Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

Check out inventor Eric Goldfarb's Firefly. It's a bottle lid that features an integrated LED light, which in turn converts your water bottle into a lamp. Because the electronics are completely sealed, you can actually leave the bottle filled with liquid. The Firefly lid is compatible with all standard wide mouth drinking bottles. From Guyot Designs and available at REI, Dick's and Eastern Mountain Sports ($22).

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I must have been watching the other channel when this As-Seen-On-T.V. gem was featured. If you’re interested in Coleman’s FishPen, visit FishPen's official website, where you can order two for the price of one, or 40 bucks plus 9 bucks s & h.      

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Sarah Tuff and Greg Melville went in search of the towns the developers haven't discovered yet. They were looking for the "outdoor towns where you can still eat breakfast at a local diner; play all day in a gorgeous, natural setting; find microbrews and comfort food; and flop yourself into bed at a family-run lodge."They wanted to find the spots that haven't bee "overrun with fourth–home buyers and resort developments."It's a guide for us outdoor...

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The OHSO is toothbrush that just happens to store its own toothpaste. I repeat, it stores its own toothpaste. How cool is that?! You simply fill its handle with the toothpaste of your choice. Although Colgate is ‘plug compatible’, OHSO also comes with a universal adapter. According to reports, the device ‘will not leak and is easy to refill without making a mess. Except for the small nozzel tip, toothpaste is never exposed to the...

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Tents are a big Christmas gift item in these parts, and I've seen more than a few mistakes made in tent purchases because the most basic questions weren't considered.In what season(s) will the tent be used?What will the weather extremes be when the tent is in use? In other words, will you be packing it up and heading home if the weather turns bad, or will you expect the tent to stand up to whatever...

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French-based Millet will release their solar pad backpack cover in summer ‘08. Treehugger says ‘[i]t’s like the showercap-style rain cover that many people use to protect their packs from inclement weather, but with a twist. A flexible solar panel is fitted that attaches to a cigarette bayonet connector, such as you might use to charge electrical gadgets via your car. Connect up a mobile phone and they reckon you’ll be charged in one hour, a...

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I came across a great site for basic information about canoes, including a detailed explanation of the parts of a canoe.You can check it out at Frontenac Outfitters.

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Why is it that every camping, cycling, running, etc. site is about GEAR?Well, there's the one answer:  Many activities require some sort of specialized equipment.  So we look for it, review it, etc.Then there's the likely-to-be-more-true other answer:  Money.Equipment makes money for someone, and sponsorship sells equipment.  But you don't really need it.  I have friends who have more than two bikes (I accept a two-bike limit rather than one because [since I ride to...

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I’m prone to dropping things over the sides of canoes and boats, which has proven itself a liability when using the heavy, metal Maglites near the water.  Coleman has come up with a great solution for people like me with its new water-activated WaterBeam floating flashlights and spotlights.   They float, which is a great start. But they also turn on automatically when they high the water, which can be even more important in the...

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To prolong those nights under the stars without the unwanted company of mosquitoes is the Tropic Screen Room. It’s No See Um netting and nylon floor encloses you completely for serious insect protection. Set up, it measures 91" x 53" x 36" high and folded 23" x 5". From buyhammocks.com, $61 or 2 for $115.

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