon fabric that is designed to stand-up to the rigors of travel. Whether you're spending the weekend in a local campsite or thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, this pillow will be with you every step of the way. Best of all, you will barely know it is in your pack, at least until the end of the day when you're ready to curl up for a good night's sleep. The Ultralight Air-Core pillow weighs in at just 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and when stored inside its included stuff sack, it is smaller than a can of Coke.

Removing the pillow from the stuff-sack reveals that is bigger than I had initially expected. It covers an area of 12" x 16" (30 x 40 cm), which is large enough for all but the most restless of campers. In one corner there is a high quality air valve that allows you to quickly inflate it to its full size with just a few breaths. The valve also helps you to adjust the level of firmness as well, setting it to your personal level of comfort. I found it best to fill the pillow to capacity and then seal it with a quick twist of the valve.  From there, its a cinch to slowly release the air to get everything just right.

Cocoon has put quite a bit of thought into the design of this product that helps to make it easy to recommend to backpackers, campers and even adventure travelers. For instance, half of the pillow is covered in a soft microfiber while the other half remains nylon. The microfiber makes for a warmer sleeping experience, but if you get too warm, you can simply flip the pillow over for a cooler surface on which to rest.

The unique shape of this pillow (it is rounded across the top) makes it perfect fit for the hood of a mummy bag. I happen to be a fan of that style of sleeping bag and having a pillow that fits neatly and easily into the hood is a very nice option. The air valve that is so useful in setting the firmness of the Air-Core also helps in adjusting its size of your mummy bag hood as well. This adds a nice level of versatility to this pillow as well, as I feel it is large enough to be used outside of a sleeping bag, but can fit snuggly into a mummy bag when traveling through colder environments.

If you're in the market for a comfortable and durable camping pillow for your next backpacking trip, it's hard not to recommend Cocoon's excellent offering. It is everything you could ask for – small, lightweight and versatile. On top of that, it is also highly affordable. MSRP is just $25.95. At that price, how can you afford to not have one in your pack?

Still looking to add some new gear to your collection this spring? Then Outside magazine has you covered. Outside editors have announced their selection for the best gear for the summer season in their 2013 Gear of the Year awards.

This time out 15 great pieces of outdoor equipment made the list, providing shoppers with some excellent choices in the way of new backpacks, tents, running shoes and more. Each of these items is obviously designed for use the warmer spring and summer months, although much of it is versatile enough to be used all year round.

Earning a spot on the Gear of the Year list this time around is the new Mica FL2 tent from the North Face, which is a lightweight and durable three-season shelter. Osprey's new Xenith 88 pack earns a nod as well. It is lauded for being a big pack that is both comfortable and easy to fit. Salomon's S-Lab Sense Ultra trail shoes is the selection for runners, while the new Rip 9 RDO from Niner comes highly recommended for the mountain bike crowd.

This is just a taste of the items that make the list. There are plenty of other suggestions in the area of footwear, sunglasses, cycling and more. Of course, the ubiquitous GoPro Hero 3 Black edition gets a mention too and at this point we all know how good of a camera that is.

If you're in the mood to spend a little cash, take a look what Outside recommends you add to your gear closet. I'm sure there is something on their you'll find hard to resist.

I'm a big fan of Alastair Humphreys. The British adventurer has cycled around the world, rowed across an ocean and trekked through the Empty Quarter on foot, amongst other major expeditions. But I also love the fact that Alastair is a huge proponent of what he likes to call "microadventures" – short escapes, generally close to home, that are cheap to do and highly effective in helping us reconnect with nature. He's even shared a sampling of his own microadventures on his website, providing a template for us to do our own.

But in a blog post that went live on his site this morning, Al has made it even easier to get started with our own microadventures. He has created an infographic designed specifically to inspire us to head outdoors and explore all of the great adventure opportunities that exist right in our backyards. The infographic recognizes that we work 9 to 5 for instance and yet challenges us to do something with the other 16 hours of our day. It then proceeds to explain in as simple as possible terms just how easy it is to find a weekend – or even mid-week – microadventure that can help send you back to the office, rejuvenated and revitalized with your life.

I absolutely adore Al's microadventure concept and even wrote recently about rediscovering some of my favorite outdoor places that I haven't visited in awhile. This is a way to reincorporate some adventure into your own life without breaking the bank or getting on a plane to fly to some far flung corner of the globe. Don't get me wrong, those big adventures are amazing too, but sometimes we just need to find a way to sprinkle a little excitement into our daily existence to help us stay connected to the world around us.

This is a great message from a guy who already lives a life of adventure. Keep up the great work Al!

Are you the kind of person who spends more time cooking over a campfire or backpacking stove than you do in your own kitchen? If so, there is a new website you'll definitely want to checkout and add to your bookmarks. It's called CampingRecipes.co and it is sure to become a popular resource for the outdoor crowd.

As you would expect from an online cooking site, Camping Recipes has a database filled with all kinds of suggestions for things to eat while out on the trail. It features hundreds of suggestions for healthy and tasty snacks and meals for when you're out on the trail. It even features full meal plans designed to provide plenty of calories for extended trips.

The site offers a solid search tool for finding new versions of your favorite recipes but it also provides plenty of categories to explore as well. For instance, there are vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.  There are also suggestions for car camping , backpacking and ultralight trekking, as well as recipes that don't require any cooking at all. Camping Recipes provides excellent choices for kids, low carb selections and even gourmet meals for the talented trail chef.

But what really sets this site apart from others is the wealth of information in provides specifically for backpacking. Not only does it provide the full recipe for the meals but it also provides calorie counts too. It also offers an estimated weight for carrying all the ingredients in your pack, which is helpful for those who want to know exactly what they're carrying with them when they hit the trail.

If you're looking to add some new options to your outdoor cooking repertoire, then head over to CampingRecipes.co now. While you're there, sign-up and join the community. You'll be abel to share some of your favorite trail-menu options, interact with others and review recipes.

Now if you'll excuse me, I suddenly find myself very hungry.

We all know that one of the most important aspects of staying healthy while traveling, either in the backcountry or foreign countries, is finding clean drinking water. You can be incredibly cautious and safe in everything you do, but exposure to even a little contaminated water can bring you to your knees. Thats why various methods of water purification have been popular travel accessories for quite a long time. Things like micro filters or iodine tablets, each of which have are helpful, but always effective.

In recent years, a new option for water purification has grown in popularity with many travelers and backpackers turning to devices that use ultraviolet light to kill all of the bad things that could potentially be lurking in our water. Things like giardia, e-coli and salmonella, which can make you incredibly sick or even potentially kill you.

I first became a convert to UV water purification a few years back while traveling in Nepal. While there, nearly everyone else in the group got sick from one thing or another, while I managed to stay healthy the entire time. Whether that was coincidence, luck or the SteriPEN Classic water purification system that I brought along, I'm not sure, but when I came home, I vowed to not travel anywhere without it again.

Since that early model purifier, SteriPen has continued to refine their systems, making them easier to use, keep charged and more dependable. Their latest purifier takes everything they've learned from previous products and updates it nicely. The result is the best SteriPEN yet and a must have product for any adventure traveler.

The new device is called the SteriPEN Ultra and it brings a number of welcome refinements to the table. For instance, the Ultra now incorporates a much better display that is far easier to read under all conditions, including bright sunlight. That display has status indicators for battery and lamp life, and indicates whether or not it has successfully treated your water supply. The device also has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that can be charged via USB, which is a nice upgrade from the older battery operated units.
For those who aren't sure how the SteriPEN works, it couldn't be more simple. You start by filling up your water bottle from what ever source is at hand. Next, you power on the Ultra pushing the button once to purify a full liter of water or twice for a half-liter. Then you dip the device into the water until the metal sensors along the base of the UV lamp are submerged. After that, you just stir until the screen indicates whether or not it has successfully treated the water. A smiley face indicates success, while a frown tells you its time to start again.

The Ultra is actually faster than previous models at completing the purification cycle. It takes roughly 45-90 second to do the job, depending on the amount of water in the bottle and the outside temperature. In colder weather, the device automatically adds a few seconds to the process to account for the lamp requiring more time to power up to full strength. This subtle, but nice, touch ensures that all of the unwanted bacteria, viruses and parasites are killed before we take a drink.

As mentioned, the purifier has a built-in battery that can be charged via an included wall adapter, or via a laptop USB port or solar charger. The Ultra can treat up to 50 liters of water before needing a recharge, which is enough to get you through some fairly long trips in and of itself. But if you do find the need to recharge along the way, it'll take roughly 2-3 hours from a power outlet. Charging times vary a lot more when plugged into a laptop, extending the time necessary to 3-5 hours. Solar chargers are much more unpredictable, as they are often inefficient and don't always get the light they need. Still, its good to know it is an option should you need it.

As a long time SteriPEN users, I appreciated all of the improvements that come along with the Ultra. It is indeed faster and easier than ever to purify your water, which brings a measure of comfort and security with it when traveling. I also love that it now comes with such a powerful rechargeable battery. My original model used replaceable batteries, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, except in this case it was an extremely small and hard to find size. Particularly in foreign lands. Now I have multiple wasy to recharge, even if I'm not close to an outlet.

Using a SteriPEN device in the past wasn't an especially difficult affair, although when it didn't work, it could be confounding at times. The company has taken all of the guess work out of the process now however and it is easy to understand what is happening at each stage of the process. I'm not sure it is possible to make using the Ultra any easier.

The SteriPEN Ultra carries a price tag of $99.95, which will obviously buy you a lot of iodine tablets. But considering the fact that this device will kill 99.99% of the harmful things that can be found lurking in our water, it seems like a very wise investment. As is typical with SteriPEN gear, the Ultra is rugged and tough, making it a perfect travel companion and it comes with a nice carrying cast to help protect it further.

All in all, the Ultra is a worthy addition to the SteriPEN line-up and a perfect option for anyone who needs fresh, clean water no matter where they go.

I've mentioned the products from Goal Zero on more than one occasion. They make some of the most lightweight and efficient solar chargers on the market, providing excellent options for keeping our gadgets charged while in the field. I even reviewed their Guide 10 Plus Adventure Kit awhile back, finding it to be a great product for backpackers and climbers alike. Yesterday the company announced an entirely new product that is sure to be of interest to many, particularly those who require a lot of power in a base camp setting.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Goal Zero took the wraps off of the new Yeti 150 Solar Generator, a lightweight option for portable power while camping. The unit weighs 12 pounds and comes with a convenient built-in handle, making it fairly easy to carry to just about any location. It also comes with built in several built in power plugs including a 12-vold car port, a USB port and even a standard wall outlet. That means you can plug all of your devices, including laptops, into the Yeti 150 and get a quick power-up.

The Yeti 150 is essentially a high capacity battery that can be charged at home via a power outlet or in your car in the 12-volt port. In the field, the unit can be paired with GZ's excellent Nomad 13 solar panel for complete charging off the grid. Using the Nomad, Yeti 150 owners can reportedly top off their charge in as little as 5-10 hours depending on weather conditions.

According to Goal Zero the Yeti can provide up to 15 charges of a smartphone, six charges to a tablet such as an iPad, or two full charges of a laptop. The company says that a notebook computer can be completely powered up in two hours as well, which is a relatively short time all things considered.

This new solar powered solution from Goal Zero seems like a great option for those who are planning a prolonged stay in the backcountry or in a base camp somewhere. It's small size and relatively light weight should make it a popular system, and it's price tag of $400 with an included solar panel isn't half-bad either.

I look forward to hearing more about how well these work once they're put to use in the field.

Yesterday I shared a post that I wrote for Wired's Extremo Files Blog on my top five picks for the best climbs of 2012. Today I have a new post over on Gadling that looks ahead to 2013 instead. This story is my top ten picks for big adventure travel trips for the coming year, offering suggestions for great destinations and activities for those looking to add a little adventure to their life.

Some of the options that I included on my list this year are things like going camping in Antarctica, mountain biking in the Himalaya and taking a walking safari on the Serengeti. But rather than just throwing out some suggestions on amazing things to do, I also link to a variety of adventure travel companies that can actually provide that experience. For instance, Quark Expeditions actually offers an option on one of their itineraries that will let you camp for a few nights on the Antarctic Peninsula, something that very few people ever have the opportunity to try. It also happens to be something that I would love to do if I ever make my way down to Antarctica.

When I've written similar pieces like this one in the past, I've always included one of my ultimate dream trips on the list and this one is no exception. It's no secret that I love Africa and enjoy any opportunity I can get to go there. For me, the ultimate bucket-list trip through Africa would be a journey from Cairo to Cape Town overland. That is to say, driving, taking busses, ferries, etc. It turns out, Intrepid Travel offers just such an excursion with their 117-day Discover Africa tour. If you have four months to kill, and you're looking for the ultimate way to visit Africa, this would be my recommendation.

One of the things I love when I write story like this one is hearing from travelers who didn't know that some of these trips were even possible. It happens nearly every time I do something like this list and I always get a kick out of providing a few new dream adventures for someone who wasn't even aware they were possible. Hopefully that will happen again this time, as I feel I've dug up a few really unique travel opportunities for those with an incurable case of wanderlust.

I hope you enjoy the suggestions and good luck with your 2013 adventures. Here's to a new year filled with new possibilities.

Stacie Murray is a Chef for the U.S.'s research base in Antarctica, which by all accounts is a comfortable and warm refuge in an otherwise cold and forbidding environment. But Murray happens to enjoy the outdoors and as such she tends to sleep outside of the base in a tent. In fact, according to this story at the Adventure Journal, she has just reached a milestone for having slept 730 nights – two years – outside. 

In an email to AJ, Stacie says “Last night was my two-year mark for sleeping in a tent in Antarctica. It has not been all in a row, but over the past few seasons here on the ice. I awoke this morning to beautiful calm weather, minke whales feeding on krill out my front door and hot coffee, brought to me to celebrate my achievement.”

That sounds like a pretty great way to start a new day in the Antarctic, especially with the whales just outside the tent in the morning. This is also an impressive streak of consecutive nights outside while in Antarctica, as you would think that occasionally it would be so cold that she'd want to spend an evening or two inside. Apparently it is pretty cozy inside that tent. No word on what brand of shelter she uses or which sleeping bag she prefers either.

Adventure Journal is quick to point out that Kerry Kells also spends her nights outdoors while stationed in the Antarctic. In her case, Kerry clearly uses a Mountain Hardwear tent. Good to know which brand works well in those extreme conditions. 

So where are all the guys that are camping in the Antarctic? 

Looking for a good source of information and reviews on all kinds of outdoor gear? Then look no further than the new site OutdoorEquipment.com. The recently launched site is the brainchild of a husband and wife team who came up with the simple idea of interviewing everyday folks like you and me about our favorite outdoor gear. They then record those interviews on video, edit them and post them on the site, providing fresh, unbiased insights into how well a piece of gear performs.

In addition to each of the video reviews, the site also provides a written transcript of what is said as well as a brief description of the item. The "Where To Buy" section even links out to online sources to purchase the product in case you decide that you want to add it to your personal gear closet too, while "The Lowdown" is a summary of the pros and cons, and the best places to use the particular gear item.

What i like about the site is that we get mostly unfiltered thoughts from the various reviewers, who are knowledgable about the products and the outdoors. Each of the videos that I watched featured someoe who is obviously an outdoor enthusiast, and in some cases an outdoor professional. They came across as being smart and experienced with gear, without conveying the sense that you were watching someone spout PR jargon.

As you would expect, the site is broken down into sections based on activity such as camping and climbing. There are even sections for both men's and women's gear, which is a nice touch too. There are already a nice catalog of reviews in place, with more being added all of the time.

If you're looking for a new resource for gear reviews, then you'll want to add OutdoorEquipment.com to your bookmarks. There is definitely a lot to like here.

Snow Peak is one of those gear companies that you don't hear a lot about, but when you do it is because they've introduced a new product that is innovative, interesting and fun. Take for example their awesome SnowMiner headlamp, which I reviewed awhile back and absolutely fell in love with. That product is an example of how the gear designers at Snow Peak can take a product that has been around forever – in this case a headlamp – and put their own unique spin on it. The result is a product that is simple, easy to use and yet has features that you don't find anywhere else.

That same approach has been brought to the new Mini Hozuki Lantern as well, and the result is a lamp for backpacking and camping that is elegant in its simplicity. This light perfect for those evenings around the campfire or in the tent, and like a number of other Snow Peak products, you probably won't even realize that you need it until after you own one.

As the name implies, the Mini Hozuki takes a number of its design cues from the full-suze Hozuki Lantern. The larger model gives off as much as 100 lumens of light and tips the scales at 5.6 ounces (158 grams), which truly is a great deal of light from such a small package. The Mini on the other hand slims down to a mere 1.9 ounces (54 grams) while still managing to crank out 60 lumens of light on its highest setting. That's a surprising amount of light from such a small package.


The Mini Hozuki also boasts incredible battery life, which is always a major plus when you want to use it on an extended trip. On its highest settings, the little lamp can get as much as 40 hours on a single set of AAA batteries. Drop the setting down to lowest level and the battery life jumps up to 70 hours. In that mode it still manages to put off plenty of light while conserving energy. And when the batteries do start to run low, the Snow Peak logo on the front of the lamp begins to blink red, giving you plenty of notice before it runs out of juice.

As I mentioned at the start of this review, Snow Peak always brings some level of fun and innovation to their products and the Mini Hozuki is no different. For instance, the lantern features a rubber loop on the top with an embedded magnet that adheres firmly to the light itself. The loop is perfect for hanging the Mini from a branch while outside or from a loop inside your tent. The magnet has a surprising amount of strength, which means it won't accidentally come undone when you least expect it. The lantern also includes candle mode, which dims the light significantly and randomly flickers like a real candle. This mode is great for setting a romantic mood, in a tent or even just just around the home.

In case you couldn't tell, I love this little light. Its bright, small, and weighs next to nothing. Add in long battery life and you have a wonderful little travel companion for all of your outdoor adventures. At just $39.95, the Mini also happens to be very affordable too, making it an excellent gift for the holidays. Buy two, one for yourself and one for a friend.