The Crotch Pot Exists And We Need To Talk About It

Every hiker needs to eat, but there are certain roadblocks to preparing dinner on the trail. There's the obvious weight of pots and pans — everything from a 12-ounce pan set to a 12-pound camping stove begins to add up. Any unexpected dews or rainstorms can leave you with damp firewood, which doesn't light easily and emits far too much smoke. Then there are the time constraints: If you don't get your camp set up while the sun's up, you'll be cooking dinner by the flickering campfire – perfect for ghost stories but more challenging for making sure your meat is fully cooked.

So what is a hiker to do?

Well, one option is the recently released Crotch Pot. Fill the inner zip-close bag of the composite-fiber pouch with your oats or other food and add water. Then clip the entire contraption onto your belt, letting it rest against your bare skin. While hiking, your body heat will cook your dinner while you hike. No heavy cooking equipment. No damp firewood. No cooking in the dark.

The only downside? The company suggests you massage the pouch while you hike to ensure consistent cooking and heating. This product may have debuted on April 1, but it's no joke.