Five Essential Gadgets for Your Geeky Outdoors Adventure

When planning out a camping trip, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your gear list. Whether you are setting up a tent in a nearby campsite or going on a weekend hiking or climbing trip, you should prepare yourself for dangerous situations, no matter how unlikely they may be. Along with the obviously crucial items like extra food, water and clothes, here are some other gadgets to ensure your safety out there in the elements:

LIFESAVER Systems 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle

Let’s say that you are stranded and have run out of water. Waiting for rain to come is risky and so is drinking straight from the stream. The LIFESAVER has the ability to remove microbiological waterborne pathogens from water, without the use of chemicals. All you need to do is fill it up with 750 milliliters of water, and in under a minute it’s ready to drink. Each filter can treat up to 4,000 liters of water. Here’s to not having to drink your own urine!

Bushnell Bear Grylls SolarWrap Mini USB Charger

Speaking of drinking your own urine, Bear Grylls has his own brand of survival gear, including this solar-powered Mini USB charger. This lightweight solar panel can fit overtop a backpack and charge any device that uses a USB input.

Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro Hammock

This tent-hammock hybrid combines the best of both worlds. It keeps you high off the ground to avoid nosey critters, and it has a mosquito net to keep those flying insects out of your face. It’s easy to hang and can support up to 400 pounds.

Exotac Nanostriker Ultra-Portable Ferrocerium Stove Fire Starter

The Nanostriker consists of two different parts: a ferrocerium rod and a Tungsten carbide striker. When these two materials are scraped together, a stream of sparks emits which can effectively ignite dry tinder. It also succeeds where matches and lighters fail, as it will work even when soaked with water. Each replaceable rod guarantees you 1,000 fire-starting strikes.

Garmin eTrex 20 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator

Perhaps the most crucial thing to have when out in the wilderness is a GPS device; I don’t mean just an app on your Smartphone. You’re going to need something that is more sensitive to satellite signals. The Garmin eTrex 20 gives you topographic, marine and road maps along with turn-by-turn directions to ensure that you can know where you are going. It’s also built for the outdoors as it is durable and waterproof and lasts 20 hours on a full charge.