Summer Travel Gear

Oru Inlet Kayak

About six years ago, at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Gorman Chairback Lodge in Maine, I watched two women carry what appeared to be a large white plastic suitcase to the edge of Long Pond. They unfolded it and maybe 15 minutes later, had transformed it into a kayak that one of them took out for a paddle. That was my first encounter with the Oru Kayak, an ingenious packable kayak that unfolds like a piece of origami. Now there’s nothing new about the concept of packable kayaks. Companies like Klepper have been making them for more than century. Kleppers are indeed great boats but they’re relatively heavy, require a lot of time and effort to put together, and cost a small fortune. Of course, the Oru is not designed for rugged adventure like a Klepper, which is capable of ocean crossings. The target waters for the Oru are ponds and lakes, which is where most of us do our recreational boating. What’s revolutionary about the Oru are the craft’s lightweight materials, the ingeniously simply design, and the speed of assembly. The price is right as well. Oru now makes five different foldable boats, starting with the Inlet. The 10’ Inlet weighs only 20lbs and folds into a box about the size of a guitar case. The company says that this kayak can be transformed from box to boat in under three minutes. As for storage, it can fit into the back of a closet at home. The base price is $899.

Clothing Arts Pick-Pocket Proof Explorer Travel® Chino

When I travel, I want clothing that offers comfort, smart design and some measure of security. It’s what led me to become a fan of the original pickpocket proof pants from Clothing Arts. Now they’ve come out with a much lighter pair, the Pick-Pocket Proof Explorer Travel® Chino. They’re breathable, ideal for city wear or even the tropics, and have four hidden YKK zipper-secure pockets. The new pants combine classic style and 4th Generation Nature-Like™ Nylon with Stretch advanced fabric. In other words, they’re comfortable but don’t call attention to themselves. On my first post-pandemic trip, which happened to be to Jamaica, they were the ideal travel pants. The hidden pockets fit my smartphone and wallet. The rear pockets also boast double-secure full-sized hidden zippered pockets. These pants are also wrinkle-resistant and offer UPF 50+ protection. Dress them up or dress them down, they’re the real deal. $114.95

Jack Wolfskin Crosstrail 24Lt

If you spend any time at all in the Alps, you’re bound to see fellow hikers with the brand name “Jack Wolfskin” emblazoned on their packs. This German company seems to supply half of the Euro mountain zone with solidly made outdoor wear. Of late, they’ve been making new inroads in the United States. Their new Crosstrail 24 Lt is a lightweight, ergonomically designed pack that has more than enough space for a long day or even an overnight hike. It has a separate front pocket, elastic mesh pouches on the front and sides, and lashing loops for trekking poles. It can accommodate a hydration system or you can simply stash your water bottle in the fold-out bottle holster on the waist belt. The pack has an environmental conscience as well, as it’s made with a sustainably manufactured air mesh fabric, a waterless Future Dye process, and recycled polyester lining. What sealed the deal for me is the Air Control System, which is the gap between the mesh back panel and the body of the pack. It offers amazing ventilation and prevented me from overheating, a major plus for summer hiking. $119.95

Bajio Sunglasses

Bajio Sunglasses are exceptionally cool looking shades originally designed with fly fishing in mind. That said, they can be used for virtually any outdoor activity. Named “bajío” for the Spanish word for the shallows, it’s the area that fishermen know as flats, where sight-casting for bonefish and permit require sunglasses that cut out the glare and offer a clear, sharp focus. They have form-fitting frames and stay on your head even if you’re in motion. The kicker is that their lenses don’t filter out yellow light like most other brands but instead filter out blue light. The company claims that this means a clearer lens and better contrast. I found that these polarized glasses offer a very sharp field of vision, which is all that I was asking for. To drill down, they have six custom-developed lens colors designed for specific light conditions and environments. The frames are lightweight bio-based nylon. From $199.

Kodiak Skogan Mid Waterproof Hiker

Kodiak has been well-known in Canada for more than century, acclaimed for making rugged work boots and winter footwear. Now they’ve entered the world of hiking with their new Kodiak Skogan Mid Waterproof Hiker. They’ve chosen a classic, near-retro style for these boots, which are indeed 100% waterproof. Premium full grain waterproof leather and sealed seams make it possible, yet there’s also a breathable, waterproof membrane construction. It’s an eco-minded shoe, with a textile upper composed of 100% recycled plastic. The laces are 50% recycled and the lining 100% is recycled plastics. Comfort comes in the form of the Kodiak Comfortzone® ECO footbed and a lightweight, compression molded EVA midsole. On a recent rainy day hike, it was clear that Kodiak what they set out to do, and made a great pair of waterproof, breathable day hikers. $155.