Introduction
Some gear is old, some is new. But what we pick below is simply our favorites from the year. We may have used it once, or we may have taken it on every trip. It’s the stuff we couldn’t live without in 2016!
Roger Caffin
3mm Closed Cell Foam + Exped Synmat UL7 Air Pad
It’s just a simple bit of 3 mm CCF foam, but we take it with our Exped Synmat UL7 all the time.
It buffers the bottom of the air mattresses from the ground (rocks and spikes), from the snow (frozen condensation), and in this photo from the slightly rough wooden floor of Happys Hut in Kosciusko National Park.
The foam weighs very little and the mats are a little bulky, but they are worth it.
- Thin foam pads are available from Oware USA and Gossamer Gear
- Where to Buy the Exped Synmat UL7 Air Pad
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MYOG Vortex Burner Stove
My latest creation, of course, includes the large pot stand. Fully discussed in our series on my Vortex Winter Stove. It works really well, and the pot stand is super stable. It boils and it simmers gently. This was dinner on night 3 of the Kosciusko National Park trip.
- Learn more about the theory, design, and manufacture of the Vortex Winter Stove.
MSR Titan Pot
I’ve previously reviewed the MSR Titan Pot at Backpacking Light “a few years ago” (!). This is the large one: 1.5 L, 115 g (4.06 oz), with a tight-fitting lid 58 g (2.05 oz). It has looked after the two of us since 2006 with almost no marks, burns, scorches or whatever – and I COOK our dinners. We do not do freezer bag cooking.
Dinner this night was Fettucini al fungi, with extras. We ate the lot.
- Read a review of the MSR Titan Pot
- Where to Buy the MSR Titan Pot
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Jörgen Johannson
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400 Backpack
I have used this for several years on long treks in Alaska, the Sierras and for Coast2Coast Sweden. I have carried my gear and up to 16 days of food and fuel in it. It is one of my favorite packs of all time and certainly the best really big one.
Durable fabric, nearly-waterproof construction, load-carrying capacity for large volumes and heavy weight, low water absorption, and simplicity in design and styling make this a desirable pack for long expeditions.
- Read a review of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400
- Where to Buy the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400
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Exped Synmat Hyperlite M Sleeping Pad
This mat has replaced my Neoair Xlite Short during 2016. At 360 grams it outweighs the Neoair by 130 gram, but I still feel it is an OK trade. The Hyperlite is almost full length (my feet hang over the edge, no problem) even for a tall guy like me.
- Where to Buy the Exped Synmat Hyperlite Sleeping Pad
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Patagonia Houdini Wind Pants
These are an extremely lightweight pair of pants marketed for running. I recently bought a new pair, replacing my old ones. At 100 grams they are seriously lightweight, windproof and extremely fast drying. I have used them on a month long trek in the Brooks Range of Alaska as well as for numerous shorter treks before they began falling apart. They are not as durable as heavier pants, but wonderful to wear and even more wonderful to carry in my pack when I switch to shorts.
- Where to Buy the Patagonia Houdini Wind Pants
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Doug Johnson
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 4 Pyramid Shelter
At 3 pounds for the mid with the floored insert, the Ultamid 4 is an amazing family tent, and it’s been with us on many family trips. But it’s also been a 2.5-pound shelter with the floorless insert as a spacious 2-person tent on the Northern Loop of Mount Rainier and it’s been on snow trips with the mid alone for 1.5 pounds. This shelter is very expensive, but it can replace several shelters, and will last for years.
- Read a review of the slightly smaller Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2
- Where to Buy the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 4
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Ruta Locura Sorex Carbon Fiber Stakes
I use these stakes in the 9-inch version in sand, in rocks, in frozen ground, and in snow, and they are my favorite. On a recent trip I bent titanium stakes, broke the heads off of Easton aluminum stakes, and shattered first-generation Rota Locura stakes, but these stakes, with the aluminum heads, came through unscathed. This is what I’ve found on many trips before- they are light, hold well in all conditions, and are very strong. For 2017, they also come with a cord loop for easy removal, and I’ve got some on order. These stakes are my favorites.
- Learn more about the Sorex Carbon Fiber stakes at Rutalocura.com.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad
After trying several different pads, I’ve settled on the NeoAir XTherm as the pad for our entire family. We have four of them and have found them to be very warm, reasonably lightweight, reliable, and very comfortable. My kids always sleep warm on their XTherm pads, and we add foam pads in the deep winter for extra assurance of a warm night. While gear selection for each family trip can be challenging, the sleeping pad decision is easy! The only challenge is finding the discontinued short XTherms for the kids, as they’ve become quite rare.
- Where to Buy the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad
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Kevin Fletcher
Kelty Cosmic Down 20 Sleeping Bag
I must admit that one of the main reasons I like this bag is its affordability. It packs small and has a solid warmth-to-weight ratio. I used it often during the year, from a chilly desert trip in May to our last Wilderness Adventures trek this October in the Beartooths – a colder-than-expected trip that delivered bitter cold temperatures and the first heavy snows of winter.
Water-resistant down, a reasonable price point, lightweight fabrics, and a well-fitted hood all add up to make the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 Sleeping Bag a solid value.
- Where to Buy the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 Sleeping Bag
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ZPacks Duplex Tent
I used this tent on our October “winter” trip in the Beartooths and was surprised by how easy it was to set up, its superb wind resistance, and ability to resist a heavy snow load that delivered more than a foot of fresh snow overnight.
- Learn more about the ZPacks Duplex Tent at zpacks.com.
Scott Powd’air Skis
I love these lightweight backcountry touring skis! Being so light, I was concerned with how they would perform on the downhill, but they tackled soft powder, wet powder, and breakable crust to make them a versatile backcountry touring tool.
Emylene VanderVelden
Outdoor Research Echo/Sentinel Ubertube Neck Gaiter
On a whim, I purchased the OR Echo Ubertube Neck Gaiter (the men’s version is called the Sentinel). It sat in my closet in my box of scarves for a year or so. Finally, I decided to test it out. The Ubertube may be the most versatile item of kit I own. I use it to block out the sun, insulate my neck, cool my neck, hold my hair back, filter particulates out of my water or my nose and mouth and anything else I can think of. It weighs next to nothing (20g) and is handy to have around.
Retailers say this about the Echo Ubertube: “Variety is the spice of life and the hallmark of the tube. Wear it as a scarf, hood, bandana, headband, or mask.” I’m wearing it in my bio photo (above).
- Where to Buy the Outdoor Research Echo/Sentinel Ubertube Neck Gaiter
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Nemo Blaze 2P Tent
This tent is amazing! It’s light (2 lb 5 oz – 1 lb 2.5 oz per person), stable, and waterproof. One crossing pole hybridized with two corner stake-out points and a small crossbar maximizes livability and stability while saving weight. It has the interior space of a rectangular dome without needing two crossing poles intersecting at all corners. It has two doors, two vestibules, 43 square feet of space and good headroom. I almost literally lived in this tent this summer. In total, I’ve spent about 5 weeks in the tent and it performs in everything, from high winds to torrential rain. I haven’t tested it in the snow yet but it has seen a great deal with me and I’m impressed.
- Where to Buy the Nemo Blaze 2P Tent
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Purple Rain Adventure Skirt
I hate wearing hiking shorts. Readers kept asking questions about hiking in skirts and kilts, I felt I needed to experience hiking in a skirt and provide them with answers. The skirt is lighter, cooler, easier to make wardrobe changes and maintain modesty than any other lower body garment I have ever worn. After the review was done this skirt has made it on every trip I’ve made. From Canada to New Zealand I recommend this skirt.
- Where to Buy the Purple Rain Adventure Skirt
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Luke Schmidt
I’ll offer my three gear picks but first, I have to highlight my passport – yeah, it’s not gear but it has changed my adventure vacationing. Most American citizens focus on Montana/Wyoming then skip right to Alaska. There are some very wild and scenic areas in the Canadian Rockies and they don’t get a lot of love (at least from US residents).
OK, on to gear:
Kokopelli Nirvana Raft
One of my favorite rafts on the market and also one of the cheapest! This raft enabled me to access Some really remote areas in Canada where hiking would not have been very practical. Also exploring down a river that probably hasn’t been run in years (if ever) is the closest thing to real exploration available to most people.
- Learn more at Kokopellipackraft.com.
Altra Lone Peak 3.0
I have wide feet so most shoes don’t work for me. The Lone Peak 3.0 fixes the problems of the earlier versions of the Lone Peak. Finally, a shoe that is comfortable and has good performance when I’m hiking off trail.
- Where to Buy the Altra Lone Peak 3.0
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GoPro HERO Action Camera
This was a major splurge for me in 2015/16 but it has been worth every penny (I purchased the Hero4 Silver model, but the new Hero5 Black offers the most features). It makes it easy to capture memories of my trips. I enjoy seeing old video clips and the wide angle also does a nice job capturing the sweep of big mountain panoramas for still shots.
- Where to Buy the GoPro Hero5 Black Camera
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Leanne Hennessy
A 7 x 9 foot piece of Tyvek Weather Barrier
Normally used to wrap houses during construction, this lightweight, versatile, durable, and inexpensive fabric made of high-density polyethylene synthetic can be used for so many things: ground sheet, tarp, wind break, emergency shelter, etc. We were given the end of a roll for free and we cut a 7 x 9 foot piece to use as a groundsheet and tarp and added some grommets in the middle of the long panel to support a line to secure as a temporary shelter. When used with great knotsmanship, the possibilities are endless. We even used this to wrap around ourselves in a sudden downpour.
ZPacks Ventum Wind Shell Jacket
This was my go-to piece for hiking in the mountains of Montana in the fall. Lightweight and compact, it weighs in at less than 2 ounces and packs up smaller than a deck of cards. It was perfect when paired with a good base layer to keep the warmth in and the wind out in very windy conditions when an insulated layer would be too warm. I also really like the ingeniously crafted design of the hood that fits snugly and perfectly over the brim of your favorite baseball cap to keep your head warm when that wind picks up! This has become an integral piece of my layering system and I would never leave home without it!
- Learn more at ZPacks.com.
Solo Stove and Solo Pot 900
We use this lightweight wood burning stove extensively through all seasons for our cooking needs. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and best of all, environmentally friendly: no gas canisters to carry and then dispose of back home. There are no moving parts to break down and very little assembly required. Fuel is readily available (unless you are above the tree line) and set up is quick and easy. It is efficient and clean burning, using twigs and small chunks of wood or wood chips left on the ground by some previous axe-wielding maniac. It can also be used in combination with a denatured alcohol burner for winter trekking or above the tree line.
- Where to Buy the Solo Stove Lite
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- Where to Buy the Solo Stove 900 Pot
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Max Neale
Cilo Gear 30L Worksack
All of the lighter packs I’ve tried over the last six years sacrifice comfort and durability, and can’t come close to matching this pack’s versatility. It works well for everything–hiking, climbing, skiing, around town–and is, therefore, the only smaller pack I need. Available in three fabric options, my woven Dyneema version weighs 18 oz stripped, can carry supplies for up to a week, and is crazy durable. I don’t ever use the large waist belt or lid and generally remove seven of the metal attachment points, which weigh 0.25 oz. each.
- Read a review of the larger Cilo Gear 60L Worksack.
- Learn more about the Cilo Gear 30L Worksack at Cilogear.com.
DIY Water Bottle Parka
It cost me $30 to make four. I made several a year ago with Tyvek, Tyvek tape, and 5.0 oz Climashield Apex insulation and have used them at least 40 below-freezing days.The 1-liter size weighs 2.8 oz, which is 48% less than the Outdoor Research model and insulates an average of 21% better with an open top! Order materials from ripstopbytheroll.com, zpacks.com, or elsewhere. It takes me an hour-ish to build a parka for any size water bottle.
Patagonia Grade VII Parka
This is the most sophisticated (and expensive) piece of clothing I’ve ever worn. If you’re able to afford it, the Grade VII is unbeatable for expeditions, high-altitudes, or frigid fast and light trips that push your limits. Cheaper alternatives to consider: the Montbell Frostline (20 oz, $240) or Feathered Friends Hooded Helios (17.5 oz, $340).
- Where to Buy the Patagonia Grade VII Parka
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Chase Jordan
Locus Gear Khufu CTF-3 Shelter
When I am part of a small group or adventuring solo, this shelter has quickly become my favorite choice when I hit the trail. It is lightweight (my setup with pole and tent stakes is approximately fifteen ounces) and it couples ease of setup with a small, yet comfortable footprint.
The shelter’s simplicity makes it easy to setup, allowing me to focus my time and energy in camp on enjoying the aesthetic of the visual beauty around me, and the activities available where I am camping: whether they are fishing, bagging a peak, or letting the scene stimulate my creative juices. The ease of setup allows me to focus on the intrinsic value of being outdoors, and not just the utility of surviving night to night.
Additionally, the shelter has a small floor plan, allowing me to find a stimulating scene to enjoy the late afternoon and evening in the shadow of, as I am not limited to the larger areas that I am limited to when using larger shelters or sharing a group shelter. Neither does the small floor plan equal discomfort when using the pyramid shelter in poor weather to shelter from a storm, as the headroom is spacious enough to carry out creative endeavors or entertainment without feeling cramped and claustrophobic. There is enough space for me to organize my gear as well. Essentially, the Khufu could be described as a miniature palace that can be set up anywhere you are adventuring.
- Learn more about the Locus Gear Khufu at locusgear.com.
Moleskine Notebook
The Moleskine Notebook has allowed me to enhance my creative process in the outdoors and is essential to why I adventure in nature. As a Bachelor of Music student at the University of Wyoming, with emphases in viola performance and music composition, I find myself heavily inspired by the natural world almost every time I begin a new creative project. By using the notebook with music staff, I can begin a project while still within the wilderness – and am no longer limited to a simple outline in a journal of a work I will start upon my return to civilization.
For those who musical inclinations are not a part of their creativity, Moleskine also creates a notebook with blank pages for sketching, ruled pages for writing and journaling, and graph paper for designing your next engineering project. No matter what type of creative you are, these notebooks can allow you to begin your creative process in some of the most inspiring terrain you encounter.
- Here’s a link to the exact Moleskine Music Notebook that Chase uses.
- Shop for other Moleskine Notebooks
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Tenkara USA Iwana Rod
Tenkara USA’s Iwana rod maintains the simplicity of the tenkara philosophy, while its added length compared to shorter rods, such as the Hane, provides for allowing you to cast a little farther to get to those jumping fish that always seem just beyond the range of your rod. The added length does not make the rod cumbersome in wooded areas with a lack of casting space either, making this rod great for catching dinner in the forest stream, wooded lake basin, or alpine pool nearest to your camp.
- Where to Buy the Tenkara USA Iwana
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Trevor Shellenberg
Oboz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes
Ultralight minimalist shoes may not be suitable for every person, or heavy pack weights: the Oboz Sawtooths are supportive (but light) boots that offer a high level of flexibility and reasonable breathability so my feet don’t cramp or overheat when carrying a big pack. A great all around boot.
Durability and traction are the hallmark features of the Sawtooths, but they are lightweight and have enough flexibility and breathability to make them worth considering by lightweight hikers looking for a more supportive shoe.
- Where to Buy the Oboz Sawtooth Hiking Shoe
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Black Diamond Revolt Headlamp
I’ve had this headlamp for almost 3 years and it’s never had an issue other than having to change the batteries. It has two different lighting settings (one for ambient task lighting, and the other for a bright concentrated navigation spotlight), each with their own progressive dimming function. It even has an extra red flashing hazard light setting. Water-resistant, battery efficient, and durable. My favorite headlamp I’ve had thus far.
- Where to Buy the Black Diamond Revolt Headlamp
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Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody Down Jacket
I bought this jacket last year on sale at REI and have worn it nearly every day of the fall and winter. Whether I’m walking to school or cross country skiing in the Gallatin Canyon, this jacket always seems to eliminate that infamous Montana chill that’s so hard to thwart even with the best warm weather clothing.
- Where to Buy the Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody Down Jacket
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Eric Vann
ZPacks Duplex Tent
I use this tent because it is a very lightweight, two-man shelter, it is has a floor, and it feels like a real tent. Although roomy for two, it’s a palace for one and lighter than most solo tents on the market.
The outside vestibule is a dry place to store gear even in inclement weather. I’ve had no issues in this tent in strong winds, snow, or rain and have used it for almost 30 nights this past summer.
It was certainly my home away from home while guiding our Wilderness Adventures Treks in 2016.
- Learn more about the ZPacks Duplex Tent at zpacks.com.
Goosefeet Gear Down Parka
I’ve used this parka a lot because it is so light and it keeps me very warm. I sleep in it, wear it under my rain jacket in the cold and rain, and show it off around town to my friends. Generally, their reaction is surprise and wonderment on how it can be so warm and weigh so little.
- Learn more about the Goosefeet Gear Down Parka at goosefeetgear.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400 Backpack
I’ve used this backpack for several years and I continue to use it because of its water resistance (almost water proof), its packing versatility, and its durability. I use it for mountaineering, packrafting, and backpacking and other than a few small holes I have had no issues with it despite several years of sustained abuse in a variety of conditions.
- Where to Buy the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400 Backpack
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Ryan Jordan
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody
Over the course of the last four months, I may have spent half my waking hours (and a substantial amount of sleeping hours!) in this hoody.
A trim but stretchy fit, an extremely high level of breathability for an insulated garment, and light-but-cozy feel have made this a staple of my wardrobe in both the backcountry and frontcountry, especially when simply layered over a thin merino wool t-shirt – one of my favorite layering combinations.
Add a rain shell over the top for a bombproof system for extreme conditions above the treeline.
- View our first impressions of the Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody in our Flash Review
- Where to Buy the Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody
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REI Minimalist Waterproof Mittens
Remember the old electric-blue, seam-taped Goretex mitten shells from Outdoor Research that weighed just over an ounce per pair from the 1990s? Their discontinuation sent waves of depression through those of us in the ultralight community that had come to rely on them for hand protection in cold and wet weather. I’ve tried replacements, including non-seam-taped and leaky mitten shells from my DIY bench and cottage manufacturers such as Mountain Laurel Design, but they’ve all fallen short. Now, REI has brought back one of the most beloved pieces of equipment that should have a home in every ultralighter’s kit. The REI Minimalist mitten shells are seam-taped, made with durable and breathable eVENT, have a hook-and-loop wrist closure, and best of all, weigh just over an ounce per pair!
- Where to Buy the REI Minimalist Waterproof Mittens
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Montane Minimus 777 Pullover
In the old days, which weren’t that long ago, you’d be hard pressed to buy a decent rain jacket that weighed less than five ounces. You either had to give up durability (hospital bed sheet fabrics), breathability (silnylon), layering volume, a hood, or aesthetic appeal. The Montane Minimus Pullover combines all five of these components in a balanced way with the simple, functional, breathable, and stylish Minimus 777 Pullover. It’s been in my pack on nearly every trip this year and has earned its keep during what has been my wettest year of backpacking in several years.
- Where to Buy the Montane Minimus 777 Pullover
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What Are Your Picks?
Join us below and the forums and share your three favorite pieces of gear from 2016!
Discussion
Become a member to post in the forums.
Companion forum thread to: Staff Picks 2016: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year
View our staff picks for the best backpacking gear of the year – recommendations from our editors and guides for hiking and backpacking gear.
Moulder Strip®
Euroschirm silver umbrella
Hilleberg Enan
Always interesting to actually see the staff who are making BPL what it is today. Lots of new faces this year.
Thanks for the info on those REI mitts Ryan. They look great.
Dan: Nice to know about NailClip 580 – something just a bit bigger than the Classic would be an nice option. But search as I could, I didn’t find any for other than $24-25 each. No TSA-seized lot for $5 each as is the case for the Victorinox Classic.
Dan, if people ripped into your ultralight ice axe last year, let’s do your flashlight pick this year!
First just to fix a typo there, the HL10 is made by Fenix.
Also, the current single-AA Zebralight is the H52 (replaced the H51).
Zebralight tend to use state-of-the-art LEDs, and LEDs tech is progressing rapidly. My experience of the H52 is that it gets vastly superior battery life to anything else I’ve tried. The H52 has robust metal construction, waterproofing gasket, and without battery weighs 1.1oz (2.0oz with strap). Imo the sweet spot are the mid brightness settings. Manufacturer run times are 54 Lm = 7h, 27 Lm = 12h. Those are good numbers in my experience (with Li Ultimate AA). 54 Lm is enough for most night hiking, and there is the option of quick bursts at much higher brightness, up to 300Lm.
I’m struggling to see how the HL10 makes any sense by comparison. Manufacturer run times appear to be 70 Lumen = 1h or 30 Lumen = 3h. If you’re just using it around camp, for which 30 Lm is suitable, you’re losing any small weight saving with a need to carry more batteries. And it’s not suitable for any kind of hiking at night, and lacks the high brightness settings of the Zebralight that are a great emergency feature.
I think the term “stupid light” depends very much on what alternatives are available. But in my opinion, both the Suluk Ice Axe (when the Camp Corsa is available) and the Fenix HL10 (when the Zebralight H52 is available) both fall into the category “stupid light” to me. Both ice axes and flashlights are critical safety kit, and for a small weight penalty there are products with much more robust construction and far superior performance.
Monbell Versalite jacket. Bought it, love it, use the hell out of it. Crushes the OR Helium II on every count.
Zpacks solo plus poncho/groundsheet (which I would personally not employ as a groundsheet) and used it 3 or 4 times and it worked quite well. Probably would pick it over the Versalite if expecting tons of rain in warmish weather.
BD Spot. I like everything about it, from the light options, switch (esp the ‘tap for full power’ 200 lumens!) and run time. Got my fingers crossed that I don’t have any long-term reliability issues of the sort I’ve read about.
My 3 picks are not new items, but what I have been using the most on and off trail:
1. The Izula Eese knife in the hard sheath, hanging from my back loop belt with a small carabiner. It is very easy to deploy, just reach behind with my right hand and pull it out of the case. Always with me.
2. The always reliable Therm-a-Rest Z Lite pad. I have several sections of one as well as the full length version. Also like it because I find so many unused ones at the flea market for 1-5 $ and feel no guilt cutting one up to use in my backpack, or at home to absorb the vibration of my serger etc.
3. Lundhag’s Traverse Pants. Nothing about these pants is light…but I am pretty hard on gear and clothes and these pants are all I want to wear, even out to dinner.
“I’m struggling to see how the HL10 makes any sense by comparison. Manufacturer run times appear to be 70 Lumen = 1h or 30 Lumen = 3h. If you’re just using it around camp, for which 30 Lm is suitable, you’re losing any small weight saving with a need to carry more batteries. And it’s not suitable for any kind of hiking at night, and lacks the high brightness settings of the Zebralight that are a great emergency feature.”
This is a headlamp that I have been using for several years now that exceeds the H52 in run time and lumens for the mid range setting, and is exceedingly simple to use. I would recommend it as a worthy competitor to the Zebralight.
http://www.fenix-store.com/fenix-hl50-led-headlamp/
Ooh, and on sale too Tom
“Ooh, and on sale too Tom”
I almost bought one for a backup, but mine has shown no signs of wear. So, I suppressed the instinctive urge to snag a bargain and kept my powder dry.
Whoops. Fixed.
Indeed Zebralight’s are nicer headlamps. I also own both a H51 and H52w. However the Fenix HL10 is also decently well made and also has metal construction and a waterproofing gasket. The main thing I don’t like about the HL10 is the plastic strap attachment bracket. The Zebralight rubber attachment is nicer, but unfortunately slips when running.
The HL10 fills a different niche. It’s good for when you don’t need very much light (e.g. most summer trips). Indeed if you need >2 hours of 30 lumen light then H52 makes more sense. But for many trips, the HL10 fits where the H52 is overkill. The days are long enough between April and August that an AAA light like the HL10 is more than adequate if I’m not night hiking. 30 lumens is plenty for regular camp chores, and 3 hours of run time easily suffices for a weekend trip when I mostly using it at 4 lumens to read.
Why carry a headlamp that weighs nearly double just to have brightness and run times that I don’t need? With the strap and one NiMH battery, my H52w weighs 85g (3.0oz) while my HL10 weighs 48g (1.7oz). Even in the extremely unlikely event of a night time emergency, you can just use the HL10 wisely. 2 months ago I was out for a dayhike with the HL10 and ran into an injured hiker near dusk, yet managed to use the HL10 prudently enough to make it last 6 hours until I had carried the injured hiker out.
The Zebralight H600 offers far superior performance to the H52 for only a small weight penalty, so is the H52 is stupid light? Probably not, because “stupid light” and “critical safety gear” are circumstance dependant, not absolute. A gear fails these tests when its functionality is insufficient for the trip + reasonable safety margin. The HL10 is stupid light for a night hike, just as the H52 is stupid light for a week long December mountaineering trip in Alaska . There are circumstances where both lights are good choices, and other circumstances where they are bad choices. Some trips require an H52 and a Camp Corsa, others don’t.
I can research the history, the issues and the culture of the areas where I hike, camp, ski or backpack.
Plaid so it does not look like I’m on safari and is acceptable town wear. Sun and bug protection, dries quickly. It really is my favorite hiking shirt ever.
I can scrape ice out of ski bindings, tighten up a pole, pop open a beer bottle in a pinch, open up a package, clean crud from fingernails and open up a can of delicious Hatch Green Chile I pack in for trips.
My top three gear picks:
Jetfoil Flash lite Canister Stove. I abandoned my alcohol system (Whitebox stove, Vargo Ti pot, aluminum foil wind screen) after comparing the hardware and fuel weights with the Jetboil Flash lite and determining that what the Flash lite added in extra weight it more than made up for in fuel efficiency. The Jetboil Flash lite was able to boil the same volume of water in less than half the time using less than a quarter of the fuel. Amazing! The speed, efficiency, convenience and compact design really make this stove a light weight winner.
Outdoor Research Swift Cap. The Swift Cap is my favorite three-season head gear these days. It’s light and well ventilated for warm summer days. The dark grey fabric on the underside of the bill minimizes glare. In cold weather, I wear a very thin CoolMax skull cap under it to add warmth and comfort all the way down to freezing.
Gossamer Gear Twinn Tarp. Waking to the soothing pale green glow of an early sunrise illuminating this tarp is one of my favorite experiences in the backcountry. At just 8.5 ounces, it’s light weight and provides a very spacious 47 square feet of coverage. It’s computer designed catenary shape is simply elegant. It provides a clean, tight, fast-pitching, wind-resistant shelter with a single trekking pole and a large rock. It may be old tech, but still my first choice for a light fast pitch above the tree line.
My top 3:
Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt (I use my 30 degree for most conditions and love it! My favorite piece of gear.)
Hammock Gear Cuben Fiber Standard Tarp w Doors (New toy that I love, when I choose to hang. Super protection and crazy light!)
Six Moon Designs Skyscape X (Love this tent. Simple, light, perfect size for me and Ollie Dog.)
zpacks duplex–I love this shelter and use it in all four seasons. I’ve been a tarp camper for most of my life, but I’m really enjoying the extra protection and versatility that the duplex offers at such a low weight
salomon s lab x alpine–
I’ve been looking for a shoe like this for some time. Although expensive, they offer a pretty unique set of attributes that makes them a great tool especially for shoulder season in the alpine. The built-in softshell/waterproof gaiter is excellent, but whats most impressive is the sole. The grip is incredible and transitions from snow to rock better than anything I’ve tried.
borah gear down pants–I’ve had these for a while now, but find them invaluable for cold trips. I never regret bringing them. Mine weigh 6.5 oz (half down) and have 4/5’s zips for putting on over ski boots. They bring so much extra warmth in camp and to my sleep system. A couple years ago my friend and I were camped on a frozen high alpine lake. We were casually snacking outside on our mattresses wearing down from head to toe as a blizzard approached. It felt so luxurious, we started calling it the beach.
and a piece of gear that I just got in the mail I’m really excited about, but have yet to use are the enlightened equipment stronghold mitts. I like using a synthetic over layer to help dry out my base layers and now I’ve got a solution for my hands. These are quite warm and only weigh 1.5 oz for size large pair. My hope is that they will increase the safety and decrease the weight of my winter glove system.
Paul Magnanti – I like your thinking!!!!!
Pat Starich – nice write ups!!!
None of my current “favorites” are really new, per se.
JetBoil Sol– It seems that my more interesting hikes for the past couple of years have been in regions/times that are not friendly to alcohol or wood stoves (i.e. draconian burn bans). Within that limitation, I do like the JetBoil. Lighting fast boil times, and the Sol is the right size. All I do to cook is boil water, and the JetBoils rock at that. Doesn’t need level ground- you can actually hang it from a tree (or rock, or tent apex) while it is running, if you like. I have also come to think that Ti is rarely worth the cost, and if I didn’t already own a ton of it I’d be buying all aluminum paraphernalia. I bought the Sol before the MiniMo came out, and it I were buying today I’d be tempted by the ‘Mo. No doubt, various minimalist canister stoves would be lighter. Sue me.
SuperCat Stove– I’m also at the point where some DIY projects- and just looking like a dirtbag with beaten up and repurposed equipment- appeals to me. (Similarly my base layers, waffle-fleece, and many other bits of kit are all USGI.) When not using the JetBoil I have been using this, even in lieu of my Caldera Cone (which I readily admit is significantly more efficient). I use a windscreen made from aluminum gutter flashing. I have a roll that will probably last the rest of my life.
Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid– I have expounded upon the virtues of the mid as an all-purpose shelter many times. I’ll not repeat myself here. This is old equipment for me, but continues to be a favorite. Looking above, I see that many people agree, at least about pyramids in general. It’s important to point out that I use the 2P DuoMid as a 1P shelter. I do not recommend 1P mids for anyone but a true UL fanatic, but those guys all already have their cuben fiber handkerchiefs as shelters…
I recently bought a McHale pack and it is *awesome* (bearing in mind that it is not ultralight by any stretch) but I haven’t yet really used it enough to list it among favorites.
Likewise, I have been playing around with the Toaks wood stove- which is very robust if comparatively heavy- but haven’t used it enough to form a firm opinion. Also, the design, while inspired, is probably not a true gassifier stove on the order of a BushBuddy and similar stoves. It seems to burn very sooty, at the least. Their pots with both handles and bails are high on my recommended list, though. (The bail allows various creative ways of suspending over a campfire, and can be easily removed to be left behind if desired.)
I too have switched from a SPOT unit to the DeLorme InReach, but I’m not emotionally invested in it enough to call it a favorite. And I doubt that I ever will be for anything electronic, frankly. My wife really likes the potential for two-way communication, though she rarely uses it. So, worth a few ounces to keep the (non-hiking) wife happy. When mama’s happy, everyone is happy.
Great post Dean.
My favorites are nothing really new but are what first come to mind when I asked myself what do I usually grab for every trip.
HMG Ice Pack 2400 – I have been doing a lot of climbing of late and this pack seems to go on all but the long hauls. When I’m not climbing, I use it on all overnighters and weekend trips. I like the way it fits. I’ve made some DIY pockets for a water bottle and other stuff for when I’m not doing anything technical that I can add whenever I need. This pack is very lightweight, durable and versatile.
First Ascent Guide Pro Pants – I wear these pants every day and I mean every day for the last four years! I have a number of them because I wear them to work during the week and then I wear them climbing or hiking on the weekends. They wear as good as any pant I’ve owned. They main reason I purchased them in the first place is they have two thigh pockets (one on each thigh), when most, if not all the other similar styled pants only have one thigh pocket. Why is having two so important to me? I need to carry a phone and I can’t carry it in a front or back pocket. I need the other pocket for my wallet. In my past life, I wore a suit every day and my wallet was in the jacket pocket, so I never carried anything in my pants back pocket. The thought of having a lump under my buttocks (in a pants pocket) would do me in. Also FA has the thigh pockets in the right spot. Just below the leg loops on my harness, but not too low (or deep) that my phone bangs into the side of my knee joints while hiking or climbing. I have tried Paty, OR, Deadbird, Merril and others and they all have the above phone bang problem (and one pocket.) They also have just enough stretch to make them very comfortable to wear while climbing or hiking.
Olympus TG4 – I need a camera that is both waterproof while I’m fishing on the lost coast in Alaska and tough to take the abuse while riding in my pocket climbing a step rock face. I have scraped a hole in a shirt chest pocket with this camera more than twice last summer clinging to the side of a cliff working for the next hold and this camera has always come out far better than the shirt. For the weight and size this camera delivers what I need a it to do. There are cameras out there with better picture quality or are smaller and lighter, but I have shredded those cameras while this one has made it through. And the pictures make me happy- I guess that is all that matters to me.
I also never go anywhere without my Swiss army classic- I use it daily and while outdoors. It is probably my most consistently used piece of gear.
Here’s mine:
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