The Mega Light will sleep four (51 square feet of floor space) but packs down to the size
Pitch A Tent
When the weather warms up, it's the ideal time to sleep under the stars, and having a compact tent that you can easily carry in your truck or in your backpack is the goal of the all-season Black Diamond Equipment Mega Light. Using a carbon-fiber pole sheds weight, and without the optional floor, the Mega Light rings in at a bit over 2 pounds. It's designed for being pitched over rocky terrain (and snow pits). And as a perk, it comes with a Pole Link Converter, a nylon wrap with a Velcro-type of closure system for combining trekking or ski poles into a single Mega Light pole.
Black Diamond Equipment, 801.278.5552, www.bdel.com
Fan Club
If you've pondered switching from a mechanical fan to an electric fan, summer is a good time to finally get serious about it. These are just as sturdy, and they're as capable of handling wheeling with the A/C on or being on your tow rig for hauling toys for water or dirt. In fact, you'll probably see a jump in both horsepower and torque as a side effect of the change. The Cool-Pack from Perma-Cool has dual high-output, low-amp, 14-inch fans that are controlled with a 160- to 210-degree F adjustable thermal switch in an aluminum assembly. The Cool-Pack will mount to the existing radiator-core support and uses stock fan-shroud mounting holes and fasteners; it arrives to you pre-assembled and wired.
Perma-Cool, 909.390.1550, www.perma-cool.com
This water pump has heavy-duty bearings, billet steel hubs, and aircraft-industry clearanc
Hi-Po Pump
We've already told you heat can quickly become a brutal enemy of your truck. Another way to prevent overheating your small-block Chevy is to install the Edelbrock Victor Series aluminum water pump. Featuring racing technology (where cooling and light weight matter big time for performance), they're designed for maximum flow and pressure and equal distribution to both sides of the block within 1 percent, they say. The pump flows in only one direction to keep things efficient.
Edelbrock Corp, 800.FUN.TEAM (386.8326) or 800.416.8628 (tech), www.edelbrock.com
The Wraptor technology is a strapping system that secures the instep and arch shank to the
Amphibious Footwear
Face it: Your tennies don't really cut it if your feet get wet or you're walking on them all day on rugged terrain. The X-1 from Teva is lightweight, cushioned, stable, and flexible, plus it has a 360-degree drainage system. You may not plan to do any running off road, but if you had the urge to bolt, these are tuned for just that via the Wraptor Lite fit system, and they have Protection Web, a coated fabric. The men's shoe weighs in at just about 9 ounces, while women's are about 811/42.
Teva, 800.367.8382, www.teva.com
The REI Ultra Light Jacket includes a 4x9-inch stuff sack.
The Jacket
You may not like the idea of sacrificing precious cargo room in your truck or your pack to bring along a jacket, because after all, it's summer, so the extra clothing can stay behind at camp, right? Big mistake. While it can be warm during the day, sometimes temperatures dip low once the sun goes down. That's no bueno if you're stuck on the trail or still have a long hike back. One of the key words in clothing for warm months is "breathable," but another must is "packable." The Ultra Light Jacket from REI is waterproof and has upper-arm zippers for ventilation, chest pockets and hand-warmer pockets, a microfleece-lined collar, and a double-layer front placket to keep out wind.
REI, 253.395.3780, www.rei.com
Wicking Fabric
When it's hot, you sweat. When you sweat, your clothing ends up soaking wet. If that happens, it's likely because you're wearing a natural fiber, such as cotton T-shirt and shorts. But if you plan to be outdoors-wheeling, hiking, backpacking, or whatever-you should really aim for wearing synthetic fabrics that "wick." They're better than cotton because they don't retain your sweat-they draw it and other moisture away from the skin, keeping the clothing lightweight and dry (by evaporating quickly), making you far from clammy. To know if something is wickable, watch for words like CoolMax, which is often utilized as a liner in things like shorts (think chafing), or Gore-Tex, which boasts being both breathable and waterproof. Companies such as Timberland (888.802.9947, www.timberland.com) offer clothing that wicks, including T-shirts, crew-neck tops, and even socks (since the friction between the wet sock and shoe can result in blisters). Wicking material is just as important in winter months too, so it's an investment you can wear year-round.