Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Anyone tried a Solo Stove?:https://www.solostove.com/?gclid=Cj...RnEEr3FWp1eHJuXalR_kIz0sGEjvq6IBoCBvYQAvD_BwE

I have the fire pit version at home and it’s great, but not something you’d want to transport.

 

I do, and like it. Also the Bush Buddy and a DIY made from a qt paint can.

 

I'd recommend looking at the Silverfire Scout economy if you want to just try it out. You could make one yourself for like $10 and maybe an hour, but with the Scout being on sale for $30 it is a pretty good deal and will last a lot longer.
https://www.silverfire.us/economy-scout-stove

 

I have one and also the Toaks titanium gasifier stove. The Toaks is much lighter and nests in itself but assembles quick and easy and is much lighter and slightly smaller. Both burn about the same honestly, but I think the Solo breathes a little better and is easier to keep going for a boil. Gasifiers leave a ton of resin on the bottom of your pot which is messy to deal with, but if you bring a Scotch-Brite pad, you can clean much of the loose soot off of it with just water before storing it away. They are both finicky, but fun to play with and handy to have for emergency. They're in my stove collection and I only carry the Toaks version in my truck bag when I'm on 4x4 trips and want to have an emergency kit.

 

I’m trying to put a small first aid bag in each of my packs. Nothing elaborate, just something to hold some various sized bandaids, Neosporin, moleskin, and a few other things. I know I can buy small first aid kits, but just let me say that when you turn 65, there are a few things of a more specialized nature that You find myself needing from time to time. I’ve been using zip-loc sandwich bags, but I’d like to find some small zipper pouches that are a little more durable to use for this little project. I’ve begun looking, but it occurred to me that some of you might have a suggestion about where I might find what I’m needing. Any suggestions?

 

Amazon has a few smaller zippered pouches.
Think its their in house brand AmazonBasics.

 

I have seen pint sized freezer bags.

 

I need some help with gear selection. My kids and I are planning a 30 mile backpacking trip the end of April in northern PA. We have gear for car camping and I'm a gear junky so the standard equipment is done. My kids are 16,15 and 10 with this trip we are getting hammocks.

This is all new for me coming from tents. I want to keep the weight under 20lbs total for the kids packs. This will be a 5 day hike. My main focus is the under quilts for hammocks. Until I know they like the hammocks I want to keep it on the cheap for them. Temps will range mid 30s -40s at night and they will have sleeping bags and foam pads in the hammocks.

Looking for any suggestions on hammocks for them.

 

Hammockforums.net

 

Not sure how small you want your pouches, but here a re a few options for durable pouches (although extremely high priced IMO).
https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/Tool-Bag-p/21tb-l.htm

Individual pouches are here if you only need a few:
https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/Hanging-Junk-Drawer-Pouch-p/21vgp-hjd.htm

The individual pouches might be worth a look, but the "tool bag" seems a bit much to me and you can probably piece together a similar kit from different pouches found online (Amazon/ebay) for a much lower price.

 

Ziploc freezer bags are the toughest of the sandwich bag family. I found some small pill bags on Amazon that are great for sorting out little stuff within that kit. I use the pill bags for ibuprofen, electrolyte capsules, etc. and then those go within the first aid kit bag. I use a small cuben fiber stuff sack for my first aid kit and ditty bag (other hygiene items as well) so it's all in one place. Tapes, toothbrush/paste, antibiotic, pills, small multitool with scissors, nail clipper, etc. I use cut pieces of my dried wet wipes as gauze pads for wounds, then tape them up with KT tape. Don't really need much more.

 

This reminds me, I went to a gem/jewelry supply store and found small ziplock bags. 1 x 2 inch. Maybe you can then put those in one bag.

 

You can get those small 1 x 2 ziplocks at any bead or crafts store. I use them for meds inside a first aid kit or for travel.

 

The 2x3 pill bags are great because they're a little bigger and they have thicker mils than many of the craft baggies, plus they seal well. There's a white patch that you can write on, too.

 

Thanks for all the input about options for a backpack first aid kit. I particularly like the idea of the small pill bags. Alieve has become my new best friend when I go backpacking. In addition, although I don’t take a lot of pills/medication, there are a few things that like to have with me, and these pill bags will make it easy to keep things separated. And those pill bags will pack in a much smaller space than the small bottles I’ve been carrying them in.

I will share something I just found out, though. On a whim I typed in “empty first aid kit” and found them in all different shapes and sizes on Amazon. Now all I need to do is figure out which size I want to get and I should be good to go.

 

In wilderness medicine, we all build our own, since we have different needs, skill sets and trips. If I'm working, I carry about 3 times what I might on a quick solo climb. Most pharmacies and some grocery stores will have "empties" in different sizes. Fill it with what you've found that YOU need and keep it refreshed as necessary. Good guidelines available at Wilderness Medical Assoc.

 

Dutchware makes some good stuff and is pretty local to you. They are over in Lancaster.

 

That is what I’m in the process of doing. As I’d mentioned when I asked the original question, I find myself needing different things things at 65 than I did at 45.

 

nice set up! there is a post where a guy made a tent that does what you're looking to do. ill see if i can find it.

 

Thanks! Are you referring to @Phoosa? See below for what he did. Super badass! But he has a lot more skill and probably patience than me haha. I really love how that looks but am embarrassingly bad/ignorant to sewing. I’ll be driving across the country for a big move from FL->CA in 2-3 weeks and don’t have a lot of free time before then. We’ll be camping along the way with our dog so I’m considering buying the DAC but haven’t bitten the bullet yet.

Related to my comment above: if anyone has any must see daystops, camping areas, or must see cities/hikes that are dog-friendly along the drive from central Florida to south California, please let me know! We’re planning ~two weeks for the trip if we can swing it. I know that’s super open-ended but our trip itinerary is pretty much a blank canvas at this point.