Rapid Media freelancer, Krissie Mason, reports from Winter Outdoor Retailer—check out some of her top picks for new gear offered by your favorite manufacturers below.
Brothers Ben and Aran are credited with bringing LifeStraw to the US outdoor enthusiast niche. LifeStraw removes 99.9 percent of bacteria and the company has just launched a LifeStraw water bottle—users simply scoop water from a river or pond into the bottle, screw the lid on, and sip clean water through the mouthpiece.
This new offering features a BPA-free water bottle, flip-top bite valve and lanyard for attaching to a backpack. It promises to remove bacteria, protozoa, and turbidity from contaminated water, and it has no questionable aftertaste. www.lifestraw.com.
Rolling out this spring, this sleeping bag is thoughtfully designed for warmth, maneuverability and size. Rethinking the standard sleeping bag, Sierra Designs has created an innovative zipperless design that is ultra comfortable and makes you feel like you are lying tucked into you own bed at home. The bag also features a sleeping pad sleeve and insulated hand pockets.
For a more in-depth look at the Backcountry Bed, check out the spring issue of Canoeroots and Family Camping magazine. www.sierradesigns.com
Get outside with your little explorers. Perfect for cool weather paddles and wet weather base camping, these super sweet waterproof and collapsible boots have a soft rubber outsole and optional fleece liner. They’re great quality footwear for the kiddos, with reinforced waterproof welded seams.
Husband-and-wife business team, Suzanne and Javier, promise dry feet, warm feet and happy feet so you can sit back and enjoy the campfire. www.muddymunchkins.com
Soft, comfy and ultra light. Sea to Summit is rolling out some pillows this spring that bring new meaning to the phrase, “light as a feather.” When you hold one in your hand it almost has the same sensation as holding an air-filled balloon.
No need to roll up your flannel shirt or polar fleece and shove it under your head for a pillow anymore—this pillow packs tiny and is way more comfortable.
Zem Gear has it’s roots in the surf community, but it’s producing cross-over, multi-terrain performance style shoes that move from water to land without hesitation. New for spring will be the U EX.
Its features include an adjustable heel strap , removable drainage insole , drainage outsole slots and a microbe shield . Expect performance tire tread technology in a shoe. www.zemgear.com .
Writer and photographer, Krissie Mason hugs birch trees, skip stones, build campfires, paddles boats, take photos and writes stuff. Everyone has a fascinating story to share. Contact her at krissie@chickarazzi.com.