We’re not there yet but it’s probably safe to say we’re all experiencing a bit of cabin fever this year and daydreaming about those lazy fair weather days. The Spring will be here before you know it and the best thing you can do is to be prepared to bust out the door the moment the weather cooperates. Here are our top 5 outdoor gear picks for the Spring to help you enjoy the outdoors just that much more.
Blunt XL Umbrella
Tired of chucking those cheap umbrellas in the trash? We’re not big on buying the same item twice either. Blunt makes a better umbrella that’s worth the little extra. Tested to withstand up to 72 MPH the Blunt XL keeps you and a friend dryer in the worst downpours. Points, there’s no sharp points that could potentially end up in someone’s eye so it’s great for the city where you might have to share the sidewalk with a few hundred other people. Blunt’s patented Radial Tensioning System or RTS allows the umbrella to be opened with ease and efficiency distributing the force evenly throughout the canopy. Full open diameter is 54″, just 3″ shy of the Blunt golf umbrella. It weighs just 1.87 lbs and the carry case allows you to throw the Blunt XL over your shoulder like a rifle; hands down the most convenient carry method for an umbrella that we’ve ever used. Comes with a 5-year Warranty and is GPS ready through Blunt’s partnership with Tile so you can track your umbrella if you managed to leave it somewhere. Watch out Gustbuster!
Blunt XL Umbrella $99.00
bluntumbrellas.us
Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL 4-Season Camping Mattress
New for the 17/18 camping season, Klymit’s 4-Season Insulated V Ultralite SL sleeping pad is light enough to hump up the trail and comfortable enough for car camping gear. Klymit’s patented V-Chamber design is incredibly cushy and keeps the air evenly distributed throughout the pad so you’re always off the ground. Klymalite lofted synthetic insulation provides you with an R-Value of 4.4 for warmth so it can comfortably be used for 4-Season camping gear and is constructed of 20D Durable Polyester. All of that cush comes in at just a hair under 1lb or 15.9oz. A 72″ x 20″ x 2.5″ surface area and crinkle free for a warm, comfortable and quiet nights sleep. Like anything a good foundation makes for a better experience and Camping starts from the ground up. Inflation is simple using the locking blow valve located at the top corner. If you need a bit more real estate, check out the Klymit Insulated Double V that provides comfort for two.
Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL $119.95
www.klymit.com
MSR WindBurner 1.8L Portable Stove
A camping stove is an integral part of your camping gear, nothing makes it easier to boil up a pot of water for coffee or soup. MSR’s 1.8L Windburner is the same stove as the 1.0 1L but comes with a larger 16oz aluminum container so you can fit more. Additionally you’ll find larger feet to stabilize the larger container. The 1.8L container is large enough to fit a 4oz IsoPro fuel canister inside so this thing packs pretty well too. Packed weight is 1 lbs 3.25 oz and offers optional pots, skillet, hanging kit and the all important coffee press. Tried and true the MSR Windburner is a winner for a hot meal and clean drinking water. The 1.8L Comes in any color you want, as long as it’s black.
Windburner 1.8L $149.95
www.msrgear.com
Weber iGrill 2 & Barbecue 3 piece toolset
Grilling is an art and it takes time and patience for good results. Grillers can be fanatical and spend countless hours tending to the barbecue but what if you could sit back and have a beer too. The iGrill 2 from Weber is a digital app-connected thermometer that can send you notifications to your phone about the internal temperature of your meat. The Weber iGrill 2 is a great little grill gadget for the casual or experienced griller. Equipped with 2 pro-meat probe sensors (you can attach a total of 4 probes simultaneously) for accurate temperature measurement where it matters, inside. The iGrill 2 makes it a little easier for you to walk around, have a beer and enjoy entertaining your company instead of being pinned to the barbecue grill all afternoon. Compatible with most Android phones 4.4+ and Bluetooth 4.0+ / iOS 9+ on iPhone 4S+, iPad 3rd Gen+, iPad mini+, iPod touch 6th gen+.
Need new tools for your Grill? The Premium Tool Set comes with the three most useful tools for your barbecue; A large and sturdy grilling fork, angled spatula and hands-free locking tongs. Each of these beautiful stainless steel essential grill tools is equipped with a hinged, metal loop shaped to match the tool hooks on the Weber grills. They’re dishwasher safe so cleaning up is a cinch.
3-Piece Premium Tool Set $29.99
iGrill 2 $99.99
www.weber.com
Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster
For Man’s Best Friend the Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. The launcher is made for the dog lover but a fun toy for kids too and it will help you avoid picking up that wet slobbery tennis ball that was so diligently dropped at your feet.
The launcher works with standard tennis balls too but it’s best to use it with the Nerf made balls as they are ever so slightly smaller and work much better in the gun. It takes a little bit of force to pull back so it may not be appropriate for younger/small children but boy the ball sure does fly. Comes with the Nerf Dog Blaster and 4 Nerf tennis balls. The Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster makes a great gift for the dog owner and will put a smile on their face before they even use it, a bigger one once they do!
Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster $29.99
www.nerfpet.com
Looking for gadget suggestions? Check out our Top 10 Gadgets & Tech Roundup.
