Gear that works

[Verduretiger]

Being somewhat of a gear head I have purchased quite a bit of gear over the years.  Most of which has been adequate for the job.  However sometimes the gear will exceed my expectations, and on my most recent trip to BIBE a couple pieces of new gear did just that. 

The Snow Peak Jet Boil was outstanding.  It took up a little space but was all self contained and light.  The piezo lighter worked very well and the water boiled in just a few minutes.  A lot easier to use than my whisperlite. 

The Big Agnes air mattress was a dream.  I have arthritis in my shoulder and hip and always have trouble sleeping on a backpacking trip.  This thing was a dream.  I laid it on top of a walmart blue pad (I tend to be a belt and suspenders guy) and what comfort I had all night.  The weight in my pack was much less than a thermarest self inflater and cost a lot less than the Neo-Air.  We will have to find out about its durability but for right now I am very happy. 

[Reece]

Ditto on the arthritis and ditto on the Big Agnes blow-up. I have the 3/4 length but wish I had the full length. I also use it with a cheap-o corrugated high density foam pad. My problem is pillows. I recently got the REI backpacking pillow. It's down and polyester and has a zipper to compress or decompress and an inside pocket to add filler if needed - pretty nice.

I can't imagine any stove working better than the Whisper-Lite.

[Verduretiger]

The whisperlite will always be in my inventory but the Jet Boil is just so easy to use that it is ridiculous.  If I were having to boil water for more that one person I would use my whisperlite.  But for an overnighter where I am just going to be boiling water for myself.  You cannot beat it.  But it is $100 so that is the downside. 

Years ago I bought a thermarest pillow sham made out of fleece that I stuff my jacket into and this makes a great pillow.

[MilesOfTexas]

The whisperlite will always be in my inventory but the Jet Boil is just so easy to use that it is ridiculous.  If I were having to boil water for more that one person I would use my whisperlite.  But for an overnighter where I am just going to be boiling water for myself.  You cannot beat it.  But it is $100 so that is the downside. 

Years ago I bought a thermarest pillow sham made out of fleece that I stuff my jacket into and this makes a great pillow.

+1 on the Jet Boil!  I absolutely love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.  I also have the adapter for it to be able to use pots/pans on it.

[MilesOfTexas]

Your comment re the "Big Agnes" pad was timely; I "hauled" a Thermorest "max"(6 lbs) up Last Chance Canyon because of my hurt shoulder; now I have a hurt back;, MOT was using the "Big Agnes" (4-6 oz). I am getting a" Big Agnes"!
QS

The Big Agnes pad that I used worked great.  My only complaint is that I wish I had gotten a standard shaped one instead of the mummy shaped one.  Thankfully I bought it at REI (about $75) and therefore can exchange it.

[TexasAggieHiker]

I use the Jet Boil for groups all the time.  For boiling two cups of water for Mountain House meals, it can't be beat.  Light weight, compact, and it sips fuel.  Three of used one canister in four days on the OML.  Love it!

[mule ears]

Granted I am a lightweight/ultralight backpacker but I think the dual pad system, especially in the prickly desert, is the way to go.  If you haven't found them yet I have a piece on pads on my website, including a link to a pad comparison chart at the bottom of the page and another on stoves (not a fan of MSR liquid fuel stoves), a canister stove is a very convenient way to go.

By the way this should be over in the Camping Equipment section.  Richard?

[Robert]

+1 on the Jet Boil!  I absolutely love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

What about for the new Titanium Jetboil that is due to come out this year?

The Snow Peak Jet Boil was outstanding.

I love the jetboil as well, espcially since I transitioned to freezer bag cooking. But for solo trips I just take a Pocket Rocket and Snowpeak titanium pot. But FYI, Jetboil is not made by Snow Peak, it is made by Jetboil, Inc.

[MilesOfTexas]

What about for the new Titanium Jetboil that is due to come out this year?

I hadn't heard about that, so I will check it out!

[MilesOfTexas]

What about for the new Titanium Jetboil that is due to come out this year?

I hadn't heard about that, so I will check it out!

According to Jetboil's fall catalog, the titatium will be available as a companion cup, so it will work on my existing burner.  Not a whole lot of weight difference though.  My current one is 9.7 ounces, and the titanium one will be 6.3 ounches.  The titanium cup is also smaller, so I don't know if I will be able to store the burner and fuel in the cup like I can with my current one.

Mine: 4.1" x 7.1"
Titanium: 4.1" x 6.5"

More info here: (PDF)

[jeffblaylock]

I won't knock the Jet Boil for its ease of use or how fast it gets the job done. Many folks are happy with it, especially compared with flaky gas stoves.

It is, however, very heavy and bulky to achieve the functionality of boiling water. A personal Jet Boil and a full fuel canister weigh about 22 ounces and take up practically a football's worth of space in a pack. My Esbit stove, titanium wind screen, titanium pot, matches and 2 Esbit cubes weigh less than 1/3 of that (or about a pound less), and everything fits in the pot. Yes, it takes about 7-9 minutes to boil water, but what's your hurry? If you're in the "looking to reduce pack weight" category, your cooking system is a place to look.

One of my "gear that works" nominations goes to Frogg Toggs DriDucks rain gear. These are very lightweight and waterproof while breathable. I use the pants only on the trail, as I prefer a more insulated jacket. Combined with an umbrella, they kept me dry in driving rain storms in Yosemite and Idaho. They can also be another layer in colder temperatures.

[Homer67]

I am also a big fan of the Esbit stove, too.

But sometimes I must play the sherpa and haul the Portachef stove, at the wife's behest.  It's a huge beast, not light in comparison to any of the above stoves, but it does work well.  And I do dig a good omelette after a few days out on the trail!

[RedBuffalo]

Jetboil has announced a new and lighter model coming Fall 2011 - watch for details.  I also see where Primus has a "very" similar model out, which is lighter.  I trekked my Jetboil 221 miles on the John Muir Trail this summer and it was a dream.

I also love my BA insulmat w/ BA sleeve bag.  I do recommend Motrin PM for a deeper sleep. 

[veriest1]

Just to throw it out there - I'm in love with my Montbell Exlite jacket. It's quite possibly the niftiest piece of gear I own and it's worth keeping a close close eye out for one on sale. I'd pay full price for one if I had to since it's down filled and should last nearly forever if I take care of the shell.

On stoves: My Supercat stove is down-right-amazing. It's so simple and effective that I grin every time I fire it up.

The Esee Izula is crazy. I carry it everywhere I go (that I legally can). It's the handiest knife I've ever owned and it does everything a knife should be able to do yet it's still small and tough as nails.

On the other hand the Neoair isn't the end all be all sleeping pad I hoped it would be. Time will tell with it but I have a problem with air mattresses in general and so far it's the best back country sleep I've found for the the weight.

[Jimbow]

A couple years ago my gf made a couple of fleece stuff sacks which serve double duty. Besides keeping my clothes stored, they make nice pillows. One is also large enough to tuck my feet in on extra chilly nights.

And in the I really don't need this but it is very light and I think it's cool, my Orikaso dinner set. Basically it's a folding plate, bowl, and mug that weighs a couple ounces.