Don't believe the slander: Gadget geeks aren't afraid of the great outdoors. Quite the opposite, in fact. Whether were on desolate hiking trails, back-country powder runs, or the sun-baked playa, we relish exposure to the elements -- if only because it gives us perfect opportunity to test our outdoor survival gear.
In this collection of essential gadgets, we use the term "outdoor survival" liberally. A hydration pack that filters out protozoa from river water is certainly a survival gadget, but so is a kick-ass mountain bike or solar-powered boombox. Outdoor survival isn't just about maintaining a pulse. It's about fully owning the environment around you.
Disagree with our choices? Have even better suggestions? Share your thoughts with a comment below.
Merino Wool Base Layers
Few things are cooler than dueling ninjas. Few things are warmer than dueling merino wool ninja suits. Merino wool is widely regarded as the ideal base layer for its ability to adjust its properties to differing situations. It keeps you warm when it’s cold outside, it breathes well when it’s hot outside, and it wicks away sweat when you’re exerting yourself. Heck, it doesn’t even pick up body odor.
As a big fan of merino wool, I’ve always said that if I could drape my whole body in it, I would. Turns out that I can. Two companies,
I/O Bio Merino and Airblaster, offer one-piece baselayers made entirely of merino wool to provide warmth for snowboarding, skiing, mountaineering, infiltrating castles, and other cold-weather pursuits.
The two suits share a host of similarities: Both are made of the soft wool of the Merino sheep; both are full-length, one-piece suits; and both have tight-fitting hoods, thumb loops, and drawstrings around the waist. Both companies make men’s and women’s versions.
Ninja suits. Made of what is arguably the finest performance material ever. Excellent.
--Billy Brown
Photo: Keith Axline/Wired.com