Backpacker – September 2019

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

54 BACKPACKER.COM

Field Test
THE KIT

PALATIAL TENT

REI Co-op Kingdom 6

With no weight limit, there’s no reason to

squeeze into a cramped shelter. The King-

dom 6 off ers a ton of roam-around room,

thanks to double doors, vertical walls, and an

83-square-foot fl oor that fi ts six standard-

width sleeping pads. Its huge, 29-square-foot

vestibule—the size of a regular two-person

tent—can be turned into a trekking-pole aw-

ning to increase livability even more. A sturdy

pole structure and a full fl y protect against

unruly weather. Tradeoff : Setup takes nearly

10 minutes even with the hubbed poles.

$470; 21 lbs. 6 oz.; rei.com

SUPERCHARGED STOVE

Eureka! Ignite

The market for aff ordable camp stoves is

crowded, but the Ignite stands

out. “It has the best simmer con-

trol I’ve used,” one tester says. “It

turns out perfect pancakes and

omelets every time.” The keys are

dials that turn two full rotations,

providing lots of sensitivity for fl ame control.

Two 10-inch burners each fi t a 3-liter pot.

$100; 10 lbs.; eurekacamping.com

SERENE SEAT

NEMO Stargaze Recliner

Luxury Chair

There are cheaper ways to

lounge around camp, but

this swinging chair is worth

the splurge. Its mesh bucket

cradles the body, while webbing

straps provide a gentle rocking

motion; you can also lean it fully

back to view the heavens in com-

fort. A cup holder, headrest, and a storage

pocket round out the features. The one-piece

aluminum frame makes assembly a breeze.

$220; 7 lbs. 2 oz.; nemoequipment.com

CLASSY COOLER

OtterBox

Venture 65

Superior insulation

is the fi rst thing we

look for in a cooler,

and the Venture delivers: Thanks to 2 inches

of refrigerator-grade foam and a silicone seal,

one tester returned to her vehicle after six

days in the New Mexico backcountry in May

to fi nd her juice still icy cold. The Venture also

boasts smart details: Its sloped fl oor allows

liquid to drain easily, and it has a built-in

bottle opener and a dry storage tray.

$350; 33 lbs.; otterbox.com

COMPREHENSIVE COOKWARE

Stanley

Adventure

Full Kitchen

Base Camp

Cook Set

This kitchen set off ers the

complete package at a great price. It includes

a 3.5-liter pot, a frying pan, a plastic cutting

board, a serving spoon, spatula, four plates,

bowls, and sporks, and even a dish-drying

rack. The stainless-steel pan off ers excellent

heat distribution over uneven fl ames. Best

part? Everything packs inside the pot.

$80; 5 lbs. 10 oz.; stanley-pmi.com

LUXURIOUS PAD

Exped MegaMat Duo 10 LW

This pad is as close as you can get to sleeping

on your bed at home. Its 52-inch width—just

smaller than a full-size mattress—and 3.9-

inch thickness created a cozy nest for two

testers and their toddler on a cold evening in

Bryce Canyon National Park. Open-cell foam

insulation gives the MegaMat a 9.5 R-value—

warm enough for winter camping. After a

year of testing, it looks as good as the fi rst day

it was infl ated. $389; 10 lbs. 3 oz.; exped.com

ALL WEIGHTS PROVIDED BY MANUFACTURER

tk caption

Make way: Tie bandanas

to your tent’s guylines to

prevent kids from tripping

on them.

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WILD ACORNS MEDIA

LIVE LARGE

These car- and boat-friendly luxuries are your ticket to outdoor family fun. By Heather Balogh Rochfort