Roughing It Made Smoother With Modern Conveniences

There seems no end to the innovations in hiking and camping gear. Roughing it was never so comfy and convenient. The following items may be available in area stores. Prices do not include shipping and handling.

Southpaw army knife: Being left-handed is not just about which hand one eats, writes or bowls with. Southpaws like me also twist a corkscrew in the opposite direction from right-handers, and require reverse scissors and can openers to comfortably and effectively operate those tools. Wenger’s Swiss Army Knives (the real product!) for southpaws thus come as a welcome aid to left-handed hikers and campers. The company produces six varieties, from simple to all-inclusive. I like the top-of-the-line Matterhorn Plus, a hefty item with 16 tools that perform 28 functions. Special for lefties is a reverse spiral on the corkscrew, reverse mounting on the scissors, reverse machinery on the can opener and reverse assembly on the other tools for extra strength. Southpaws who didn’t even know they’d been left out in the design of regular Swiss Army knives will never switch back once they’ve tried this version, which has a left-hander insignia on the casing. The knife comes with a leather sheath with a belt slit.

Wenger Matterhorn Plus Swiss Army Knife (item 348) is $84.95 with sheath from the Lefty Portside catalog, which carries products for left-handed people; telephone (800) 245-5338.

Flashlight-plus. Why settle for a mere flashlight when you can have a water-resistant model that is also an AM/FM clock radio and emergency siren. The Gran Prix flashlight-plus operates on 2 “C” batteries (not included) and one included SR41 cell battery for the clock. Measures 8 1/4 by 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches and weighs just 11 ounces with the batteries.

Gran Prix (33052) is $20 from the Rand McNally catalog; tel. (800) 234-0679.

Light rain gear. Nothing ruins a hiking trip faster than rain-soaked clothing. Orvis, makers of top quality sportswear and gear, has come out with a lightweight Gortex rain jacket and pants (in forest green) that easily earn their places in any pack. The jacket has two zippered welted pockets, Velcro elastic wrist closures and a visored hood that snaps into the collar. The pants have an elastic drawstring waist, elasticized cuffs and Velcro-gussetted 16-inch-long zippers in the legs that allow the pants to fit over boots. Each packs into its own pocket and is guaranteed against leaks for three years.

Packable Gortex rain jacket (G220T-26) is $229; pants (G22IT-26) are $159 from Orvis; tel. (800) 541-3541.

Easy-access water. Having a ready supply of drinking water is essential on hiking trips, but carrying around a canteen can be uncomfortable--especially for children. Camelbak is a nifty backpack drinking system that stores water in an insulated backpack and has a long flexible plastic straw running from pack to mouth. The pack is carried on the back via adjustable straps, and is available in a variety of styles and sizes. Basic Camelbak ThermoBak for adults carries 70 ounces of liquid. This solves the “I’m thirsty’s,” but may lead to the “I have to go to the bathrooms.”

Camelbak ThermoBak 70-ounce backpack is 43.95; Halfbak 32-ounce model for children is $41.95 at bike shops or from the manufacturer, Fast Trak Systems; tel. (800) 767-8725.

Instant camp seat. Sitting around the campfire is a lot more comfortable with a mat and some back support. You get both with this lightweight camp chair/sleeping mat from Slumberjack. The bonded open-cell foam mat becomes a chair via snap-together adjustable straps that hold the top and bottom parts taut when you sit in the contraption. The quick-release buckles unsnap to become a three-quarters-length sleeping mat. Brass, screw-down air valves inflate automatically when opened for extra cushioning.

Camp chair/sleeping mat (SJM9120) is $54 at outdoor stores. For a store near you, call Slumberjack; tel. (800) 233-6283. Other sizes and styles also are available.

Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.