The outdoors-bound are likely to find aid and comfort from the following products, which may be available in stores. All products have been tested by the author; the phone numbers listed are toll-free.
CHAISE DAZE: La Napoule Lounge Chair may be the most comfortable portable outdoor chaise on the market. Long popular with sunbathers along the French Riviera, the imported lounge glides into reclining positions that progress from slightly reclined, with feet on the ground, to fully reclined with legs almost parallel with the ground.
A lever under each padded armrest locks the chair into the desired position. The polyester mesh fabric is laced onto the powder-coated steel frame with elasticized cording to provide soft suspension and good back support. The chair comes with an adjustable, removable pillow. It folds down for stashing or transport to 391/2 inches by 30 inches by 6 inches deep and weighs 18 pounds.
Available in black, green, denim, white and yellow. La Napoule Lounge Chair 67821J is $199.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer; for more information, call (800) 543-3366; www.hammacher.com
DOUBLE VISION: Binoculars are great for bringing the view closer, but usually that substantially narrows the field of view. Bushnell's compact 5x25 Xtra-Wide binoculars create a more panoramic effect, nearly twice as wide as regular binoculars with the same magnification.
The center-focused prisms have soft rubber popup eye cups. A padded zippered carrying case and sports strap are included. The binoculars weigh less than a pound.
Xtra-Wide 5x25 Compact Binoculars 13-0552 list for $127.95. Call (800) 423-3537; www.bushnell.com
CUTTING EDGE: Victorinox's latest Swiss Army Knife has some new tricks up its base. The Altimeter Plus has a computer chip in its handle that measures temperature and altitude, ideal for hikers and campers. A small LCD window in the red translucent handle displays altitude in feet and meters, and temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius.
Because this is a Swiss Army Knife, it comes with a slew of other tools: a wood saw, large and small screwdrivers, large and small blades, bottle opener, corkscrew, wire stripper, can opener, reamer, sewing eye, scissors, toothpick, hook and key ring. The LCD digital display works on one (included) lithium battery. Pack this in your checked luggage if flying.
Swiss Army Altimeter Plus is $102. Call 800 442-2706; www.swissarmy.com
MINI AID: For outings where you're likely to need only basic first aid, Adventure Medical Kits has introduced a palm-sized kit that packs a lot of products into its tiny nylon case.
Stashed in three clear vinyl pockets are five adhesive bandages, two antiseptic towelettes, one foil pack of antibiotic ointment, two moleskin squares, two butterfly closures, splinter forceps, two antihistamine tablets, two Motrin caplets, two Tylenol caplets and two insect sting-relief medicated pads.
The case folds like a trifold wallet, secures with a Velcro closure and slips easily into a hip pocket. Or hang it on a belt loop via the built-in plastic snap hook. Available in a range of colors.
