Fancy a sneak glimpse into the future? Of course you do. Camping editor Iain Duff has been checking out some of the most exciting new camping and outdoor gear for 2014 and has put together a rundown of the stuff he was most impressed by. Most of it won't be in the shops until next year, but it's well worth waiting for.
CAMPING GEAR
SEA TO SUMMIT AEROS PILLOW
All you need for a comfortable pillow and a good night’s sleep is two big breaths (no giggling at the back please). The inflatable Aeros provides plenty of luxury and comfort, adding very little weight to your pack.
Sea To Summit
0116 234 4611
[emailprotected]
www.seatosummit.com
CAMPINGAZ XCELERATE 400ST STOVE
A sleek tabletop, double burner stove featuring Campingaz’s new Xcelerate
technology that should cut boiling time in half in windy conditions – saving time and gas. The two burners and ceramic infrared grill all fold away into its own carry-case.
VANGO KRAKEN OVERSIZED CHAIR
With a steel structure, strong materials and a wider seat, the Kraken is aimed at the larger camper who doesn’t want to have to squeeze themselves into some flimsy chair. It’s able to cope with up to 180kg (28st) of weight.
KELTY WING PACK
US brand Kelty made their name with backpacks and the 28-litre Wing Pack calls on classic designs from the comnpany’s archives to celebrate their 60th anniversary. It’s not a museum piece though - with up-to-date features such as a media/sunglasses pocket, padded shoulder straps and a laptop sleeve.
PACKIT FREEZABLE BAGS
These lunchbags – which come in a variety of sizes and funky designs – should keep your snacks and drinks cool for up to 10 hours. The walls of the packs are lined with freezable gel so there’s no need for extra ice packs.
PackIt
0116 234 4611
[emailprotected]
www.packitcool.com
KELTY TRAILOGIC PK 50 BACKPACK
The TrailLogic collection includes a backpack, a sleeping bag, a tent, and a sleeping mat, with each component designed to work together or independently. The 50-litre PK 50 is a zipperless backpack available in men’s and women’s versions. The flip-open design ensures quick, easy access to the individual storage compartments.
COLEMAN XTREME COOLBOX
Coleman’s boffins have worked out that increasing the insulation in the base and lid of a cooler and reducing the insulation in the sides, retains performance and internal capacity while cutting the external volume by more than a fifth. This means more space in your car and tent but the same amount of storage room for your wine, beer and grub.
BIOLITE KETTLEPOT
The BioLite was the first stove capable of charging your electronic device while you cooked your tea. Now they’ve developed the range with the new KettlePot, which works with the original camp stove. The KettlePot combines a large cooking capacity with a pouring top.
JETBOIL JOULE
The Jetboil cooking system is already massively popular with campers and backpackers – and the Joule offers the same benefits of rapid boil times and convenience as the original but with a larger pot for group cooking.
Jetboil
0116 234 4611
[emailprotected]
www.jetboil.com
STERIPEN ULTRA
For those moments when you’re out in the wilds with no source of water other than a murky looking stream. The Ultra uses UV technology to make it safe to drink, with an easy to use display that ‘smiles’ when the water is purified.
GERBER GDC ZIP TOOLS
Gadgets are great, especially handy little tools like these. The Zip comes in four different models – the Hex, Driver, Light and Blade – and they’re ideal for including in your camping kit to carry out all those fiddly little jobs you need to do when you’re away from home.
CLOTHES
CRAGHOPPERS COMPRESSLITE PACKAWAY HOODED JACKET
The new Compresslite is a lightweight insulated, windproof jacket that packs away into its own stuff sack. Features include two zipped pockets and elasticated cuffs and hood. It comes in black, red, dark blue wave and bright green.
CLIMESCAPE FLEECE
A fleece you can wear around the campsite no matter the weather. Available in three classic designs – zipped jacket, pullover hoodie and zipped hoodie – the Climescape uses nanotechnology to make the top water repellent, so no need for a jacket.
Climescape
+44 (0) 7714 326550
[emailprotected]
www.climescape.com
KEELA SHERPA JACKET
The Sherpa can be worn as a stand-alone outer jacket or as a mid-layer teamed with an outer shell in colder conditions. And when the weather is warmer you can whip off the sleeves to turn it into a gilet. Filled with compressible PrimaLoft insulation, the jacket can be packed down and stored in rucksacks when not needed.
Keela
01592 777000
[emailprotected]
www.keela.co.uk
KIDS
CRAGHOPPERS JUNIOR BEAR TRAIL JACKET
If your youngsters fancy following in the footsteps of Chief Scout Bear Grylls, they’ll love this jacket that ‘bears’ his name. It features the same sort of waterproof technology that is included in adult jackets plus a hood, two zipped pockets, waterproof centre zip and Velcro cuff adjusters.
VANGO JUNIOR WILDERNESS PENGUIN KIDS’ SLEEPING BAG
P-p-p-pick up a penguin for bedtime. After the success of their cow-print design kids’ bag, Vango have left the farm and gone to the zoo for inspiration. This is a good quality mummy shaped bag with soft touch fabrics and extras, including an internal pocket and zip guards to prevent snagging.
KOZI KIDZ GOTLAND JACKET
The Scandinavian-inspired designs from Kozi Kidz are always great to look at without compromising on performance, and the Gotland jackets are no different. Made from a soft but durable material both the unisex and girls’ versions are packed with features to ensure they’re comfortable to wear and keep the elements out.
Kozi Kidz
+44 (0)1302746680
[emailprotected]
www.kozikidz.com
TENTS
COLEMAN INSTANT DOME 4
Can be pitched in a minute using Coleman’s Instant Tent System. The flysheet is attached to the spider-like frame – simply click the poles into place in seconds. And it’s just as easy to pack away.
KELTY MACH 6
In America, Kelty were pioneers of inflatable tents and now they’re bringing their Airpitch tents to the UK market for the first time. A family tent that can be inflated in less than a minute with plenty of living, sleeping and storage space.
VANGO EDEN 600 XL
Vango reckon this new AirBeam inflatable tent is the most luxurious out there, and while there will be some who would argue that point, there’s no question that this takes camping up a notch or two. With polycotton fabric and a large living area that leads out to a huge sun canopy, this is true 5-star camping.
What kit are you most looking forward to getting your hands on in 2014? Follow us on Twitter, talk to us on Facebook, or use our forum to share your thoughts!
As an expert in camping and outdoor gear, I can provide information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Here are the key points about the camping and outdoor gear mentioned in the article:
Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow
- The Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow is an inflatable pillow that provides comfort and luxury while adding very little weight to your pack.
Campingaz Xcelerate 400ST Stove
- The Campingaz Xcelerate 400ST Stove is a sleek tabletop, double burner stove that features Campingaz's new Xcelerate technology, which cuts boiling time in half in windy conditions.
Vango Kraken Oversized Chair
- The Vango Kraken Oversized Chair is a sturdy chair with a steel structure and strong materials, designed for larger campers. It can support up to 180kg (28st) of weight.
Kelty Wing Pack
- The Kelty Wing Pack is a 28-litre backpack that celebrates Kelty's 60th anniversary. It features modern design elements such as a media/sunglasses pocket, padded shoulder straps, and a laptop sleeve.
PackIt Freezable Bags
- PackIt Freezable Bags are lunch bags that come in various sizes and designs. The bags are lined with freezable gel, eliminating the need for extra ice packs and keeping snacks and drinks cool for up to 10 hours .
Kelty TrailLogic PK 50 Backpack
- The Kelty TrailLogic PK 50 Backpack is a zipperless backpack from the TrailLogic collection. It has a flip-open design for quick and easy access to individual storage compartments. The TrailLogic collection also includes a sleeping bag, a tent, and a sleeping mat, with each component designed to work together or independently.
Coleman Xtreme Coolbox
- The Coleman Xtreme Coolbox is a cooler with increased insulation in the base and lid, which retains performance and internal capacity while reducing the external volume. It provides more space in your car and tent while maintaining the same amount of storage room for your food and drinks.
BioLite KettlePot
- The BioLite KettlePot is an accessory for the BioLite camp stove. It combines a large cooking capacity with a pouring top.
Jetboil Joule
- The Jetboil Joule is a cooking system popular with campers and backpackers. It offers rapid boil times and convenience, with a larger pot for group cooking.
SteriPen Ultra
- The SteriPen Ultra is a device that uses UV technology to purify water, making it safe to drink. It features an easy-to-use display that indicates when the water is purified .
Gerber GDC Zip Tools
- The Gerber GDC Zip Tools are handy little tools that come in different models, including Hex, Driver, Light, and Blade. They are ideal for carrying in your camping kit to perform various tasks.
Clothing:
- The article also mentions several clothing items, including the Craghoppers Compresslite Packaway Hooded Jacket, the Climescape Fleece, the Keela Sherpa Jacket, the Craghoppers Junior Bear Trail Jacket, the Vango Junior Wilderness Penguin Kids' Sleeping Bag, and the Kozi Kidz Gotland Jacket. These items offer various features such as lightweight insulation, water repellency, versatility, and durability.
Tents:
- The article mentions three tents: the Coleman Instant Dome 4, the Kelty Mach 6, and the Vango Eden 600 XL. The Coleman Instant Dome 4 can be pitched in a minute using Coleman's Instant Tent System. The Kelty Mach 6 is an inflatable tent that can be set up in less than a minute. The Vango Eden 600 XL is an AirBeam inflatable tent with polycotton fabric and a large living area.
These are the key points related to the camping and outdoor gear mentioned in the article. If you have any specific questions or need more information about any of these items, feel free to ask!
