Upgrade your gear: lust-worthy gadgets for hiking & camping

Summer is all about being outside, disconnecting from the hassles of every day life and just enjoying all that nature has to offer. Still, who wants to be uncomfortable? Add these gadgets and gear to your packing list to maximize your adventure, fun and comfort  in the great outdoors.

Wine glass clamp ($3.50 via Joyus)This clamp, which comes in an array of colors, securely fits on to a variety of camp chairs to hold your stemmed wine glass. No more knocking your glass over in the dark after you've set it at your feet. Great for tailgating and backyard barbeques too.

Foldable utility wagon ($41.99; Amazon)This little red wagon is great for hauling gear to the campsite, groceries from the car or coolers to the tailgate/picnic site. Folds up and fits nicely in your trunk or gear box.

Silicone wine glasses ($19.95 for two; reuseit.com)Obviously, wine is a theme here. These unbreakable, easily washed glasses are made from BPA-free and hypoallergenic food-grade silicone that can withstand both hot and cold temperatures, each wine glass is dishwasher safe. Available in both red and white wine glass sizes.

iKeep ($21.99 via Poldera)Next to losing my kids, losing my cell phone comes a close second in terms of things that make me crazy. This handy little lock keeps your cell phone secure, whether walking in the woods or attending a music festival.
 
Kayak sail ($67.67 via Amazon)I can't wait to try these out. The universal sail is designed to harness the wind for extra power. Compact and easy to use, you'll be cruising around Lake Superior with ease.

Dog backpack ($63.96 via Amazon)

Hiking with your dog? Make him do his fair share (which he'll love) with this dog back pack. The lightweight harness provides stability and even weight distribution so your pooch will be comfortable, and a handle on the top makes it easy to grab Fido and pull him to safety when needed. Comes in a variety of colors and sizes.

Ultimate inflatable mattress ($99 via Amazon)It might not be the lightest mat on the market, but it's still a great backpacking option (worth the little bit of extra weight) This self-contained mattress has its own hand pump and is environmentally friendly. Perfect for those of us who appreciate a good night's sleep when out on the trail.

Camping hammock ($160 via Amazon)

My friend Sarah, a camping pro and the tomboy yin to my glamping yang, swears by these. Fits one person and packs down to the size of a softball. Make sure you get the harness that goes with it. Strong & light.

Collapsible fabric water bucket ($15.58 via Amazon) I saw this demonstrated in a recent backpacking trip and decided I needed to add one to my gear box. What's nice about a fabric bucket is you can pull down on the bottom of the bucket to create a sort of cone, so that all the silt & sand sinks to the bottom, making it easier on your water filtration pump. Plus it packs down small so as not to take up a bunch of room in your pack.
 
Biolite woodburning campstove ($129.95 via Amazon)I've heard a lot of outdoorswomen lusting after this great little stove. Besides charging your phone, this little stove doesn't require you to carry fuel with you, which is nice. Grab a bunch of sticks to cook your meal AND charge your phone or headlamp. (Quick tip: Recently a wilderness survival instructor told me that these days you can almost always get a text message out in an emergency, even if you don't have a phone signal.)

Outdoor speaker ($129.95 via Amazon)

It's a little pricey, but for those of us who can't hold a tune but still like a little music around the campfire, this little guy will do the trick nicely. The water-resistant Bluetooth speaker boosts sound waves with a reach of 32 feet, and you can mount it on bikes or hook on backpacks, plus it has a rechargeable battery life of 16 hours. 

A tent that looks like a book Okay, this is more for fun than anything. You'll definitely be the talk of the campground with this smartypants shelter. A luxury item at over $400, it's definitely a splurge for your next glamping trip.


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