Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

The biggest part is getting rid of fluff. A lot of people carry stuff they think they need but really they don't. Also a lot of older gear was big, my lack really started shrinking when I got some newer higher quality gear. I also like to use a combination method of dry/compressions sacks and just stuffing things in the bag.

 

I have a 50L for longer trips and trips that include climbing gear. Most of my trips include a bear hang, but not a bear canister. Without the rope gear I use a 40L pack. Ski trip overnights (huts, caves) are a 38L pack. Usually about 40 nights a year out these days, day trips several times a week, so practice improves.

 

Agreed. My garage is now an REI, and I've scaled down my gear with lighter and better equipment over the past few years. I was happy that I needed/used every single item on my last pack trip in Yosemite over 5 days. While my tent wasn't the industry's lightest, and my tarp/footprint has been replaced, my pack itself is now replaced and saved 1.5#. The next trip will be another 5# lighter, at least.

 

I've always hung a bear bag, but in some places it's legally required or you get fined. Plus it's good practice, because bears in certain areas are familiar with bear canisters and know they can't get into them so they leave them alone. Every hung bear bag can eventually be brought down by a smart bear, but for the most part, they work.

 

Anyone know of a heater for the tent? I see that coleman has a heater buddy that could work but wondering if you guys know of anything else.

 

Mr. Heater Buddy is awesome. You can run it off a small can or run a line to a larger tank.

 

Have sexy time w/ significant other. Problem solved.

 

That will only keep me warm for 5min. how do I keep warm for the rest of the night? LOL

 

Whisky. It'll also help with your 5 minute problem

 

Saw this today

I was wondering what you guys think about equipement from Primus? This burner was like 45$
I also saw a Primus Lantern, kinda small and with around 500 lumen output for 65$
Does this equipment worth the price?

 

I've used a similar primus stove for the last 15 years. Works great, super small. Would get again.

 

Works with liquid fuel? no mess in your bag when carrying it?

 

Sorry, I didn't look close enough. I have one that uses the pressurized gas.

http://www.primus.eu/products/fuel

 

I enjoy the MSR Micro Rocket. However a larger burner area would be useful depending on your pot/pan size and material.

 

Primus, Snowpeak and others have similar models to the above which are similar to the Pocket Rocket but with larger burner heads for better flame spread. These work better with larger pots and when simmering than the smaller heads. All of these have been measured to lose over half their heat if not used with a windscreeen.

 

A good way to make yourself warm in your tent is to get a Nalgene full of water to an almost boil and fill the Nalgene back up. Put it by your feet in the sleeping bag or a second one by your torso. It works great.

 

I was thinking of doing that to keep me warm through the night. but was wondering if there was another way to heat up the tent to keep in warm when changing and just hanging out in.

 

I do this same thing. also, it gives you a non frozen water bottle to work with in the morning when its well below freezing!

 

I've seen people put a hot potatoe or rock in a bucket. But that seems like a slippery slope. You need to vent well enough to avoid moisture but not lose heat.


If you buy a teepee style tent they make lightweight wood burning stoves with a chimney. You'll stay plenty warm with that, but it's an investment to change shelters in order to get a stove as well.

 

Avoiding CO buildup and/or fumes and moisture are major problems with most heat sources unless you are in a very large tent, which will be colder than a small one anyway. The comments on hot water bottles are spot on.