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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum BWCA minimalist |
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05/06/2020 11:52AM
Every year the camping gear gets just a little bit better. After 10 or so years, we tend to forget how we ever portaged a 100lb canoe or sat on the ground instead of a light weight camping chair. We get picky about method of travel and couldn't imagine being without jet boils and MSR stoves.
I am curious, what gear do you refuse to buy and why?
I will go first.
I refuse to by any expensive outer wear. Most of the time I don't even bring a rain coat. Just a lot of wool.
I am curious, what gear do you refuse to buy and why?
I will go first.
I refuse to by any expensive outer wear. Most of the time I don't even bring a rain coat. Just a lot of wool.
05/06/2020 12:06PM
Along the same lines as what you said, I try to be quite minimalist with clothing. I used to bring a sweatshirt and other bulky clothes. Now I basically have a travel day set and a camp set of clothes.
I keep upgrading to lighter gear but I also seem to be adding more luxury items, like camp chair and kitchen sink.
I keep upgrading to lighter gear but I also seem to be adding more luxury items, like camp chair and kitchen sink.
05/06/2020 01:27PM
Before we took our first BWCA/Q trip in '79, we were backpackers, so we've always tried to keep our gear weight down. While I never portaged a 100 pound canoe, our first couple trips were in boom-a-looms in the 75# range. Dropping to 60# in the mid '80s and now into the low 40 pound range has been a wonderful evolution of gear and has allowed us to continue single-walking portages even though we're in our late 60s. I'm not ready to drop $4500 on a Savage River Deep Creek to save another 10#, but if that lets us trip into our mid-/late-70s, then it could happen.
We dry most of our food, saving lots of weight (and money) there. We carry a saw, but not an axe or hatchet, again for weight considerations. Using Crazy Creek chairs lets us use 3/4 length sleeping pads and put the open Crazy Creeks under our legs. Adding carbon paddles a couple years ago was another nice change, and our shoulders told us the first day out that they were worth the money.
To answer your question, I can't name a piece of gear I'd refuse to buy if that gear reduces my portage weight and affordably lets me continue tripping in the BWCA/Q.
TZ
We dry most of our food, saving lots of weight (and money) there. We carry a saw, but not an axe or hatchet, again for weight considerations. Using Crazy Creek chairs lets us use 3/4 length sleeping pads and put the open Crazy Creeks under our legs. Adding carbon paddles a couple years ago was another nice change, and our shoulders told us the first day out that they were worth the money.
To answer your question, I can't name a piece of gear I'd refuse to buy if that gear reduces my portage weight and affordably lets me continue tripping in the BWCA/Q.
TZ
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb
05/06/2020 02:18PM
straighthairedcurly: "I have tried having a lightweight chair along, but they just annoy me and I find I rarely bother setting it up. So now I just leave it behind."
If I was going to splurge on one piece of gear it might be a camp chair....
05/06/2020 04:20PM
This thread will be fun to watch.
Unfortunately I can't contribute.....I like new gear and constantly make adjustments to my kit. If I can upgrade I will, unless the gear has special meaning. I'm the guy spending more then he should to save an oz or try the latest and greatest new trinket lol
Unfortunately I can't contribute.....I like new gear and constantly make adjustments to my kit. If I can upgrade I will, unless the gear has special meaning. I'm the guy spending more then he should to save an oz or try the latest and greatest new trinket lol
05/06/2020 05:02PM
bwcadan: "I do not plan to buy a blue barrel. My Duluth packs will have to do me until they fail, and that does not seem likely any time soon."
+1
Maybe because I used to do 30+ day trips, I have never had the urge to put all that heavy food in one place. Even for shorter family trips, I divide the food among the packs.
05/06/2020 09:33PM
I certainly won't buy the BWJ Insulated Food Pack and Poly Box for my dehydrated meals, nor will I need the Deluxe Bear Pack System. I don't need the Utensil Roll to hold my spoon either. I don't have a chair either (yet), but I did take a "butt pad" last year. Probably won't buy a canoe chair. Definitely not a portage cart. No Scrubba Portable Washing Bag. I'm sure I'm forgetting something important . . .
05/06/2020 11:00PM
I’m not a minimalist, but I respect those who are. I often wish I were, but I like being warm and comfortable too much.
I remember some early trips that were outfitted in the minimalist style and with poor quality equipment. I recall being at least somewhat miserable. Then I went on a trip with Stu Ostoff and found his approach to best suit my taste. So I bought nearly everthing he typically brings on his guided trips. So far Ive been happy with this style of tripping.
I remember some early trips that were outfitted in the minimalist style and with poor quality equipment. I recall being at least somewhat miserable. Then I went on a trip with Stu Ostoff and found his approach to best suit my taste. So I bought nearly everthing he typically brings on his guided trips. So far Ive been happy with this style of tripping.
05/07/2020 06:37AM
I like to go light, backpacking background. I have upgraded everything over the years and feel pretty good about my kit. I refuse to turn in my 22 year old crazy creek for a high end chair (or China knock-off).
I will absolutely be upgrading to a Savage River Deep Creek to save the weight when the time is right. That will be an upgrade I very much look forward to.
John
I will absolutely be upgrading to a Savage River Deep Creek to save the weight when the time is right. That will be an upgrade I very much look forward to.
John
05/07/2020 07:51AM
RunningFox: "I’m not a minimalist, but I respect those who are. I often wish I were, but I like being warm and comfortable too much.
I remember some early trips that were outfitted in the minimalist style and with poor quality equipment. I recall being at least somewhat miserable. Then I went on a trip with Stu Ostoff and found his approach to best suit my taste. So I bought nearly everthing he typically brings on his guided trips. So far Ive been happy with this style of tripping."
What does he bring?
05/07/2020 08:46AM
So far I've refused to put much money into footwear. Years ago after seeing someone up there using them, I tried a pair of cheap rubber boots from Fleet Farm (about $15) and have been very happy with them for about the past 15 trips. I do have to replace them about every other year, but they just seem to work for me - especially when I put in a better insole and sometimes also a wool felt sole in cooler weather. I just dont feel any need to shell out for a better pair of Mucks or Chotas or anything else.
05/07/2020 09:10AM
deepwater: "RunningFox: "I’m not a minimalist, but I respect those who are. I often wish I were, but I like being warm and comfortable too much.
I remember some early trips that were outfitted in the minimalist style and with poor quality equipment. I recall being at least somewhat miserable. Then I went on a trip with Stu Ostoff and found his approach to best suit my taste. So I bought nearly everthing he typically brings on his guided trips. So far Ive been happy with this style of tripping."
What does he bring?"
Three portages worth of stuff! Including milk and cereal, blue jeans, coolers, etc. You name it, probably in the kit.
Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.
05/07/2020 09:56AM
If I'm not fishing or bringing my chair, I have been able to transition to a sub 25 pound pack with everything I need for 4 nights with temps down to the high teens. Unfortunately, I can't recommend many brands that made this possible as I took the DIY route to cut weight. I typically use this setup for backpacking but have used it in the BWCA a few times. If I bring a chair and fishing gear I quickly pack on 10-12 more pounds, but am still able to solo single portage. BDBs are a life saver...
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." – Bilbo Baggins
05/07/2020 02:43PM
We used to bring basic thermarests, crazy creek seats, no tarp or a small & heavy one, and a pump water filter.
Unfortunately my body has aged even tho my inner me doesn't think so. So I had to upgrade to a thicker air mattress to allow me to sleep without my hips aching. Talked my husband into getting a CCS tarp, which he now loves. A gravity filter is much easier than a pump. And I really like the Helinox chair cuz it was getting hard to get off the ground. Now if they could magically raise the tent door /fly height for when you need to get out of the tent in the morning...
Probably won't get a spork, mucks/waders, tinder stove, or dog tent. Or solar shower. Or gps unit.
Unfortunately my body has aged even tho my inner me doesn't think so. So I had to upgrade to a thicker air mattress to allow me to sleep without my hips aching. Talked my husband into getting a CCS tarp, which he now loves. A gravity filter is much easier than a pump. And I really like the Helinox chair cuz it was getting hard to get off the ground. Now if they could magically raise the tent door /fly height for when you need to get out of the tent in the morning...
Probably won't get a spork, mucks/waders, tinder stove, or dog tent. Or solar shower. Or gps unit.
05/07/2020 03:21PM
Won't do a jetboil or fuel stove; sticking by my Esbit solid fuel cookset or campfire cooking with natural fuel of deadfall. Like to keep all my tools in their simplest form; less moving pieces & technology = less likely to fail IMHO.
05/08/2020 08:17AM
You know how we all have biases? We do. I have several.
One bias is that I tend to give the side eye to folks with new gear. I'm not sure why. Same with music gear and fishing rigs. I like the look and feel of time-tested equipment, and tend to regard (unfairly, I know) people with shiny stuff as wannabes. I'll take the faded Duluth Pack. Maybe I read too many Western novels in junior high in which the cowhand/reluctant gunfighter protagonist had to deal with "dudes."
So, to answer the question, I rarely upgrade for that weird reason and also I'm a tight-ass. Not buying a $200 non-wood paddle any time soon.
Also, I refuse to buy clothes that feature the manufacturer's name prominently, especially if they have a rep for expensive gear. I get status through height. :)
One bias is that I tend to give the side eye to folks with new gear. I'm not sure why. Same with music gear and fishing rigs. I like the look and feel of time-tested equipment, and tend to regard (unfairly, I know) people with shiny stuff as wannabes. I'll take the faded Duluth Pack. Maybe I read too many Western novels in junior high in which the cowhand/reluctant gunfighter protagonist had to deal with "dudes."
So, to answer the question, I rarely upgrade for that weird reason and also I'm a tight-ass. Not buying a $200 non-wood paddle any time soon.
Also, I refuse to buy clothes that feature the manufacturer's name prominently, especially if they have a rep for expensive gear. I get status through height. :)
"Life is not a beauty contest. It is a fishing contest." --me
05/08/2020 08:44AM
lundojam: "Also, I refuse to buy clothes that feature the manufacturer's name prominently, especially if they have a rep for expensive gear. I get status through height. :)
"
I'm only 5'9" so I have to buy lots of expensive gear! ;)
Endeavor to persevere.
05/08/2020 08:56AM
cookware
when solo all my vittles and drink are made in a Al teapot or roasted over fire which I bought in the late 70's for about 5 bucks
when in a group if somebody wants to bring more exotic equipment I'm perfectly happy using it, but don't expect to do the cooking and me the cleaning, I'll split equally though
when solo all my vittles and drink are made in a Al teapot or roasted over fire which I bought in the late 70's for about 5 bucks
when in a group if somebody wants to bring more exotic equipment I'm perfectly happy using it, but don't expect to do the cooking and me the cleaning, I'll split equally though
let science, not politics decide, ... but whose science?
05/08/2020 09:54AM
missmolly: "I still use a Coleman Peak stove after decades of using a Svea 123. "
Pure sacrilege! Especially because an early version of the former once tried to kill me, whereas the latter has never let me down at temps as low as -30 ºF over decades of using it. :-)
Multi-use products have a better chance of being loaded in my boats for trips. Here's a stellar example:
Sleeping pad + chair + boat loading pad + paddle float for ocean kayaking + emergency splint + ?
05/08/2020 10:46AM
unshavenman: "lundojam: "Also, I refuse to buy clothes that feature the manufacturer's name prominently, especially if they have a rep for expensive gear. I get status through height. :)
"
I'm only 5'9" so I have to buy lots of expensive gear! ;)"
Self-deprecating humor is the best. Ironically, it takes a tall man inside to poke fun at himself.
I will paddle eternal, Kevlar and carbon.
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