Gear Patrol

It’s pretty clear that our staff is passionate about gear, and as we strive to bring you the best of the best, we also want to take the time to share our own personal favorites. For the next eleven weeks, we’ll bring you each of our writers’ 10 personal favorites. The selection runs the gamut, from heirloom pieces to the most practical of gear that can be easily procured. Last but not least, each man will share one “holy grail” item that remains the stuff of dreams: out of reach, and hopefully only temporarily so. Our inaugural Staff Favorites features Mr. Jason Heaton, one of GP’s most seasoned writers and a consummate adventurer.

Nothing ruins a backpacking trip like a terrible night’s sleep (or a lack of clean underwear, but if you can’t figure that one out you’re beyond our help). A good sleeping bag is the key to staying warm and dry when you’re crashing under the stars — so you’re at your best crossing that next 8,000 foot mountain pass. Sleeping bag tech has made its way into the space age in the last few years: your 20-year-old bag from summer camp or the Boy Scouts is no longer up to snuff. Here’s our list of the best 20°F (or below) bags to ensure comfort and safety for three-season camping.

REI’s Camp Table XL ($100) knows its place — out of sight and out of your way until it’s called out for action. The aluminum / steel legged heat-resistant slat top unfolds into a large-surfaced table perfect for all the pots, plates, grills and whatever else you need for that campsite party. The individually adjustable…

Maybe it’s just the inner Mario Grylls or Alton Stroud in you but when you’re in the great outdoors preparing an evening meal can be a total pain when all you have are craggy rocks and splintery stumps. REI’s solution? The Camp Kitchen ($119). For about the cost of getting that SUV to the camp…

When it comes to travel companions, a dog is often the preferred choice. As this is the case, your pup needs the proper gear for adventuring just like you. REI’s Adventure Dog Water Bowl ($17) is smartly designed and incredibly durable. Constructed out of 100% post-consumer recycled PET fabric (no pun intended), this bowl features…

The slopes of Whistler open November 26th and are home to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Ski season is here. Make sure you’re on fresh powder and amidst optimal ski conditions with the newly updated REI Snow Report iPhone app. REI has packed the app with snow notifications, trail maps, Twitter feeds for more than 200…

Considering we’re still in a recession, and the relative weakness of the dollar in general abroad, there’s never been a better time to keep your summer or holiday vacation sites firmly set in the U.S. territories, and in particular on our National Parks. Epic, glorious, and one of kind, everyman should at least visit a…

Sometimes when I’m traveling abroad it’s kind of a pain in the arse to stay organized and remain compact. Usually I have my wallet in one pocket, passport in another, boarding passes in another, and a bunch of other gear spread out between the 10 pockets on my carry-on bag. Yes, it might be a…