GearFlogger

Kelty Rove saddle bag

Looking for something short of a pack but still able to hang at the crag? Look no further, boulder-boy-ee. Assuming you're man enough to crush the inevitable metrosexual jokes with your own scathing repartee, the Kelty Rove messenger bag makes a great sidekick.

Start your verbal smackdown by establishing your greener-than-thou credentials: the Rove is made from 60% recycled polyester fabric and vegetable tanned leather. Take that, oil-based monster synthetic pack guy. The interior is big enough for shoes, chalk bag, clothing and some munchies. Or if you're into that whole "education" or "work" thing (loser!), a medium-sized laptop and legal pad.

The interior is safety-orange, so you'll have no problem finding your crap - I mean, valuable stuff. It's got a slick easy-clean lining, a single divider, and two small slit-style pockets under the flap each big enough for a cell phone, energy bar or even a bottle of beer. The wide adjustable shoulder strap is plenty comfy. The Rove even comes with one of those recycled shopping totes that you're embarrased to be seen shopping without these days. Fair warning: it's stylish enough the SheFlogger will try to steal it, so keep one eye peeled.

$59.95 at Kelty

Kelty Aqua Porter canteen

W.C. Fields famously said, "I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it." Of course, his liver was the size of his thorax and a vibrant shade of blue, but you have to admire the man's commitment.

For us less-committed but probably healthier people, getting a bunch of water down our pieholes when we're engaged in high-perspiration activities is a priority. Kelty is here to help: their Aqua Porter is a portable canteen that fills the niche between Camelbaks and Lister bags. The 8.5L Nalgene is handy for car and basecamp, but it's packable too if you're going somewhere a filter won't work. A little metric reminder: 1L of water weighs 1Kg or 2.2lb, so you're looking at 8.5*2.2=18.7lb plus one for the carrier, about 20lb packed.

The carrier is solidly built a la all Kelty gear, and the twist faucet never leaked on us. The handles are beefy and there are d-rings for a (not included) shoulder strap. The zipper slash pocket has a cord that can go through a roll of paper towels if you want to set it up as a wash station. All in all it's a great size for weekend warriors or a day at the crags in the hot season. The alternative is one of those monster square things, which are cheaper but a lot more difficult to move around.

$40.00 at REI

Kelty Carport Deluxe shelter

Ever pull into a campground and wish you could just attach something to your car and sleep under it? Kelty heard your wish and grants you the Carport Deluxe. Before you ask, there is no non-deluxe version for you cheapskates, although there is a simpler Car Tarp.

The weatherproof Carport is a behemoth at well over ten pounds. On the plus side it's sturdy and the sleeve-and-clip design sets up fairly fast; we followed the clear instructions and had it up in about fifteen minutes first time. If there's wind you'll want to take the time to guy it out with the included stakes. There are two main configurations, as a lean-to or as an awning (pictured). Either way requires a roof rack, to which the Carport attaches with velcro tabs.

In either configuration there is a lot of space: the large (for trucks and SUVs) has a spacious 126"x116" footprint, enough for four adults to sleep comfortably. In lean-to mode the triangular side panels drop down to provide a completely enclosed area, and there's a mesh window with privacy panel. For families and dirtbag climbers - you know who you are, you camp out in front of the good climbs at J-tree for ten days at a time - the Carport's versatility and roominess will be attractive. If you've got LittleFloggers, they can sleep in the car with the windows down and it's like a separate room, kind of nice for semi-privacy.

$320.00 at REI

Kelty Binto Bar camp kitchen

George Carlin jokes about a place for your stuff. He must work at Kelty. Kelty makes stuff to hold stuff, cover stuff and carry stuff. They make a lot of stuff including a really nice Basecamp series of stuff to organize your stuff. OK, I'll stuff it.

If you're feeding larger groups of climbers or other poo-slinging primates you know how much space all that food and cookware takes up. Enter the Binto Bar: it stores, organizes and transports large quantities of kitchen items with ease. The basic format is elegantly simple: a fabric box with a skeleton frame holds three zip-top 16/8.5/14.5" HWD Binto bags, which come in basic, padded and insulated cooler varieties.

The front zips open and folds down to reveal a large mesh storage pouch and the three Bintos slide out smoothly like drawers by pulling on their side handles. The velcroed top and side panels flip up and out to form an effective windscreen protecting a work surface with a stiff plastic top. There are three zippered pouches on the inside of the top panel for utensils etc. This is a lot of clever storage in a small space, and you can move it around easily by grabbing the side handles or using the shoulder strap. It even folds flat for storage, and the side daisy chains let you secure it for transport. I've seen other attempts at camp kitchens that create more problems than they solve, but Kelty's Binto Bar is a standout for its simplicity and utility.

$119.95 at Backcountry