Favorite Camping Accessories: Comfort counts

Active Junky’s out to make the most of every minute beyond the sidewalk. And even beyond the tent. These field-proven picks add a touch of home in civilized and backcountry situations.

Opinel 8 Outdoor Orange Folding Knife: No fooling around, mon ami 

Opinel’s been slicing, cutting and carving for longer than some states have been included on the U.S. flag. As in, 1890 when Joseph Opinel crafted a blade-and-handle combination that’s the forerunner of this non-slip polymer version rated for temps between -40c and +80c. Promoted as a "heavy duty survival knife," testers hacked into 1" branches (for firewood), thick outdoor carpet (to recycle it) and low-fat summer sausage (use your imagination). More effective than a box cutter and with penetrating power superior to many fixed-blade knives, No. 8 Outdoor turns a combination 2.5mm thick, 3 ¼" long sandvik stainless steel blade into sweet, consistent pocket-worthy utility. In many challenges, Active Junky started the cut with the point, moving to the serrated blade to make swift progress. Finishing details landed on the quick-sharpening smooth blade near the knife’s tip. The integrated survival whistle and shackle key don’t get in the way and have some value in a knife that’s a tribute to the reliable, beech-handled No.8.  

Best For: Urban, home repair and wilderness challenges, with regular hand sharpening to take full advantage of the knife 

Check out the Opinel 8 Outdoor Orange Folding Knife.

ESPRO Explorer Coffee and Tea Travel Press: Adventure, one sip at a time 

If there are any coffee snobs in the house, look out. Active Junky’s nearly-comical affection for all things brewed makes for malcontents whenever travel coffee systems come across the desk. At a result, ESPRO is, in a word, ridiculous. A double micro-filter system gets one of the finest results we’ve sampled – with a third, paper filter option should coffee oils prove too rough. While overkill for some (testers included), it makes Explorer a viable everyday system for pole-to-pole French Press coffee including at home or work. Swap for the thinner tea filter (also included with the kit) and let the loose leaves fall where they may for consistent extractions.  While coffee brewing is limited to 10oz, the lidded tumbler handles 15oz without either of the two filter modules in place. Vacuum insulated to stand up to extended commutes, this one makes an exceptional gift with a bonus, lifetime warranty. If professional-grade results are as important as portability, look no farther. 

Best For: Daily French press delight, travel when post-drinking clean-up is available.

Check out the ESPRO Explorer Coffee and Tea Travel Press.

Rumpl Down Puffy Blanket: Life’s answers, compressed to 6”x 6”

Rumpl Down Puffy Blanket

Let’s be honest with each other.  Most of life is lived in civilized to somewhat edgy environments.  Much of what’s in the gear closet gets periodic-but-extraordinary workouts.  Rumpl’s Down Puffy Blanket is for the 90%, when cuddling up or stretching out makes the moment.  And often redeems the day.  Sustainably-sourced 600 fill duck down is lovingly loaded into 20D ripstop nylon, wisely treated with DWR to repel splashes, sprays and small spills. Active Junky’s list of applications grows every time the machine-washable 54" x 80" blanket gets unfurled (we prefer the Cyan-trimmed option) and now includes 1) warm weather hammock camping (a new obsession here), 2) international airplane travel and hostel stays, 3) tent camping including amping up three-season bags to four-season capability, 4) evening stargazing from deck or driveway, 5) brunch-worthy lazy mornings, 6) loving up surprise overnight guests, and 7) watching the lightning storm from inside, French Press coffee in hand.  Here’s one of these rare moments where testers simply declare, "trust us."

Best For: The moments, the memories, the exceptional places and the people who deserve to be wrapped in tangible evidence of your love