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This article was taken from the September 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
We pick some clever tools to keep you on the right track in the back of beyond
[ImageLibrary##307221/Any##Title¬Heimplanet Mavericks##Description¬The tent was devised for participants in a Red Bull extreme windsurfing challenge and is 2m tall, so a polar bear, with its 1.6m shoulder-height, would easily fit inside.
Inflating the pipes also pulls up the skin of the tent, for truly fuss-free pitching]
King-sized camper
Heimplanet Mavericks
Heimplanet claims that the Mavericks is the most wind-resistant tent in the world, capable of withstanding gales of up to 180kph.
The key to its structural integrity is its IDG (inflatable diamond grid) exoskeleton, a network of ten air-filled "pipes" separated into chambers for even more strength. Inside campers can enjoy up to 13m<sup>2</sup> of space.
Cost: £TBC
Wildlife cam
Sony DEV-50V
This second-generation pair of hybrid recording binoculars benefits from a new, weather-resistant design combined with improved autofocus and Optical SteadyShot processing. A built-in 20.4MP sensor and 25x optical zoom ensure pin-sharp, close-up photography, and Hyper Gain mode enhances vision to make the most of fading daylight.
Cost: £TBC
Retro lifeline
SpareOne Emergency Phone
A handset with no display, that's powered by a single AA battery? It sounds like a bad dream, but the SpareOne could be a lifesaver. Able to hold its charge for up to 15 years, this backup phone will work anywhere with a GSM signal and can store nine contacts - or simply press the red button to send a geolocation distress signal, even if you've lost your SIM card.
Cost: $99 (£64)
Bright, light
NiteCore TM26 Tiny Monster
The world's smallest 3,500-lumens torch -- it measures a mere 14.2cm in length -- has a throw distance of up to 415m. The intensity of the light from its four CREE XM-L LEDs can be adjusted to prolong battery life, while a digital readout embedded in the aerospace-grade aluminium-alloy handle displays everything from approximate runtime to temperature.
Cost: £300
Utility blade
Fiskars X7 Chopping Axe
This Finnish compact hatchet is the rugged camper's friend: the moulded Fibrecomp handle is far more durable than a wooden one, and the drop-forged iron blade is encased in a low-friction PTFE coating to avoid the head becoming stuck. A well balanced power-to-weight ratio also improves swing speed to help you split logs like John Rambo would.
Cost: £37
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
