Gear Categories
|
Current Packlist & Gear Reviews
While I'm no gear guru, and don't always have the coolest
stuff, I can say that the stuff I have used, tried, and tested (many times
in real crappy, but fun situations) works! I put my gear thru hell, and it
always somehow keeps working. The items that don't survive will never be recommended
here!
I now get everything from the US
Outdoor Store! Free shipping and no tax :)
*I'll be looking to go ultralite for several multi-day kayak
trips coming up this year. Whitewater kayaks aren't the roomiest of boats
:) Any ultralite recommendations are welcome!
Backpack
The North Face Badlands 75 Backpack
Well, if you head to your local outdoor shop, they will
probably sell you on a Gregory or Dana pack. Although they are both awesome
packs, don't get me wrong, I don't feel the price is justified. I've had
such good results from North Face equipment, that I 100% recommend them.
The packs are built very well, and have lasted thru hard conditions. I
currently have the Badlands 75, which is a sub $200 pack. The Badlands
does include carbon fiber stays, lightweight for the price, built awesome,
has a bladder pouch for a hydration pack (I currently use a MSR 2 liter
hydration pack), and looks cool! The North Face packs - can't go wrong!
The womens Badlands 60 is also shown. Cool chick colors lol.
The
North Face - Free Shipping |
North Face Badlands 75 backpack
North Face womens Badlands 60 backpack
|
Tents!
The North Face Tadpole 23 Tent
Oh man! I used an oooold version of this
tent about 10 years ago and loved it then. The North Face makes a good
tent. DAC aluminum poles are lighter then anything. I suppose only carbon
fiber poles would be lighter & more durable. There is a company that
makes carbon fiber tent poles, Fibraplex, but they won't answer any emails
I send them asking questions :( So that kind of sucks. But the build quality
of this tent is superb. Highly, highly recommended.
Eureka Apex 2 NT Tent
Not a bad tent! Especially for the price!
The only downfall to this tent is it's just a tad bit heavy at around 6lbs.
This is mainly due to the use of fiberglass poles though. Again, some aluminum
or carbon fiber poles would help out tremendously! I've used an Apex 2
thru a few mild snow storms and it has held up great. Freestanding, good
room for two, a couple pockets inside for things, and 2 good vestibules
for keeping your muddy shoes in. All in all, a terrific value. My only
beef with Eureka was trying to find replacement poles for this tent. I
called them, emailed them, and was just referred to someone else who didn't
really know much of anything. :( Thumbs down in that respect. I'll stick
with North Face from now on.
|
North Face Tadpole 23 tent
Eureka Apex 2 NT tent
|
Footwear
Merrell Phaser Inferno Shoes
Truly the best shoes I've ever worn. Thats
about all I need to say. No telling how many $100s I've spent on Nike's
and air Jordans and who knows what else Reebok pumps or Hi Tec whatevers,
these Merrells have seen pure hell. The one thing I love about them is
that they are very lightweight, but offer so much support, especially in
the ankle... it's almost like a full size boot. The Vibram Sole is wonderful.
The waterproofing is fabulous. Whenever mine die, I will buy an exact same
copy to replace them. I hope to heck that Merrell keeps this shoe in their
lineup! (hint hint Merrell!)
Chaco Z2 Colorado Sandals
I take these guys everywhere... permanent resident in
my pack. They are unparalleled in wet conditions for grip. At first, the
toe hook deal was kind of weird, but the first time I was crossing a swift
moving rocky bottomed river, I couldn't believe how well they stick to
the form of your foot over rough terrain. They also make great traveling
shower shoes :)
Thorlo Backpacking Socks
I usually carry 3 or 4 pairs of these, depending on
how far I'm going. They are comfy, don't itch, and wick moisture very well.
I believe these particular socks are a blend of nylon, polyester, and wool.
They dry pretty quick, and keep me happy :)
Thorlo CoolMax Sock Liners
I also pack several pairs of liners with me. Keeping
your feet dry on a long backpacking trip when you're doing tons of walking,
or a hitchhiking trip where you're doing tons of standing, is very important.
Nothing sucks turds more than blisters and soar stinky feet. These liners
have been great for me :)
Footwear
- Free Shipping |
Merrell Phaser Inferno Shoes
Chaco Z2 Colorado Sandals
|
Sleeping Bags
The North Face Squall 20°F/-7°C Polarguard®
3D
This has been a great bag for me. While not the top of
the line, its lightweight, and has kept me toasty in -10° conditions when
using a fleece liner. I don't feel worried to use it in colder conditions
dressing with an extra layer or so. The bag has held up good, and kept me
warm sleeping with no tent in light rains.
The
North Face - Free Shipping
Clothing
Capilene® underwear / base layer
Well I got one thing to say about capilene, you don't stink
when you use it! With other synthetic underwear, people could smell you a
mile away... this was one of the major disadvantages (in my opinion) of synthetic
underwear. But somehow the folks at Patagonia have figured something out.
This is the stuff, keeps you drier than hell, warmer than hell, and smelling
like roses.
Patagonia
- Free Shipping
Columbia Sportswear Icefield Parka w/ fleece liner
This jacket kicks ass. It has kept me dry and warm in virtually
every situation I've been in. It's light, and packs up to nothing. The fleece
is removable, and great for controlling your body temp.
Columbia Fleece Shirt
Super warm, loose fitting for great flexibility, all with
the breathability and warmth of fleece. This is my favorite travel shirt.
While not only functioning good, it's one piece of clothing that you can wear
into town and almost blend :)
Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon Hat
Of all the toboggans I've owned, this one just simply cooks
'em all. Made with Polartec & Gore Fleece, virtually NO wind gets to your
head, and virtually NO heat gets out. Breathable, comfy, light, quick drying,
ALWAYS in my pack.
Update: I lost this and life sucks now... will be buying a new one! I
miss you
Outdoor
Gear & Clothing
Kitchen & Cooking
Nalgene Water Bottles
The nicest thing about Nalgene Lexan is you don't get any
of that nappy water bottle flavor in your water. If you like your water to
taste like water, pay the extra buck or two and get the lexan bottles! I usually
bring two of these on any given trip.
Camping Gaz Twister™ 270 HPZ
This stove was a replacement in mid trip for an old screw
in type with leaky seals. As it was basically my only option at the time,
it was either the Camping Gaz stove or a ridiculously heavy Coleman. After
a few nights and a few meals, I was very happy with this stove. It breaks
down relatively small, but could use a few refinements here and there, especially
in the size. Great stove though, has been a workhorse and cooked a number
of meals :)
MSR Titan™ Cook Set
Simply the lightest cookware around. Compared to my old
aluminum kitchen, packing the MSR titanium helps shed important weight that
you can feel. Don't know that I'd ever go back to aluminum! Items include:
Mini cook set, titanium cup, and titanium fork & spoon.
Outdoor
Gear & Clothing
Back Country Gear
Gerber Multi Tool
This is one of the older school multi tools and I don't
believe they make it any longer, however it's got me out of more jams than
I can count. The blade is dull, and has more nicks and gouges than any other
tool in the world, but talk about durable. I keep this with me at all times.
I kind of wonder though, Macgyver would be in its 20th season if only Pete
made him trade his swiss army knife for a gerber.
|
|
