Locals’ Must-have gear

There is one camping gadget that REI product specialist Shannon Sands can’t live without: his Black Diamond Spot headlamp, a rugged, LED-powered light sold at most outdoor-recreation stores.

Sands joked that it is the first thing he would remember to take camping, over food or anything else.

“I have it hanging from the rearview mirror of my car,” he said, “so I know that I always have it.”

The Black Diamond Spot headlamp retails at REI for $39.95 and for $39.99 at Bend’s Pine Mountain Sports, where owner Dan McGarigle also mentioned the headlamp as one of his must-have camping gadgets.

“It’s definitely our best-seller, by far,” McGarigle said. “It offers a bunch of different light modes and is exceptionally bright.”

The headlamp is one of many gadgets that local recreation sales experts say campers and backpackers shouldn’t do without. So before you head out with your tent and sleeping bag, consider these tips from Central Oregon camping experts (See “Locals’ Must-have Gear”).

More of REI’s Shannon Sands’ picks

Rolla Roaster — $12.50 per pair

This telescoping skewer is perfect for roasting hot dogs or marshmallows without burning your fingers. The skewer extends to any length you need, up to 42 inches.

“It’s neat because you can use a lever to rotate the roaster for you,” Sands says.

MSR MiniWorks — $89.95

This water filter is handy for campsites that don’t have potable water. It removes harmful bacteria as well as chemicals and pollution from the water. The filter weighs 14.6 ounces when dry.

REI titanium spork — $8

For $8, you can have a fork and a spoon in one heavy-duty, easy-to-pack utensil. REI also makes a stainless steel spork that folds up, ideal for backpackers, costing $10.95.

More of Pine Mountain Sports’ Dan McGarigle’s picks

Jetboil camping stoves — $89.95

The Jetboil Personal Camping Stove boils a liter of water in 120 seconds. It also comes with its own pot.

“It’s the latest and greatest stove out there,” McGarigle said.

Darn Tough socks — $17.95 to $22.95

This brand of socks has a high thread count that makes it both comfortable and rugged, McGarigle says. The socks are available for cold and warm-weather occasions. Additionally, owners can get a new pair for free once they wear out the old ones, McGarigle says.

Ben’s insect repellent — $11

Bug spray, balms and wipes are a necessity when camping in Central Oregon, as the mosquitoes are out with a vengeance this year. Ben’s brand of insect repellent comes in various DEET strengths, 30 percent and 100 percent, which is a measure of the effectiveness. DEET is the common name for a chemical that is most effective for repelling pests.

“We always go through oodles of those,” McGarigle said of the Ben’s products.

Additionally, All Terrain Herbal Armor makes DEET-free repellents that McGarigle says actually work and are safe for kids. Their prices fall around the same as the Ben’s brand.

Joe Maunti, manager, The Supply Depot in Bend

Adventure Medical Kits — $29.95

Among these emergency-supply kits, the Pocket Survival Pak is popular at Maunti’s store. They are so small they fit in your pocket, and have everything from fishing hooks to a signal mirror, all shut inside a heavy-duty waterproof pouch.

Mike Chilcoat, employee, Mountain Supply in Bend

Black Diamond Orbit Lantern — $29.95

This lightweight lantern is LED-powered to give you a long-lasting filtered glow that can be your table lamp or reading light. The design is collapsible and has a dimming switch. It runs on AAA batteries, but is compatible for a rechargeable battery, at extra cost.

NeoAir Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad — $139.95 and up

Unlike other inflatable sleeping pads, the NeoAir is lightweight and folds small enough to fit into a Nalgene water bottle, Chilcoat says. The pad is also thicker, warmer and more durable than its contemporaries. You must blow it up with your own breath. At a fraction of the weight and bulk of the typical sleeping pad, Chilcoat says this pad is a necessity for campers and backpackers.

Chris Grier, owner, consignment store Gear Peddler in Bend

Spot Satellite Personal Tracker — $80 (used/consignment)

This GPS and satellite tracking system offers a line of communication between you and your family, Grier says, working where cell phones won’t. The tracker sends your coordinates and messages via a commercial satellite to inform others of your location and status. It also weighs less than 8 ounces, is small enough to harness to your belt and floats on water.

Mike Lee, manager, Hammer Time Home Center in Sunriver

Fiskars hatchet — $27.99

This popular hatchet weighs between 7 and 8 pounds, Lee says, and is a good all-purpose tool to bring camping, hunting and backpacking. The hatchet has a 14-inch handle made of a fiberglass-reinforced composite. The head will not loosen due to its molded design and the blade is forged carbon steel that is coated with a nonstick material for easier cutting.