The Best Colorado Gear for Every Campground

RovR RollR Cooler

Like many Colorado parents, Tom DeFrancia wanted his kids to love camping, so he routinely packed every conceivable comfort item, only to exhaust himself hauling cargo from car to campsite. But as a passionate amateur photographer who lugs around cumbersome—and expensive—gear, DeFrancia had mastered the art of efficiently relocating heavy loads and resolved to bring that transport savvy to car camping. In 2017, he launched his solution on Kickstarter: a rolling cooler featuring burly, air-filled wheels for floating over rough terrain and a telescoping, motorcycle-style handle so walkers could save their heels by tugging the cooler beside them. A collapsible tote built into the lid stows dry goods, and a removable bin compartmentalizes the interior to keep bottles upright. Optional accessories include the BikR kit, which converts the RollR to a bicycle trailer, a stowable food-prep board, and an umbrella holder. The Boulder-based company says the construction holds ice for up to 10 days and is even grizzly-proof, so, yes, you can take it into bear country. But it was the Jersey Shore that inspired DeFrancia’s latest innovation: balloon-size beach wheels with corrosion-resistant ceramic bearings that positively slay in the sand, whether you’re hitting the Atlantic or Chatfield Reservoir. Available in 45, 60 and 80 liters; from $400

Nite Ize GearLine Organizer

Most camp tables end up as storage for jackets, headlamps, sunscreen bottles, and backpacks—meaning there’s no possibility of actually eating on them. Reclaim that space with this new clothesline-style organizer from Boulder-based Nite Ize. The four-foot strip of webbing includes colorful S-Biner clips for hanging everything from pots to bags to lanterns and two 12-inch gear ties for attaching the ends to trees (or anything, really). Now we just need something that can perform similar magic above our kitchen counters. $20

Aksels Camper Hat

This Denver company originally made its mark with its Grown Locally tees emblazoned with the Colorado flag, but since expanding to socks and ball caps, youthfully irreverent designs such as psychedelic mountain silhouettes, brashly colorblocked camo patterns, and ’90s throwbacks have become Aksels’ calling cards. This flat-bill snapback hat won’t just bolster your rep around camp with anyone who grew up on Saved by the Bell, but it also stands a good chance of making your kids groan (which we consider a win-win). $30

Deuter Kikki Backpack

Now made from 100 percent recycled fabric that’s Bluesign-approved (denoting sustainable textile production), this too-cute kiddie daypack ships from Longmont, home of the U.S. branch of German gear giant Deuter. The eight-liter capacity is big enough for an extra layer plus a plush pal or two; side pouches secure a water bottle and all-important snacks; and the charismatic design will endear this piece of equipment to even the most pack-averse tykes. $50

Alpinecho Wildlife Woodcut Water Bottle

When Sarah Anderson started embellishing Nalgene’s new Sustain bottles, which are made from 50 percent recycled material, the Fort Collins artist and co-owner of soft goods manufacturer Alpinecho created three hand-drawn designs, including this relief-printed wildlife panel. The process meant sketching the critters in charcoal, transferring the drawing onto a rubber block, and carving away the negative space before digitizing the result. $25

Pact Outdoors Bathroom Kit

Everybody poops—even when there’s no toilet for miles. So Golden resident Jake Thomas created an all-in-one kit (refills are available) that exploits the power of mushrooms to accelerate the decomposition of human droppings. In addition to the standard (but cleverly packed) aluminum trowel, hand sanitizer, and biodegradable wipes, the roll-up case includes tabs of noninvasive mycelia, rootlike fungi that can help break down waste in four to six weeks compared with the year it takes for standard cathole burials. $50