Snow Peak released a prototype neoprene cozy for their titanium mugs. The cozy is as yet unnamed – they’re having a naming contest with a $500 prize. Since there was only one cozy, they wouldn’t let me take it back to my hotel room to weigh it, but I’d guess it weighs about 0.6 ounces. The cozy is constructed of 5 mm neoprene. It has a webbing handle so you can hold your cup of cozied steaming brew, and a notch on the opposite side for the mug handles to be folded out, if they aren’t to hot to handle. The webbing strap unfastens at the bottom, flips over the top, and Velcro’s to the opposite side so you can fasten down a lid on top of the mug during food rehydration. The cozy is due out spring ’06. By the way, I put a bug in their ear about manufacturing a handle-less 600 ml ti cup – just think of the gram savings!
Articles (2020)
GoLite Xirtam Jacket – A Waterproof Softshell? First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
GoLite claims that the Xirtram (Matrix backwards) is a fully waterproof softshell. WE always thought that a softshell was a fabric with reasonable air permeability (better than 2 cfm or so) and therefore could never be waterproof but everyone is entitled to their own definition. Anyway it is an exciting concept.
The Fusion fabric on the Xirtam does look and feel every bit like a stretchy softshell! The fabric is a combination of a waterproof breathable stretch PU membrane with a polyester tricot liner – essentially a softshell fabric with a waterproof breathable membrane laminated between the outer shell and the nappy inner liner. An inspection of the jacket revealed seam tape on “fuzzy” fabric, a technology that we’re hearing a lot about now. The breathability of the Fusion fabric is high, 4000 MVTR (no test given) – according to GoLite: better than PackLite, and approaching that of Power Shield.
No matter how much this looks and feels like a softshell, and no matter how breathable the WP/B membrane is, this will not be as breathable as a true softshell with air permeability. Nonetheless it may be an excellent compromise between a hardshell and softshell and extend the working range of fully waterproof shells. We imagine that the wicking layer may improve the performance of the WP/B membrane by creating a force to push water through. Stay tuned, we are on the very short list to test this jacket!
SPECS
- 13 oz unisex medium
- Fusion WP softshell fabric
- Alchemy3 Stretch fabric in some areas (a more conventional WP/B PU fabric)
- Two handwarmer pockets, a napoleon pocket, two side core vents, fully articulated hood
GoLite also makes Oen pants (Neo backwards) out of the same Fusion fabric.
New Gear from Integral Designs – Sil Wing Tarp, Insulated Silcoat Stuff Sacs, Basic Bivy Bag, Wrist Warmers, and ParaLiner First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
The Sil Wing is a fully catenary cut tarp (both ridge line and edges). Edges are taped. 8 feet by 7 feet. Eight reinforced tie out loops. Weight 12 ounces.
Insulated Silcoat Stuff Sacs use silnylon shells and Primaloft insulation. They keep water from freezing in the winter and the longer version keeps a bottle of wine or two cans of beer cool in the summer. No weight given, but certainly lighter than most insulated holders.
Wrist Warmers. Pertex Microlight shells, loose elastic, and Primaloft insulate the wrists where blood circulates near the surface to keep your hands warmer without affecting dexterity. A tip from legendary climber Mark Twight!
ID gets a lot of requests for a functional bivy sac that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, especially from youth groups. Integral responds with a no frills bivy sac that still includes a PTFE shell, durable coated nylon floor, and a bug netting screen across the face – all for only $160. Weight 1pound 12 ounces.
The ParaLiner is 1.1 oz/yd2 parachute ripstop nylon sleeping bag liner that acts like a semi-vapor barrier to improve the warmth of your sleeping bag. Integral claims that it is not as clammy as a true vapor barrier and adds approx 5 degrees F to a bag’s temperature rating. It also works to keep your bag clean. 5 ounces.
Komperdell All Carbon-Fiber Shovel and Probe First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
Komperdell showed us an all carbon-fiber shovel, which includes a carbon-fiber blade and two-piece adjustable carbon-fiber shaft. The only non-carbon-fiber elements are a stainless reinforcement to the shovel blade edge and a plastic handle grip. This is a lightweight shovel that can really cut through and move some hard, crusty snow without bending or falling appart.
A companion to the shovel will be an all carbon-fiber avalanche probe. If it specs out as good as it looked at the show, it should compete with the Life-Link Carbon Fiber Speed Light probes, and maybe a bit lighter!
Again, both these items are so new that there is no literature, no weights, and no specs available. We will get information and test models as soon as we can.
Update on Big Agnes Sarvis Tents First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
See our previous post on the Sarvis tents
The usual production delays, but Big Agnes seems close to getting the Sarvis tents to market. Big Agnes expects silnylon models in two weeks and the eVENT-paneled version in six weeks. We’ll be testing the SL 2+ eVENT version in the near future!
They told us that they’ve made more than a few tweaks to improve the tents. The all silnylon version gets better ventilation with a cool, 3-point tieout to a single anchor point. The eVENT-paneled version has faster pitching and gets a price break: $299 from $359 for the 1+, and $399 from $469 for the 2+.
The all silnyon Sarvis: Better ventilation and a cool, 3-point tieout to a single anchor point. Each line has an adjustable tensioner to get things just right.
The Travel Hammock Ultralight Hammock First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
The Ultralight hammock is light and cheap – great to satisfy your curiosity about hammock camping. The combination of weight (10 ounces), price ($19.99), and length (9 feet) is hard to find. It is made of machine washable nylon, with a built-in pocket for self-stuffing. It comes with steel “S” hooks at each end. A separate hanging kit, consisting of two pieces of 10-foot pre-knotted 4.5 mm cord, is available for $5. Two-year warranty.
Co-owner Jon Neff taking a break outside the Salt Palace. He strung the hammock between a light pole and tree in the few seconds it took me to swap out my camera battery.
SPECS
- Weight: 10 oz (including steel “S” hooks on each end, not including rope)
- Dimensions: 9’ x 4’5”
- Capacity: 300 lbs
- MSRP: $19.99
- Website: www.thetravelhammock.com
Smartwool Microweight Crew First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
New for Fall ’05, Smartwool extends its Microweight line to offer a long sleeve crew top, just what many of us have been waiting for. Wool offers superb temperature regulation, and a thin layer – this is Smartwool’s lightest weight fabric (4.5 oz/yd2, 150 g/m2) – combats the traditional weakness of wool, drying time. As is standard for Smartwool, the fabric is comfortable next to skin and machine washable. The women’s version hugs the body and has sleeves that are nice and long, the men’s version has a slightly looser fit.
- Women’s colors: black, nickel stripe, sapphire, and orchid. MSRP $50
- Men’s colors: black, nickel stripe, marine, and brick. MSRP $55
Weight: about 6 oz
Lisa models her orchid colored Microweight Crew
Osprey Exposure Packs First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
The Osprey Exposure 36 technical pack
Osprey has a new line of technical packs in 36, 42, 50 and 66 liter capacities. I especially liked the 36 liter version. At 2 lb 9 oz (1162 g) it is a good capacity minimalist climbing pack suitable for two to three-day endeavors. The frame is based on the hollow aluminum wishbone stay similar to the Atmos packs ( see our Summer OR dispatch) but with the addition of a PTFE framesheet. It has a wide and flexible EVA foam hipbelt. Durable fabric, good compression, lots of attachment points and top lid with a pocket round out the pack.
NEMO Hypno AR – Two-person Air Supported Tent First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
The two person NEMO Hypno AR tent weighs 3.25 pounds. Not bad for a free standing tent.
NEMO is debuting a line of tents supported by air filled beams. Their idea is to create “some of the easiest to use, fastest to setup, and most compact tents . . . . for three-season backpacking.” They are targeting their tents for adventure racers “or any kind of adventure where weight, speed and simplicity are paramount.” NEMO claims a setup time of 15 seconds for the two- person Hypno AR tent. Needless to say, NEMO has a lot of patents pending on their tent designs.
While the Hypno AR is squarely targeted at lightweight backpacking, NEMO also feels that it will work as a four-person puppy pile tent for adventure racers.
Take a NEMO Air Supported Technology tent out of the stuff sack and attach the 4-ounce air pump and just pump it up. No more threading and clipping of tent poles. When you’re ready to take it down, let the air out, and fold it up.
NEMO Hypno AR uses a 30-denier silnylon for the majority of the shell. As such it is not as breathable as the Epic fabric Burrito but saves weight. A new fabric, 2 oz/yd2 Dimension Polyant X-Pac (20%), forms a skeleton for high stress areas such as the air beams. The floor is a lighter silnylon compared to the more durable 70-denier coated nylon on the Burrito. Major wear areas are reinforced with Hypalon.
We’re curious about this tent and have been promised one to test as soon as possible.
Features:
The tent has a single door with mosquito netting backing, two large side vents with awnings, side guyouts with carbon fiber struts, and breathable panels on the tent body.
SPECS
- Single person, three-season tent
- 3.25 lb (1,475 g)
- 30 ft2 (2.8 m2) floor area
- 83 in (210 cm) long x 54 in (137 cm) wide x 29 in (73.5 cm) high
- Includes a 4 oz pump or alternate lighter integrated pump
- MSRP $395
Vasque Spindrift Trail Runners: Thinsulate insulated with Gore-tex First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
Lots of companies make Thinsulate insulated hiking boots with a Gore-tex liner, but not many make them in the weight range of a trail runner. For people that hate boots and avoid them at any cost (I’m one) this shoe may expand what you can do in the cold and wet!
To my mind, these may be close to the perfect winter day-tripping shoe in all but the coldest weather – even a long distance shoe in a mixture of mud, snow, and crud. All you need to add is an Integral Designs eVENT gaiter (or a spring gaiter). If the snow is hard and steep or there is ice, add some Kahtoolas. You’ll be set for anything short of vert ice and arctic cold.
SPECS
- Mid-cut trail runner / light hiker (very low cut)
- Weight: 2 lb 7 oz, men’s size 9
- 200 g Thinsulate insulation
- Gore-tex liner
- EVA midsole with TPU plate
- $100
Integral Designs eVENT Pants First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
SPECS
- Fabric: 30 denier eVENT with a soft feel
- Weight: 13 oz (370 g)
The bottom half of the Integral Designs (ID) eVENT jacket is finally here. The pants use a more durable 30 denier fabric that has a soft feel like Supplex. Pants get more abuse, so the heavier fabric is justified. They feature a snap-fly front and a waist adjustment made of elastic and Velcro. The pants have belt loops, and there are two, side waterproof zippers for pocket access. The cuffs have a zipper and bellows expander that allows you to put the pants on while wearing shoes and for adjusting to go over the top of hiking, climbing, or ski boots. There also are small loops to attach an instep cord that can hold them in place like a gaiter.
Inka Extreme Conditions Pen First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
If the Inka pen has not won a design award, it will. It is a marvel of precision-engineering and attention to detail, and it weighs 0.6 ounces! Its approximately 3-inch long body includes a split ring so that the pen can be attached anywhere. The cartridge is pressurized so that it can write at any altitude, angle, temperature, and underwater – and it writes smoothly. The case is hardened 304 stainless steel, and the pen grip is cast from high-strength lightweight composite. The pen grip snaps snuggly into place inside the steel case as its O-ring engages the internal groove. The pen is secure but can be quickly pulled from the case to make a note in any weather condition. The O-ring is a special rubber that allows the pen to be extracted from the case even in cold weather. For more leisurely writing, the Inka can be transformed into a full-length pen. The cartridge is shorter than a typical pen cartridge but lasts as long since ink is used more efficiently in a pressurized cartridge. Pressurized cartridge refills can be purchased inexpensively online, and regular cartridges can be purchased at any office store. The Inka pen carries a lifetime warranty. The pen debuted at this OR show and is the first offering from entrepreneur and designer Greg Adelman, an optical engineer based in Boulder, Colorado.
Inka pen closed, assembled full length, and the pen grip removed from the steel case
Writing under water
SPECS
- Weight: 0.6 oz (0.5 oz without split ring)
- Length closed: 3.15 in
- Length full-size: 5.00 in
- Temperature range: -30 to 300 degrees F
- MSRP: $30
- Website: www.inkacorp.com
NEMO Burrito – Air Supported Tent First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
NEMO is debuting a line of tents supported by air filled beams. Their idea is to create “some of the easiest to use, fastest to setup, and most compact tents . . . . for three season backpacking.” They are targeting their tents for adventure racers “or any kind of adventure where weight, speed and simplicity are paramount.” NEMO claims a setup time of 15 seconds for their two-person tent. Needless to say NEMO has a lot of patents pending on their tent designs.
The solo Burrito and its two-person brother, the Hypo AR, are squarely targeted at lightweight backpacking. The free-standing Hypo AR weighs 3.25 pounds and was not at Backcountry Basecamp but will be on the main show floor tomorrow. Stay tuned for another release about this two-person tent before the end of the show.
The one-person NEMO Burrito. The black arches front and rear are actually two redundant air beams, one inside the tent and one outside (four total for this tent).
Take a NEMO Air Supported Technology tent out of the stuff sack and attach the 4-ounce air pump and just pump it up. No more threading and clipping of tent poles. When you’re ready to take it down, let the air out, and fold it up.
NEMO Burrito has breathable Epic fabric for the majority of the shell (70%) supplemented by 30-denier silnylon (30%). A new fabric, 2 oz/yd2 Dimension Polyant X-Pac, forms a skeleton for high stress areas such as the air beams. The floor is a durable 70-denier coated nylon. According to Chris Dickey, the Burrito is a fully featured shelter somewhere between a bivy sack and a tent. At 3 pounds it is not the lightest solo shelter, but we’re still interested in taking one for a test spin to see if it has enough performance advantages to justify its weight. Obviously, we are a bit more interested in their Hypo AR. (NEMO claims that four friendly adventure racers can fit into this tent.)
Detail of some features: Two urethane windows, lots of tie out points, two side doors with mosquito netting (one on either side of the tent), and four vents. The multiple vents and Epic fabric should help with condensation inside the shelter.
SPECS for the Burrito
- Single person, 3-season tent
- 3 pounds
- 18 ft2 (1.7 m2) floor area
- 123 in (312 cm) long x 36 in (91.5 cm) wide x 27 in (68.5 cm) high
- Main pitch with a single front and rear stakeout, additional stakeouts increase the stability of the tent in high winds
- Includes a 4 oz pump or alternate lighter integrated pump
- MSRP $295
SPECS for the NEMO Burrito vs. EMS MoonShadow
- Single person, 3-season tent , EMS Same
- 3 lbs 4 oz (tent is 3 lbs, but requires a 4 oz pump), EMS 2 lbs 15 oz. (no pump required)
- 18 ft2 floor area, EMS 26 ft2 floor area
- Nemo-No Vestibule, EMS 10 ft2 vesti
- peak height 27’’ (can you sit up in it?), EMS 34”
- Main pitch with a single front and rear stakeout, additional stakeouts increase the stability of the tent in high winds, EMS Free standing, 6 stake outs + guy outs.
- Includes a 4 oz pump or alternate lighter integrated pump, EMS no pump (Easton Carbon Fiber frame)
- Nemo MSRP $295 (available online Spring 2005), (available 4/05) Retail $239
Dynafit Randonee Ski Equipment, Now Lighter First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
Dynafit, the company with the lightest set of randonee skis, boots and bindings, just got lighter. This year they introduce a race ski, boot, and binding. Randonee racing is very popular in Europe and catching on in the US. The idea is lots of climbing, 5,000 feet or more per race, and surviving the downhills on your skis to get to the next climb. With all that elevation gain, weight is of the utmost importance. Dynafit uses carbon fiber in the ski construction, carbon fiber and titanium in the binding, and reduces the boot to one buckle – all to shave precious grams. We can certainly see an application for the race ski and boots for a fast and light day outing. And the new half-pound race bindings would work on many sturdier skis than the race ski.
For more conventional, non-race touring, Dynafit replaces the venerable three-bukle TLT 700 boot with a stiffer four-buckle boot, the Aero. According to Dyanfit, the CarveLite skis are replaced with the carbon fiber FreeRide 8.0 skis. Available in 155, 165, and 175 cm the FreeRide is wider and more shaped than the CarveLite. I demoed both the boots and the skis at the show. The boots are substantially stiffer than the 700’s and feel a lot more like a downhill ski boot. Aggressive skiers should love them. There is also a wider ski, the FreeRide 10.0 more suitable for powder that is only available in 178 and 187 cm lengths. FreeRide 10.0 is 3 lb (1360 g) per ski.
There was no spec book at the booth and a lot of interested people vying for attention so most of these numbers are from hastily jotted notes:
The new 8.3 oz (235 g) Dyanfit TLT Race Ti binding uses carbon fiber and titanium. That’s a pound for a pair of bindings!
Dyanfit TLT Race Boot: A lighter one-buckle version of the TLT 4. Weight 2 lb 6 oz (1080 g) per boot.
Dyanfit 4 Buckle FR Aero TF Boot: Weight 3 lb 14 oz (1800 g)per boot.
Race ski: Narrow, carbon fiber, lightest Dynafit ski by a margin. 1 lb 10 oz (737 g)!! per ski.
Free ride 8.0 ski: Carbon fiber, 1320 g per ski for 165 cm.
Komperdell Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles: Lightest Sectional Trekking Poles First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
Komperdell introduces a new line of all-carbon-fiber trekking poles. At 5.6 oz each for the women’s (compact) model and 6.2 oz each for the men’s model they are the lightest 3-section poles we know. As we’ve mentioned before, men, including many of our staff, may opt for the lighter “women’s” model.
Komperdell also introduced a new 2-section model that will be even lighter. How much lighter we don’t know, but they might be less than 10 oz for the pair! They were so new that they didn’t have a name or specs at the show. The 2-section poles also have a nice rubberized grip section on the shaft below the main grip.
Both poles use a new Duolock adjustment system that is 80% stronger than conventional locking adjustment systems. The poles adjust easily and are less prone to slipping when tightened, or jamming when untightened.
For about an ounce more you can get air-spring shock absorption (Airshock) with the poles.
Komperdell 2-section pole on the top and the 3-section “C3 Duolock” on the bottom. Note Reptile grip tape below grip handle on 2-section model.
SPECS
- Women’s (compact): 5.6 oz each (6.5 oz with Airshock)
- Compact grip
- Packed size: 23.6 in (60 cm)
- Max length: 49.2 in (125 cm)
- Men’s: 6.2 oz each (6.9 oz with Airshock)
- Full-sized grip
- Packed size: 26.7 in (68 cm)
- Max length: 55.1 in (140 cm)
Komperdell 2-section pole on the left and the 3-section “C3 Duolock” on the right.
Shoeboard — Combination Ski and Snowshoe First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
Do you love the ease and simplicity of climbing up a ridge on snowshoes but envy those skiers that make the trip back down in 20 minutes. Yeah, it takes you just as long to go down as it did to go up! If so, the Shoeboard may be for you.
Their literature claims: “Better than a snowshoe, good as a ski!”
Shoeboard in ski mode. This shows a binding very similar to a snowboard, but in snowshoe mode the binding pivots at the toe. There is a small necessities pouch at the back of the binding.
The Shoeboard is a short, plastic ski with a twist. Wings fold out on either side of the Shoeboard to increase surface area and flotation. Attach the rear crampon and you have an instant pivoting snowshoe with both front and rear crampons. When you’re done snowshoeing, fold in the wings and off you go down the mountain.
Shoeboard in snowshoe mode. Wings fold out from under the ski and a rear crampon attaches.
The Shoeboard works best with a snowboard boot. Unfortunately, we didn’t have boarding boots, so we could only watch as others tried them. They had a bunch of demos at the show and people were doing well with them. We saw a number of folks skiing with reasonable success on the demo slopes of Backcountry Basecamp. Other boots, like a Sorel, may work but will suffer stability issues when skiing if they do not provide enough ankle support.
Detail of the bottom of the Shoeboard in snowshoe mode with side wings, both crampons, and the pivoting toe.
We asked, but Shoeboard didn’t know the weight. We picked one up and it felt pretty heavy, but then it was doing duty as both a snowshoe and a ski. Price will be approximately $300. We tried their website www.shoeboard.com, but it’s not up yet. Best chance is to call them at (801) 633-3490.
Steel Kahtoola: Lightest 10-Point Steel Crampons First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
Kahtoola crampons have become deservedly popular. One can cover difficult snow and ice in the comfort and flexibility of trail runners or light boots. It’s traction for the masses. Outfitters want to rent them out, but the aluminum doesn’t hold up to day-in and day-out use – at least, not without a lot of sharpening. Kahtoola’s answer was to add a steel version to their line.
Bottom view: New steel model on left, and old aluminum model on right.
Only a bit heavier than their aluminum model, the steel version has a number of other advantages:
- With the durability of steel you can tackle a lot more rock and bullet-hard ice without having to resharpen your points all the time. This opens up more terrain to your Kahtoolas.
- The steel crampon points are half as thick and 25% longer for better penetration into hard snow and ice.
- The front strap buckle (the only wear point Kahtoola has seen) is now riveted.
- The steel version has a 3-D stamp relief to add rigidity to the front points.
- The steel version has a redesigned hinge plate that fits most shoes. For smaller shoes, a separate plate ships with the crampons for a one-size-fits-all right out of the box.
Bottom detail of the front points of both crampons. Note how much “pointier” the steel version is.
Top detail of the front of both crampons. Note 3-D stamp relief and new front strap attachment on the steel version.
SPECS
Aluminum:
- Weight – 19.0 oz (540 g)
- Points – 16 mm long x 4 mm thick
Steel:
- Weight – 23.4 oz (662 g)
- Points – 20 mm long x 2 mm thick
Getting the Most out of an MSR White Gas Stove: Maintenance Tips
Editor’s note: Don ‘Photon’ Johnston is a stove ‘geek’ and the inventor of the Photon Stove ™ alcohol stove. What follows is his advice based on over 10 years of MSR white gas stove use and observation.
The author using an MSR WhisperLite Internationale (the original Shaker Jet model) to melt snow in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana. This older stove is still going strong after minimal maintenance.
MSR stoves are easy to maintain: it’s one of their most valuable features. No matter what happens in the field with your MSR stove, you will never miss a hot meal if you have done a little homework.
General MSR white gas stove advice:
- Get and carry the repair kit. Get the expedition version so you have available at home every part you might ever need and bring on trips only the parts that experience or fear tells you that you need to carry from it.
- Practice field repair at home. If you don’t have an instinct for mechanical things such that you rarely need instructions to do stuff, then practice field maintenance at home with long periods of forgetfulness between practices to make sure you have cleaning and O-ring replacements down. Know where the parts go and in what order. Know where the different sized O-rings go (which isn’t very hard if you only carry the two sizes I have actually used: the fuel bottle O-ring and the fuel tube O-ring that fits in the pump).
Things to expect based on my past MSR experience:
The fuel bottle O-ring will rarely need replacement; carry no more than one spare since it is most likely to expire from old age rather than damage. The fuel tube to pump O-ring is the most likely to need replacement; carry more than one spare until you know how things work out for you. Some folks have a problem with damaging this O-ring and others rarely have a problem. Carry a spare pump cup even though you probably won’t need it. The pump cup, the two O-rings I mentioned, and the tool from the repair kit are the minimum and probably all you will need in the field. You may want to carry additional items just in case your home checkout of the stove before packing isn’t up to par.
Always follow the directions for inserting the fuel tube in the fuel bottle so you don’t mess up that O-ring. If the pump doesn’t seem to be pumping, you can remove the plunger and flex the pump cup out wide a few times to restore it to full function. Only if it is damaged do you need to replace it. The repair kit comes with pump cup oil you can apply at home. You won’t need it in the field. The shaker jet works well but may not always be enough, so you need to be comfortable using the cleaning wire in the fuel tube and removing and cleaning the jet.
Clean fuel will mean you rarely have to clean the stove and may never need to disassemble it in the field. When filling the fuel bottle, pour the fuel through one of the Coleman fuel funnels that has a felt filter rather than a wire screen in the bottom. Very few times over the 10 or more years I’ve used an MSR have I had to disassemble or replace a part in the field. The shaker jet eliminated almost all stove problems in the field. Other field repairs only became necessary because I was lazy and didn’t check things before trips. A fuel bottle O-ring that was expiring once needed replacement after many, many years of service. Maybe twice I have replaced the fuel tube O-ring. I swapped out the pump cup once with the spare one in the kit I was carrying. The pump felt like it was sliding too easily and I couldn’t really pump up the pressure with it. The cup in the kit, not being restricted by the pump walls, had taken a set that was larger in diameter than the set of the cup in the pump. I figured the pump cup from the kit would seal a little better to the pump wall, and it did. After that, rather than replacing a pump cup in the field, I started just flexing the cup wide the first day out and, if needed, later on during the trip. I have never needed to replace a check ball, spring, or jet.
SimmerLite quirks I have seen to watch out for:
- The pump, like all MSR pumps, has plastic tubes that extend inside the fuel bottle. The long flexible one needs to angle away from the pump and rest against the inside of the fuel bottle wall. This is the fuel pickup tube and needs to rest on the bottom of the fuel bottle when attached to the stove so that it will use up all the fuel in the bottle. I saw one where the tube did not have enough bend in it to reach the sidewall. Even though the fuel bottle was not all that near empty, the stove would not stay burning because it was not getting a steady supply of fuel. When inserting the pump into the fuel bottle, you flatten this tube against the pump to get it into the bottle opening and it then needs to spring back enough to reach the wall of the fuel bottle. Before inserting the pump look at this tube to see that it has enough spring in its bend to reach the sidewall. You can flex the tube out if needed to restore the proper amount of deflection.
- I once saw a problem with the cleaning wire in the fuel tube. The wire is made from twisted wire cable commonly referred to as aircraft cable. I have never heard of or seen this problem except in a SimmerLite I saw this summer. After the cable had been removed as part of the cleaning procedure, it could not be pushed back in. The cable had lost some of the temper that maintained the wire twist and when pushing it into the fuel tube, the friction from pushing the wire around the bends caused the wire to untwist slightly and expand, increasing the friction until it could not be pushed any further. If this happens in the field, the stove will still work without this wire inserted or with the excess wire you could not push in cut off with wire cutters, if you carry them. Make sure you leave some wire extending out so you can remove the cut wire when you get a replacement. To use it this way, pump less pressure into the fuel bottle than you ordinarily would. Removing the wire reduces the restriction to fuel flow and MSR recommends less pressure in the fuel tank to compensate. (MSR will replace any defective part for free and even mail it to the post office of your choice. Just call them when you get to a phone.)
Conclusion
MSR white gas stoves are reliable (especially if you use clean fuel) and easy to maintain. With a minimal amount of knowledge, some practice at home, and preparation (purchasing and carrying a few spare parts and a tool, and checking out your stove pre-trip), you can count on a hot meal in the field with your MSR stove.
Don has been an avid backpacker since 1988 preferring week long or longer hikes. He has one section of the Appalachian Trail left to hike (planned for 2005); he has completed the John Muir Trail twice, the High Sierra Trail, the Tahoe Yosemite Trail, the Northville Placid Trail, and The Long Trail. Don is the inventor of the “Photon Stove ™” alcohol stove. He designed and owns the original Arc Alpinist sleeping quilt. Working with Kurt Russell, he prompted the construction of, and owns, the first Nomad Lite-N-Airy tent. Don is a Network Administrator at a Montgomery County, Maryland High School.
Jetboil – French Press Option First Look (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2005)
We first reviewed the Jetboil at last year’s Winter OR show (Jetboil Stove First Looks Review), then went on to do more in-depth testing of this integrated cooking system (Jetboil Stove Review). Jetboil developed a system to efficiently transfer heat from a canister stove to the pot (even in the wind) – something that has been sorely lacking and completely missing from commercial canister stove design. This winter Jetboil adds elegance to backcountry coffee with a French press. Goodbye Cowboy coffee and grounds in the bottom of your cup. Now you can have a perfect cup of coffee without the bulk and weight of carrying a separate gourmet coffee pot. The screen and plunger exactly fit the cooking pot, it comes with a new top lid that works with the plunger, and, as you would expect from Jetboil, everything stows neatly away inside the cooking pot.
Grind up a bunch of your favorite beans (coarse for a French Press!) and have yourself some of the best coffee in the backcountry.
2004 Backpacking Light Staff Picks
Staff Favorites – Our gear picks from the 2004 hiking and backpacking season.
Getting a bunch of gear freaks like us to whittle their list of “favorite” gear down to three items is like asking an AT NOBO entering Maine to throttle back to ten mile days.
Nonetheless, what has to be done will be done, and we’ve managed to come up with a short list of favorite gear that we used in 2004.
This isn’t really an “Editor’s Choice” sort of deal in any formal sense, and it sure is heck ain’t an endorsement of Great Gear That Works For Everyone. It’s just a list of fine products that made their way – consistently – into our backpacking gear lists month in and month out over the course of 2004.
Enjoy – and don’t forget to add your own 2004 favorites in the forum below! – Your BPL Eds
| Backpacking Light Staff Member | Favorite Pieces of Gear | ||
| Ryan Jordan | PossumDown products | Tilley LT3 Hat | Bozeman Mountain Works Quantum Vapr Bivy |
| Carol Crooker | Gossamer Gear Mariposa | Salomon Tech Amphibian | Icebreaker Superfine190 top |
| Vic Lipsey | Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite pad | AntiGravityGear pop-can Alcohol Stove | Smartwool products |
| Alan Dixon | Gossamer Gear G6 Backpack | Tarptent Squall | Garmin Geko 301 |
| Ken Knight | Ibex Icefall Jacket | Tarptent Virga | Nunatak Arc Alpinist |
| Jay Swan | McHale Zero-SARC UL Pack | Suunto Clip-On Wrist Compass | Buff |
| Jay Ham | Montrail trail runners | Aqua Mira | Clarke Original Tin Whistle |
| Doug Johnson | Gossamer Gear Lightrek Poles | Tarptent Squall | Montbell U.L. Trekking Umbrella |
| Stuart Bilby | Tarptent Squall | Petzl Tikka Plus | Snow Peak Titanium 1.4 liter Pot |
| Don Wilson | GoLite Breeze | Tarptent Squall | Coleman F1 Powerboost |
| Will Rietveld | Gossamer Gear G4 Pack | Tarptent Squall | ThermoJet Microlite Alcohol Stove |
| Blake Morstad | SmartWool Socks | Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Mattress | Montbell U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger #3 sleeping bag |
Ryan Jordan, Publisher – Bozeman, Montana
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PossumDown – gloves, hat, vest, it doesn’t matter (Backpacking Light store)
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To have the temperature regulating and moisture management benefits of a natural fiber in a high-loft knit that is soft and comfortable next to the skin is like having sweet cream butter on your Sourjacks at Jedediah’s – i.e., one of life’s special little pleasures. |
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Tilley Hat (www.tilley.com)
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After several years and a few thousand miles on the trail, it’s like an old friend: well-worn, comfortable, and a reminder of trials and good times. A great hat for sun, snow, and rain, and always breathable enough for high exertion activities. My favorite ways to use the hat: over a thin balaclava for winter hiking, or soaked in a stream and plopped soaking wet right on my head in the heat of summer. |
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Bozeman Mountain Works Pertex Quantum Vapr Bivy (Backpacking Light store)
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My go-to bivy sack for just about any three-season condition – and sometimes even in the winter. It allows me to sleep under a small tarp and have unrestricted views and connection with the surrounding wilderness, while keeping wind, rain spray, or spindrift at bay. The Vapr Bivy was even my sole shelter during a 2-bivy climb to control spindrift on an attempted mid-winter traverse of the Mt. Index massif in Washington State. |
Carol Crooker, Editor-in-Chief – Phoenix, Arizona
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Gossamer Gear Mariposa Ultralight Backpack (www.gossamergear.com)
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I love the Mariposa backpack. It weighs about a pound and has a very comfortable suspension system including back stays! Not having used a pack with a built-in internal frame in years, I was amazed at how light a water-heavy 26-pound load felt during a summer Grand Canyon backpacking trip using the Mariposa. |
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Salomon Tech Amphibian shoes (www.salomonsports.com/)
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These shoes are very light (my pair of men’s size 10.5 weigh 24.8 ounces), yet have just enough torsional and longitudinal rigidity to provide good support for my feet. The soles have a tread pattern with a defined heel that is aggressive enough to stop most slides on steep gravelly trails. The mesh keeps my feet cool in hot weather and allows the shoes to dry quickly in wet weather. With the one-pull lacing system and adjustable back, I usually just slide my feet into them. I’m happy wearing these shoes in 107 °F heat and while snowshoeing (adding some overshoes if my feet get cold) and just about every condition in between. |
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Icebreaker Superfine190 long sleeved top (www.icebreaker.co.nz)
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This is a very thin (190 g/m2) 100% Merino wool shirt. I like it for two reasons. First, the wonderful properties of high quality Merino wool. Second, my women’s size large top makes me feel almost elegant. The material is very high quality and the shirt has a tailored shape that fits me closely but is not too snug, and it drapes beautifully. (And it’s still machine washable!) |
Vic Lipsey, Managing Editor – Seattle, Washington
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Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite pad (Backpacking Light store)
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Just beautiful, especially in combination with a 2′ x 2′ piece of blue foam under my feet. For my 6’2″ and 225 pound frame, its 10 ounces does a great job smoothing high rocky ledges, and minimizes impact at low elevations where Northwest rain marathons extend tent time. |
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AntiGravityGear pop-can alcohol stove (www.antigravitygear.com)
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For any trip under three days, this is my preferred noodle maker. The all-in-one stove and pot-stand is simple, reliable, and cool to touch 30 seconds after it is extinguished. |
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SmartWool. Almost anything made out of this stuff (www.smartwool.com)
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The new microweight t-shirt works great under a windshirt for fall temps. At night, lightweight tops and bottoms. And after a few days on the trail, the odor doesn’t run your hiking buddy out of the tent. (Polypropylene wearers, get a bivy.) |
Alan Dixon, Product Review Director – Washington D.C.
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Gossamer Gear G6 Whisper Backpack (www.gossamergear.com)
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Finally! With the G6 I can get my base pack weight to below 5 pounds and not use a poncho for both my raingear and shelter. Now I can use a catenary spinnaker fabric tarp and Quantum bivy sack for shelter and a combination of a Montane Vapour wind vest and Integral Designs eVENT rain jacket. I’m a big fan of the simplicity, freedom of movement and low weight of hipbeltless packs. The wide shoulder straps on the G6 carry up to 15 pounds in complete comfort. A long weekend with 10 to 11 pounds in the pack is cinch. I can squeak out a six-to-seven-day trip and keep my pack plus a liter of water at 18 pounds. Now I get within a half pound of Ryan on a pre-trip pack weigh-in. |
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TarpTent Squall (www.tarptent.com)
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At a pound and a half this is a happy (possibly the only) solution to my desire for an extremely light and well ventilated shelter and my wife’s desire to have something tent-like with complete bug protection. With our TorsoLite pads, and our Western Mountaineering Aspen bag spread over us quilt style the Squall is truly our backcountry “home.” Its simple and elegant design sets up in a few minutes. Catenary curves make for a taut pitch that’s surprisingly stable in the wind. Our Squall has weathered monsoons in coastal California, and sub-freezing, wind blown conditions on high Sierra ridges. What’s not to like? |
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Garmin Geko 301 GPS (www.garmin.com) and National Geographic Topo! (nationalgeographic.com/topo/)
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Why not travel smarter? Yeah I can do the map and compass thing and navigate fine (and one should be able to do this in case of GPS failure), but I do a lot of off trail-travel, and the Geko 301 more than makes up for its 3.5 ounces by aiding more efficient travel and better decisions. When used in combination with custom waterproof maps and waypoints from National Geographic Topo!, the Geko 301 is the ultimate navigational tool for the ultralighter. The Geko 301 has all the functions I need, fits in my pocket, and runs for about a half season (my use) on one set of batteries. I love the point and sight to a waypoint feature that the magnetic compass adds. In almost a year of use, the Geko 301 has already saved my butt in the featureless winter terrain of the Beartooth Plateau, and in the maze of mangrove channels and islands of the Everglades. And that doesn’t count a number of times I’ve used it in whiteout. |
Ken Knight, Production Editor – Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Ibex Icefall jacket (www.ibexwear.com)
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The Ibex Icefall jacket has been a long-time favorite softshell of mine. The Climawool Lite fabric has worked exceedingly well for me under a very wide range of conditions. For my style of hiking, the mix of natural fiber and synthetic fabric layers provides great utility whether I am hiking through cool spring or fall days, resting at a windy lookout, or hiking along a path in the northern woods during winter. |
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Tarptent Virga with sewn-in floor (www.tarptent.com)
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This shelter has proven a solid performer for me. It sets up very easily and has weathered massive bug swarms during Midwest and Canadian summers and gales on the Californian coast. For a solo hiker with not much gear who wants more complete protection than a basic tarp, the Virga is hard to beat. |
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Nunatak Arc Alpinist Sleeping Bag (www.nunatakusa.com)
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I like the mix of a quilt with footbox. The design affords me considerable wiggle room and keeps my feet warm to boot. I have never felt constricted inside the Arc Alpinist and that is perhaps its single biggest selling point for me. |
Jay Swan, Copy Editor – Durango, Colorado
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McHale Zero-SARC UL Pack (www.mchalepacks.com)
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As a charter member of “Team Torso,” I have a hard time finding packs that fit: even though I’m only 5’10”, my stubby legs give me a torso as long as someone 6 inches taller. I like my hip belts to actually fit around my hips. Many lightweight packs aren’t even manufactured in varying sizes, and when they are, even the large size usually has a belt that rides above my navel. Somehow, during a bleary-eyed web-surfing session, I stumbled upon the McHale Packs website.
McHale makes custom-fit packs based on each buyer’s measurements. The packs are somewhat modular; most parts can be removed or replaced with minimum effort. This makes it easy to adjust the pack’s size and features for a particular outing; it also facilitates repair. The Zero-SARC UL might be too large and heavy for the serious ultralight crowd, but it makes the perfect do-everything pack for my purposes. It’s well under 4 pounds and over 3,000 cubic inches. It compresses extremely well and fits, well, like it was custom-made. McHale’s prices were high when I bought it and have gone up since then, but I haven’t had a single moment of pack-envy since the day it arrived. As McHale points out on his website, one of his packs is a lot cheaper than three or four other packs that don’t work. |
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Suunto Clip-On Wrist Compass (www.suunto.com)
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Whereas the McHale pack almost falls into the “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” category, the $8 Suunto wrist compass is solidly in the stocking-stuffer price range. As a frequent business traveller, I actually use it as often for navigating in unfamiliar cities as I do in the mountains, I’m constantly amazed at how useful a compass can be when I have it with me 24/7. The rotating bezel even allows me to take reasonably accurate bearings. In terms of usage per dollar spent, this item easily tops my list. |
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Buff (www.buffusa.com)
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Also in the stocking-stuffer category, the Buff is a simple microfiber tube that can be worn as a neck gaiter, hood, balaclava, hat, headband, face mask, and in various other configurations. I first read about it maybe five years ago in an article about adventure racing, and promptly ordered two from the then-exclusive North American distributor in Canada. They’ve since become reasonably popular after being picked up by REI and featured on the TV show “Survivor.” They weigh next-to-nothing and compress to the size of a small apple, but can add a surprising degree of warmth or sun protection. I now keep one permanently in the top pocket of my pack. |
Jay Ham, Packing Systems Section Editor – Flagstaff, Arizona
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Montrail trail runners (www.montrail.com)
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Just about anything in their line-up fits my wide feet while still locking in my narrow heel. They also have great arch support right out of the box. As a testament to how much I like them, I found a model I liked on sale and bought five pair (Wasatch II; 28 ounces). I am just wearing out the first pair…four more to go! |
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Aqua Mira (Backpacking Light store)
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Repackaged, its weight goes unnoticed among the contents of my pack. It never clogs (I’ve burned up new Pur filter cartridges on a few trips where the water wasn’t exactly transparent), doesn’t require pumping, and doesn’t taint the taste. I don’t mind the wait time. |
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Original Clarke Tinwhistle (www.clarketinwhistle.com)
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At 1.1 ounces (key of D), it is absolutely the lightest way to beat the boredom of long winter nights. It is a six-hole whistle with three octaves made in the traditional “wood-plug” conical design. It sounds great and can play just about any tune, with practice; but is best suited to fast-played Irish folk. Cheap too, at around $15.00. |
Doug Johnson, Shelter Systems Section Editor – Redmond, Washington
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Gossamer Gear Lightrek Poles (www.gossamergear.com)
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They are so light – I hardly know they’re there. They absorb shock, they’re comfortable – they’ve made me into a full time trekking pole user. They don’t compact for times that I need to use my umbrella (see below) but even when I connect the pair together with a couple of Velcro straps, they’re still lighter than any telescoping pole on the market! Besides that, they also make this really cool sound when you swing them around. HIYA! |
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Tarptent Squall (www.tarptent.com)
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Being the shelter editor, I’ve tested many, many tents. The simplicity, spaciousness, ventilation, bug protection, and stability of the Tarptent makes this my first three-season choice every time. |
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Montbell U.L. Trekking Umbrella (www.montbell.com)
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When you live in the Northwest, you get used to hiking in sprinkly rain that never ends. With a “brawlie,” I get to dress for the temperature, not the weather, keeping me a happy camper. Sure, others laugh – but not when I hike by wearing only a windshirt for a shell. And at 5.8 ounces, the super compact Montbell is lighter than the sweaty shell I left at home. |
Stuart Bilby, Sleeping Systems Section Editor – Auckland, New Zealand
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Henry Shires Tarptent Squall (www.tarptent.com)
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Only 27.8 ounces (787 g). Set it up in the cold, driving rain and in a couple of minutes I have a home away from home – for two. It withstands windblown rain, swarming bugs and strong winds. Elegant catenary curves, minimalist design – charming. |
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Petzl Tikka Plus (www.petzl.com)
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Lots of light, sits on the front of my head so I can read in bed, three levels of brightness. Lasts for ages on three AAA batteries but still gives enough light to travel by. (2.8 ounces, 78 g with alkaline batteries) |
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Snow Peak Titanium 1.4 liter pot (www.snowpeak.com)
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Great big mug. Wonderful expedition cup. Big enough to cook for three. Ensures you always have space for the spare food being passed around. OK, I despair about the lid with the folding handle that regularly dumps my dinner in the dirt. Corrosion-proof except for fuming nitric acid (and I don’t cook with that any more) and nearly indestructible – where even my most solid aluminum pots have become misshapen ruins, the Snow Peak has survived unscathed. (4.7 ounces, 134 g without the lid) |
Don Wilson, Clothing Systems Section Editor – Tucson, Arizona
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GoLite Breeze (www.golite.com)
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Although the Breeze has been around for a number of years, I still use mine more than any other pack I own (and I’ve got a closet full). For me, the Breeze is the perfect combination of simplicity, light weight and durability. And it has just the most needed features; huge outside mesh pockets and a big roomy collar. Some lightweight packs are too voluminous for me, but the Breeze seems just right for a three to five day trip when I’m going light. Mine is comfortable up to about 25 pounds, and bearable (for a while) up to 30 pounds. I love the freedom of hiking without a hip belt. At 13 ounces it is the pack I use when I am looking to cover a lot of ground. Sure, there are some lighter packs out there, but when I’m packing up for a trip and want to use my most functional lightweight pack, I usually come back to the Breeze. |
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Coleman F1 Powerboost Stove (www.coleman.com)
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My family and I took the F1 Powerboost to Alaska this summer, along with another lightweight stove and we never took the other stove out of the bag. If you are looking to do some real cooking, the Powerboost is unbeatable for a small light stove. It spreads the flame out evenly over a large surface area. Most small canister stoves will generate enough heat for nuclear fission, but concentrate it in 1 square inch on the bottom of your pot. We entered new realms of culinary expertise with the Powerboost – actually cooking Jiffy Pop popcorn on the shores of the Koyukuk River without burning any kernels. It was great for pancakes, eggs and stir frys, too. It is extremely well made and has a reliable auto ignition. The pot stand is wide and very stable. We didn’t feel like we had to constantly verify the center of gravity of our pot every time we moved it. It could be lighter, but at 4.5 ounces its still pretty light for such a functional stove. |
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Tarptent Squall (www.tarptent.com)
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Several editors at Backpacking Light have included the Tarptent Squall in their list of favorites and I can understand why. The Squall is functional, with no wasted frills. At 27 ounces, including the sewn in floor option, my Squall is light, roomy enough for two, light enough for one, bug proof, stable in wind, and dry in all but the nastiest storms. Out here in the west, where it rarely rains for more than a day at a time, the Squall is all I need for three-season trips. |
Will Rietveld, Cooking and Hydration Systems Section Editor – Durango, Colorado
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Gossamer Gear G4 Pack (www.gossamergear.com)
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This pack will soon be a collector’s item, but it’s still my favorite frameless pack. The Weminuche Wilderness is close to where I live, and I go backpacking every week in the summer. The G4 is great for a two to four day trip carrying 12-16 pounds. I love the large outside mesh pockets that will hold lots of stuff and keep it handy. And there’s plenty of room in the main compartment to just stuff everything in, no need to use stuff sacks or fold anything up. I even use it as a pillow at night! |
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Tarptent Squall www.tarptent.com)
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This 30-ounce single-wall two-person tent with floor goes up in a flash, two minutes max. It stuffs into a side pocket of my G4 pack, with the poles inside my pack. It’s luxurious for one person and roomy for two. Why do I like the Tarptent over a tarp? I don’t use trekking poles very much and the Tarptent’s integral poles make it easy for me to camp in the alpine zone above timberline where setting up a tarp without poles is difficult. The Tarptent is a no-brainer; I can camp anywhere. It’s plenty stormworthy; I have experienced some scary thunderstorms in the Tarptent, and stayed dry, although I was worried about being blown away with the tent a few times! |
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ThermoJet MicroLite Alcohol Stove (www.thermojetstove.com/)
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What sets the ThermoJet apart from many other alcohol stoves, besides its light weight (3 ounces total), is that it is a cooking system, rather than just an alcohol burner. The components (alcohol burner, pot stand, and windscreen with simmer band) have been optimized to work together efficiently which is very important for an alcohol stove. This stove is fuel efficient, wind-resistant, and reliable. I have used it above 12,000 feet in breezy/windy conditions on many occasions. The ThermoJet is as easy to use as a canister stove, perhaps easier, because it comes with good wind protection. |
Blake Morstad, Navigation Systems Section Editor – Bozeman, Montana
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SmartWool products (www.smartwool.com)
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I’ve used SmartWool socks extensively for trail running, backpacking, and skiing and have never had problems with blisters. I have a Lightweight Crew that is great for all season usage. Not only does SmartWool wick better than all of the synthetic products that I have, it is also odor free, a point where most synthetic products fail miserably. |
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Big Agnes Insulated Air Core mattress (bigagnes.com/)
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Yeah I know that there are lighter weight sleeping pads, but I can’t go too long without this mattress. As a constantly tossing sleeper and one who sleeps on my side, the 2.5 inches of cushion has given me many restful nights. I’ve tried other pad options and usually experienced restless nights, which definitely affected my hiking performance. With PrimaLoft insulation this pad gives solid three-season performance. Another feature I love is the stuffed size of this pad, which is smaller than most self-inflating pads. |
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Montbell U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger #3 sleeping bag (www.montbell.com)
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This 1.5-pound bag is a great option for those of us who don’t lay perfectly flat and in one position when sleeping. Sewn stretch baffles allow the bag to conform to the body while sleeping in almost any position. I have even sat cross-legged in the bag while chilling out in the tent. |
