[Schweinshaxe]

This thread is for all you outdoor buffs out there. What kind of outdoor equipment do you have? Let's discuss this in this thread. Tell us what you have and your experience with the stuff.

Tent: Hilleberg Akto. 1 person light weight tent. Has room enough for 1 person and a large rucksack in the vestibule. It's possible to cook in the vestibule. Very nice tent but a little expensive.
http://www.hilleberg.se

Sleeping bag: Carinthia Explorer Down 800. A military style down sleeping bag with the zipper in the front which makes it easy to get in and out. I don't understand why not all sleeping bags have this kind of opening. Carinthia makes sleeping bags for the military in a few countries as well as civilian bags. Very comfortable and warm bag.
http://www.military-sleeping-bags.com

Rucksack: Berghaus Atlas. A 100 litre rucksack with a nice back system. Adjustable in any possible way. Side pockets can be removed and put together as a day pack.
http://www.berghaus.com (Not on the home page for some reason)
http://www.gear-zone.co.uk/eshop/Bergha ... -AW05.html (Picture here)

Sleeping pad: Therm-a-rest Classic Standard Lite. Can be folded so that the pack size is reduced. OK sleeping pad. Feels a little thin sometimes.
http://www.thermarest.com

Boots: Meindl Tibet: A hiking boot with "relaxed fit". A bit wider in the toe area than ordinary boots. Very comfortable in the terrain. Not made for city walks though...
http://www.meindl.de

Stove: Trangia 27. An alcohole stove with windshield, two saucepans in duossal, one frying pan in non-stick and a tea pot. Weight under 1 kilo. Can be used with gas or kerosene/gasoline burner as well. I always use the standard alcohole burner. It's fast, hot and unbreakable. I have the stove set up and lit in 30 seconds. When I'm ready to eat, my friends with sexy gaslone stoves haven't started to cook the food... Highly recomended!
http://www.trangia.se

Let's hear what you have now!

[NeoPeasant]

Terrific. Label concious yuppie survivalism. Be sure to get all your stuff at the upscale mall sporting goods stores. Imagine your embarrasment if your survivalist corporate lawyer friends saw a "Coleman" label on your sleeping bag.

[mgibbons19]

Good grief. Give the guy a break. There's nothing wrong with wanting/having nice equipment if you can afford it.

[seahorse]

I agree with MGibbons, buy the best stuff you can afford. Coleman makes some okay things, but they don't make comparable extreme cold weather bags or lightweight gear. Coleman makes stuff to be brought in via vehicle, not in an alpine pack that will be manpacked in over 30 miles.

That being said, I wouldn't go with a down cold weather bag, here's why: down loses its ability to retain heat when wet. So, unless you are doing an alpine climb and guaranteed not to get wet and want a bag good for all conditions, go with a synthetic cold weather bag. synthetic will keep you warm when wet. The bags made by "wiggys" are extremely popular with people in the military. They are synthetic, and have temp rated bags down to -60 degrees. They get extremely good reviews.

[Specop_007]

Most of my stuff is old mil surp.
In my experience its about the best you can buy. The only downside is it sure as hell doesnt win any style points. But its as cheap as it comes, and damned effective.

[Schweinshaxe]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NeoPeasant', 'T')errific. Label concious yuppie survivalism. Be sure to get all your stuff at the upscale mall sporting goods stores. Imagine your embarrasment if your survivalist corporate lawyer friends saw a "Coleman" label on your sleeping bag.

[Schweinshaxe]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse', 'I') agree with MGibbons, buy the best stuff you can afford. Coleman makes some okay things, but they don't make comparable extreme cold weather bags or lightweight gear. Coleman makes stuff to be brought in via vehicle, not in an alpine pack that will be manpacked in over 30 miles.

That being said, I wouldn't go with a down cold weather bag, here's why: down loses its ability to retain heat when wet. So, unless you are doing an alpine climb and guaranteed not to get wet and want a bag good for all conditions, go with a synthetic cold weather bag. synthetic will keep you warm when wet. The bags made by "wiggys" are extremely popular with people in the military. They are synthetic, and have temp rated bags down to -60 degrees. They get extremely good reviews.

[rogerhb]

Gortex "bivvy" bags are an excellent way of keeping a sleeping bag dry.

Main problem occurs when you have wet kit on before you get into your bag, how are you going to dry it? Hypothermia can catch you up quickly.

Here I am talking about how are you going to stay "dry" for weeks at a time with minimum sets of clothing.

One way is to wear your sodden gear when up, dry gear inside the bag then wear the sodden gear when you get up again, that way sleeping bag stays dry. Not much fun putting all your wet gear in the morning but better than the alternatives.

[dmtu]

You guys are making me want to trek accross the country just to see if I can.

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dmtu', 'Y')ou guys are making me want to trek accross the country just to see if I can.

[dmtu]

Got a long time military bud down in Gallatin. Or is it up in Gallatin, better I better work with my map and compass.

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dmtu', 'G')ot a long time military bud down in Gallatin. Or is it up in Gallatin, better I better work with my map and compass.

[dmtu]

Just the one.

Actually I've just started building up my trekking inventory. Prepare for the worst expect the best kinda thing for me. This might end up moved to planning. So ignore me and that hateful spec and tell the rest of us what you use and for that matter what you think you would want in order to live like a mountain man running trap sets.

[eastbay]

I have three pair of new-in-box Danner boots which should last me the rest of my life. That and my half-dozen pair of jeans makes me good to go.

I figure I can steal the rest of the assorted stuff while you all are sleeping.

I also have an old Kelty pack which I may use again for purposes other than back country hiking.

[seldom_seen]

stove <-- msr whisperlite. I bought a back-up once I started planning for oil depletion. burns white gas/coleman fuel.
Without it I would feel naked, alone in a hostile universe.

[Specop_007]

I was talking to my friend one time about backpacking. He does alot of more (More like hitchhiking but I digress....)

I asked him if he thought it was worth it to pay a premium for a better tent, or just get an el cheapo. His response summed it up nicely.

"Oh dude, yes. When the only thing between you and the wind and rain is a peice of fabric, you want a good peice of fabric. You want a DAAAAMNED good peice of fabric"

I think that pretty much holds true for most camping gear.

[Schweinshaxe]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seldom_seen', 's')tove <-- msr whisperlite. I bought a back-up once I started planning for oil depletion. burns white gas/coleman fuel.
Without it I would feel naked, alone in a hostile universe.

[101]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')Oh dude, yes. When the only thing between you and the wind and rain is a peice of fabric, you want a good peice of fabric. You want a DAAAAMNED good peice of fabric"