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Cool Gear/Gadgets/Trends:Outdoor Retailer S/S 2015 Glamping+Grilling

Part 3
Outdoor Nation Fundraiser...

People  are experiencing the outdoors in ways that are decidedly inside their comfort zones...
getting youth outdoors and moving…more needed than ever with school budgets eliminating phys ed. 















…including urban area settings and easily accessed woodsy locales via automotive vehicles as well as on foot. Which means that getting outdoors means a lot of different things to all those market segments…resulting in scores of companies, established and KickStarted-with gear/gadgets determined to keep individuals well fed…and comfy.


Highlights:

Pineview Reservoir
Glamping got off to an early Demo Day start the night prior via Barebones mini-village complete with outdoor BBQs-s'mores set-ups, cold beer…

...and insulating cabin-like tents  -that reminded us of facilities used by African safari tour operators.

Barebones has 5 safari/cabin tents… different sizes and some with outside awnings..






































Glamping =no need to haul equipment around…and someone else sets up/breaks down the tents, brings the food and drinks, makes the meals, and cleans up.
inside-light, ventilation, bug netting, cots...
The automobile got major play this OR with an entire section devoted to tailgating…and portable outdoor kitchen set-ups, served up gourmet eats that defy what stereotypical camping out food used to be.
PRIMUS  Camping makes affordable stoves/grills ($109.95-$199.95) for base camps---clearly these  are serious heat fast and evenly too.


portable stoves for trekking+ expeditions-also by Primus




Matt Eels and IN THE WILD Chef/Cookbook author Steve Weston kept the crowds happily sampling good eats. Very impressive. 

no doubt, popular guy at a BBQ



Tasty eating at the Outdoor Foundation fund raiser…qualifies for glamping =our definition of...

Brooklyn based BioLite has been around for a few years---ever since we saw them at a Demo Days gone by, we are mildly obsessed and beyond impressed that with a few twigs-one can heat up and charge up food, water and personal electronics, respectively. Courtesy of a patented thermoelectric technology that converts the fire (fueled by wood not fossil fuels, propane or charcoal)-into electricity powering an internal fan that improves overall combustion , creating an ultra efficient and practically smokeless fire..
BioLite KettlePot ($49.95)-2 in 1 cooking+pouring the top part stores CampStove

cooking for a crowd-check out this biggie-BioLite BaseCamp with included FlexLight (pictured below)  has a 1 touch lever transform flames to meet variety of cooking needs. Good for home patios too. $299.95


BioLite CampStove $129.95 portable+compact

BioLite PowerLight compact 2-in-1 lantern& torch with USB output can charge up to 3 smartphones or 4 BioLite Sitelights…itself gets charged up via USB source -of the amazing KettleCharge- with included heat resistant flexible USB extender. $149.95
the KettleCharge with the fold down handle (where USB outlets and indicator are placed)- boils up/sterilizes water…pour it in via that open slit  pictured lower left of the kettle…and within minutes, there's 10W on-demand power ready to charge phones, tablets, lights with the output of a wall unit
there's even a smart dashboard that gives the 411 on the heat of the kettle and the amount of power being generated. BONUS can use it on your regular inside stove or other portable ones- too-very Alessi looking 





ZIPPO® Outdoor showed off a slew of outdoor user friendly products---including these sparkling grills that fascinated us…and we don't even cook.

WindProof™ Stove-with windproof burner technology-stainless steel chimney's with proprietary tech keep it all lit-even on windiest days…like the lighters.  Cast aluminum body and lid,  leg and propane storage,push button electronic ignition for dual burners, lid-lock pins for ez transpire, leveling feet, table top model available too. $249.95

All-Terrain Grill™=cast aluminum firebox body and lid hold heat in longer, and the entire durable construction-the company makes their own parts, fiy-including efficient twin burners, legs, axles and wheels can handle rough environments -ready to roll $399.95
One might need a helping hand to stick in the trunk of an SUV (45lbs)…but this All-Terrain Grill™ is extremely portable/functional -folding down easy…with a insertable pin to lock it tight. And it can cook up A LOT with a 223 sq inch cook surface.
unlatch---easy folding spring assisted X-Frame...

collapses and tools away on rugged wheels-anti-rattle transport too via rubber coated wheels!
Other features-a plate that vaporizes drippings and holds in flavors,
runs on 1lb or 20lb propane canisters



attaches propane …push button ignition
Beyond picky coffee drinkers can bring their own!!!!

2 sizes available 17 oz $50 and 1.1 quart-lid separates into 2 cups for sharing, dry storage in stopper holds coffee grounds, vacuum insulated bottle keeps things hot, integrated bottle+press brews bottle's worth of coffee-then nest pot to save space. 18/8 stainless steel is rust free. Leak proof and insulated.
The Stanley booth literally stopped us in our tracks…with this portable "Pack Less & Brew Better" french press and integrated vacuum coffee system. We can't wait for it to deliver.


also available soon- keep it warm for 13 hours, or 11 hours cold-the 20oz $50 Mountain Vacuum Food System-with integrated spark, leak-proof, 18/8 stainless steel won't rust and is naturally BPA free.
Part 1 Manly Snacks
Part 2 Energy on the go
Part 4 Staying Connected-Powering Up-Portably