The Best Tailgating Gear of 2019

Published October 10, 2018 12:00AM

BioLite FirePit ($200)

See that yellow thing on the side? It’s a rechargeable battery pack, which drives a fan that shoots air into the main compartment, cutting down on smoke and ensuring you always have a raging fire. Use the BioLite to warm up while knocking back a few, then slap on the grate for steaks.

Tembo Tusk Standard Front Pull Fridge Slide ($375)

Don’t throw your back out on that ice chest. Tembo Tusk’s handy tray bolts to the bed of your truck and holds your fridge or cooler in place, then slides it into position for easy access. When you’re done, roll it in and go.

Yeti Silo 6G Water Cooler ($300)

Yes, $300 is a lot for a water cooler, but the Silo is worth it. The rotomolded plastic keeps the water inside cold in summer and hot in winter, so you can prep coffee or tea after a full day of shredding.

10 Barrel Brewing Trail Beer Northwest Pale Ale ($9 for six)

This is the best après brew you’ll find, plain and simple. The Trail Beer is nicely balanced, with bright citrus and pine notes that aren’t hoppy like an IPA or heavy like a stout.

Flylow Ditch Pants ($80)

Like the name suggests, you’ll want to ditch your crinkly ski bibs for these warm and buttery-soft cotton trousers. They’re great for lounging on a tailgate or next to a fire. A touch of spandex adds mobility for rounds of cornhole.

Alu-Cab 270-Degree Awning ($1,495)

When the skies start nuking snow, move the party into this awning’s wide weather-free zone. It’s expensive, yes, but it sets up faster and easier than other shelters.

OtterBox Elevation 10 Tumbler ($25)

Fill this vessel with coffee for the drive up to the ski hill, then with whiskey once the party gets going afterward. Made of double-walled steel, it takes a true beating, and the copper lining makes sure hot liquids stay hot and cold ones cold.

Smartwool Cozy Grip Flip Gloves ($44)

Dexterity is crucial for everything from tearing into a bag of chips to pulling apart hot dog buns. Flip up the mitts on these merino and acrylic gloves to go fingerless, then flip ’em down again for warmth. Hell yes to the suede patch in the palm, which provides extra purchase on that beer.

Primus Campfire Tongs ($25)

Forget fancy skewers and other frivolous utensils—tongs are all you really need for grilling. These stainless-steel grabbers are lightweight, durable, and punched with cutouts near the top to ensure you always have a good grip on your food.

Maloja Centro Blanket ($149)

Thanks to its water-repellent coating, you can throw this 6.5-foot-long, PrimaLoft-insulated blanket in the snow or use it as a seating area. Or wrap yourself in it for warmth once the sun goes down.

NEMO Stargaze Recliner ($220)

Thank you, NEMO, for designing the comfiest camp chair on the planet. A hinged seat allows you to rock back, but the Stargaze also reclines deeply for full-on post-burgers, beer-sipping relaxation.

Muck Boots Foreman ($175)

Give us your tired, your weary, your totally ski-boot-addled feet, and we’ll slip them into these cushy, waterproof leather stompers. The soft neoprene and polyurethane bed is a nice break from hard plastic.

Yakima OffGrid Roof Basket ($400)

Most roof baskets don’t do much beyond hold stuff. The OffGrid has crossbars for ski or bike racks so you can free up space in the car. An optional attachable extension ($149) adds even more room.

Hydro Flask Unbound 24L Cooler Tote ($275)

To keep those 10 Barrells frosty, put them on ice in Hydro Flask’s easy-to-carry, well-insulated soft cooler. Bonus points for the food-grade, BPA-free liner, which won’t leave your brews smelling or tasting like plastic.

Trew Super Down Jacket ($369)

Even with a roaring fire going, you’ll need a thick jacket to stay snug when the sun dips. Trew’s is stuffed with 850-fill down and sports cozy features like an oversize hood and warm pockets.

WeatherTech BootTray ($25)

The BootTray is right at home in your truck. It’s a changing platform, for swapping ski boots for shoes. Then it’s a drying station, so gear’s aired out when it’s time to go.

Zippo Lighter ($20)

Our first rule where lighters are concerned: no cheap gas-station plastic. This windproof Zippo ensures the grill always gets lit.

Mpowerd Luci Pro Outdoor 2.0 Inflatable Lantern ($35)

A solar panel on top charges this inflatable 150-lumen lantern. We like it for its soft light, and there’s a USB port to charge phones.

Tincup American Whiskey ($25)

The mellow burn of whiskey provides the perfect cap to an action-packed powder day. Tincup’s doesn’t cost much more than a ski-area burger.

The North Face Campshire Earflap Hat ($45)

Hide helmet hair under this cotton-twill lid, inspired by old hunting and military caps. Drop the fleece-lined earflaps for more warmth.