If you’ve kept up with some of our recent posts, you may recall our high regard for Biolite’s one of a kind stuffsack. Now pivoting to the battle for the best-rated headlamps out there – it truly feels a lot like it’s between all the ordinary brands in the market today and the one brand that has largely been synonymous with excellence – Biolite. And, it seems there are plenty of reasons why the latter deserves all the praise it’s been garnering. Especially with their revolutionary HeadLamp 200.  

Comfy and Ultra-Lightweight: Biolite HeadLamp 200

Despite being the latest addition in BioLite’s lineup, this headlamp embodies all that’s great about a well-designed lamp. It is a solid piece: lightweight, yet engineered to last, powerful with several lighting modes, and USB rechargeability! 

Reviews say it all; at just 50 grams, it is so lightweight that the wearer may even forget that they’ve been wearing it. In fact, it’s possible to put it on for hours and perhaps even forget it’s on your noggin!

Interestingly, it’s quite amazing how this Biolite HeadLamp 200 is so comfy. It’s almost OK for the common brands to cause headaches and aches after hours of wearing them. Perhaps that’s why many rate them so low!

But unlike those chumps, this unique wearable headlamp features a soft moisture-wicking technical band that tightens to fit well – no bounce or slips. The headband is easily adjustable for a softer fit and never loosens, even if one moves around.

Perhaps the greatest feature of this headlamp is the bright light it shines. It comes in White + Dim, Red + Dim, White Strobe, and Red Strobe modes, and essentially suits everyone’s lighting needs. The 200 lumens responsible for all these different beams, and the guaranteed 40hrs (3hr in HI Mode) of constant light means Biolite HeadLamp 200 truly is a quality device.

YES, it’s rechargeable via Micro USB

There’s a USB charging cable that comes included. That effectively means that there’s no need to invest in Lithium-ion batteries anymore. Just a couple of hours of charging and the headlamp beams again. 

It’s so easy to use too. It comes with a single button that switches from one beam mode to the next – quite convenient! The front panel holding the lamp tilts down smoothly too, allowing for variant angles of visibility.

So all that to say, if you’re in the market for a headlamp with powerful beams, soft bands, and long battery life, there’s no better option than the BioLite Headlamp 200. It is as good for runners, hikers, and pet-walkers as it is a great pick for even nighttime sledding.

 Available at just $44.95 this HeadLamp will change the way you see things…Literally!  

Features

• 4 colors: Midnight grey, Ocean teal, Moss green, Ember red. 
• Weight: 50g
• Max Output: 200 lumens
• 4 Beam modes and 40 hours on LO, 3 hours on HIGH
• Rechargeable: Micro USB

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Technology

This revolutionary kit is made from 6061 military-grade aluminum to guarantee durability. Standing at only 6.75 inches tall by 2 inches wide, and weighing a mere 9.9 oz, this is an ideal first aid for backpackers, campers, and survivalists alike. Did we mention it’s also waterproof?

Features of the VSSL First Aid Mini

There are several tins incorporated in the VSSL kit, and each has a wide variety of supplies. The supplies range from antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, large bandages, tweezers, safety pins, emergency whistle, medical gloves, sewing kit, razor blade, burn and pain cream, disposable thermometers, blister pads and so much more. In essence, there are over 40 items available in the kit.

Advantages of the VSSL First Aid Mini

Compact – Keep all your first aid essentials in one ultra-portable kit. The kit is impact resistant. It never compromises on weight, space, or quality.

Durable – The VSSL First Aid Mini is waterproof and indestructible because of the military-grade aluminum. Anything inside the cylinder stays dry and safe, even under the roughest conditions.

Pre-packed – when you get the VSSL First Aid Mini, it comes perfectly organized with expert-curated gear. Saving you essential packing time before any of your future adventures.

VSSL is arguably the best companion for everyone who loves exploring. The First Aid Mini is arranged in such a way you can access everything you need with ease. Why waste your time packing when you can get all your essential gears packed in one kit.

The First Aid Mini MSRP’s at just $70, and for another $30 you can even get their flashlight attachment included. So why waste your time packing, when you can get all your essential first aid supplies neatly packed into one sleek kit. Go get em!

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For hikers, there’s an even greater need to shop for season-appropriate shoes that can protect the little ones’ feet and ensure they stay safe from slip, trips, and blisters, once they hit the trail. A pair that’s great on comfort, support, and grip and perfect on weight and waterproofing.

Getting the right hiking boots for your kid is never easy

Just like us at Vanish, every little hiking grom loves the thrills of the trail. But with the inherent risks on their feet after trekking and hiking for hours, comfortable hiking footwear is the key to enable them to stay in it to cover more miles without any complaints (though sibling bickering is always inevitable and Vasque is not liable for any of that).

The only way to achieve the peak of these fun-filled hikes is by choosing boots for your munchkins that are carefully designed for their own mini-human sizes. The ideal boots are over-the-ankle and waterproof enough to keep their feet dry throughout the outing.

You may be wondering – What boots are these ideal boots you speak of? Luckily, we have intel that there is a pair out that are rough terrain ready and score high on all-weather waterproof protection…

Enter, Vasque’s Kids St. Elias UltraDry™ Hiking Boot.

Superior unisex hiking shoes for the youth

From their features, to their performance,  Vasque’s Kids St. Elias UltraDry™ shoes are easily among the best kids hiking boots you can get for your young ones today. They are the over-the-ankle hiking shoe type, waterproof with a lace-up closure, and compact. The kid will put them on, walk on wet paths, cross small water pools, and play in the water, but the inside will remain dry.

Interestingly, these same shoes guarantee safe and accident-free hikes. Forget about the Suede leather, meshed Ultra-Dry membrane, and its rubber toe caps that protect the toes from injuries, this shoe’s compression-molded EVA midsoles are gold!

With EVA midsoles and rugged outsoles, every stride feels comfortable. There are even multidirectional lugs that even traction on all terrains to provide that “cushiony” feel. In the end, the overall hiking experience on these boots is what a little champ will fall in love with!

But, how durable are they?

Much as this affordable hiking boot won’t do much damage on that wallet, durability is also key to choosing any kids hiking boots. Vasque – KIDS ST. ELIAS ULTRADRY Hiking Boot comes with a suede leather top that can withstand extreme hikes for years.

Its molded rubber toe caps and the rugged outsoles are also guaranteed to last. Going by these shoes’ general build, the kid may even outgrow them and pass them on!

The boots MSRP for just $79.99 HERE, and come in either black and brown color waves. Pop a visit to Vasque and get ready for the best adventures with the whole family!

Specifications

• Gender: Kids – unisex.
• Uppers: tough, waterproof leather, and abrasion-resistant mesh.
• Technology: Anatomical Compression-Molded EVA midsoles, rubber toe cap, and rugged rubber Vasque Kids Monolith outsoles.
• Lining: UltraDry waterproof, breathable membrane.
• Size and weight: 2.0-6.0; 668g
• Colors: Black and Chocolate Brown.

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While it’s no surprise that all of Biolite’s headlamps do a solid job in lighting up scenes of the night, all of us at Vanish are currently marveling over the fresh innovative brilliance of their Light Diffusing Stuffsack.

By pairing any of your traditional headlamps with Biolite’s Light Diffusing Stuffsack, the once ‘one-person headlamp’ suddenly becomes a powerful lantern that diffuses light to brighten up the whole area for many to enjoy.

Why Pick Biolite’s Light Diffusing Stuffsack?

From a powerhouse of a wearable headlamp to a convenient source of light for the whole group, this little stuffsack does an incredible job in expanding the uses of your gear. Not only that, but what’s really striking about it is the innovation in how it diffuses light.

Upon opening the Light Diffusing Stuffsack, you’ll find two little elastic loops. These loops are tactically built for inserting both ends of the straps of your headlamp, so that the lamp then hangs inside and the straps remain out.

Also, keep in mind that the light must remain suspended inside the stuffsack – the higher the light is, the more diffused it gets.

Multiple reasons to pick this Diffusing Stuffsack…

A lantern should be able to diffuse ambient light, but still be easy to carry around and hang anywhere. With this stuffsack, you’ll be able to easily hang a powerful light source from a tree, your car’s side window, the roof of your tent, etc.

What’s also great is that Biolite’s Light Diffusing Stuffsack is so soft that it allows for easy altering to different lighting modes. Simply put, you will never need to loosen the drawstrings to turn it on or off. On top of that, it’s guaranteed by Biolite to last you ages!

The Stuffsack can also store essentials

That’s right – when not in use, this sack can conveniently carry those car keys, power bars, the headlamp’s USB charger, etc. That means, even when it may not be used to diffuse light, it certainly will have another function – perfect for all you backpackers working with limited space!

All in all, Biolite’s Light Diffusing Stuffsack is a magic bag in all it can do to elevate your outdoor excursions. If you act quickly, you’ll get it for a steal HERE at $14.95. Hop on that and instantly become the hero of any night!

Specs

• Materials: Light-diffusing Ripstop Nylon
• Weight: 2g
• Compatibility: almost any headlamp

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To help give back to our forests in these wild times, Hydro Flask will be donating $1 for every Timberline Collection bottle sold on Hydroflask.com through 12/31/20. All proceeds raised will support Sustainable Northwest with the organization’s goal of restoring forest health and reducing wildfire risk to our communities.

Choosing reusable is a move we should always consider when carrying any of our favorite beverages. If you’re in the market for a new, high-performing reusable bottle, and want to make an even deeper impact with your purchase, there’s no better time than now and no better place to look than Hydro Flask’s Limited Edition Timberline Collection. 

Hydro Flask’s Limited Edition Timberline Collection bottles come in four different timber-inspired color waves and two different sizes to choose from. The smaller bottle size is a 21 oz standard mouth that MSRP’s at $42.95 and the larger option is a 32 oz wide mouth that MSRP’s $54.95.

Be sure to snag your Limited Edition Timberline Collection bottle by 12/31/20 and, in doing so, you’ll be helping our friends at Hydro Flask ensure our forests are healthy for all the adventures that lie ahead!

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Before I dive into explaining some essentials to take on the road with you when you’re car camping, let me just say that there is no right or wrong answer here. Everyone has their own vision and version. This is simply a guide I want to share as a baseline mechanism for what to take with you when you are car camping and more importantly, HOW to take it with you when car camping. 

Rewind…

back to June of 2017, weeks before my graduation from the University of Oregon’s journalism and advertising school. With no obligations after college, i.e. no immediate internship or job to run to, I wanted to make use of this time. Road tripping and photography have always compelled me, so I quickly developed a plan to go car camping in my car (at the time), a ‘97 dark green Ford Explorer, through the national park’s in Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah. Before eventually back tracking on new routes up to Oregon… all in the span of a month. 

Plans made, time to prepare. 

With plans in place, it was time to consider what I’d take along with me to make things convenient. Being on a college budget, I decided to find a quick, stocked and affordable option to shop at for my essentials: Wal-Mart. As someone already enticed by the compactability of backpacking, I wanted to find supplies that could all fit conveniently in a storage bin and limit the space that it takes up in the car.  This is a key part of this write up and one piece I highly suggest getting, so you can build everything around it… I’ll dive into this and the essentials I pack below. 

Essential to (HIGHLY) Consider 1: Camping Stove

 At Walmart, I scoured the isles, first looking for a camping stove. For about $45 I found a foldable Coleman 2-burner propane stove, about 4” H x 22” W when folded. 

Essential to (HIGHLY) Consider 2: Storage Bin for your Essentials 

With these dimensions of your stove now in mind, you can find a storage bin that allows for the stove to fit in and also leaves you a little extra space. I locked in a storage bin around 25” L x 18” W x 13” H that also had latches on the side and looked seemingly durable. Plan to spend somewhere between $10-$25 for this and you’ll be in great shape. 

*NOTE: This is not only a clutch pack because of how much you can pack in one bin, but also the bin doubles as a table, leg rest, card table…the possibilities are vast!*

Essential to Consider 3: Propane Tanks, Pots, French Press, Pans, Oven Mitts, Cooking Tools, Utensils, etc. 

Now that you’ve got a stove and storage unit for your essentials locked down, it’s time to consider all the related tools needed. 

1. Propane: obviously this is crucial to make your stove work. Get two Coleman tanks about $5 each and you’ll be set for weeks. 
2. Lighter: get a torch lighter or two so you can make sure you can start your stove and not look like an idiot in front of your friends with your stove set up and no way to start it. 
3. Pots/pans: you can buy new ones, or, if you can just scour your relatives/friends stocks for any pots and pans they don’t use regularly and are willing to part with. You’ll want pots and pans that fit your stove, and allow for both to be on, so keep the size of the burners in mind. Also, if you’ve got a cast iron that’s always a quintessential camp bring along. 
4. Oven mitts: no one wants to burn themselves. Get a couple oven mitts and you’ll be set. Inexpensive buy here too. 
5. Water filtration system: although you should always have a few gallons of water with you in your car, having a filtration system will give you an extra piece of mind. You can find these anywhere between $30-$100 depending on which style you go with. 
6. Spatula, ladles and tongs: I found a nice set for $5 at Walmart that had all of these on a convenient key chain like ring (You can also tap into stocks of your own tools or a relatives that they may not need) 
7. French press: for coffee drinkers this tool is clutch, you can go this route and have unlimited flexibility in what coffee you bring. If you don’t want to pack a French press or don’t need coffee you can also pack single packet instant coffees or other drinks. I’ll dive into more below in the dry perishables to have section. 
8. Plates/bowls/mugs/utensils: You can go reusable and just use normal utensils or get plastic/paper. Just make sure you dispose of these properly 😉 
9. Cleaning supplies: You can get dish soap and a scrubber or get those SOS pads, or another route. Pick your poison here, if you’re camping multiple nights you’ll want to have your dishes relatively clean. 
10. Hand sanitizer – 2020s favorite product, keep those germs off ya!
11. Trash bags – clean up after yourself and keep nature clean + enjoyable. 
12. Napkins/paper towels/rags: think about eating a meal and cleaning up after cooking when you’re not camping. Crazy thing is it’s the same so think the same.  
13. Bug spray – trust me, you will need  
14. Sun screen – see #13
15. Hammer/Mallet – to knock them stakes in! 
16. Batteries for your lamps

How to pack these in the bin ^ : to conserve space in your storage bin, I suggest bundling these like minded “camp kitchen” essentials in either a smaller storage bin that would fit in the box, or you can use a bag. Recently, I’ve just been putting these in a paper bag. 

*Note: the pots/pans may just need to be packed in the car separately depending on size / space in your bin.*

Essentials to consider 4: First Aid

You’ll want to have a first aid kit in your box, if you’re shopping new – you can find small ones that are already conveniently in a storage kit. Clutch! These can somewhere between $15-20 I’d assume. 

Additionally, you should plan to pack some things like a space blanket and also Advil/Tylenol, Tums/Pepto. I’d suggest just throwing the pills/tablets in zip locks and labeling them, so you don’t have to worry about the bottles taking up space. Once in smaller bags, you can throw these in a bag/large zip lock together and keep them conveniently together and compact.

Essential to Consider 5: Dry Perishables/Seasonings/Drink Mixes

Here’s some things I have, but you can pack to your liking, be sure to just pack these together. 

1. Oatmeal – remember: boxes take up unneeded space. So get a few oatmeal packets out of the box and throw them in a ziplock together. Quick and easy breakfasts, inexpensive. 
2. Instant coffee/drink mix/Tea bags: I like to have these handy when backpacking, but also are great for car camping and take up hardly any space .
   1. You can find single packets of a variety of coffee in any coffee aisle. Take them out of the box and throw in a zip lock together. 
3. Lemonade/Hawaiian punch/Arnold Palmer: great drinks all just need some water and some stirring/shaking up.  
4. Ground Coffee for your French press. 
5. Mountain house meals: just add hot water to these, mainly use as a clutch backpacking meal, but nice to have some extra meals easy to pack in your car camp box. You can find these online on their website or at REI, Cabela’s, and other outdoor stores. If I’ve got a few of these in my box I like to keep them together with a rubber band. 
6. Salt/pepper/seasonings you like: all up to your taste… but i’ve got small shakers with lids for salt and pepper.  Some other seasonings I have is this awesome chili-lime Tajin, and Montreal steak seasoning.   

How to pack these in the bin ^ : exact same way as the kitchen essential section. For these dry perishables, to conserve space in your storage bin, I suggest bundling these like minded dry perishables essentials bags in either a smaller storage bin that would fit in the box, or you can use a bag. 

Essential to Consider 5: Miscellaneous Items 

I’m gonna rattle off some more things you should consider packing in your camping bin if you have space. Note these are likely just things you’ll throw on top: 

• Clorox wipes / any wipes to clean things with. 
• Flashlight/headlamps/camping lantern  
• Toilet paper And / or Multi use wipes for your business 
• small foldable Shovel to deal with your biz
• Hammock / straps – great for any camping trip and the camping ones are fit into compact bags. 
• Bungee cords/duct tape – perhaps two of the most versatile creations man has made. 

Packing it all: 

With the stove on the bottom, throw each bag of essentials on top and then the loose items on top of those. Once you get all your essentials packed in the box throw the lid on there and get yourself a nice sharpie of your favorite color to write your info on it! 

Now you’ve got your very own camping box! So long as you keep your box bundled and stored in the right way after use, you can camp time and time again with piece of mind and a stern confidence that you’ve got your essentials all packed in one convenient camping box.  

Happy camping!

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