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

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+).

Functional 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.