Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I love the quilt I have from them! Good quality, customization, and pricing, in my opinion

 

Two quilts from them, both fantastic. Would recommend in a heartbeat.

 

EE is favored amoung thru hikers, light weight and well built. The 50° synthetic I ordered came in, looks great but haven't used it yet. Plan is to use with my 30° bag during winter trips. Only weighs 3/4 pound and combined they weigh 2 1/4 pound.

 

50° Revo apex is going to be the next quilt I get in February. I’m using a 20° quilt now and my son has a 30°. The revo’s have been a huge win for us.

 

My 30° bag is a Mountain Hardware phantom @ 1.5 lbs. I also have a 10° Hammock Gear Burrow quilt @ 2.0 lbs and two 20° TNF Synthetic Cats pajamas bags @ 4.5 lbs that I've had for 35 years. TNF bags are still solid, built like tanks and almost as heavy, and only see car camping duties now.

I'm participating in the 2022 Sheltowee Trace Challenge starting Jan 14th. Challenge is to pack one weekend per month, twice in April, covering the 350 total miles of the Sheltowee Trace Trail finishing in November. 25 to 35 mile weekends. It's a group hike usually around 30 people spread out on trail but all camped together. The organizers often provide trail magic along the way, fire wood at campsites and during warmer months camped near roads they have beer.

Most participants are true beginners and feel good about having a support team in case they get in trouble.

I participated in 2020 but an injury from a fall that September kept me from finishing.

 

Found one second hand that’s in new condition. The cot, it’s hardware, and the storage bag weigh only 2lb 12oz. Stoked to have it for tent camping.

 

Have any of you used the “one bottle” hydration system yet and have an opinion to share? I’m keen to try the smart water bottle model.

https://www.one-bottle.com/

 

We’ve always just used Sawyer minis

 

To store water to drink or as a filter?

 

Firstly as backup to the jugs of water with us, then secondly/occasionally when on foot we use to either fill when we have the time, or to drink from when it makes sense to. They freeze though so we need a better system for cold weather trips.

 

I got you now. I have a sawyer that threads directly to a smart water bottle. I always carry two and filter into both to keep supplied but I don’t drink through the sawyer.

 

I use one called SmartTube. Looks to be the same kind of thing. I find it easier than using a hydration bladder, particularly when it’s just a day hike.

 

As a new user of the aforementioned Stanley Two Cup Cookset I've found another interesting hack via yewtewb. The cups don't have lids but there is a great solution. The 8oz silicone lids from Silipint fit the cups great. I ordered a couple and look forward to keeping the cups bug free in the future. Here are links to the YT video, Silipint site, and slamazon buying options.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFQ3NKvRSac
https://silipint.com/products/silicone-travel-lid

$29 Silipint Silicone Travel-Cup Lids Kids’ Cups and Wine Cups, Unbreakable, Non-Plastic, Reusable Silicone Drinking-Cup Covers, Set of 4

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7WXT79?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Silipint Silicone Kids’ Cups with Lids and Straws, Unbreakable, Durable, Safe, and Fun Silicone Kids’ Tumblers, Arctic Sky & Hippy Hop, Pack of 2

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MQJ8QZ8?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Also in my pics is the Ozark Trail 30-35oz Tumbler Lid which fits the pot.

 

I used a first need pump setup for a decade of section hiking on the AT. It was a heavy setup but I miss being able to just drop a hose in the water and pump a quart in 60 seconds, still have it.

I've used the Sayers Micro recently, have two. One is set in-line on my 2 liter water sack with bite valve. Love this setup during hot weather trips. Since the water in the sack is only filtered as you suck it through the hose you can just pour out the warmed water and replace when you reach a fresh cold source, not many will pour out filtered water.

I tried the Katadyn Befree filter, worked great at first, fast flow but clogged and became unusable after just a few trips. I tried cleaning it but it just wouldn't unclog.

I use a cnoc squeeze bag with sayer micro filter during cold hikes, squeezed into smart water bottles.

Remember to sleep with your filters when camping in below freezing temps, they will freeze up. I blow out any water, place in a sandwich bag and throw in the foot of my sleeping bag. In extreme cold you may even need to sleep with it on your person, in a pocket.

 

Damnit I should not have found this thread

 

This whole website impacts your finances...regardless of the thread.

 

You ain’t lyin

 

Truth.

 

yeah, when I first found this thread about 4 years ago, a guy posted a photo of his “gear room.” He had 6 or 8 packs hanging on the wall. I remember thinking, “Why do you need so many packs?” Now, I am that guy. Well, I don’t have a “gear room” to post photos of. But I think I’ve about reached the limit, I now go into an REI and can’t find anything that I really need…or want.

 

I have a bunch of gear too but only 4 backpacks. I'm presently on the Sheltowee Trace Trail in Northern Kentucky, group hike with a mix of experienced hikers and 1st timers. We started at the northern terminus this morning and only hiking 12 miles today and 13 tomorrow. I made camp at noon and just hanging out in my tent all cozy in my bag. Will venture out later and enjoy the campfire with the group. Getting down into the low 20's tonight.

I also have 3 bags, 2 quilts, and 2 liners. I chose to carry my Mountain hardware Phantom spark 28 degree bag and an enlightend equipment 50 degree quilt. Strapped the quilt to my pad and slid the bag inside, feels warm enough.