Who would have thought that this thread would have waxed on this long?

Lots of great stuff here. Of course my list won't stop at 3 either.

1 - Colin Fletcher - the man practically started the backpacking craze of the 70's. I got started with the Complete Walker and have never looked back. All of his books are great reads and I would have liked to have known the man.

2 - Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero - I've been wearing the same one for probably 15+ years. It replaced an old camo boonie that I still have and except for extremely cold weather I'm never without. Does the job well and that's all I ask.

3 - Western Mountaineering sleeping bags - haven't used anything else in years. Again, a great piece of gear. Now, the Montbell SS series may displace it though - I have yet to shell out the $$$

4 - Exped Downmat - yeah, I know it heavier than sleeping on your platypus and pack combo but I have to have a good night's sleep and this is the best I've found - now if I could find a pillow to match.

5 - Internet sites - I believe I first started seeing lightweight backpacking sites in the mid 90's - can't be sure. The Lightweight Backpacker was my first intro online to lightening the load. After that were JohnO, Michael McConnick, Backpacker.com and Ryan's predecessor to BPL.

6 - Last but not least - packing lighter. The whole process of going lighter has made the journey more enjoyable and isn't that what it's all about?

Later edit - 7 - Victorinox Swiss Army Knives - in my opinion simply the best all-around knive & utility tools made. I have several.

Edited by vdeal on 08/29/2009 10:23:24 MDT.

- Low top hiking shoes

These are number one on my list (Merrell Ventilaters do it for me). After years of pre-taping my feet to prevent blisters (unsuccessfully) and suffering with bruising on my boney ankles I am now trouble free!

- MSR Pack Towel

Sometimes the simple things have the biggest impact. I hate to think how many differenct pack towels I have purchased over the years but this one is a real winner. I started carrying one of these little gems in my pocket a couple of years ago and I use it for everything. Cleans my sunglasses, dries my hands, shades my head, wipes off sweat, washes clean and drys incredibly fast. I keep a second one in my cooking kit as well. At 1 oz. this is an amazing piece of gear.

I am going to go the opposite way of with this because being tall means you get hosed

1. Chacos. Because finding a trail shoe in a size 14/15 EE means you pay $100 for something that only last a few years of walking. Chacos with the thick retread have lasted me 5 years now. The Chacos themselves are 9 years old. Socks, rain socks or none at all and you are comfortable.

2. XXL. Because making something in a tall version is pretty much nonexistent anymore or right out of your budget. Yeah, you have Cabela's and Marmot with a few tall pieces you get to choose from but more often than not if you are an XL and tall you have to go with the XXL to get the extra torso and arm length. And even XXLs are not that common (and usually more fitted to really fat people) but they easier to find than an XLT. Even before you want to buy that piece of gear, 85% of the market is closed off to you.

3. MYOG/Independent craftsmen. Because most of the gear that you want in the weight range you want is not made. Period. Nobody does and nobody wants to.

"you pay $100 for something that only last a few years of walking"

I wish. I replace $100 trail runners 2-4 times a year. ugh...

I would be amiss if I did not mention Colin Fletcher as well. I read and re-read the "Complete Walker" (all versions), the "Thousand Mile Summer", and "The Man Who Walked Through Time". I also had the fortunate experience of meeting him several times over the years. While certainly no ultralight backpacker, he certainly employed the philosophy of "going light" through life.

[Never thought I'd see those two on BPL, but I bet their favorite gear is either the pen or cigar]

My unexclusive + unexhaustive favorite nominations are:

- WM HiLight
- Ti Spoon
- Merino Wool baselayers
- Jardine Book
- GoLite Gust
- Red River Gorge (because we never needed to carry shelter!)

I think the best thing I have ever bought for backpacking is my Granite Gear Virga. I like my Montrail Namches as well.

I'll list the gear items I've settled down with that I'm really, really satisfied with:

1. Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone Pack
2. Gossamer Gear 1.5 lb 2 person tent, Squall Classic
3. Caldera Ti-Tri™ Titanium Stove System
4. Western Mountaineering Summerlite Sleeping Bag
5. Integral Designs eVent Thru-Hiker Jacket
6. Keen Mid-Height Targhee II boots
7. Montbell 5' long 1" sleeping pad with their toggle-switch, attachable pillow
8. CamelBak PakTeen 50 oz which serves as my platypus and front-pack (hangs off my chest/sternum strap of my pack) and centers the weight of my pack.
9. Black Diamond FlickLock hiking poles
10. Ibex Merino Wool T-shirts (and their customer service)

Edited by marti124 on 11/09/2009 18:43:19 MST.

1. Continued education, training and practice. As a close quarter combat instructor for almost 20 years the most important lesson we learn is that you are the weapon, everything else is just a tool.

2. High level of fitness and consistent "activity appropriate" conditioning, my 3 season base weight is 6.8 lbs, I do stadiums three times a week in a 50lb vest.

3. Mini trips - quick overnighters in adverse conditions allowing me to refine and master my kit.

4. Right now I'd go with Mountain Laurel Design gear for the cutting edge in materials and construction.

5. A sense of humor for when Mister Murrphy invariably makes his way into my pack.

Opposable thumbs, an upright gait, and a large brain.

I bought some Nike Lava Domes in around 1983. I wore them to school, Mtn. Biking, day hiking, stream exploring, and everywhere else for about 3-4 years. I took them as "camp shoes" on at least two backpack trips and always ended up carrying my 5 pound blister-monster Asolo Yukons on the pack while wearing the Lava Domes. Eventually I realized that other than snow or ice there was no reason to even bother with the heavy boots.

Lava Domes were tough and innovative. When they finally wore out I bought the Lava Dome II. They were junk and fell apart within one season. The idea that I didn't need heavy boots for hiking was set though.

My accurate scale is my best piece of gear. It has enabled me to intelligently reduce my pack weight.

My 3 favorites:

1. Hennessy Hyperlight Backpacker Hammock - does so much and asks so little.
2. Western Mountaineering Alpinlite - weightless comfort
3. Ultralight titanium woodstove - Oh the pounds of fuel I have not carried!

Runners up:

1. Gossamer Gear Light Trek 3 hiking poles - Unbelievably light, half the time I don't even know I'm carrying them.
2. Gossamer Gear Mariposa plus. So light, so comfortable so convenient.

Honorable Mention:
1. Powdered homemade refried beans - better than fresh made. Same great taste and they cook up in minutes, not hours.
2. Pee bottle

Edited by herman666 on 11/10/2009 09:41:27 MST.

Anything I make myself has special meaning. Here are a few things I like in no particular order.

1) 8.2oz 72" sleeping pad :)
2) Life Gear glow stick. Its a flashlight, light saber, flashy thingy and a whistle all for 1.2 oz.
3) Osprey Daylite 13L pack, its not the lightest at 15 oz but its bombproof and extremely comfortable.
4) My 11 year old Kelty Zen tent 5.25 lbs. I loved it so much I am remaking it out of new lightweight materials.

Insulated air mattress (not a self inflator). Otherwise a lot of us old guys couldn't sleep well enough to backpack.

1. Regular NeoAir at 14oz---I have never slept so good out in the woods..IMHO the NeoAir is the best piece of gear that has come out in ten years....Comfort is definitely underrated.

2. Ipod Nano 16GB---Over 3,000 songs at 1.3oz SWEET!! For me on big mile days I need a little motivation on the trail..Tune-age!!!!

3. My caveman Heineken cook pot.. 1oz-- I am a Hobo!

Edited by Creachen on 11/10/2009 10:13:14 MST.

1) Probably my BPL membership. I've learned more about camping and backpacking here than anywhere else.

2) Supercat Stove

3) Definitely the Platypus. It's a bottle and hydration system all in one so I can switch depending on my mood and their logo is a Platypus. It doesn't get cooler than that sexy beast.

Brett,
On clothes for tall guys - try finding XXLT. Nearly impossible but we do it for my husband. He has to have Talls or he looks like the guy wearing little kid clothes. There are options out there, but most will be bought online.
Cabelas, LLBean, REI and a few others make them. The thing is you have to be willing to accept that this will be one area where you don't get what you want weight wise often over what works. He buys carefully and thinks out every purchase though.
A few companies he can fit into in non-tall on odd items - Mt. Hardware is one.
His issue as well is he has broad shoulders - this plays into backpack selection (add in that extremely long torso for more fun!) 25" pads are needed as are the longest sleeping bags (which many companies don't even make!).

I'd say that tall guys get the biggest shaft of all. And even if you go as light as you can....your gear will still weigh more due the extra fabric, insulation, etc needed to work! Then again...if you are built like my husband, carrying 30 lbs is like me carrying 15!

I like it too.

Edited by mn10man on 02/01/2010 13:07:34 MST.

1. Gatewood Cape
2. ZPack Blast3200
3. Montbell Windshirt