All Entries in the "Gear Tech" Category
Stove Review: Vargo Triad versus Super Cat
I’m one of those guys that is always tweaking his gear. One of the items that caught my eye was the Vargo Triad Titanium Alcohol Stove. My homemade Super Cat has replaced my MSR gas stoves on my solo hikes, and I’ve been wanting to check out some of the manufactured stoves to see if they are better than my DIY project.
What to Bring for your Dog on a Hike
Here is a quick rundown of gear to consider if you take your dog hiking.
Homemade Stoves
For those of you interested in history, Tomahawk has an interesting post on his site concerning homemade stoves. You can check it out by CLICKING HERE. The rest of his site is pretty good too.
Hiking Report: Hiking Stove Review (Nov 26, 09)
Here is a quick comparison of my backpacking stoves. Super Cat, Svea Optimus, MSR Dragonfly, and MSR XGK.
Packing for a Day Hike Revisited
My recent day hike into Redfield Canyon Wilderness highlighted that not all day hikes are created equal and safety considerations dictate that the prudent hiker will pack accordingly. A couple of months ago I posted Packing for a Desert Day Hike. The article outlines the gear I carry for a typical out and back hike, [...]
Field Test: Osprey Kestrel 48 Backpack
I’ve been anxious to give my Osprey Kestrel some field time, but I’ve been unable to break away for an overnight trip. This weekend I planned to make a day trip to Redfield Canyon Wilderness so I decided to pack the Kestrel as if it was a two day trip and see how it did. [...]
Must Have Hiking Gear That Never Leaves the House
It sounds counterintuitive at first, but some of the best hiking gear I have never leaves the house. No, I’m not talking about tents, packs, or boots. I’m talking about those things that I use at home to make my field experience safer or more enjoyable. Here is my Top 5 list of Must Have [...]
Gear Review: FoodSaver V3840 Vacuum Sealer
I’ve only been using my vacuum sealer for a couple of days and I’ve already decided that this is a “must have” item. My wife picked up a FoodSaver V3840 Upright Vacuum at Costco last month and I unpacked it this week during my latest food drying marathon. The sealer was selling for around $140 [...]
Gear Review: Nesco FD-35 Food Dehydrator
Let’s face it, store bought camping food is expensive and a bit dull, but weight is a constant factor on the trail. So what is the alternative? Dry your own food! Here is my review of my first dehydrator, the Nesco FD-35.
Osprey Kestrel 48 Backpack: Initial Impressions
Shedding gear weight has become a primary focus for me. I’m not obsessive, yet, but reserve the right to become so later. In my last post I outlined how I shed close to two pounds with a Super Cat alcohol stove. Today I lost two more pounds by purchasing an Osprey Kestrel pack. It may [...]
Super Cat Alcohol Stove
After my trip up Mt Lemmon last month I realized I had to cut some gear weight. The first target was my stove, so I decided to build a Super Cat alcohol stove. This is an easy project for any hiker looking to lighten their load.
Gear Review: Buff Headgear
I’m generally not very excitable (it’s a bad trait when you fly helicopters or fall out of airplanes), but sometimes the littlest things get me going. The Buff is one of those things. It’s just so darn useful…hat, bandana, headband, scarf, face mask, pot holder, wash cloth. Plus it only weighs a couple of ounces, [...]
Gear Review: Leki Trekking Poles
I’ve always been a fan of walking sticks. Of course, when I grew up that meant hacking down a sapling that just happened to be the right size and then hauling a couple of pounds of wood around with you. That’s not very politically correct in our more enlightened days.
Gear Review: Ursack Bear Bag Initial Impressions
I recently purchased an Ursack “Bear Resistant Food Bag”. I haven’t had it out in the field yet, but wanted to give a quick review. First the specs: My intended purpose: General animal & varmint bag for local trips. Material: Ballistic Fabric & high tensile strength cord Volume: 650 cu in Weight: 8 oz (bag); 10 oz [...]
