With its cool temps and changing colors, Autumn has always been our favorite season in Atlanta. From days on Lake Allatoona in September/ October to mountain hiking and camping in November, the opportunities for outdoor recreation are endless. Check out our Best Outdoor Gear for Fall to learn about some cool gear that can make exploring Georgia’s great natural attractions even more enjoyable:
Huntington Inflatable Paddle Board by Nixy Sports
SPORTS & FITNESS
Standup paddleboarding has exploded in popularity, and a summer class made my daughter a fan. The Newport 10’6” iSUP Bundle from NIXY (NixySports. com) is the perfect package, with an inflatable SUP, stabilizing fins, an adjustable paddle, pump, repair kit and a backpack to carry it all in. Total weight is only 25 pounds, and the board is remarkably sturdy for an inflatable.
Macroblade 84 by Rollerblade
Inline skating is making a comeback, and the Macroblade 84 from ROLLERBLADE (Rollerblade.com) offers a sleek take on the ‘90s fitness trend. Form Fit liners and Soft True Wrap uppers give them a comfy feel, and the aluminum frame makes them much lighter than the skates we grew up with.
Ssmart Dynamo 2+ by Oregon Scientific
The Ssmart Dynamo 2+ from OREGON SCIENTIFIC (store.OregonScientific.com) monitors your daily activity, connecting with the SmartFit App to track steps, distance, heart rate, calories burned and sleep cycle.
Tumble 2 mtnGLO by Big Agnes
TENTS
“Occasionally a product comes along that’s so brilliantly simple, you wonder why nobody ever thought of it before. That’s how we feel about the Tumble 2 mntGLO from BIG AGNES (BigAgnes. com), a Backpacker Magazine 2015 Editor’s Choice. Weighing 4lb 8oz and offering 34 sq ft of flour space, this 2-person tent is illuminated with an LED light strand integrated into the seams, offering ambient light with the click of a button…
Gunnison 2.3 tent by Kelty
We’ve been fans of KELTY (Kelty. com) for years, and their Gunnison 2.3 tent is another fine addition to the line. The 2-person, 3-season tent features compact folding poles and innovative hug clips to make setup a breeze, as well as two D-style doors for easy entry.
Kid O Bunk 3-in-1: bench, bunk beds or two single cots
BEDDING
The KID-O-BUNK (KidoBunk.com) is one of the most ingenious products we’ve seen. This portable 3-in-1 gizmo assembles into a bench, bunk beds or two single cots in minutes, with no tools required. It’s also light enough for kids to carry themselves
Selk’bag by Patagon
The Patagon from SELK’BAG (store.SelkbagUSA.com) looks like it’s made for kids, but it’s actually a wearable sleeping bag perfect for cold-night camping. The 5th generation line includes new features such as removable booties, Krekran insulation for better thermal efficiency, and improved ventilation.
Jammock for Truck Beds
The JAMMOCK (Jammock.com) is another innovative design, allowing you to turn the top of your Jeep or the bed of your truck into a cozy hammock for instant relaxification.
Hopper 30 by Yeti
BAGS & BACKPACKS
Of all the new outdoor gear we’ve sampled, the Hopper 30 from YETI (YetiCoolers.com) is the one we’re using most. This soft-sided portable cooler is indestructible, leakproof and insulated enough to keep ice cold for days.
Fastpack 30 by Ultimate Direction
The Fastback 30 from ULTIMATE DIRECTION (UltimateDirection.com) is a great day pack, with a vest-style fit, front access pockets for water bottles or smartphone, and a waterproof roll top closure for keeping stuff dry in harsh weather…
Energi+ Backpack by TYLT
The Energi+ Backpack from TYLT (Tylt. com) is for adventurers who want to stay pluggedin. It includes a removable rechargeable battery that can charge up to 3 devices at the same time…
Altra 50 Backpack By Arc’teryx
Serious backpackers will love the Altra 50 from ARC’TERYX (Arcteryx.com), which uses Composite Construction suspension to eliminate back panel layers and reduce weight (3lb, 2oz empty) without sacrificing comfort. The space-maximizing compartments, handy side pockets and one-handed closures are nice features as well.
Bugs Away Clothing by ExOfficio
CLOTHING
We’ve been huge fans of adventure apparel from EXOFFICIO (ExOfficio. com) since we wore them to the Galapagos in 2011. Now, we pack their Ziwa Convertible and Damselfly pants, Breez’r and Trip’r shirts, and Give ’n’ Go underwear every time we travel. The lightweight fabric of their BugsAway line is remarkably comfortable, moisture-wicking, water/stain resistant and comes with an odorless “Insect Shield” that repels bugs for 70+ washings. They take up virtually no space in our luggage, are wrinkle-resistant, and can be washed and dried in a matter of hours, making them perfect for our outdoor adventures.
Talkabout T460 by Motorola
TECH
We’re not really big on technology, but when you’re exploring the great outdoors having the right technology on hand can be a matter of life and death. The weatherproof Talkabout T460 two-way radios from MOTOROLA (MotorolaSolutions.com) are handy when out of cell phone range, offering 2-way communications with a 35-mile range, NOAA weather channels and alerts, builtin LED flashlight and mini USB charging port.
Explorist 310 GPS by Magellan
The submersible eXplorist 310 GPS from MAGELLAN (MagellanGPS.com) is an exceptional addition to any adventurer’s gear. Its many essential features include a World Edition map (which includes roads, water features, city centers and more), paperless geocaching, a transflective screen that makes it readable even in direct sunlight, 18 hours of usage powered by two AA batteries, and an ability to record your tracks with “Breadcrumbs” allowing you to find your way back at the end of the day.
