2009-10-28 | Primus Atle 2 Burner Stove by danmerrick
Good: Used this one summer 2009 on a 10 day mule pack trip into the backcountry. I cooked for about 6 people and it worked like a champ. Lots of BTU's. I also like that it has a flexible fuel hose rather than the rigid ones found on other stoves. Use 1 lb propane cannisters or with adapter you can use a full size propane bottle for car camping.
Propane is better than butane/isobutane in that it work in cold temperatures.
Bad: The igniter doesn't always work but usually does. I don't know why. Keep matches or lighter handy.
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2009-10-28 | Optimus Svea Stove by danmerrick
Good: I still have and still use the little SVEA 123 stove I got in 1972. The one shown is the same stove but the name has changed. Perfect for an overnight trip with one or two people in cold weather (cannister stoves don't work in cold weather). I love how it sounds like a buzz bomb.
Note: I don't know if the new ones are equal in quality.
Bad: It can be tricky to prime. Carry an eyedropper and draw a little fuel from the tank. The cup is pretty useless except to cover the top when not in use.
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2009-09-27 | Guyot Designs Splashguard by jonnymtman
Good: Fits great without being hard to remove. Make drinking on the go possible and you can fill your bottle while leaving it in place. The happy face is the best |
2009-09-17 | Mountain Hardwear Lamina 35 by Ishy5
Good: Light weight. Comfortable. Full Zip. Draw cord. Pack tiny (XS size stuff sack). Keeps warm if wet. My bladder leaked inside the pack and the sleeping bag got very damp - still kept me plenty warm and comfortable. Got a cool pocket inside for your watch alarm and what not. Draft collar. I'm a cold sleeper and it's good for me till about 45 degrees with no layers. |
2009-09-17 | Camelbak Stoaway by Ishy5
Good: Works really well. Abrasion resistant sleeve.
Bad: Just make sure you count your pumps if you're using the tube to put water in it with a filter. (mine failed, that is started to leak at the plastic thing near the big blue cap)
Doesn't have a shut-off valve
Won't work in cold weather, tube will freeze
Alternatives: Platypus |
2009-08-28 | Outdoor Research Drycomp Vertex Sack by rmorgent
Good: Best light / approach backpack has ice axe loops, big side pockets for a Nalgene bottle, back mesh, whistle/ chest band, and can be rolled to a very compact signature. Water resistant, and can also be used as a compression bag.....
Bad: Not really bad feature, not as light as the Drycomp Summit, also from OR, that can also be folded more compact when not being used...
Alternatives: Only backpack that come close is the Drycomp Summit, also from OR, kind of older version of this one. |
2009-08-23 | Black Diamond Predator 50 by brettbrown
Good: I love this pack. It was made with ice climbing in mind. It's not just a pack that has loops attached for ice tools. The ice tool holders are second to none that I have seen. The crampon pocket is a great feature (it can hold a chalk bag in the summer or it folds flat). The side zip works good to quickly grab heavy mitts or a down coat. Another feature I like is that there is a net that pulls out of the top to securely attach your helmet to the top of the pack. No more dangling your helmet from the chin strap.
Bad: I wish the top wasn't removable. Many manufacturers do this. I never once saw anyone take the top off to use as a fanny pack.
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2009-08-22 | Kelty Coyote 4750 by elleasinswell
Good: Roomy & perfect for a group leader who needs to carry a substantial med kit. Durable and versatile (I am an average-framed woman who uses this pack with great comfort). A great weekender pack, it holds my bulky synth sleeping bag quite well. Key clip inside interior brain stash pocket as well. Fleece-lined glasses pocket is a nice touch.
Bad: Roomyness encourages bad pack-rat tendencies. Side water bottle pockets are challenging to reach when solo.
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2009-08-20 | Guyot Designs Bowl & Cup Set by etrout713
Good: Manage temps of all types very well. Love the flexibility. Easy to clean..Recommend turning inside out and licking or rinsing in stream.
Bad: the cup is super tiny.
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2009-08-19 | Princeton Tec Eos Headlamp by senisbs
Good: Bright, 3 brightness modes + flashing, can be mounted on a bike handlebars (special mount), bicycle helmet (special mount) or just used a regular headlamp, batteries last a long time
Bad: Not durable, bike mount broke after 2 uses, the body cracked at the hinge (duct tape fixes everything), on the heavy side, battery door has a stupid small screw, no red light
Alternatives: Peltz |
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2009-08-19 | Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter by senisbs
Good: Easy to use (even kids can filter), does its job (we never got sick), relatively small, line is long enough, adapter is good for wide mouth bladders and nalgene bottles, 3000 gallons filter should last awhile.
Bad: Would like quick emptying after done with filtering, handle could be more comfortable (like old Katadyn), plastic doesn't look durable, usually takes 2 person for safe, clean and 1L/min action
Alternatives: Katadyn is the best |
2009-08-15 | Marmot Atom by sadle1dc
Good: Took this bag along on a few climbing trips, a jaunt over to Senegal, and a bike tour across Europe. It performed wonderfully and is surprisingly warm, but I haven't had the opportunity to push it down into the 30's F--maybe on some hiking this fall.
When I first received the bag I was certain that the shell wouldn't hold up, but to my surprise, after all the traveling this bag has been through, it still looks and feels brand new. The pack size and weight are amazing. I've mated my bag with a Big Agnes insulated air core sleeping pad and an Integral Designs Salathe bivy sack--in my opinion a pretty sweet UL sleeping set up (PLUS IT'S COMFORTABLE!). Some of my best sleeps have come with this setup--shouldn't need to be said, but just remember to keep the sleeping pad inside the bivy, to reduce the chance of poking a hole in it.
Bad: Zipper seems to get caught on the bag itself, but it could just be the operator of the zipper.
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2009-08-14 | Osprey Atmos 35 by chris.cohoon@cadence.org
Good: Great pack, the suspension system is comfy & keeps your back cool. I use it to pack my climbing rack & have all the room I need & more. the mesh pockets on the hip strap are uber handy. spandexy front pocket is useful, too.
Bad: Plastic buckle on hip strap broke, though still functional so far.
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2009-08-13 | Trangia 25-3 by sadle1dc
Good: Took this stove on a European bike tour and had a little run with the airport security while flying through Frankfurt, Germany. It just so happened that I had this stove in my carry-on bag and had forgotten to empty the burner after my climbing trip to the Gunks the previous weekend. Needless to say, security was not pleased. However, thankfully due to the biodegradable nature of ethanol, I was able to simply dump the fuel out in the bathroom and continue on my way. If I had been carrying a white-gas stove, I would have been screwed and my stove confiscated. This stove saved my butt.
Also, it performed beautifully on the 5 week bike tour. The design is so simplistic that there is literally nothing to break--unless you crush the burner. A much lighter and CHEAPER set-up than my MSR stove and cookset, to boot. I haven't been able to test it in the cold or at extreme elevation, but for everyday adventures this is the stove you want; light, durable, and cheap.
One last bit, Trangia even offers optional burners for fuel canisters and pressurized white-gas systems. So, you can diversify your fuel choices and make this your one stove system, swapping out burners depending the temp and elevation of your adventure. I wish I would have bought this stove as my first, but we live and learn.
Bad: ...maybe make the simmer cover a little easier to adjust. But that is very nit-picky b/c there isn't anything bad about this stove.
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2009-08-13 | Black Diamond Ion Headlamp by livextreme41
Good: great size, and great price. It is much brighter than i thought it would be. Great camp light or emergency light.
Bad: who keeps a stock of 6v batteries?
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2009-08-13 | Black Diamond Spot Headlamp by livextreme41
Good: very bright, and simple with only one setting. Got a great deal. this is the lamp that never leaves my pack.
Bad: with the one setting this can be painfully bright around camp.
Alternatives: Petzl tikka plus (3 settings) |
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