Fantasy Backpacking: Hottest Items for 3-Season Camping

The modern backpacker is given a plethora of gear choices and must choose between competing technologies and features. Products are infinitely lighter, stronger, and more technologically advanced than ever before.

Everyone has different objectives and qualifications for their gear setup. Price, weight, quality, manufacturer location, and intended use all play a factor in what products are considered superior to others. To create a perfect three-season setup, here is the fantasy list, with technologies that rock.

Deuter's ACT Zero 50+15 is a lightweight, comfortable pack, great for weekend backcountry campouts and stealthily packed treks. It won the 2011 Outside Gear of the Year Award and is a perfect lightweight choice for your next adventure. At 3 lbs 7oz, this pack will appeal to your inner-minimalist without cutting out features like ice-ax loops, water bottle pockets, and padded shoulders.

Why I'm Digging it:

• Features a super comfortable suck to your hips hip belt.
• Includes a rain cover
• Adjustable shoulder straps to fit a wide range of torso sizes
• Removable lid with an extension collar that adds 15 liters to the pack
• Emergency info stamped into the lid
• External half mesh pouch allows wet gear to dry

Big Agnes' Fly Creek UL 1 person tent defines the category of ultralight backpacking tents. With only one DAC Featherlight pole, and the option to set it up without the tent body, this fully taped tent will disappear in your pack. At only 1 lb 14 oz, and a fast pack weight of 1 lb 6 oz, the Fly Creek is a great addition on your next minimalist minded adventure.

Why I'm digging it:

• One of the lightest tents on the market without being a constrictive bivy sac
• Comes with reflective guide lines
• One pole design that is easy for a one person setup
• Very breathable 1200 mm waterproof coating
• Taped seams
• Has the option of leaving the body at home and just pitching the fly and footprint

Marmot's Plasma 15 degree sleeping bag will keep you toasty warm on cold frosty nights. Constructed with the industry's highest quality, 900 fill goose down, and weighing in at 1 lb 15 oz, the Plasma is one of the lightest 15 degree bags on the market. It's highly compressible down will be a trusty friend in the bottom of your pack for years to come.

Why I'm digging it:

• Super lightweight and under 2 lbs.
• Baffles allow you to move the down around to your coldest areas
• Packs down really small into a 7.5 by 15 inch stuff sack
• Comes with Marmot's Lifetime Warranty

The NeoAir Xlite sleeping pad has a cushy 2.5 inches of loft and a a toasty R-value of 3.2. What Even better, is the light weight material has no bulk and wraps up to the size of a water bottle. Thermarest has created a very light weight product with superior comfort. You'll never sleep on a foam pad again. The 2.5 inches of loft is perfect for the restless side sleeper.

Why I'm digging in:

• One of the lightest on the market at 8 oz (S), 12 oz (R), and 16 oz (L)
• Comes with a repair kit
• Baffles help spread out body weight with fewer pressure points
• Sturdy and thin material
• Almost fits in your water bottle

The Jetboil Flash is a very user friendly cooking system with an integrated flint sparker, thermal sleeve, color temperature gauge, adjustable burner, and At only 14 ounces, it will boil a liter of water in 2 minutes, and do it 12 times off of one canister.

Why I'm digging it:

• Quick 2 minute boil time
• Orange heat sensor is helpful for knowing when it hits a boil
• Fuel and burner all tuck away into the cooking cup for efficient storage
• Easiest stove to use
• No fuel mess and no need for a lighter
• Optional coffee press sold separately

Katadyn's Vario is a top quality product and follows strict EPA standards. The Vario is lightweight, easy to clean out in the wild, and improves the taste of water. Being able to pump right into your water bottle leaves one less hose to worry about. The high flow output and simple pumping motion make this filter easy to use for backcountry travel and emergency preparation.

Why I'm digging it:

• High flow rate of 2 liters a minute
• Easy to clean in the field
• Pre-filter keeps the mirco-filter from getting clogged
• Carbon core improves the taste of the water and reduces odors and chemicals
• Pumps directly into your Nalgene bottle
• Comes with a hydration pack adapter
• Only 15 oz and 6.5 inches tall

Light my Fire FireSteel: Very compact fire striker that produces up to 3,000 strikes. With a little practice, this small striker has the reliability of creating thousands of very hot 5,500 degree Fahrenheit sparks, even when wet. The handle has an excellent grip and a built in whistle. At 1.6 ounces, there is no reason to leave home without one.

Gerber Warrant: This half serrated knife is perfect for splitting tinder and kindling. It has a lightweight and slim profile to slip easily around and ankle or mount onto a pack. The knife slides into a camo colored holster which is perfect for hunting or blending into the wild. Go chop, dig, slip, and saw your heart out with this Gerber fixed blade.

Adventure Medical .3 Kit: Super light and watertight, this personal medical kit is a great for the weight conscious hiker. Depending on the length, area, and activity you can shop Adventure Medical's add-ons and refills.

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