Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

The Mini is great and I almost bought it. They had the FlashLite out for a bit in 2 colors but it seems they're phasing that one out for some reason. The Micro is new for 2016 and appears to be replacing the FlashLite. I like the wider pot of the MiniMo and MicroMo since they're easier to eat out of with a shorter spoon.

 

Lets us know your impressions once you've had a chance to test it out. It is hard for me to justify spending $99 on a JetBoil if a $10 burner will accomplish basically the same thing (even if it takes a minute or two longer).

 

Will do. I'll time it at 800ft (where I live), 4,100ft (where my property is) and I'll stop up by Crater Lake @ ~6,100ft.

 

Add the cost of the cook pot to that. It's still cheap, but is it insulated to keep your food hot longer? Is the pot tall enough to store your stove, fuel canister, spork, soap/scrubber, etc? Can you strain food with the lid? Does it have measuring marks and a food/drink cup that nests to it?

Sure, I've built cheap setups that can do pretty much what a JetBoil can do at a fraction of the cost. Speed and stability are important when you're cooking over and over for days on end, though. You'll want fast and easy, and the JetBoil delivers that. I got tired of pots slipping off of my tiny microstoves when they weren't set up perfectly level. I got tired of flimsy microstove arms that couldn't hold enough weight to cook for more than an elf. I got tired of flimsy or overheated metal handles. I got tired of cook sets that had lids that didn't hold themselves closed and required a stuff sack to keep everything together. You end up at pretty much the same weight of a JetBoil setup in order to piece your own complete system together, too. And if you go with titanium to save weight even over aluminum, you get hot spots and bad heat dispersion.

And that's why I own over 2 dozen stoves and cooksets but made the decision to still carry a JetBoil. Learn from my mistakes.

I will admit that the Etekcity burners are nice and compact and work fine. I have 2 of them actually.

 

FWIW, I also have the etekcity stove. It does work okay, but what Seabass says is true. Carrying a Jetboil is like driving a Tacoma; you don't have to worry about anything.

 

I have no problem paying for quality and convenience when it comes to my outdoor gear. I forget sometimes that not everyone is on the same budget.

 

True, and to some extent all of us go through a learning phase where we figure out what we want. I've tried two tents, two packs, and two sleeping bags, and I still want to upgrade the pack and the bag.

 

In addition to the above comments, the biggest challenge to simple stove configurations is wind. Easy to lose more than half the heat output in unprotected conditions. Jetboil solves some of this with the windscreen/pot design and that helps lots in everyday use.

 

This is why I dearly miss working in the outdoor retail area. My perks kept my costs down.

My husband laughed at me recently when I nearly broke down in tears 'I'm going to have to pay retail for a new pair of hiking shoes!'

(I had so many pairs that I rotated their use and after 5+ years, they each are finally starting to wear out)

 

That being said, I just dropped a chunk of $$ out for new UQs for us both. They are enroute to the post office at the very moment!

 

I feel your pain. I work in distribution so I see manufacturer costs all day on electronics.

 

My ZPacks stuff gets here tomorrow!

 

I get anxiety (not really) tracking stuff! Stuff for the camper is supposed to be here today too!

 

Ha, I thought I was the only one. I'll check tracking several times a day when expecting something.

 

Well, my hiking partner for next year's remainder of the JMT adventure just blew out his ACL and needs surgery. Looks like it will be a solo after all. I'm kind of looking forward to that actually.

 

After 20 years my Prius works fine for me paired with a titanium pot that stores all the stuff when not in use. Borrowed it from my brother back in the day so the price was right too

 

YEAH IT SHOULD BE HERE A WEEK FROM NEXT WED!!!!!!!!!!

 

That would be nice! I have good Arc Teryx perks!

 

Can you be my new best friend??

 

I have a few "pro deals" from outdoor companies that really help out with the expensive gear. The best being Simms.