Roger Caffin
Latest
Rite in the Rain Weatherjet Paper SPOTLITE REVIEW
A waterproof paper you can use in your ink-jet printer to copy maps for field use.
Notes from the Field – Bushwhacking Shell
Features and design for a shell jacket that can handle tough bushwhacking
Notes from the Field – Bushwhacking Trousers
BPL's resident brush-buster describes pants that work in tough conditions without falling apart.
Stoves, Tents and Carbon Monoxide – Deadly or Not?
Part 5: Laboratory Measurements for Solid Fuels
Several solid fuels are surveyed at different power levels to assess their carbon monoxide emissions. The results are not good.
Coleman Xtreme Stove REVIEW
One of the few canisters stoves truly designed for winter use, the Xtreme features an innovative liquid feed system.
Stoves, Tents and Carbon Monoxide – Deadly or not? Part 4: Measurements on Alcohol Stoves
Actual alcohol stoves are surveyed to see which ones are clean and which ones emit too much carbon monoxide. The results are not good.
Stoves, Tents and Carbon Monoxide – Deadly or Not?
Part 3: Laboratory Measurements for Canister Stoves
Actual canister stoves are surveyed to see which ones are clean and which ones emit too much carbon monoxide.
Exploding Gas Canisters: The Hazard of Overheating
Most canister stoves come with extreme warnings to not use a windshield around them for fear of causing an explosion. Many experienced users ignore these warnings. What is the risk? Can a gas canister explode?
Lightweight Gear for Long Distance Hiking: Four Months in Europe
Roger and Sue Caffin's gear lists for their upcoming 4 months in Europe
Make Your Own Gear: Gaiters for Bushwhacking
Lightweight, tough gaiters that are suitable for bushwhacking and easy to make.
White Box Stove REVIEW
While not the lightest around, this simple pressurised alcohol stove is remarkably robust.
SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier REVIEW
A reasonably light and very effective means of purifying water to EPA purifier standards.
Stoves, Tents and Carbon Monoxide – Deadly or Not?
Part 2: Testing the Theory
Can you run your backpacking stove inside your tent, or do you risk death by Carbon Monoxide poisoning?
MSR Titan Mini Cookset SPOTLITE REVIEW
A reasonably minimal titanium cookset - very light, works well, but not very low cost. Take just one pot?
MSR Titan Kettle SPOTLITE REVIEW
A reasonably light two-man titanium kettle - very light, works well, but not very low cost.
Yowie Snowshoes REVIEW
Radically different snowshoes using an injection-moulded flexible deck with all-over grip, a fast webbing binding and tough crampons, claiming great agility on all slopes.
Do It Yourself Projects to Reduce Canister Stove Weight
Experiments from our readers and staff on trimming weight from winter stoves.
Stoves, Tents and Carbon Monoxide – Deadly or not?
Part 1: Theory
You've read the warnings and heard the horror stories about cooking in your tent. How dangerous is it really? Part 1 of this series describes: how CO is formed, a warning sign of production, and a simple change you can make to your stove setup to reduce CO.
Coleman Fyrestorm Ti Stove REVIEW
Innovative dual-fuel stove for canisters and white gas and variants that works very well with canister fuel and reasonably well with white gas.
Primus Gravity MF Stove REVIEW
Innovative multi-fuel stove for canisters, white gas and kerosene that performs well with canister fuel but is difficult to use with the other fuels.