Spring is the perfect time to refresh your gear kit and get inspired for the seasons ahead. New gear and great trail reads all fuel the excitement of the coming months outdoors. Whether you’re planning your first overnight hike, organizing gear for summer paddling trips, or prepping for fall adventures, a few smart additions can go a long way. For spring 2025, I’ve rounded up some standout pieces built for performance and simplicity, including the ultra-lightweight MEC Spark 1-Person Tent, the rugged yet stylish Odyssey waterproof totes, the ever-reliable Katadyn BeFree Water Filter, and the versatile Arcade Futureweave Belt. For those who thrive in wet conditions (hello coastal BC), the MEC Slogg 35L Dry Pack is a game-changer as is the MEC Odyssey Dry Tote.
Alongside the spring 2025 outdoor gear, I’ve picked three books that fuel my dreams of new trails and wanderlust. “Urban Trails: Vancouver, BC” is full of ideas for accessible local hikes, while the newly updated “105 Hikes in and Around Southwestern British Columbia” remains a go-to for exploring the best of SW British Columbia. And if you love reflective trail writing, “The People You Meet” by Melissa Rodway is a beautifully written reminder of how travel, whether near or far, connects us. Here’s a look in more detail at the spring gear and books I’m excited about in 2025.
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If you’re looking for an ultralight one person tent the MEC Spark one person tent should do the trick but if you want your pack inside get the two person tent
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
In summer on backcountry trips where I don’t want to carry a lot of water or I’m worried about running out of it, I pack Katadyn’s ultra lightweight (76g) BeFree water filter system. It packs down into almost nothing and can filter water at a rate of up to 2 L per minute.
This new version of BeFree comes with a carbon filter to remove bad tastes and odours. To clean the filter, simply give it a shake or swish – no back-flushing needed. It comes in two sizes, 0.5 L and 1.0L.
The Katadyn BeFree water filter available at MEC
I already have the MEC Spark – 2 person tent which I absolutely love when it’s just me and my dog. But for those times when you’re backpacking solo – or you’re a single within a group – the MEC Spark – UL 1 person tent is the way to go. My son-in-law is taking the tent on the West Coast Trail – and I know he’s thrilled with how little it weighs (979 grams) – and the fact that he doesn’t have to sleep with one of his buddies.
Apart from being ultralight, the tent should do well in rain. It comes with a 15-denier ripstop nylon rainfly with a silicone coating for excellent waterproofness, it’s fully seam taped and a storm flap on the door zipper prevents drips.
There is also an internal mesh pocket so you can find essentials like your headlamp quickly in the middle of the night. The footprint for the tent is sold separately.
My daughter trying out the MEC Spark one person tent 
With the rainfly attached there is room on either side of the tent to put boots and a backpack under the rain fly
Arcade Futureweave Stretch Belt
The stretchy Arcade Futureweave Belt is built for travel with a contoured, low-profile buckle that sits comfortably and a metal-free design that makes airport security hassle-free. Stretch webbing is made with 85% recycled REPREVE®️ polyester. The belt is durable, lightweight, and even machine washable and dryable.
At MEC it comes in a standard width of 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) and a standard 101 cm or up to a 40-inch waist. It’s fully adjustable to fit a range of sizes. You can purchase the belt here for under $50.
John wore the belt over the duration of a one-week canoe trip. He finds it very comfortable – and loves the fact you can lengthen or shorten it with little effort.
John sporting the Arcade Futureweave belt
MEC Odyssey Dry Tote
My favourite piece of new spring gear in 2025 is the MEC Odyssey Dry Tote. The wide opening makes packing a breeze, and the heavy-duty 600-denier polyester – both inside and out, means it’s built to last, all without using PVC, so it has a lower environmental impact than traditional dry bags. It holds a lot, and thanks to the broad straps, I was able to portage it along with all the other gear you see in the photo – for over a kilometre in one go without stopping.
I also love the lightweight rolltop closure, which is quick and easy to use. The bag cleans up beautifully, and while I used it just for food on a week-long canoe trip, it could easily double as a camp sink or a way to haul wet towels and swimsuits. It feels tough enough that I’ll be using this tote for years to come.
The MEC Odyssey Dry Tote is an amazing piece of gear and super on canoe portages 
The MEC Odyssey Dry Bag will be joining us on a lot of adventures over the years
MEC Slogg 35 L Dry Pack
MEC’s Slogg 35L Dry Pack is a rugged and waterproof backpack designed to keep your gear dry during outdoor adventures. Made from durable 840-denier, high-tenacity nylon coated with PVC-free polyurethane, it features radio-frequency welded seams to ensure water resistance.
The pack includes padded shoulder straps and a hip belt so you’re comfortable carrying gear whether its on a canoe portage or hiking into a campsite. The roll-top closure provides a secure seal, though you should know that while it’s highly water-resistant, it’s not intended for prolonged submersion.
Sporting the MEC Slogg 35L Dry Pack
Odyssey Dry Bags – assorted sizes
When water is involved whether it be on paddling, biking, or camping trips, dry bags are essential. I like to have a variety of sizes and colours, so I know exactly what’s in what.
MEC offers Odyssey dry bags in four sizes – 3 L, 5 L, 10 L and 20 L. They are fully waterproof made with 420-denier recycled nylon ripstop though they recommend hard cases with gaskets for electronics.
The 3L Odyssey dry bag was perfect for my zoom lens wrapped in bubble wrap 
Three of the four sizes of the MEC Odyssey dry bag
105 Hikes in and Around Southwestern British Columbia
This is the second addition of Stephen’s popular book – 105 Hikes in and Around Southwestern British Columbia. There’s lots that’s new in this must-have book:
- 36 new hikes
- 43 new topographic maps
- New four-colour photos
- Suggestions for rainy day hikes and hikes with dogs
- A foreword by Stó:lō Elder and cultural advisor Sonny McHalsie
- Tips for staying healthy and safe in the backcountry by two North Shore Search and Rescue members.
The People You Meet by Melissa Rodway
Melissa was kind enough to give me a copy of her book – The People You Meet – to take on a week long canoe trip in Ontario. I looked forward to reading the book at the end of the day as I sat on my camp chair – with no distractions but the call of the loon. It’s an easy read that will stay with you and one you won’t want to put down.
If any of you have spent time in southeast Asia you will totally relate to the joys of travel – incredible landscapes, kind people, amazing food – but also the not-so-fun days of long bus or train rides, dirt, bad food, heat, and traveling without a break from your partner.
Melissa tells it like it is. It’s on the best seller list for a reason. And if you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia or know someone that is – get it for yourself or give it as a gift.
Thoroughly enjoying The People You Meet on a week long canoe trip in Ontario
Urban Trails – Vancouver, BC by Craig Romano
The compact 271-page book – Urban Trails – Vancouver, BC showcases trails in and around Vancouver, BC. Craig details 55 hikes covering Surrey, Langley, the North Shore including Bowen Island, Richmond, Burnaby, and New Westminster.
I lived in Vancouver for almost 10 years and can tell you that there are loads of new trails I have never heard of before. I particularly love the pages that show “trails at a glance”. You can quickly see if it’s a walk, hike, run, good for kids, dog-friendly, bike-friendly, and if public transit is an option.
Each hike comes with a map, a colour photo, information on how to get there, GPS coordinates, amenities, and useful information for before you go. This is a must have guide for locals and visitors alike.
NOTE: Thank you to MEC for sending me so many cool products to test and try. A shout out to my author friends who sent me copies of their books and to Arcade Futureweave for the very practical belt.
More reading on spring, summer and fall adventures
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