I’m sure everyone has purchased equipment that’s just plain dumb and impractical but you thought was a good idea at the time. I was doing some cleaning in the basement the other day and came across this grill. It’s called a tube grill. It appears as though I used it at least once before I put it away. I have no idea how to set it up now. Anybody else have stupid stuff you bought?

Bought a dishwashing station several years ago. Used it once, have never taken it on another trip.

walllee: "Bought a dishwashing station several years ago. Used it ounce, have never taken it on another trip. "

I have something similar that probably seemed like a good idea at the time but proved to be unnecessary. But it may have been intended for car or trailer camping.

BB gun for target practice.

I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip.

Most of the Coghlan's brand stuff that I've bought over the years....

Fun thread. I have some family who knows ‘I’m into camping’ and so for token Christmas gifts or whatnot they get me ‘camping stuff’ because they feel I need a gift. The gesture is nice, but the the stuff is usually not. Like a 2-liter sized lantern/tent fan combo that takes 6 D batteries....

muddyfeet: "Fun thread. I have some family who knows ‘I’m into camping’ and so for token Christmas gifts or whatnot they get me ‘camping stuff’ because they feel I need a gift. The gesture is nice, but the the stuff is usually not. Like a 2-liter sized lantern/tent fan combo that takes 6 D batteries.... "

Amen. Just what I was going to say.

People have good intentions and buy you things they think you'll LOVE. My daughter bought me a multitool to wear on my belt. It includes a hammer and weighs 2#s.

As far as Coghlan's, I slightly disagree. Granted it is not top-notch quality, but many times top-notch is not needed. It is affordable. You can always upgrade down-the-road. Still many times good enough is good enough.

Sporks

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Haha I have always thought of trying those. Now you have convinced me not to.

I have lots of dumb equipment usually sent as gag gifts.

Rope saw...which admittedly works pretty damn well

Kitchen sink...basically a nylon disc that turns into a pot for washing dishes... seems pointless to me. I have never used it.

Shampoo that doesn't need water. You simply put in your hair and call it good. Again never used.

Someone bought me a little GEI kit that had a miniature cutting board and some other non sense in it. Never used.

I'd have to go downstairs but I am sure I have plenty more.

some of the stuff Coghlan's offers is a bit odd, but until someone makes a better something those "tubes" they sell that you fill from the bottom are awesome for peanut butter. I replaced one last year that had been in use for over a decade.

Soap of any kind.
Fiberglass poles.
Anything that uses bigger than AA batteries.
Any device you can receive info from home.

My egg carriers have served me well over the years. I've never broken one egg. What I did waste money on was waterproof socks.

Water proof socks and gloves these never keep me warm or dry at the temperatures I use them.

Candle lantern (except Winter camping).

Pillows, I have yet to find one thick enough that works very well.

I'm sure there is more gear I have that is worthless.

Can't think of too much dumb, only stuff brought along and not much used.... bought a solar shower dealy for base camping with the wife, but I don't think we ever used it. Preferred just swimming. Don't know about the kitchen sink thing, but we do have one of those collapsible sinks (basically fabric round pouch and a tough wire rim that you twist to collapse it) and do use it for wash ups, etc. Very compact. Ditto on some of the coughlin stuff: I had their waterproof matches and they did not work well.... maybe if you use them right away after purchase, but not long-lived. Oh yeah, there was a combination salt/pepper shaker that leaked... and sporks, I am an anti-sporkite. This is a fun thread!

House, car, appliances... Can't fit any of them in a canoe and just think how much cool gear and how many boats I could have bought with that money.

alpinebrule: "Sporks"

Our titanium sporks are awesome. I think we bought them as stocking stuffers but have now been happily using them for 20 years.

Now those plastic ones with a spoon on one end and a fork/knife on the other seem really odd to me. But our niece and her husband really like them. We actually had a trip where we both gave each other our favorite sporks but failed to convert anyone to the other side.

RTurner: "House, car, appliances... Can't fit any of them in a canoe and just think how much cool gear and how many boats I could have bought with that money. "

Think of all the Coghlan's stuff you could have bought. :-)

I bought a fishing net that goes into the pole. The problem is, to make it work and fit the net inside the pole, the pole is too big and heavy and the fishing net is too small.

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Yes, mine did not even make it to the trail.... packed in the back seat of the car, 12 hr road trip. Went to put in the pack???? What... ??? In the outfitters trash can...

alpinebrule: "Sporks"

Sounds like a great idea but never worked. Horrible as a fork, and poor as a spoon.

Hey, Don't put down sporks. Used to live in Australia, and they are called Splayds there. Brought home a bunch, and have used them many years. If they had a knife edge, too, would be even better. What would you call them?

Hatchet "duct tape a sock to it and we'll be in the Ely ER by midnight"
collapsible landing net "dammit!"
camping pillow "Dammit!"
non-deet bug repellant "I'm gonna read in the tent. Dammit."
cheap rain gear "No, I'm fine. It's just water."
shorts and sandals (see above)

One mans dumb gear is another’s treasure.

Love my hatchet and sporks.

This is sacrilege but I sold my CCS utensil roll (high quality and well made for sure). Once I switched to titanium sporks we bring 4 sporks and 1 collapsing spatula (for 4 people) All fits in a tiny GG zip bag. The utensil roll weighed 4-5x more than all of my sporks and spatula combined. Somethings wrong when the case weighs more than the utensils...but I am an ounce counter...to each their own.

The plastic egg carriers always worked for me, but I stopped bringing eggs and switched to ova easy. So dumb for me now.

Collapsible net? Never go without it. But I go in August. Here is a 10# walleye I caught this year on a reef, you can see how far I am from shore. If I “played it out” or paddled to shore I would have killed it for sure. Same for numerous nice Lakers and northern s over the years.


Probably the biggest waste of gear is all the fishing lures I never use :) but not giving up on them...just in case.

2 years ago I would have said a chair was my dumbest piece of gear. But since the Lighter weight chairs have come out, there are advantages to having one I see now.

Eyedocron: "Hey, Don't put down sporks. Used to live in Australia, and they are called Splayds there. Brought home a bunch, and have used them many years. If they had a knife edge, too, would be even better. What would you call them?"

knorks? sporknifs?

We also like the egg carriers. Just don't pack extra large eggs. Have used the carriers many times and used them this summer in Canada.

I was mostly kidding with the Coghlan's comment, just a knee jerk reaction after listening to Tumblehome for the last year. I occasionally use my magnesium block, the ferro rod has long since fallen off and disappeared.

I bought a CCS Utensil Roll off this site, maybe it was yours timatkn. Definitely not dumb equipment in my book.

Plain dumb & impractical:
1) 4ft telescoping Zebco fishing rod circa 1990 with closed face reel. Has the backbone of a wet noodle.
2) Thermarest three-quarter length sleeping mattress from circa 1990 - teflon coated to ensure you’ll slide off.
3) My Ex - circa 1960.

mirth: ".


I bought a CCS Utensil Roll off this site, maybe it was yours timatkn. Definitely not dumb equipment in my book."

I did sell it on this website. I cannot remember if it was you or not but it makes the post better so let’s go with it :) junk is the wrong word for anything CCS just wasn’t a product I needed. Glad it is getting used and appreciated properly now!

T

rtallent: "Can't think of too much dumb, only stuff brought along and not much used.... bought a solar shower dealy for base camping with the wife, but I don't think we ever used it. Preferred just swimming. Don't know about the kitchen sink thing, but we do have one of those collapsible sinks (basically fabric round pouch and a tough wire rim that you twist to collapse it) and do use it for wash ups, etc. Very compact. Ditto on some of the coughlin stuff: I had their waterproof matches and they did not work well.... maybe if you use them right away after purchase, but not long-lived. Oh yeah, there was a combination salt/pepper shaker that leaked... and sporks, I am an anti-sporkite. This is a fun thread! "

'

You could probably take those matches and cut the heads off and make a pretty good fire starter to at least get some use lol

We also use a little Granite Gear zip bag for our kitchen and the CCS kitchen roll is not for us. But I agree that is only a comment on what I need versus anything about Dan's fine products. We are now up to 10 CCS items and regularly drool over more. Actually, I respect Dan's designs so much that not wanting the kitchen roll makes me think I'm doing something wrong.

My wife's choice, and pretty much everyone else I've ever tripped with, is my Alite Monarch chair with only two legs. Which suits me fine. No one fights me for it and I love it.

My dumb equipment choices are loved by many. We tried those Sea to Summit collapsible bowls but ours got chewed by a little critter. Bowls with holes aren't very useful. I do realize that our experience was unusual but not going to try again when our lexan cups do just fine. Also have some of the thin plastic fold up bowls/plates and just don't see the point. Again our lexan plates pack easily and are much sturdier. But I know others like them.

Here's another: those little, incredibly thin, sheet metal trowels for digging a bathroom hole. If the dirt is soft you can do it with your shoe. If it is hard those things are going to be a real pain to use. And a plastic trowel is plenty light. Ok, the sheet metal ones are less volume but still.

Another thing I would seriously argue is dumb is one I've never bought: those chopsticks that screw apart in the middle. Seriously, how hard is it to just pack normal chopsticks if you want them. OK, feel free to come at me over this one. But just remember, I'll be defending myself with a titanium spork.

I brought a cheese straightener one year. Never even used it!

bought silicone bowls and cups.... just too heavy.

pocket shower for the girls....never used it.

This is a great thread
7of9 Think of all the Coghlan's stuff you could have bought. :-)
probably could have bought Coghlan's

RF 3) My Ex - circa 1960.
Does your ex fall under the 'Plain dumb' or 'impractical' category?

dice cup -
What the heck is a cheese straightener?

+1 on the silicone collapsible cups and bowls. Bowl never left the house. Brought 2 cups and used 1 of them once...they will never go again.
+1 on the sheet metal trowel. Light but useless.

Bought one of the snap together cooking pots and returned it the next day because when it was full of water and I picked it up, one snap let loose and dumped a liter of water on my kitchen floor. Just thankful I tested it.

Teflon fry pans...never again. Love my Alpine fry pan now!

My husband and I disagree on the hatchet issue. I have never had a need and think it is a giant waste of weight as well as an injury waiting to happen...especially when traveling with rookies. My husband loves carrying a hatchet and tried to sneak one on the last trip..."tried" is the operative word.

My son's plastic spork broke on his 4th day of a 20 day trip. He carved a spoon out of wood.

I will probably get flamed for this but I really dislike the "Sit-backer" style strap-on canoe seats. I don't get much out of them - maybe my paddling technique is wrong but I feel like I'm always leaning slightly forward, not back. And then dealing with the added weight and hassle on portages makes me even less of an enthusiast. But a couple of my tripping partners love them.

thistlekicker: "I will probably get flamed for this but I really dislike the "Sit-backer" style strap-on canoe seats. I don't get much out of them - maybe my paddling technique is wrong but I feel like I'm always leaning slightly forward, not back. And then dealing with the added weight and hassle on portages makes me even less of an enthusiast. But a couple of my tripping partners love them."

Same here. I don't think I ever lean back far enough while paddling to get any support from a canoe seat.

I know some people use their strap-on canoe chairs on a log in camp in place of a regular chair, but I'll take my Helinox and skip the canoe seat every time.

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Ditto. After our second experience with an unplanned omelet, I switched to keeping the eggs in the cardboard store carton, wrapping that carton (or those cartons) in a double layer of brown paper grocery bag, and duct-taping that bag under the bow seat. The only time we had a problem was the time Spartan1 dropped the canoe! :-)

Also, if you want fresh eggs, we found mediums have stronger shells than large.

thistlekicker: "I will probably get flamed for this but I really dislike the "Sit-backer" style strap-on canoe seats. I don't get much out of them - maybe my paddling technique is wrong but I feel like I'm always leaning slightly forward, not back. And then dealing with the added weight and hassle on portages makes me even less of an enthusiast. But a couple of my tripping partners love them."

I totally agree with you, and I have a bad back, so I expected it would be wonderful. Hated the thing! I sit up very straight in the canoe, and when I needed to REALLY rest my back, we almost always had our big rubber dry bag right behind my seat, so I could semi-recline on that for just a minute or two.

Yeah, what the heck is a cheese straightener? Is that like a skyhook?
Love this thread. Wish Pat McManus could chime in...
Remember a spoof / mock up of an Eddie Bauer catalog I saw years ago... I still remember the canoe-hat.

rtallent: "Yeah, what the heck is a cheese straightener? Is that like a skyhook?
Love this thread. Wish Pat McManus could chime in...
Remember a spoof / mock up of an Eddie Bauer catalog I saw years ago... I still remember the canoe-hat."

The funny thing is I was given not one but two Eddie Bauer pocket knives (identical) that had it all. Everything you need and even more you never would. I’d place it in the it would make a good rock for my rock anchor in importance. It even had a light that if you put it real close to your eye you could even tell it was on... if it was real dark! I used the knife a few times before I realized the back end was sharper then the actual blade. Even had a pliers that couldn’t grip a thing. And a compass that was more lost than anybody. Oh, and those scissors... if you didn’t have fishing line heavier then 6 lbs test it would maybe be able to cut it if it wasn’t fire line.
I kept hearing about those seal skin waterproof socks... for a measly 50 bucks I bought a pair at my favorite Ely establishment. My feet were always dry once I got to camp and could peel them darn things off. When your feet get all wrinkled from being so wet it’s like they grab them socks. And if you weren’t paddling solo before you took em off you were now!
My Columbia rain jacket... I’ll never forget paddling in a good rain in Woodland Caribou... I had to unzip it once in awhile to let the rain out! They did replace that one and the new one was better as long as it didn’t rain!
How about those collapsible sinks that fit in their own little (and I mean little) bags or whatever. Is there anyone here that could actually get them things back in those things when they were done?
Then there was the red paracord with the reflector stuff in it. Once wet it marked everything red so you knew it was yours.
My son took my dads old eagle portable fish finder. The one that took two of those big 6 volt batteries. On a ten day trip with me to WCPP... the third day he was out of juice in both sets of batteries he brought.
Sporks... don’t get me started. And those light weight eating utensils? The ones that are shorter then your sawed off toothbrush? Yeah, those ain’t comin!
I could go on and on... but I gotta say, once I started buying quality stuff I ended up spending much less when you figured in the replacement costs and the comfort of it actually working like it should half way through a 26 day trip. My .02 cents!

Spartan2: "

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Ditto. After our second experience with an unplanned omelet, I switched to keeping the eggs in the cardboard store carton, wrapping that carton (or those cartons) in a double layer of brown paper grocery bag, and duct-taping that bag under the bow seat. The only time we had a problem was the time Spartan1 dropped the canoe! :-)

Also, if you want fresh eggs, we found mediums have stronger shells than large."

Great tip about medium eggs!

Ben, you could do stand-up with lines like this: "They did replace that one and the new one was better as long as it didn’t rain!"

Indeed! But what the heck is a cheese straightener?

In the received as a gift category.....battery powered marshmallow roaster. In case you are wondering it spins the marshmallow for you so that you don't have to take the effort to turn your wrist.....yep

I think bilge pumps are dumb, but I never used one. I also bought a stick stove at Canoecopia one year, which I never used and thought was dumb.

thistlekicker: "I will probably get flamed for this but I really dislike the "Sit-backer" style strap-on canoe seats. I don't get much out of them - maybe my paddling technique is wrong but I feel like I'm always leaning slightly forward, not back. And then dealing with the added weight and hassle on portages makes me even less of an enthusiast. But a couple of my tripping partners love them."

+1 Totally agree. I never had any seat back in a canoe until I borrowed a canoe this summer. Hated everything about having the strap-on seats and both my son and I wished we had taken them off before the trip. How do you properly engage your core muscles on a canoe stroke if you are leaning back? I don't get it.

straighthairedcurly: "

thistlekicker: "I will probably get flamed for this but I really dislike the "Sit-backer" style strap-on canoe seats. I don't get much out of them - maybe my paddling technique is wrong but I feel like I'm always leaning slightly forward, not back. And then dealing with the added weight and hassle on portages makes me even less of an enthusiast. But a couple of my tripping partners love them."

+1 Totally agree. I never had any seat back in a canoe until I borrowed a canoe this summer. Hated everything about having the strap-on seats and both my son and I wished we had taken them off before the trip. How do you properly engage your core muscles on a canoe stroke if you are leaning back? I don't get it."

Totally agree...when I am paddling. When I put the paddle down and pick up the fishing pole it becomes a very different scenario.

OT .....

Pat McManus. Now there's a blast from the past. Author of "A Fine and Pleasant Misery" , "They Shoot Canoes, Don't They" along with a few others. I found them hilarious and can relate to some of his misadventures! IF memory serves he also wrote a monthly column for Field & Stream back in the day from which the books were produced.

Safe travels.........Mike

rtallent: "Yeah, what the heck is a cheese straightener? Is that like a skyhook?
Love this thread. Wish Pat McManus could chime in...
Remember a spoof / mock up of an Eddie Bauer catalog I saw years ago... I still remember the canoe-hat."

Oopps.......wanted to include this in my OT post.

Unas10: "

straighthairedcurly: "

thistlekicker: "...the "Sit-backer" style strap-on canoe seats."

How do you properly engage your core muscles on a canoe stroke if you are leaning back? I don't get it."

Totally agree...when I am paddling. When I put the paddle down and pick up the fishing pole it becomes a very different scenario."

Exactly

missmolly: "

Spartan2: "

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Ditto. After our second experience with an unplanned omelet, I switched to keeping the eggs in the cardboard store carton, wrapping that carton (or those cartons) in a double layer of brown paper grocery bag, and duct-taping that bag under the bow seat. The only time we had a problem was the time Spartan1 dropped the canoe! :-)


Also, if you want fresh eggs, we found mediums have stronger shells than large."

Great tip about medium eggs!"

Medium eggs fit in the egg carriers, although might still only get three or four into a “six pack” holder. Maybe eggs were smaller when the plastic form was made. Still not my preferred method, but they can work.

x2jmorris: "I have lots of dumb equipment usually sent as gag gifts.

Rope saw...which admittedly works pretty damn well

Kitchen sink...basically a nylon disc that turns into a pot for washing dishes... seems pointless to me. I have never used it."

“You say ta-may-toh, I say ta-mah-toh.” ;-)

I stashed a rope saw in my wife’s vehicle after we drove to the Isabella Lake EP last December and passed under several trees leaning over the road.

I have one of those nylon sinks, find it very handy and regretted not remembering to bring it on a recent trip.

I have a spork, find it pretty much useless and don’t regret having lost track of it.

They say confession is good for the soul. WTH was I thinking when I bought this?

Biolite SiteLight XL

x2jmorris: "

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Haha I have always thought of trying those. Now you have convinced me not to."

I have one in my gear box. It is yours for $75, but that is negotiable. Only used once. Thoroughly cleaned since prior use.

Tomster

gravelroad: "

x2jmorris: "I have lots of dumb equipment usually sent as gag gifts.


Rope saw...which admittedly works pretty damn well


Kitchen sink...basically a nylon disc that turns into a pot for washing dishes... seems pointless to me. I have never used it."

“You say ta-may-toh, I say ta-mah-toh.” ;-)


I stashed a rope saw in my wife’s vehicle after we drove to the Isabella Lake EP last December and passed under several trees leaning over the road.


I have one of those nylon sinks, find it very handy and regretted not remembering to bring it on a recent trip.


I have a spork, find it pretty much useless and don’t regret having lost track of it.


They say confession is good for the soul. WTH was I thinking when I bought this?


TARGET="_blank">Biolite SiteLight XL "

Hey, glue a little glitter on that thing: a disco light for the campsite!

Unas10: "

straighthairedcurly: "

thistlekicker: "I will probably get flamed for this but I really dislike the "Sit-backer" style strap-on canoe seats. I don't get much out of them - maybe my paddling technique is wrong but I feel like I'm always leaning slightly forward, not back. And then dealing with the added weight and hassle on portages makes me even less of an enthusiast. But a couple of my tripping partners love them."

+1 Totally agree. I never had any seat back in a canoe until I borrowed a canoe this summer. Hated everything about having the strap-on seats and both my son and I wished we had taken them off before the trip. How do you properly engage your core muscles on a canoe stroke if you are leaning back? I don't get it."

Totally agree...when I am paddling. When I put the paddle down and pick up the fishing pole it becomes a very different scenario."

Love them for fishing. Also it keeps the dog from climbing up by me, and protects me when the wet and muddy dog wants to lean against my back.

Sadly, I remember a trip years ago that ended in disaster. After setting up our campsite, I started making dinner. Everything was fine until I opened the food bag and lost all the feeling in my hands when I saw...curly cheese!

What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? in a panic, I yelled, "Does anyone have a cheese straightener?"

The shock of leaving our cheese straightener at home changed everyone's mood. Our shoulders slumped and our breathing became labored. We packed our things and went home. It was a day I'll never forget.

Now, I keep a cheese straightener strapped to my canoe, and a Swiss Army cheese straightener in my pocket for emergencies.

Terry

24kGold: "Sadly, I remember a trip years ago that ended in disaster. After setting up our campsite, I started making dinner. Everything was fine until I opened the food bag and lost all the feeling in my hands when I saw...curly cheese!


What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? in a panic, I yelled, "Does anyone have a cheese straightener?"


The shock of leaving our cheese straightener at home changed everyone's mood. Our shoulders slumped and our breathing became labored. We packed our things and went home. It was a day I'll never forget.


Now, I keep a cheese straightener strapped to my canoe, and a Swiss Army cheese straightener in my pocket for emergencies.


Terry"

Coffee on the computer screen again--great response!

TZ

Thanks. Couldn't resist

Terry

HammerII: "some of the stuff Coghlan's offers is a bit odd, but until someone makes a better something those "tubes" they sell that you fill from the bottom are awesome for peanut butter. I replaced one last year that had been in use for over a decade.


"

+1
And butter, and jelly...

lundojam: "Hatchet "duct tape a sock to it and we'll be in the Ely ER by midnight"
collapsible landing net "dammit!"
camping pillow "Dammit!"
non-deet bug repellant "I'm gonna read in the tent. Dammit."
cheap rain gear "No, I'm fine. It's just water."
shorts and sandals (see above)


"

THAT is extremely humorous.
Sorry to be resurrecting these old threads but.... good stuff is timeless.

alpinebrule: "Sporks"

A Spork is dumb. Especially eating out of a bag. A long handled spoon is the way to go

My psychological defenses are preventing me from coming up with a specific example at the moment, but I am absolutely certain I belong on this thread for something.

Blatz: "

alpinebrule: "Sporks"

A Spork is dumb. Especially eating out of a bag. A long handled spoon is the way to go"

Completely agree.

I am definitely a member of this thread. My list would go on and on.
The most expensive was a Whitesell white water canoe. We call it Bucky. My daughter said we had to buy it. Well my grandson had to try it first, after chasing the canoe from side to side Chris took over. She got in it and it immediately threw her out, canoe didn’t take on a drop of water!
After paddling from river side to river side she finally got to the take out, guess what, in water she went. The canoe remained upright taking on no water.
Any one want it? I will make you a good deal.
As I get old the more gear I buy. I have a couple Themorest bow flex cots. Hard to set up and to small for someone 6’ tall.
This is just the beginning, I am sure I will keeping adding to the list with those got to have items.

Carl

benr0: "

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Yes, mine did not even make it to the trail.... packed in the back seat of the car, 12 hr road trip. Went to put in the pack???? What... ??? In the outfitters trash can..."

Interesting. I always carry those on family trips, which average probably 10 days/year, around 18 eggs/trip. In 20 years had may be two or three broken eggs. I keep all my food in a barrel. May be things were better manufactured in the nineties?

Something stupid I brought? My brother in law.

So, yeah......just google cheese straightener.....Urban Dictionary

left-handed cheese straightener
1. A complicated-seeming gadget, the purpose of which is nonexistent or difficult to discern. Popularized by comedian George Carlin in a skit where he explained that only in America was the patent for a left-handed cheese straightener already taken.

2. Something odd that can only be found in America.
Person 1: What the #$%&@ is that jumble of levers and pulleys supposed to be?
Person 2: Why, it must be a left-handed cheese straightener!

Right up there with the left handed smoke shifter.....

pd

(note -you can get a right handed cheese straightener for half the price of the lefty and just use it upside-down)

I brought snorkel gear once, flippers and all.

Another dumb thing is a full tackle box. 98% of the stuff in there never gets used. Now I just have my Rapalas, lindy rigs, some weights and swivels in a small plastic Plano box.
Tom

tumblehome: "I brought snorkel gear once, flippers and all.


Another dumb thing is a full tackle box. 98% of the stuff in there never gets used. Now I just have my Rapalas, lindy rigs, some weights and swivels in a small plastic Plano box.
Tom"

Haha. In the summer I do bring a snorkel and mask to some base camps. No fina though.

Also....I really have to learn to take only the realistic lures...and keep a small selection. VERY difficult.

EddyTurn: "

benr0: "

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Yes, mine did not even make it to the trail.... packed in the back seat of the car, 12 hr road trip. Went to put in the pack???? What... ??? In the outfitters trash can..."

Interesting. I always carry those on family trips, which average probably 10 days/year, around 18 eggs/trip. In 20 years had may be two or three broken eggs. I keep all my food in a barrel. May be things were better manufactured in the nineties?"

The plastic egg carriers have always worked for me, as long as you take medium sized eggs. For some reason the carriers (at least the ones I have) aren't big enough for large or extra large eggs, and they'll break.

I miss Dicecupmaker…. :(

Ditto

timatkn: "I miss Dicecupmaker…. :("

Me too. What a great and selfless man he was.

Oh where to start....

And especially painful when I was on a shoestring budget. Every single penny was so precious. And to spend it on crappy gear was painful. Fortunately, Thrifty Outfitters always seemed to supply something usable and good quality. But that was in the 80's when manufacturing was a bit different in terms of materials and workmanship.

Dumb equipment, dumb food, dumb people, dumb routes, just plain dumb ideas...that would be an awesome wing-night, virtual or in-person.

It makes me smile as I reflect on forty-plus years of it.

Two things that are still not dumb to me and may be considered dumb by the tripping elite are cotton, comfy tennies, and canoes under 15 feet.

Pulley system for hanging food pack.

Fishing gear. Seriously...I never catch fish. Next trip, it all stays home.

Too much food. Boy is it easy to pack more than we need.

bwcadan: "BB gun for target practice."

One of the guys brought something like that once. I made him pick up all the pellets after finding him shooting it. Next year he brought a sling shot and was shooting ball bearings. Same deal. . he had to pick up every one of them he shot. That took care of it

Blondie1: "Something stupid I brought? My brother in law."

Me too!...once.

Pocket chain saws should be on this list. The only thing these do good is lighten your wallet.

There are exactly twice as many posts in the "dumb equipment" thread as the "smart equipment". Does this mean we don't need half of the stuff we bring with us?

Cast iron pans..

bottomtothetap: "

Blondie1: "Something stupid I brought? My brother in law."

Me too!...once."

What is it about brothers-in-law? I have taken two different ones - once. Never again. I have three more that I will never let near my trip. Lesson learned.

I was in local Sierra Trading Post.
About a two ounce squeeze bottle labelled.
Wind Direction Indicator Powder.
Squirt dust upward and notice which direction it moves.
Swear to God.

I bought two......just in case I run into some especially tricky wind

Years ago I had a trip partner that loved the setbacker back rest in the canoe. He leaned back in it while I paddled. I have been in a solo canoe ever sense.

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Try a couple paper towels on the top and bottom of the eggs - we use these and I don't think I've ever seen a broken egg in 6-7 years

Blackdogyak: "I was in local Sierra Trading Post.
About a two ounce squeeze bottle labelled.
Wind Direction Indicator Powder.
Squirt dust upward and notice which direction it moves.
Swear to God.


I bought two......just in case I run into some especially tricky wind "

There is actually a real use for this. People use it while bow hunting to get a better idea of wind speed and direction. It helps with longer shots. You buy it more for the convenient package and lack of additives than anything else. The proper stuff is scentless.

My dumb equipment is usually experimental and therefore low quality because I don't want to spend a ton testing an idea in the field. A twig stove was one example, might be good for some long trips, but there are not many situations where either cooking over the fire or using the gas stove wouldn't be better. Replacement stakes that were not lightweight at all would be another.

I never use my Kitchen Sink.

Canoe backrest--no.

Always bring too much food.

Sporks--yes. Cast Iron pans...I've done it and regretted.

Used to use the egg carriers but now we use Egg Beaters.

Fun thread!

bwcadan: "BB gun for target practice."

I looked at this thread again and laughed at this. On of our guys brought a pellet gun with him one year. Next year he brought a sling shot with ball bearings. I made him pick up the pellets and the ball bearings. The third year he brought a small crossbow. When he shot it the arrow hit a rock and came back at the guys. They threatened him with what would happen if he brought anymore of his toys.

Bannock: "

muddyfeet: "Fun thread. I have some family who knows ‘I’m into camping’ and so for token Christmas gifts or whatnot they get me ‘camping stuff’ because they feel I need a gift. The gesture is nice, but the the stuff is usually not. Like a 2-liter sized lantern/tent fan combo that takes 6 D batteries.... "

Amen. Just what I was going to say.


People have good intentions and buy you things they think you'll LOVE. My daughter bought me a multitool to wear on my belt. It includes a hammer and weighs 2#s.


As far as Coghlan's, I slightly disagree. Granted it is not top-notch quality, but many times top-notch is not needed. It is affordable. You can always upgrade down-the-road. Still many times good enough is good enough."

Agree, I actually love their bug shirts-they have held up very well,and price is right.

"As far as Coghlan's, I slightly disagree. Granted it is not top-notch quality, but many times top-notch is not needed. It is affordable. You can always upgrade down-the-road. Still many times good enough is good enough."


I have used this one for probably 25 years as my waterbag to filter from. I actually bought 2 more 10 years ago in case first one went south. Glad I did as they don't make them anymore. The first one is still going strong.

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Eggs are tricky but I love having them along. I put the bloom back on them with mineral oil so between the plastic carriers breaking them and the excess oil... There are a mess for me. My plan, yet untested, is to leave a dozen in the cardboard then roll them up in my flexible cutting board, secure with a rubber band, and put them in a 2 gallon Ziploc.

What I have done in the past is use the coughlin containers and wrap them in Saran wrap. It never happened but I have visions of that stupid little clasp failing.

alpinebrule: "Sporks"

The "light my fire" dual sided fork/knife and spoon. Had one break in half while cutting a biscuit in half with the little fake knife. Probably a fluke but...

Why can't these camp companies make a decent spoon? They either have a big spoon end and a short handle or a tiny spoon end and a long handle.

The short ones... If you use it to cook you'll burn the hair off your arm. If you try to eat a mountain House meal, after getting it stirred up, the spoon is so dirty you might as well just use your fingers.

The long ones with the tiny spoon? Well, we are in the wilderness burning thousands of calories a day but have to replenish at 4 calories per bite?

I want a 10 inch long table spoon. Make that manufacturers! Make a similar fork too. Less utility while camping but I'd buy it.

rtallent: "

Eyedocron: "Hey, Don't put down sporks. Used to live in Australia, and they are called Splayds there. Brought home a bunch, and have used them many years. If they had a knife edge, too, would be even better. What would you call them?"

knorks? sporknifs? "

"Lip cutter"??

drnatus: "bought silicone bowls and cups.... just too heavy.


pocket shower for the girls....never used it.


"

Yes. I have a battery powered shower for the girls. Never used it but I carry it Everytime.

thistlekicker: "I will probably get flamed for this but I really dislike the "Sit-backer" style strap-on canoe seats. I don't get much out of them - maybe my paddling technique is wrong but I feel like I'm always leaning slightly forward, not back. And then dealing with the added weight and hassle on portages makes me even less of an enthusiast. But a couple of my tripping partners love them."

The crazy Creek ones....ugh. I'm old and fat... Really asking a lot out of that cordura! I replaced them with aluminum tubed ones.

People swear by the Crazy Creek canoe seat attachments but mine just sits in the garage. I use it fishing on local lakes but never bring it into the wilderness since I got a Helinox.

I brought a mandolin once. Really, really stupid. Had planned to bring two so a couple of us could jam, but we left one at home, which basically made me into a one man annoyance out there.

I've thought of doing the same!
I'm sure my paddling partner wouldn't be amused after day one.

In my 48 years of going to the boundary waters, I've come to realize the people you're with, can make or break a trip, and certain people were the dumbest things I brought.

My life-long best friend might be number 1 on that list.

He was one of those guys, that everyone is complaining about lately. NO respect for the wilderness. He always made me cringe, but I should have learned early on to just leave him home. He was just a trouble maker. One of those guys that thinks every tree is a potential challenge to chop down, that every fire has to be a bonfire, and that all wildlife is just a personal challenge to see if you can kill it. There's no other way to describe him, at the time, other than hellian.

You'll be happy to hear that he hasn't been to the boundary waters in 30 years. At some point, he realized he was more interested in girls, and would rather spend his weekends drinking on a yacht, on the St. Croix.

He was a good friend, but at the opposite end of the spectrum, from an environmental steward.

Which brings me to number 2 on the list.

A 16 gallon Keg.

My buddy liked to drink, and so did his brothers. On one trek across Sag, he brought a 16 gallon keg with. He figured he'd add rocks to it, and drop it to the bottom of the lake to keep it cold. Well, he didn't really think it through, because, by the time you drive 6 hours from the twincities to the end of the gunflint trail, and paddle 13 miles across a choppy sag, it's all warm foam when you get to your campsite.

Cotton.

I'm not sure why it took me so long to divorce myself from bluejeans and cotton t-shirts. Several years ago I made the switch to nylon, polyester, and wool, and will never go back. It dries much faster, stays cleaner, and smells better. Oh, and it's lighter too.

Aluminum canoes.

Aluminum canoes have their place. I love those Alumacraft aircraft carriers for their stability, and capacity (they're still great for base camping), however their 95 lbs have no place on a portage loop. I won't portage them more than 30 rods now. I prefer nothing longer than the length of my driveway. I don't know why I waited so long to buy a kevlar canoe. I love looping and it's so much better with a 35-45 lb canoe, versus anything over 70.

I don't bring a Hatchet any more. I've read too many horror stories.

The last two trips I've been on, I'm starting to think Leeches are dumb. But I'll probably still bring those. Leeches just take a slower presentation, and when I'm fishing new water, sometimes I have to cover more ground to find the fish. And they're not much good on Lake Trout lakes.

A good dog in the boundary waters is a great companion. We loved bringing our Golden Retriever. He spent 50% of the trip in the water, was very gentle, and never barked at anyone.

However, if you bring the wrong dog, it quickly becomes a really bad idea. My brother's labs barked at every passer by, and we got stuck camping in the main thorough fare. As well, the black flies were bad that year, and the two labs clawed their way THROUGH the tent, in an effort to get away from them. That effectively ended our trip. We could've patched the tent with duct tape, but the dogs were miserable.

foxfireniner: "

billconner: "I tried those plastic eggs carriers. Never had so many eggs break. One trip. "

Eggs are tricky but I love having them along. I put the bloom back on them with mineral oil so between the plastic carriers breaking them and the excess oil... There are a mess for me. My plan, yet untested, is to leave a dozen in the cardboard then roll them up in my flexible cutting board, secure with a rubber band, and put them in a 2 gallon Ziploc.


What I have done in the past is use the coughlin containers and wrap them in Saran wrap. It never happened but I have visions of that stupid little clasp failing."

I have so many of the plastic egg carriers laying around, but it seems that only medium eggs fit in them and finding medium eggs is not easy.

I have gone to just breaking my eggs (extra large) into a nalgene bottle and you get scambled eggs with no mess.

afromaniac: "I brought a mandolin once. Really, really stupid. Had planned to bring two so a couple of us could jam, but we left one at home, which basically made me into a one man annoyance out there. "

Oh, you were that guy on the other side of the lake.

We were paddling on Cherokee Lake one time and there out in the middle of the lake sitting on one of those small rock islands was a woman and her flute.

She had no canoe and we couldn't see anyone in a canoe near her.

I still scratch my head on that one.

Mermaid.