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STATIC V2 WINS 2019 MEN'S HEALTH OUTDOOR AWARD FOR BEST SLEEPING PAD
by Brian Koons
When Men’s Health editors tested dozens of pieces of outdoor gear over the course of a month for the 2019 Outdoor Awards, one overarching principle quickly became apparent: The important innovations aren’t in new types of gear (Turns out a sleeping bag with arms and legs isn’t a slumber revelation—it’s just a puffy jumpsuit for not having sex in) but in new ways of making fundamental gear more lightweight and easier to transport and set up (Are tents almost too easy to set up now?). There’s so much at stake when you’re outside that everything has to perform, and, more importantly, everything has to have a clear purpose.
Bottom line: The best outdoor gear is essential outdoor gear. Stuff like tents and binoculars and a flannel shirt and an axe and a portable food prep space (we’re surprised it made the list, too!). And, of course, the best frisbee.
And hammock.
This list of 40-plus products makes the outdoors safer, more fun, and more comfortable, which all adds up to more accessible. So grab your super-bright tactical flashlight*, and let’s see what’s out there.
*Don’t have one? We got you covered.
For Relaxing
We tend to think about things we to bring with us when we head outside. The things we to bring get less consideration. Sure, you don’t need to bring along a pillow. Or a bottle of whiskey. Or a great speaker. Or a pricey-but-durable Yeti cooler. Or a frisbee.* (You don’t really to be outside at all for that matter.) But even one of these things will make your experience more fun and comfortable, and, ultimately, more memorable.
*Always bring a frisbee.
THE BEST PACKABLE CHAIR
The Dual-lock by Kijaro locks when fully opened, as well as when it’s fully closed—a nice feature when you're carrying it. Two cup holders and side zip pockets allow you to relax with everything you need in easy reach. As for comfort, let's just say it rated very high in the “hey, that’s my chair!” category. $40, kijaro.com
THE BEST CANOPY
Protect yourself from rain, and even too much sun, with this Coleman Expandable Shade.The 9x9 foot frame has an internal “tent” that expands the coverage area to 12x12, plenty of space to protect your picnic table. The tent material offers UPF 50+ sun protection, and the taped seams protect you from leaks. $280, coleman.com
THE BEST PORTABLE FIREPIT
BioLite has created this ingenious little Portable Fire Pit, which has multiple functions. And spoiler alert: it’s solar powered! It's also wood- and charcoal-burning, and the USB rechargeable powerpack controls the airflow from the 51 airjets around the inside, feeding oxygen to the fire, improving combustion, and reducing smoke. $200, biolite.com
THE BEST CAMPING PILLOW
Save yourself from sleepless nights while traveling and buy a camping pillow. We recommend the medium Compressible Travel Pillowfrom Thermarest because it easily rolls up to fit into backpacks or small suitcases. The material is super soft, it fluffs up nicely, and it provides enough support for outdoor and airplane sleeping. $25, thermarest.com
THE BEST COOLER
The Tundra Haul from YETI is the brand’s first cooler with wheels, which makes it easier to use—and move—than ever. It's also basically indestructible, and is capable of keeping your beers and sandwiches chilled for literally days on end. All you’ll need to worry about is cooking burgers and sipping a cold one—a very, very cold one. $400, yeti.com
THE BEST LONG-SLEEVE SHIRT
Perfect for layering, the Arc'teryx Kadem Crew Neck isthe softest, most breathable technical T-shirt we’ve ever worn. Its highly regarded Phasic LT fabric keeps you cool and wicks away moisture. And since it’s Arc'teryx, you know it will work on the sidewalk, the trail, or wherever you wind up. $95, arcteryx.com
THE BEST BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
JBL has become one of the most respected brands in audio, and their Charge 4speaker might just be the best of the bunch. A manageable enough size to comfortably fit in a small backpack or drawstring, the Charge 4 is also fully waterproof. At 20 hours of audio playback, the battery should easily last your entire trip, too. $119, jbl.com
THE BEST COFFEE MAKER
When you’re out in nature without a Starbucks in sight, Coleman's Quikpot Propane Coffeemaker has you covered with this matchless-lighting propane coffeemaker. You’ll have a full fresh-brewed pot of coffee in 18 minutes, no camp stove required. Take it camping, fishing, tailgating, and anywhere else an outdoorsman could use a cup of Joe. $70, coleman.com
THE BEST FRISBEE
Ask the internet for its favorite frisbee, and you’ll notice one product topping the lists again and again: the Discraft Ultra-Star. It's been the official disc of the USA Ultimate Championship Series since 1991, and it’s great for players of all skill levels. At 175 grams, it’s lightweight and easy the throw, and the curved rim makes for a comfortable grip. $9, discraft.com
THE BEST SLEEPING PAD
Six feet of strategic pressure point pads on Klymit's Static V2 Sleeping Pad will have you waking up feeling like a camping champion—no back pain, no sleepless tent nights. It's exceptionally light and deflates to about the size of a peewee football. That means you can throw it in a backpack and still have room for everything else. $65, klymit.com
THE BEST SOFT COOLER
The Yeti Hopper boasts just enough space to perfectly fit a six-pack and a few snacks, which means it can also pull double-duty for a lower-key picnic in the park. If you’re in need of something more robust, you can find larger versions of its popular soft shell coolers that can easily accommodate up to a case of cold ones. $199, yeti.com
THE BEST FLANNEL SHIRT
Upgrade your worn-in flannel shirt for one that provides superior softness. The Lands End Men’s Comfort Fit has built-in stretch for movement with ease and a brushed finish on both sides for the softest touch. Available in both a tailored and a traditional fit, this affordable flannel appeals to mountain men of all ages and sizes in a timeless plaid print. $30, landsend.com
THE BEST HAMMOCK
Made from stitched sheets of thin, durable fabric that can suspend up to 500 pounds of force, Kammok's Roo Double is water-, abrasion-, and stretch-resistant, and you can pack the thing down into a rolltop stuff sack that weighs a mere 18 ounces. Can an Adirondack chair do all that? $79, kammok.com
THE BEST WHISKEY
There’s a major misconception that whiskey is only meant to quench the rugged man’s thirst in the colder months, but a top-notch silky-smooth whiskey has the versatility for year-round enjoyment. For the heat of summer, Woodford Reserve's Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey delivers the perfect notes of citrus and sweet spices for a refreshing summer cocktail, or simply to be enjoyed neat. $42, woodfordreserve.com
You can find the entire Outdoor Award Winner list here.
