outdoorhacks.com

Thanks to Two-Heel Drive, I just found out about Jason Klass’s Homemade Backpacking Gear site. His Gear Laboratory features articles and experiments on making your own hiking gear at home. He’s got some nice links for building alcohol stoves, but I really enjoyed the Kitchenware section. This part of the site has some great ideas, such as the Heinekin Pot Grip.

I highly recommend you check out the site. Jason provides some useful tips and is obviously dedicated to making his own gear.

For those times when sleeping on the ground just isn’t good enough, Staffan Weigel has prototyped this rooftop tent. I guess at the very least it would make bears have to work really hard to climb into your tent.
Link courtesy of GoBlog

Slate has done some nice research for those of you wondering which coolers stay cool the longest. When headed into the woods, its nice to know that you have the most efficient cooler possible to keep your beverages at optimal drinking temperature. This coleman cooler wins the prize for keeping things cool the longest.
Check out the full article at Slate.

So small, yet so hot. Somehow this little butane burner has the ability to pump out over 7000 BTU. It also features automatic ignition, aluminum and steel Construction, and it comes with its own carrying case. It runs off a small butane canister inside the stove so its perfect for camping and backpacking. Only $18 at Amazon.

Post from Cool Tools

Addicted to Coffee? Check.

Own a Nalgene? Check.

Will Palmer provides some information on a great product for you coffee drinkers. The Press-Bot turns your Nalgene into a French Press. How perfect is that for your backcountry caffeine fix?
Press-Bot Coffee Filter

Some people say that “Life is too short to drink cheap wine.” Others spend most of their nights consuming nothing but “Two Buck Chuck.” A select group of wine drinkers have a constant flow of affordable wine in the fridge with a box of Franzia.

If you are a box wine drinker or are considering becoming one, we found a great excuse (like you need one) for continuing to enjoy the fresh wine on tap. The trick here is the bag inside the box can be reused. The bag is airproof and compact and does a fine job of storing liquids for your excursions into the outdoors.

See the how-to at instructables.

Two-Heel Drive provides a nice tip for hikers:

“Check out www.minimus.biz — which sells single-serving condiments, drinks (coffee!) and other travel-size goodies.”

I’m addicted to coffee, but that instant stuff is horrible - until now. National Parks Traveler discusses Java Juice:

At last week’s Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City I ran into the folks behind Java Juice, which essentially is a pure coffee extract that turns into a bonafide cup of 100 percent organic, and certified Kosher, Arabica coffee when mixed with either hot or cold water.

The stuff goes for about $1.50 per packet, but is well worth the price if it brings a drinkable liquid to your cup.

National Parks Traveler via Two-Heel Drive

Have you heard that bears are more likely to attack a brightly colored tent? Kristin Hostetter answers this question.

Buying A Brightly Colored Tent (Backpacker Magazine)