Coolest Ever

my digital scale – it keeps the fun projects going :)

Caldera Cone

I have used a ton of stoves. And there is alot of awesome gear in this world. But the way the caldera turns the winscreen into a pot support that in turn makes for a very efficient alchy burner really is my favorite piece. I love using it. I have th .9 liter stand.

only requires two words: Warbonnet Blackbird

internet

Can I vote for MYOG stuff :)

I will say that one of the coolest pieces of gear I have is the Bushbuddy. Not because it's a wood burning stove, or that it weighs ~5 oz, but because the workmanship is absolutely stellar. I have not spoken with him, but I assume (hope) he makes these himself and I really have no idea how he does this. Coming from a manufacturing background, I have seen LOTS of creations, but his work is above and beyond what I would expect from a non-production environment. Very impressive.

Internet — +1 most definitely!!!

>> I will say that one of the coolest pieces of gear I have is the Bushbuddy.

I'm with you as a fellow stove geek. The Bushbuddy craftsmanship is amazing.

Take a look at this for similar workmanship in an alcohol stove:

http://www.packafeather.com/stove.html

-Mike M

Definitely my water. Especially up against my back, keeps me real cool.

Seriously, I love my Cocoon jacket and pants. I am always amazed when I put them on how warm they keep me. They have really allowed me to enjoy the outdoors during my favorite times: sunset and sunrise. I used to shiver during those times when outside my tent, but now I can crawl out of my tent, go perch myself on a rock and be toasty warm while I watch sunrise and make breakfast, with the freedom of mobility you can't get under a quilt. It's a really liberating feeling. I've done this comfortably in the mid 30s.

It also means I can be quite a bit more casual with my quilt at night, since cold drafts from tossing about don't chill me. On most 3 season nights I am able to sleep more like I do at home, with the quilt loosely draped on me rather than tightly wrapped around me. I would rather take a 50 degree bag and my cocoon suit before deciding to leave my cocoon pants behind for a warmer bag.

Gee that's tough to choose just one. It's gear = it's cool. :^)

If I'm only allowed one choice, I choose my Hennessy Hammock. I get the most comfortable night's sleep, have netting to keep the bugs off, a fly to keep the weather out, can use it as a chair, and have plenty of room underneath to hangout or cook if it's raining. It's an ingenious design with the bottom entry, the ridgeline where I can hang things, and the pocket on the ridgeline where I can stow a light or other small items. And all at a very reasonable weight.

Alpacka rafts. Though you'd never know it from the forum activity!

Inov8s, hands down.

I've got a Bushbuddy and it's a wonder. I wish I had xray vision to see inside the walls. I've got two Caldera Cones and they're a wonder compared to any other alcohol stove system. My Packfeather stove is pure inspiration in engineering; I mean, an alcohol stove with moving parts that work so smoothly. Then there's the Brasslite, a piece of hand built art.

But when it's all said and done, my Evans Titanium Carbon Fiber Ice Tool is a source of delight that I can hold and admire for hours. Especially when I go back and skim through the year of posts that preceeded it's creation.

I put it in my will, with a note to the recipient to read the complete thread.

Jetboil Flash

My video camera! It has infra-red to I can film in total darkness a la Les Stroud. ;)

Trekmates’ Waterproof Gore-Tex socks.

Also, Inov-8.

i would have to say my granite gear nimbus latitude. since we carry everything on our back, the pack is most important to me. it is so comfy and compresses good enough to use as a day pack or summit bag. next to that i would say gaiters, i use them all the time, i love not getting any crap in my boots and having semi-clean socks at the end of the day.

R1 Hoody or Tarptent DoubleRainbow. Versatility for the win.

Ipod-Nano: 1.3oz – 16GB – 2,176 songs so far!

So far the very best piece of gear that has fit into my SUL hiking style is my MLD Grace Solo tarp (Spectralite).

Injinji socks, just cause they make me laugh whenever i look down and see my toes

Lol @ Tom's Jetboil Flash response…

Dana Designs Bomb Pack. I have taken it over 80 pounds a few times and it still feels great. One time I was carrying around a two burner Coleman suitcase stove and wool blankets. Another time I had a two room family car camping tent and several car camping sleeping bags strapped on.

My Hennessey Hammock has revolutionized how and where I travel. Don't get me started, I can talk about it till I'm blue in the face.

So many gadgets that I want but don't have. Two standouts appear in my existing gear kit: Icebreaker and Jetboil. Icebreaker wins for day-in-day-out solid state function.

Jetboil wins for cool. The effeciency of motion is amazing: Remove lid; dump out stove (canister already attached); set stove down; remove bottom cover; twist cup onto stove; pour water in; set lid on top; open valve; click! click! Poof! From packed to hot water is less than 3 minutes.