As technology advances fast and furious, we are consequently bombarded by lots of ingenious inventions in the form of tech gadgets. These gadgets are not only meant to make life easier for us with their inbuilt smart features but are also designed with a fair share of glamour and elegance.
They are durable, highly effective and are programmed with functions that meet the demands of our times. In this article, we shall be looking at the top 10 most useful outdoor tech gadgets that are likely to significantly shape our way of life in 2018.
Smart Watches
We have definitely seen smartwatches or possibly own one of these. Basically, a smartwatch is a wrist-worn device that connects to our mobile phones and tracks all manner of information in real-time, without necessarily having to physically reach for the phone.
One good thing about smartwatches is that many of them come in such a simple and rustic design that many people will readily dismiss it as any other watch. And that’s a good thing as they are quite costly and may save you from possible security situations.
These gadgets help us track all the notifications on our calls, messages, emails and even reminders. With stiff competition from leading manufacturers such as LG, Sony, and Samsung, we are likely to see lots of upgrades of existing watches in 2018.
Fitness Trackers
Along with smartwatches, fitness trackers fall into the broader category of smart wearables. As the name suggests, these trackers are used to monitor various fitness elements and are therefore popular among health and fitness fanatics or patients suffering from conditions that require sustained self-monitoring.
From measuring our heart rate to tracking the duration of sleep and counting the number of calories burnt, these trackers work by collating our physical movements and steps and then harnessing these steps into digital data before making interpretations based on the targeted function.
Personal Water Filter from LifeStraw
When you are out in the jungle, the prospects of finding clean water to drink may be so thin and even if you may have carried water for yourself, the unforgiving heat will still make you go thirsty every other minute, thereby making you run out of your stock. And as the thirst consumes you, you realize there is a stream down the road but then you know the water, no matter how clean it appears, cannot be safe for drinking.
Well, not to worry, as we now have this personal water filter from LifeStraw. The water filter is designed to provide clean water in the harshest and most unforgiving conditions by purifying the water from micro bacterial content. You can now go on with your trekking or other outdoor adventure with the assurance that when you get thirsty, you will be able to drink clean and safe water that is purified on the go.
Swedish Army Firesteel
If you ask any camper what it is they consider to be the most important thing for survival, they will readily tell you that it is fire. From providing warmth in the chilly nights to cooking and boiling water, the uses of fire are simply endless. But what happens when your lighter runs out of gas or is unable to work due to the wet and damp conditions?
What you need is a Swedish Army Firesteel. One of the most distinguishing features of this outdoor tech gadget is that it can light fires at over 3000 degrees Celsius as well as last for over 12000 strikes. Just consider how many lighters you would need for that.
Bluetooth Speakers
Music is part and parcel of humanity and gone are the days when we would need to be within close proximity to the sound source so as to enjoy those serenading beats. And if you still have a music system where there are as many cords as there are a number of speakers, then you are sadly living in the past. The advent of Bluetooth speakers banished the inconvenience of having to be restricted to a small radius of the music source.
One such speaker that is worth a mention is the JBL Flip 3 this one is the best Bluetooth speakers that consume very little power, thus allowing you to venture outdoors as long as reasonably possible. The sound quality is simply amazing and the small light-weight design adds to its ease of portability.
The speaker comes with a protective hard cover that shields it from physical damage in the event of slips and falls as well as a splash-proof mechanism that protects it from dashes of water, especially in wet or damp conditions. Lastly, the speaker comes with a keychain so you can hang it at any place of your convenience.
Sun Oven
Again, I consider this another winner for those who like adventure sports like trekking and camping. This Global Sun Oven is ideal for those who would want to snack on something but are in the middle of nowhere; far away from their homes or other eateries. The sun oven does not need any fire or gas but works excellently at a temperature of up to 400 degrees Farenheight.
All it does is concentrate the sun’s heat on the food so why not make it part of your itinerary on your next summer vacation? With its 21 pounds weight, you will surely not complain of extra baggage to your backpack.
Solar Powered Power Banks
Nothing beats the frustration you get when your battery runs out and you have tucked far away into the wild with no backup battery or a ready source of electricity to power it up. However, you can’t go wrong with a solar powered power bank.
All you need to do is charge this power bank and then be able to recharge your phone. And it doesn’t need high-intensity sunlight or heat to do the magic; just enough sunlight and you can recharge your phone as you seamlessly attend to your other duties.
Camp Stove from BioLite
Just like the sun oven, this camp stove from Biolite enables you to prepare your food without worrying where the gas will come from. But unlike the sun oven that uses heat from the sun, the camp stove uses biomass such as leaves and dry twigs.
And before you dismiss it as a not-so-functional gadget during wet conditions, you may be interested to know that the stove comes with more utilities such as charging your phone’s batteries, thanks to its ability to save power for much longer.
Solar Powered Torch
This is yet another great outdoor tech device that simply relies on the bounty of Mother Nature. The torch provides instant lighting for campers, night hunters and other people who spend the nights outdoors, especially in quite insecure areas.
All you have to do is charge the torch by day and then use it by night. One admirable thing about it is that you don’t need a daylong of sunlight as an hour’s charge is enough to sustain it for over 6 through the night.
Osprey Atmos AG Backpack
We all look out for a backpack that helps lighten our baggage because heavyweight is an impediment to our outdoor explorations. One backpack that is setting the trend in this area is the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack.
This backpack is designed with a lightweight mesh that hugs our bodies from the shoulders down to the hips. The snugly fit ensures that as we walk, the weight we are carrying is kept firm and steady as opposed to dangling carelessly. It makes the weight look like an extension of our body so regardless of how heavy it is, we feel relatively comfortably carrying it around.
Conclusion
And there goes our most coveted outdoor tech gadgets for 2018. Perhaps one good thing about these gadgets is that you don’t have to be a tech-savvy person to enjoy their benefits because unlike the many tech gadgets that we have had a love affair with, these are more functional than just aesthetically appealing. As soon as you can figure out the best brand, you are fixed so why not get one today!