There’s certain gear that will live you for life, the kind you can depend on and trust. In the years since starting gear reviews, there have been some that have risen to the top as tried and true and are still with me ten years later.
In the last decade, we’ve tried, tested, used, abused and accumulated plenty of gear. I research heavily before buying anything because if there’s one thing about outdoor gear specifically, it ain’t always cheap (and my personal mantra when it comes to buying anything, was adopted from my good friend Erik who once wisely said, “Buy it once”). Spend the money because of all categories of goods, the outdoor category is known for quality that escalates with cost. And yeah, it can get costly. So here, we’re looking back at some of the tried and true items that have served us well over the years, and in every case, still do.
01: GoPro HERO5 Black
We’ve owned a couple different versions of the GoPro (and there is a newer version) but there’s still something wonderful about the perspective we capture on the water with the best action camera on the market. Read More…
02: Primus Yellowstone ClassicTrail Stove
This tiny campstove has cooked more steak, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns than the stove in my own home. This lightweight but sturdy stove is the no-fuss kind of gear I appreciate. And it’s never let me down. What’s not to love? Read More…
03: Seals “Sneak” Nylon Sprayskirt
I’ve recommended this sprayskirt to more people than any other. Not for its waterproof nature (go with their neoprene if you’re paddling whitewater most often) but because it’s perfect for the kind of paddling we most often do. The zippered opening is what sets it apart. It allows easy access to cool down in hot weather, as well as access to the cockpit for functional needs like your camera, water bottle, etc. Read More…
04: Petzl Tikka Headlamp
Every member in my family owns a Petzl headlamp. They’re indestructible, fashionable, and damn if I don’t use it more often working on projects around the house than I do in the northwoods. Read More…
05: Wilderness Systems Tsunami 125 & 140
My first boat was the Tsunami and 11 years later, she’s still as solid as ever. If you want a touring boat, you can’t do much better than starting with the Tsunami. Read More…
06: GSI Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset
GSI makes a whole lot of handy camping products but this has (literally) served me well while kayak camping, as much as it has tailgating from the trunk of my Subaru. Read More…
07: REI Flex Lite Chair
This chair changed my life. At the time I bought it, there wasn’t anything like it on the market at an affordable price. A packable and sturdy 4-legged chair is a must for sandbar camping. Read More…
08: Sea to Summit eVent Compression + eVac Dry Sacks
Sea to Summit’s eVent Compression bags are as good as it gets for packing all your gear as small as possible into the awkward hatches of any kayak. Read More…
09: ENO DoubleNest Hammock
I’ll admit, this is a total luxury item. But it’s so luxurious, we had to get two because there’s nothing like relaxing by the water in an ENO. Read More…
10: “Paddling Southern Wisconsin” by Mike Svob
We’ve often referred to this (and Paddling Northern Wisconsin, also by Mike Svob) as the bible of paddling Wisconsin. It’s tried, it’s true, and it has inspired this site and thousands of trips for thousands of paddlers to explore our awesome state of Wisconsin. In short, it’s a must-own. Read More…
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