Active Gear | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

Active Gear

When it comes to the outdoors, luxury is relative. If you're suffering through a backpacking trip in the pouring rain or driving snow, for example, a pair of warm, fleece-lined waterproof gloves or a hot bowl of miso soup might be your idea of luxury—but those things aren't indulgent. If you count the ounces in your pack and then toss in a couple beers at the last minute, that could be considered indulgent. But most indulgent outdoor items really aren't meant for the backcountry. They're designed for car-camping, backyard camping, or maybe a multi-day music festival. And when you take weight out of the equation, the sky's the limit for indulgence in the outdoors. Here are a few items to take your camp to the next level.

Nomad Collapsible Hot Tub

$465

There's no better way to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors than from the comfort of your portable hot tub. Sure, a down sleeping bag is cozy enough when the temperature drops and the fire dwindles, but relying on your sleeping bag for warmth is a bit antisocial and the campfire can only keep you warm for so long. The Nomad Collapsible Hot Tub brings luxury to sleeping outside. Weighing just 20 lbs., the Nomad holds 225 gallons and can be filled in 10 minutes. Don't slink away into your tent for warmth, move the party to the hot tub.

The hot tub itself costs $465, but unless you want to sit shivering in frigid water, you'll need the heating coil, which costs an additional $535, though you can purchase the combo for $850. In addition, the combined weight of both the tub and the coil is 50 lbs., so don't expect to lug this thing into the backcountry. The Honda WX10 portable water pump is recommended, and can fill the tub in 10-15 minutes. Depending on the outside temperature, it will take two and a half to three and a half hours to heat up the tub, so be sure to plan ahead.

Roccbox Pizza Oven

$545

Put down the ramen noodles. Throw out the dehydrated lasagna. Step away from the easy mac. The Roccbox Pizza Oven means that sleeping in the woods and enjoying delectable, wholesome meals are no longer mutually exclusive. Roccbox is a compact and portable solution to the feeling of full, yet under satisfied at camp. It works with propane or wood-fire fuel and can cook up a 12-inch pizza in 90 seconds. It also works great for breads, desserts, veggies, fish, and other meats. Compact though it may be, it weighs in at a hefty 45 lbs., so don't expect to carry it into the backcountry.

Slightly larger than a mailbox, the Roccbox features a stone plate that heats up to 500 degrees in about 15 minutes and can cook virtually anything. It comes with its own recipe book to inspire your inner foodie, it's weatherproof, with a sleek silicone jacket for added durability. A smoker will be available soon, adding even more versatility to the Roccbox cooking system. The only downsides are the weight and, uh, the price tag, so it's perfect for car-camping or tailgating but not practical for anywhere too remote.

Heimplanet Cave Tent

$699

Say goodbye to camping's biggest buzz kill: Finally getting to camp, finding that perfectly flat spot of soft dirt that's void of rocks or sticks, and then fumbling around with awkward tent poles and a confusing rain fly when all you want to do is sit down, crack open a cold one, break out the snacks, and enjoy the view. The Cave tent from Heimplanet eliminates the physical effort and accelerates relaxation with a no-assembly-required setup that has your tent up in less than a minute. It's made with extra-resistant rip stop nylon that won't leak or tear, and it fits up to three people comfortably.

It's hard to beat no-assembly-required. The Cave is roomy, stable, and weather-proof, so it simplifies camping and traveling. However, it tips the scale at about 11.5 lbs., so you'll earn the easy assembly if you backpack it in more than a couple miles. It includes pegs, guy lines, packsack, pump adapter, and a repair kit, but the pump itself must be purchased separately. Also, it's still rather bulky when packed (20" x 12" x"8"), and this doesn't include the pump, so it's really not practical beyond the campground.

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    Fri., March 29, 7-11 p.m.

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