Utensils and More
There is no need to carry a full set of dining wear. Moto-Camp offers durable, heavy-duty plastic/Lexan eating utensil sets (knife, fork, spoon) for less than three bucks. You only need to carry one set and they’re easy to clean and durable. They are good for environment too. Tip: To avoid unwanted visits from animals, keep food stored away or hang above ground level.
9-Pack Soft Cooler, Black ($32.95, Moto-Camp): On a hot day it’s not always fun to take a swig off of a 128-degree beverage. This polyester canvas, soft-seeded cooler features a vinyl (not plastic) interior that’s leak-proof (guaranteed by American Outdoors) and keeps food and drinks cold longer. It can be used with or without ice. The moldable cooler takes up less space than a hard cooler and has ¾ inch of high-density closed cell foam insulation. A removable shoulder strap is included as well.
Coffee Maker ($N/A, Moto-Camp): This nifty little unit folds flat when not in use then expands to hold a full-sized coffee filter. It’s a simple, foolproof, gravity-fed coffee maker. You just boil water, fill the filter with some coffee, and pour in water. Let it drip through and enjoy. There’s nothing like a hot cup of camp coffee on a chilly morning. Tip: for manly brew, reheat the first pass coffee and put through the same filter and coffee grinds. Yum!
Hygiene
Paper Shower, Six Pack ($7.50): Showering during trips is for wimps. However, the showers at most truck stops are surprisingly clean, much cleaner than my tub at home. It is not necessary to shower every day but most medical professionals would suggest keeping the essentials fairly clean.
For when you don’t have access to a real shower and it’s date night, you gotta keep your boys clean. These combination wet and dry body-wipe packs include six wet/dry towelette pairs and make for a quick shower. Make sure to start from the top and end up at your bottom. Face, hands, pits, genitals, butt; use another for feet—in that order.
Mini Tissue, Compressed Napkin (Eight Pack, Small; $2.95; Moto-Camp): These cool little pill-shaped compressed napkins take up barely any space, stay clean, and come in handy when you need a napkin.
Medical
Atwater Carey Personal First Aid Kit (Dimensions: 5½ x 1 x 4 inches; Weight: 15 ounces; $13.95, Moto-Camp): Because stuff happens on the road, you need a medical kit. This little kit, endorsed by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS, is perfect for solo overnight trips. The red kit is easily found in your bag. Tip: Don’t forget any of your prescriptions or other essential items like sunscreen, eye drops, and lip balm.
Other Essentials
Gerber Freehand Multitool (Closed length: 5.25 inches; Open length: 7 inches; Weight: 18 ounces; $137): From cutting a stick to roasting marshmallows to handling the common drunk biker as well as an axe murderer of naked co-eds camping at Grandma’s cabin, this multitool can do it all. Made from stainless steel, this tool features thick locking blades and a thumb stud for easy one-hand opening. Unlike many other multitools, it has full-sized pliers that actually work when you need it. It comes with a ballistic nylon sheath.
Brunton Pioneer 26DNL Compass ($23): Getting lost is easy and GPSs can break, run out of batteries, or be inaccurate when off the beaten path or dirt road. This simple compass floats, doesn’t need batteries, and always works when you need it. The only downside is you need to know how to use it.
Primus PrimeLite CA ($78): Equipped with six white LEDs and one super-bright Luxeon diode, the compact PrimeLite headlamp provides plenty of usable light for almost any after-dark activity. With five brightness levels including a flash mode, you can choose between a variety of light intensities depending on specific needs. Full power will throw a beam of light more than 80 yards. The headlamp body will clip off the headband and is compatible with the Primus Bike Mount, a bicycle handlebar mount sold separately for $10. The PrimeLite runs on three AAA batteries and comes with a light-diffusing stuff sack that allows the lamp to be used as a lantern.