Gimme Shelter: The Best Backpacks, Sleeping Bags and Tents

	Sleep in Comfort, Anywhere
	Photo: Doug McKee

Summer is winding down -- and so is Action August.

We have been wandering the eastern U.S. this month -- sailing in the Chesapeake, kayaking in Maine -- trying out the latest in outdoor technology. In previous columns we reviewed new wonder clothing and shoes.

(For those of you keeping score at home: We love Gore-Tex's new Pro Shell fabric, but watch the details -- the zippers on our otherwise fab Alpha jacket from apparel maker Arc'teryx, made from the material, tended to jam. And Canadian Holey Soles is winning the sport-sandal wars. Take that, Crocs (CROX Quote - Cramer on CROX - Stock Picks) and Chaco.)

So with just one precious summer weekend left, we turn our focus to the gear you need to stay comfy and warm in the outback -- backpacks, tents and sleeping bags.

First, let me make one crucial point about all this outdoor gear. You're camping, not extreme hiking, trekking or wilderness adventuring -- or whatever you want to call knuckle-dragging your sorry self over tens or even hundreds of miles. Instead, camping these days is about reasonable adults carrying reasonable amounts of stuff for a reasonable period -- say 30 pounds for an hour or two -- and then stopping and making camp in fine style.

Sometimes dubbed base-camping in the trade, this centralized style sensibly limits the hiking to day trips in and out of your civilized central camp. Look at old photos of how Teddy Roosevelt did it when he messed around in the early days of Yellowstone Park. It's like that, but with all of today's latest gear.

Backpacks to Lighten Your Load

Since we're not tackling the Appalachian Trail, we're not counting ounces. But all the stuff we need to outfit our comfy base means we're lugging rather heavy bags from car to camp, which means you want a beefy, full-suspension job capable of handling the load.

Of all the bags out there, my pick for 2007 is Gregory's response comfort fit suspension system ($245) found on many new bags in their line. It may look like something Sigourney Weaver wore battling aliens, but this internal-frame wonder pack won a Popular Science technology award for carrying tons of stuff comfortably, so there is no denying the support. And ladies in particular should check out the company's new-for-late-2007 Deva 85.

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