BlakeA
Well-known member
I'm a gear junky and always enjoy trying new stuff out each year. I like reading about new gear that others have used and REALLY liked and also what disappointed. So with 2016 coming to an end, name ONE piece of equipment that you bought for 2016 that you won't leave the truck without again, and ONE that didn't live up to your expectations.
Love: Kifaru Tut w/smith cylinder stove. It is absolutely perfect for a solo backpacker and can EASILY fit two guys with gear. Takes less then 5 minutes to put up and withstands the wind better than expected. On one trip this year, we actually squeezed 3 of us with our packs in there and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Perfect size, lightweight, bombproof. Gold for me.
Hate: Goal Zero Venture 30. It's not that it is absolutely terrible, because it does a solid job of recharging and it's lightweight and pretty compact, but it kept losing battery life while NOT even being used. If one of the buttons gets bumped it will turn on and the lights keep flickering which gets annoying. Nothing worse than having it fully charged only to hike up to a ridge and see that it's already down one bar. I will keep it for camping and a backup for in the truck but I will be trying something else in 2017.
Love: Kifaru Tut w/smith cylinder stove. It is absolutely perfect for a solo backpacker and can EASILY fit two guys with gear. Takes less then 5 minutes to put up and withstands the wind better than expected. On one trip this year, we actually squeezed 3 of us with our packs in there and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Perfect size, lightweight, bombproof. Gold for me.
Hate: Goal Zero Venture 30. It's not that it is absolutely terrible, because it does a solid job of recharging and it's lightweight and pretty compact, but it kept losing battery life while NOT even being used. If one of the buttons gets bumped it will turn on and the lights keep flickering which gets annoying. Nothing worse than having it fully charged only to hike up to a ridge and see that it's already down one bar. I will keep it for camping and a backup for in the truck but I will be trying something else in 2017.