Is anyone else "not so into" gear?

Brian Andrews

Brian Andrews

Joined
Dec 11, 2006
Messages
1,659
I have to admit, I love my axes, my knives and good cooking vessels. I also like to have a good comfortable pack (in fact a few.....different sizes and all), good boots and clothes. But after that.....

When things start turning towards water filters, stoves (spare parts) and fuel canisters, the latest techno-fabric, carbon fiber this or that, I start losing interest and get turned off real quick. I realize there is certain convenience around such items, but I am not on a SAR team and I don't try to hurry in the woods. If I really wanted convenience, I would get myself a trailer, or the ultimate in convenience is just staying home :D

I don't think I am expressing what I want to really well. The following quote from Ray Mears states pretty much how I feel:

“I think sometimes when we use modern equipment, we try to exclude nature too much. It’s almost like we are at war with it. For me, that spoils the spell, it breaks the spell of being here.”

Maybe I am just extra "weird" but I would love to hear your thoughts on the "gear" topic.

Do you think your own personal gear helps you "battle" nature, or get along better with it?

B
 
I think I share your sentiment pretty much exactly. Years ago I used to work at a hiking/backpacking store in SE TN. Each year we would have Appalachian Trail through hikers come in the shop while planning. I was always amazed at the distances they planned to travel each day. Now I do realize that for them the goal was to finish the trail. My goal is sort of the opposite, it's to enjoy the minute details, the splendor of God's creation along the way. If I'm so caught up on distance I miss too much.

I'm also like a lot around here, I tend to enjoy the older techniques as they work with nature and don't "war" against it as Ray Mears so correctly defines.

Now I do like my gear but using it is more important that acquiring it and I'm definitely not on the latest and greatest kick. Can't afford to be anyway.

Charlie
 
We are tool making/thinking animals!!! I love technology....but that doesn't mean that I can afford it! Toys are great, but also learn to get along without them when necessary.
 
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I'm caught in the middle. I like learning about cool, new items, but $$$ and the all important "Do I really see myself using it?" is usually my thought process. I have some great tried and true items and don't see myself changing them up. I guess it's the ol' "if it ain't broke"...cliche. Of course knives and backpacks are outside this sentiment. I'm ALWAYS looking for the one true knife to rule them all and to carry it in the best backpack ever designed specifically for me! LOL.
 
I'm pretty much in the same boat. I can't get into the high-speed/low-drag stuff. I also don't do stoves or things that take batteries. I still love my gear, but I love the basic stuff like new pots or blades or simple packs.
 
I feel close to the same,I love my Basic items,but the latest & greatest,to me there is a learning curve,you get so pre-occupied with the new items you start forgetting about nature and why you are there... I am simple and pretty basic to a degree.I have a buddy that stress over having the latest & greatest items and he forgets why he is in the woods "to relax & have fun"
 
I started out kind of in the middle and then went towards minimalism.


Currently I still have the don't-shoot me-orange backpack with all the bells and whistles, but outside of my headlamp I have pretty much weeded out everything with either batteries or fuel. I enjoy it more with less. I like the challenge of figuring out how the heck i'm going to build utensils to cook this.


It is getting a little cold to go without a tent. The dew will soak you in the morning. Normally I would just opt out of that as well. I don't think you're strange for your dislike of the extras. Like you said, if that is what you were looking for, you could have stayed home.
 
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reconranger said:
...but that doesn't mean that I can afford it!
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briangandrews said:
When things start turning towards water filters, stoves (spare parts) and fuel canisters, the latest techno-fabric, carbon fiber this or that, I start losing interest and get turned off real quick. I realize there is certain convenience around such items, but I am not on a SAR team and I don't try to hurry in the woods. If I really wanted convenience, I would get myself a trailer, or the ultimate in convenience is just staying home
Click to expand...


I fall suqarely between these two :p.

I wouldn't mind trying some of the new, hi-tech, gadgets but I can't afford many of them and I actually enjoy learning to go without.

Judging by the replies you've got, I wouldn't say you are "extra weird", Brian. Sorry, you're only as "weird" as the rest of us.

Chris
 
This can be applied to many different industries. The places I've seen it in my lifetime have been paintball, motorcycles, other motorsports, shooting, backpacking, hiking, etc.

We jokingly refer to people with more gear than skills as "gear queers" in the gun industry. "Mall Ninja" can be associated with the same. :D

My personal belief is ones skills should trump ones gear. As your skill rises and you can take advantage of better gear, by all means. Most people do the exact opposite though.
 
I feel the same way, when I first started doing 1 nighters in the woods with my grandfather when I was 7, all I had with me was my SAK and a water canteen, a pocket full of candy and dressed conveniently for the weather that day.

My grand father didn't have that many more items other then a saw and a axe, a fixed blade and a gentleman's flask of whiskey.

I never slept in a tent until recently with my g/f ..we bought a cheapo at wally for 30$ because she dreads creepy crawlies.
 
It depends on what the gear is. Some things I am a 'gearhead' about, others I could care less as long as they work.

I understand what you're trying to say though, it's not about the gear it's about the experience. On that I agree completely.
 
I too am trying to hone my "primitive skills" as those have been tried and tested.
Although I am also guilty of checking out the new high tech gadgets I also realize
that the more high tech your toys are the greater the chance of them failing.
 
Really good question! I find myself always in the middle. I am interested in the newest innovations in all types of gear. I love to stop by the local stores to actually see it and read the reviews from those who tried out for real. It is an important part of the sharing of information among many people that the forums provide.

As for my actual gear, well it is a mix of basic tried and true items like the SAK and a few more modern things like a NovaTac EDC 120P flashlight replacing a Maglight. I do pay close attention to my boots and shoes though because I have bad feet. A good fit is worth everything to me.
 
Dang it, you guys are making me feel normal.

I'm not really a gear queer. When I was using a Medium ALICE as my pack, I used 1 qt GI canteens with cups as my mess kit and drink kit for years. I only switched to Nalgenes and Olicamp cup because that's what fits in my Duluth Pack Wanderer. I switched to the Wanderer -- which is about the same size as a medium ALICE because I prefer canvas and leather to nylon. I used an old lensatic compass for decades, only going to the Suunto MC-2G for the global needle (so I don't have to worry if I'm keeping it totally level). I still use an old GI MSS bag (usually just the patrol bag and bivy), they work, they're light and the patrol bag and bivy isn't much bigger than a Snugpack.

Now, I am a tool fool. I have something like 80 knives for various purposes, not including kitchen knives. Hatchets and axes galore. More kukris than a Gurkha regiment. I've pretty much narrowed it to what I really use, but still like collecting and trying out new ones.

I used to have a lot of guns, but sold them when I got layed off last year. I found out I really only missed a few of them (coincidentally, the ones I used the most) and am only replacing them (unless you know what happens).

But other than tools, I find stuff that works good enough and stick with it.

I also go out to smell the roses, not make mileage.
 
I'm the same. I am knife rich for sure, but most of my other gear is old and well used. I guess everyone just has their "thing" that spend on.
 
i have always been into knives... :D i also have always liked good gear, not too high tec, just good quality.... :)
 
i bounce around a bit. I like to play with toys, and there's a certain extent to which I feel like I need to try different blades out for everything.

But mostly I'm pretty old school. I wouldn't want to trap myself in the 1830s, but there's often no real benefit in reinventing everything each season just to sell crap.

I can't wear synthetics against my skin, haven't found anything that beats a few good layers of wool and leather, cotton and silk and linen.

I like gear that's cheap, durable, fixable, and hackable. If I *can* make it or repair, all the better (even if I don't spend the time doing so for a $5 item)

I find new stuff all the time, though. Every couple of months or so something changes in our gear. I blame it on having kids.
 
I like good gear. Doesnt have to be the latest high tech stuff. Just good. I like the minimalistic approach, but I definately like my toys.
 
This thread sort of confuses me:confused:

On one hand it's about being too hung up on gear, then on the other hand people who travel light are being panned and taking the slow approach is being somehow equated with not being hung up on gear????:rolleyes:

I'm assuming we are talking about backpacking right??

In my experience people fall into two categories.

Some backpack to travel in and "set up camp" . Most of the times these people are the ones I run into that carry a lot of gear.

The others are ones where the hiking, orienteering and nature exploration are of equal value with camping and building a campfire. Mostly these people seem to me to have the minimalist approach.

Now I admit to having LOTS of gear;)

But I've been backpacking for 23 years and it's mainly a result of so much lighter gear being available. So over the years I've ended up carrying much less gear. Both in the amount and the bulk.

For me the better gear allows one MORE time to enjoy the trail not LESS.

When I go with my friends who carry a lot of heavy gear we stop when they are tired not when there's a beautiful area to explore. We get a much later start in the morning because they have to pack up all their gear.

I agree gear is no substitute for skills, but part of the skill is to know how to travel light. Also what gear to carry for the geography, weather, and terrain. Sometimes that means taking different sets of stuff different times.

So yeah I agree that people shouldn't be hung up on too much stuff. However to carry heavy and outdated stuff when simple stuff is available is denying yourself more enjoyment on the trail.:thumbup:
 
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