Gear Winners!

“Sense I got back from vacation I?ve been thinking about what gear worked and what didn?t.

Winner #1 I would have to say the biggest winner was the rain suit. I bought this rain jacket from Campmor that was about $20 and the pants were $17. Weighs next to nothing, comes in a little sack, non-breathable, and as it turns out is made by Red Ledge. I bought it for wearing only when I had to but I ended up wearing it all week. It is well made and the fit is that of a much higher priced jacket. I never even took my LL Bean parka out the whole trip because I didn?t need it. I hate rain jackets, especially in warmer weather because I sweat like a pig. The temps were as high as 68 some days and I never got too hot in this jacket. The quality of the jacket is super and I had no tears or rips or failures of any kind, other than it stunk to high heaven when I came out. The pants were of similar quality and fit. I couldn?t find them at Campmor.com this morning so they may be out of them.

Winner #2 would have to be a shammy (SP?) cloth. This was invaluable! I had water in the bottom of my kayak at all times from rain or just getting in and out all day and I find that folding the shammy in two and laying it in the bottom soaked up the water very well. Every once in a while I?d simply ring it out and put it back on the bottom. It was good for wiping water out of tents too.

Winner #3 I had thought that the 2 four packs of Boddington?s Pub Ale I snuck in my pack would have been the clear winner in the food department but it was my fresh coffee made in my coffee press that won. My dad and brothers had the coffee bags and my brother would tell me every other morning, ?Hey buddy ol? pal! Want me to filter you some water and boil it for ya? Ol? buddy ol? pal!? I felt like tha camp power broker! LOL!

Winner #4 Doc Bronners Soap. This bottle was about 15 years old and wasn?t even scented but it worked like gangbusters when I washed my stinkin? polyester clothes halfway through the trip. It removed stink better than my machine at home with Cheer. Works great as toothpaste/soap too.

Winner #5 MSR?s Pocket Rocket! What a champ! Because I don?t eat meat my food and cooking was separate and while my dad cooked traditional pancakes and camping food like that I ate regular dehydrated hiking food. He brought 4 of the big Coleman gas cans and I had one single MSR can (275 gr. I think). Dad said he?d see me four days into the trip when I was begging to use one of his cans. I cooked two hot hiking type meals for a 7 days on one can (I cooked dinner on a small cook fire). This includes a t least a quart in the AM for coffee. I can not say enough about this stove.

What's your winners?”

“Too bad the Pocket Rocket doesn't burn white gas.”

“Nigal, I appreciate threads like these. Thank you.

I have a few new items to try but won't get to them until this coming Thursday-Sat. I'll give my opinion when I get back.

Some of the items:
MSR pocket rocket
MSR whisperlite
mountain hardware sleeping pad
petzl tikka
light weight long sleeve cool max altma shirt”

“My contributions:

Any gear by Marmot, that company rocks!

Snowshoes with ratchet bindings.

Oware sil tarps

Black Diamond Moonlight LED headlamp.

magnesium striker/fire starter.

Arcteryx packs.”

“Ditto Baune's compliment's on the thread.

I bought the Marmot Sanctum tent on sale at REI last spring as my answer to both 4 season uses w/two guys and all gear inside, as well summer trips w/girlfriend and two dogs. It's worked well for both without being too heavy (not light though).

I'm a squirrely sleeper and my SD Sandman, with it's large dimensions and flex, has been an awesome addition for me.

I'm also anxously waiting for new gear - Marmot Omni Driclime jacket and Marmot Lightspeed GTX jacket. Can't wait to try them out on the slopes and the backcountry. C'mon snow!”

“*I got a pair of those rain pants Nigal mentioned. I like 'em too.
*I'm looking foward to trying out a light weight Marmot shell I bought on Clearance for $50.
*Since I started using Trekking poles, I think I'd be lost without them in mountainous areas or trails with lots of obsticals.
*I used a 3/4 length Z-Rest on the New Hampshire trip. It was GREAT!
*Gore-Tex Bivy kicks Butt!
*I bought a mesh Florida Gators shirt in Gainsville during the Summer. Used it in New Hampshire and it was Awesome! Well ventalated, fast drying, Light weight, and pretty dang cool lookin!”

“I scoffed at those who lugged along cushy Therm-a-rests. I was an ensolite blue foam user and was convinced that Therm-a-rests were overpriced, too heavy and for wussies. Then...I slept on one. I still believe they are too heavy and they cost too much but I am now an owner. Hmmm, could mean I've become more of a wussy. It scares me to find myself even remotely considering a Therm-a-rest chair. What next? Car camping only? =:O”

“I was the same for hydration systems, mr.Kleetn...till i hiked with a dood that had one.

"Don't knock it till you try it!" is as true today as it was when the phrase was first coined.”

“the Therm-a-rest chair kit is well worth the $$ and weight. I love to be comfy when hanging out at night. Takes a bit of the strain off my back!”

“Buddur...don't tell me THAT! I have so far sucessfully resisted the urge to buy a hydration system (actually, I have one -- it's called Nalgene bottles) but it's more gear, gear, GEAR! Then tarabull has the gall to tell me that the chair kit is great. It's hopeless! :o/”

“It's possible that you're not a wus, kleetn, you're just OLD!

Winners-
Giga Power stove.
Walrus MicroSwift tent.
Sil Tarp.
Vasque Sundowner MX2 shoes.
Moonstone Cirrus jacket.

Loosers-
Notre Dame
Penn State
Florida State”

“It's also possible I'm an old wuss!”

“Nigal:

I've got the same pullover (rain jacket. Did you use it under exertion? I sweat like a pig in the thing b/c its non breathable. It's great b/c its so light but I mean, to really work in the thing is horrific temp wise. Its the whole trade off thing, I guess.

My latest thrills? Hmmm. The $12 mosquito net from Campmor, rigged with two hiking poles in a leanto fashion, corners staked out. Can sleep two underneath, with the upper half of your body covered by the netting and the lower half covered by your sleeping bag. Works like a charm and weighs about 8ozs. Used it for a week long trip in the high sierra and loved not dragging along the 6 pound tent.

Other recent gear winner: Rain fly off an old Eureka aframe. Treated and used with two hiking poles for tarping. Cheap and works well. I'd recommend scoring one if the opportunity arises.”

“I'm really happy with my SD Clip3 which I use as a 2 person (or 2 person and one dog)tent. Lots of room, inexpensive and very lightweight.

I was happy with my Zoid as a one person, but I missed the room and comfort of sharing an SD clip3.

I love my PUR hiker again, now that I've re-lubricated it.”

“Cheap shot arclite, you snuck one in that wasn't on the football thread.”

“rei sahara convertible pants....made it through a bushwhacking trip through the briars and the brambles with nary a tear....highly recommended!!
(campmor coolmax alta shirt got torn to shreds on same excursion!!)”

“Yeah, I know baume. I'm hanging my head in shame as I type this.


Forgot winner:
Dana Design Terraplane.
It's not light but it carries loads better than any internal or external pack I've tried.

Forgot loser:
Ohio St. (big smelly loser)”

“I had to bring this thread back because I did come up with a gear loser:

"And now it is my extreme pleaser to award the Smoking Turd award for gear!"

WTF happened to Guardian Sweetwater!!?? When I got mine when they first came out it ran like a raped ape. I pumped directly from beaver ponds, ditches, mud puddles, everything! I went through two replacement filters with no problem but this last replacement I got sucked donkey balls. I used it one weekend and then a week in the BWCA and the thing is GONE! I even scooped the near pure lake water into a pot and pumped from the pot. What a POS!

My holiday wish list has a new Pure Hiker at the very top.”

“Avoid PUR! They have impregnated all of their filters with chemicals. Get an MSR filter. It does not pump as fast as a PUR, but the water tastes great.

I can send you my PUR Scout if you want it, but I don't think you do. Brand new filter with Iodine. Yuck!”

“I'll have to do some research now. Weight and cost are the two big catagories that matter to me. Thanks for the tip bacpac.”

“The PUR is lighter. Email your address and I will mail you my PUR. See for yourself.”

“My PUR hiker has been great, as have others I have seen.

My old First Need was a knuckle buster. I use that as an example of how NOT to design a hand held device.”

“Asolo Fusion 95 GTX boots....awesome no break in at all !

Petzl Tikka...my first headlamp and I love it!

Sierra Designs Orion...
Great little tent!

Komperdell trekking poles ....no frills poles I picked them up at a an REI-outlet one day sale last winter fro $29.95

Flyshacker CoolMax camp shirt....I wear this thing all the time :)”

“make that for ...not fro”

“Oh don't get me going! I TOLD YOU about that PIECE OF CRAP SWEETWATER! First need deluxe. Nigal, I'm emailing you REI's product information guide on purifiers right now!”

“"Avoid PUR! They have impregnated all of their filters with chemicals. How do ya figure??? I need proof man!

Those in-line filters are lookin' perty sweet to my eyes. No heavy filter...no pumping...less packspace...very passive and effective.”

“Thanks for the info Joy. I knew if I posted this I'd get a truck load of "I told ya so!s" from north of my border! HAHA! I don't know what happened to that company. I just looked at the info and was amazed! The Sweetwater takes twice as many pumps for ther same amount of water!

bacpac- Pur shows their 'purifiers' as being treated with iodine but the Hiker is the standard carbon. The Scout is the same as the Hiker except for the actual filter part being treated, correct? If you were to get rid of that Scout how much would ya want for it?”

“I lost your e mail addie bacpac. Could you drop me a note at Poopypnts@Yahoo.com?”

“Sounds like I have the same rain jacket and pants from campmor, I really like them.

Other favorites...

LL Bean collapsible bucket

Aquis towel (I want more!)

Shirts I got from EMS that weigh nothing, feel great, and fold up to the size of a hanky.

Gonna get a petzl tikka soon.

Oooh, I think I'll visit the gear store today - EMS just opened here in town and I need to perform a more thorough inspection of the goods.”

“Poor Nigal. I feel your pain. My Sweetwater pooped out on me too. At least it had the courtesy to do it on a group trip when there were others around who had filters (thanks gojo, raddy et al). I replaced it with the Pur Hiker. Less moving parts to conk out on you. I love it.”

“Good Thread. Actually usefull info.

winners:

Patagonia LW t-shirts -I'd wear these every day if I could afford more. Worth the high price. I'm told this stuff lasts literally forever which compenstaes for the price. I bought longjohns on sale too but haven't worn them yet.

Patagonia Puffball - excellent replacement for my 300 wt fleece. Much more compact and light, very warm. Best part is I got it 50% off. Highly recommended.

OR standard bivy - love it. This MF'er is waterPROOF and suprisingly breathable, and I was never a gore-tex fan before. I'm Almost comfortable enough to replace my tent.

drip filter - I played with this all summer to find out if it was dependable enough. I now think it is. Next time the Hiker stays home.

Enertia Trail foods - great stuff. I seriously will not make my own dinners anymore. At 3.75 per dinner for tasty, easy, stuff can't be beat.

so-so:

Sangean am/fm stereo radio - tiny and light and sounds good but I use it more at home. carried it on the SHT never used it prolly leave it home next time. Good product tho.

NB 803 shoes: not convinced. nice for dayhiking but I want my boots when carring a load.

TI pot and cup - I was skeptical, I've grown to like them both a lot. Kinda expensive, but they were gifts.

losers: none”

“Merrell Blade hikers...traction, support, glove-like fit...I dig 'em.”

“Back from EMS - escaped with only minor purchases - 2 mountain house egg and bacon breakfasts and one super neato polartec zip top shirt.

another favorite - coolmax bandanas”

“The gear I used for the first time this last time out.

Winners:
MSR Pocket Rocket - need to develop a windscreen for it though.
Flyshacker Coolmax Shirt- longsleeve, button front. Great shirt. I got it on sale (I think 70% off) at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports. My new favorite cool weather bp'in shirt.
Coolmax Alta long sleeve crew neck by Duofold- nice shirt, only wore it while sleeping.

Loser:
Slumberjack Bivy- don't know which one it is. Has mesh around the head area. Rain fly for the mesh area only. It rained, tent soaked through. Would be alright for fair weather bug protection or under tarp when raining.

Non-new gear winner of the trip:
Mountain Hardware 2nd Dimension sleeping bag. 35 F outside temp, wet bag, it kept me warm (in underpants, no long john pants on). Polarguard 3D fill saved me this trip.”

“Winners for 2001:
Hilleberg Nallo
MSR Hydromedary
Aquamira
Safewater Anywhere inline filter
Moonlight headlamp
CMG infinity task light
Patagonia R1”

“Nigal,

Lost my email address? What a slap in the face. Why don't you just say, "This guy is such a complete loser his email address is stinking up my computer?"

Oh well anyway, you can reach me at sparky@engineer.com

You get the filter and as many accessories as I can find. No charge. I will try to mail it Monday and I will send you an email when it ships.”

“Winners:
Bota Outback filter/water bottle.
5 liter bag of wine.”

“Didnt the PUR iodine impregnated range get recalled? I was told if you take the carbon after-filter off the unit works fine. It just tastes a bit of Iodine.
My favorite bits of kit are a non-stick pot from Trangia, my Garmont Broncos, UD bladder. I dont know what I'd do without my Swiss Army Knife. It doesnt sound much but there is a lot to be said for the humble umbrella.”

“I forgot to mention the Mountain Hardware Backcountry 72 sleep pad.
It's a winner in my opinion. uses open and closed cell foams and the nylon shell has a pocket inside to hold whatever you want to stuff in there for a pillow. also a built in cinch strap on the cover which I used to strap it to the outside of my pack. Bulkier and heavier than a 3/4 guidelite but by far a superior all season choice. It will be the only pad needed for winter I think.”

“Mountain Hardware's Tempest Gloves!!! If you ever try on a pair...you'll know why they're a winner.

Went to an outfitters store in Columbus yesterday, and I should've known I'd walk out with a purchase. About 4 years ago, I found a pair of North Face gloves in a bargain bin, put the gloves on and they felt like heaven. Made of a HydroSeal shell w/rubberized palm and fingers, v.thin fleece liner...lightweight, packable...and warm down into the 30's. MH's golves are very similar and...I just had to get a pair!”

“I only bought one thing in the past 3 years - a titainium 1.3 ltr pot.

Winner REI $45.00

Just purchased new boots - Raichle
Know they are great (for me)”

“Anybody else get caught by the REI fall sale? They got me good - Pocket Rocket, Marmot Jacket, and some other stuff. Whew, that place is a major pain in the wallet!”

“M&M, Congrats on the new boots. Now you won't have to glue the soles on your old boots anymore. When the old ones are gone it'll probably be like you lost and old friend.”

“Glad that you were finally able to find the boots that you were looking for, M&M!

The Cordura Nylon LLBean pants that I bought on sale in June, per Baume66's recommendation, were a winner. $25 dollars, not too hot hiking in 70 degree weather, warm enough to walk around in on 35 degree mornings without longjohns even. Did not get wet in the drizzle we hiked in last Friday. Thanks, Baume66!

REI sales on Moonstone 800 down sleeping bags have been awesome. And their prices on Thorlo Hiking socks are pretty good, too.”

“Didnt find the EXACT ones but my old ones will always be with me. Getting them bronzed and hangin' them from my rear view!”

“Bet there's a few thousand miles on those boots. They looked well broken in.”

“LEOPARD-SKIN PILL-BOX HAT
(Words and Music by Bob Dylan)
1966, 1976 Dwarf Music

Well, I see you got your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat
Yes, I see you got your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat
Well, you must tell me, baby
How your head feels under somethin' like that
Under your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat

Well, you look so pretty in it
Honey, can I jump on it sometime?
Yes, I just wanna see
If it's really that expensive kind
You know it balances on your head
Just like a mattress balances
On a bottle of wine
Your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat

Well, if you wanna see the sun rise
Honey, I know where
We'll go out and see it sometime
We'll both just sit there and stare
Me with my belt
Wrapped around my head
And you just sittin' there
In your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat

Well, I asked the doctor if I could see you
It's bad for your health, he said
Yes, I disobeyed his orders
I came to see you
But I found him there instead
You know, I don't mind him cheatin' on me
But I sure wish he'd take that off his head
Your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat

Well, I see you got a new boyfriend
You know, I never seen him before
Well, I saw him
Makin' love to you
You forgot to close the garage door
You might think he loves you for your money
But I know what he really loves you for
It's your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat


And here it is”

“Were looking for Gear "Winners"...not "Weiners"!”

“Like...


Naaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“Oh, that hat is just wrong !!!”