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'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 - I've only used the mens, but think the womens would be good too!
- Tents - 1& 2 person
- Footwear - boots & socks
- Sleeping Bags
- Clothing
- Kitchen & Cooking
- Back Country Gear
Backpack
The North Face Badlands 75 BackpackWell, 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. |
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Tents!
The North Face Tadpole 23 TentOh 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 TentNot 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. |
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Footwear
Merrell Phaser Inferno ShoesTruly 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 SandalsI 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 SocksI 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 LinersI 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 :) |
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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.
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.
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
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.
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.