Prepare to take on the outdoors
Outdoor life is more manageable, thanks to these new products:
Dressed to repel
Buzz Off Lite: Biting bugs seem only slightly discouraged by clothing -- they frequently bite through it or work their way under it. Not with this shirt. Ex Officio’s Buzz Off Insect Shield apparel has insect repellent bonded to the fabric, so if you’re covered, chances are good you’re protected from mosquitoes, ticks, flies, chiggers, ants and midges. The repellent, derived from chrysanthemums, is odorless, colorless and hypoallergenic and designed to maintain the soft feel of the lightweight cotton-polyester fabric. The clothing should be machine-washed separately to preserve the protectant, which lasts through about 25 washings. Dry cleaning removes the active ingredient.
Buzz Off Lite shirt in men’s and women’s sizes is $79; pants, $74; socks, $18; hat, $28; and bandana, $12. Also available in children’s sizes. Ex Officio, (800) 644-7303, www.exofficio.com.
Shelter from the wind
Windthingy: Beach umbrellas protect you from the sun, but what about the wind and blowing sand? The Windthingy, a lightweight, nylon 3.5-foot-high fan-shaped umbrella, sits on the ground and shields users with its 7-foot “wingspan.” For stability, bury the retractable end of the shaft and the umbrella’s plastic stakes in the sand or dirt. If the wind shifts, remove the plastic stakes and rotate the umbrella, leaving the central shaft in place. If the sun is overhead, you also may need a regular beach umbrella.
Windthingy fan-shaped beach umbrella is $39 from WesArt Productions, (800) 358-3269, www.windthingy.com.
Hot on the spot
Portable water heater: Coleman has developed a relatively lightweight portable water heater that gets your H20 steaming in five seconds with a standard 16.4-ounce disposable propane cylinder. Connect the integrated hose and pump to the 5-gallon collapsible water carrier, turn the control knob to the desired temperature (from unheated to 160 degrees), and the unit dispenses hot water in seconds. A 6-volt, rechargeable battery supplies power to the pump. It can be recharged from a vehicle’s 12-volt power supply or a standard household outlet. An optional spray adapter converts the water heater into a portable shower with a molded grip and 48-inch hose. At 22 pounds, it’s too heavy for backpackers but great for car camping.
Hot Water on Demand Portable Water Heater is $180; spray attachment, $10. Coleman, (800) 835-3278, www.coleman.com.
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