2006 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

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Another year has gone by and it is time once again for the Backpacking Light staff to list their favorite gear. This year our picks are all over the board with only one item repeated - the Light My Fire Firesteel. Shelters is a favorite category with eight different shelters listed. Stoves, packs and poles were common choices with three selections each. The most unusual item is from Don Wilson - the venerable and well-loved potato chip in a can - Pringles.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

2006 Staff Picks of Favorite Gear

Ryan Jordan, Publisher - Bozeman, Montana
Carol Crooker, Editor-in-Chief - Phoenix, Arizona
Alan Dixon, Senior Technical Editor - Washington, DC.
Ken Knight, Production Editor - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Roger Caffin, Cooking & Hydration Systems Section Editor - Sydney, Australia
Alison Simon, Editorial Assistant - Washington, DC.
Rick Dreher, Lighting and Navigation Systems Section Editor - Sacramento, California
Jay Ham, Make Your Own Gear Section Editor - Flagstaff, Arizona
Doug Johnson, Trekking Systems Section Editor - Redmond, Washington
Mike Martin, Sleep Systems Section Editor, ***
Will Rietveld, Pack & Shelter Systems Section Editor - Durango, Colorado
Andrew Skurka, Ultralight Ambassador - Boulder, Colorado
Don Wilson, Clothing Systems Section Editor - Tucson, Arizona

# WORDS: 5320
# PHOTOS: 38
# TABLES: 1

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Viewing 9 posts - 26 through 34 (of 34 total)

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Author

Posts
Dec 2, 2006 at 7:06 am #1369105

Frank Perkins
Member

@fperkins
Locale: North East

My leki titanium poles. Not so much because of the poles themselves, but it’s my first time using poles while hiking and I’m hooked.

My MSR mini towel. I never thought it would be so useful on the trail and in camp.

My Patagonia Houdini. It’s so cool I almost feel like I’m bragging when I wear it. [Close 3rd is my Patagonia Micropuff vest which I wear almost every chance I get]

Dec 2, 2006 at 2:24 pm #1369135

Greg Vaillancourt
Member

@gsv45
Locale: Utah

1) Tarptent Squall 2 floorless

2) Icebreaker Merino zip T

3) Heineken 25 0z. can pot

The only problem with the Heineken pot is it looks like a keg, which makes me dream of beer…”Mmmmmmm Beeeeeeeer, aaauuuuuugggghhhhh”

Dec 3, 2006 at 3:44 pm #1369232

barry hitchcock
Member

@barryspoons

one–photon x micro led 3 pack from bpl—“every family member is sure to want one” –they did- -i need to order some more–two–phd down vest 800 uk fillpower –8ozs size small

Dec 4, 2006 at 6:57 am #1369328

Sam Haraldson
BPL Member

@sharalds
Locale: Gallatin Range

In no particular order my top 3 are:
Granite Gear Virga (modified)
Gossamer Gear Nightlite Torso
Light My Fire spork

Dec 4, 2006 at 3:17 pm #1369428

Mark Watson
Member

@mwbike
Locale: Northwest

Here are the 3 items that made the most impact on my backpacking in 2006:

1) Tarptent Rainshadow (very roomy for 2 or even 3 people)

2) Photon LEDs

3) REI(Komperdell) carbon trekking poles

Since I’m new to UL backpacking, and I recently subscribed to BPL, I’m sure 2007 will be even more dynamic & en-LIGHTening!

Dec 7, 2006 at 12:08 am #1369777

Kenneth Knight
BPL Member

@kenknight
Locale: SE Michigan

Len, I haven't used the Leki CF poles but check out the Review Summary Doug Johnson wrote and maybe you'll find some other poles you like.

I have had the occasional pole collapse using the C3 poles, but then I think I can make just about anything collapse that uses twist-locks. I put a lot of pressure on the poles when descending so this is not really unexpected. I was very pleased with their stiffness and they show no indication that they're going to break. In fact I have hurt myself more than I have hurt the poles (slip and fall on slick snow a month ago on a section of North Country Trail. The polehandle landed on my left thumb and I landed on the pole. My thumb still hurts from the resulting soft-tissue injury).

Dec 7, 2006 at 11:22 am #1369844

Phil Barton
BPL Member

@flyfast
Locale: Oklahoma

This has been a great year for hiking. I've been out for a lot of short trips and continue to make significant strides toward a light pack. 3 successes for this year include:

1. Gossamer Gear Lightrek Poles – love 'em. As my wife has noted, I don't come home banged and cut from falling on every trip now. With their negligble weight I am finally happy using poles. 6.9 oz. for 130cm poles with baskets.

2. Mountain Laurel Designs Pro Poncho – Will Reitveld gave this a solid review. I've been very pleased with its field use so far. 10.0 oz.

3. Brooks Cascadia running shoes – the search for well fitting and comfortable trail runners has led through 6 models so far. These are the most comfortable for me yet. Size 12. 26.9 oz. Oh, did I mention that they are the ugliest shoes I've ever owned? My wife won't let me wear them in town.

Dec 29, 2006 at 11:22 am #1372327

Gregory Doggett
Member

@gregory
Locale: Mid-Atlantic

My favorite 3 that I'm currently using for late-fall/winter trips in Va.

Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Standard Pack
Icebreaker Merino Wool Skin200 l/s crew & boxer brief

Jan 31, 2008 at 3:13 pm #1418608

Steve B
BPL Member

@geokite
Locale: Southern California

No order:

injinji socks
MiniBuck multitool
CC stove w/ esbit (probable; haven't even gotten it yet)

Also, Pringles are, from what I remember, the highest calorie/mass food (other than lard or olive oil).

Steve
Author

Posts

Viewing 9 posts - 26 through 34 (of 34 total)

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