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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Here’s a look at five outdoor products that are big on utility and low on cost. All of the items are priced less than $20, with a couple coming in under $10. Check them out and see if one might be a good fit for your next adventure.
UCO Gear Sweetfire Strikeable Fire Starter
PRICE: $5.99
GRADE: A
Matches are great, but they have their limitations. When you’re trying to get a fire started in the higher elevations and temperatures are dropping, it’s hard to be patient as your matches peter out before you can ignite the tinder. What you need is a sustainable flame.
Sweetfire Strikeable Fire Starters solve this problem because they burn up to seven minutes each. The secret ingredient is a sugarcane by-product called bagasse, which is a super-efficient biofuel. These fire starters have striking tips, so you just start it up on the box like you would with normal matches. There are 20 fire starters in each box, so you’ll be set up for a long time.
Voilé Ski Straps ================
PRICE: $6
GRADE: A
While these legendary straps are made right here in Salt Lake City, they're beloved by adventurers worldwide. They're basically designed like a small belt, and depending on which size you get, they can measure up to 39 inches. Made from polyurethane and a hardened aluminum, they can take quite a beating. Plus, they're backed by a lifetime warranty.
Voilé Ski Straps are perfect for holding your cross-country skis in place while in transit. And like most high-quality products, these straps can also be used for many other purposes, including compressing a camp pad, securing gear to your pack or keeping your pant cuffs out of your bike chain.
Mora Rookie Knife =================
PRICE: $19.99
GRADE: A
MoraKniv is a family-owned company based in Ostnor, Sweden. Going back generations, craftsmen in Ostnor have produced high-quality knives using traditional methods. Many of these techniques are retained at the MoraKniv shop today, though they also employ the latest technology.
As its name suggests, the Rookie is perfect for novices. It has a rounded tip for safety, as well as a finger guard to prevent accidental encounters with the blade. The spindle-shaped handle is designed for children’s hands, so it’s a great way to introduce youngsters to woodcarving.
UCO Gear Leschi LED Lantern
PRICE: $12.99
GRADE: A
This lantern/flashlight hybrid has a bright, little LED that provides up to four hours of light. In lantern mode, you can hang it from just about anything using the attached cord. It puts out 110 lumens as a lantern and is great for illuminating your tent at night. To convert it to a flashlight, you simply slide the globe down to get a more focused beam.
The light has three different modes, including bright, dim and emergency strobe (for late-night dance parties?). With its rugged housing, the Leschi is water resistant and able to handle accidental drops.
Trailfoody Wanderer Subscription
PRICE: $19.95
GRADE: A-
This subscription service is a great way to get deals on quality trail food. Each month, you’ll get a bundle of food that’s tasty and nutritious. Plus, you’ll get it for up to 20 percent off the retail price.
The Wanderer pack is the most affordably priced of Trailfoody’s offerings and will give you about nine products each month. Examples include dried fruits, jerky, energy bars, nut mixes and energy drinks. Whenever possible, the items are organic and non-GMO. There are also gluten-free and vegetarian options available.
