Backpacker 2004 Gear Guide

“Waiting for me in the mailbox today...

Some interesting new gear out there and also some increased coverage on some of our favorites. Henry Shires' products got some positive attention as well as many of the other tarp and tarptent makers. Looks like GoLite has a version of the original tarptent called the Trig. Not much new on the bag front. New pads that StoveStomper already mentioned. Big Agnes, Cabela and MSR have some interesting new entrants in the shelter arena. More coverage on the high tech stuff that I'll read about someday.

My favorite page is the "thru-hiker" - pretty simple time and trail tested gear.

I also happened to get the Mountain Hardwear catalog at the same time - they put together a sweet catalog.”

“Just got the gear issue today, hevent looked yet but will soon.”

“Sweet, I'll have to go buy one. That's the only good issue they publish all year.”

“they don't rate kayaks do they? if they do I'll go buy one. That's all I'm in the market for anytime soon.”

“didn't see it yet. Is it in the stores already? (I canceled my subsription to them)”

“Patiently waiting my guide.

Roam Around...check out:
www.WildernessSystems.com
I've already owned 2 types from this company and the yaks are great and reasonably priced.”

“cool, NJ, thanks. I'm about to become a resident of FL and figure a yak will be a good thing to have.”

“Is he JetBoil in that issue?”

“Q, yep the jetboil is there with a little 1/4 page deal about it.

I thumbed through mine and saw lots of neato stuff. I have all the gear I need (havent bought anything in quite sometime,months as a matter of fact). I dont see much gear buying coming up.

I really like the ultralight 35 degree bag by Western Mountaineering. 1lb even, but $220 aint cheap. When I upgrade my summer bag I will consider that for sure.

The new MSR "missing link" looks promising. Light and large, gotta love it.

Nice additionof trail shoes in the footwear section.

All in all pretty good issue. I will need to reread this one a few times.”

“That "missing link" does look cool. I've only seen that design in one other place - the Kat Tent at Moonbow Designs.

birch - interesting your feelings about gear lately. I too feel like I have all I need right now. Now there's plenty of stuff out there I'd love to have, but I don't really feel like parting with my cash for gear I don't need.”

“I didn't get my gear guide yet. I don't plan to make any major gear purchases either, but it's nice to see what is out there. How many tents, stoves, sleeping bags, packs and jackets can you use? I don't even have enough room to store more gear so I'll be just looking for a long time.”

“got it today when i got home from assateague island. will check it out tomorrow.”

“Buy more gear, give old gear away. That is what I say! I am thinking of the Golite Trig - which means I part with my SD Clip Flashlight.”

“I did not renew Backpacker this year so I will have to pick up a copy.”

“The Missing Link from MSR is pretty hot. I saw it back in August. We're getting our 1st one in next week. It'll be hard not to snag it for personal use.”

“hey binks, it was good to see you last weekend.

I hope mine comes Monday. I don't need anything but it never hurts to drool.”

“good to see you to Ewker. Thanks for stopping by.”

“Wally world is the only place close to me that sells backpacker and they don't have the new gear guide. I'll have to check again in a few days. If it's not there I guess I'll have to make the trek downtown to Barnes & Noble to buy it.”

“I received my Gear Guide today and noticed that there is an ad for a Northface backpack called the Summit Series with a pivot in the middle of the back. It's supposed to allow more hip movement. In 1981 they tried the same thing with their external frame called the Back Magic. It had a pivoting Zytel joint. The pack lasted about 2 years and was dropped. I had one and sold it after one season. I thought it was interesting that they would recycle the concept on an internal, especially since internals already have so much freedom of movement.”

“Henry Shires TarpTent is lighter and cheaper.
That rear center pole will allow the narrow rear sides to rest on your sleeping bags and get them wet.”

“richb - I suspect that feature was added by the marketing team and not a field tester.

StoveStomper - I thought you'd enjoy the coverage the tarptents are getting. It was also the shelter of choice for the "thru-hiker".”

“You know what would be very kewl? You know what would save a lot of time?

There needs to be a data table published that contains all those comparisons. Spreadsheet or whatever. You could upload them in to an Access database and set up categories for such as "tent", "bag", etc. Then you set up filters based upon a criteria you're looking for. This criteria is already defined by the header names and legend keys they give.

They want you to search through the tables I guess. It's part of the magazine. A great companion piece to subscribers would be access to those data tables.”

“Coop, That's what I thought too. It seems like a heavy, complex contraption for a problem that shouldn't even be there on an internal frame pack.”

“did anyone other than me notice ALPS gear?”

“There needs to be a data table published that contains all those comparisons. Spreadsheet or whatever. You could upload them in to an Access database and set up categories for such as "tent", "bag", etc.

let's do it! everyone on TT who has gear submit reviews and then put them up on a website. i'll do the website!! That'd be a really good guide for comparing gear and deciding on what to go on.”