Camping / hiking gear

[josephusminimus]

I'm personally a big believer in my homespun, cheaper than dirt pocket survival kit, whether I'm backpacking, camping, or day hiking.<BR><BR><A href="http://sofarfromheaven.com/survival-book-2/" rel=nofollow>http://sofarfromheaven.com/survival-book-2/</A><BR><BR><P><STRONG><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://sofarfromheavendotcom.files....ocket-survival-kit-packed.jpg?w=271&amp;h=312" rel="lightbox"><BR><BR>SECTION 10: POCKET SURVIVAL KIT</STRONG></P><P>Pocket survival kit:&nbsp; the fire starter combo, the tinfoil, the lawn bags, cord, and cutting instrument will all fit inside a one-quart freezer bag for your jacket pocket.&nbsp; There’s room left for a small compass, lip ice, 1 inch square mirror, and a bouillon cube or two if you want to include them.&nbsp; It’s small, light, and can spare you a nasty case of exposure, or worse.</P><P><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://sofarfromheavendotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/desb-36-pocket-survival-kit-contents1.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>I also include a tube of Super Glue for emergency closure of cuts and gashes and a small vial of chlorine bleach for water purification.</P><BR><BR><BR>

 

[Cold Brian]

This is the first year that I decided to hike throughout the winter. I only did it sporadically in the past. I learned really quick to get a nice warm and waterproof pair of boots. I am not an expert so I will not recommend what I got even though I like them. I would like to recommend a very warm and comfy pair of insoles I used to replace the ones that came with the boots: Ugg insole replacements--http://www.zappos.com/ugg-ugg-insole-replacements-mens<br><br>So warm and comfy!<br><br>After I got the warm footwear squared away, I needed something to help with my traction on the ice, which is everywhere (Monadnock region of NH). I had a few nasty spills, usually going downhill. Being a rookie and looking to save a buck, I got some really cheap ones from Walmart. Couldn't keep them on my feet and they fell apart the first time I used them. Beyond worthless. Then I tried on these: Kahtoola Microspikes--http://www.amazon.com/Kahtoola-Microspikes-Traction-System-Tote/dp/B0016CQYJ2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1359423115&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=kahtoola+microspikes My god are these awesome! Again, I am not an expert, but i can't believe how well these work! Uphill, downhill, everywhere, it was like I was bolted to the ice. They ain't cheap, but they, or something similar, are worth it. Now I absolutely can't wait to get back out on the frozen moonscape around here now that I got decent footwear.<br><br>I definitely agree now with the earlier posters advice to buy quality. Good advice.<br><br>Also, thanks for the tips, everyone. Off to check out some of these products now.

 

[bee]

www.sierratradingpost.com

<br><br>+1<br><br>Sign up for there email list and they send 35% off coupons every other week.<br><br>

 

[kwest]

Ultra lite is the way to go. If you drop 10lbd from the base pack weight everything is more enjoyable. <br><br>i like the book "Lightweight Backpacking and Camping" By Ryan Jordan<br><br>My current base pack is about 7.5 lbs and its alot more enjoyable when I had a 20+ lb base weight.<br><br>i prefer handmade us gear from small companies. better quality, better seervice. Of course they may cost alittle more but they last much longer. <br><br>I like companies like ULA, Mountain Lourel Designs, Ti Goat, My blanket is from a company called Blackjack I think. All their gear has really impressed me. I plan to hike a long trail in the next few years and I will trust their gear. Most my gear has probably 1000 miles and many nights and its all holding up very well

 

[lampliter]

backcountryedge.com