Josh Kuntz
Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2013
- Messages
- 184
I am a member of Backpacking Light and one of the things they do each year on their forum is have the "staff" pick their personal Gear of the Year. I thought it would be interesting and helpful if the Hunt Talk community did the same here. It's a simple idea, just list the gear YOU PERSONALLY USED that impressed you this year. It can be new stuff or something with many seasons of use that once again proved valuable. My list is below in no particular order. For the record, I am not sponsored by any company. Just trying to provide an avenue for gear feedback.
1. Seek Outside Unaweep 4800 - This pack can compress down so small and so quickly that I use it on short day hikes even though it is designed for heavy loads. I used it to pack 4 elk out of the mountains this year and had almost ZERO hip and shoulder pain with some loads in the 70-80 lb range for over 6 hours. Simply put, the Unaweep 4800 is incredibly versatile and tough enough to handle big weight. Oh, and it is waterproof!
2. First Lite Corrugate Guide Pant - These nylon pants have incredible stretch, very good DWR, fantastic durability, minimal "sag" when wet or worn for several days and a great pocket design. I was allowed to test a pair on one backpacking trip and upon returning home, I immediately purchased 2 pair and I wear them more than any other pants I own.
3. Mountain Hardwear Scree Gaiter - Light and tough as nails. Many seasons of abuse and they keep on keepin on.
4. Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak - Easily the warmest and most comfortable ultralight down jacket I have owned. And it looks stylish enough to wear to a restaurant.
5. Kuiu Kenai Hoody Jacket - The new Toray "full range" synthetic insulation provides an unbelievable combo of warmth and breathability. This is a fairly recent purchase, so it's long-term value is unknown. So far it has been super warm, has surprisingly good DWR, and it breathes better than any insulating piece I have ever owned and is really comfortable.
6. Backcountry Navigator Pro App - For $10, my android phone becomes a better GPS than 95% of GPS units available.
7. Honorable Mentions: Seek Outside Lil Bug Out Shelter (with vestibule), Tarptent Rainshadow 2, Havalon Piranta Knife, First Lite merino base layers. Each of these have seen many seasons and always been solid performers.
1. Seek Outside Unaweep 4800 - This pack can compress down so small and so quickly that I use it on short day hikes even though it is designed for heavy loads. I used it to pack 4 elk out of the mountains this year and had almost ZERO hip and shoulder pain with some loads in the 70-80 lb range for over 6 hours. Simply put, the Unaweep 4800 is incredibly versatile and tough enough to handle big weight. Oh, and it is waterproof!
2. First Lite Corrugate Guide Pant - These nylon pants have incredible stretch, very good DWR, fantastic durability, minimal "sag" when wet or worn for several days and a great pocket design. I was allowed to test a pair on one backpacking trip and upon returning home, I immediately purchased 2 pair and I wear them more than any other pants I own.
3. Mountain Hardwear Scree Gaiter - Light and tough as nails. Many seasons of abuse and they keep on keepin on.
4. Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak - Easily the warmest and most comfortable ultralight down jacket I have owned. And it looks stylish enough to wear to a restaurant.
5. Kuiu Kenai Hoody Jacket - The new Toray "full range" synthetic insulation provides an unbelievable combo of warmth and breathability. This is a fairly recent purchase, so it's long-term value is unknown. So far it has been super warm, has surprisingly good DWR, and it breathes better than any insulating piece I have ever owned and is really comfortable.
6. Backcountry Navigator Pro App - For $10, my android phone becomes a better GPS than 95% of GPS units available.
7. Honorable Mentions: Seek Outside Lil Bug Out Shelter (with vestibule), Tarptent Rainshadow 2, Havalon Piranta Knife, First Lite merino base layers. Each of these have seen many seasons and always been solid performers.
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