Date: 2006-11-05
To: '06 Gear Review
Miles today: 0.0

06ATHike Gear ReviewI promised a gear review at the completion of my AT Section Hike and I guess I¢d better get at it, although I¢m not too sure just how valuable it will be. (I¢ve said over and over again, the primary reason I had zero gear issues on my ¢03 thru-hike and this section hike is because I, for the most part, I copy other TJ journalists¢ gear.)There is ¢rule on the trail that EVERYTHING MUST HAVE MORE THAN ONE USE, so I¢m going to list ¢My Second Use¢ for each item¢¦even though it might be a stretch in some cases.If you do happen to read this, let me know via the guest book please¢¦I¢m wondering if it any one reads it and if it¢s worth the time.1. Sleeping Bag ¢ 2 Pounds - $310.00 (¢02)I¢m gonna start with my FEATHERED FRIENDS SWALLOW DOWN 20 degree bag that I ¢got¢ from ¢02 thru-hiker Two Scoops. (See my ¢03 journal gear list) You¢ve heard me talk about how I make love to it every night¢¦I L-O-V-E IT. Just talking about it makes me want to go jump in it and go to sleep. I don¢t complain much, but it is so, so hard to climb out of it on those cooold dark mornings.Weighing in at close to two pounds, it is the only bag I¢ve ever used in over five thousand miles of long distance backpacking. Nothing has ever failed on it¢¦no rips and the two-way zipper works great along with the draw string hood. It gets damp at the outside foot end from condensation, but it never gets wet on the inside. It packs great and always fluffs up no matter how many days its been stuffed.Although I¢ve had zero bag odor problems, I thought it was time to wash it this summer. Afterwards, I was a little worried that the down clumped in the dryer and there would be some cold spots¢¦but so far so good. I used tennis balls in the dryer like they tell you to. The other thing is I almost always wear socks to bed. I also use a silk liner and wipe myself down (armpits, arms, legs, croth, etc.) with ¢Wet Ones¢ every night. Wearing silk Pategonia long underwear to bed is the chief reason it never gets dirty or smelly on the inside.My Second Use¢¦emergency cold weather protection also, the packing bag is used as a pillow.2. Bag Liner -3 oz. - $35.50 (¢03)While we¢re talking about the bag I might as well mention the JAGBAG HITECH MUMMY SLEEPING BAG LINER. I am on my second one¢¦the first one wore out prematurely due to me washing it at high temps and putting it in the dryer with everything else on ¢high.¢ This second one, I treat as a ¢delicate¢ and don¢t wash it as often while hanging it out to dry. Some don¢t like the liners because they do make you feel more confined; tangle easily and are somewhat difficult to get in and out of.My Second Use¢¦sleeping in it without the bag in hot temps.3.Long Underwear Bottoms ¢ 5 oz - $32.004.Long Sleeve Top ¢ 2.2 oz. - $26.005.Speedo Solid Lycra Racing Suit ¢ 1 oz - $24.00Finally, since we¢re on sleeping gear, I wear PATEGONIAL MEDIUM WEIGHT SILK/NYLON LONG JOHNS OVER SPEEDO SWIM BRIEFS. So, two layers of light quick drying fabric between me and the bag¢¦you can see why I never had a dirty bag¢¦plus I wiped my self down with WET ONES before turning in. Without mentioning any names, I once hiked with a guy who wore his hiking shorts to bed; did not use a liner and hopped in his bag without washing his ¢crusty , dirty legs.¢ Yeah, it takes me a little longer to change at night and in the morning, but I feel the advantages (warmth and cleanliness) far outweigh the disadvantages (a few ounces). Oh, and I also wear a pair of socks or sock liners to bed¢¦Ill get to those next. My Second Uses¢¦obviously an added layer of clothing in cold weather6. Bridgedale Socks - 3 oz - $18.007. Sock liners - .5 oz ¢ price variesYou¢ve heard me say I¢ve had zero feet problems, so the socks must be alright. I¢ve gotten into the habit of wearing socks to bed¢¦sometimes wet ones since they dry overnight. The BRIDGEDALE SOCKS I discovered at the outfitter in Daleville VA. They last twice as long as the Smartwools. In fact, I pack three pair and have not noticed any serious wear on any of them.The liners I want I¢m having a tuff time finding. Avoid the synthetic ones if at all possible, as I had one pair start to melt and shrivel up on me in the dryer. I¢m down to two pair but will add another as soon as I find the right ones.My Second Use¢¦emergency hand warmers.8. Long sleeved top ¢ 11.5 oz - $105 (now about $125)The PATAGONIA R1 FLASH PULLOVER is arguably the most valuable and best performing piece of clothing gear I own. The black top I wore on my ¢03 thru-hike is as good today as it was then. I can¢t say enough good about it. The ¢long zippered neck¢ allows you ¢cooling¢ so you can wear it longer when your body is heating up. In cool weather, when I¢m hiking in a T-shirt, I put it on in camp to retain body heat and it is the first thing I change into when climbing out of the bag on cold mornings. Even though the original black one is still fine, I purchased a second ¢light colored¢ one for summer hikes.My Second Use¢¦stuffing in the sleeping bag bag to make a pillow.9. Shorts ¢ Swim Shorts ¢ 4 oz. - $59If there¢s one piece of clothing I have been experimenting with lately it has been my shorts. I started out with a cheap $10 pair of nylon swim trunks off the rack at the outfitter in Hot Springs which were fantastic. I bought a second pair but gave them away to SparrowHawk in PA when he had his stolen out of a clothes dryer this summer. I switched over to a ¢surfboard¢ short because they cover more of the leg. And, it wasn¢t because they were trying to name me ¢Sexy Legs!¢ on the Trail¢¦I just like the way they keep you cleaner and still provide enough fine ventilation in hot weather. They also have an eyeglass pocket on one side, out of the way. My light tan ones were beginning to show wear, so I purchased a pair of PATEGONIA 100% NYLON BOARD TRUNKS on the internet. BTW, I think I¢m going to continue to carry two pair, especially on the Florida Trail this winter.My Second Use¢¦swim shorts.10. Stocking Cap ¢ 1 oz - $24An absolute must when hiking in cold temps¢¦I pack mine year round. I sleep with it on...90% of the time, especially since most of the body heat escapes via your head. For years I¢ve used the MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR WINDSTOPPER MICRODOME HAT. Nice, light and compact and you can throw it in with the wash. If you don¢t want to spend the money, Tractor Supply has some heavier stocking caps for less than $5.My Second Use¢¦hummm¢¦small tote bag to keep laundry items separate.11. Gloves ¢ about 3 oz ¢ price varies from $10 to $50I have been through several pair¢¦like the ones I left on the ground at a water source this past year. I can only say gloves are required gear for me. My digits are very sensitive and can ¢ache¢ from the cold when the rest of me is warm. I carry them year round. There are so many places on the AT that are cold in the morning when you start out¢¦and I need them when I¢m breaking camp. In the spring I found a twelve dollar pair of very light ¢skiers gloves¢ being closed out at Wal-Mart for $3. On top of Kahtadin, there were some young hikers with their ¢fists up their sleeves¢ shivering that would have paid big bucks for some gloves.My Second Use¢¦let me get back to you on this one.12. Sleeping Pad ¢ 11 oz - $30I am particularly proud of the fact I can sleep on the ground in my tent comfortably¢¦without a heavy ¢blowup¢ mattress. I¢m on my second foam pad, THERMAREST Z-LITE FAST& LIGHT compact closed cell pad. It¢s all I need. I would consider dropping it and try sleeping without a pad except for the fact you need it in the backpack to shape and cushion the inside front of the pack.(My Second Use)Thanks Dane for letting me know someone is reading this, I'll try to keep adding to it.13. Water Treatment ¢ 8 oz (empty with batteries and includes 1 litre bottle) - $75 (normally $100)I used Aqua Mira on my first thru-hike and for sometime thereafter. Then, I saw this offer on Whiteblaze for a combination bottle UVL purifier, AQUASTAR C-VC water purifier. Since more than half the weight is the container itself; and I was never particularly crazy about the taste of Aqua Mira, I tried it and have never looked back. I have never experienced giardia, sickness from drinking water (to my knowledge.)I figure it must work because 90% of the water sources on The Colorado Trail were shared with either livestock or horses¢¦footprints and ¢cow pies¢ were ever present. It only takes a minute to purify and you can drink right out of the bottle.Drawbacks: The two lithium CR123 photo cell batteries are expensive¢¦over twelve dollars off the shelf¢¦I buy them on sale with coupons for half that price. But, they don¢t last forever, especially in cold weather. Speaking of cold, if the water being treated is too cold, (33 -35F) you may have to wait for it to warm up a little¢¦you get a flashing green light when the water has successfully been purified. I still love it and will continue to pack anything I don¢t have to add to the water itself.Second Use is obviously a drinking bottle.14. Two Litre water hydrator ¢ 12 oz ¢ Between $30 - $50For my ¢03 thru-hike I carried the Cascade Designs Big Zip Two hydration system¢¦that I had copied from a ¢02 hiker. I liked it until it sprung a leak when I was section hiking with Charlie from Berea in NH in ¢05. The outfitter in Lincoln didn¢t have any and sold me a CAMELBACK 1.9 LITRE INSULATED HYDRATOR for twenty bucks (about half price). I love it and have never looked back. I fill it with ice and water at motels and towns in hot weather. The insulator bag keeps me sipping ice cold water for hours¢¦literally¢¦I¢m getting excited just writing about it. It has a shut off valve and interchageable mouth piece too.Second Use: An ice pack when I fall "sprain something¢ (How¢s that for innovation?)I also carry another half litre plastic bottle that I use as a drinking bottle or for flavored drinks. I will continue this discussion later and edit this entry to add more items.