I think even James Bond carries one of these. The Leatherman Skeletool camping multi-tool has been voted the best camping gear tool of 2008. When you take a close look at it you can see why. Leatherman has managed to cram a multitude of handy tools all into one tight compact unit that is easy to use. The Skeletool comes with a straight and serrated edged blade which are coated in Tungsten DLC which protects the blades and allows you to keep them razor sharp for a long time. The built-in needle nose pliers work as if they are a regular full-sized pair. This multi-tool is fitted with a carbon grip for ultimate control and a clip that can be used as a bottle opener.

The Skeletool is also equipped with a basic screwdriver set for those unfortunate occasions when your flashlight batteries die and you need to replace them. Imagine you had a flashlight and new batteries but no screwdriver to open it up. Don’t be caught unprepared in the woods, i could think of many scenarios where this tool would come in handy and i always make sure i grab this when i’m packing my camping gear for an outing. One thing that should be mentioned is the weight of this multi-tool. It won’t weigh you down because  of the choice of metals used and that has always been a big drawback with most outdoor camping tools. We are always looking for a way to lighten the load and Leatherman has pulled through.

Having the proper camping equipment is essential going out on long trips. With the GSI camping cooking system you will feel like you havn’t left the comforts of your home kitchen. I remember back in the day when i would go hunt moose with my father we never had camping dishes as nice as these. Come to think of it i don’t think we had much besides a thermos cup and some grocery bags full of dry food. Yup, we really knew how t rough it and i’m kind of disappointed that the newer generation of kids won’t be able to know what it feels like to sleep in a tent in 40 below weather with nothing but a thin blanket to keep you snug. Back to the GSI cookware, aren’t they gorgeous?  The pots and pans of course are made from aluminum and on many occasions i have left a pot like these in a fire pit for far to long and burnt a hole clean through.

Aluminum pots i guess are not meant to withstand extreme heat but the upside is they weigh next to nothing and when hiking this is important. The way this cook set is designed allows for easy stacking and packing. The bowls, plates and cups are all made from biodegradable material. Don’t worry it takes years to disintegrate. Now if you are like me and only think you know how to cook GSI has made the bottoms of the pans non-stick for those of us who burn most everything. When your out in the bush drinking wobbly pops these things can happen. Either way GSI makes an excellent set of outdoor cookware that will stand up to the heat on your next camping expedition.

If you enjoy camping and love to cook than why not take a long the GSI Kitchen Camping Utensils. This cute little set is perfect for those hungry woodsmen that fancy themselves as highly skilled outdoor chefs who can create gourmet meals from small animals and questionable forest vegetables they find while hiking. If you are one of the top food contest winners who is tired of looking like a filthy pig with pumpkin pie filling all over your face than don’t forget to bring the ultimate tool set to the table which has a vast array of helpful camping utensils. The set includes a whisk for making brilliant omelets on romantic camping trips with your spouse, a grater (again omelet), salt and pepper shakers (same).

I’m sure you can think of other things to cook especially since the GSI Kitchen set is eqipped with telescoping spatulas and spoons, a cutting board for dicing up poison berries, a scrubby and a couple of towels. Of course the set also has all the other little odds and ends you would find in a kitchen drawer. All this is contained in a tight little carrying case which of course you may get mildly irrated fitting all of this back in. Especially if you wake up at the camp site hung over like i normally am. But  needless to say it is pretty cool and handy and that is why it made it to APEQS.

The Wilderness Systems Pungo Duralite Kayak is a pleasure ride to say the least. It is fast, agile and easy to maneuver through calm or rough waters. The length of this kayak suits most body types and is more like one size fits all. For a recreational kayak the Pungo is very roomy inside and allows the paddler to really use their full range of motion as the cockpit is wide-mouthed and has ample space for your legs. The body of the Pungo is made with Duralite which is a light-weight polyethylene material.

Near the stern is a small storage space that you can put your camping or kayaking gear in and keep safe from the elements. The door for this compartment is water resistant and closes with a latch mechanism for added safety. Portaging is a snap with this kayak as it comes with a comfortable carrying handle. You can tie your belongings to the outside rigging so that you can quickly find what your looking for. If you are a beginner paddler and are looking for a great starter than the Pungo Duralite Kayak is perfect. These kayaks are meant to be abused as they are extremely durable and well priced.

Don’t leave home without the ACR Microfix GPS Beacon. This small life save is meant to be carried into the forbidden danger zones of the outdoors. The Microfix 406 Beacon will  alert a rescue agency of your whereabouts so that you can be briskly extracted to safety and out of harms way. The way it works is that it communicates a signal through a satellite and gives them your exact coordinates. As is with most outdoor adventures you may not be near a pay phone when your camping on a mountain glacier at 400 ft of altitude. The Microfix GPS beacon is the more cost effective solution for those who just can’t scrap up enough cash for a satellite phone which are by the way not as reliable as one would think.

The device is very light and is water resistant up to and including 16 feet. It’s pervious model which was called the TerraFix was much bulkier and did not stand up to the most extreme weather conditions. Learning from the past ACR made great strides in creating a GPS device that is reliable and durable for emergencies. I often think about those news stories of the 6 trapped miners in Utah and how perhaps one of these GPS units might have speed up the search and rescue. But then it dawned on me. What good would a satellite GPS beacon be if you were 100 meters underground. Oh well, i’m sure there is plenty of other disaster scenarios that would require a MicroFix Beacon.

The North Face Agility Shorts are fantastic for trail running and basically any kind of outdoor sport. Made for those who like to feel free when running the shorts are made baggy and have mesh panels to allow for air to pass though and keep you cool. The Agility shorts are composed of 90% polyester and 10% Elastane which gives it excellent elasticity and comfort. Because of the fabric used these shorts are amazingly light which really makes them easy to wear on really extensive jogs.

These shorts come with an internal pocket for concealment and to side pockets which are made to be deep and allow you to keep larger objects. If you are in caught in the rain the Agility shorts are quick drying because of the materials used. It’s no wonder these shorts are called the Agility shorts because they are extremely agile and are worth every penny. North Face is the leader in outdoor gear and fitness wear and it appears that they know what their doing.

These Patagonia Capilene t-shirts are made with the latest in outdoor fabrics. Consisting of polyester which is 54 percent recycled material. The shirt has the ability to keep you warm and dry and also based on the level of activity can keep you cool and without odor. Patagonia provides quality cut fabrics that repel water and are quick drying.  It can be worn under other layers and is insulated and wind resistant. The self binding neckline is very soft and reduces any chafing when doing repetitive movements.

This may seem like your plain old run of the mill shirt but when wearing it you can tell the difference and the high quality that patagonia known for. I used to be a 100% reliant on North Face for all my outdoor clothing needs but after buying the Capilene shirt i realize there is more to making a t-shirt than meets the eye. 

And here it is the Buck Camp Axe in all it’s glory. Do not go camping without one. It’s yellow in color, not because it is appealing to the eyes but so you don’t roll over onto it in the the cramped tent at 2am after you got sloshed with your buddies. The Buck camping axe is made small and compact and is made for a wide array of uses. The back of the axe can be used to drive in tent stakes or just open up a can of beans by the fire. It comes with a sheath that conveniently keeps the sharp blade protected and secure.

Last year i bought one of these and found the rubber grip to be very helpful when swinging the axe as it dampens the vibrations that are felt from the typical wooden hatchets on the market. I also like the fact that it was under 50 bucks and was a highly durable and skillfully designed camping tool. I ended up dropping mine in a deep crevice in the back of my closet and i’m just way to lazy to dig it out. I think it’s about time for a new camping axe, one that won’t run away on me.

The Freestyle Vortex Watch is possibly one of the nicest watches you will ever wear. Strikingly beautiful reflective gold watch face with an on-axis design and coupled with the softest polyurethane watch strap material that feels as though it is giving you a relaxing massage on your wrist. Perfect for kayaking or any outdoor sport the Vortex is water resistant up to 100 meters.

No need to worry about damaging it as it is a very ruggedly constructed watch meant for a few bumps and bruises. Outfitted with a stainless steel casing and rounded outer bezel that keeps the watch from catching on sleeve material. It comes with a separate hand for the date and is 24 hour capable. The hands on the Freestyle Vortex light up in the dark, not that time is an issue in the great outdoors. The strap is adjustable and is fitted with a metal buckle for extra durability. Check out the new Vortex now as it is the number one choice for campers and hikers alike.