Nick,
My post was a bit snide. Last year when I was planning a trip the Beartooth Hoody was going to be available "soon". Now that I'm updating my gear it's out of stock. Hence my post under "Gear We'd Buy - IF it existed".

In reality though there is one item I would love to see- a line of 140-175 gram per square meter garments made of approx 45% merino wool, 15% X-static, and the remainder a tough nylon fiber that would provide snag and abrasion resistance.

I would like to see an aluminum Trappers mug.
its fine to have all these expensive Ti pots/mugs but why not have aluminum versions? They are just as light and I bet an aluminum trappers mug would cost like $5.00!

I would like to see more packs under a pound in the 2000-2500 c.i. range -that have NO MESH and are made of durable materials. the Amp had the perfect compression system but was wanting in the strap department, the Ion is slightly too small and has nothing for pockets and compression. We are neck deep in silnyon/spinnaker/cuben mesh covered packs compared to packs like the Jam2.
And some manufactures like Mountiansmith are using recycled pack cloth and buckles, cottage makers should look into using this material.

Oh yeah, I definitely agree with Robert's suggestion. I would love to have cocoon overmitts. It is hard to find big puffy mitts that aren't overly tough. I don't need them that tough.

Pit zips on a nice, light, simple eVent jacket/hoody for climbing would be awesome! Westcomb are you listening?

http://www.rbhdesigns.com/product/39/altitude-vaprthrmsup-and-reg-and-sup-mitt-liner.htm

No, wont buy then. I want the mitts to dry out my hiking fleece gloves when in camp. VBLs wount work for that.
That way they are drying out while I am doing chores but can whip the mitts off to do some dextarious work.
MEC makes a pair that are almost perfict - but they lack a way to close the cuff, that and gripper pads.

Why don't you just take the wet gloves off and put them in a pocket near the skin on your torso. This technique is faster than drying them using insulated mittens because your torso puts out more heat than your hands. With this technique you could use lighter mittens in camp and could even use vbl.

I wear 100 weight liners or WS gloves when I'm hiking and this system lets me bring only one pair of fleece gloves, and one pair of warm mitts. If you used a WPB shell like Quantum on them I could do away with my WP overmitts too and just carry WS liners.
Also, would make a great set of winter belay gloves - I do that too.
If you used a closure like the Brittish Bufflo Mitts they could double as warm socks for cold nights.
I'd buy them, been looking for a set like that for a long time.

>That way they are drying out while I am doing chores but can whip the mitts off to do some dextarious work.

I know you are comfortable with this system but I had this idea I had like to share and hear what you have to say.

How about no gloves? instead get a base layer with thumb loops. R1 is warmer then 100 fleece and thumbloops will give you more dexterity then gloves. To dry them all you need to do is pull them up. And you get max warmth with insulated VB mitts.

Thats a great idea for summer.
When its -10C out, its nice to have gloves
R1 liners - that would be cool...

For those that mentioned firearms, www.naaminis.com makes some of the smallest and lightest pistols available. www.pakrifle.com makes the lightest and most compact rifle, but they are not available to the public yet, so it sorta falls into that "if it existed" realm.

i'd like big agnes or thermarest or OR to make a sleeping pad that had a tent floor permanently attached to it. perhaps w/ a nice zipper around the outside that i could attach a lightweight bug netting to for a roomy, light, bug free shelter and my sleeping pad wouldn't slide if i don't pick a totally flat campsite. thanks

Edited by StainlessSteel on 03/22/2009 22:48:42 MDT.

A double wall tent that

1) can use trekking poles
2) has a rainfly made of Cuben fiber
3) has an inner made of TYVEK and mesh, but tyvek near the floor to keep wind out....

someone should make this....could be an awesome double wall for 1 lb. or less

I agree with Nathan. Perhaps something like this: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=8499

Several people have expressed interest in that tent and would buy it if available. To match Nathan's suggestion, it wouldn't take much to tweak that design, and use trekking poles for the sides (rather than the slight curve) along with the pole over the top (connected by a hub assembly). Such a tent would be pretty strong, too (trekking poles plus short carbon fiber poles for support, with no curves).

With regards to Cocoon Mitts, I don't mean the Vapor Mitts. I mean very light, simple puffy mitts (essentially the same thing as the Cocoon jacket or pants). No vapor barrier, no tough leather palms, no heavy straps, none of that. Just simple, very light, puffy mitts (not intended for extreme temperatures).

I would like a sunshade for my backpack. A canopy that I can walk underneath in perpetual shade.

Peter,

this should be easy to find. A couple of years ago i bought something like this for a HP PDA that was about 20$. It took 2AA batteries and worked well. I also had a version that took 9volt bats. I forget where I found these but google was involved.

Here is a solution for Roleigh and his pack for the JMT: http://www.moonbowgear.com/1trailgear/1Custom%20packs/Gearskins/gearskinhome.html

Here is a solution for Diane and a shade:

Sierrashade.com

Edited by rambler on 03/23/2009 14:15:07 MDT.

From what I can tell, he does not actually sell the Sierrashade.

I'd love a shirt that exactly replicates my Patagonia R1 Hoody but has large 150g merino wool patches sewn into the underarms. This would make the shirt all but perfect for 0-60 degree hiking, IMO. Oh, and throw in another 'thumbloop' centered on the back of the hand for anchoring the sleeve off of my middle or ring finger.

If I knew squat about sewing and didn't fret over slicing up almost $200 worth of merino and polyester, I'd make one myself. Anyone out there want to hook me up? :)

http://www.boxwave.com/products/bundles/iphone-battery-adapter/iphone-charging-battery-pro-apple-iphone_2661.htm