Gear We’d Buy—If It Existed

For those that mentioned firearms, http://www.naaminis.com makes some of the smallest and lightest pistols available. http://www.pakrifle.com makes the lightest and most compact rifle, but they are not available to the public yet, so it sorta falls into that "if it existed" realm.

i'd like big agnes or thermarest or OR to make a sleeping pad that had a tent floor permanently attached to it. perhaps w/ a nice zipper around the outside that i could attach a lightweight bug netting to for a roomy, light, bug free shelter and my sleeping pad wouldn't slide if i don't pick a totally flat campsite. thanks

A double wall tent that

1) can use trekking poles
2) has a rainfly made of Cuben fiber
3) has an inner made of TYVEK and mesh, but tyvek near the floor to keep wind out….

someone should make this….could be an awesome double wall for 1 lb. or less

I agree with Nathan. Perhaps something like this: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=8499

Several people have expressed interest in that tent and would buy it if available. To match Nathan's suggestion, it wouldn't take much to tweak that design, and use trekking poles for the sides (rather than the slight curve) along with the pole over the top (connected by a hub assembly). Such a tent would be pretty strong, too (trekking poles plus short carbon fiber poles for support, with no curves).

With regards to Cocoon Mitts, I don't mean the Vapor Mitts. I mean very light, simple puffy mitts (essentially the same thing as the Cocoon jacket or pants). No vapor barrier, no tough leather palms, no heavy straps, none of that. Just simple, very light, puffy mitts (not intended for extreme temperatures).

I would like a sunshade for my backpack. A canopy that I can walk underneath in perpetual shade.

Peter,

this should be easy to find. A couple of years ago i bought something like this for a HP PDA that was about 20$. It took 2AA batteries and worked well. I also had a version that took 9volt bats. I forget where I found these but google was involved.

Here is a solution for Roleigh and his pack for the JMT: http://www.moonbowgear.com/1trailgear/1Custom%20packs/Gearskins/gearskinhome.html

Here is a solution for Diane and a shade:

Sierrashade.com

From what I can tell, he does not actually sell the Sierrashade.

I'd love a shirt that exactly replicates my Patagonia R1 Hoody but has large 150g merino wool patches sewn into the underarms. This would make the shirt all but perfect for 0-60 degree hiking, IMO. Oh, and throw in another 'thumbloop' centered on the back of the hand for anchoring the sleeve off of my middle or ring finger.

If I knew squat about sewing and didn't fret over slicing up almost $200 worth of merino and polyester, I'd make one myself. Anyone out there want to hook me up? :)

http://www.boxwave.com/products/bundles/iphone-battery-adapter/iphone-charging-battery-pro-apple-iphone_2661.htm

a very basic and lightweight gps receiver with no mapping or any fancy features, just a good antenna, a small display and the ability to display your present coords. For a little more weight, it might be nice to have the possibility to enter coords and a goto function

or…

a gps/gsm device. This could be as small as the smallest cell phones, both functions would share the display and keyboard, maybe the antenna? and it would be a killer item for those who don't usually use either gps or cell phone but still like to carry both for emergencies. Both functions are similarly hungry battery eaters so combining them makes the most sense. This device would ideally use common AA or AAAs.

A high quality but *basic*, lightweight and moderate size watch with just an altimeter, thermometer and an alarm. User friendly battery change that can be done on the go.

I guess all these things are perfectly possible technically but just not commercially interesting.

A remote canister stove burner that's as basic and lightweight as the lightest top mount ones. Like those some BPL contributors have been working on. Ideally, it should take the different canister systems (Lindal, CampingGaz, Powermax).

Lightweight and refillable butane canisters in different sizes.

I started a thread on this shelter a while back. I'd buy it if it was available. Phot by Ryan Jordan

cheers,
fred

Hi inaki,

A remote canister stove burner that's as basic and lightweight as the lightest top mount ones. Like those some BPL contributors have been working on. Ideally, it should take the different canister systems (Lindal, CampingGaz, Powermax).

Lightweight and refillable butane canisters in different sizes.

I have designed and made a stove that nearly fits your design specs perfectly (does not fit CampingGaz canisters yet) and I looked at producing the stove for commercial purposes but government regulations and having to produce the stove at a price that competes with multinationals stove manufacturers makes this impossible for me to do with my resources.

Stove manufactures make their stoves heavy and strong because they are frightened of litigation and failures (SUL stoves are much more fragile), I doubt that we will ever be able to buy a truly super light remote canister stove.

Tony

Tony

Tony,

I followed that thread in the Make Your Own Gear forum, just woudn't remember who was behind. Your design looked fantastic and I'd surely buy it if it was available. It's clear making stoves is not as straightforward as the most common cottage gear manufactures but thank you for trying. At least, it shows what can be done.