If you could recommend one piece of gear to a friend, what would it be? Your favorite piece of gear in your kit. Mine is my Golite Ultra 20 quilt with a couple of extra ounces of down. The extra down turned this quilt into a true 20 degree quilt for 22 ounces for fairly little cash.

I've recommended plenty to my friend, in which he went out and bought, but the catch is I didn't actually have it. I do the research and my friend goes out and buys it first, lol.

Some of the gear I've recommended are a ULA Circuit and Catalyst, Snow Peak LiteMax, Kahtoola MICROspikes, TarpTent Rainbow, Zpacks Hexamid, and some others. I bought a Circuit after him, and has been my favorite piece of gear, but I just bought a HMG Windrider to try out and see if the grass is greener. I got to try out his MICROspikes recently on a frozen lake, and it's another piece of gear I'll buy myself.

Edited by TRAUMAhead on 01/03/2012 22:24:02 MST.

Windshirt and quilt.

I would probably go with a wind jacket as well. Possibly the smallest, lightest most versatile thing in my gear closet. The fact that it is useful from the hottest summer trip to the coldest winter trip (leaving out expedition like conditions of course :) ), is really a big deal for me. I don't think I've even been on a day hike where I wasn't glad I threw it in my pack, even if it was "just in case".

R1 hoody

Windshirt would be close 2nd (modded camp magic anorak)

they are 4 changes in my gear that were really big improvements :

synthetic -> merinos shirt /( silk + merinos if very hot )

tent -> floorless shelter ( tarp / trailstar / shangri la 5 if family etc...)

ridgerest -> neoair.

goretex -> event.

Blackbird hammock - I sleep like a baby thanks to this thing.

my favorite gear is probably my katabatic sawatch quilt. Its kept me warm on a lot of cold nights. I even show it off to my non-outdoorsy friends, as if they care how lofty my bag is.

I also love my i/o bio contact hoody, since I wear it pretty much all the time. Between skiing and ice climbing I've worn it 5 out of the last 8 days, and I wear it at least 3 days a week for three season backpacking and hiking as well.

One recent fav: marmot scree pants. I've probably already got 20 days in these pans and I've only owned them for a month or so!

Serge, I feel the same about my contact hoody!

I would have to second the windshirt as my one recommendation. While I have a lot of advice for the big ticket items and clothing in they end personal preference is important.

However, a windshirt is a piece of gear that most (this forum aside) are unfamiliar with and when properly integrated as a layer it can change a lot of your outlook on clothing systems. For that alone it's one of the most interesting pieces of gear available.

Either my PHD Minimus down jacket or my Blackrock Gear Hat. Both are like instant heat! I love down kit. I now just need down trousers and booties, so I can be fully enveloped in down!

I don't find myself recommending any one piece of gear as much as I do leaving gear at home. You know, full cook kits, spare undies, camp shoes, and the like. I recommend lightening up. And I guess I do usually rave about my Jam.

The small Bic lighters. I've carried one since they came out. Always works and light weight.

The biggest revelation for me is definitely merino wool socks and shirts. Socks I warmed up to quickly, sure they're a little pricey but I didn't have to wear uncomfortable liner socks and now I wear them daily through the winter because my feet stay warmer, even at my desk job. It took me a while to shell out the cash for a merino shirt but I'm a convert. They don't stink and don't feel nearly as clammy when they're sweat-soaked as synthetic shirts did.

My favorite piece of gear is my quilt though. Replacing my heavy, bulky synthetic mummy bag with a homemade down quilt has given me the most satisfaction of any piece of gear I've ever purchased/made.

Adam

I'd have to stick by my old z-lite. sounds funny, but...
it is as reliable as anything can be. I love strapping it to the outside of my pack and using it to rest along the trail. it has been comfortable enough for sleeping and it is cheap.

My favorite is definitely the wind shirt. I have the Patagonia Houdini. I use it everyday regardless of whether I'm in the hot or cold conditions. It is small and light enough to carry in my pocket. My last wind shirt lasted two thru hikes.

I have carried a down jacket with me for maybe 30 years, starting with a Camp 7 with metal snaps, FF, and now my flight jacket. My jacket has several patches and no down in the cuff on my left sleeve due to a hole. I am afraid to wash it because all of the patches. It serves me well morning, evening, and becomes my best friend's down bed at night, Mamadog loves it. Just bought a Stoic Haldron anorak to save 1/4 pound so will see how it goes.

Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar

You can go round and round looking for the one versatile shelter, but very few offer the amount of coverage, ease, durability, wind shedding, simplicity of design, and versatility all at an affordable price and low weight. I've been pleased with mine and would recommend it to anyone.

I hope i'm agreeing with Eugene next year. :)

But my event compression sack. Wet down sucks.

My Nano Puff pull over.

I use it in so many different ways.

I am MYOGing a cuben rain suit using the new breathable cuben that I hope will be my next favorite item.