Okay okay, it’s still a little early for Christmas. But it’s coming, and the goose is getting fat. So, if you’re looking for some fun, lightweight items to round out your summer camping kit, check out this quick round-up tested by our esteemed editors (and riff-raff (raft?) tagalongs):
MSR Hubba Hubba LT 3
This lightweight three-person tent from MSR felt much roomier than we expected. There was enough space for three people, or for two people who wanted extra room to manage damp layers and dry bags (or a dog.) Two long interior pockets kept headlamps, extra clothes, water bottles, and other small essentials from disappearing into the sleeping gear, while an overhead line provided a handy place to hang a light or air out socks.
Setup was refreshingly straightforward, which matters when you reach camp late or need to pitch quickly ahead of weather. The pole clips and connection points were intuitive enough to handle in fading light. On clear nights, the full-mesh upper opens the view, while the rainfly and waterproof lower section offer useful protection from dew and passing showers.
The tradeoff is durability. Lightweight materials save space and weight, but rocky camp spots, gravel bars, and repeated packing can be hard on a tent floor. We highly recommend picking up the right-sized MSR footprint – or at least a couple trash-compacter bags – and making sure to take a moment to clear the site before pitching.
Specs-wise, the minimum weight is only 4 lbs, 6 oz., which is petite for a 3–season, 3-person tent. The outer rain fly is made from ripstop nylon and seems more than capable of handling storms, especially with mul. The incorporated vestibule offered a decent amount of space, but not something to rely on during heavy weather. The price of $650 is also a bit steep, but that’s the cost of lightweight materials paired with a highly effective design.
Overall, this is a great option for campers looking for an extremely lightweight, yet roomy shelter. Coastal paddlers or those dealing with more inclement weather where weight is less of a consideration might look for something burlier (such as the Hubba Hubba HD, which is a lot tougher and weighs only half a pound more.)
MSRP $649 at cascadedesigns.com/pages/msr
Crazy Creek x Rachel Pohl Hex 2.0
Crazy Creek is currently running a collaboration with artist Rachel Pohl featuring three designs on the Hex 2.0. This model is Crazy Creek’s lightest option at 20 oz., which makes it a great choice for all of us counting ounces. The Rachel Pohl designs are well done and add a little personality to camp. Comfort-wise, the Hex 2.0 is great. After hours in a boat, the wraparound back support feels especially welcome, and you can lean into it at different angles without feeling like you are about to tip over.
Beyond being lightweight, the chair is easy to carry and rolls down small enough to tuck into or strap onto a dry bag. Our only real wish was for a bit more cushioning. But, Crazy Creek makes similar models with extra padding, which may be worth considering if camp comfort matters more than keeping the load as lean as possible. And indeed, many of their chairs also double as canoe-seats as well.
This is a great option for campers looking for a lightweight and colorful option on Crazy Creek’s tested design.
MSRP $75 at www.crazycreek.com
MT Provisions Backcountry Cooking & Utility Table
This tree-mounted cooking platform from MT Provisions is one of those camp accessories that makes more sense the moment you use it. At a wooded river camp, it creates a raised surface for a stove and keeps meal prep out of the sand. After a full day on the water, cooking while standing or sitting upright is a welcome change from crouching beside a fire pan or kitchen box.
The fuel-canister connection felt snug and fits 3, 5, 8 and 10 oz canisters. Setup depends on finding a suitable tree, but that’s also part of the fun! But, as we know river camps are not always wooded, and trunks are rarely straight, so it may take a little adjustment to level the platform. A couple of sticks under the legs worked for us.
This table might not be the best fit for every trip – you really do need proper trees to make it work. So, all the desert canyon river rats might be out of luck. But for a Boundary Waters, PNW sea kayak or Salmon River type trip, this makes perfect sense. The table base kit only weighs 10 oz. and collapses into a slim package, so it’ll be easy to find a place to slide it into your pack.
MTP did a fun Instagram video where they stacked 40 lbs of bricks on the table before it failed. Seems plenty to us.
This is a cool product, and while not completely ‘necessary,’ seems like a worthwhile quality of life addition to your kit. We see it especially helpful for anyone base camping, supporting larger groups and for older campers who are just tired of having to be down on the ground for camp chores.
MSRP $70 at mtprovisionsoutdoors.com
Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft
Winner of multiple industry and media awards, the NeoLoft sleeping pad from Thermarest packs down smaller than a large Nalgene bottle and is super light weight, but it still inflates to an impressive 4.6 inches thick. And really, with that kind of thickness on a sleeping pad, your hips will never touch the ground. (Just try not to roll off of it in the middle of the night!) The combo of low weight and crazy-level comfort is an appealing combination when every hatch, dry bag, and gear bay is competing for space. The regular size gave my six-foot frame enough size, and the sleeping surface felt impressively comfortable, especially for side-sleepers.
Design features also include dual inflate/deflate twist knobs, repair kit, and a nice inflating sac.
I did recently use it on an overnight trip that dipped below zero, and I did feel those cold drafts seep up more than I was expecting – one of the drawbacks of all that air underneath you. Thermarest rates the pad with an R rating of 4.7, meaning it’s able to handle shoulder season conditions. The jury is still out as far as I’m concerned. River valleys can cool quickly overnight, and damp air makes insulation especially important. Before taking it on an early- or late-season trip, we would confirm the insulation rating and make sure it matches the expected temperatures. But this pad has secured its place as my go-to pad for summer conditions.
MSRP $249 at thermarest.com
VALLON Freshwater Revivals and Waylons
We tested two pairs of polarized sunglasses from VALLON, the Freshwater Revivals and Waylons. The Freshwater Revivals are made from 85% recycled fishing nets (cool points?!!) and provided ample coverage and felt especially secure while paddling and fishing. The fit was almost too snug at times, though, but that boils down to personal sizing.
The lenses are very nice and provide great visibility into the water. I was happily surprised to see the glasses come with a rigid case with MOLLE attachments. In the world of high-end sunglasses, seeing this extra touch is pretty awesome.
The Freshwater Revivals come in green and black color options and retail for $149 at vallon.com.
My wife tested the Waylons, and she loved the combination of style and function, working well for both guys and gals. The glasses come with built-in detachable head strap, stylish leather case and cleaning cloth.
We tried the polarized option lenses, and found them handling both shaded and sunny environments with ease.
The biggest surprise was durability. After the frames were accidentally stepped on in camp, the hinges and frame bounced back, and the lenses held up well against scratches—both useful qualities for eyewear that gets tossed into dry bags and worn around sandy beaches.
The Waylons can be found in five different color options and retail for $169 (polarized) at vallon.com
Royal Robbins Salathe Sun Hoodie
This sun shirt quickly became an easy choice for long days on the water. The roomy cut allowed a full paddle stroke without pulling across the shoulders, while the lightweight fabric stayed breathable and dried quickly after splash, rain, or a swim. The attached hood added welcome coverage in exposed reaches, and the V-neck zipper made it easy to vent during hard paddling or close things up when the sun and bugs intensified.
The fabric also includes an incorporated mosquito-repellent fabric from Royal Robbins called MPT. Overall, the combination of coverage, mobility, and quick-drying comfort makes sense for long days on the water.
Four different color patterns can be found at royalrobbins.com
MSRP $120
PackTowl Changing Poncho
Tired of wrangling that ratty old towel at the takeout while you change? Make changing a breeze with these changing ponchos from PackTowel. We expected these to be quick-dry, but we’re pleasantly surprised to also see how durable they are. I expect these towels to live long and endure many trips through our family’s laundry. PackTowel offers several different colors and designs, but we really liked the look of Retro Curve style. A built-in hoodie and roomy ‘kangaroo’ front pocket round out the design.
Whether or not the convenience of this towel is worth the $69 MSRP is up to you though. But, for someone who spends a large portion of their life changing in and out of wetsuits, this is the kind of “quality of life” purchase that I can get behind.
