Outfitted: Summer Standouts

Once again, our notoriously idyllic mountain summer flew by faster than I’d prefer. As we round the bend to the fall season, I have reflected on my favorite and most used new gear from the past few months. It can be difficult to narrow it down to only six, but here are a handful that stand out. As a bonus, some of these items are now on sale since it’s the end of the season.

1. MSR Habiscape 4P Family and Group Tent

If you’re not backpacking or lugging your tent a significant distance from the car, there’s no need to stray away from a posh tent. The Habiscape is perfect for a basecamp situation or just some good old-fashioned car camping. With its spacious and tall interior, extra features include ceiling loops for gear storage and lighting, high pockets for convenient storage, and the perfect balance of mesh and solid fabric for privacy and airflow. I was able to easily set this tent up solo, which is always a plus. Two large doors make it easy to cart in large camping mattresses or cots and the rain fly has multiple options of set-up depending on what kind of vestibule you prefer. I think my favorite feature is the pass-through pocket that can be accessed from the inside or outside of the tent. This was a perfect access point for my headlamp and car key storage. FYI, the footprint is sold separately, so don’t forget to order it like I did. Also available in a 6-person version.

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$500, MSRGear.com

2. Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 Purifying Fan

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In recent years, and especially after our local Lake Christine wildfire several years ago, I’ve really been paying more attention to air quality in my home. Whether it’s residual smoke from wildfires near and far or allergy season hitting harder than it used to, the air we breath can greatly impact our quality of life in everything from a good night’s sleep to how productive we are in our jobs. After doing some significant research on air purifiers, I decided to splurge on this Dyson model. It includes a solid-state formaldehyde sensor, as well as a HEPA filter that automatically senses, captures, and traps pollutants for cleaner air. It also acts as a fan that oscillates 350 degrees and has 10 speed settings. With a smartphone app you can track everything from the kind of pollutants it detects to indoor humidity levels and temps. The price is pretty salty, but after about six months of having this in my house, I can definitely tell a difference, and allergy season didn’t hit as hard last spring.

$750, Dyson.com

3. Birkenstock Gizeh Braided Sandal

You’ve probably been living under a rock if you haven’t noticed the extreme resurgence in Birkenstock popularity recently. It’s, like, the ’90s all over again. This past summer, I found myself wearing this Gizeh sandal more than any others in my collection. They are a new take on the classic Gizeh style by having a braided oiled leather upper strap. The original contoured suede footbed is still included along with a base of cork latex support, and the ankle strap has an adjustable metal pin buckle for refining the fit. I found that the thong-style toe piece is durable and strong, but it took a little time to build up a callous between my toes in that main friction spot.

$135, Birkenstock.com

4. Amundsen 5Mila Jacket

I have found that a good stretchy soft-shell jacket is a go-to for me all year. You can count on cool nights here in the mountains, so it’s always smart to have layers on hand. The 5Mila from Norwegian brand Amundsen has been a recent favorite for its 4-way stretch and breathability. It includes ventilation panels to keep the air flowing as well as strategically placed stretch panels under the sleeves and on the back to maintain freedom of movement. I love its sleek profile and have no doubt that this piece will transition seamlessly into high-intensity winter activities. Available in women’s and men’s sizes and colors.

$429, AmundsenSports.com

5. Front Runner/Dometic 2 Cook 3 Pro Delux Camp Cooker

One of my favorite things to test is a new camp stove. I love the idea of finding new and efficient ways of cooking a big meal in the outdoors. This new one from Front Runner is great for it’s versatility. There are two independent burners, and each has an interchangeable aluminum, non-stick flat grill and griddle top. Additionally, there are two pot stands, a coffee pot holder and a carry bag. I really like how you can use the burners traditionally or you can pop on one of the non-stick tops to use for making pancakes or grilling burgers. It’s the Goldilocks of grills. There’s even a fuel connector that’s compatible with a standard quick-connect RV propane hose. I’m thinking of getting my parents one of these for their 5th-wheel RV. It’s surprisingly light-weight considering it’s cooking options and would be a great addition to any camp kitchen.

$200, FrontRunnerOutfitters.com

6. Fjallraven Abisko Hike Foldsack

It seems that every season I find a new go-to pack that I never leave home with out. This summer, it’s been the Abisko Foldsack. With a 25 liter capacity, it’s the perfect size for day hikes and pretty much any outing from festivals to sightseeing. I think one of my favorite things about this is its simplicity. The pack has a fold-over, zippered closure that secures with a buckle. It’s quick to use, and its design can add a few liters of extra space in a pinch. The back panel and straps have ventilation mesh to allow for air flow and the hip and chest straps are removable. There are two large outer pockets that easily accommodate a traditional 1 liter water bottle, and the outer also includes the always-appreciated bungee system to attach anything from a helmet to an extra jacket. If you need one pack for almost anything, the Abisko is a great place to start.

$135, Fjallraven.com

Meg Simon is an Aspen-based freelance writer, graphic designer, and founder of Simon Finch Creative. She can be reached at meg@simonfinchcreative.com.