Roughing It — July 2018 Product Picks

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Posted on Jul 02 2018 in Product Picks

By Jane Cannon

“Roughing it” ain’t what it used to be. And unless you’re a Jeremiah Johnson mountainman-type — that’s a good thing. With these clever gadgets, you can venture into the great outdoors and still enjoy some of the creature comforts of home.

Cook & charge

No need to rub sticks together to cook meals and charge your cell phone with the BioLite CampStove 2. It turns sticks and twigs into smokeless flames that can boil a liter of water in five minutes while also generating 5 volts of electricity to charge USB devices. $130.

844-824-6548; bioliteenergy.com

slap zappy

Mosquitoes can put a damper on woodsy fun. Keep pests at bay with the 2-in-1 Portable Zapper and Accent Light. The light attracts mosquitoes and kills them on contact. At only 4 inches wide, it’s nearly pocket-sized. And it’s a handy camp light. $19.

800-466-3337; homedepot.com

jam in a jar

When you tire of singing camp songs and telling ghost stories or just want to relax with your tunes, the Bluetooth Mason Jar Speaker will come in handy. It looks like a jelly jar, but it delivers wireless sound that will have you jamming by the campfire. $60.

888-365-0056;
uncommongoods.com

 

Battery backup

If your gung-ho camping compadres cower at the thought of a dead phone battery, tuck the Crave Travel Pro Power Bank into your backpack. Compact and quick-charging, it will help keep them connected, no matter where you go. From $33.

888-280-4331; amazon.com

Cool breeze

Tent living is twice as nice with the Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan. Powered by an included rechargeable cartridge (or four D-cell batteries), it directs a quiet, cooling airflow and 99 lumens of light where you want them for up to 30 hours per charge. $40.

800-835-3278; coleman.com

In hot water

Loving the wild doesn’t mean you have to live like an animal. Enjoy a hot shower with the BaseCamp BOSS-XB13. Six D-cell batteries, a water source and a 1-pound propane tank gives you 30 minutes of hot water on-demand. $199.

800-251-0001;
mrheater.com/sporting