Skip to main content

Trekking: The Cricket Trailer is NASA-approved… well, sort of

Man isn’t meant to stay indoors — our weekly “Trekking” column can attest to that. It’s a column dedicated to the adventurer inside of all of us, the one pining to ditch the office humdrum for a quick surf session or seven-week jaunt in the Grand Tetons. One day we may highlight an ultra-light stove and the next a set of handmade canoe paddles. Life doesn’t just happen inside the workplace, so get outside and live it.

Camping is about enjoying the great outdoors, but if you opt to stay inside when you do, shouldn’t you go with something that retains a light footprint and cuts only what’s necessary? For that, it might be best to rely on Garrett Finney, an architect who helped design the interior of the International Space Station and knows a thing a two about working in close quarters. His work as a NASA engineer, while not a necessary a pre-requisite for the outdoor industry, only bolsters the Cricket Trailer ($20,000+).

Related Videos

Related: The HC1 brings the retro vibes to the road

model_gal-02-0-00Functional and portable, the Cricket Trailer is the end result of Finney’s early fascination with outdoor living spaces. Each iteration of the pop-up trailer — aka the Cricket Gear, Camp, and Trek — capitalize on a modern design, one that straddles the line between a traditional tent and an RV. The iconic aluminum build helps with aerodynamics, and given how lightweight the frame is, you can tow it using a variety of four and six-cylinder vehicles that might not be able to handle more robust trailers. On top of that, it’s also compact enough you can stow it in most garages when you’re not on the road.

However, what distinguishes the trailer from others in the field is the sheer level of customization if offers. Each model is more capable than the last, whether you’re in need of little more than a kitchen module and battery-powered lightning, or prefer optional amenities such as a water heater, cabana, roof rack, or portable stove. The Camp and Trek also come outfitted with plenty of storage room and a v-berth bed configuration that conveniently doubles as a lounge and intimate dining area. Unfortunately, the kayak and baby-blue surfboard don’t come standard. Sigh.

Check out the Cricket online to get a quote, or to set up purchase through a dealership.

Editors' Recommendations

Columbia’s Director of Toughness: The Best Outdoor Job
Director of Toughness

We've all had a dream of ditching the cubicle, board room, or dorm for an adventure travel odyssey. Of course, the logistical problems with a few months (or years) of travel keep most people from realizing their dreams. What if you could travel the world, get your adrenaline fix in, and get paid to do it? Outdoor brand (and winner of one of our coveted Outdoor Retailer Best In Show Awards) Columbia just launched their search for a Director of Toughness.

Related: Land Your Dream Job

Read more
The World’s Most Versatile Tent: Cotopaxi Inti
Cotopaxi Inti

Picking a tent out for your summer camping adventures can be a hard (and very expensive) decision. Do you go with an ultralight backpacking tent to save on weight? While it's a great option for serious hikers, the average car camper will be seriously cramped. Likewise, you're probably not going to pack that fifteen pound 4-man tent into your high alpine fishing camp if you don't absolutely have to.

The compromise of weight and space is a constant fact for serious campers, until now. We got a sneak peak of Cotopaxi's latest secret project while visiting their Salt Lake City headquarters earlier in May. The Inti tent is unlike any other backcountry shelter we've ever seen - expandable for extra space when you need it, lightweight and ultra packable when you don't.

Read more
Mountainsmith Roots Collection
Mountainsmith

They just don't build packs like they used to. With ultralight fabrics, high tech harnesses and more features than you can count, modern packs are heavy on advancement, but sometimes form gets lost in all the function. Our friends at Mountainsmith took that to heart with their new Roots Collection, recreating some of their early 1990's classics, albeit with updated materials and features for the backcountry or urban explorer. If you've been combing the thrift stores for that perfectly aged vintage pack,  search no further. With one of these excellent bags, you'll get the vintage design, modern comfort, and get to put your own patina on it for years to come.

Related: Pack It In: Summer Car Camping | The Best Backpacks of 2016 
Grand Tour $100

Read more