Chris Townsend has an interesting piece on his blog on the best gear of the last decade. If you haven’t read the post you can find it here.
This got me thinking. I haven’t been able to use half as much gear as Chris, but this has been a decade in which gear has changed a great deal. Here are the highlights for me, and just some of the trends I’ve noticed.
Walking Poles
Ten years ago these were still a rare sight on this hills, They were for whimps. Back then if you saw them at all they were being used, one at a time, by people of advanced years! What got me thinking about them was an observation that most European hikers I met — who walked in high mountains — were using two. I remember trying two for the first time in the Pyrenees and instantly wondering how I could have done without them! My knees have been very grateful ever since!
Intricate Packs v. Simple Packs
This decade has seen the emergence of a whole load of clever back systems, including those that have systems that keep the load away from the back and allow air to circulate. For me these systems work best with small packs. I tried the Osprey system for heavier loads and never really felt comfortable with it. The best of these packs was a small Berghaus day pack which was fine so long as it didn’t have much weight in it. The more weight it had in it the more uncomfortable it felt, the same kind of discomfort as I experienced with the Atmos.
Like Chris I have been very impressed with ULA packs and I now own three of them. My pack of choice for most trips is the ULA Conduit which is a simple pack with no intricate back system; you just slip a sleeping mat down the back to give some strength.
The thing about these backless systems is that for reasonable loads they are just as comfortable as all of this clever technology. And they are not really any more uncomfortable as these air flow systems either. Sure, these packs are light but they don’t have to be uncomfortable. Good shoulder padding is most important, but this doesn’t have to be too bulky either.
Innovative Down Design
Those who design and manufacture in down have had a great decade. Rab produce some wonderful products and their Quantum 400 bag is my first choice for colder weather camping.
PHD would be a world beating company if only their customer service could be better, although to be fair things seem to be getting better. But ithe wait for delivery and the eccentricity of the company are worth it when the goods arrive. I now have a gilet, a jacket and an all purpose bag. My Minimus 400 bag is my main bag now. it keeps me warm down towards zero and below that the down jacket worn underneath it is gloriously comfortable. The one gear buy that I know I will make if I get on this year’s challenge will be the new PHD down trousers.
Over at backpackinglight.co.uk Bob and sourced some wonderful Scandinavian down jackets from Liv. I’ve never tried one of these on but by just handling them you can tell that they are a great piece of kit.
Paramo
I can’t write something like this without mentioning Paramo. In cooler months when the rain is tipping down nothing beats it. I’ve used a Velez smock, an Alta II jacket — a great all purpose winter coat — and now the Third Element. which is perfect for UK backpacking. The Cascada trousers are great although cut a little weirdly. THe new, and lighter, Velez trousers may well find their way into my gear cupboard this year.
eVent
Chris raved about eVent and I can only echo that. My Montane Quickfire jacket is perfect for warmer weather. It is ultra breathable and weighs only a little over 300 grams. My only quibble is that is sometimes too breathable when the wind is blowing hard. For my money this is the best shell material by far.
Inov-8
You’d expect me to have these on my list. Since trying them I have never gone back to boots. They are counterintuitive in that seem to be safer for weak ankles than boots. Even the cynics are beginning to move away from boots. The main thing to be looking for in trail shoes is breathability. All trail shoes will let in water — you need a pair that will let it out again. For my money this is why the Terrocs score so highly.
Spinnaker and Cuben Fibre
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing with these materials. Tarps made from these are strong and offer terrificly low weight for a massive coverage of space. I have learned to love my tarps and there is nothing better to use in a British summer when the weather is good. Nothing connects you with the environment around you as much and when it rains you’re glad you didn’t just rely on a bivy bag. And these materials have also ben used to create very conformable and very iight bivy bags as well.
You do have to look to small, niche, manufactures to find this stuff. But in these days of the internet your supplier can be on the other side of the world and stlll give you great customer service.
As ever, Ron Bell of Mountain Laurel Designs deserves a special mention here.
Teepie Tents
Chris raves about the Golite Hex and I’ve been tempted to try one, not least because I’ve been out with Bob Cartwright so often.
There is something about this design style that really dow make sense for backpackers. You use your trekking pole as the tent pole and you do get a massive amount of space.
My MLD Duomid will be my first choice in most UK conditions this coming year. AT 300 grams for that much space how can I complain?
All of these are great products …
…. but if I had to pick my favourite piece of gear from the last ten years I don’t have to hesitate for one moment.
Andy’s Gear Choice for the Naughties
Yes, take a bow …
… the Bushbuddy Ultra.
This wood burning stove is not only a perfect stove but it is a perfect companion. It has real character and keeps me company for hours on end. When I was with Colin Ibbotson in the Cairngorms a couple of months ago we both agreed that this was probably one piece of kit that we would never throw away.
Apparently, Bushbuddy will be producing a version in titanium this year. This will be interesting to see. The value in using titanium will not be so much a weight saving as, I suspect, and improvement in the structural robustness of the stove.
As designs go the Bushbuddy is near on perfect. Hat’s off to Fritz. You can see some fantastic photos of him and read an interesting intevriew on Hendrik’s blog here.
Bushbuddy, take a bow. Here is a photo of my stove on holiday in the Pyrenees
The bushbuddy is OK but I prefer the
Fire-Spout it’s a great cooking stove, if you put long sticks in it becomes a campfire and it folds flat
http://www.occuk.co.uk/outdoor
My friend introduced me to it he has had one for years and swears by it
We shouldn’t forget Bob Cartwright’s Honey Stove. A little heavy for some but amazingly adaptable and as ingenious an invention as you would expect from Bob.
Andy, could you possibly comment on how sturdy and rugged the Bushbuddy Ultra is, and whether you’d have any reservations about it in these respects – would a regular one not be perhaps a better compromise? I can’t decide on which model, and the thought of falling off-balance while squatting and putting my hand out to stop myself on it and denting it has made me trawl the net for a good idea of its ruggedness but I can’t find a good enough appraisal. Many thanks
Wladyslaw,
There are no operational difficulties with the Bushbuddy Ultra. On the ground it works just as well as the not so light versions. the only thing to be concerned about is the denting of the stove. You do need to transport it in a pot even if like the MSR pots the lid does not fit on. I stash mine in a stuff sack and nestling inside the pot. The only time I dented mine was when I forgot and put my pack in a plane hold! Ordinarily, store your Bushbuddy like this and you will have no problems.
As I say, once you are using the stove there are no problems with it. The profile of the stove is quite wide and stability is not a problem.