Hitting a fish with your bare hands isn't so smart. Ikejime is brutal, if effective. And most bonkers look like post-apocalyptic weaponry. The Kombo Fish Tool, however, does not. It combines an ergonomic handle, a polypropylene body with three stainless steel weights for maximum impact, and built-in sharpener. Once the fish is still, you can use the hidden fillet knife to clean it, and there's a spoon on the back for the stubborn bits. And should you happen to lose your grip, rest assured that it will float atop the water until you're ready to retrieve it.
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Inspired by old school Scandinavian blades, the Horse Carbon Steel Knife is incredibly durable and impact resistant. The blade is 3/32 thick with a Scandinavian grind for tough chopping or hacking. Hand stamped with the Horse logo, each blade is precisely honed to ensure its sharpness. An incredible ally for camping or the kitchen that's made by hand in Brooklyn, NY, one at a time.
It doesn't matter if you're hunting for game or looking for your favorite player from the nosebleeds — a pair of Maven Binoculars will do nicely. Available in three sizes, ranging from the 16oz, 4.6-inch long B3 to the 32oz, 7.1-inch B2, these field-ready tools feature high-end Japanese optics with excellent low-light performance, clarity, and depth of field, encase in a rugged body that's completely customizable from the strap rings down to the labeling, allowing you to build a set that's personalized to your needs and guaranteed for as long as you have them.
If you're like us, you want to get what you pay for — even if what you paid for is something as simple as toothpaste or lotion. This Axe Tube Key from Triumph & Disaster is a handy small tool hand made in New Zealand and hand cast so no two are identical. It's made from white bronze with a silver luster and is designed to be by your side for a long time. A tube key that's equally efficient and sharp looking.
Zippo is rightfully best known for its lighters, but it's no stranger to the outdoors, either. As evidenced by the Zippo 4-In-1 Woodsman Tool. Ideal for throwing in a bug-out bag or keeping in your trunk, this versatile tool can serve as a 15-inch bow saw, a mallet, a stake puller, and a hatchet with a five-inch blade, all without you needing to carry multiple items. Fire starter sold separately.
Luxury doesn't have to be complex, in fact, it can be quite simple — the Dutchtub Wood ($6,600) gives you all the opulence of a hot tub, without all the intricacies of plumbing and electricity, letting you have a hot tub anywhere you have the space. With an interior made from high-quality polyester, and the outside made from preserved wood, this tub is weatherproof, and lightweight (so light that two people can easily lift it). It also functions simply, using a wood-fired stove to heat it, and natural circulation to move the water through a stainless steel coil. And if the look of wood isn't quite your thing, there's always the original Dutchtub, with all the simplicity, and none of the rustic appearance.
There are plenty of ways to keep warm on a chilly night of camping, but the Alite S.H. Sleeping Bag ($120) — even though it's rated to 20 degrees fahrenheit — was made with one particular method in mind. Designed to allow the sleeper to easily zip one or more bags together, these bags were made for you to have sex in (we'll just let you guess what the S.H. signifies). But, that's not all they're good for. In addition to the zippers on either side, these bags also feature a center crotch zipper, padded feet, and built-in fleece slippers so you can open them up at the legs and walk around while wearing them. Arm holes let you free your appendages up for a wide range of motion, while a drawstring hood lets you cinch things down tight.
Never be stuck without a fire with Tinder On A Rope ($8). Made with all natural, high resin content Pino de Ocote fatwood pine, this stick measures roughly six inches long by one inch square, and promises to supply an extremely hot flame, with the ability to light even when wet. Simply scrape off enough to get your fire going, and keep the rest for the next time you need it — an action which is made easier thanks to the attached lanyard. If only all "On A Rope" products were this useful.
Few products that are truly useful in the great outdoors also offer utility back at home — but Looprope ($20-$50) is one of the happy exceptions. Made from 1/4" heavy duty shock cord, this flexible cargo tie down system features multiple built-in flexible attachment points, letting you use it for everything from securing cargo to hanging lights, supplies, or pretty much anything else you can think of. Each rope also comes with two stainless steel carabiners for securing the rope itself, and holds up just fine in a washing machine — letting you use it for even the dirtiest of jobs without hesitation.
Make life around the campsite just a little bit more comfortable with this Easy Camp Tipi Tent ($150). Built as a modern take on an old-school teepee, this tent features a single pole through the center for support, with plenty of guy lines all around adding structure. Its hexagonal design gives it additional strength, while allowing it to accommodate up to four sleepers (or a whole lot of gear). Taped seams keep things nice and dry, while mesh prevents unwanted bugs and other pests, and fire-retardant polyester construction keeps you safe in case of a mishap.
Forget packing a whole slew of silverware when you head out into the wilderness — all you really need is this Ka-Bar Hobo Knife ($19). Like any quality transient tool, it packs multiple uses into a single punch, as it contains a fork, knife, and spoon all into a single stainless steel package, sliding apart for when you find some excellent dumpster fare are ready to eat, and transforming back into a pocket-friendly shape when you're on the move. It even comes with a nylon carrying case to keep it safe when it's in your bag/bindle.
Even if your weekend plans involve plenty of time spent walking trails, splitting wood, and lounging around a campfire, you still don't need to abandon everything you know about style and don a pair of clunky, technical boots. These Feit Hiker Boots ($620) have style to spare and handmade artisanal construction that could quite possibly outlast you. Each pair features vegetable-tanned leather available in a range of colorways, including corteccia, nero, burgundy, smog, and natural (the last of which comes lined with shearling wool). They come completely stitched — there's no glue holding on these soles — and are made from a single piece of leather with Goodyear construction and a flexible Vibram Gumlite outsole.
There's nothing quite like a nip of the good stuff to keep off the cold during a long Fall hike or run down the bunny hills — and there's no better way to discreetly stow it than the Stanley Adventure eCycle Flask ($20). It's leak proof, so you never have to worry about waste, or spilling on your expensive outdoor gear. A two-stage lid makes cleaning and filling a breeze, while still making it easy to take a quick pull. And with a 12-ounce capacity, you can forget about running out at inopportune times (like getting stuck on a chair lift).
Despite the name, you don't need to live on a farm to get plenty of use out of this Levi's Barn Coat ($200). Built from a 55/45 nylon/cotton blend, this versatile olive jacket was inspired by military uniforms and traditional workwear, which explains its ability to look good with both flannels, button downs, and plain old t-shirts. Several pockets take care of your gadget-transport needs, while velcro cuffs keep the wind out, a drawstring in the waist keeps it tight to your body, and elbow pads keep things from getting too formal.
Every once in a while a design collaboration comes along that forces you to look twice, drool a little bit, and then say "okay, just take my money." This time, it's the Woolrich x Topo Design Bag Collection ($40-$250), which includes a duffel bag, a backpack, and a dopp kit. They started with Topo Design's expertly crafted bags and finished them using high-quality woolen fabrics from Woolrich. What they ended up with is a line of bags — gorgeous in their simplicity and practicality — available in distinct colorways like buffalo plaid, navy, charcoal stripe, and blaze orange. Each bag is made in the USA, includes thoughtful details like sturdy zippers, parachute cord loops, heavy-duty hardware, cognac leather accents, and much more.
We've all been there at least once. You're on a camping trip, or hanging out around a fire in a friend's backyard, and you want to cook something over those hot coals — whether it's a marshmallow, a hotdog, or a squirrel. In order to get it done you have to either already have a skewer on hand, or you need to find the perfect stick and whittle it down to a proper point. But with Grandpa's FireFork ($7), you can leave all that hassle in the past. This single piece of sharpened stainless steel wire securely fastens to nearly any stick, instantly making it the perfect cooking tool. Its convenient carrying case prevents poked fingers, comes in a range of colors, and features a hole at the top that's perfect for attaching a lanyard.
If you're serious about backpacking, camping, or disaster preparedness, and you just can't imagine going on without a functional smartphone or tablet, then the Brunton Hydrogen Reactor ($150) is the portable recharging solution for you. This device doesn't rely on energy from an outlet to get its juice. Instead the hydrogen from its removable and rechargeable cores combines with oxygen from the atmosphere to create power on the spot, producing no emissions other than a puff of water vapor. The reactor is just over five inches long, weighs only half a pound, and can charge an iPhone through its built in USB port up to six times without needing a replaced or recharged core.
Carry everything you need to cook a complete meal in one portable unit with the BioLite KettlePot ($50). Made to work in tandem with the BioLite camping stove, this combination kettle and pot lets you pour hot liquids and cook food. The BioLite stove collapses and fits inside the pot, saving space in your pack. A silicone seal keeps the pouring top on securely, while silicone-insulated folding handles make it safe to carry. It's also made from food-safe stainless steel that's easy to clean and won't contaminate your food.
Fall is the perfect time to gather around a campfire in your backyard, share stories, listen to music, drink spiked cider, and keep off the chill of a crisp night. Build yourself a pile of firewood that will last well into the winter with these Trust Co. Restored Axes ($125-$225). Each single- or double-bit steel axe has been ground, sharpened, and polished in their Portland, Oregon shop, returning them to their original condition. They fix each axe head to a high-quality seasoned hickory handle that will last for years. The axes come with a custom-fitted leather sheath, and are available in a range of lengths and styles.
Most of you have probably at some point dreamt of ditching your mind-numbing nine to five, packing up your things in a van, and heading for the open road. Foster Huntington, author and photographer of Home Is Where You Park It ($65), did exactly that two years ago, and has been living in his VW Vanagon ever since. Along the way he has run into a number of like-minded people and their vans, documenting them as he went. This coffee-table book features over 100 photos of camping vans, as well as anecdotes about other travelers, and stories from his own experiences exploring the country surfing and camping.
