LYRA MAG.

Older generations' VW mini-bus adventures, Airstreams' upscale digs... and collegiate low budget New Zealand travels-in camper rentals...all lend some retro flavor for today's millennial plus (ers) who NOW demand tricked out vans  - that rival functional RVs---as THE vehicle of choice. Bonus- smaller parking spaces! via GIPHY What gets packed -and what gets built in - are all multi-tasking -well made, durable objects making life on the road -a desirable way to go. Part One: Aluminum Portable Products-by YETI, PK GRILLS Cooler ruler YETI introduces a new HORDO BASE CAMP CHAIR $299...that even interior design mavens will LOVE. These are a bit heftier, weight wise-than typical camp/trek chairs...but are way more rugged solid...and comfy. Note-the breathable mesh w/ GRIDGUARD™MOLD for no-sag,  edge to edge comfort- is just like the upscale Herman Miller Aero Chairs-and wow-can support up to 500lbs. Solid cast joints + double barrel  aluminum frame fold up flat to...

Beachgoers, outdoor chefs, guys on the go-some ideas for durable gear/day haulers-for camping/grilling/sipping. via GIPHY source imgur.com GCI OUTDOOR, NITE IZE, CAMP CHEF, ZIPPO Outdoor, RED COPPER, WATERFORD, PAPERCLIP BAGS, EAGLE CREEK Have a seat... GCI OUTDOOR Big Surf with SunShade -4 position aluminum beach chair-adjustble shade (UPF 50 fabric)  rotates 270 degrees front-to-back or can collapse completely flat...plus neat-underneath seat -there's a slide out aluminum table with beverage holder. $70 Shine on -portable power and light... NITE IZE makes so many handy gear/gadget items-we wonder what smart just sits around and comes up with this stuff..."DISCOVER YOUR SOLUTION" indeed! Pictured-the portable, weather tough lightweight Radiant 300   Rechargeable LED lantern with both red+white (multi-mode switch-low-medium-high)  LED modes, 2 integrated USB ports (micro to charge up lantern-larger USB port- charges other small devices), carabine...

What to bring when the accommodations are more grungy camp Burning Man...and NOT the glammy Bahamian yachts that was paid for ( grrrrr) ... via GIPHY source imgur.com Portable inflatable hammocks...take a load off... WIND POUCH GO  $79.99 or  WIND POUCH Lite ™ $55.00 that weighs only 2.6lbs with a pop-up head rest...m ade with durable Poly-HEX™ hexagonal ripstop polyester.  GCI Outdoors have portable camping/beach chairs- but for those nosebleed views...get better comfortably-for humans up to 250 lbs via Bleachback Lumbar Stadium Seat  w/ handy pouch pockets-single buckle bench attachment...3lbs-folds up for carry with a shoulder strap. $30

Part 4 There's a variable vertical limit for concert goers--- via GIPHY ha ha especially after "...having a bottle of vodka..." Some options for comfy seating -camp furniture - beyond the blanket on a hard ground-are lightweight, portable and aimed at festival flocks who plan on spending time int he great outdoors. Possibly our fav company for outdoor lifestyle... SNOW PEAK' s Asian aesthetic of simplified beauty...includes this multi-tasking lounger-surprisingly lightweight. Kelty -re-invigorating what we call the casual camper-outdoorsy -portable coolers, tents, haulers can be transported easy enough-in the Festival Essentials  including the above folding cooler + Built to Wander Collections.

OSPREY PACKS, CAMELBAK, SEIRUS, SLINGFIN,  Why does it seem like all our our gear -seems outdated...maybe because it is! Gifts for those heading outdoors-no matter the pace...always appreciated especially when this new stuff is just so cool. via GIPHY SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT Hydration Systems from name brands Osprey and Camelbak-for  day hikers-trail running ultra-marathoners-and bikers...boast bounce free sips-and a lot of them. OSPREY --hydration  compartment accessed handy dual zip-inside  dedicated compartment/band prevents reservoir from sloshing around..on hip belt-more compartments provide super easy access plus hip belt-zip compartment is handy and shift the weigh. Reflective pops...NOTE Duro 15 (pictured $140) and Dura-are gender specific-available early  2017

Part 3 Gear Gifts for Camping Adventures... festivals, city rooftops-parking lots, park grounds...anywhere in the great outdoors When Hurricane Sandy knocked out the electro for our un-outdoorsey acquaintances...their need for outdoor gear (and portable power) took on a whole new meaning. No wonder brands that sell-design stylish- functional equipment for under the bright daytime skies and starry nights cooking-grilling, sleeping and hanging out-are experiencing a sales pump-up.  People of all ages are experiencing outdoor festivals, day treks and even multi-day backpacking-less as an episode of Survivor...and more tricked out for comfort/convenience.  Stuff for the outdoors... HAMMOCKS .. .Eagle Nest Outfitters ...colorful tough durable options...for single or double snugglers...for outdoor snoozes or apartment building rooftop BBQs... Barebones- is a well designed 'glamping' brand...the multi-tasking Ultimate Tool for Living Better Outdoors -gardenin...

Whether travel destinations are a metro stop at an urban beach, a do it in a day packed dirt hike, or a leisurely cobble stone stroll... smaller niche brands of carry-alls deliver multi-task haulers for summer  get-aways. via GIPHY (source YouTube.com) COTOPAXI repurposes quality remnant material scraps for these fab colorful daypacks...unique, durable and affordable. LUZON DEL DIA 18L Backpack (11oz)  GRANITE GEAR aka Go Where You Gotta Go water tough urban slick RIFT-2 packs (26L, 32L) come with Gear-Tec tricot lined padded personal electronics sleeve. Rift-2 RIFT-2 pretty cool looking -and like all Granite Gear backpacks...center of gravity of the pack is ideal features include Rift Tab Quick access main compartment, barrier zipper tricot lined pocket for valuables,  heavy duty tarpaulin material, compression molded back panel, high density EVA foam shoulder harness, multi-pocket organizer, hydration ready port-3 color options. FJÄLLRÄVE...

SLC/NYC Practical long-lasting lights that attach easily to something-have gotten industrially clever design-wise---so much so-imo these lights would do just as well in a city posh loft- as well as the great outdoors. NITE IZE, UCO, BAREBONES, SNOW PEAK DESIGNS Yet another smart adaptable durable NiteIze wonder product...High/Low/Strobe/Signal  BugLit™ LED Micro Flashlight-'tentacles' (moldable NiteIze gear ties) wrap around ez...with lightweight S-Biner clip. 50 ft range-one mile visibility. UCO hangs up at lot of LED light gadgets at OR - including original Candle Lanterns -now available in multiple sizes Multi-tasking UCO LED lights...charger-flashlight combos-rechargeable too we like how comfy these UCO headlights are...manages NOT to leave a dent in the forehead via bulky hard hinges---not a preferred look for sure.  A-45 $29.99 (lightest) and pictured A-120   $39.99 (brightest) 120 lumens with red light for night vision. HEAVEN-tha...

PART 2 Campers with limited provisions or all the space -ever -all NEED c lean-safe drinking water   ... and several sized portable purifying systems-are on the market, affordably...taking the guess work out of should we, or shouldn't... LifeStraw® filters started out offering an ultralight, backpack friendly straw water filter for easy safe drinking on the go, anywhere...and now has a high volume MISSION purifier with advanced ultra filtration membrane w/ a 0.02 micron pore size removing virtually all virus, bacteria and protozoa---filters up to 4750 gallons of water-as pictured above...every purchase ensures a child in Africa is provided with safe drinking water for a year. WIN WIN. LIFESTRAW Mission  $199.95 hangs from a tree...or wherever---roll-top dry bag has shoulder strap for ez carry and has fill marker windows to see water level ZEROWATER is sold in loads of mass merch places-including Target, Walmart---makes water pitches and these handy po...