New And Notable Outdoors Gear: March 27

The Turd Hammer cometh, and other significant developments in camping accoutrement

Most outdoor publications assign gear coverage to the youngest, most inexperienced writers on their teams. I’m neither of those things, so every Friday I’m trying to bring you some genuine insight into exciting new stuff. This week, we have some questionable naming decisions from Toyota, along with a pivot to more affordable camping gear from household names, and the usual selection of technical innovations that you should know about now, so you can shop for them when they go on-sale next season.

Enter Turd Hammer

TRD stands for “Toyota Racing Development,” and is the badge Toyota has for years affixed to appliances like the 4Runner when they want you to add thousands of dollars to your total financed amount in return for a $200 upgrade to your shocks you’d be better off buying in the aftermarket.

That’s apparently the kind of belief-in-your-customers attitude American consumers want from their megacorp overlords, because Toyota trucks attract rabid loyalty based on a decades out-of-date reputation for reliability. And within the Toyota Stan universe, TRD is lovingly pronounced “Turd.”

That’s funny and reverential when it’s pronounced “Turd Pro,” but “Turd Hammer” really seems like a step too far down the bad joke rabbit hole.

Since the new Tundra is already the most unreliable, slowest, least efficient half-ton truck, with the lowest payload and highest prices that’s still probably a decade out from a refresh, Toyota is taking the logical step of copying what Ford first did 17 years ago, and adding a Raptor-like high-performance off-road model it hopes will provide a halo to that model’s public image. This week, news broke that they plan to call it the Tundra TRD Hammer.

Beyond the name, details are still slim. There’s 37-inch tires visible in spy photos, and some widened fenders front and rear, suggesting some sort of widened-track, long-travel suspension system. It remains unclear if it’ll be a mid-volume model targeted at the normal Raptor, or a limited-run, very high performance special seeking to steal the Raptor R’s crown.

Had we been having this discussion in like 2016, I’d forecast a hit. But with a collapsing job market combining with high inflation and exploding gas prices, I fear economic conditions may be just wrong for this thing’s timing. I plan to explore the impacts this moment is likely to bring bring to the off-road and overlanding market in a longer piece in the near future. Shame it isn’t electric, no word on whether or not it will be able to actually be used off-road in stock form.

All-In-One Hot Water From Joolca

Joolca makes great propane-powered hot water heaters for camping sinks and showers. But until now you’ve had to install the heater unit somewhere on your truck, then connect a separate water source in addition to the propane canister. Great solution for dedicated rig builds, not so much for more casual campers.

That changes with the $600 Hottie, which packages everything you need but the propane into a box about the size and form factor of a portable power station. As an extra stroke of genius, it’s compatible with both the standard 1 pound green propane canisters (bonus points if you use an Ignik Tap Rack), or the bigger barbecue ones. Store it in your garage, and just throw it in your TRD-badged driving appliance when you’re ready to have hot water on a camping trip.

Marmot Wraptor Sleeping Bag

With synthetic insulation versions priced at $199, generous proportions, zipper-free magnet closure, and foot vents, these new Wraptor sleeping bags pack a lot of high-end features into a nicely-priced option for car camping from a brand you’ll recognize.

Also available in 650-fill down, I recommend most car campers go with a quality synthetic alternative these days, not only to save some money, but also because it’ll perform better alongside condensation or bad weather.

Spend the money you save on a quality sleeping pad with a good R-value, and all the above will deliver a solid night’s sleep this summer.

Finally, A Better Swiss Army Knife

Victorinox has been trying to re-invent its classic Swiss Army knife for as long as I’ve been carrying one. But, until now, its efforts to integrate features like a bigger knife blade, or a lock, have never managed to elevate the iconic original. I think this new Synergy range is their best effort yet. It combines their excellent aluminum scales with a slightly-tweaked classic form factor, plus both a locking knife blade and a pocket clip. $78 without scissors or $96 with.

A Lighter Fjallraven Frame Pack

I’ve been intrigued by durable, stylish Swedish brand Fjallraven’s wood-framed backpacks for a while, but haven’t yet found a way to integrate one into my needs since they just don’t hit the light weights of the ultra high tech solutions I’m used to. This new Kajka X-Latt gets closer, providing a 45-liter capacity for 2.6 pounds.

Still far from ultralight, that weight penalty may be worth it in some scenarios thanks to excellent color choices, and sleek design. $380 is a high price to pay for something I’d carry on casual, shorter-distance treks only.

Jeep XJ Pioneer Concept

“OE+” is a style of vehicle modification where you set out to re-imagine what a car or truck might have looked like had the maker gotten it fully right on its first try. I’d argue that the build Virginia and I put together for her 200-series Land Cruiser is the pinnacle of that art form.

Now, Jeep’s own designers have done that for the brand’s classic XJ-platform Cherokee, as part of the range of designs they bring to each year’s Easter Jeep Safari in Moab. Starting with an original two-door model they found in near-mint condition, all they did was clean it up a bit, fit a small lift tweso clear 33-inch tires, and fab up a set of custom, body-colored rock rails.

It’s perfection, and reminds me that I’ve always wanted to own an XJ. Maybe I’ll put something similar together one day when we have the garage space necessary to store a handful of classic vehicles.

Wearable Sleeping Bags For Dogs

Don’t forget that your dogs need insulation for nights spent outdoors too. I’ve always just wrapped our pack in their Ruffwear Powderhound Puffy jackets and called it good, but that brand’s new $99 Palisades Sleep Poncho looks like it’d offer more warmth, in a more packable form.

Cinching closely around the dog’s neck to trap warm air, and connecting to their back legs with stretchy straps to hold it in place, the Sleep Poncho is designed to drape over the dog no matter what sleep position they choose, and can be clipped up to stay clear of late night potty breaks. Just don’t forget to give them something to insulate them from the cold ground.

A Magnetic Belt Buckle From Arcade

It took me a while to be converted, but I’ve worn nothing but Arcade’s stretchy-but-strong Hardware belt for the last couple of years, in both original and hook-style buckles.

That original works, but is both bulky and cheap looking, failing to fit through some belt loops. The hook is slimmer, but takes a little more attention to do and undo. This new $50 magnetic closure promises to fix those problems with a buckle that’s guided into retention by magnets, without looking all zany or anything.

A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, and prepare for real life.