Fall 2023 Gear Guide – Essential Equipment For Staying Safe And Comfortable On Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Here is a list of our favorite gear for getting out there this autumn: a nice mix of essential items to help you cook, see at night, get rescued, track your elevation, and more. This is one of our most comprehensive guides to date, so we will break it up into sections by category. 

Fall is one of our favorite times of year for camping and hitting festivals; the weather is perfect, the pumpkin beer is back, and there is no better time to break out the grill. After hearing/seeing this year’s Burning Man fiasco, we decided to put together a list of camping essentials with the addition of some gear to keep you safe and prepared. Weather these days is more unpredictable than ever, so being prepared for anything is clutch and can save your ass if things get hairy. 

We traveled to Kauai (awwwh, so tough), California, and the mountains of Colorado to test all this gear, so thanks to all the brands that sent test samples and for being patient as we assembled this beast. 

Safety & Prevention Gear

Lifesaver Water Purification Systems

This British company has one of the best water purification systems on the market, and they come in various sizes, from backpack-sized to full-blown 5-gallon/Jerrycan overland sizes, for every type of adventure. We put all three to the test this summer and dared to drink some pretty sketchy water from pools of standing water to ponds to rivers. We are still alive, so that’s good, and the water tasted just fine.

Wayfarer (104.99)

For those hiking into the backcountry, overlanding, or putting yourself in a situation where you can’t carry a ton of water, the LifeSaver Wayfarer is a great choice. This compact and robust unit easily fits into a backpack, allowing you to safely drink dirty, microbiologically contaminated water from ponds, streams, and lakes. This model is designed for one or two people max and can purify up to 5,000 liters. Another good application for the Wayfarer is if you are at a music festival and want to purify the drinking water offered at the bottle-filling station. Often, this water could be better and more or less right out of a garden hose.

Cube ($145.99)

The LifeSaver Cube is a durable and easily transportable water filter that can provide up to 5,000 liters of clean water per filter. Its capacity is 5 liters at once, making it an ideal choice for car camping, including those without access to a main water supply. We used this for drinking water, coffee, and cooking on a two-night trip, and it was perfect.

Jerrycan ($349)

The LifeSaver Jerrycan is the big boy in this group and great for big groups camping for multiple days, overlanders, and emergencies like hurricanes/floods, etc. The Jearrycan can filter up to 20,000 liters of drinking water; it stores up to 18.5 liters of water at a time. So, it is roughly the size of a standard spare gas can. The lining is food grade so that you can store water in it for short stints, and it features a pump mechanism with a tap; give it a few pumps for pressure, and you are good to go. The one thing to remember if you are going to get water away from your camp is that this thing gets heavy when filled, so take a wagon or a car if you have to cover any distance.

SPOT X 2-Way Satellite Messenger ($249.99 + Service Plan )

While in Kauai this summer, we used the SPOT X as an emergency backup in the Waimea Canyon State Park, as a large chunk of the park does not have cell service. This device is absolutely clutch for backpackers, hikers, overlanders, and anyone traveling in off-the-grid situations. The look and feel of this device will be familiar to those old enough to remember Blackberrys and Palm Pilots. The SPOT X features a full keyboard and easy-to-use menus and fits easily into your bag or can be hung conveniently with the included carabiner. The SPOT X provides 2-way satellite messaging when traveling off the grid or away from cell service. We sent a text message to ourselves while hiking in a dead zone, and sure enough, it was on our cell phones when we got back. The device also features an emergency distress signal or SOS that can be deployed in dire situations if you need extraction or rescue. Remember that this beacon scrambles emergency rescue services that will follow the signal, so read up on this feature as it’s not to be taken lightly, and there can be costs associated with using it. This device is truly a lifesaver, and we keep it in our jeep when camping or in our backpack when traveling, just in case.

To set everything up and register your device, Connect SPOT X to your smartphone via Bluetooth through the SPOT X app to access your contacts. You can also type in your contact info directly into the device, which can take some time. The SPOT X has its own dedicated U.S. mobile number, so it can be used to text, but we would recommend something other than that as it could get costly. We use it to check in with our family when we go into the backcountry and in an emergency. One of the coolest functionalities is setting it up to ping location coordinates so people will know where you are and where you’ve been.

The SPOT does require a monthly or annual service contract, so keep this in mind before purchasing it. Other models from SPOT might be a better fit for you and your budget.

Communications Functions

SOS – Send an SOS to the 24/7 Search & Rescue services, message back and forth about the nature of your emergency, and receive confirmation when help is on the way.

MESSAGE- Exchange messages with any cell phone number or email address from virtually anywhere in the world.

Suunto 9 Peak GPS Multisport Watch ($419)

Let’s get this bit out of the way before we start; this watch is designed for a completely different person than the Apple watch. While similar, the Suunto 9 Peak is meant for people who want GPS, training metrics, and essential health info with a significantly longer battery life and tougher build quality. Keep reading if you are a serious hiker, athlete, traveler, health enthusiast, or all of the above.

The Suunto 9 Peak is a tank for your wrist, with stainless steel construction, a rubber wrist band, and a slim silhouette (slimmer than most competitors anyway). This watch can be dialed in to give you the details and tracking you want, from steps to heart rate to elevation, to sleep patterns; the list goes one. You will probably not use all of the features unless you are a data junky and/or training for a triathlon. The Suunto 9 Peak has a learning curve if you want to get the most out of it.

The app is where all your data gets synced and dumped into all the charts, so you can start to make sense of the data you are collecting and how you are doing on your goals. Be patient; it’s worth it.

Our standout features:

Plan Ahead Routing – 9 Peak allows you to Route navigation, 3D heatmaps and turn-by-turn navigation. Map out your route and let your watch guide you.

Long Battery Life – You get a battery life of up to 25 hours with best GPS and up to 7 days in Tour mode. If you are in the backcountry and using these more demanding features like GPS, it’s good to have a backup power supply to charge the watch.

Training / Health Data – So much data! You can track your training, heart rate, fitness level, repetitions, blood oxygen, and more. Get the rest you need with sleep, stress, and recovery tracking to ensure you are not overdoing it.

If you are worried about phone call alerts, texts, and all the other distractions, don’t worry. Suunto 9 Peak plays nice with over 200+ apps, so get that Apple Watch functionality to some degree.

Key Features:

Intelligent Battery Modes

Over 80 sport modes

Sapphire glass and stainless steel 

GPS Navigation 

Weather Functions 

Blood Oxygen

Touch Screen

100 M water resistant 

Camping Gear (Cooking, Furniture, etc.)

GCI Slim-Fold Cook Station™ ($110.00)

This folding table is one of those more prominent pieces of gear we never thought we needed until we had it. If you are doing any real food prep at your campsite or simply don’t have any surface area close to you, this table from GCI sets up quickly, giving you plenty of room for cooking, food prep, storage, and beyond. It also breaks down relatively small and flat considering the surface area it provides, so we will always find room for it from here on out.

GCI ComPack Rocker™ ($110.00)

We have to hand it to the engineers at GCI; this design brings rocker functionality to a traditional camping chair in a compact form factor. The ComPack Rocker is only slightly bigger than our other portable camping chairs, and you get the big benefit of a slight rocking motion. Let’s face it, ghost stories told around the campfire (or propane stove these days) are a lot scarier if you are rocking back and forth! The chairs are easy to set up, sturdy, and super comfortable for long stints, drinking whiskey by the fire, and telling tales—a significant upgrade to the standard folding, compact camping chair category.

GCI LvrUp Canopy ($260)

“1 person, 1 minute and you’re covered!” That was the pitch at this summer’s Outdoor Retailer show, and it’s 100% legitimate. One of the brand team members set it up right in front of us by himself in almost exactly a minute. If you have ever set up a canopy before, you know that it’s not a lot of fun and typically requires multiple people and a few swear words. The team at GCI has the perfect solution for instant 100 square feet of shade for your campsite, small events, or even at the park.

Features:

Large Mouth Roller Bag – Wide opening and wheels for ease of packing, unpacking and transport. Roll-top closure allows for a tight seal.

Dual Airflow Vents – Allows wind to pass through the canopy roof to keep it stable in windy conditions and to let hot air escape.

UV-resistant coating helps prevent degradation of the canopy fabric when under the sun’s rays.

Everdure Cube Grill ($149)

Experience the taste of authentic charcoal cooking on-the-go without any hassle. Let’s face it, the smell and the taste of food cooked over coal is pretty great and a nice throwback to before everyone had a wood pellet smoker. The CUBE™ from Everdure is a portable grill designed for impromptu grilling anywhere outside your home without any mess. It comes with an integrated food-grade storage tray, preparation board, and porcelain enamel firebox – making it easy to store, set up, cook, and clean responsibly. Additionally, the handles keep external heat to a minimum, ensuring easy movement while cooking. We used the grill on several camping trips, on our front patio, and even tailgating at a Red Rocks show to make some quick burgers and dogs. It’s easy to dump the charcoal remnants, and porting it around is a breeze, great design and a great price to make your next outdoor cooking experience amazing!

Highlights:

• All-in-One-Design – This portable charcoal BBQ features an integrated storage tray for accessories and food, along with a bamboo cutting board for meal prep. Two safety latches secure all items in place for easy transport.
• Easy to Clean – The Cube charcoal grill is easy to clean with its removable charcoal tray, fire box, and grill rack.
• Ample Cooking Area – This compact grill offers 115 square inches of grilling space, allowing you to cook up to 6 small burgers or 3 medium steaks on the Cube portable stove. Its dimensions are 9.05 inches in height, 13.67 inches in depth, and 16.73 inches in width.

Ignik Gas Growler Deluxe ($149)

Propane is not the greatest, but it’s still something we need to deal with as campers and lovers of the great outdoors. You can no longer have campfires anymore, or it certainly seems that way, so propane is now even powering our campfire substitutes, not just our cooking. Ignik has found a way to make the propane experience a little more earth-friendly with its reusable canister. The Gas Growler Deluxe kit has everything you need to become a more responsible propane user and lets you ditch those disposables.

Features + Benefits:

• One Gas Growler fill costs about the same as one single-use green bottle and lasts five times as long.
• Includes a 4’/1.2M hose that attaches to all heaters and stoves that use single-use green propane bottles.
• The Gas Growler complies with DOT specifications 4BA, 4BW and 4E. It is safe to transport in your car, SUV, RV, or boat.
• Rugged protective case with room for hose and wrench storage.
• Molle stitched webbing for attaching pouches for accessories or strapping down for transport.
• Tanks are shipped pre-purged and ready to be filled at any propane filling station.

Trelino® Evo S • Portable Composting Toilet ($350)

Ok, so nobody loves to talk about this, but it’s probably the first thing we all think about when we are out in the wild without a proper potty in sight. The Trelino Evo S is a luxury portable camping/overlanding toilet that lets you do your business in comfort and, dare we say, style. We used the Evo S up in the mountains on a three-day camping trip, and it was about as good as it gets. If you’ve ever used a composting toilet before, you know the secret is covering up the number two with sawdust to help dry it out and reduce the unpleasantness. The doo doo was easy to remove with the included liners, you just bundle it up and put it in a trash bag for proper disposal, and the pee goes into a separate container, so never the two shall meet in the ole’ Evo S. You just dump out the urine away from any water sources, or campsites, so as not to contaminate anything. We all have to do it, you might as well do it in the best way possible and the most comfortable. The Trelino Evo S is a bit on the spendy side, but if you are out in the wild a lot, it’s about as good as it gets. 

Product Highlights:

• Ultra comfortable
• Super light-weight
• Versatile use
• Absolutely hygienic

Dimensions and Weight:

• Width 13.0 in
• Depth 15.4 in
• Height 11.7 in
• Weight 8.6 lbs

Clothing & Accessories 

NiteIze RL3 Powerswitch Rechargable Lanter ($59.99)

We ran the RL3 all night outside our campsite, and it was still running in the morning! The RL3 brings multiple features that are super handy, like a device-charging power bank, dual white and amber LEDs, and a reserve battery compartment to extend runtime. The max lumens hit 500, so it’s great to use while cooking or as a perimeter light set up to keep wildlife from snooping and a beacon for the whiskey drinkers that wander off to talk to a man about a horse. 

Biolite HeadLamp 800 Pro ($99.95)

If you’re looking for a reliable, long-lasting, and comfortable light source, consider the Biolite 800 Pro. It’s a top pick for those embarking on challenging trips that demand maximum brightness in a compact and comfortable design. With features like Constant Mode, Pass Thru + charging, and eight lighting modes, you’ll have complete control over your illumination and be able to see and be seen on your next adventure.

Front Lighting Modes:

White Spot, Dimmable

White Flood, Dimmable

White Spot + Flood, Dimmable

Red Flood, Dimmable

White Strobe, Dimmable

30 Second Burst (800 Lm)

Rear Lighting Modes:

Red Flood, Dimmable

Red Strobe, Dimmable

Battery – 3000 mAh Lithium-ion

Inputs – Micro USB Charge In

Water Resistance – IPX4

Color Rendering – ChromaReal broad spectrum LED (CRI 90)

Weight 5.3 oz (150 g)

NiteIze RH1 Powerswitch Rechargeable Headlamp ($39.99)

If you are looking for a solid headlamp that won’t break the bank and is bright enough for casual use, the RH1 is an excellent choice. You can use it to prepare food, pitch your tent, and do other essential tasks in the dark. The RH1 features a dual-color, six-mode lamp, giving you a sufficient maximum of 600 lumens. Another cool feature is the PowerSwitch, which allows you to use the included rechargeable battery or swap it out with a traditional alkaline battery. If you are going for a more extended trip, it’s nice to have a backup with the ability to use old-school batteries. 

NiteIze RH2™ Powerswitch Rechargeable Headlamp ($49.99)

If you’re looking for a headlamp with more features and 100 extra lumens compared to the RH1, it’s worth spending the extra ten dollars. This waterproof and stylish headlamp has a brightness of 700 lumens, seven modes, red and white LEDs, spot and flood beams, and can be powered by rechargeable PowerSwitch batteries or alkaline batteries. It’s perfect for being a guiding light in the dark, especially if you are the only one with a headlamp.

All-Paca Poncho from Appalachian Gear Co ($180)

For those transitional or shoulder season camping trips, you never quite know what you will get, so it’s best to come prepared with functional layers. The All-Paca Poncho hits all the right notes: part blanket, part sweater, and all poncho baby. Ponchos, originating from South America’s Andean and Patagonian regions, have been regarded as a practical and functional garment for centuries. AppGearCo has nailed it with their version, which is just as comfortable around a campfire as at an urban watering hole. It’s soft, it’s warm, it’s easy to get on and off, and it’s incredibly breathable. We used it when the weather dipped unexpectedly, and it was perfect to fend off the cooler temps that came out of nowhere. Let’s face it, you will look like a badass roaming around the woods in a poncho or at your local beer garden come November. Get one; they only do them in limited numbers, so make your move. 

Flextail Max Lantern – 3-in-1 Vintage Lantern with Humidifier ($75.99)

Okay, so this is one of the weirdest yet coolest pieces of gear we have come across in a long time. We met the Flextail team at the summer Outdoor Retailer show, and they showed us everything from portable pumps to a mobile ice maker and this crazy thing. So what is it exactly? The Max Lantern is a rechargeable lantern with three lighting modes, an onboard humidifier that creates a “smoke” effect, and an onboard power bank. The Max Lantern is all about vibe; the cool smoke effect and retro styling make any campsite or camper a bit more fun with just enough light to read a ghost story by the campfire. 

The lighting modes are either all-white light, a mix of white and yellow ambient, or just the yellow ambient light. The humidifier function is also handy if you are in a small camper during the fall and winter when the air starts to dry out, and you need a little humidity while you sleep. The onboard power bank is also quite handy when your phone starts to die, and you need a little power bump. There are a lot of other lanterns on the market that get far brighter, but none will bring that old-school camping feeling with fake smoke that doubles as a humidifier. Get your scary stories ready, and don’t forget the whiskey.

Flextail Tiny Pump 2X-Ultimate 3-in-1 Outdoor Pump with Camping Lamp ($39.99)

This small pump is a lifesaver when setting up your campsite in a hurry. We used it on our Rab sleeping pad and camping pillow, and it got the job done in only a few minutes vs. the ten to fifteen it can usually take to inflate these items. 

The Tiny Pump 2x is also a vacuum and can deflate as fast as it inflates, which is especially nice when you are tired from staying up too late drinking beer and telling war stories. The pump also doubles as a flashlight/camping lamp if you need a little extra light in your tent. The pump has a variety of accessories and tips for inflating various things, from beachballs to air mattresses. This little pump impressed us with its power and dual functionality, and it will always be along for the ride whenever we go camping.

ABUS 6206K Goose Lock ($89.99)

Finally, a chain lock that is comfortable and easy to carry for urban cyclists or weekend warriors needing a little extra protection. The ABUS Goose Lock is designed to fit snugly around the bike frame and maintain its shape, so it’s easy to port around on the bike itself. ABUS has created a bike lock that is both durable and visually appealing, with impressive design technology and color options. It features a 6-millimeter steel chain, a gooseneck, a foam cover, and a plastic fiber coating. The steel chain, housing, and structural parts of the locking mechanism are made of specially hardened steel that ranks at a security level 7 rating. Don’t lock up your $10k road bike with this and go have beers, but it’s fine to protect your single-speed cruiser. The “gooseneck” consists of two metal spiral springs that ensure the lock’s dimensional stability, enabling it to be bent into the desired shape and wrapped around the bike frame. The foam cover provides a comfortable grip and prevents rattling and any scratching during transport. Thanks to its dimensional stability and foam cover, the lock is easy to transport and flexible while remaining secure. This is the best version of a chain lock we have ever seen, and great for solid protection against amateur bike bandits.