Outfitted: Shoulder-season, car-camping comfort kit

When the crowds thin and the nights turn crisp, Colorado camping hits its sweet spot. The sun drops behind a stand of gold aspens, you can see your breath, and the difference between a shiver and a smile comes down to a few well-chosen comforts. This seven-piece kit lives in my Jeep from September through the first real snow: simple, durable gear that turns a chilly pullout into a cozy basecamp.

1. Chappy Wrap Sebago Tartan Blanket

Once the sun dips, this is the blanket you’ll reach for. Chappy’s knit is soft and substantial without being fussy, warm by the fire and machine-washable when camp inevitably gets grimy. The Sebago Tartan pattern leans classic New England, which somehow pairs perfectly with high-country autumn evenings. With just one, you’ll rotate it between your lap and shoulders and keep it close so it doesn’t “wander” to a friend’s chair. $150, ChappyWrap.com.

2. Bombas Merino Wool Blend Calf Socks

If you upgrade only one comfort item for shoulder season, make it socks. Bombas’ merino blend calf socks handle long drives, late-night runs to the bear box, and frosty mornings outside the tent. They hold shape, stay up, and don’t pill after a few washes. On a 28-degree dawn near Lincoln Creek, I doubled a thin pair under a cushioned one and my toes actually forgave me for making coffee outdoors. Toss an extra dry pair in your sleeping bag and they’ll be extra cozy when you put them on in the morning. Available in women’s and men’s sizes and multiple colors. $22, Bombas.com.

3. High Camp Flasks Parkside Flask Mojave Edition

I’m not hauling glass to camp, but I still want something nicer than a dented canteen when alpenglow hits. The Parkside Flask Mojave Edition fills that lane. It’s leakproof, pours cleanly into its two magnetically attached tumblers and won’t give reds or bubbly a metallic twang. It’s so easy to pack a chilled white that turns a simple tailgate dinner into something that feels gourmet. Bonus: the Mojave finish and design on this particular one looks sharp in photos and hides trail dust. Available in multiple colors. $149, HighCampFlasks.com.

4. Helinox Cot Max Convertible with Cot Leg Extensions

Cold ground is the enemy of good sleep. The Cot Max Convertible solves that in about two minutes. Shock-corded poles snap together, the bed fabric tensions without sag, and you’re floating well off the frost. Add the leg extensions and the cot rides higher — midnight exits are less of a yoga routine, and there’s space to slide a duffel or boots underneath. I’ve set it on packed dirt, slickrock and the lumpy “sites” you find along Forest Service roads and it hasn’t flinched. Pair it with a thin closed-cell pad for extra insulation and you’ll wake up because you’re rested, not because your hip is barking. $480 for the cot, $100 for the legs, Helinox.com.

5. Amundsen Field Blanket

Every camp needs a do-everything layer between you and the world. The Amundsen Field Blanket is my portable porch. It’s tough enough for pine needles and gritty sandstone, comfortable enough for stretching, sorting gear boxes or spreading a cheese board. I’ve used it as a wind block along the tailgate, a dog-approved nap station and a last-minute tarp when a squall sprinkled on dinner. It shakes clean, rolls small and looks good enough to live on the back seat the rest of the week. $289, Amundsen.com.

6. Smartwool Women’s Intraknit Hipster

The base layer you notice least is the one doing the most. Smartwool’s Intraknit Hipster uses mapped merino panels to move with you, wick sweat, and keep its cool while you’re hauling water or hustling a rainfly on in gusty weather. It dries fast on a dashboard and stays comfortable when worn two days in a row — which, let’s be honest, happens. Pack a fresh pair in a zip bag as a small morale booster; nothing resets a chilly evening like clean, warm next-to-skin layers. Available in multiple colors. $40, Smartwool.com.

7. Glerups Shoe with Natural Rubber Sole

Camp shoes are a hill I will die on. The Glerups Shoe with natural rubber sole is the perfect shoulder-season slipper: felted wool that breathes and insulates, with a grippy sole that can handle damp duff and midnight gravel without a wince. Slide them on the second you kick off hiking boots and your whole mood changes. They’re sturdy enough for firewood runs, civilized enough for a quick dash into town, and warm even when the ground radiates cold. I keep mine in a mesh bag by the door of the tent so they’re the first thing I reach for after lights out. Available in women’s and men’s sizes and multiple colors $140, Glerups.com.

Meg Simon is an Aspen-based freelance writer, graphic designer and founder of Simon Finch Creative. She can be reached at meg@simonfinchcreative.com.

Meg Simon is an Aspen-based freelance writer, graphic designer, and founder of Simon Finch Creative. She can be reached at meg@simonfinchcreative.com.