Inside Outdoor Summer 2017

What’s more, according to a survey

by KOA, new campers in 2016 were

significantly more likely to spend their

nights in an RV than they were the

year before.

Design Impacts

Back within core outdoor spaces,

at least in terms of our camping gear

and done-in-day accoutrements,

there’s been something of a 180-de-

gree turn in design philosophy. For

the past several spring and summer

seasons, a whole lot of emphasis has

been placed on lowering weights.

From trail footwear to packs to tents

to sleep wares, we’ve seen ounces

shed and unnecessary bells and

whistles abandoned. Brands popped

up that were specifically built on the

premise of “fast and light;” we even

made it all the way to “ultralight.”

But when a wheeled and motorized

vehicle can take on the roles of backpack,

duffel bag and gear vestibule, all of sud-

den there is a lot more room in play with.

“Road tripping consumers want

gear that is compressible and easy to

transport but isn’t limited by the need to

fit in a 60-liter backpack,” says Greene.

“Instead, the added capacity of a car,

van or SUV at the campsite creates

an opportunity for products to strike

a better balance between packability,

versatility (to support a broad variety of

road life adventures) and livability (as

defined by comfort-focused features).”

“One of the things I’ve really en-

joyed about overlanding is worrying

less about every ounce you’re carrying

and focusing more on creating amaz-

ing meals and comfortable camping

experiences,” adds Brensinger.

Such sentiments may send shut-

ters down the backpack of outdoor

purists, but both Greene at Kelty and

Brensinger at NEMO are more inter-

ested in the upside.

“Designing for

vehicle-based

adventures is

fun because

there are less

constraints;

myCharge’s largest battery bank with the

highest power output, the AdventureUltra

is designed to replace the heavy and

bulky generators used when tailgating or

camping. myCharge says it can run a 42-

inch television for up to three hours. SRP

is $129.99.

Makes and Models

Buzzwords notwithstanding, vehicle-based adventures come in too many variations

to fit under any one moniker. Here’s what we see as the primary subcategories,

with some help from the editors at

Overland Journal

Car Campers

These folks are mostly found at developed campgrounds, often around fire pits

and picnic tables. The subcategory, however, also should include those who travel

further off the highway, likely setting up off of a forest road, and possibly near some

trails, rocks, rapids or lava tunnels. Car makers today have built versatile interiors

that attempt to mimic living spaces, making it appealing for car campers to use

their rides as shelters, power sources, beds and workspaces.

Backcountry Adventurers

Rather than a car, this group is using adventure motorcycles and four-wheelers

to get off the main roads for possibly several days with only the support of their

vehicles. Strap on a board, boat, bike or crash pad and these adventurers are able

to reach remote recreation spots that might otherwise be inaccessible to them.

Overland

The stricter definition, according to Overland Journal, is vehicle-supported, self-

reliant adventure travel, typically exploring remote locations and interacting with

other cultures. More generally, the spirit of exploration and life lessons of the

journey that are inherent to overlanding can also be found during a weekend trip

just 100 miles from home.

Further out on the longtail of overland are adventure travelers on organized,

vehicle-dependent expeditions, often involving long distances, varied terrains

and climates. The objective (and the customer) is not unlike that of the millions

of backpackers who have traveled the trails at home and abroad.

Vanlife

Also known as #vanlife, this is the stuff of Instagram dreams. In most cases, those

selfies could be of couples on an extended honeymoon, climbers chasing routes

near summer music festivals or a small family on a vacation road trip rolling from

geysers to amusement park to mountain hot spring. For the lucky few, it’s an

alternative way of life. Internet-connected and mobile-enabled, these vanlifers can

where the wind don’t blow so strange

and still function within the work world.

It’s not hard to understand the appeal.

“Van life is a new version of the American dream that’s more attainable and more

flexible than the big house in suburbia or the condo at the ski resort,” says Cam

Brensinger, NEMO founder and CEO, “Plus, North America has such an incredible

diversity of landscapes and local cultures, you can have a lifetime of experiences

on the road, bringing home with you everywhere you go.”

We’re sold.

The name says it all. Part of

Kelty’s mission to bring a piece of home

on the adventure, the

Tru.Comfort

Camp

Bed can pair with a Kelty sleeping bag to

keep sleepers from rolling off the bed.

SUMMER

2017

Inside

Outdoor