MustBeBoredOrSomething

“We have spent a lot of time discussing the best brands to buy, and how to outfit yourself with the 'best' gear to be found anywhere, at a reasonable price.

Guys/Gals, surely it is time (just in time for holiday shopping) to make a list of the top five WORST brands [packs/bags/stoves/cookware/clothing] to buy, and how to outfit yourself with the 'lamest' gear to be found anywhere, at a ridiculous price.

Who would like to be first?”

“First on my list is the $500 jacket by The North Face. Insulated using low-voltage electrical wiring, priced to justify all the folks that screen-print on the TNF name... but hey, if you want to BUY ME one.. hey.. I won't disappoint you, but not wearing it!”

“Second, I suppose would have to be the $80 titanium pressure-cooker pot. We tried hard to find some possible use for that cadillac, but sorry, until further notice -- it's just a light-weight EDSEL.”

“Third, we have to go back to my youth, and back to our local Wal-Mart -- where you can still buy a one-burner Coleman Stove. (not sure of the price) Burns white gas, and weighs about 10 pounds. I bought one when I was about 22 or so. Still have it in fact!”

“Go on, TD, you're doing fine. What's third?”

“oops. you are fast, what's fourth, or fifth...”

“My contribution would be the Petzl Duo head lamp purchased in my non thinking mode”

“Fourth: Fourth has to be the Coleman sleeping bag I bought about the same time as the one-burner Coleman Stove. Thank you Wal-Mart for bring good things to life! Rated prolly at 40 degrees and weighs about 10 pounds, but hey.. only cost about $39.95!”

“Finally, fifth. It don't matter, cos ANY fifth is a good one.

*drum roll*

hMmm.. seriously. How about the swiss army knives we ALL have somewhere, with the 6 blades? What was I thinking when I bought THAT thing?”

“don't forget the whisperlight. errrrr, I strongly dislike those stoves. Good thing the International was better.”

“No. Number five has to be my JanSport D3 pack. It has earned the nickname 'claws-of-death'.

It has metal bars in the hipbelt where it attaches to the frame. The idea (I think) was to more efficiently transfer the weight to the hips. It did that fine but dug horrendous gouges in my hips and would surely grind your hipbones to dust on a thru-hike of any of the major long distance trails.

Go ahead JanSport - sue me for libel. I will organize a class action suit on behalf of all former D3 users and force you to pay for our hip replacement surgery in 20 or 30 years.”

“Hmmm...I elect the boeing--I mean dragonfly. That is one seriously loud stove!”

“And for $100 it had better do the dishes, too!”

“who, the jibe ho? oh, sorry, wrong thread...”

“L-O-L lyra!!!”

“My least favorite piece of gear would have to be my 2-burner stove with the 8-oz cans of gas that my aunt bout me for Christmas 2 years ago. She said "Why pay twice the amount for just 1 burner?" I bought me a new one real fast.”

“Buy some Hi-Tec boots which will last you one trip, rwo at most.”

“I'll mention that to my aunt.”

“I'll mention that to my aunt.”

“oops”

“Violin: hehe JanSport! and that crap is EVERYwhere too!.. Sorry to hear about your back tho.

so when did you buy it, and how many trips did it make before you realized, and just WHAT was going thru your mind when you bought it?

:)”

“Hey, I bought some Hi-Tec's a while back. They were like $10. They are very comfortable and have lasted for about a year and a half. Sure, they aren't foul weather boots, but then you don't have to wear the really good ones out. It's just one more unexploded shell in my hiking arsenal.”

“TD-

I got it about 15(?) years ago. It felt good in the store and worked well on a couple of overnight trips but earned me my trail name on my first multi-day trips (as in play me a sad song on yer violin). It's still in my attic as no one would even buy it at a yard sale.”

“el cheapo Hi Tech boots (the cheap ones, I'm not talking about the expensive varieties).”

“I was robbed in Yosemite! I forgot a daypack for our hike up to Vernal Falls and ended up in the Tenaya Lodge (south park entrance) gift shop where I was forced against my will to buy a nylon bag/pack with a zipper and TENAYA LODGE blazed on the back for $50. That was before I realized it came with a useful Cool Ice pack to keep stuff cool in the bottom pouch!

It's actually useful for day hikes (minus the ice) but I'd feel a lot better without their logo and with about 40 of my bucks back.

By the way - Vernal Falls is amazing - heck the whole place is.”