Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

How in the world have I missed this thread? I'm a gear nut, so I'm going to have to read through all 14 pages so far.

I love backpacking gear, bug-out bag optimization, and lightweight organized camping/hiking. I don't get out as much as I want to, but when I do, I make the best of it. I'm a hammock camper when I'm away from the truck and my RTT, and I'd say my biggest gear fix is with stoves. I own just about every type, but I'm always looking for the optimal setup for EVERY situation. Wood-burning is obviously the best stove type when you have to worry about more complex stoves failing and fuels running out when you need them most. Simplicity is my new mantra when it comes to camp cooking, so I played around with making my own hobo stove that would stand up to many uses, be home-made, and burn multiple fuels. Alcohol is my preferred fuel/burner, but I wanted backups for when I run out. I carry a 20oz backup of alcohol, so I'd have to be on a long trip to run out of fuel. Esbit cubes are next, then lastly I'd burn twigs/leaves (I just hate the soot and creosote that it leaves on my pots).

I started out with my trusty Stanley cook canister set (minus the heavy plastic cups it comes with). I love this canister because it fits where a water bottle goes, the lid locks on it to hold all of the nested contents, and it can take a beating unlike aluminum or thinner titanium pots. It's heavier than others because it's stainless, but it makes up for it with durability and that elusive locking lid/handle.

For the stove, I wanted a robust soup can that would maximize the interior space of the Stanley pot. A Progresso soup can fit the bill perfectly. Larger than a standard can, it can hold more fuel and fit perfectly in the Stanley canister. I drilled a ring of large 1/2" holes all around the top side of it, and also along the bottom sides. Lowers are for ventilation, and the upper holes allow cook flame to lick out and around the stove onto the bottom/edge of my cook pots.

Next, I took a Campbell's soup can and cut 1" off the bottom of it to use as a stand for my alcohol stove, and also to be a grate for burning sticks/leaves/organic material or for burning Esbit fuel blocks. I drilled a bunch of holes in it for ventilation.

Lastly, the Stanley canister fit too well on the top of the stove, so I wanted to raise it up slighty for more flame ventilation and pot stability. I took some 1/2"x1" mesh chicken wire and cut a small piece and curled the edges to fit the pot. My Stanley canister rests perfectly on it on top of the stove now, and I get a hotter flame from my fuels making better contact on the pot.

Last but not least, I found an anodized aluminum cup from Olicamp that the Stanley pot nests into like it was made for it. Now I have a pot to cook in and eat out of, and a spare cup for making hot tea or just using as another eating cup. The lid from the Stanley pot even fits the cup perfectly so I can use it on either one. Everything fits exactly how I wanted it.

Everything nested together:




All of the contents:




Stove assembled with inner stand and alcohol burner, with support grate on top:




By flipping the stand upside down, the alcohol burner nests in it and sits lower. Grate goes in, and there's still lots of room for soap/sponge, about 8 Esbit fuel blocks, a firesteel for easy lighting of the alcohol, and a small folding fork or spoon:




I did a boil test on it outside with breezy conditions and it was 58 degrees, and I had 24oz of cold water boiling in 7 minutes. I only used 15ml (1/2 oz) of alcohol in the process. I did use a folding windscreen to block the breeze and help contain more heat.

 

Nice! I have the same stanley cook set but i use my pocket rocket for the stove. Thats pretty cool

 

I have other fuel stoves that fit, but gas canisters don't fit in the Stanley. I prefer my Jetboil when I'm not backpacking for too long.

 

Sweet new post. Will be back when not on mobile.

Need some advice on my EDC bag also, I just got it back from my good friend / paracord artist and it needs of be setup.

 

Note to self. Just because the forecast says it will be 40deg f doesn't mean it won't actually drop into the 20's and your 30deg f sleeping bag will be totally inadequate. Last night was cold!

 

That's 0 degree bag weather for comfort, 30 degree bag for survival only. Bag ratings are always rated on the "survival" side, and usually rated for a 120# female in long johns, good socks, and head cover. As a rule for comfort, always use a bag that's rated for 30 degrees BELOW what you expect to camp in, or expect to sleep in full clothing.

 

I've been warm and comfy in that 30deg bad in the 40s just fine, I know 30 is just the survival rating but it's been okay. It just got much colder than expected. I ended up in my bivy, bag and liner in the tent that night. Glad I had the bivy for sure

 

It's an rei bag I've had for years, still great until it gets into the 40s even in my hammock do I figured I'd be fine, and I was just had to add a bivy and liner to help. I was on a foam sleeping pad as well

All my $ have gone to climbing gear recently. I'll get another bag eventually..

 

Sub'd

 

I was generalizing, for the 99% of sleeping bag owners who are just weekend warriors. I wasn't referring to people who know what the f they are doing.

 

X2. When my buddy and I go winter camping we each bring a sleeping pad and sandwich one of those space blankets between the pad and the tent floor. We've both always been plenty comfortable in 0 degree bags no matter how cold it's actually gotten (there's been nights were it's been well below zero, too)

 

Most reasonable sleeping bag manu's publish EN ratings now, at least the kind you'll find from the usual brands at the usual middle-upper end stores. Ground pad is equally as important, if not more important on night where temps meet or exceed your bag rating. EN testing assumes a given R value of your sleeping pad, and also the user wearing insulating clothing.

Get more pad (R value) than you need, and the same for warmth (loft).

I wouldn't recommend buying any bag that isn't EN rated, without a proven track record of use in temps you're expecting and an accurate loft measurement that theoretically suggests it's suitable for your temps.

 

Lastly, avoid Wiggy's.

 

Gratuitous thread resurrection!

Buddy of mine got me this for a late x-mas gift. I lopped some branches with it on Sunday and was impressed with how well it held its edge. Plus it wiped clean super easy.







Since I've already got a full-size machete in the shed, this one's going to live in my GHB in the truck, but I can guarantee I'll be taking it camping since it's a handier length than a full-size bush chopper.

 

That is awesome!!


ordered a sierra designs Backcountry bed I'm excited for it to get here!

 

http://www.rei.com/product/874682/tentsile-stingray-tree-tent


WANT

 

I have four wiggys sleeping bags they are the only sleeping bags I will buy.

 

For what reason are you taking that or a machete on camping trips?

 

Because it's lighter and more compact than a hatchet or a small axe, but performs the same functions. It works better for clearing overgrowth from a trail since it swings faster and cuts cleaner. It's also better for whittling a stake for a tent or for a guywire to a tarp than an axe or a pocket knife.