"Perfect" Gear

The question was raise on Backpacker.com's gear forum if people owned any perfect gear. Below is my list of "perfect", and a longer list of near perfect gear. Please keep in mind that "perfect" is in the eye of the beholder. What is "perfect" for me might be perfectly wrong for you. Also know that over time what I might consider "perfect" can change as new experiences are gained or expectations are revisited. This means that over time items might fall off the list and items that I once didn't like become "perfect" in my eyes. Related articles include bacpacking.net top 5 items, backpackinglight.com staff's picks in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and backpacker.com Editors Choice. If you have found something that is perfect, especially if it is on my Looking for Perfection sublist please send me mail. I might try it out and put it on my list, or add it to the Perfect for Others section at the end of this document. Further discussions about issues related to each of these items can be found in my Recommended Outdoor Gear pages.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla: A perfect size pack for most of my trips when I am carrying between 15-25 lbs. The use light weight stays and a foam sit pad provides excellent carry comfort. The pack is easy to use and made from a fairly durable material. You can strip the pack down if you want something more minimal. I found the hip belt completely adequate but I have wondered if it would be even more comfortable using the hip belt from the Vapor Trail.
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags: Very high quality down sleeping bags. Everyone I know who has a WM sleeping bag has been delighted. I am particularly fond of the Versalite which is my winter sleeping bag, mostly used in the sierras when the temperatures are between -10F and 30F and I have used in warmer temperatures opened up. The Versalight is a light and warm sleeping bag with a great hood, the right dimensions for me, and a zipper that doesn't jam. No side baffles so I can shift the down around to control how much insulation is on top. I have always been amazing how quickly WM bags puff up and how I never get cold spots. People who are a bit more narrow than my 5'10" 170-190lbs should look at the Ultralite or the Summerlite. More girth should look at the Alpinlite.. but whatever you choose, you won't go wrong.
Inov-8 310 Flyroc shoes (my review): Light trail runners with a very aggressive sole. Extremely flexible which takes some getting used to but then is very comfortable. The only downside is that they were out after around 400 miles... but I have decided that is the cost of wearing light weight shoes.
Injinji Tetratsok: Socks made with toes. I prefer the wool line of these socks because they are a bit more cushioning that the coolmax. Combined with my Inov-8 Flyroc 310 I can go days with no blisters! This is a first for me. These socks took some getting used to. The first several times I wore them I was very aware that the socks were between my toes and it drove me crazy... but after a number of days wearing these socks around town, and a number of days on the trail I stopped noticing them after the first 30 minutes or so.
Montbell Thermawrap Vest: Moderate insulation layer with a micro fleece liner collar. Just 5oz and very compressible. Gives good freedom of movement while keeping my core warm. When combined with a medium weight base, wind shirt and a warm hat keeps me adequately warm down to around 20F if I am moderately active, and good to 30F if I am sitting. Many people might want something warmer since the Thermawrap is similar to a 200wt fleece. I am not using the Thermawrap Vest anymore. After five years of use the Thermawrap lost enough loft that it needed to be replaced. I would have purchased another Thermawrap... but I had been given a WM Flash Vest which works well enough that is doesn't make sense to buy a new Thermawrap.
Sunday Afternoon Adventure Hat: Sun protection while keeping your head as cool as possible. Only downsides are that and the huge visor cuts down your field of vision and that it can look a bit "geeky" on some people ... but I can't imagine a hat this effective not being a bit strange looking.
Polar Buff: I can configure the Buff to suit my needs. In warmer conditions I double the fleece section over my ears with just the light polyester fabric over the top of my head to avoid overheating. When the temperature is down around freezing I reconfigure the buff so the fleece covers all of my head for some extra warmth. When it gets really cold the buff becomes a neck gaiter / face mask and I use another hat to keep my head warm.
UL Caldera Cone, GramCracker Stove, MLD 850ml Pot using esbits: Light weight, extremely easy to use, works well in wind system with predictable fuel use. The UL Caldera Cone is not quite as fuel efficient as the full size Caldera Cone but can pack into the stove making it more compact and removes the need for a protective case. If you want more economic fuel use the alcohol stove that comes with the Caldera Cone. It's one of the more efficient alcohol stoves. Slightly larger system is available in titanium as the Ti Tri which can also be used for wood fires.

REI/Evernew Nonstick Titanium 0.9 L pot

1.3L pot

Platypus BigZip SL Hydration System: I find that I am more consistent in drinking when I use a hydration system. The BigZip is lighter than most other hydration systems, while still having a large opening which makes filling it easier. The new zip top is much easier and more reliable to close than the first generation platypus zip lock containers. The quick release value works well making it possible for me quick switch from hydration bladder to the "dirty" bag in a gravity filter system which I am using a combination of filtering and chemicals.

Runner Up: Packs

Granite Gear Vapor Trail (my review): The most comfortable pack I have found for carrying 25lbs or less when I have it perfectly adjusted. I have forgotten I was wearing this pack with 22lb loads. It would be perfect if it's side pockets were more usable, the extension collar was a bit shorter, the back panel and shoulder straps was a bit longer (for me), and if the material could be a bit more durable at the same weight.
Osprey Aether 60 (my review) pre-2006: This is the best pack IMHO for transitioning from heavy-weight to light weight packing. The strait-jacket compression systems holds a wide variety of loads effectively. The suspension is one of the most comfortable I have used for less than 40lbs. It would be perfect if it didn't squeak, wasn't quite so tall, and was lighter.

Runner Up: Shelters

Two Person Shelters by Henry Shires. Light weight, easy to set up, good ventilation, provides good protection from rain, reasonably resistant to condensation, provides protection from insects, survive fairly strong winds provided you stake them down well, and they have pretty lines. Every commercial design produced by Henry has been amazing. He releases a product, I think "this is great, I can't imagine a better compromise between weight and function" and then a year later a new product comes out which is just as good but services a different application, or is overall superior.
A16 bug bivy (archive of A16 review): Light weight bug protection with room around the head to move around. Makes use of sleeping bag to protect the lower body which minimizes weight and size. Free standing system makes it easy to use in a variety of conditions. Would be perfect is it was a bit more compact when packing (and/or it could miraculously provide a larger bug free space).

Runner Up: Sleeping Systems

BA insulated air core mummy sleeping pad & pacific outdoors insulated air matresses: Super comfortable to sleep on, warm enough for 20F temperatures, reasonably compact, reasonable weight. Available in a petite length to save weight. Some people have reported durability issues, but we haven't had problems since we starting using one in 2003. The NeoAir might be the perfect pad for me but I am not prepared to spend the money until all the quality issues have been worked out of the NeoAir.
Nunatak Ghost Blanket: for three season sleeping. Light weight. Not too hot in warm weather because it's easy to ventilate. Good down to 30F wearing light base + a warm hat. Warm enough for year round use in the sierras when combined with high loft insulating garments. One improvement would be 2oz overfill because when sleeping on my side cold spots can develop where my hips are the high point. In colder weather it would be nice for the quilt to be a bit wider to eliminate small leaks. I have the original version which has a less developed foot box. While this won't be as warm as the Arc line, it's easier to ventilate which I prefer on most 3 season trips.

Runner Up: Clothing

Cloudveil Four Shadows Beanie: Wonderful hat in cool. incidental conditions (30-50F). Protections without being too warm and it is very breathable. Doesn't interfere with hearing. Would be perfect if I could get it in a slightly smaller size. Use it as a "base layer" under an insulated hat or hood in colder conditions.
Patagonia Micro Puffball Pullover: Ultra simple and clean insulating jacket. Excellent warmth / weight: synthetic jacket weighting in at 11oz. I used the original version of this jacket, the current version might be slightly different. Layers well over other clothing. This would be perfect if it had hand warmer pockets. I sold it because this jacket was too warm for many of my trips. I switched to a Montbell Thermawrap Vest which I could combine with a Thermawrap Jacket when the temperatures fell into the range I was using the Micro Puffball..
Patagonia R.5 Zipper Pullover Top: For high aerobic activities in the winter. Medium-to-heavy base layer made from PowerDry. Very comfortable, extra trunk length so it stays tucked in, moves moisture really. Zipper for good venting. In theory it would be even better with X-static for odor control, but I have not had significant problem with odor on winter trips. Patagonia Capline 4 is similar, but feels more scratchy that the R.5.
Rab Vapour-Rise Smock: Great all around jacket with fold away hood. It can be worn as a base, as an insulation layer, or as a shell. Durable while still having a soft hand and quiet movement. Highly wind and water repellent, I have be able to use it without resorting to a hard shell in cool, rainy conditions. Snow doesn't stick to it. When I am highly active it has kept me comfortable in 20-50F temperatures wearing nothing but a technical tee on my torso. If it dries as quickly as the Driclime jacket (e.g. if the liner was bipolar) it will move to my perfect list. Runs narrow. If you have a big chest or wide torso, size up one.
Patagonia Houdini Windshirt: Windshirt with a full length zipper and hood. Very light, reasonably durable, great size for me (I like my shells to have extra long torso). Great at blocking wind. It would be perfect if the material was a bit more water resistant... like the original polyester Marmot Chinook while being at least as breathable.
Marmot ATV Pants: The original version made from Schoeller Dryskin Extreme. Beyond Fleece's ColdPlay Pants might be a good substitute but I haven't tried them. Comfortable over a wide range of temperatures (moderate-cold). Very breathable. Reasonably water resistant and moderately wind resistant. Soft and comfortable against the skin yet very durable. I have found these pants comfortable over a larger range of temperatures and conditions than any other pants I have tried. I have found them to be perfect for skiing and snowshoeing in the Sierras. They are not water resistant enough for snowboarding or other activities which spend a lot of time being pushed into the snow, nor wind resistant enough to be used in cold conditions which regularly face high winds.
WrightSock Double Running Socks: Light and thin socks which prove good blister protection and dry fairly quickly. They would be perfect if they were more durable. Mine lasts less than a season of common use.

Runner Up: Misc

Adventure Medical Ultralight Kits: Great starting point to build a fire aid kit. For solo trips I use the .3 kit. Just needed to add aleve, pro-tick remover, a few Spyroflex bandages, some small band-aids, superglue and duct tape (which is on my hiking poles). On group trips (especially with kids) I bring a a .7 with some additional items.
Aqua Mira in backpackinglight.com droppers: Super light water treatment effective against pretty much all biological containments and doesn't have the awful iodine taste. Would be perfect if you could drink the water immediately after treatment rather than waiting and if there was not change in the water's taste.
PrincetonTec EOSR Headlamp: Update to the original EOS... now with a Rebel bulb for 2x the light output for the same battery life and a slightly frosted lens which gives a very even beam which is more useful around camp than the original EOS. The regulation circuits could be better, but it's good enough to use Lithium batteries. This headlight have three level settings. The low is 6 lumens which is great for around the camp chores with a runtime of 50+ hours regulated, and 120+ hours unregulated. The medium (18 lumens) is good for most navigation tasks and and runs 6h regulated. The high is 50 lumens which is enough for all but the most difficult cross country navigation tasks (1h regulated). Water resistant. Light weight and comfortable to wear.

Looking for Perfection

The following are things that I would love to find, but don't seem to exist anymore.

Rain Jacket: eVENT with Pit Zips with a feature set and cut like the Montbell Peak weighting 12oz or less.
Modular Gloves: Ten years ago several manufacturers made these but no one seems to anymore. My updated specifications would be an a light weight gauntlet style, completely unlined outer shell, eVENT membrane with sealed seams, and a grippy palm. Inner gloves would have thermolite or fleece insulated palms which provides some insulation when compressed and primaloft insulated on the back of the hands within a highly breathable shell. This would provide gloves which could be used in a wide variety of conditions and easily dried overnight in a sleeping bag.

Perfect for Others

The following are items that others have found perfect. Some I haven't tried, some I have tried and didn't work for me... but I still really like the product's design and know others who think they are perfect products:

McHale Packs: Reported to be the some of the best internal frame backpacks made today thanks to the thoughtful design, well designed waist strap, and bypass harness system. Plug&Go lets the pack easily transition between a pack used for approach and then turn into a summit pack.
Luxurylite Backpack: Ultralight external frame pack with an innovative modular packing system which can turn into a comfortable reclining chair. For whatever reason external frame packs just don't work for me.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus: This ultra-light pack which has removable carbon fiber stay and uses a sleeping mat as part of the suspension system. The Mariposa was quite comfortable and was easy to use. I found the stays make a huge difference in the way this pack carries. This would be a great pack to use when transitioning from light weight to an ultra light approach.
Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid combined with the solo InnerNet. While there are shelters that are lighter, nothing else can cover the same range of conditions combined with the ease of use of this system. Depend on conditions just the the tarp, the InnerNet, or both can be used to provide appropriate protection and ventilation. There is enough room to comfortably ride out a nasty storm and cook while protected. While not as light as some ultralight shelters, the DuoMid can be used in shoulder seasons and into the winter. Some people might prefer it's smaller brother, the SoloMid.
Hennessy Hammock: Especially the Hyperlite Backpacker. This is a complete shelter system and sleeping "pad" weight less than 1.5lbs. No worries about ground water or finding a flat spot to camp. You just need a couple of trees. I don't sleep comfortably in hammock, but many people do.
Warmlite Down Air Mattress: Amazing comfort, warmth, while weights about the same as much thinner therm-a-rest. If I spent a lot of time in sub 20F weather on extended / long distance trips I would purchase one of these.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Matress: Ultralight sleeping comfort. Some have had issues holding air through the night. It seems likely that the manufacturer process still has some bugs to work our because most of the mattresses work just fine.
Nuatak Arc Alpinist: All weather version of the Ghost blanket that I use. Personally, I prefer a quilt that is more option at the bottom, rather than the mummy style of the Arc Alpinist which comes up nearly to my hips... but maybe people love them, especially is colder conditions.
Feathered Friends Light Flight Sleeping Bags: Similar in quality to Western Mountaineering. Semi custom made. Better selection of shells than most anyone else.
JacksRBetter No Sniveller Quilt: Nice looking down quilt with a head hole so it's easy to use as a poncho around camp to stay warm. Some people have complained that the baffles are too far apart and it's underfilled. I haven't used one so I don't know if these issues are real or not.
Montbell Super Stretch Sleeping Bags: Light weight down sleeping bags with elastic sewn into the baffle which keeps the bag snug against you, but leaves plenty of room to move. I don't like the feel of the elastic "gripping" me, but many people, including my daughter love this line of bags. I think some models are underfilled.
Montbell Inner Down Jacket: Super light jacket that has one of the best warmth / weight ratios.
Marmot DriClime Windshirt: Many people seem to live in this jacket. Highly effective wicking base + a high quality DWR polyester shell is incredibly useful. It can be worn as a base, as an insulation layer, or as a shell. BiPolar liner moves moisture away from your skin making it less clammy when wet. Polyester shell which absorbs little water and dries very quickly. Some people have called it the ultimate soft shell. My daughter's jacket is called "The Amazing Blue" or sometimes "The Magic Blue" jacket because it always seems to meet her needs from a cool evening around town, or downhill skiing in the sierras. I find the liner irritates my elbows.
Photon Freedom (Mk II): Amazingly small and light weight given the amount of light it throws. I have found that it produces enough light for all my tasks except navigation. The user interface is well thought out, letting you select either dim or bright light when you turn it on. The Freedom is more resistant to accident turn-on that most button lights when put into the push-to-light mode. The Freedom comes with nifty stand that can be clipped to just about anything for hand's free use. Some people place a velcro dot onto the battery compartment which can provide an even lighter hand's free experience. The Freedom is moderately water resistant. If you hold it in your month for extend periods of time, moisture will get in. If you don't take the time to dry it out time-to-time, it will corrode on the inside and then fail. The differ between the standard Photon Freedom and Doug Ritter's Freedom is that it has a bright yellow case making easier to find, and that it has the "covert" band around the sides of the LED which minimizes side scatter.