When we aren’t playing outside, watching Netflix or posting blogs, Nic and I are 9 to 5ers. I would say that begrudgingly, but honestly, we’re super super happy with where we are at, because the companies we work for align with our passion for the outdoors. It blurs the line between work and play, so living the brands’ lifestyles are pretty effortless. Not to mention, they are smaller Utah- based companies, so we always want to spread the word of the lesser-known outdoor brands. So let’s check out little profiles on the companies before we go into some products.
Klymit
Location: Kaysville, UT
Founded: 2007 (It started as an inflatable insulated vest/jacket company!)
Types of equipment: sleeping pads, camping pillows, sleeping bags, backpacks, blankets, shelters (tents and hammocks), and dog beds
Best known for: sleeping pads
Newest products: tents
Available: Outlet in Kaysville,UT, online website, local retailers like Sportsman’s Warehouse, Campsaver, and REI, online retailers like Backcountry and Sierra Trading Post, Amazon, Costco, etc.
Wildhorn Outfitters
Location: Draper, UT
Founded: 2015
Types of equipment: camping chairs, hammocks, sand blankets, snorkel masks, snow helmets and goggles, and microfiber towels
Best known for: snorkel mask
Newest products: ski goggles and ski helmets
Sold: Online website, and Amazon
Klymit Products We Love
The first pad I got from Klymit…. It’s the classic pad revamped to weight less. We’re usually the car campers, and so usually not ounce-counters, but it’s still great that this pad can roll up to the size of a Nalgene bottle.
Pros: Small, lightweight, easy to inflate, good price for what you’re getting, lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects
Cons: I can’t really think of any, because it’s just a great overall pad
Uses: Car camping, tent camping, backpacking
MSRP: $64.95
Weight 16.6 oz / 471 g
Dimensions 72″ x 23″ x 2.5″ / 182.9 cm x 58.4 cm x 6.4 cm
R-Value 1.3
Inflation 10-15 Breaths
Pack Size 3″ x 8″ / 7.6 cm x 20.3 cm
Fabric 30D Polyester Top – 75D Polyester Bottom
Warranty Klymit Lifetime Warranty
The insulated pad doesn’t mean a whole lot more, since we’re usually car camping in the summer. To be totally honest, I just like the color of this pad, but I do like that I have the option to have an insulated pad just in case.
Pros: Lightweight, easy to inflate, lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects
Cons: it’s significantly bigger than the normal Static V2 , but I guess it is smaller than our previous pads, so I guess this is turning into a pro ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, definitely more expensive than normal pads. Also it has a lighter fabric on the bottom of the pad, which makes it feel not as rugged (I haven’t had any problems so far, but I definitely don’t throw it around as much as my V2)
Uses: Car camping, tent camping, and backpacking in colder temps
MSRP: $94.95
Weight: 19.9 oz / 564 g
Dimensions: 72″ x 23″ x 2.5″ / 182.9 cm x 58.4 cm x 6.4 cm
R-Value: 4.4
Inflation: 10-15 Breaths
Pack Size: 5″ x 8″ / 12.7 cm x 20.3 cm
Fabric: 30D Polyester
Warranty: Klymit Lifetime Warranty
Okay, y’all. Camping pillows are a game changer… For backpacking trips, taking no-pillow, meant I was sleeping on dirty clothes stuffed into my sleeping bag sack (ew). And for car camping trips, we were bringing our bed pillows, which meant dirty pillows that had to be on our bed!!!! Also bed pillows are so big and chunky, and so yeah, highly suggest this camping pillow. The luxe pillow is for sure the roomiest and most comfy (and a removable washable cover, yay cleanliness!!). Nic even brought it when traveling in Costa Rica, and he said it was way nice to have his own pillow that he could easily pack into a carry-on. If you want more of a backpacking pillow, check out the Pillow X, which is currently running on a social media promo for like $9.99.
Pros: comfy af, clean af, easy to inflate, adjustable firmness
Cons: basically as big as my Static V2 when packed
Uses: Car camping, traveling, sleeping in the car
MSRP: $39.95
Weight: 6.4 oz / 181 g
Dimensions: 22” x 12.5” x 5.5” / 56 cm x 32 cm x 14 cm
Pack Size: 3” x 7” / 8 cm x 18 cm
Inflation: 3-5 Breaths
Fabric: 75D Polyester with Synthetic Case
Warranty: Klymit Lifetime Warranty
This is for sure a luxury item, but it was one of my favorite purchases. It’s a tech blanket, but a fuzzy side because sometimes that cool and slick sleeping bag material isn’t exactly what I want. Plus, it folds up into a neat pillow that makes it easy to store or tote around. But we have definitely used this when it’s as hot as the dickens in August when camping in Moab, and it was light years better than trying to make a sleeping bag work in that heat.
Pros: fuzzy, cool features like a foot box and corner hand pockets, easily folds up
Cons: when folded up, the pillow is a little firm… maybe it’s just because I am used to the adjustable fill of the Luxe Pillow
Uses: camping in warm temps in place of a sleeping bag, cozying up on the couch at home
MSRP: $119.95
Weight: 3 lb / 1.4 kg
Dimensions: 80″ x 58″ / 203 cm x 147 cm
Pillow Mode: 12″ x 18″ x 8″ / 30.5 cm x 45.7 cm x 20 cm
Pack Size: 16″ x 8.5″ / 41 cm x 22 cm
Fabric: 100% Polyester ripstop (Top), High loft Fleece (bottom)
Warranty: 2 Year Warranty
Stash 18 (Red)
We have such a plethora of backpacks, but I promise each one is beautiful and unique in its own way. Not only did I choose another Klymit product based on the color, but this pack was a perfect replacement for an older day hike bag I had. I use it for biking because it’s lightweight, as well as day hikes, because it has plenty of room, while not being too big.
Pros: great size for day hikes, air frame that can be adjusted, cool color (also comes in black), 2 year warranty
Cons: doesn’t have a lot of structure, only has one outer pocket, no waist strap
Uses: biking, hiking
MSRP: $54.95
Volume: 18 Liters
Weight: 13 oz / 368 g
Load Rating: 20 lbs / 9 kg
Fabric: 210D Nylon
Warranty: 2 Years
Wildhorn Outfitters Products We Love
Drift Snow Helmet
This gets me excited to ski. I personally love this helmet because I can transform it for how I’m feeling that day. Ear pads in: I’m ready to hit the cliffs, plus more warmth. Ear pads out: ready to look good and ski good. Speaking of looking good, I really like that this helmet is matte. Plus, It’s been a great helmet as I have become more of an aggressive skier.
Pros: versatility, compatible with their bluetooth earbuds, lots of colors, adjustable air vents, comfy, great price
Cons: fitting with the Roca goggles can be tricky in no-ear-pad mode
Uses: skiing, dropping cliffs
MSRP: $69.99
Weight: 14.6 ounces
Shell Materials: Polycarbonate In-Mold Shell
Liner Materials: Expanded Polystyrene Foam Liner
Roca Goggles
Yay for more winter products! And these are seriously so fantastic…. They’re magnetic. There’s been some huge hype around magnetic lenses, and it is sooo worth it. It makes the lenses easy to change (especially when your home mountain has crazy visibility changes… S/O to Grand Foghee!). And if you’re worried about the lenses popping off… as Nic says… if you’re worried about your magnetic lenses falling off during tumble, you probably have worse things to worry about if you’re crashing that hard…
Pros: comfy, easy magnetic lenses, lots of colors and lens variety
Cons: only comes with one lens (but it’s a low enough price point it kinda offsets it)
Uses: skiing bluebird days, skiing foggy days, skiing at night
MSRP: $59.99
Additional Lens MSRP: $23.99
Frame: TPU Frame
Lens: Polycarbonate Lens
Magnets Grade: N45
Strap: Cotton, Polyester and Rubber
This towel does what the Klymit camping pillow does for bed pillows. You think towels are small until you try and take it on a hike,and you realize it’s super bulky. This little microfiber towel is a much-needed downsize. But honestly, it’s still a huge towel, and I use it for everything from hiking to lakes to using it as a mat for working out in the park.
Pros: small size, soft microfiber, fast-drying
Cons: I can’t really think of anything except we have it in the “Sunset” color, and I get a little anxious about the white, but then I realize that stuff outside is gonna get dirty and you can always wash it
Uses: workout mat, lake hikes
MSRP: $27.99
Fabric: 20% Polyamide; 80% Polyester
Size: 78×35”
Pack Size: 10×3.5”
Outpost Camping Hammock
There’s a lot of hammocks out there. At one point, Nic and I had like four between the two of us, plus a hammock tent. But I’ve decided this is my favorite because of the straps. You don’t have to deal with getting the straps separately, unlike some hammocks. They come attached and ready to go. Plus the “Litespeed” straps are seriously so easy to cinch and undo.
Pros: can’t emphasize the ease of the straps enough, big size, reasonable price
Cons: absolutely nothing
Uses: hanging out, camping, park chillin’
MSRP: $39.99
Single Size: 5’ Wide.
Double Size. 6’6” Wide.
Fabric: 70D Parachute Nylon
Straps: Polyester Webbing Strap
Sand Escape Beach Blanket
Blankets are just something that you didn’t know you needed. Whenever I would go to the beach as a child, my mom would always use sheets instead of towels to lay on… which was genius… and this is basically just a better version of a regular old sheet. It has corner pockets that you can dig into the sand so it doesn’t blow away, plus the parachute fabric dries quickly so it doesn’t let the sand stick.
Pros: corner pockets, small pack-able size, reasonable price
Cons: only con is really that it looks exactly like my hammock when packed up, so I’ve definitely accidentally grabbed this instead of my hammock… maybe just get a different color than your hammock
Uses: beach bummin’ blanket, picnic blanket, laying-outside-in-the-sun blanket
MSRP: $24.95
Fabric: 100% Parachute Nylon
Size: 9×7’ Design
Pack Size: 5.5″x8.5″
This is one of the original products that I have used from Wildhorn Outfitters. It keeps getting better and better, and we absolutely love them. They are a lower-to-the-ground chair that you can easily set up. It does take a little longer to set up than your average lawn chair, but that’s because it’s not your average lawn chair. It’s nice and small when packed up, and the relaxed seating makes it perfect for lounging at concerts, chilling by the fire or eating after your hike.
Pros: smaller pack-size than the average camp chair, cool casual colors, has side pockets for gear(and snacks!!), includes terragrip “feet” so the chair doesn’t sink into sand/mud
Cons: No arm or head rests, takes a little while to get used to setting it up, but it’ll come more naturally to you with time
Uses: camping, concerts, hanging outside
MSRP: $39.99
Fabric: Durable 600D Oxford Nylon Mesh
Pockets: Double Reinforced Sides and Pole Sockets
Metal Frame: Rustproof 7075 Grade Aircraft Aluminum
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Pack size: 14.5 x 6 x 6.5″
Size: 24 x 23 x 28.5″
Highpoint 30L Backpack
Like I told ya before, every backpack has a purpose in my house. Wildhorn’s is a unique ultralight backpack that can actually fold small enough to fit into my purse. I use it hiking, but honestly, I love it for city errands or even traveling. I can put my water bottle and the Akumal microfiber towel in it to take it to the park to work out. I can take it on a walk to the grocery store… Like I seriously hate wearing a backpack in grocery stores…I don’t know why but I feel weird, so I fold this baby up with my money and ID, walk in, grab my groceries, then expand it once I pay for all my groceries. And this backpack holds a lot…. Definitely can fit a whole box of wine.
Pros: big day hike size, small packsize, lots of pockets, hydration bladder compatible, waist strap
Cons: doesn’t have a whole lot of structure, but the packability sort of counters this
Uses: city errands, hiking, biking, backpacking day hike backpack
MSRP: $34.95
Fabric: Durable Polyester
Size: 30L daypack
Hydration Sleeve: 2 liters (Does not come with bladder)
Packsize: 9” x 6.5”
King Cove Double Sleeping Bag
This is one of the items with a little crossover from Klymit. I’ve never heard of double sleeping bags, and now we have options from both our companies. The Double Down Sleeping Bag from Klymit is full-on down. It packs up way smaller (like a fourth of the size) than this fully- synthetic fill product from Wildhorn. However, I really like the fabric from Wildhorn’s because it’s softer with a little less sleeping-bag-slick-feel. Not to mention, the synthetic fill offers a much lower price point.
Pros: love the fabric, zips into two different single sleeping bags
Cons: the pack size is huge…. Seriously I could fit into the stuff sack, but for car camping, it’s totally okay.
Uses: car camping, tent camping, solo camping, couples camping
MSRP: $179.99
Liner: Softex Synthetic Silk Zip Out Liner
Fill: 140gsm x 2 layers BONDED Loft Fill
Shell: 70D X 220T DWR Ripstop Nylon Shell
Size: 86×72” Cal King Size
Single size: 43″ x 72″
Stuffed size: 22″ x 15″ x 15″
Extra product if 21+:
KYLA Hard Kombucha:
If you follow me on insta, you know that this stuff is my favorite go-to adventure drink. It’s an alcoholic (VEGAN!) kombucha. Not much more to say! While I don’t technically work for them anymore, I still keep in contact with them. I love being a social media ambassador for them and spreading the word of this PNW hard booch to my Utah and internet friends!
Pros: yummy flavors, 4.5% ABV, comes in packable cans, vegan, gluten-free, variety packs
Cons: hard to find in Utah, but it’s making its way!
Alright…. That was a ton of information….. I really love that our dinky camping set up has turned into a luxurious one thanks to working for rad little Utah companies! It’s been absolutely fabulous to immerse ourselves into these companies. Plus, it’s fun to work at places that we genuinely want to be ambassadors for, whether at the office or not. If you ever have questions regarding Klymit or Wildhorn Outfitters’ (or KYLA’s!) products, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Til the next adventure,
AJ
nacforadventure 