I'm a gear junky for ...?

XMP

XMP

Joined
Feb 9, 2007
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Obviously, people wouldn't be on BF if they weren't interested in blades. But I'm sure there are other types of gear that you just can't get enough of or the exact right thing -- boots, flashlights, raingear, or whatever. So what is it for you, and why?

For me its daypacks. I have four different North Face daypacks, two Maxpedition ones (Condor and Pygmy Falcon), a jumbo versipack, a extra small Timbuk2 messenger bag set up for hiking, and I've got a Maxpedition bottle holder and several pouches on order from Two Wolves. On top of that I'm seriously looking at the Kifaru XRay. Part of it is that I want slightly different things depending on weather and anticipated length of the outing. The bigger problem is that nothing has everything I want, exactly how I want. I wish I had the time and ability to design and produce my own packs.

What about you, are you a gear junky for anything in particular?
 
Fishing gear for me!

From rods and reels, to every freaking lure made! I have to have it.

I'm a nut when it comes to new fishing gear.....
 
XMP said:
Obviously, people wouldn't be on BF if they weren't interested in blades. But I'm sure there are other types of gear that you just can't get enough of or the exact right thing -- boots, flashlights, raingear, or whatever. So what is it for you, and why?

For me its daypacks. I have four different North Face daypacks, two Maxpedition ones (Condor and Pygmy Falcon), a jumbo versipack, a extra small Timbuk2 messenger bag set up for hiking, and I've got a Maxpedition bottle holder and several pouches on order from Two Wolves. On top of that I'm seriously looking at the Kifaru XRay. Part of it is that I want slightly different things depending on weather and anticipated length of the outing. The bigger problem is that nothing has everything I want, exactly how I want. I wish I had the time and ability to design and produce my own packs.

What about you, are you a gear junky for anything in particular?
Click to expand...

Whew... thank GOD it's not just me! I though I was the only one in search of the perfect everything. This sickness is not cheap! For me, it runs much deeper. Guns, knives, flashlights, backpacks, stoves, lanterns, sleeping bags, titanium cookware, and assorted miscellaneous cool gear. Oddly enough I seem to be immune to buying new tents. A $50 or cheaper tent seems to last me as long as anything else. ;):D Thank God! :thumbup:

The way I see it, if the SHTF I'll have lots of bartering material... ;) :D
 
I'm sort of coming around the bend. Last year I was really into high tech - clothing, packs, gidgets. Now, I'm starting to respect the folks who are more into traditional gear like Filsons and leather. I haven't forgone synthetics yet and have a misch-mash of gear types. However, sometimes the heavy + robust is as good as the light and high tech.

For example - a good solid leather belt. I've never had a good synthetic or nylon one. Yes the liger belts from maxpedition have caught my eye, but is it really better than a good, solid, traditional leather belt made from a tack shop? Part of me doubts it, I think it is more like a synthetic trying to copy the great qualities of that leather.

For packs I kind of like those maxpeditions right now, they seem about right for what I want. Certainly better than the typical consumer variety backpack brands I have used most of my life.

Thus far, knives are about the only pieces of gear that I have a in great redundancy. I have a few tents, but they are all different sizes and serve different functions. So no, I don't think I'm a gear junky. Though I do appreciate a great piece of gear when I find and use it.
 
I'm on board with the fishing stuff, and it doesn't help I work at an outdoors store either. My check goes right back to the company.

On the other hand, last week I got a quantum catalyst pti for about $16. I COULD NOT pass that up.
 
I go in phases. I'll buy packs till I find the perfect one. Then I'll do a comprehensive search for the perfect boots. Then the perfect tent. Right now I'm looking for the perfect side quiver.
 
Lately I've been really into the survival kit construction, and my kit is getting crazy cool. I found a site yesterday called countycomm.com. If it doesn't get you excited about survival trinkets and blacbelt EDC, you're probably rigamortis.
 
For me it seems to be jackets, tents and backpacks. I think I have 4 GoreTex jackets alone. I have sold off a few backpacks over the last year but I'm still at 5 not counting the daypacks and I'm close to buying another pack. :o
 
For me, it's the elusive perfect daypack / light travel pack.

I work at a university, commute, walk around town(s), and frequently take overnight or one-day working road trips (for conferences, interviews, etc.) using the train. I like to pack light, but I generally need to bring basic toiletries, a few items of clothing, books and files, and my laptop - plus PSK stuff, of course! Colleagues have told me that I have been on a perpetual 'academic roadshow' for the last few years, and that I should get tour t-shirts printed up.

Anyway, I have been on a lengthy quest for a pack that fits my needs. This is, of course, in addition to my daypacks for hiking, biking, canoeing, etc., plus my more serious multi-day packs or extended outings.

This is an involuntary quest - I don't really like packs that much. I just need a good one! Right now, I have my eye on a Maxpedition gearslinger that may just be the grail I have been searching for.

My name's Mike, and I'm a gear junky.
 
Hmm, I am not really a gear junkie for any one item. I see anything related to the outdoors, I will get into a thing where I really like just that. But, it only lasts about a month and than something else will come along. The only things that are sticking are Knives, Flashlights, Jackets, and if you count them as outdoor gear, an occasional Zippo lighter.
 
I have been thinning my knives lately to ones I like the best in each size and using the money for other cool gear. I recently got a new GPS, a few ultralight packs, a water filter, new lights, etc..
 
I'm really in to flashlights right now, though most of the ones I want I can't afford right now. I would really like to pick up another surefire E2l outdoorsman.
 
It used to be a paintball gun until I found the one that is essentially perfect for me. The little things I would change - I took a machining class to be able to fix.

Knives are fun - but I am getting to my end of that one too. The latest BRKT's, Walt knives, and others are teaching me what I want.

I will just have to make one when I get it right.

TF
 
It's books for me - wild foods, survival, primitive skills, knots, brain tanning, basketmaking, anthropology, ethnobotany, poisonous plants, flintknapping, plant ID, trees and shrubs ID, etc., etc. Anything that relates to survival/wilderness skills.

Doc
 
Mentor said:
I like to pack light, but I generally need to bring basic toiletries, a few items of clothing, books and files, and my laptop - plus PSK stuff, of course!
Click to expand...

Im a bag junkie as well.. and I had been carrying a separate bag and case for the laptop but that got old very quickly. consider the Ogio Epic... Ive been carrying it for about half a year now, and it will take everything I need to put into it. The carrying capacity is sick (2500 cu inch). Fyi, it looks better in person than the photos suggest even though I was looking for an ugly bag to begin with;)

51aspQvofRL._AA280_.jpg

108090-2T.jpg

Although this doesnt show all the pockets, it gives you an idea.
 
Like most, I'm a knife junky. I am considering selling a bunch of them, since they just don't get used. I have a couple favorites and they get all my love...

I have at least 10 survival kits, plenty of firesteels, several tents and daypacks. What I'm starting to save for is a Kifaru Zulu, I just hope it doesn't lead to a further addiction!
 
I'm like Carolina River Rat, in that I go in phases, too. However, the search for the ultimate packs always lingers, and has been active since the early 90s. And I say packs, because I'd like to have something that is my ultimate favorite in several different size ranges. I have 2500-3000 ci and 3500-4000 ci covered. Still working on 1000-1500 ci range for daytime excursion/lightweight overnights.

I can honestly say that at this point I am content with my arsenal of knives, sleeping bags, shelter devices, cookware, stoves, footwear, clothing, and outerwear. Wow, I can't believe I actually said that. I must be sick.
 
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