GEAR:
Wild luxury

Products designed to make your outdoor experience ridiculously comfortable

by CHANTAL MARTINEAU

There's nothing like getting out of the city and back to nature. The summer camping trip is a tradition dating back to the late 19th century, when city dwellers sought a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. They would pack tents, makeshift sleeping bags and simple foods, then set out to reconnect with Mother Earth.

Over 100 years later, the custom hasn't changed much - with the exception of those who must answer the call of the wild equipped with cell phones, laptops, portable television sets and all necessary handheld gaming devices. The camping and hiking gear industry has responded to this trend of nature lovers who can't seem to part with the comforts of home with a slew of products aimed at making the great outdoors more civilized.

Pee in privacy!

When urban folk head into the wilderness at night, one startling fact becomes glaringly clear: we have no night vision. A good lantern is key to brightening up a pitch-black tent or finding one's way through the shadowy woodland for a midnight pee. What better way to locate and activate your trusty lantern than to simply reach for the remote? The Eddie Bauer Self-Powered Remote Lantern ($16.50 U.S.) combines the practicality of a battery-operated Krypton bulb lamp with the convenience of never having to get up to turn it on.

Then again, there's no need to head into the woods at all with the Quickdraw Privacy Tent ($79.95 U.S. at Sierra Trading Post) with toilet and shower. Each one-man stall can be set up in minutes and comes with a portable King Toilet, solar shower and shower mat. It's ideal for changing into that to-die-for bikini or taking care of business, and also makes a nifty ice-fishing shelter.

Deluxe grub

Beans and franks are fine for some but these staples of campfire grub don't have to make an appearance on your holiday menu. Enjoy fine dining outdoors with Coleman's Outfitter Camp Kitchen ($199.99 U.S.). It comes complete with a large aluminum counter big enough to hold most stoves, removable sink and hose and paper towel dispenser. Also included are checkers and backgammon boards and pieces. Pair the camp kitchen with the Hot Water On Demand ($179.99 U.S.) system to feel like you never left the luxury of indoor plumbing. Top it all off with the Camping Coffeemaker ($40 U.S.), a non-electric auto-drip coffeemaker just like the one you use at home.

Pet comforts

If all you'd like to do at the end of your camping day is curl up in front of the fireplace - surely, you mean campfire? No, fireplace - then Coleman can accommodate that wish too, with their Roadtrip Fireplace Grill ($91 U.S.). It has a 17" grill for that smoky cooked-over-an-open fire taste without the hassle of rustling up an open fire.

After all that activity, what better way to end the day than to hit the queen-size double-high Quickbed ($50 U.S.)? Of course, no luxury camping trip would be complete without catering to man's best friend. Eddie Bauer makes a travel pet bed ($38.50 U.S.) for your four-legged pal, as well as a first-aid kit ($29.50 U.S.) should the little trooper ever stumble somewhere along the trail. When he gets thirsty, give him a drink from an R.E.I. patented Cool Pooch Water Bottle ($6.95 U.S.), which your pup can carry on his back in his very own saddlebag-style travel pack, like the Granite Gear Ruff Rider ($48–$55 U.S.).

Coleman camping and hiking gear is available at most outdoor sporting goods boutiques, including the Mountain Equipment Co-op (Marché Central, 8989 l'Acadie) and that stalwart Canadian retailer of all things home, hardware and sportsmanlike, Canadian Tire. But for specialty items like these it might be best to visit the Web shop at www.coleman.com. The closest Eddie Bauer store is in Orleans, Ontario, so visit the online store at www.eddiebauer.com. The R.E.I. Web site is www.rei.com. Now you're ready to rough it the easy way with everything and the kitchen sink.