Decisions, decisions.... what big item are you eyeing up with your 20% off coupon and dividend?

I am thinking new tent.

bear mace. We are taking the kids hiking in the mountains this summer. They are old enough for bear mace but it has gone up a lot in price!

a new hiking backpack for my wife. Looking at the Gregory Deva 70.

Canoearoo: "bear mace. We are taking the kids hiking in the mountains this summer. They are old enough for bear mace but it has gone up a lot in price!"

You are driving out there I assume? Can't fly with bear mace.

A Platypus 4 liter gravity filter. No more pumping for me. must say though that my MSR miniworks has done well for 13 years.

Not using it. There's other equivalent web sites that are offering 20% off now that don't charge sales tax and shipping.

Bought the wife some new Keens, hers are falling apart after several years of daily wear.

Possibly a Bending Branches paddle.

Hiking Boots.

Patagonia GoreTex rain coat. The Marmot Precip I have is only 5-6 years old but in all day rain the surface gets wetted-out. ...OK, I am still trying to justify the purchase to myself but probably a Patagonia GoreTex rain coat.

I was trying on Tilley hats at Canoecopia. My wife was really pushing me to buy one, but I couldn't bear spending 90 bucks for a hat I didn't really need. At 20% off and a $50 dividend, I'm going for it.

I went with the Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 knife. I did my homework and this knife checks all the boxes for my intended use and it fits perfectly in my hand. The fact that it’s made in the USA closed the deal for me. Can’t wait to put it to use May 26th for my first BWCA trip of the year!

To be honest I am flip flopping. I want to get a Granite Gear pack so I can stop feeling guilty borrowing my sister's Duluth pack every summer, but my son outgrew his boots...again. It is also time for him to have his own paddle, but I will probably wait until closer to his birthday to get that.

BandanaDan: "I was trying on Tilley hats at Canoecopia. My wife was really pushing me to buy one, but I couldn't bear spending 90 bucks for a hat I didn't really need. At 20% off and a $50 dividend, I'm going for it."

I love my Tilley. Just so you know the synthetic fiber hats are a bit warmer than the cotton or hemp. I have the hemp and I don't get as hot as the synthetic versions.

I'm gonna get some of those titanium tent stakes. I'm not going away from my 6 person tent and since a new lightweight one is outta the price range I'm going after the heaviest item in my tent bag. Should be able to cut at least a pound or 2 by swapping out stakes.

We haven't decided yet, but have it narrowed down. My husband claims he needs another pair of hiking boots. The new pup could use a better dog pack, and I like the palasides one that detaches from the harness, seems like that would be handy for portages and sitting in a canoe. Our daughter could also use a pair of hiking boots, and our son needs a new sleeping bag liner. Oh, and I've been looking at lighter stoves. No end to the wants.

Stohlquist DRIFTer PDF on rei outlet already + 20% coupon.
Replacing you don't want to know.

Since I don't really need anything, I am thinking about either the REI hybrid cooler backpack or a straight up Ice Mule cooler backpack. Despite the fact that I am fairly satisfied with the dehydrated meals that we usually eat, I think i might be able to bring the food to another level with the option to bring fresh and safely cold food and beverages to the BWCA. A couple ice cold pepsi's in the heat of the day, fresh meat, veggies and cheese, and a big drink of ice cold water as the ice melts would go a long ways at some point on the trip. Not to mention a growler of ice cold beer for nights 1 and 2.

Not something I have ever craved but I can see the value of eating and drinking a little better up there. Just a thought, not sure what else to spend it on. Since we are basecampers for the most part and double portage pretty much all the time, it doesn't seem like it would add much to the workload.

Honestly its probably less about the food than the beverages. On a warm season trip I do definitely crave an ice cold beverage. Although I never bring booze of any kind up there I can see the attraction of sitting around the campfire looking over a glass calm lake while the loons are wailing and sipping on a solid IPA or a bourbon barrel aged stout. Yup, that would be good.

I'm thinking it's finally time to get the Garcia bear canister and stop hanging my food. Never had an issue with critters getting in my food pack but it would be nice to not have to worry about it and it will allow me to take things like crackers that get crushed in my bag. Taking the wife for her first time this year so anything I can get to make her trip more enjoyable will find it's way into my cart.

I went with the 1L Katadyn BeFree Collapsible Water Filter Bottle. I had the .6L on Lake 2 last October and left outside in the 20's. I really liked that filter but found it a little small for filing other vessels. Believe the 1L will be just the ticket.
Katadyn 1L

Bending Branches canoe paddles.

I’ve decided to buy a tent, but cannot decide which one. Between the 20% off coupon, my dividend, and gift cards from Christmas, I’m going to splurge a bit. Either the Nemo Hornet 2, or the REI Quarter Dome 2. Decisions, decisions.....

DeanL: "I'm gonna get some of those titanium tent stakes. I'm not going away from my 6 person tent and since a new lightweight one is outta the price range I'm going after the heaviest item in my tent bag. Should be able to cut at least a pound or 2 by swapping out stakes."

I have tried several different stakes and for the hard rocky ground of the bwca and the ozarks where I live I use the nail shaped titanium stakes.

Shop online! There you will get prices. As for staff there, good luck! Finding one.

OR full-zip gore-tex rain pants. Purchased today, used my dividend!

Ordered myself a Sawyer Squeeze, I don't really need much but I'm always looking for a better, more versatile filter so we'll see how it compares to my current MSR Autoflow and Trailshot. I'm fairly confident it can do the Trailshot's job better, but we'll see if it's a decent replacement for the Autoflow.

I ordered a Helinox Chair 0 yesterday.

I got a ranger solo stove for My backyard and car camping.

T

I almost bought a Helinox sunsetter, but got a much better deal from steep and cheap. Will probably order a new paddle.

Used mine for a new tarp.

Kuhl fleece jacket for Deb, my wife.

Mountian Summit Featherlite Table.
Ordered it yesterday.

Got the light weight Tilly hat to replace my heavier weight one

Helinox Chair Zero

A new hammock/tarp setup for my oldest kid.

I am sure the old one is located with his old winter coat, 1 shoe, another complete pair of shoes, cash, homework, a fitbit, approximately 78 pairs of gloves, nordic ski poles, 2 iphones, and his attention span.

Its a good thing he has a nice smile (oh yeah, he lost his retainer too).

I didn't go too crazy. Got a new MSR Dromedary 10L Bag and a Hydrapak Velocity reservoir (REI Outlet coupon) for my pack.

LindenTree: "Mountian Summit Featherlite Table.
Ordered it yesterday."

Me too!
I also got a new Ex Officio shirt for paddling.

I picked up another BearVault BV500.

Hults Bruk Aneby is on it's way

Been downsizing my gear this spring in prep for kayak camping. Used the 20% for a new stove. Went with the msr whisperlite universal. Also got a hydration bladder with the outlet coupon.