Gear Box: Supplies for Life Off the Beaten Path (Winter 2016)

SureFire Sidekick

This ultra-compact and powerful LED illuminator looks, feels and operates like a car’s key fob. Press the button for a wide, smooth 300-lumen beam of light that illuminates all dark areas, providing peace-of-mind navigation with a useful range well past 50 meters. It also features two more light settings, 60 and five lumens, for longer runtime and preservation of dark-adapted vision. The Sidekick is rechargeable via a micro-USB port.

MSRP: $80

Sig Sauer ZULU7 10×42 mm HDX

If you not only need to see what’s beyond the next ridge, but also want to count the blades of grass on top of it, this multi-coated roof prism, lightweight binocular is what you’ll want to reach for. The ZULU7 is packed full of the latest optical technology including Sig Sauer’s industry-leading HDX optical design, which combines extra-low dispersion glass with high-light-transmittance glass to provide you with the maximum in color, image brightness and absolute clarity. It is waterproof to one meter, and coated with durable rubber armor for protection, while also providing a non-slip grip with or without gloves on.

MSRP: $839

Nite Ize Financial Tool

The Financial Tool is a multi-tool that is thin enough to fit in your wallet—or even become your wallet. Constructed of stainless steel, this multi-purpose tool has provisions for ¼-inch, 5/16-inch, and 3/8-inch wrenches; flathead and Phillips screwdrivers; a bottle opener; standard and metric rulers; tape cutter; scraper; and a wallet, thanks to its innovative “cash wrap” straps that securely hold your cash and cards. Available in stainless-steel or black finishes.

MSRP: $10

Mystery Ranch 3-Way Expandable Briefcase

If you’re looking for a bag that you can take from the office to the trail, you’ll want to take a look at this one. This versatile briefcase features a large, central compartment, complete with a dedicated padded sleeve that fits laptops up to 15 inches—keeping your computer accessible yet secure. Its front panel rip-zip opening gives quick access to detail pockets for pens, pencils and other small items. Additional pockets aid in organizing documents and power cords. It easily converts from a briefcase to a shoulder bag, to a backpack, and is expandable to carry more gear.

MSRP: $150

ThermaCELL ProFLEX Heated Insoles

Now, walking around in the snow can be as comfy as sitting in the warm cab of your truck with these heated insoles. ProFLEX Heated Insoles are designed to keep your feet warm without getting them too hot and making them sweat. These rechargeable-battery-powered heated insoles offer convenient remote operation and are good for at least 2,500 hours of use. Using them is easy—simply adjust the temperature utilizing the wireless remote control to the setting of your choice: no heat (standby), medium (100 degrees Fahrenheit), and high (111 degrees Fahrenheit). Available for men’s shoe sizes 3.5-13 and women’s shoe sizes 4.5-14.

MSRP: $185

Lansky Blademedic Pocket Sharpening Kit

Knife-sharpening on-the-go has never been easier. The Blademedic knife sharpener is the first responder for field repairs on all types of knife blades. The sharpener is able to tackle regular or serrated blades, gut hooks, hunting, fishing—just about any knife—using one or all of the following equipped elements: Tungsten Carbide, Ceramic Sharpening Rods, Serrated Knife Sharpener and Diamond Tapered Rod. The sharpening angles are pre-set at 22.5 degrees to achieve a 45-degree inclusive angle.

MSRP: $16

ESPRO Travel Press

If you’re coffee- and tea-dependent like we are, you’ll enjoy what this travel press is brewing. Shaped like a hot-water bottle, the Travel Press’ patented filter system has two filters, each nine- to 12-times finer than found in a typical French press, which leaves all of the flavor and none of the grit. Perfect for people who love coffee and tea, it’s designed so you can brew your favorite cup on the go.

MSRP: $50 with coffee & tea filters

Magpul Core FR Breach Gloves

Although these gloves were designed exclusively for tactical applications, we found its tenacious protective qualities perfect for vehicle-recovery operations, as well. The Magpul Core FR Breach Gloves are the most protective hard-use gloves in the Magpul lineup. They incorporate hard-knuckle armor, digital-pattern-reinforced leather palms, and touch-screen capability, along with the flame-resistant protection of both Nomex and Kevlar.

MSRP: $120

Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the Winter 2016 print issue of Tread Magazine.