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Post by kumachan on Aug 13, 2016 11:13:12 GMT -8
Hiya, I'm a newbie to this site and, after posting in "The Trailhead Register" and a suggestion from Lamebeaver, I'd like to ask the folks here what improvements or innovations to backcounty gear tech over the last 15 years or so have had a positive impact on backpacking? I actively backpacked late 70's well into the 90's and then life got hectic. I'm just getting back to backpacking/camping/climbing on a regular basis and am curious as to what major tech innovations have occurred since 2000.
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almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696 
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Post by almostthere on Aug 13, 2016 11:18:02 GMT -8
Home dehydrators. Because who needs fake food when you can take leftovers and eat well?
Better footwear -- no one really has to put three pound dead weight foot coffins on their feet, when you can get something light, breathable and suitable for good traction and toe protection.
Internal frame packs have gotten better, and for class 3 - 4 off trail stuff, make life easier -- balancing the load on the hips is easier when it's hugging your back closer.
Hydration bladders, for folks like me who prefer a handy hose to asking buddies to get your water bottle for you or just hiking and forgetting to drink water. I get dehydrated enough with the bladder, it was worse before....
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,886 
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Post by zeke on Aug 13, 2016 11:23:03 GMT -8
Lighter stoves, lighter pots. Smaller headlamps. Hammock camping. Sleeping pads have also become lighter.
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Post by trinity on Aug 13, 2016 11:47:14 GMT -8
Better footwear -- no one really has to put three pound dead weight foot coffins on their feet, when you can get something light, breathable and suitable for good traction and toe protection. A true game changer. Sleeping pads have also become lighter. And way more comfortable. Also: Fine merino wool. Higher quality down. 900+ FP would have been unthinkable just a few short years ago. Backpacking quilts. More comfortable, less weight. A win win. Cuben Fiber. I now carry a roomy 2 person tent that weighs a pound and a half. Trekking pole supported shelters. See above. Quality dehydrated meals. Mary Jane's Farm, Packit Gourmet, Hawk's Vittles, and others. We've come a long way from the Mountain House meals of 30 years ago that I used to eat. Trekking poles. Not new, but I rarely saw them until fairly recently, and thought them gimmicky. Until I tried them. |
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Post by cweston on Aug 13, 2016 17:02:10 GMT -8
In addition to those already mentioned: my gravity filter was a real game changer for me. Pumping was a really onerous task. It's really easy (although a bit slow) to filter four liters and then carry an additional four liters of unfiltered water back to camp: I think I tend to hydrate better now that filtering water is so much easier and more pleasant.
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Post by kumachan on Aug 14, 2016 17:48:25 GMT -8
Thank you for all the responses!
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Post by exhausted on Aug 16, 2016 15:54:04 GMT -8
I feel you Kumachan, I backpacked in the 90's a ton and then life happened. Got back into it some years back and could not believe the improvements in gear. Funny how STILL there are not many backpackers in the world (very small percentage of population) but the gear innovation has come so far. If you sleep on the ground/in a tent, get a quilt ( you do not need to sleep in a hammock to use a quilt!). Best investments you could make out of the gate are boots, quilt, tent/hammock and pack. Spend a bit of cash and you will be happy for years of backpacking. The little cook kit stuff and rain gear.....you can go old school for a bit on those. Trust me.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2016 16:00:04 GMT -8
lighter weight water filters; from sawyer and others
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Aug 16, 2016 16:02:03 GMT -8
I'm not quite there yet, but... artificial knees?
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Aug 16, 2016 19:18:35 GMT -8
Light beer...
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547
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Post by tigger on Aug 16, 2016 22:01:49 GMT -8
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