After a year of the pandemic, our desire to get outside is clear. In this strange era of travel, road trips, camping trips, and outdoor exploration have become increasingly popular themes. Anyone just beginning to explore the outdoors should keep this in mind: gear is everything. You and your grand escape will not survive if you don’t have the proper clothing, backpacks, boots, tents, and sleeping pads. These 12 lesser-known outfitters are recommended by adventure photographers, explorers, professional surfers, and more.
Nemo Products
What to use it for a bed or a tent
NEMO Equipment is an example of a worthwhile invention born out of necessity. First, Cam Brensinger created an airbeam-supported tent after experiencing a “turbulent night on the side of Mount Washington” due to a poorly-designed bivy (small, lightweight solo shelter used by mountaineers instead of a tent). With NEMO’s 19-year history, the company now offers a wide range of outdoor gear, recognized by Time, Popular Science, and even an elite Navy SEAL team. L. Renee Blount, an outdoors enthusiast and adventure photographer, says her most reliable sleeping bag is from NEMO because of its quality, durability, and vibrant colours.
Adventures that are both enjoyable and safe.
Best suited for: women’s apparel.
Jeein Shin noticed a lack of appropriate clothing during her first forays into outdoor climbing during her first forays. She founded Comfortable Adventures after 18 months of research and development, citing options that were either too restrictive or too technical. Johnie Gall, a writer, filmmaker, and nature photographer, believes that a good pair of pants can be very useful. “They’re stylish, and they’re made with thoughtful but not overtly technical details, such as reinforced knees and a belt loop for your chalk bag,” Gall says. If the seams were ripped out, you could even compost these hemp pants. I’m a big supporter of hemp and other natural fibres.”
Klymit
The best option for bed linens
Klymit’s primary goal is to prevent a stormy night’s sleep from ruining an outdoor adventure. Luz Lituma, a co-founder of Latinxhikers, says Klymit makes the best sleeping pad she’s ever used. Aside from the fact that the Static Sleeping Air Pad is an excellent option for side sleepers, it takes a lot fewer breaths to fill and is a lot less expensive than other brands.
Cotopaxi
Backpacks, clothing, and other items
Davis Smith named his outdoor clothing company Cotopaxi after an active volcano in Ecuador’s Andes area. Travis Welch, an alumni excursions coordinator at NOLS, a worldwide wilderness school, is a big lover of his gear. These days, brands are seeking more than just great gear, and Cotopaxi fulfils the criteria, “Welch clarifies. They’re not afraid to employ colour and finance grants for worldwide poverty alleviation, in addition to having great company morals.” Welch says he uses the Luzon 18L bundle most of the time.
