As the season is nearing its end for many of us I'm wondering what new gear did you love or hate this year? I personally joined the exped fan club and enjoyed my jetboil sol.

What should be on my Christmas wish list?

quote rupprider: "What should be on my Christmas wish list?"

a bunch of stuff you really want but dont really need. ;-)

Rei's Flex-Lite chair is on top of my list.

exped
wife and i picked up this for our travels. i got it for 375$ from campsaver.
tallest door opening of any tent i have ever owned.
exped quality, awesome tent.

i also took my sawbill set-up prism, took out the seat and yoke, installed a new web seat center and made a new yoke. i love it!

Likes:
Tarptent Double Rainbow
Enlightened Equipment Revelation X (long wide)
Platypus BigZip 3L w/ inline sawyer filter
GoLite Jam50 backpack
GoLite Tumalo Rain Gear

Dislikes:
GSI Crossover Kitchen Kit
Light My Fire Titanium Spork

Looking forward to using:
NeoAir Xlite sleeping pad
Exped Lightning 60 pack
Petzl Tika XP plus 2 w/ Core battery

MSR reactor stove, MSR gravity filter, Nemo screen house, mustang inflatable life vest, all excellent.

The bushcrafter pack like Dan's other products was a hit, but my favorite new thing is the Magic. Oh what a ride:-). As to Santa, well an underquilt would be really nice.

New Gear Likes:

Exped AirMat Basic: Incredibly light and small when packed. Kept me warm down to 35 degrees.

Exped Schnozzel: Quickly inflated the above mat.

Sawyer Filter: Per advice received here, used this filter to modify a friends' Katadyn gravity filter. Water for 5 people for five days. No problems. (Still took the old First Need filter as backup.)

Sea to Summit Silk Liner: Very nice, weightless companion for my down bag. Comfy and extra warmth when needed.

Dear Santa: This year Andy wants a Zre carbon fiber paddle.

stuff I picked up this year

Likes: 2 Exped synmat 9 replaced a 3in and 4in guide series mats reduced pack weight by 7lbs and more comfortable
Sawyer 4l gravity filter great buy replaced a katadyne pump never will I pump water again
Made a reflector oven out of al. flashing and small hinges light weight and real great for baking
Oregon plastic splitting wedges picked them up at spring creek great buy and lighter than a ax

Dislikes: Sea to Summit collapsible sink went back to my small dish pans much easier to use the sinks would not stand up very good unless you filled them all the way up

Next year wish list I will make a table like deancamp's to hang from a tree
New sleeping bags undecided between on synthetic or goose

quote rupprider: "As the season is nearing its end for many of us I'm wondering what new gear did you love or hate this year? I personally joined the exped fan club and enjoyed my jetboil sol.

What should be on my Christmas wish list?"

Anything you don't have or anything you can replace with something better and lighter. Do you have a waterproof compression stuff sack?

the first piece of new gear I need is a machine to make the money that I can use to buy new gear.
I think I could use a larger tripod, a sleeping bag, a canoe (this is a hint to the person who wants to sell me that canoe), a wooden case with multiple drawers to store my maps, some new eyeballs, an unbreakable fishing rod, and the magic fishing lure. not too much to ask..?

Nemo Losi 3P - Love it!
Exped Downmat 7 - Love it but I should have gone with the 9 for extra thickness
Exped Large Pillow - Not crazy about it all. Not tall/high enough for me
Kelty Coyote Pack - Last years model and only 80 bucks - Love it
Kelty DriDown Ignite 7 degree bag - Love it!
Footprint for the Losi - Haven't used it yet but looks good.

Coming up in the next 6 months
PFD and a stove (suggestions welcome)

quote okinaw55: "
PFD (suggestions welcome)
"

one that is comfortable enough that youll always wear it. for me its a stohlquist drifter.

New Big Agnes Air Core Pads for me and the misses. :-) Far better then the cabala's self inflating pads we had.

A Warbonnet XLC Dbl 1.7 hammock and Superfly. Didn't get to use them in the BWCA but the practice setups were wonderful. I also added a Cush seat back and CCS padded seat with saddle bags. I'm looking for comfort at my age.

Helinox camp chair.....don't know how I made it without it in the past!

Hammock gear down underquilt for my hammock.....love it!

Mike

Love:

Moss Little Dipper tent, had it for years

Exped DLX9 Downmat, better than our bed at home

SealLine ProPack, heavy and never, ever fails

Primus stove, heavy and loud but excellent

No-name Chinese folding camp chairs, nylon, can be worn like a daypack, with a daypack sewn in under the seat! Awesome, would buy more if I could find them, got them 10 years ago at Bank's in Mankato


Hate:

20', 100-lb aluminum Lowe Line canoe (I'm exaggerating a bit, but not much), finally got rid of it, looking forward to a SR kevlar next year


Still Puzzled:

chainsaw in a can...sounds like a great idea, right? Still making useable handles for it.


Wants:

Feathered Friends Condor rectangular bag + ground sheet + 2 hoods, to use with Downmats, that will be 3+ season, and really deluxe.

Lighter tent like Mutha Hubba or Tarptent for summer use.


Project:

Ultralight kit. Everything I have is great, but HEAVY. Am going to try going light, like I used to when I lived in the mountains. Some really nice UL kit out there now!

Forgot to mention, Marmot-Precip rain coat. For the money I think its hard to beat and I've seen it drop to $50 dollars at times if you don't care about the color.

my only new bit of gear was one of those Gaz burners from China and a hose and adapator so i could run it off butane bottles.about $15 total and i got it on a whim to see if it would make a decent burner that did not make a hot spot,it worked just fine.

the burner also works on a Optimus or other Gaz cart with a Lindal fitting.good simmer control but you have to watch for flame outs at the very lowest settings.the tripod adapator worked with my Brunton burner which ran fine on the butane bottles.the tripod was,i thought,made better than the burner.the fold out legs were thicker than i expected from the Ebay photo.the burners fold out pot supports were not flimsy but could have made better.the difference could be really seen in a side by side with a Whisperlite or even my little Brunton.
i'll take this along again but as a back up to the Coleman or Classic gas fuel stoves i've used in the past.

There are a few things that I liked this year. CCS Lean+2, Bearpaw bathtub floor (got two of them to use in the Lean), Sawyer Squeeze filter, Luci Lantern, and REI Flex Lite Chair, and the Irwin saw with the custom Ragged sheath.

What I did not like was my Ugly Stick rod that snapped on day three of my solo although they did replace it for me. I will be bringing a backup rod from now on.

My favorite: Cabela's 4-Piece Travel Rod. Light, packs small, premium (to me) rod.

My first major purchase of 2013 was the small, new style CCS barrel harness with the nalgene water bottle pockets, and I love it!

I was slow to adopt the blue barrels as a food storage and transportation system, because I really wasn't pleased with any of the harnesses offered until the aforementioned CCS barrel harness became available. The Ostrom and Granite Gear harnesses were nice, but pricey and lacked the exterior pockets found on the "new style" CCS harness.

My second purchase this year was a Werner 240cm Camano neutral bend carbon double-bladed paddle for use in my solo canoe(s). I previously abhorred the use of kayak paddles for use in solo canoes. I always believed double-bladed paddles were for kayaks, but solo canoes should only use a single blade canoe paddle. After much deliberation, I came around.

I still prefer using a single bladed paddle in my solos for river paddling on smaller lakes and waterways though. That said, I really loved how efficient I could travel the large lakes of Quetico-Superior, such as Quetico Lake, Sturgeon Lake and Pickerel Lake, just to name a few.

I would have preferred a double-bladed paddle of 250cm or longer for usage in my Voyager and Jensen C1W. Per Werner, the neutral bent shaft paddle is restricted to 240cm due to the manufacturing process of the bent shaft. For my other solos, the 240cm is great!

I also picked up a Garmin Oregon 450t at a great price from REI during their Spring Sale. Although I haven't used it to its full capacity yet, it's been fantastic at pin pointing my current location and the exact whereabouts of portage trails, something my map and compass can't really do in quite the same way.

Finally, although a new canoe was not on my radar this year, I couldn't pass on purchasing a Blackhawk Ariel one month ago. It was for sale at an Estate Sale store in Appleton, Wisconsin for a ridiculously great price. It's not really my "style" of solo canoe, especially for extended tripping, but it's a fun boat and a blast to paddle on the small streams and lakes near my home.

For 2014, a 12 x 12 tarp with drop down mosquito netting and a Go Pro Hero are on my wish list.

Hans Solo

Likes: I went on a Prescision Pak buying spree, and everything they import was decent quality, exceptional quality for Chinese imports. Dry top, dry bag, fishing tackle bags, even a folding chair with built in day pack as mentioned above. They moved their market away from outdoor products but lot's of overstock items are around in Ontario.

Dislikes: Bending Branches double bend Viper paddle. Even in a solo canoe I still J stroke, and it's a paddle with one of those annoying "ergo" grips. I am sold on double bent paddles for my lower wrist, but I should have bought the Sawyer. It's a rugged wood paddle, and the blade moves a ton of water with nary a flutter, but I hate the grip.

Bought a carbon grip to replace it, but I am having a hard time taking a saw to it.

MSR hoop. love the space it provides but dont like its quirky set up.

quote Dilligaf0220:

Dislikes: Bending Branches double bend Viper paddle. Even in a solo canoe I still J stroke, and it's a paddle with one of those annoying "ergo" grips. I am sold on double bent paddles for my lower wrist, but I should have bought the Sawyer. It's a rugged wood paddle, and the blade moves a ton of water with nary a flutter, but I hate the grip.


Bought a carbon grip to replace it, but I am having a hard time taking a saw to it."

Interesting! I LOVE my Bending Branches double-bend Viper and I have loved it for years.

This year I really grew to dislike my Katydyn Basecamp filter. I had my doubts last year after one season with it. This year confirmed that it's no good for what I want it for in the BWCA.

filter
i picked up one of these this past spring, super easy, super fast.
prefer this over my msr pump.

My favorite is a Filson Tin Cloth Packer hat. Picked one up in Ely (JD Mills has fantastic deals) and it's become my trip hat. Great in rain and decent in temps down to 40.

Gransfors Bruks axes. I borrowed a friend's Gransfors Bruks felling axe for an early season trip, and it was absolutely worth the weight. Balanced, super sharp and easy to use, I used it to remove trees blocking portage trails and streams. The hunting axe is also fantastic for its size.

I picked up an Astral PFD, and it's really nice. I recommend it if you can find a good deal on one.

Souris River Canoes. I have used alumacraft canoes on all of my long trips, but got the chance to borrow a Souris River Quetico 17 for a 4 day trip. I will own one someday. I like them more than the Minnesota II which is the only other Kevlar I've paddled.

I liked my...
REI Flex Lite chair - packs small and very light.
Irwin saw/Ragged sheath - great saw and sheath
Jacks R Better hammock - plenty of room and fairly flat lie, I do need a better pad for it (the ribs on my exped ran the wrong way,me thinks I need a neoair all season)

Disliked...
Miss-counting the days on my trip and coming out a day early. Time for a new watch

Wants...
strait shaft and/or kayak paddle for my solo

quote mikea: "Helinox camp chair.....don't know how I made it without it in the past!


Hammock gear down underquilt for my hammock.....love it!


Mike"

Those chairs look pretty nice. Might have to look into one. Thanks.

quote okinaw55: "

quote mikea: "Helinox camp chair.....don't know how I made it without it in the past!



Hammock gear down underquilt for my hammock.....love it!



Mike"

Those chairs look pretty nice. Might have to look into one. Thanks."

they are great on a rock but they really tend to sink in the forest duff.

Jan...tent hard to put up??..now i know i punked out on a few Wing Nights but how about a "put up your tent" contest?..
maybe one person and two person..note i did not say "one man tent"
anyway a nice canoe type prize for the best pitch..
ok..another 1AM babble---but....

New likes: CCS UL tarp bought used from Piragas...works super, packs tiny. Irwin saw...always ready, sturdy, sharp, rides outside the kitchen pack; Tilley hat...crushable but with a wide brim that maintains it's shape, comfortable to wear.

Not so great: Columbia and Smartwool undershirt. Former hot, later itchy but seems to be getting better with washings. Still searching. Sheath I made for Irwin saw...serviceable but butt ugly. Really ugly.

Christmas list: New portage pack either CCS or Frost River. Can't decide modern or traditional....love both.
Large, rectangular, down sleeping bag for 30 degrees; PFD...Stohlquist, Drifter; compact e-reader. Lightweight, high quality fry pan to fit with my pan set and replace BWJ heavy aluminum , which I love but is too heavy.

quote bottomtothetap: "

quote Dilligaf0220:


Dislikes: Bending Branches double bend Viper paddle. Even in a solo canoe I still J stroke, and it's a paddle with one of those annoying "ergo" grips. I am sold on double bent paddles for my lower wrist, but I should have bought the Sawyer. It's a rugged wood paddle, and the blade moves a ton of water with nary a flutter, but I hate the grip.



Bought a carbon grip to replace it, but I am having a hard time taking a saw to it."

Interesting! I LOVE my Bending Branches double-bend Viper and I have loved it for years."

Wanna buy another one? :D

I've got bad wrists (why I went to a double bent paddle in the first place) and the over curled "ergo" grip that BB uses just extends my top wrist too much. Not noticeable in the store, but after half an hour of paddling it is painful bordering on excruciating.

Most of the time I have a fishing rod (or two) poking out either side of my boat as I am plodding along, and getting paddle drips I find annoying when I can simply do lazy J's. Full steam ahead making miles sit'n'switching it's fine. But in a day I am only doing that for an hour or two before I am trolling again.
Plus the shaft is alot heavier & thicker than it needs to be. If I can't find someone to swap I am going to be doing some major surgery on my Viper over the winter.

Helinox chair. Was skeptical about more unnecessary weight and now may have to take 2.

This message has had HTML content edited out of it.
Likes

Old Scout Reflector Oven - added hinges to the back to check while baking.
Big Sky Insulite Food Pouch Cozy - great for rehydrating and freeze dried food.Tyvek Tablecloth
Petzl Gemini Double Pulley - Packing Hanging System – I upgraded our packing hanging system with 2 climbing rated double pulleys and it is well worth the extra weight. Regular block and tackle that can easily haul up any load.
Alite Mantis Folding Camp Chair - comfortable and lightweight.
powertraveller powermonkey extreme
powertraveller powerchimp 4A - battery pack is a little heavy, but maintained power for all devices (iPhone, GPS, depth finder for 2 weeks).
Cooke Custom Sewing Deluxe Food Pack - well constructed and carries and incredible load.
Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme Thermolite Liner - very comfy added some warmth.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm - much more compact and lighter than our old thermarest.
Camp-Tek Microburst Inflator
Ghee - much easier than making it.

Dislikes

Slat Grill – Well constructed, but too heavy. It will not see another trip into the Q.
Katadyn Base Camp - great idea but the flow rate started to slow down and there is no way to back flush the filter after the 2nd season.

Future

Purcell Trench - Voyageurs Grill - alternative to slat grill.
Sawyer Complete 4 Liter Water Filtration System [SP184] - alternative to Katadyn Base Camp.
Reliance Luggable Loo Seat Cover – time for a new one. The old one finally got busted after years of service. Use with a 5 gallon bucket that has the bottom cut out. Quick rinse when done, and we pack our sleeping bags in it and stuff it in the bottom of our pack.
Western Mountaineering Alpinlite - upgrade from our North Face Cat’s Meow.
Sea to Summit Trash Dry Sack 20 Liter
Cooke Custom Sewing Lean3 Plus - upgrade from Boundry Waters Dry Fly that is at least 20 years old and still in great shape. Want to take advantage of the bug netting.

It's nice to see that many of you that went with the flexlite or helionox chairs are pleased with them. I'll have to take a closer look at them. I know a ccs tarp is on my list of wants for next year.

My favorite purchase this year was the Sawyer gravity feed water filter with an added Platypus in-line carbon filter element. The set up produced 2 liters of water in minutes, and the element added an almost sweet flavor to it.



Boneheaded purchase was 3 self inflating air mats from Aldi, yes the cheap grocery store Aldi. At $20 a pop I thought it was worth a shot. they are serviceable, but will be replaced as soon as I can find a great deal on a Thermorest.

I have a huge wish list, who doesn't?

Since we are new to BW camping, I am always looking to downsize and lighten up our gear. I would really like a screen tent, and the Eureka Parawing VCS has really caught my eye. Eureka Parawing
The other is a Showdown Depth Finder luxury item, but sure would be handy!

Really love my new Rain gear, REI Kimtah eVent, if you trip in the spring when its raining this is almost a must buy, save your pennies and use one of the 20% coupons, not only do you not get wet from the rain you don't get nearly as wet on the inside from sweat, it really did breathe remarkably well, stayed much warmer, always hated getting wet from sweat on the portages only to get chilled once sitting in the boat crossing a large stretch of wind blown water, can't say enough about it, made my Marmot Precip look like Garbage, and that was pretty good raingear! Kimtah with a nice merino wool underlayer = heaven.

ONNO carbon/carbon custom double blade, 245-255cm (adjustable), amazing unit, worth the wait, couldn't have turned out better, highly recommend Pat's work.

Likes:
MSR Hoop tent
MSR Whisperlite Universal stove
Steripen Optic
Mountain hardwear Mesa convertable pants

Dislike:
Thermarest sleeping pad. I can't remember the model but it leaks air, doesn't every fully inflate, even when I blow into it.

Slumberjack Lattitude sleeping bag. It doesn't compress as small as I'd like and I think it is losing some of it's insualting capabilities after only a few years.

quote Ragged: "Really love my new Rain gear, REI Kimtah eVent"

Just what I like to hear! It's on the top of my list since my son bought the jacket!

butthead

I enjoy all of my gear. Want some additional stuff, but I am quite happy with my stuff.

quote rupprider: "As the season is nearing its end for many of us I'm wondering what new gear did you love or hate this year? I personally joined the exped fan club and enjoyed my jetboil sol.

What should be on my Christmas wish list?"

Loved:
Marmot Sawtooth Sleeping Bag
Optimus Nova Stove
Venom Super Stove
Homemade tablecloth hammock
Homemade down underquilt
"Thread Injector" to make my homemade items
Kelty 4750 backpack to pack in all my homemade stuff
Wood chopper/processor
Cheap-o chinese isobutane stove

I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting... It was a busy year for testing equipment.

quote kanoes: "

quote okinaw55: "

quote mikea: "Helinox camp chair.....don't know how I made it without it in the past!

Hammock gear down underquilt for my hammock.....love it!

Mike"

Those chairs look pretty nice. Might have to look into one. Thanks."

they are great on a rock but they really tend to sink in the forest duff."

I was worried about that possibility.....I weigh 250 and it hasn't been that bad.....

Mike

For you Helinox sinkers in the ground, sink no more. Tennis balls work the best but even wiffle golf balls help a lot. The golf balls never need to be removed and I have read that the tennies don't either. I believe I read that about the tennis balls sometime ago on this forum.

nice tip.

Great things-

Enlightened Equipment Quilt
Sea to Summit event compression sack

I liked the dry sack so much I bought three more. Cuts down on trash bag use.

First of all, where is that beach YC?

- New to me 2008 Bell Northwoods. Picked it up a year ago In Tofte from the outfitter (Saw Tooth Outfitters). Numerous jaunts at the lake cabin and several trips with it this year a couple being river trips. Loved it! The best trip was with my 11 year old and it handled wonderfully.

- new water filtration system. Frankenstein set-up consisting of the Base Camp bag, and MSR and Sawyer filters. Oh my God loved it! My long national Katadyn nightmare is over!

- homemade reflector oven. Works great and makes meals a lot more interesting and fun. I could still live off trail mix, oatmeal and coffee though.

- Do I have a Mad River Independence for sale that I didn't know about? It was put to good use as well.

4L Sawyer gravity feed filter... loved it.
2 Sea to Summit event compression sacks. getting at least 2 more.

On the wish list for the 3rd year in a row is a smaller canoe (Morningstar, Northstar, SR Q 16 etc) for tripping w/ my young daughters and solo w/ my dog.

quote Banksiana: "Great things-


Enlightened Equipment Quilt
Sea to Summit event compression sack


I liked the dry sack so much I bought three more. Cuts down on trash bag use."

What sizes do you have and what do you use them all for...?

It wasn't really new, it was a used boat and I had owned it for about a year, but it was the first time I took my Mad River Independence on a trip. Group solo to Q in June. A little heavier than the lightweights at 44# but it paddled great and I was always comfortable in the boat. It just felt good.

quote boonie: "<

What sizes do you have and what do you use them all for...?"

I most often use 2 of the Large size myself, fit nicely in my Pioneer, I do have an XL and two of those would fit fine as well also a few Med that I use from time the time in a side by side set up. The two LG ones fit all my stuff, bag goes in first, then pad, tent and footprint, 2nd ones holds all my clothing consisting of 2-3 pairs of wool socks, full set of wool thermals, primaloft jacket, merino sweater, lightweight shirt and pair of quick dry pants.

With that said, if I wear to do it again I would just go with two XL's, they only weigh 1.5oz more than the L and they give me the option of fitting more, 30L vs 20L but easily compress to something small if not filled all the way, also they seem to be more willing to pack out into the corners using more space in the pack. I would say Lg or XL is the way to go, two should fit all and everything in your main pack that is compressible.

I have an extra small I use for my down quilt,(close to the size of a softball when compressed) a small for clothing on warm weather trips and a medium for cold weather trip clothing (if I bring the 15 degree sleeping bag it fits in the small).

quote Banksiana: "I have an extra small I use for my down quilt,(close to the size of a softball when compressed) a small for clothing on warm weather trips and a medium for cold weather trip clothing (if I bring the 15 degree sleeping bag it fits in the small)."

I too have a small and 4 med that I once used, but for me I found a bunch of small ones didn't fill out the pack as nice, wasn't able as combining like category stuff into larger ones, my pack always seemed lumpy with the smaller ones.

Bonnie,

When you look at the specs it will show the max and min volume. For example a small has a max of 10 liters, a XL has a min volume of 10, so even if your super light summer gear only needs a small you can get the XL or L (min 6.7L)and compress it to a similar size of the full small while having that extra room there if you need it for a early/late season trip.

Again, this is just my personal take on it, I regret buying the sacks that fit the individual piece of gear, sure its fun to cram my sleeping bag into the small and compress it to a softball, but then I ended up with "lumpy pack" and a bunch of extra weight, the oz/volume is much better on the larger ones.

Ragged, I get your point, though I am curious about packing your tent (mine is often damp or wet, especially in the cold seasons) with your sleeping gear. Do you worry about the tent hardware (hooks, zippers buckles) damaging the coating or mesh while under compression? You have me thinking- if I compress the tent and fly I might be able to move to a smaller pack.....

I like to have my clothes in one bag and my sleeping bag in another. Those two things are all I've used the dry sacks for. I basically put everything into a stuff sack of one sort or another- it's how I keep shit organized. Never had trouble with the "lumpy pack syndrome". Before buying the E-vent sacks I would use Granite Gear compression bags (the old style) lined with garbage bags- for some reason not using the garbage bags seems way better than it should.

Lump free Gear for a week in the Quetico

Those chairs look pretty nice. Might have to look into one. Thanks."

* * *
I have spent a small fortune on chairs the past couple of years and am happy to report the Helinox is the absolute best chair yet. My fleet includes $15 collapsibles, kermit, cheapo tripod, alite mantis, and finally the helinox.

Have also done side by side infield comparison to the flex-lite and both the flex-lite owner and I agree,--the helinox was the favorite.

One other thing, Kohl's sells the helinox online, so use one of the million coupons they send out for 20-30% off list price.

quote dutchman: "One other thing, Kohl's sells the helinox online, so use one of the million coupons they send out for 20-30% off list price."

im coming up empty on kohls website. got a link?

Kohls website says "out of stock online" currently.

quote yellowcanoe: "For you Helinox sinkers in the ground, sink no more. Tennis balls work the best but even wiffle golf balls help a lot. The golf balls never need to be removed and I have read that the tennies don't either. I believe I read that about the tennis balls sometime ago on this forum.



"

Thanks for the amazing tip! I bought some foam golf balls a while back to use as scupper plugs on the kids' kayaks but they didn't work.

Looks like I now have a purpose for them. Just need to drill a little hole and my Flex Lite chair is going to be stylin' for next year's trips.

I didn't buy much new gear this year as I was newly graduated and unemployed.



I did buy a solo canoe. I love my new to me Hemlock Kestrel. Very light and I am excited to get it into the BWCA next year.



My wish list consists of 2 things...

ONNO carbon/carbon custom double blade, 245-255cm (adjustable). Thanks a lot Ragged for planting that fixation.

Enlightened Equipment Rev X Quilt with extra stuffing.

quote kanoes: "

quote dutchman: "One other thing, Kohl's sells the helinox online, so use one of the million coupons they send out for 20-30% off list price."

im coming up empty on kohls website. got a link?"

I bought two the first week of august. Havent checked back since.

quote Dilligaf0220: "

quote bottomtothetap: "

quote Dilligaf0220:



Dislikes: Bending Branches double bend Viper paddle. Even in a solo canoe I still J stroke, and it's a paddle with one of those annoying "ergo" grips. I am sold on double bent paddles for my lower wrist, but I should have bought the Sawyer. It's a rugged wood paddle, and the blade moves a ton of water with nary a flutter, but I hate the grip.



Bought a carbon grip to replace it, but I am having a hard time taking a saw to it."

Interesting! I LOVE my Bending Branches double-bend Viper and I have loved it for years."

Wanna buy another one? :D


"

I DID buy another, except...I used to chuckle at my aunt who would keep some of her dishes un-used in the cupboard, saving them "for good". My dad used to wonder if when we came to visit were we not "good" enough? Well that is just what I'm doing with my second paddle: I've not used it much and am keeping it in nice condition while the first one gets used a lot and still works fine. Looks like it will for awhile unless I break it on a rock, or something.

This thread has made me determine that I need to win the lottery.

"

Since YC didn't answer...it looks like a couple beaches that are around the Slate Islands on Superior. Scary paddle out, but a very interesting place to trip. And the trout fishing is pretty awesome.


Now back to a more important topic...chairs!
I love my Kermit, but it's heavy and pretty bulky for a lightweight trip. How does the Helinox compare to the Kermit chair?

quote Dilligaf0220: "

"

Since YC didn't answer...it looks like a couple beaches that are around the Slate Islands on Superior. Scary paddle out, but a very interesting place to trip. And the trout fishing is pretty awesome.



Now back to a more important topic...chairs!
I love my Kermit, but it's heavy and pretty bulky for a lightweight trip. How does the Helinox compare to the Kermit chair?"

x2! We basecamp and use Kermit chairs--which I love! But I would certainly appreciate the weight reduction and consider switching to Helinox chairs if they are almost as comfortable.

quote Dilligaf0220: "

"

Since YC didn't answer...it looks like a couple beaches that are around the Slate Islands on Superior. Scary paddle out, but a very interesting place to trip. And the trout fishing is pretty awesome.



Now back to a more important topic...chairs!
I love my Kermit, but it's heavy and pretty bulky for a lightweight trip. How does the Helinox compare to the Kermit chair?"

I've never used a kermit for comparison.....the helinox comes in under 2#'s including a case w/lash points on it....my last trip in September, I had it sitting on the top of my pack just under the flap for easy access for lunch breaks etc.....We had a crew of 7 w/3 of these chairs....needless to say, they were never empty....incredible back support.....even though thtey sit low, they are not difficult to get out of which was another concern of mine....

Mike

quote sdebol: "

quote Dilligaf0220: "

"

Since YC didn't answer...it looks like a couple beaches that are around the Slate Islands on Superior. Scary paddle out, but a very interesting place to trip. And the trout fishing is pretty awesome.



Now back to a more important topic...chairs!
I love my Kermit, but it's heavy and pretty bulky for a lightweight trip. How does the Helinox compare to the Kermit chair?"

x2! We basecamp and use Kermit chairs--which I love! But I would certainly appreciate the weight reduction and consider switching to Helinox chairs if they are almost as comfortable."

I can't say anything Earth shattering here. As you know, Kermit has more of a dinner table posture position, compared to the Helinox which is a little more laid back. They are both top notch chairs.

I cut nearly 25 pounds off my pack weight over the last 3 years. Since I carry both chairs, this change was huge.

Paddled a Souris River Quetico 18.5 with three people for the first time in 2013. It is the most stable fishing canoe I've been in. Stable even without gear. Makes day trips very nice.

Used two five gallon buckets with Gemma Seals. Great to pack bread in and other food you want to protect from getting smashed. Also makes a nice small table or stool.

I made a few big purchases before my trip this year, and all of them were great!

I became a first time owner of a CCS Tundra Tarp (10x14), and it was a timely purchase since it rained on 5 out of 7 days. Super light (even though it's the 1.9 oz version), and very versatile for setup.

CCS Hybrid Canoe Pack (Pioneer) - such a better shape for canoe camping than the backpacking packs I had used on previous trips.

Sawyer 4L Gravity Filter - I'll never pump again! Worked like a charm for a group of six, and it's so easy that you never have anyone complaining about drinking water duty. I only had to backflush it once in the whole week, and it took only a minute or so.

Wants:
After reading this thread, I'm convinced I need a Helinox chair. Thanks, guys.
New wooden paddle - the guy I trip with and I just began a tradition of making paddles for ourselves this year... I managed to break mine on day six. Looks like I'll be making a new one for this coming year!

quote ducks: "4L Sawyer gravity feed filter... loved it.
2 Sea to Summit event compression sacks. getting at least 2 more.


On the wish list for the 3rd year in a row is a smaller canoe (Morningstar, Northstar, SR Q 16 etc) for tripping w/ my young daughters and solo w/ my dog.


"

ducks--I guess you know this, but that little paddler is just as cute as a button!! I love that look of wonder the little ones so often have when out in the woods!!

quote dutchman: "

quote sdebol: "

quote Dilligaf0220: "

"

Since YC didn't answer...it looks like a couple beaches that are around the Slate Islands on Superior. Scary paddle out, but a very interesting place to trip. And the trout fishing is pretty awesome.




Now back to a more important topic...chairs!
I love my Kermit, but it's heavy and pretty bulky for a lightweight trip. How does the Helinox compare to the Kermit chair?"

x2! We basecamp and use Kermit chairs--which I love! But I would certainly appreciate the weight reduction and consider switching to Helinox chairs if they are almost as comfortable."

I can't say anything Earth shattering here. As you know, Kermit has more of a dinner table posture position, compared to the Helinox which is a little more laid back. They are both top notch chairs.


I cut nearly 25 pounds off my pack weight over the last 3 years. Since I carry both chairs, this change was huge. "

Tried out a Helinox chair at Midwest Mountaineering this weekend. Certainly a wonderful chair considering it's light weight but I didn't find it nearly as comfortable as my Kermit chair. I thought the difference was enough that I'm not ready to give up my Kermit chairs even though I would have really appreciated the decreased pack weight...

quote jcavenagh:
ducks--I guess you know this, but that little paddler is just as cute as a button!! I love that look of wonder the little ones so often have when out in the woods!!"

Thanks! She loves the woods and talks about going back to the BW often:) Her sister is the same way.

quote boonie: "

quote Banksiana: "Great things-



Enlightened Equipment Quilt
Sea to Summit event compression sack



I liked the dry sack so much I bought three more. Cuts down on trash bag use."

What sizes do you have and what do you use them all for...?"

boonie....... We have 2 that are XL. On my summer trip w/ my duckling I had my sleeping bag and clothes in one and her sleeping bag and clothes in the other. On my fall trip with my wife we couldn't fit all of our clothes (obviously had more clothes for a fall trip)w/ sleeping bags like I did in the summer. For you on your normal fall trip probably 1 for your sleeping bag and 1 for your clothes. I'm planning on getting 2 more of them.

@Ragged, Banksiana, ducks- I had never really considered doing it the way Ragged is talking about. I'd have the same concern as Banksiana about the wet/dirty tent in with the sleeping bag and clothes. I've never really considered that I'd gain much from compressing my pad -the exped seems to make a pretty compact bundle anyway - or the tent. But maybe, although I can't see much advantage to compressing the stove, fuel, repair kit, food, first aid, water filter, etc. I can see some disadvantage to over-compressing some of those ;).

I currently have an XL which I use for my sleeping bag - a Marmot Sawtooth - and the clothes that I sleep in - clean long johns, socks, toboggan. And I also have a 20 liter eVent dry sack which I've used for my clothes. Although not a compression sack, I can squeeze it down pretty small. I usually carry those two plus the exped in a Granite Gear solo pack with the canoe.

The XL is plenty big enough for that, but when compressed down to minimum size, doesn't fit the solo pack that well, so I was thinking maybe a large or medium would work and fit better. Maybe I could put the bag, pad, and clothes in the XL and use the other one for the tent and maybe the tarp. Anybody compress their tarp too?

What do you all put in compression sacks and what do you not?

The good stuff...
Purchased the fillo pillow from nemo after reading reviews & testing out a few pillows in stores. Had a coupon from EMS which helped quite a bit on the price. I slept on it a few nights at home, then took it out for a 3-day trip. Am so happy I pushed the button on this item. It's one of those things that makes you ever wonder how you did without it. It's designed thoughtfully & to me function is beauty. Attached stuff sack, memory foam cushion, inflatable bladder, removable bungee web for adding clothing to achieve additional height, just over 10 oz. Washes beautifully. Slept great & it stayed in place while I thrashed around. Slightly noisy until you settle down, the memory foam helps muffle the crinkle a bit. Didn't bother me at all. Guess the tiny, flat down sleeve from Caldor that's been my mainstay for omg 26 years is second best now...sorry old pal!

Nemo fillo pillow

Eno twilight colored string of lights. Just for fun...I have the all white set which I love, I received these for my b-day and they are a party on a string. I haven't had the problems others are mentioning in reviews, low batteries make them run all red, changed to fresh batteries & they cycle thru the colors just fine.

Eno multicolored led light string

Eno double hammock, so nice, I like...worth the extra weight for a relaxing place to rest. Slap straps make it a breeze to set up.

Eno double hammock

Wenonah inflatable seat pad, good for the canoe & at camp.

Wenonah seat pad

Want from Santa...

A good collapsible fishing net, more lures and a squid anchor.

Another portage pack from Granite Gear to carry all this stuff...

Packs

A Souris river quetico 17 le Tigre...yeah, it's a long shot...

Almost forgot...these Eagle Creek Pack-it Specter Cube Sets are great for packing. They keep stuff organized, slide around inside the tent easily, stack nicely in a pack with no empty space between. Weight almost nothing, slightly see thru so you know what is what.

Eagle creek pack it specter cube set

Well, 2013 was a lean year as far as trips and new gear for me. I did not get up north at all and I only got one piece of new gear

Picked up an MSR Dragonfly....love it tho it is a bit noisy

Christmas list: hammock

quote Swampturtle: "
Eagle creek pack it specter cube set "

I have looked at these for traveling but never thought to use them as a camp organizer. Thanks for the idea.

quote luft: "

quote Swampturtle: "
Eagle creek pack it specter cube set "

I have looked at these for traveling but never thought to use them as a camp organizer. Thanks for the idea."

+2 I think I'll get me a couple of those. Thanks for the idea.

quote luft: "

quote Swampturtle: "
Eagle creek pack it specter cube set "

I have looked at these for traveling but never thought to use them as a camp organizer. Thanks for the idea."

loose stuff packed loosely in stuff sacks pack better. its all about filling in the hollows of a pack. smaller sacks fit the vacancies best.

I finally understand why folks here like the double walled titanium cups.I bought a Snow Peak double wall and it kicks some serious hinder parts! Light and insulating says it all.

Bought a Copper Spur 2 and used it on one solo trip, and it did not fail in any way, shape nor form, and I cannot say the same for a couple other tents I've used for soloing over the past couple years.

Picked up a Sanborne paddle and found it to be an incredible tool. Will never purchase a Whiskeyjack paddle again, especially after they neglected to reply to multiple inquires about a broken grip on a Double Whiskey and shaft lamination issues on a Chaser that was already repaired one time.

Was not happy with the layup on a kevlar Wenonah Wilderness that I purchased used and paddled on one trip. The canoe was virtually new when I bought it, and after one trip of 10 days there was bare fabric on both the bow and stern, and I am pretty careful with my landings and takeoffs.

I want a pair of water shoes...... :)