Campers’ comfort zones

A room of one’s own can be especially welcome in the not-always-great outdoors. The following shelters have been tested by the author (and one by her dog).

-- Judi Dash

Let there be light

The Mutha Hubba is the stuff of backpackers’ dreams -- a tent that sleeps three in its nearly 40 square feet and is also lightweight (less than 7 pounds, including the tent, rain fly and poles). Made almost entirely of no-see-um mesh netting, except for the waterproof floor and ceiling, the Mutha Hubba allows for maximum ventilation. The included rain fly provides protection from downpours and morning dew. Two zippered tent entrances and two matching vestibules on the rain fly make entry and exit easy at both ends and provide extra space for gear. The self-standing tent sets up quickly using a series of featherweight collapsible poles, all connected to one hub by elastic cord. The rain fly also connects to the poles, as does an optional waterproof “footprint” ground cloth.

Mutha Hubba tent (12143) is $380; footprint (12154), $50, from Cascade Designs; (800) 531-9531, www.msrgear.com.

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Wind block

A cool breeze may be welcome on a hot day at the beach, but a mighty wind is another matter. Swirls of gritty sand and, on cooler days, chilling gusts, are no fun. The folks at WesArt have a solution: an improved version of their ingenious Windthingy. The nylon, 3 1/2 -foot-high, fan-shaped umbrella has a 7-foot span that, when staked to sand or soil (two plastic stakes included), shields its users from whatever is blowing their way. The Windthingy can be rotated on its central aluminum shaft if the wind changes, though it will have to be re-staked with each shift.

Windthingy is $30 from WesArt Productions; (800) 358-3269,www.windthingy.com.

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Gear and Gadgets appears monthly.