In the wilderness, as in life, it's the little things that count. A touch of comfort here and there can transform an otherwise lackluster trip into a great vacation. Don't mistake me for a backwoods softie, though; I like to rough it as much as the next person. But I'll accept a technological assist if it comes in the form of quality gear that makes my adventures safer and more enjoyable.

The problem comes in separating the serious from the silly among the gadgets and gizmos that crowd the shelves at outdoor stores. What follows is a collection of recently released outdoor products that I classify as "experience enhancers." Sure, you can live without them, but I guarantee if you take any one of these items into the field for a rigorous test drive — or two, or three, as I did — you're going to add them to your list of necessities.

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