New Classic Gear: Field-Proven Favorites

Finding worthwhile gear investments isn’t easy.  Active Junky testers continue to put hundreds of pieces of equipment into tough situations.  Here are three to buy now.  And keep using for years to come.

Victorinox Original XL Watch:  The time is now

Call your favorite adventure partner.  Check the weather.  Download your boarding pass.  Strap on this classic-but-fresh watch from Victorinox and you’re nearly dressed, whether alpine ridges, deep rainforest or stark desert expanses call.   Active Junky testers keep looking at our wrists, both mystified and comforted at the same time.  The 43mm face is big enough to read, small enough to fit under cuffs.  XL’s luminescence makes for late-night legibility without blasting the retinas.  Brought back from first issue in 1989, the Swiss-made quartz movement edition is beyond questioning as is the red outer ring that feels more Matterhorn than Manhattan.  A date function further increases the watch’s utility.  Even without it, 100m water resistance plus a shatter-resistant crystal face are enough.  See you at the summit. Of Kilimanjaro.

Best For: Everyday motivation, travel timekeeping, extraordinary gift-giving

Check out the Victorinox Original XL Watch >

CRKT Cordite Compact Knife: Right-sized reliability

Here’s where the gritty realists at Ruger got together with the knife experts at CRKT.  And trusted master knife designer Ryan Johnson of Tennessee to implement their vision for compact cutting power.  Testers stood amazed at the control, efficiency and perseverance of a drop-point blade only 2.5” long and guided by a paracord-wrapped frame.  Hardness of 58-59 reinforces this one’s utility as do the carrying, clipping and strapping options.  Sixty dollars?  Really, that’s all for a knife that’s prepared for garage, hunting camp, float trip and emergency deployment?  In addition, a black, glare-fighting stonewashed blade comes through in bright sunlight and on the water to keep track of a new favorite.  Plus, the edge profile is among the fastest to tune up Active Junky’s evaluated in the past 18 months.
    
Best For: Because, in case of

Check out the CRKT Cordite Compact Knife >

Yeti Rambler Bottle 36oz: Portable potables

Yeti Rambler Bottle 36oz

The Sonoran Desert was the perfect recent pairing with Yeti’s newest.  Carrying the double-wall vacuum insulation of the Rambler line, this generous 18/8 stainless cylinder was – and is -- the antidote.  To fighting to get a decent drink (courtesy of the Over-The-Nose wide opening).  To getting a top on and off securely (thanks to reliable threads).  To grabbing and going without dropping the bounteous bottle (credit to a No Sweat design and three-finger top loop).  While the price looks steep on the outside, Rambler’s overnight cooling power warrants the investment as Yeti insiders already know.  Active Junky’s looking ahead to evaluating the bottle’s heat retention power when fall winds blow cold.  Don’t be shy and make this a personal item to keep hydration where it belongs at 36 ounces.

Best For: Day trips, adventure travel where water sources are infrequent