Product: Off-Road Trip
Manufacturer: Roundup:
Wired Rating: 0
Route 66 has the world’s largest ketchup bottle. Yay. Here’s a better ro ad trip idea: Leave the asphalt behind and visit someplace that’s not already on a postcard.
1. Outdoor Research DryComp Ridge Sack
WIRED Super lightweight and surprisingly strong. Shrugged off mud, water, rocks, and scrapey branches. This day pack even survived the ultimate test—being checked as airline baggage. Comfy straps.
TIRED Hip belt could use some padding. Still smells like our campfire, even after washing.
$119, outdoorresearch.com
2. ARB Fridge Freezer
WIRED It may be the size of your old Igloo, but this is no mere cooler; it’s a full-on fridge, complete with electronic thermostat. Runs off a 12-volt socket yet works as well as your kitchen model.
TIRED Costs almost as much as your kitchen model. Exposed cooling fins are easy to damage. Heavy.
$854, arbusa.com
3. Cobra CJIC 350 Power Pack
WIRED We brought it along for its air compressor—handy for tailoring tire firmness to terrain—but it does so much more. It’ll jump-start a V-8, power a flatscreen, or charge your iPod.
TIRED Jumper cables too short. Wimpy compressor takes forever. Three separate power switches?
$100, cobra.com
4. Garmin Oregon 550t Navigator
WIRED Because “Elvis Rock” (a) isn’t on any map and (b) might not look like Elvis when you’re sober, the 550t lets you take a geotagged photo that you can click on later to find your way back. 16 hours of battery life! Water- and shock-resistant.
TIRED Better off-road than on: Street maps cost $100, screen is too small, and instead of “Turn here,” it just says “beep.”
$600, garmin.com
5. Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp
WIRED Small, bright, and rugged. Flashing red “follow me” light on back. Comes with a jillion different plugs for overseas charging.
TIRED No plug will help if you run out of juice in the middle of nowhere. Wiring-lined head strap chafes a sunburned brow.
$100, blackdiamondequipment.com