With the 2013 camping season now over it is time to review my 2013 backpacking gear and make plans for 2014. It is also the time to get the digital scales out and weigh everything again.
My current gear list spread sheet, showing the weights, is available as a free download here.
The Good
MSR Hubba – one man backpacking tent
This tent has performed well all year, standing up to gales and rain in the Peak District, in the Lake District, in Scotland, on the Isle of Skye and in Cornwall! It performs well in the wind bending some but not so much that it becomes unliveable inside. I would recommend similar modifications to the ones I have carried out to help with relieving the strain on the tent and to add some extra stability – see here.
this was the headline on the day we went to the Peak District
In the bad weather the tent keeps the rain out, I have had no leaks, although I have to be organised, so I can get in to and out of the tent quickly in bad weather as the porch does nothing to keep the rain out then. The only solution is be quick. A small ground sheet (see picture below), in the porch helps with this, giving me somewhere to kneel when getting in and to stand on when getting out and before I get my boots on.
In the autumn on a couple of misty humid nights I did suffer some condensation. The still nights did not provide any through draft so the condensation collected, but most of it stayed on the outer tent and did not drip into the net inner tent. Under normal circumstances the condensation is not a big issue.
In bad weather I can easily and comfortably cook in the porch – I take great care using a stove in the tent. Paying particular attention to move all my gear well away from the stove.
Early morning tea, in the porch of my MSR Hubba tent – using a MSR titanium mug and Pocket Rocket stove with Alpkit MiTiMug. The water bottle is a Platypus 1l roll up bottle. To see how windy it was see my Vine video here.
This is a great piece of lightweight backpacking gear, it is reasonably light, exceptionally well designed and does not cost a fortune.
Golite Jam 2 Rucksack
I am thinking about trimming some of the straps on the bag this winter. When it is windy they need tucking away so they do not flap around – and it will save some weight!
Other than that this backpack is good for me. At only 50l it effectively limits my packing and so the weight.
Lunch stop – the pack is that way down, on the wet grass, to keep the back dry.
Stoves
I continue to use both the Vargo Triad XE titanium meths stove and the MSR Pocket Rocket gas stove they give me flexibility with my cooking:
- The Vargo stove including a 100ml of fuel, my copper mug stand and the base boarding incredibly compact and adds less than 200g to my load
- I usually use the meths stove when I stop for lunch – I keep it and all the equipment I need for a brew in the outside pocket of my pack
- On good weather overnight trips I usually only take the meths stove
- It is impossible to use the meths stove inside my tent, so if the weather looks like it will be less than good then in carry the gas stove
- When I am backpacking with the gas stove I use the smallest gas canisters available
Update January 2014
Alpkit Kraku gas stove
Although the MSR Pocket Rocket is a great stove – in the quest for lightness I have replaced it with an Alpkit Kraku gas stove – see here.
Robens Down Lite 500 and Alpkit Numo Sleeping Mat
Following the problems with my sleeping bag last year, this down bag has exceeded my expectations. I have used it all year and I have not zipped it up – I have used it like a camping quilt and it has kept me very warm. During my week in Cornwall at the end of October I wore my fleece hat but still did not zip the bag up.
The Numo air mattress is the most comfortable camping mat I have ever slept and I would not change it. It also saves a lot of space in my backpack. (Unfortunately it looks like Alpkit does not do sleeping mats anymore.)
The Failed
LMF Small Spork
After several years use, it simply broke. I don’t think I will be replacing it I am going to use the metal Sea to Summit spoon in future (see below).
The Bad
Vango Inflatable Pillow
Following the problems I had had with budget inflatable pillows, I sacrificed some weight for comfort and bought a more expensive, and hopefully better quality pillow. It was awkward to pack as it rolled up into a hard cylinder but it was very comfortable. The bad thing is that it failed on last overnight backpacking trip of the season, leaving me pillow less for my camping trip to Cornwall, where I had to go back to using a rolled up jumper which reminded me how uncomfortable that is! The a seam on the Vango pillow had failed, it had not had any unsuitable use, I had only used it for my head (which is not that heavy), I had never sat or kneeled on it, but overnight the seam simply failed. It went in the bin. I think I paid about £7 for it so it was not great value for one seasons use. I am now looking for a replacement.
Update – Jeremy bought me this for Christmas.
The New Backpacking Gear
Alpkit MiTiMug
The Alpkit MiTiMug with it’s lid, is exactly what I was looking for. My MSR mug, plastic beaker, all the lids and washing up kit pack inside this mug/pot hybrid and then it all goes into the supplied netting bag – making it a great miniature titanium nesting billy set. Then this package fits neatly into the stuff sack that holds my lightweight cooking system.
Heating a can of soup in the MiTiMug
The one difficult thing with this design of mug that if (when) I burn something in it, it is hard work getting my hand into the mug all the way to the bottom and then being able to scrub it thoroughly. Consequently I have added a small piece of sharper green scouring pad to my washing up kit which make this job easier.
Anyone who is looking for a lightweight utility mug and pot, at an exceptional price, could not do better then visit Alpkit.com and buy one of these – and if you do not own a smaller titanium mug/cup then Alpkit has the great value MiTiCup.
Sea To Summit AlphaLight Spoon
I bought this spoon as the LMF spoon was not strong enough or long enough to stir food in the deeper Alpkit mug – see above. It is not titanium but is very light – the clip however has been removed.
Helly Hansen Lifa Dry Underwear
Diana first bought me an under shirt for my birthday and followed it up at Christmas with some matching longs johns and a complete second set.
This hi-tech, lightweight, laminated base layer wicks moisture away quickly and then helps evaporate that moisture from the surface of the shirt not my skin, making it very warm. It is half the weight of the set it replaces.
For the details see my Christmas Gear Update here.
Nalgene Travel Kit – Small
I have found my medium Nalgene kit very useful this year and this small kit was bought for me for my birthday. I especially wanted the small jars for carrying jam and peanut butter and the small bottle for carrying a small amount of cooking oil. (The large jar from the medium kit contains enough fresh coffee for a weekend – so cannot be used for jam etc.)
Podsacs 40l Dry Sack
Following a wet weekend in the Lake District I discovered that the proofing on the dry sack I was using to keep my clothes and sleeping bag dry had started to fail. When I got home and unpacked the gear it was all a bit damp – not drenched, the down bag was still useable, but it was time to replace the dry sack. I think I probably bought this dry sack about twenty years ago – so I have had my money’s worth from it.
The new dry sack fits better inside my Golite Jam rucksack, is larger than the old one and has a roll top fastening ( the old sack simply rolled up without any fastenings). It is easier to pack this new dry sack, when it is in the rucksack, and it can hold extra gear but because it is very waterproof it makes the bag air tight, so when I roll the top down I have to carefully squeeze the air out first, otherwise I end up with a balloon in my pack.
GoTubb – Small storage containers
When I saw these I immediately thought of using one of them to store the effervescent energy tablets I use. I was pleased that three of the tablets fitted but the capsule is not airtight so over a week the tablets discolour as they absorb moisture.
I have alo used the tubs to hold:
- Instant coffee
- Measure of gravy granules
- Herbs and spices
However because the GoTubb containers are not airtight this is short term storage and they need to be protected from getting wet when I am backpacking in the rain. Overall I am a bit disappointed with these and I am still looking for some small pots to hold herbs and spices.
packed in a small ziplock bag
Colour Works Silicone Coaster
I found this item in a trendy kitchen shop in Scotland, it is sold as a coaster. I use it for its heat resistant qualities, to protect my groundsheet from hot pots and it also makes a good pot gripper so I can hold hot pot handles.
My coaster is red and you can see it under my MSR titanium mug, above in the stoves section.
Bits and Pieces
I have gone through the pouch I keep my small bits and pieces in, to check I really need to carry them.
- One of the heaviest items in this pouch were the the spare batteries for my Petzl Tikka headlamp – three AAA cells. I have replaced this headlamp with the much lighter Petzl E-lite. The new headlamp and a spare set of button batteries weigh far less than the three AAA cells I was carrying.
- I was carrying a reel of strong thread – I have now run a length off on to a small sewing machine bobbin.
- There was an second packet of glucose tablets in there, put there during one of my trips earlier this year – out.
Sea to Summit Travel Day Pack
I have reviewed my Sea to Summit Travel Day Pack here.
I have made further modifications to the pack here.
Christmas Update
See here for my Christmas Gear Update and more weight saving.
February Update
I bought a few extra items whilst away on my winter trip.
- Lightweight 3l dry sack – to protect items in my day pack
- Merino wool underwear – lightweight Norwegian sports design.
- Clip on compass
March Update
Light My Fire Spill-free Cup
I had looked at these cups several times and couldn’t make up my mind, but when I was reviewing gear for a trip later this year with Diana I thought these would be a good idea. However when I checked the current Light My Fire range I found they had been discontinued. A trip to eBay found two new ones for a bargain price.
The main reason for buying this cup was the spill-free lid, but the cup also makes a good bowl. The lid should help to keep drinks hot longer even with the the increased surface area (I’ll test this). The handle is different but very easy to hold, for both drinking and eating. As an extra there are three indents in the cup to show, 100, 200 and 300ml. The cup packs easily and can be used to carry tea bags etc.
I am pretty certain I will not pack this on backpacking trips – I do not need the extra weight and I am not sure it would replace the plastic beaker and lid I use for rehydrating food in. But for regular camping trips this looks like a useful addition.
First Aid Kit Upgrade
I have made an essential change to my First Aid Kits here.
Square Jellyfish Spring Tripod Mount
I have been looking for a tripod mount for my iPhone – I have one now – see my first impressions here.
April Update
Eagle Creek Quarter Cube
I bought an ultra-lightweight Eagle Creek Quarter Cube bag to hold all the small items I take backpacking. See my blog here.
June Update
I have written a short article about some of my backpacking gear here. It includes a couple of new purchases and a description of my walking entertainment.
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