Random thoughts on outdoor gear, knives etc.

I get what I can afford, which usually isn't too much, but I take my time and get the best gear that I can for my dollars spent and I think that I have assymbled a pretty good kit over the years that will more than take care of my needs in both comfort and durability, in a wide range of conditions.

Have a great time in the Sierras. I'm giving serious thought to taking a ride into the Sierra's myself and spending a week or so. If I do, it'll be somewhere around the Markleeville area.
 
t- i've always been a self proclaimed gear-head... i would rather be comfortable in the woods anyday, then have gear that wasn't reliable... :) it's well worth it to spend a little extra $$$ on quality well made gear....

i've done many long backcountry trips and have had plenty of folks mighty jealous of my gear, especially my knives.....:D

have a great time..... pics,pics,pics.......
 
The thing about gear is you are very unlikely to wear it out. Something better comes along at random times and you feel the urge. For me I never thought I would buy titanium. Now I both my son and I have a Ti mug and we both feel it was money well spent. Of course I'm talking backpacking here not tailgating. I have a Kelty Redcloud internal frame back for winter use and I really don't like it but I won't replace it until I have another winter trip planned. There is nothing wrong with the pack, I just don't like it.

I have a ton of gear most of which just lives in the basement. The few items I use all the time are of top quality but low price. A few good examples are my Swedish mess kit, a mini trangia, MSR Ti tool spoon, Thermos cup/bowl combo, BoyScout messkit, Swedish folding cup, MSR Pocket Rocket, MSR XGK, Petzl Tak Tikka Plus. I know there are others but it is way past my bedtime so 'll pick up here another time.
 
The one thing I've spent a lot on at one shot is boots. Several years ago I ponied up over $200 for a pair of Danner Acadias. They are still tromping with me to this day! Extremely well made and comfortable, I will never regret that purchase!
 
tknife, I'm the same as you, i'll pay a lot for a good knife (usualy a khukuri), but not worry to much about the other stuff, a good knife and steel, can keep you warm, and build your shelter etc.
 
blenders? hahaha!

i do love a good beer on a hike
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altho it isnt too good for orientation and finding ur way on a map lol
 
I spend on the big-ticket stuff, and don't have anything else.

Here is what I mean: my boots cost nearly $500.
I have a couple of $200 knives (although most of my stuff is of Mora manufacture.)
I take a prolite 4 sleeping mat.
I sleep under a silnylon tarp.
I wear custom elkskin gloves.

For cooking I use an open fire, I don't take those dehydrated meals, I don't use a gps, I don't care about anything but the basics.

Everything I take is expensive (to me at least) but I don't take a lot of stuff. I like to have a small amount of really high-quality gear, and live primitively aside from that.
 
Where'd you get you elk skin gloves, I have been considering getting some. they are supposed to be the ultimate.
 
tknife said:
The one thing I've spent a lot on at one shot is boots. Several years ago I ponied up over $200 for a pair of Danner Acadias. They are still tromping with me to this day! Extremely well made and comfortable, I will never regret that purchase!
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Boots are definitely my most expensive purchase. In 2001, I bought a pair of Vasque Zephyr GTX hiking boots. Cost me just under $160.00 and I have them on my feet today. The soles are worn down to the nubbin because I wear them daily in both the field and on concrete, but they continue to fit well and are still very comfortable. Getting ready for another pair, but it looks like they've changed the pair I have, so may look at the Danner boots.
 
Here's some random thoughts on gear :

- it'll only get you so far.
- too much gear kills gear.
- if you can't use it, can't carry it, why bother paying it ?
- buying gear will never replace going out and doing it...

Cheers,

David
 
I recently bought a pair of Lowa Banff boots. They were $220.00 at REI but I am confident they wil last me many years. For tailgate camping I often wear White's. I think they run about $375.00 nowadays. My day to day boots are military desert boots either Gore Tex or standard. I bought them used on ebay for $9.99 each. I also use a Peet boot dryer every night for what ever pair of boots I have worn that day.

The propper gear just makes life on the trail easier. Going lighter really helps me personally because I have a bum knee. I don't mind upgrading my gear every now and then to save a little weight. Right now I am trying out a Vargo Ti alcohol stove to replace the burner and pot support in a mini Trangia. Of course if I use that stove with a Ti mug my pack is even lighter.

Tailgate camping is another story entirely. Then out comes the dutch oven, frying pan, and all the other fun things to cook with. I may not be the world's greatest outdoorsman but I am a decent cook and there is no place I would rather cook than over a fire.
 
I have my dream backpack, but bought it used. My bag is whatever was on sale at Sierra Trading Post, a Caribou 0-degree. My tent is 18 years old and still going strong. My flashlight is a $10 Mini Mag Lite. My knife is a $20 Hunters Scalpel from AG Russell. I cook in a #10 coffee can. And I carry low-weight packaged food from the grocery.

One thing I will absolutely not skimp on is boots, the single-most important item on a backpacking trip.

Just a note on military gear. Some highly mobile special forces units are beginning to use modern backpacking clothing and materials. If it weighs less and dries faster, it saves lives.

-Bob
 
tknife said:
Where'd you get you elk skin gloves, I have been considering getting some. they are supposed to be the ultimate.
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I had them made for me. I went to a leather store, found the skin, then to a glove manufacturer, and talked them into doing gloves up the way I wanted them. It was worth it. The gloves are light, comfortable, and tough as nails. I wear them at work, where normal work gloves might make it a week. These are half as thick, and last for weeks and weeks.
 
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