Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,962 
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Post by Westy on May 4, 2017 9:34:42 GMT -8
Had an eye doctor appointment early this morning. While waiting started to browse through the magazines and came across the Backpacker Gear Guide 2017. Could not find one Editors Choice gear item I would consider for purchase. It did prompt me to log on the Katadyn website for description of the Befree Water Filtration System as it was totted by Backpacker as an alternative to Sawyer Squeeze.
Essentially, the first cut look through did not elicit a strong, compelling desire to continue. Time marches on!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2017 13:57:58 GMT -8
what shocks me are the prices.
$400 for a parka?
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on May 4, 2017 14:19:47 GMT -8
what shocks me are the prices. $400 for a parka? That does seem a bit steep. Tigger seems to do fine with just a pair of red velvet boxers, some big furry slippers, and a generic watchcap. |
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tigger
Trail Wise!
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Post by tigger on May 4, 2017 18:13:58 GMT -8
They are wicking red velvet boxers...thank you very much. Very high tech (but cheap).
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Post by bluefish on May 5, 2017 3:49:40 GMT -8
I bought one at an airport for my yearly perusal. Didn't seem any more inventive or buy-worthy than the past 3-4 years. Nothing new, nothing except pricey and no better than gear from 20 years ago. I did first get interest in my Osprey Atmos from an article in the gear edition for '15. At least it made me try it on in the store. Still took 2 long sessions before I pulled the trigger on a perfect fit. The magazine has moved to the throne room but, I think it will be moving to the recycling bin soon. As Westy said, I had zero interest to flip through more than once.
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toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
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Post by toejam on May 5, 2017 5:01:10 GMT -8
It didn't take me long to buy the BeFree and the Chair Zero after I got my copy. I want the Rab stretchy rain shell as well.
I still love the mag. It's an old guy thing. I don't lay in bed and read TrailGroove.
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FamilySherpa
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Tangled up in Rhododendron
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Post by FamilySherpa on May 5, 2017 5:28:30 GMT -8
The gear guide is sort of an addiction for me.
Truth is, its really worthless. Everything is expensive, very little (relative to 10-15 years ago) innovation each year, and every piece of gear gets an A+ grade it seems.
That being said, i'll probably still buy it every year. No clue why.
I remember in my late teens and early 20s the gear guide was like a playboy to a kid. My friends and I would pour over all the latest gear....Frameless backpacks WHATTTTT. That Tent is only 5 POUNDS!!!!! Maybe its that connection to my youth that i'm holding on to.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2017 6:04:01 GMT -8
I got/get some information out of the Gear Guide.
I am looking forward to the new Sawyer water filter and I was a bit shocked to learn that it takes about 13 gallons of water to dye a rain jacket, yikes.
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walkswithblackflies
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Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on May 5, 2017 11:53:15 GMT -8
They are wicking red velvet boxers I thought they were O.R.A.N.G.E!?!?! |
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Post by trinity on May 5, 2017 16:01:50 GMT -8
The gear guide is sort of an addiction for me. Truth is, its really worthless. I pretty much fall into this category. I love reading about gear, so even something as weak as the Backpacker Gear Guide is fun for me. My biggest takeaways from the latest issue are that Dennis Lewon really likes seeing himself in the magazine, and the editors really like the companies that do the majority of advertising in their publication. But that's just a coincidence, I'm sure. very little (relative to 10-15 years ago) innovation each year What is unfortunate to me is that there has been so much innovation, but so little of it is reflected in Backpacker. In an era when we have ZPacks, Mountain Laurel Designs, Hyperlight Mountain Gear, Six Moon Designs, Tarptent, Locus Gear, Enlightened Equipment, and so many other great companies putting out cutting edge gear, Backpacker continues to highlight the same old products from the same old companies. Could not find one Editors Choice gear item I would consider for purchase. It did prompt me to log on the Katadyn website for description of the Befree Water Filtration SystemI actually think the REI Magma sounds like a pretty decent bag. If it's true to its temp rating, then at that price and weight, it would be a pretty nice bag. And, I must admit, I used my REI dividend on a Befree, though I have not had an opportunity to use it yet. I got it for a very specific purpose, I often go on daylong flyfishing trips, wading up and down central Texas rivers during the heat of summer. The thought of being able to carry this in my pocket and drink at will, instead of carrying half a gallon or more of water in a backpack, was too much for me to resist. Sigh. Yes, I'm a sucker. |
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Post by hikerjer on May 5, 2017 20:22:04 GMT -8
Backpacker continues to highlight the same old products from the same old companies. Excellent point, but I suppose it's those companies that pay the bills. |
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on May 5, 2017 22:58:44 GMT -8
The thought of being able to carry this in my pocket and drink at will, instead of carrying half a gallon or more of water in a backpack, was too much for me to resist. Sigh. Yes, I'm a sucker. As in sucking water through a straw kind of guy? |
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RumiDude
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Marmota olympus
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Post by RumiDude on May 5, 2017 23:22:58 GMT -8
I love reading the gear guide almost every year. One of the reasons is that I don't look at it as if I am going to find something I just have to buy. Instead I use it as a guide to what is out there. It's kinda like reading a bike magazine, or an auto or motorcycle magazine. I am just reading it for information, seeing interesting trends, new materials, new construction methods, etc.
Most of my gear is relatively up-to-date. I ain't looking to buy too much in the first place, just like I ain't going to run out to buy a new Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang with the V-8 flat-lane crankshaft, even though I enjoy reading about it. I am not going to buy almost anything from Arcterx because I just don't have that kind of money. I don't mind reading about their stuf and comparing it to other company's gear.
Rumi
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2017 15:05:21 GMT -8
What somewhat astonishes me is how few backpacking-related companies actually advertise in 'Backpacker' any more.
I don't recall seeing anything from Kelty, Lowe, Eureka, Jansport, MSR in some time.
Also surprised at the number of non-backpacking-related ads.
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RumiDude
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Marmota olympus
Posts: 2,361
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Post by RumiDude on May 9, 2017 10:31:28 GMT -8
Here is one Backpacker 2017 Editor's Choice awards that is getting a lot of buzz in the ultralight/thru hiker communities.
Rumi
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