Just three days to go! Gear Junkie’s “Treasure Hunt: Roanoke” event is fast approaching, and the gear prizes are piling up. The Treasure Hunt will be a “$40,000+ gear extravaganza” happening in Roanoke, Va., on July 11. Here’s a spread of some of the prizes participants will see. . .
Grand Prize! As announced yesterday, it’s official: For the event’s Grand Prize, we will award a $7,000 SylvanSport GO trailer! Coolest. Camper. Ever. https://www.sylvansport.com
Swag Bags. Racers will comp a free bag o’ swag (gear) at the start line. And the bag itself is part of the prize: Trek Light Gear’s Eco Tote reusable bags are made of material leftover from the company’s hammock manufacturing. The fabric — ultralight and incredibly strong — packs super small and comes with an attached key ring and clip. https://www.treklightgear.com
Stuntpuppy. “Built from the dog up.” That’s a tagline from Stunt Puppy, a neat new company sending collars and runner leashes by the boxful to our event. https://www.stuntpuppy.com
MH Gear. Outdoors-industry stalwart Mountain Hardwear is giving away some bomber gear, including its Ultralamina sleeping bag and a Habitat tent. Serious gear here! www.mountainhardwear.com
Helly Hansen. Can you say top-notch? Helly’s outerwear is some of the best — and best-looking — on the market. For the Treasure Hunt, racers will battle for the company’s cool Ekolab line of recycled-material jackets. https://www.hellyhansen.com
Map It! National Geographic’s TOPO! software gives you major cartographical control from your computer. Design custom maps and print ‘em out for your next adventure. National Geographic Maps is donating 10 editions of its TOPO! for the hunt. https://www.natgeomaps.com/topo.html
Bright Eyes. Smith Optics’ Parallel Max Cabonic TLT have a lens profile that is enlarged to provide more coverage while still maintaining a minimalist look and feel. Five pair at the event! https://www.smithoptics.com
SPOT! The SPOT Satellite Messenger is a GPS-powered handheld locator beacon that offers a vital link of communication — independent of cellular-phone coverage — with emergency services, friends and family. It also lets adventurers track and map their routes on excursions in the mountains, desert, ocean, and to literal ends of the Earth! https://www.findmespot.com
Nemo UL Tent. New Hampshire-based Nemo Equipment Inc.‘s 3.3-pound Nano Elite is among the lightest tents on the market. (GJ tested it this year and fell somewhat in love.) It retails for $389 and is made for adventure racers, alpine climbers, ultra-light backpackers, and anyone on “a mission to cover long distances in the backcountry fast.” https://www.nemoequipment.com
Headlights. Longtime GJ favorite. Princeton Tec’s headlamps are smartly designed, light weight, efficient, and bright. The company is donating its LED Fuel model, Apex, and other headlamps for the event. Shine on! https://www.princetontec.com
CLIF it. A perennial GJ favorite brand, CLIF is giving away a large supply of its bars, Bloks, Roks, and electrolyte drink powder at the event. The SHOT BLOKS — electrolyte chews that are semi-solid like gummy bears — are some of the best-tasting “energy food” on the market. https://www.clifbar.com
Ortovox Top. You know this Austrian backcountry equipment manufacturer from its avalanche transceiver line and BC ski gear line. But Ortovox has top-end apparel, too. The Merino 320 Jacket, $299, is new to the US market. As the name implies, the Merino 320 is made with 80% merino wool. Cozy and cool. https://en.ortovox.com
Deuter Packs! Three packs from Deuter USA, including the Futura Pro 42, a solid all-around pack with side bellow pockets, ice axe and trekking pole loops, and an integrated rain cover. Carrying Capacity = ~35 lbs. https://www.deuterusa.com
Trail Run. The Vasque Mindbender have support, protection, cushioning, and speed. Breathable, synthetic leather/mesh uppers. Nylon lining absorbs excess moisture and disperses it for faster drying. Protective toe bumpers for those pesky roots and rocks on the trail. https://www.vasque.com
Join the Gear Junkie team for a gear hunt the likes of which have never before been seen in the world outdoors. All details and registration forms are here: https://gearjunkie.com/treasure-hunt-roanoke
