Part of Mark Verber's The Great Outdoors Pages
I recently learned that several people watch my pages to see what new things I am trying out so I thought I would make it easier. In the last couple of years I have greatly reduced the number of items I try because I am pretty happy with my system as it exists now.
UL Caldera Cone + MLD 850 + Gram Cracker Esbits Stove (Nov 2009). Packs compactly. Works well with esbits. Haven't use the alcohol stove in the field, only tested the alcohol stove at home.
MLD DuoMid + Solo InnerNet (October 2009). Just received. Looks like it might be the perfect solo shelter system for me. tarp has been used several times. I haven't used the InnerNet yet because bugs are gone for the rest of the year.
UL Caldera Cone + Snowpeak 700 + Gram Cracker Esbits Stove (October 2009). Trying the Caldera Cone and esbits because they have so many fans. The system has worked well enough that it's my new default solo cooking system.
Mountain Hardware Hiking Kilt (October 2009). A gift... was borrowing a kilt earlier in the summer. It's a bit heavy and doesn't really match my fashion sense but it has been useful, especially in hot conditions and work well in transitional conditions because I can put on and take of a layers while protecting my modesty.
Canon S90 (October 2009). A pocketable camera that has a sensor that is a cut above most other compact cameras. Alas, the lens isn't a good as the LX3... but it has replaced the LX3 in my kit.
Gossamer Gear Gorilla Pack (September, 2009). Just started to use it. So far, the experience has been really good. The stay could be bend to fit my curves makes a huge difference and the wrap around hip belt seems to be working well, even though I tend to prefer a more substantial belt. The pack is comfortable and convenient to use, and is pretty close to the perfect size for me. If it does as well on longer trips, my Vapor Trail will be honorably retired.
Showers Pass Elite 2.0 Cyling Jacket: (September, 2009): eVENT rain jacket with pit zips. Picked up for winter riding in the bay area. I don't like the fit for walking around... too much fabric under the arms, but seems fine when riding (arms extended in front of me).
Ex Officio Neo-Tartan Shirt (July 2009): Light weight button up shirt. Good sun protection which is more air permeable than my Rail Rider Adventure shirt and wicks a bit better. Would be nice if it was 100% white or treated will ColdBlack... but it has worked pretty well in hot conditions.
REI Trail Running Shorts (June, 2009... purchased in 2004?): I haven't been burning as easily as I used to and the bugs have been less nasty this season so I have gone back to using shorts rather than long pants. So far these running shorts have worked well. I have had less problems with chaffing than with many other pants / shorts.
Zebralights H501 (June, 2009): It's actually a light for my wife, but I borrowed it for a bit. Really great when you want a work light with a broad flood pattern. Light, durable, comfortable head band, good battery life, good select of output levels. While the flood pattern is great for area work, I found this a very port light for night time navigation when I wanted a decent distant throw.
DriDucks Poncho (May, 2009): Purchased for my daughter... she needed a more natural colored poncho for a trip and we hope that the breathable material will be more comfortable than the coated nylon of her normal poncho. Besides, it was on sale at STP... if she doesn't like it, it can become material for a DIY project.Used a couple of times. First time I have used a poncho and not ended up with a huge spot on my chest and the ventilation was very nice in warmer conditions. This poncho might convince me to give ponchos another try in warmer conditions.
UST Sparkie (June, 2009): One hand use. An effective fire starter provided you have good tinder. Not ideal for lighting stoves. Works when wet. Father's day gift. Replaces a old magnesium bar and striker that I have carried for years and used periodically.
Patagonia R1 Hoody (May, 2009): I used a the original R1 Hoody until it disappear and then got a R1 Flash since Patagonia stopped making the Hoody for several years. A few years ago I realized that the flash didn't seemed to leave the closet so I sold it. I was using either a Patagonia R.5 or a Montbell Inner Fleece. After Richard's best clothing combinations I thought I would give the R1 another try... I started looking for another R1 hoody at the Patagonia Outlet. Finally got one at the memorial day sale. Most likely won't be using it a lot until this winter.
PrincetonTec EOSR (May, 2009): Great quality light, ok regulation, good user interface. Highly recommended. Nearly convinced me to give up the Fenix flashlight I have used for the last two years. Headlamp at work died so I move my older EOS to work an picked up a EOSR to be used around the house and backpacking.
ULA Ohm: (Feb, 2009): Very attractive looking and nicely made. Light weight, good volume for my typical load, and durable materials considering this is a light pack. Much more comfortable than frameless packs for 15-25lbs but not up the standard set by my Vapor Trail. The combination of the strait stays and the minimalist wing hip belt didn't work well for me. The pack was ok comfort wise, but was noticeably less comfortable than my vapor trail. After half a year I concluded that given the choice, I would stick with the Vapor Trail. I sold the Ohm in late August.
Caldera Cone and BPL 550 Pot (Dec 2008): This was an impulse purchase during BPL's sales event. Nice system. The Caldera cone protective case fits snugly inside the 550 pot... just need to figure out what to do with the lid. Easy to use. The Caldera Cone boiled water significantly faster than my Ion stove. I found that my Ion stove + Evernew pot is more energy efficient, nearly as easy to use, easier to pack, and has more water capacity if that is needed. I sold the Caldera cone shortly after I got it because it wasn't sufficiently better that my Ion, and had a better resale value than the Ion. If I lose or damage my Ion system, the Caldera Cone would be be my choice as a replacement stove... or if I decide I was something a bit simpler than the Ion when on the trail.
Inov-8 RocLite 295 (Sep 2008): Comfortable, light, good breathing. The only downside is tread life is poor, worse than the Flyroc 310. Has more cushion and slightly stiffer than the Flyroc 310. I like the 295 more than the Flyroc for street and hard pack us, but the 310 is still my choice for general backpacking on mixed terrain. Picked at the recommendation of ZombieRunners when I was restocking my Flyroc-310 supply.
GSI Lexan Folding Spork (Aug 2008): Folds up small enough to fit into my Evernew .9 pot. A friend reported that his broken during his first use but mine has been fine so far though it does feel a bit flimsy. Lost my GSI Tekk Lexan Fork & Spoon and this looks like a good alternative because it was small enough to fit into my pot, but longer and more conmfortable when extended.
QuikClot Pads (Jun 2008): Haven't had a chance to use... but field reports are very positive.
Platypus BigZip SL 3L (Apr 2008?): Pretty much perfect. Light, easy to fill, doesn't leak, quick release tube is convenient, the drinking tube has an on/off value that stops the accident leaks if the pack is leaned against the bite value. The handle that insures the zip is fully sealed. Works great. Use as a hydration system and also as part of a gravity filter with a filter and tube that snap into the quick release.
Gossamer Gear The One (Feb, 2008): A 3 season solo shelter that's only 1lb. Good protection. A lot of room considering the weight. Fairly easy set-up. Overall this is a winner, thought I wish it went up as easily as the tarptent squall. Purchased to replace Spinnshelter to get a bug free space, a bit more room, and a simpler/faster setup.