Venturing into great outdoor spaces, Leon Leonwood Bean wrote in his 1942 guide, Hunting, Fishing and Camping, “teaches us to forget the mean and petty things of life.” Boy, do we ever need that lesson now. Some of the best moments of our lives take place outdoors in Maine, and in the midst of a pandemic and a torrent of grim news, venturing outdoors is crucial to our physical and emotional wellbeing. Lucky for us, Maine entrepreneurs haven’t missed a beat. In the tradition of L.L.Bean, they’re making gear, clothing, and toys to enhance our outdoor fun. Come out and play.
Wooden Canoe Paddles
The Penobscot, shown here in walnut, and the Algonquin, in ash, are each hewn from a single piece of rough-sawn wood by an iconic 162-year-old Maine outdoor brand. From $115. Shaw & Tenney, 20 Water St., Orono. 207-424-1554. shawandtenney.com
Trail Model 4 Hiking Boots
We like our hiking boots to feel as comfy as our favorite pair of sneakers but supportive too. This waterproof shoe for men and women does, plus the rubber outsoles are perfect for traversing Maine’s rocky peaks. From $109. L.L.Bean, 95 Main St., Freeport. 800-441-5713. llbean.com
Bib Pack
This backpack’s waterproof base is made from lobstermen’s hauling pants. Designed by commercial fisherman Taylor Strout and his wife, Nikki. $70. Rugged Seas, Cape Elizabeth. ruggedseas.com
Tick-Repelling Gaiters
No Fly Zone gaiters are treated with the insect-repellent permethrin. Worn over shoes, they stop grass-dwelling (and disease-carrying) ticks right where they latch on. $30. Dog Not Gone, 40 Dane Ave., Skowhegan. 207-479-5500. dognotgone.com
Ultamid 2 Tent
You can adapt this 1.17-pound tent to whatever wild place you’re hiking with a system of inserts, like the bug-mesh sleeping cocoon. Sloping walls of waterproof Dyneema give rain no chance to pool or penetrate. $735. Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Biddeford. 800-464-9208. hyperlitemountaingear.com
Chefy Backpacking Meals
Iron Chef winner Jennifer Scism adds to the adventure of the hiking trail with exotic dehydrated dinners, like bibimbap and Thai curry. $13.50. Good to Go, Kittery. 844-484-8646. goodto-go.com
Dirigo Woodsman Hunting & Fishing Knife
Lifelong outdoorsman JP Nickerson designed this knife for Maine’s bicentennial, and only 200 will be sold. A portion of sales is donated to the Maine Game Warden Foundation. $229. Maine Knife Company, Bangor. 207-852-5296. maineknifecompany.com
Flick the Tick
Heather Peel and Crystal Hamlin, outdoors-loving sisters with outdoors-loving kids, concocted this all-natural blend of cedarwood, citronella, and essential oils to keep ticks at bay. $10.95. Flick the Tick, Fayette. 207-500-2040. flickthetick.com
Sproul Baker
This simple oven bakes biscuits, pies, cakes, cookies, and more with reflected heat from a campfire. Built by Maine Guide Charles Gill. $149.50. Campfire Cookware, 50 Pork Point Rd., Bowdoinham. 207-666-3116. campfirecookware.com
Hunter’s Delight Campfire Ring
Cutouts of deer, moose, and spruce trees glow when a fire burns inside this heavy-duty steel ring. From $175. TPC’n-Smore, 142 Elm St., Brewer. 207-989-3473. tpcnsmore.com
Maple Croquet Set
With maple mallets and regulation-weight resin balls, this nine-wicket croquet set is designed for serious backyard players, but even dabblers will enjoy making the heavy, colored balls go thock! From $185. North Meadow Croquet, 31 Green St., Norway. 207-743-7799. northmeadowcroquet.com
Maine Lobster Cornhole Board
Sumner Averill builds these boards with birch plywood, then hands them off to friend Bruce Taylor to print the Maine-y designs. Find them at Wiscasset’s Ames True Value Hardware (447 Bath Rd.) or online. $279/set of two boards and eight beanbags. Laid Back Lumber, Alna. 207-380-7761. wickedcornhole.com
Buoy Bat and Ball
It’s hard to swing and miss when your bat is a fat, colorfully painted foam lobster buoy. That’s why the Buoy Bat is fun for little kids, not to mention adults who can send that ball flying. $42. The Buoy Guy, 119 Wild Rose Ln., South Berwick. 207-704-0260. thebuoyguy.com
