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March, 2024

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Gear you want/Gear you (do/don't) recommend

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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,805
Let's hear about the pieces you love and can't live without - the pieces you CAN live without - and what you think others should have in their outdoor quiver.
Jun 7 2012 9:50AM
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Bear_Grylls
Posts: 1223 - Karma: 300
Anybody tried those weird looking five fingers shoes? I'm tempted to try them because I think they would be really comfortable. These for those who don't know. Click for larger image
Jun 7 2012 10:09AM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
I highly recommend the folding thermarest pads. So easy to deal with and you don't have to worry about punctures. These things are super durable because there's nothing to break.
Click for larger image


Has anyone had any experience with a gatewood cape?
Jun 7 2012 11:22AM
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,805
^ What's the packability of one of those, for backpacking purposes?
Jun 7 2012 11:29AM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
REI says 20 x 5.5 x 5 inches. It doesn't pack down at all, I just tie it on the outside of my pack with spare bootlaces. Its so light (14 ounces) it really doesn't make a difference in balance
Jun 7 2012 10:59PM
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rockyhockey11187
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 15
yup; most avid backpackers who want to use a sleeping pad go with this; just strap it to the outside bottom of the pack. lighter and and no chance for a puncture like the regular inflatable therm-a-rests. although I will say once you start using the regular therm-a-rests it's hard to go back to anything else
Jun 8 2012 12:43PM
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JzD.
Posts: 1615 - Karma: 153
Any recommendations for kayak seats? its a longshot but I need to save my ass from my plastic seat.
Jun 12 2012 5:33PM
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McFellon
Posts: 1841 - Karma: 2,005
My brother has one and he just leaves it in the original package (the plastic sleeve.) I prefer the regular inflatable kind myself.

As far as recommendations, I'd say one of my most appreciated pieces of gear is a little pillow that packs down and clips so it's really small. It's not really practical for longer backpacks, but if it's just a night or two or car camping it's really nice to have. Especially because because sometimes it's hard to use cloths as a pillow if they're wet or if you need to wear them (my coldest night ever was camping on the rim of the Grand Canyon, I was wearing everything I had packed which was a bunch of shirts and a sweatshirt. It snowed a few inches and was less than 20. My head was on the bottom of the tent, not fun.) I was really wishing I had a pillow then.
Jun 13 2012 9:09PM
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Lewisd337
Posts: 79 - Karma: 20

I love my Z-Rest! makes a great fireside seat and no worring bout embers melting holes in it.

super lite and warm on cold ground!

Jun 14 2012 4:02AM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
I am gonna be honest here, I love my thermarest a lot more than my foam pad. My favourite piece of camping gear is definitely my compressible pillow. Totally worth the extra weight and bulk IMO. Wrap a down jacket around it and it's comfier than my pillow at home.

I get made fun of a lot for sleeping like a princess :)

some gear that I highly recommend, for any of you Canadians, is the MEC gore-tex gaiters. I am onto my third pair and they are honestly better and cheaper than any other gaiter under $100. Unless you need an insulated one, I don't see why you would buy anything else.

A product I don't recommend from MEC is the hybrid sleeping bag. The synthetic on the bottom packs out so quickly and then the whole bag becomes ineffective. Better off going full down or full synthetic.
Jun 14 2012 11:59AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
What's your intended usage?

For example, I have a pair that I use for flatwater kayaking because they are super fast drying and make getting in and out of the water much less bothersome with the rocks.

Other aside is that they are definitely a buy in person after trying them on type item.
Jun 14 2012 12:27PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
just snatched a pair, i've got the black treksports, so a sturdier sole and thin breathable fabric instead of neoprene on top

i wore em for like 3 hours now and first impression is that they're very light and 'fresh', if you run with em you can feel the air on your toes which is pretty cool, also feels quite weird, i think i'll try some trail running in em tomorrow ....
Jun 14 2012 2:46PM
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Bear_Grylls
Posts: 1223 - Karma: 300

I bought the same ones. I really like them so far.

Jun 14 2012 3:34PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
100% recommend chacos. so comfy and good for most outdoor summer activities

mine:
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Jun 23 2012 7:29PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
in regards to the vibram 5 fingers, i just wore them on a 2 day kayak trip with a bivouac in between, they provided excellent support on slippery riverbeds, steep riverbanks and walking through thorn bushes ...
also they are literally dry in 5 minutes, it's amazing !

on another note, yesterday i worked at a kids camp with ziplines and via ferrata/tree parcours and our sponsor edelrid sent us their 'smartbelay'
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and i must say it worked great!
kids with the smartbelay went over the via ferrata/tree parcours in almost almost half the time of kids without it and explaining it was supereasy and we didn't observe any malfunctions or unsafe use of the line ...

so far i can really recommend it for outdoor professionals who work with stuff like this ...
for personal use on via ferratas i wouldn't recommend it, too bulky and heavy + if you're trained you can work just as fast and safe with carabiners as with this thing ....
Jul 6 2012 6:57AM
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JzD.
Posts: 1615 - Karma: 153
Anyone know how the waterproof speakers are? I want to have one for my kayak for when I go on my lake, some toons would be awesome. I've seen one on LL bean but wondering if anyone has had experience with them
Jul 6 2012 11:17AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
^^ i usually put my mp3 and mini speakers in a waterproof map-bag, something like this:
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and it works pretty good, it does muffle the sound a little but the bonus is that you can still control your mp3 player and that it also floats while i'm pretty sure most waterproof speakers don't....

on the other hand, that speaker case on ll bean looks pretty legit and for just 50 bucks i don't think i'd hesitate about giving it a try :)

Jul 6 2012 1:05PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I'm starting to get into some high exposure scrambling and am looking into getting an ice axe, crampons, cams and some climbing rope. Anyone have any suggestions for something that is cost effective but still good?

I mostly do soloing (no ropes) I just think it would be good to have some cams just incase I end up in a place I am not comfortable.
Jul 7 2012 12:28AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
so you want to bring cams so you can do emergency rappels if you find yourself in a sketchy position ?

cause if that's what you want to use it for, i suggest getting some feet of webbing and improvise on your anchors, it's much cheaper to leave behind and usually you'll be able to find something suitable to hang on to .... + if you want to use cams you have to bring a whole set which is going to weigh a ton and is going to be a burden 99% of your time ...
Jul 7 2012 6:04AM
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iFlip
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 19,088

Suggestions? Yes. Spend the money you plan to spend on gear and put it toward courses and hiring a guide. Gear is not only dangerous without proper instruction, but a major hazard. If you plug in cams and set up a rope to rappel off them without really knowing what you are doing, death is a good possibility. Gear is not magic. It takes solid knowledge to use it safely and effectively.

As far as actual suggestions? .75, 1, and 2 Black Diamond C4 camalots, 6 various stoppers (nuts) ranging from 6 to 13, an 8 mm tagline, probably 60 meters. If your rope is only as a backup and for rappelling, static is probably a good idea. If you will be doing any actual climbing while using it, dynamic is necessary.

Crampons depend entirely upon what kind of boot you have and what type of climbing you will be doing. If you are doing general winter slogging, step-in crampons would most likely be perfectly adaquate. You will want horizontal frontpoints for this, as vertical frontpoints are generally used specifically for technical ice climbing. In general any piolet will work for self-arrest applications, but make certain it is sized correctly for you.

Jul 7 2012 11:36AM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I have taken courses on basic mountaineering however everything I have done has been free soloing, I have no experience with ropes, cams or rappelling. I guess I didn't really phrase my question well, right now I am looking into an ice axe and crampons for higher exposure scrambling on snow/ice. In the future I will be looking into getting a much fuller mountaineering arsenal after I take some more courses.

I went to mec this morning and picked up a pair of black diamond contact crampons, like you stated I didn't really have a need for vertical frontpoints or a true toe piece. I also picked up a raven ice axe.

Thanks for the info on cam's, I agree proper instruction is a must, I was just interested in what most people carried around for cams so I have an idea of how much I will be spending further down the road on those particular items.
Jul 8 2012 1:17AM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
probably the greatest purchase i have ever made. i got one a little while ago to take with me while i was on staff at a younglife camp for a month and it's been worth every penny. highly suggest y'all pick one up

Click for larger imageClick for larger image
Aug 9 2012 3:09PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Did you sleep in this at night or did you just use it to chill? I know someone who has a tent hammok and he says it's really hard on his back.
Aug 9 2012 11:46PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
i used it for both. we weren't allowed to sleep in them at nights because of camp rules but during the day i would nap in it. it was never hard on my back. i found out that if you have it higher and tighter its much more comfortable to sit in. mine was set up at a little above shoulder height
Aug 10 2012 9:10PM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
Anyone have information/opinions on crash pads? Need I get a newer/larger one
Aug 12 2012 11:49PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
small update on the vibram fivefingers, they're the shit!

i used them on my switserland trip while goldpanning in a river, approach climbing and even on a via ferrata!

anyways, the real reason i am in here is to recommend this:
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tnf apex elixir sleeveless vest in softshell, this is such a useful piece of clothing, great for layering or just wearing it with a t-shirt or even nothing beneath !

there's nothing really special about this vest but softshell vests in general are now a fixed piece of my equipment, they're so versatile !

next stop i'm buying a down vest for layering in the winter months !
Aug 21 2012 10:37AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
^^mine is red with black around the shoulders

(note the red you see in the pictures is a tshirt underneath for displaying only, the real vest is completely sleeveless)
Aug 21 2012 10:38AM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
The estwing campers axe. Weight and head of a hatchet, with the full swing of an axe. Keep it sharp and it goes through trees faster than a beaver on steroids. I've had mine for probably about 10 years now and still love it to death. It weighs a fair amount so I don't take it on anything over a few miles but I'm sure you could.

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At almost a meter long and with the slight bend at the bottom of the handle it swings like a dream. You'll have more firewood than you know what to do with before you can say "god damn this thing is fun to chop with".
Aug 21 2012 3:40PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
sounds great, i myself have the estwing geologist hammer with blue vinyl grip and can also recommend it, such a great tool !
Click for larger image
Aug 21 2012 4:20PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
Estwing makes some bombproof tools, I have several and never had to replace one yet.

Double fail on the pictures haha. how bout an embed.

Aug 21 2012 4:52PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
pictures worked fine ... but yeah, estwing makes bombproof equipment !

i used to have the leather grip hammer first but it was pretty bad for actual work, it looked great though ...

now i have the vinyl one and it has almost no vibrations and has excellent grip !
Aug 21 2012 5:10PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
my new recommendation for the jacket i just got, stoic vaporshell. haven't got to take this thing out in any weather since i got it today, but i wore it in the shower and this thing sheds water like it's superhydrophobic. and for 50 bucks (on sale), you can't beat numbers like this for waterproofness (28,000 mm H2O) and breathability (46,000 g/m²)
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and here's just a video to show the breathability while maintaining waterproofness

Aug 22 2012 11:03PM
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MilaKunis
Posts: 1480 - Karma: 3,646
[IMG]waterfilters.net/assets/images/msr-56501-filter.jpg[/IMG]
This gravity filter is amazing. Holds a ton of water, never breaks down, and super quick filtering plus it tastes fresh.
Jan 1 2013 8:42PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
TNF 'back to berkeley' wintershoe,
just spent 14days in the italian alps with this shoe as my outdoor/snowshoe and it has amazing grip, is 100%waterproof, warm, very light and feels like a sneaker, pretty much the ideal shoe to slip into after a day of skiing ...

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Jan 6 2013 6:16PM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
This is a bit late but I've used the Mad Rock Mad Pad many times before. It's a HUGE pad with a pretty affordable price but the only thing I didnt like was that the foam (I believe it's 5-6 inches thick) is super firm in my opinion and because of the firmness, is sometimes difficult for traveling unless you have a bigger car/truck. I liked that you could convert it into a lounger when you're chilling though. Other than that, I havent used any other brands-its always been Mad Rock.
Jan 15 2013 2:09PM
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
i can vouch for these mec gaiters too. wicked product and really cheap, great value

funny about the mec hybrid bags though. I thought they use the same synthetic on the bottom as they do in their full synthetic bags, dont they? not sure why it would pack out more quickly.

Im buying a new bag this spring, and as much as i would love to buy a down bag because they compress so small, most of the overnight stuff i do is via canoe and getting a down bag wet renders it pretty much useless. so i will probably go with a synthetic and still keep it in comp sac.

i love mec, they just made one in my home town a couple years ago (Barrie, ON) so there goes all of my money.

but to respond to the thread I love my leatherman skeletool, great all around multitool with a great half-serrated blade. only knife/tool you will ever need unless you are skinning animals or filleting/cleaning fish. i also just got a Katadyn bag filter (called the base camp i think) but i have yet to try it. will post back here later. maybe. if i remember. this thread seems kinda dead though
Mar 21 2013 2:57PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
well in my experience synthetic bags pack out faster. I am actually planning on getting a synthetic bag next, mostly because I will use it on the west coast but also because I am pretty much vegan now.

The problem I had with the hybrid wasn't so much that the bottom was synthetic, but that they didn't use thick enough insulation. I was using a good pad and I was still losing way to much heat out the bottom. The parts that were not directly under me were not lofting up and it's got a pretty wide design so that's a lot of surface area without much insulation. if you are a side sleeper and turn with your bag you will freeze. It was great down to about 3 degrees (the -12 bag) at the beggining but by the time it was a couple months old it was not even warm at like +5. That's with thermal underwear and two winter sleeping mats.

I'm sure it's the bottom because I slept well into the negatives comfortably by using my -8 TNF bag which is super packed out (like a summer bag) but I just slept on top of that so I had 3 layers below me.
Mar 22 2013 4:33AM
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
yes i am definitely a side-sleeper and i roll with the bag a lot haha i wake up with it all twisted around my legs and my face in the hood. i wouldnt trust myself with an expensive down bag though so i think ill go full synthetic.

for winter/offseason camping though you can get a reflective bivy sack or a thin down quilt (put inside the bag, not over top) that compresses to nothing, and they GREATLY increase the effectiveness of your bag. theyre both usually 50-60. i never ever trust the temp ratings on sleeping bags, theyre almost always overambitious. also for winter sleeping i usually wear more than long underwear (sleeping in your boot liners is another random handy tip, if theyre dry anyways)

note : (i have only actually ever used the bivy and it was nice, but i felt the down quilt and holy shit they seem comfy and warm)
Mar 23 2013 3:06PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
oh man I wish I had that axe when staking claims!

I have the 22oz leather handled rock hammer. I mostly bought it because it looks cooler than the blue grip one.
Mar 23 2013 3:33PM
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ggfski42
Posts: 651 - Karma: 700
One piece of gear that i will advise against buying, is any pair of Vasque boots. Especially any of their Wasatch series. I have had boot soles split so easily on these boots its retarded. Given, i really beat the shit of them packing a ton of weight over 65 working days last summer and at least a week or two of just day hiking. I had the Wasatch GTX series, and i have read tons of reviews of people having problems with these boots. Now i cant vouch for their other lines of boots, but this had turned me off for good, plus my ASOLO's are badass.

One piece of gear that i would recommend is any osprey pack, or any MSR products. love that shit
Mar 23 2013 7:24PM
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
i really really like the idea and the technology behind the steriPen, its pretty ingenious.

i recently chose not to buy one recently because of the fact that it does nothing to filter sediment. and i tend to paddle in swampy areas where algae and sediment are pretty common, even when taking water from the middle of a body or a moving current.

but its good to know that it doesnt bother you ! haha i would love to try the thing for a weekend. also the one i was looking at only attaches to wide-mouthed nalgenes which seems kinda inconvenient
Mar 24 2013 10:49AM
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ggfski42
Posts: 651 - Karma: 700
Steri pen makes pre filters that attach to the bottle. Also you can just pre filter with a bandana into your bottle then purify it? no sediment or algae. And these pens dont need to attach to the bottle to work, You simply turn it on and stir for about 30 seconds. The only complaint I have with them is battery life, I have tried a few of the different models including the adventure? (the one that has its own battery and is rechargable).
Mar 24 2013 10:55AM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
definitely look into one of these. i don't own one, but i've used them on a few occasions and never had a problem with sediment/algae filtration. and for the price, if you end up not liking it you're out ~$25, so it's no big

Mar 25 2013 12:20AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
A pair of Danner boots is going to be my next investment. I never saw the hype with dedicated hiking boots until I put a pair on. Imagine the lateral stiffness of a ski boot with the fore/aft range of a shoe.

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Apr 26 2013 8:26PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Planning on eating the bag?
Apr 29 2013 1:35PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
doesn't want a bag with natural down fill
May 1 2013 12:31AM
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Morty.
Posts: 136 - Karma: 291
I just got mine last week and its one of the best buys I have ever had.
Jun 3 2013 9:23PM
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