The Pursuit Series, which is essentially a summer camp for adventure-loving adults, was designed by four outdoor-loving adventurists who have spent their lives outdoors: Julia Stamps Mallon, Bart Davis, Brian Heifferon and Tyler Drake. The foursome pulls from past experiences at Outessa, an outdoor weekend adventure camp to encourage more women to get outdoors, as well as The Outbound Collective, an online community designed to help adventurers locate the best spots for all explorers. A typical Pursuit weekend includes over 26 different categories of events over the course of three days to help you learn more about an outdoor activity you love, or introduce you to a new one. It’s a series worth checking out, and one that requires some outdoor gear to make it through. Here’s what the founders recommend.
Tyler Drake
One of the founders of the Outbound Collective, Drake’s favorite things revolve around staying comfortable.
Wigwam Beacon Heights Socks
Durable and dry socks are a must-have. “I love the Wigwam Beacon Heights Socks. With moisture control and cushioning, these socks help keep my feet dry and comfortable all day long.”
Sleeping Pad
You need a comfortable and reliable sleeping pad. “We camp the full week we’re setting up, working and taking down the event, so it really helps to have a good night’s sleep. It’s a little bit of a luxury, but I splurged for the Exped Megamat Duo.
Water Bottle
“With summer heat and long days, it’s key to have a good bottle to help me stay hydrated. I’m a fan of Igloo’s Tahoe Chugger water bottles.”
Sunscreen
“It’s always important to protect against the elements. I like Sun Bum to keep me covered.”
Sunglasses
“From being on the water and trails to hanging out at camp, it never hurts to have a good pair of glasses.”
Brian Heifferon
The other co-founder of the Outbound Collective has a few more necessities, but stands by Drake that sunscreen is non-negotiable. “I spend a lot of time in the ocean, so I have a bias toward sunscreens that don’t contain oxybenzone, which damages reefs and sea life when it inevitably washes off of your skin. I’ve found Bare Republic sunscreens to be affordable, high quality and good for hours of uninterrupted fun. My go-to is its Mineral SPF 50 Sport Sunscreen Stick.” Here’s everything else Heifferon brings with him.
Sleeping Pad
Similar to Drake, the quality sleep Heifferon gets is important. “We’re on-site at Pursuit for about a week setting up and breaking down, so getting a good night’s sleep is really important. My go-to basecamp pad is the Exped MegaMat. It’s pretty expensive, and definitely not for backpacking, but it’s as close to sleeping on a mattress as you’ll get.”
Headlamp
“An indispensable product. I hide them everywhere: in my car, house, daypack, emergency kits, etc. My go-to is the Black Diamond Storm. Although it’s a little on the heavy side, it’s affordable, has a ton of settings and is water-resistant. It’s a total workhorse.”
Merino Wool Shirt
“I pack light and unfortunately sweat a lot, and merino wool is my savior. It’s cool, breathable, easy to take care of and doesn’t stink. No really – it doesn’t hold odor. Icebreaker’s City Lite crew works like a charm. If you haven’t already, given merino wool a try. You can thank me later.”
Trucker Hat
“I like to have a well-ventilated hat that I can really beat up, and our Outbound Trucker fits the bill perfectly. It’s not overly tall, and the pliable foam front panel makes it a breeze to rinse off and put right back on.”
Mini Lantern
“Headlamps are awesome, but you don’t always want to be wearing one inside your tent. A nice mini-lantern hanging inside your tent is convenient and makes the space feel more like home. My go-to is the MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0. It’s crazy light, solar powered and more than bright enough to light up the inside of your tent.”
Bart Davis
Davis and Stamps Mallon have worked together for years, so it makes sense that working with them is a bit like working with an oiled machine. Weekends like these are old hat for Davis, so his picks are certainly fun.
Puffy Jacket
“Even in the summer, I don’t head to the mountains without a puffy coat. I love the Marmot Featherless Hoody because of its great warmth to weight ratio, and being a synthetic insulation, it stays warm even if it gets wet.”
SAXX Underwear
“It may seem funny to be as passionate about my SAXX underwear as I am, but they simply are the best, whether I’m being active or not. The fit is perfect, meaning they don’t ride up or bind, and I love the designs.”
Snacks
“Being prone to ‘Hangriness’, I always am carrying snacks with me. The GU Energy Stroopwafel is super tasty and provides the right mix of ingredients to keep me on track, whether running on a trail or needing a snack while working. Check out the Gingerade flavor, my personal favorite!”
Portable Charging Light
“The Luci Pro Outdoor 2.0 + Mobile Charging is a must have item! Super lightweight, serves as a great area lantern, charged by the solar panel on top or a USB and can provide a charge to my phone when needed. So many sweet features in a small and lightweight package. This goes on every trip with me.”
Julia Stamp Mallon
The O.G. founder of these adventure-filled weekends, Stamps Mallon is no stranger to the backcountry.
Marmot Tent
“I like the Marmot Limelight 2 Person Tent, which you can get in the Pursuit Series camping kit, as it feels really spacious and is my go-to accommodation.”
Sleeping Bag
“The Marmot Trestles 30 Sleeping Bag is super comfy and perfect for 3-season camping.”
Igloo Tumbler
“I love my Igloo Tumbler so I can enjoy Tito’s cocktails and Kenwood Wines in the evening as I sit back enjoy Chauo Chocolatier s’mores around the campfire.”
Wet Wipes
“Even if we’re camping where there are amenities (like Pursuit Series), it’s always ideal to have wet wipes on hand for swift and easy cleanups.”
The Best Camp Chairs
Lightweight seating for every type of camping out there.
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