Your Best Gear of 2010

1. Goosefeet Down Socks

2. NeoAir Large

3. Montbell U.L. Spiral Down #3

ULA Circuit: Think I chose this last year as well, but I am still super happy with it.

Tarptent Double Rainbow: After using this a few times with my wife I sold my 2 person tarp. Easy setup, bug protection and a great place to take nap.

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core: No more sore hips when I wake up.

In no particular order:

NeoAir – Nothing beats 2.5 inches, 14 ounces and the compressibility of this pad. I'm a side/back sleeper and this is the only pad I've used that hasn't caused shoulder pain. I think I'll keep this for a while.

Weber fire starters cubes – You'll just have to try them yourself!

Tarptent Moment – Until I switch to a tarp this is my tent. Light and easy to pitch; not to mention all the room for single occupancy.

Salomon Pro 3D Ultra – Best trail running shoes; light and comfortable.

Goose feet (2.2 oz) – I've only used these once down to 25 degrees, but they were really warm. Looking forward to using these more in the future.

mb exl … got it last year … didnt appreciate it till thus year

with my 6 oz OR helium … i have the outerwear i need down to above freezing … all for 11 oz … add a light synth jacket over it and im good to 20F

Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 2
Javan Dempsey custom made sleeping quilt
Gossamer Gear Gorilla

Here is another vote for the Mont-Bell Extremely Light Down Jacket. Mine in a men's small weighs a scant 4.8 ounces and is both shockingly compressible and light. I love it!

Gossamer Gear LT3C – 110 cm My pair weighs 5.75 oz with the included trekking baskets and they are so light it takes no effort at all to swing them. People laugh when I place them in their hands! I can tell a huge difference walking with and without these and far prefer the former.

ZPacks Zero size small (in Cuben w/ side pockets) – This pack is insanely light at 3.14 oz and with a little modification I got it down to 2.93 oz. Best of all I can still fit all my gear in it despite its amazingly light weight!

Northern Lights Elite Snow Racer Shoe.

25' and 2.5lbs

Seems to me like they can handle anything. The binding is simple as pie and works!! Not very expensive either at $219 compared to other brands.

Hammocks: Why did I wait so long to try these out?! For some reason I always associated them with heavy car camping. Man was I wrong.

McHale LBP35: Is that taboo to say? This full dyneema beauty blows away any pack I've ever carried. You make a mean pack, Dan.

Gear Swap: It helped me sell/trade a lot of unwanted gear so I could painlessly get exactly what I wanted this year. Thanks everyone for being honest and easy to deal with.

Two items that I have just received but have fallen in love instantly based on previous experience.

Firesteel from Going Gear
Did some tests yesterday and yep it works better than my LightMyFire. I can use the spine of my knife to light it so I don't really need the Super Striker.
Very cheap , fast and inexpensive (to a US address) postage.

WM Summerlite
From Jacob Vink here. Absolutely brand new . I already have the Highlite and the Ultralite so I have a pretty good idea of how it will perform.
The 6' version is just right for me (I discovered yesterday that I am closer to 5'8" than 5'7" as I keep posting)
Now I have a redundant almost new Highlite. (I still have other bags too)
(thanks Jacob…)
Anybody in Australia interested ?

Tarptent Moment
I did not pay for this one, nevertheless I like it a lot. It has taken over from my Rainbow and my beloved Contrail.

One item that I am really looking forward to is the Montgomery Kettle .
I have used the NZ made Thermette so I have a lot of faith that the Devin's version will do what I think it should.

Franco

My best gear this year:
1. Golite Pinnacle pack. Really wanted a Jam, but got a good deal on the Pinnacle and am very happy. Expands and contracts to any size I like basically.
2. WM Summerlite bag. A sheer pleasure. Best bag I've ever owned or used, and I've used a few over the last 40+ years of hiking, camping, scouts, US Army, etc.
3. Caldera Cone set up — finally an alcohol set up that isn't just merely tolerable.
4. Platy Big Zip 3L hydration bladder. Not the lightest option, but easy to fill, easy to dry, and that extra liter (over my old 2 L bladder) is super nice.

HJ

P.S. Note to Kathleen: I like that gear, Kathleen! Congratulations!

Yes, congratulations, Kathleen! I am close to the 11th anniversary of my retirement (Friday) and have appreciated every moment since!

Gear of the year: definitely Goose Feet down booties with the waterproof shells! Ahhhh, warm feet!

Runners-up: Montbell Ex-Light Down Jacket, much warmer and lighter than my UL Thermawrap. Smartwool liner gloves (a much-appreciated Christmas present). Cuben fiber dry bags for my sleeping bag and for my wraps (including the down jacket), half the weight of the Sea-to-Summit Ultra-Sil dry bags I was using.

For next year, the only item on my wish list is the upcoming POE Peak Elite AC, the new (and supposedly warmer) version of the Ether Elite. I'm reading about an end-of-January release date, which will allow me to test it in colder conditions while I can still return it. Otherwise, I'm sticking with the gear I have, unless an item I have falls apart or the price of cuben fiber drops by 50%!

Favorite gear for 2010

Trail Designs Caldera Ti-Tri
GooseFeet down socks

Caldera Ti-Tri: Love having the wood burning option. And wind is no longer much of an issue.

TT Rainshadow 2: Lots of room for me and my dog(s) and very little weight penalty over 2P shelters.

Merrel Moab Ventilators. Finally a great fit for my swim fin feet.

I thought this thread was about the best gear of 2010? I created two lists this year. One of which was part of the BPL 2010 Backpacking Light Staff Picks and the other was on my personal blog Top Ten for 2010. Since this thread is just about the best gear of 2010 I’ll parse my two lists into one and paste below.

* Beartooth Publishing Maps – For hiking in SW Montana and parts of Idaho, Wyoming, and Arizona, you simply won’t find a better map than those by Beartooth Publishing. Up-to-date, use-specific information (like local breweries!) in a convenient size and scale, all printed on waterproof, tear-resistant plastic.

* Backpacking Light Stealth NANO backpacking tarp – A five ounce cuben fiber tarp that can withstand mega winds, hail, and keep you dry in a blowing rainstorm? Yes, please. Manufactured by top-quality sewers in the good ol’ U S of A and sold by the beloved Backpacking Light this tarp is an absolute winner.

* Everytrail PRO Android app – I recently upgraded my telephone to an HTC Droid Incredible that has built-in GPS capabilities. Running the EveryTrail PRO app allows me to post GPS routes from my phone. I carry the phone while hiking anyway because of the built in camera and for the possible security it may afford me should I need a rescue. Once uploaded Everytrail will sync with the photos (automatically geotagged by the phone) I’ve posted to my Flickr site.

* Marmot Leadville softshell jacket – Splitboarding and high-energy output sports in the winter require highly breathable yet insulating clothing. A softshell is the obvious answer to this dilemna and after researching a dozen different models I settled on a Marmot product for its combination of weight, features, and price. I have been very pleased with it’s balance of warmth and breathability.

* Spark R & D Blaze splitboard binders – The fellows at Spark are some innovative chaps. I have been riding a set of the Ignition II binders since 2008 and decided to upgrade for performance and weight saving reasons. I had the opportunity to do some part-time work at Spark R & D which meant I was able to assemble my own set of these badboys. I’ve only been on one tour with them but am already very pleased.

Due to less than great health and putting family first I haven't got out much this year with my new gear, so I am reluctant to big up anything I haven't thoroughly tested, but here goes any way.

1. Suluk64 padded ground sheet. Very simple, but so useful. Gives me confidence using my Kooka Bay mat on less than perfect sites.

2. Kooka Bay synthetic mat – 9.5 Oz, R4 and a great nights sleep.

One item I have got plenty of miles on are:

Inov-8 Flyroc 310 – How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Good grip in the wet at last. I am keen to try something even lighter when they wear out though, fickle creature that I am.

So hard to resist commenting on the other issue in this thread, but must be strong.

My favorite piece of gear this year was probably the cheapest thing I bought this year… My Photon X mini-LED flashlight/keychain ($7) – Weighs in under half an ounce. Lasts forever (still on original batteries). It casts a very wide beam and is perfect for hanging in a tent as a lantern. It's glow-in-the-dark shell makes for an awesome zipper pull on the tent, too! As much as I love my Black Diamond Spot headlamp, I think it's going to be replaced with a second Photon X so I can keep one on the always-on-me-lanyard, and have another for daily camp use.

In second place…
Alps Mountaineering Clearwater Wide 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag. Comes in at 3.5 pounds, but it's super comfy, no drafts, enough space to roll and not drag the bag with me, or hike a knee up for pseudo-fetal or "figure 4" sleeping.

In third place…
Convertible pants! I think the brand is Alpine Design. Comfortable, durable, SPF 30, light (14 ounces for the XXL size, 8 ounces lighter than the best Scout pants).

Sam… are you going to write up more of a review of this jacket? What temps are you using it in? I ask because I haven't had good luck with windstopper when active. I am wondering if there are conditions that windstopper shines that I haven't tried it in.

–Mark

Caldera Cone-F system: I love the idea of cooking out of a beer can. Add to that it took 6oz. out of my carry weight and the fact that I have a complete coffee cup (with cozy & lid) and can inexpensively carry the exact amount of fuel I need is icing on the cake.

ZPacks Cuben Tarp: This one is cheating…. I don't have it yet but Joe has been a pleasure to deal with and 3oz for a custom tarp is just crazy. I will no longer feel guilty for carrying a rain porch for my tent which allows easy foul weather cooking and a little extra foul weather protection in general.

Dri-Ducks: Hey…. $20 for any rain gear is good. The fact that it is lighter than Hydrogen and breathable to boot doesn't leave much room to complain.

Sleeping Pad: Large NeoAir 19oz

Cookpot: BPL Ti SUL 550 2.6 oz

Essentials: IPOD Nano w/headset and small speaker 3.3 oz

1) Montbell Extremely Light Jacket. What a great piece of gear! A lot of insulation for minimal weight.

2) Steripen Optio. Love the weight, simplicity, and effectiveness(so far).

footwear: Northern Lite Tundra snowshoes (49oz), oversized Inov8 390GTX boots with wool felt insoles (33.3oz), Warmlite VBL socks (not weighed yet) and wool socks to match expected temps

sleeping: small NeoAir (9oz) and Kookabay pillow (1.5oz)

kitchen: Caldera Cone (1.3oz), Caldera stove (.56oz), SP 700 mug (3.2oz) and Four Dog lid (.68oz) for a total of 5.74oz

Hopeful Candidates for 2011:
overstuffed Feathered Friends Kestrel sleeping bag
Kookabay down air mat
Four Dog Bushcooker LT 1 stove

1. MB ExLight – ooh so very nice for weight to warmth – about 6oz of pure lovin

2. Steripen Opti – no more chemical taste, 2min of steripenning vs the longer wait for chems, and no more carrying unnecessary water. Just don't forget the backup batteries :)

3. Shorty NeoAir and 6' WM Summerlite come in tied for 3rd! I know that's cheating but they have been my go-to for 2 BP'ing seasons now. A combined 28oz for delicious and deep sleep. A big thanks to Cascade and WM.

Here's to 2011!

I've been meaning to respond in this thread for a while but there's so much awesome gear this year that made it a bit daunting to narrow it down. I've finally decided on my 'official' best of 2010 list:

Best gear I got in 2010:
1) Zebralight H51 – If you want more light than a photon or e+Lite, this one is perfect.
2) ULA Ohm – Very good for longer UL trips where a frameless pack won't do. Great frame, amazing water bottle pockets, very useful center pocket.
3) HMG Echo I – Very light & versatile solo shelter that's bomber strong and works well year round.

Awesome items that would be contenders if I had more milage on them:
– New Balance MT101 – So far, extremely good. Way comfortable.
– Zpacks Zero + Options pack (5oz) – Looks amazing, haven't used it yet
– Montbell Ex-Light Vest (3.6oz) – Unbelievably light, perfect for 2 season use.

FWIW, two of my 2009 pics (NeoAir Small, GoLite Ultra 20 quilt) continue to be outstanding pieces of gear.

Wow Dan. Grow up.

#1. GG Murmur
#2. Zpacks Hexamid Solo
#3. Montane Lite Speed

2011 Prospective List
#1. NB Minimus!

High hopes for these. Can't wait for March.

1) TiGoat Microtus Stove. So simple and easy, the container seems heavy, until you realize it's the perfect sterilization receptacle for SteriPen use.

2) GoLite Ion (yeah well, it's new to me)

3) TSS Footbox "sit-pad-sleeve" for Quilts (not self promotion, just one of the things making me personally happy atm, great for hammocking or when using a torso pad on the ground)