I've Never Been Camping but I Want Everything at Snow Peak

Let’s get this out of the way, I am a city boy. I like everything being close to me, the constant hustle and movement, never stopping always going energy. Cities are the best, you can get any food that you want, explore so many stores, see so many people. Everything you need is a few blocks away. Even though it sounds like I want to marry a slab of concrete, I am obsessed with Snow Peak, a Japanese outdoor lifestyle brand.

I am very familiar with snow being from the cold white north of Canada, and I am very familiar with peaks, but the lifestyle Snow Peak is selling? A completely foreign concept. I've pitched a tent exactly once in my life and have never been camping. Whenever I tell my white friends that I've never been camping, they always get confused and tell me I should go. Don't get me wrong, camping is something I want to experience (which I almost did but then I ended up moving, sorry Mark), but I haven't had the opportunity. And going camping for the first time without guidance? Terrifying.

Illustration by Norm

Snow Peak embodies the complete opposite of this, enjoying the outdoors, the peace and quiet, being one with nature. All their products are designed for portability, durability and practicality. It's beautiful. It makes absolutely zero financial sense for me to spend $60 ($78 Monopoly Money) on a collapsible stainless steel pour over coffee cone that will stay in my apartment. Yet here I am, looking at my credit card bill thinking about where it all went wrong. At work, we had a company-wide Secret Santa, and I told my Santa to get me either: a) the coolest restaurant merch they could find, or b) a Snow Peak titanium spork. Who asks for a spork? Me. Thanks Snow Peak.

I haven't even started on the clothing, or as Snow Peak calls it, apparel. Unlike the camping gear, it actually makes some sense for me to want the clothes considering it’s going down to a lovely -24C here in Montreal later this week. A recycled down jacket? Practical, stylish and environmentally conscious. A fire retardant bucket hat? I don't remember the last time I was next to an open flame. Either way, I want it all. They even have apparel for dogs! DOGS! Do I own a dog? Nope. Do I want a Snow Peak branded dog leash? Of course I do.

Stylish and Practical!

Look, I really enjoy my current city lifestyle, but the idea of waking up to the sounds of birds, brewing a cup of coffee while breathing in the fresh air sounds wonderful. The idea of sitting around a fire, sharing some hot pot with your friends really does seem like an experience like no other. But for now, I'll live vicariously, staring at the cold Montreal winter from the indoors while sipping on some WeWork brand coffee from my Snow Peak 450 titanium single walled mug (someone please send me a double wall please my family is dying), while eating some instant noodles with my reusable Snow Peak chopsticks.