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Top Gear Picks of 2024

When heading out on my longest trip of the year, I wanted a medium sized bag for all of the miscellaneous loose things that I have with me in my canoe: granola bars, map, first air kit, a wide angle lens, camera batteries and more.  It needed to be rain proof and easy to carry on portages.  This Bowman Gear Nomad Pack  was exactly what I was looking for and has since become one of the standard bags I bring with me on all my trips.  A great purchase - well made and super versatile!

Bowman Gear Nomad Pack



After many an uncomfortable night camping, I decided I needed a new sleeping pad, one that was wider than what I had been using and didn’t crinkle every time I moved on it.  After much research and feedback from folks at Canadian Outdoor Equipment, I settled on an EXPED Dura 5R LW (Long, Wide).  It gives me lots of room to stretch out, is nice and thick with a solid 5R rating, and  fits perfectly in my MSR Hubba NX tent .  I’d be lying to say I sleep as well as my bed at home, but I’ve never been more comfortable in my tent!  A great add to my kit!



EXPED 5R LW From Canadian Outdoor Equipment


After hearing that Eureka! was closing down in Canada, I decided to pull the trigger on something I had considered an unnecessary luxury for years: a NoBugZone mesh tent/tarp.  Let me tell you, this was a game changer for my May and June trips!  Sure, I was able to do without one for most of my life, but I was often miserably itchy for weeks with Black Fly bites into July.  There’s nothing like having a bug free place to cook and eat early in the season.  I am so happy I bought one of these before they were all gone forever.  If you can, find one!



Eureka!  NoBugZone


As a Badger Paddle Ambassador, I have a fantastic set of paddles to choose from for my trips.  This year Badger sent me a “La Bonga” paddle, a lightweight, teardrop beavertail style paddle that has a normal length shaft but a shorter, wider blade than all my other paddles.  This paddle has become my “go to” choice as a second paddle on most of my trips, especially the longer ones, when I want to minimize portage weight.  It’s also super handy in shallow areas full of rocks; places my long Sliver paddle has trouble with.  I highly recommend you check one out if you haven’t already.



Badger Paddles "La Bonga" Paddle



It will come as no surprise to anyone that I take quite a bit of photography gear with me on trips.  Sometimes more than one camera body, and often with three or more lenses.  My biggest challenge to date has been finding a way to protect all this gear from rain and mishaps, while still being easily accessible for taking shots from my canoe.  I finally decided to buy myself one of the well known, almost indestructible Pelican cases.  These things fit a lot of gear, open like a briefcase, and are completely waterproof.  Sadly, they’re also pretty heavy, but I decided this was the one piece of gear where durability and gear protection were more important than weight.  No regrets all at!  I love not worrying about rain, rapids, or bumps of any kind!


Pelican Products 1450 Hard Case



Lastly, my first purchase of the year: a CRKT “Minimalist” neck knife.  This small, fixed blade knife fits in a tight thermoplastic sheath that hangs from your neck.  While you can attach it to your belt, I find it much more readily accessible around your neck when camping in cold weather & wearing multiple layers.  The sharp, high carbon stainless steel is short enough not to get in your way, but long enough for most of your frequent cutting needs.  I find it super handy & well worth the ~$60 I paid for it.


CRTK Minimalist Black Drop Point Knife



That’s it for this year, I hope you found this useful.  Drop me a comment if you did!


Links:


Bowman Gear, https://Instagram.com/bowman_gear

EXPED 5R LW, https://www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com/

Eureka! Canada, https://eurekatentscanada.com/

Badger Paddles, https://badgerpaddles.com/

Pelican, https://www.pelican.com/

CRTK Knives, https://www.crkt.com/