THERE'S GOTTA BE A BETTER WAY TO MAKE... THE PIECE OF GEAR YOU MOST WISH FOR

MARK SIREK
MARK SIREK Administrator Posts: 293

When we think about the number of essentials required to set up a trail-ready, overnight backpacking kit, we can whittle the list down to 10 categories. If you could pick any one of them, which one do you wish could just be...different? What's this crucial bit of gear missing? What do you wish it/they could do that isn’t currently available? Place your vote and jump into the discussion to share your thoughts/million-dollar ideas!

THERE'S GOTTA BE A BETTER WAY TO MAKE... THE PIECE OF GEAR YOU MOST WISH FOR 8 votes

Ultralight Backpacks
0%
Sleeping Bags/Quilts
12%
Greeneradventures 1 vote
Stuff Sacks/Organizational Tools
0%
Tents/Shelters
37%
Josh SteinTenDigitGridAnnieLe 3 votes
Sleeping Pads/Pillows
37%
tinaRiffbugglife 3 votes
Stoves/ Kitchen Cookware
0%
Hydration Vessels/Water Treatment
0%
Apparel
0%
Headlamps
0%
Multi-Tools
12%
Quadzilla 1 vote

Comments

  • tina
    tina Member, Moderator Posts: 56
    Sleeping Pads/Pillows

    I've tried so many sleeping pad options — started with a closed-cell foam pad on the AT, but after a few weeks, it made my bone marrow ache (I didn't know it was possible for bones to ache so deeply) so I switched to a Sea to Summit Ultralight (16 oz). It worked well, but it was heavy. I then switched to a Thermarest Neoair Xlite Women's. It's got a super high R value and weighs about 11 oz, but as I continued to hack away at my base weight, that became too heavy, too. So then I tried a short Uberlite (6.6 ounces, awesome!) but after 1100 miles on that, I decided an extra 2oz for my legs is worth it, so now I'm on a regular Uberlite (8.8 oz). The weight is right, but it's so much longer than I need it to be! What I really want is an Uberlite sized between the S and the R, like the Neoair. I've got the Gossamer Gear Thinlight pad and I wish I were one of those people who could just sleep on that. My husband does, but he's insane.

  • Greeneradventures
    Greeneradventures Member Posts: 5
    Sleeping Bags/Quilts

    Sleeping Bags! I know the technology is always evolving and changing but why are quality down. light and packable sleeping bags SO damn expensive? Now, if there ever was an item worth spending the money on, I would always argue it to be your sleeping system, after all it should be guaranteed to be the only place your gonna be warm, dry and comfortable. I suppose if I were to make a suggestion on sleeping bags they would be the following two things:

    1. the zipper and the flap of fabric that prevents cold are from leaking into your bag always catch when zipping in at night. Nothing can be as frustrating as mucking around with the whatever your zipper caught on in the freezing cold dark. Fix that!
    2. I know Rab has recently come out with a bag that has a breathable goretex like layer over the top, especially around the toe box as moisture from breathing through the night general collects on the top of my bag and I rarely have enough time/ sunshine in the morning to dry it properly. But this should be standard on all high end bag models.


  • TenDigitGrid
    TenDigitGrid Member, Moderator Posts: 81
    Tents/Shelters

    I want a dyneema pyramid shelter that works for couples....the pole down the center gets in the way if you have a double sleeping pad and 2 person sleeping quilt.

    I cant always hang the tent when in the desert.

  • snechemias
    snechemias Member, Moderator Posts: 20

    Locus Gear makes a dual trekking pole extender, they call it the DPTE, which allows you to set up a pyramid with the poles in an inverted V.

    An example on an MLD duomid in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQRFfF5tIy4

    I used to use this setup winter backpacking with my dog, it actually handles snowloading a little better than a single pole in addition to freeing up the interior space.

  • TenDigitGrid
    TenDigitGrid Member, Moderator Posts: 81
    Tents/Shelters

    @snechemias thanks for the tip thats awesome piece of gear that I didn't know about! I wonder how well that would work with the HMG Pyramid tents!

  • Quadzilla
    Quadzilla Member Posts: 2
    Multi-Tools

    I would kill for a solution that would allow me to securely attach a camera that is already attached to a UL tripod to my pack strap. Even that little bit of extra effort of attaching the tripod after pulling the camera out means usually the camera gets sat on a rock/log and the framing isn't quite right.

  • jcronon
    jcronon Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2022

    @tina Couldn't agree more. Luckily, the shorty pad works well for me when paired with a pack under my feet. That said, I've heard this is a technique that might work for your pad. Admittedly, I'm a little afraid to try it myself. If you go for it, I'd love to hear how it goes!


  • nirwin
    nirwin Member Posts: 22

    I used to want to a better way to attach a camera chest pouch to my bag as I found carabiners would distort the looks on the shoulder straps and felt that over time they may come loose or break. However, have no found a better solution for this... :)

  • Naomibro
    Naomibro Member Posts: 92


    Are you kidding? A super-strong totally silent, mostly invisible female-male always on duty, Master of martial arts, perfect day and night vision,

    Bhudist Sherpa apparition. He-She can carry my load, puts up my tent, packs my gear, make my coffee, never go potty or snore, in fact, never sleeps, always watches; loyal; cook; never whistles or hungry; covers me up if I chill, has a clean Kleenex handy. Always knows the way, and vanishes when journey over. Got an extra?

  • Veraun
    Veraun Member Posts: 6

    I wish for a POD that fits perfectly in the bottom of a Prism!