Went to the preview party for The Container Store here in the Twin Cities last week. I wasn’t surprised by the two brands of luggage they carry: Baggallini and Eagle Creek. One’s more feminine, the other more masculine, but both are high-quality and definitely geared toward well organized travelers. I’d already featured lots of items in the travel aisle, but not yet these scary-cute kids’ stuffed animals/travel pillows. They’re made from machine-washable fleece and filled with buckwheat hulls.

If you’re an avid reader, you know I’m a fan of double-duty goods. (Also: Hello! Thanks for being avid!) This flashlight/water bottle combo wins a special place in my heart since it’s a solar solution. A built-in panel in the bottle’s cap stores sunpower enough to illuminate your tent for six hours. Use the bottle as an airtight floating storage container if you’d rather.

Via MatadorGoods’ solar gear roundup (featuring other products you saw here first).

Touted as a tent replacement. Good for the cheapos, and the car campers ready to call a spade a spade.

Via The Gear Junkie, which just launched a cool choose-your-adventure sweepstakes, where the winner (plus lucky travel companion) selects one of five professionally guided REI trips, such as a Yosemite snowshoe trek or Mount Washington winter climb. Includes all gear and some extras, like a post-adventure party. (Woo-hoo!) The contest runs through December 17, but you might as well enter now. While you’re thinking about it.

What could be worse than spilling your coffee? A wet, stained sleeping bag. Well, almost worse.

Camping catch-and-release for your budding natural scientist.

You know what Outdoors needs? More wine. Like this, the equivalent of four bottles in an eco-friendly box with handle. You want to go camping with me now, don’t you?