The Best Everday Camping Gear: Ticla

By Austin Parker May 13, 2014

TICLA — Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re a serious outdoorsman, you’ve probably got the gear for basecamp trip to Denali, or even a month or two trip down the Appalachian Trail. However, how many of us really have a hardcore camping trip planned where we’ll need that zero degree mummy bag or Gore-Tex tent? Most camping these days involves more car travel and mellow nights at the lake than serious extreme weather or high altitude adventures.

There’s nothing wrong with some simple car camping, or pitching a tent at your favorite summer festival (SXSW maybe?) when you can’t get away from civilization for weeks on end, and our new favorite brand for casual camping gear is Ticla. Founded with the weekend warrior instead of the explorer in mind, Ticla maximizes your time outdoors, and not your stress over the right equipment. For their team, camping is more about the experience – you shouldn’t have to worry if your gear is going to perform. Likewise, if you have to figure out how to pitch your tent or even open your sleeping bag, your time spent in the backcountry tends to be less than fun.

Our favorite piece of gear from Ticla? Take a look at the G.O.O.D. (Get Out Of Dodge) kit. It’s designed around the principle that packing for a weekend trip should be simple. It includes a Rambler sleeping bag and Tsubo sleeping pad, along with a unique stuff sack. Instead of individually stuffing or cramming your pads and bags into suff sacks, everything rolls into a convenient storage and travel sack. Your pad rolls up in the bag, fitting your sleeping bag in the middle with enough space to stash an extra pillow, headlamp and book, covering all your immediate sleeping needs.

Need shelter to go along with your G.O.O.D. package? The Teahouse tents are built on the premise that you actually want to enjoy the views from your tent instead of walling yourself off from nature. After all, you’re heading out on the camping trip to enjoy the great outdoors right? The line-up from Ticla will help you do that as painlessly as possible; massive amounts of bug repellent not included.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…

Culture

The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this -- a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That's in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you've never tried a Dominican cigar, you're in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.
The best Dominican cigars I've tried

Out of all the cigar guides I've put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I've definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I'd also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven't tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here's a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I've tried:
Ashton Symmetry

Culture

The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

Culture

This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts

The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer