Looks like its time for a time-honored thread of what is your 'favorite piece of gear?' I had that moment this past weekend when it reached into the twenties in the middle of PA and I reached for the piece of go-to gear that I have brought (and used) on every trip for the past couple of years -- a Montbell UL Down Inner Jacket. I am still amazed at the weight to warmth ratio of this piece. I would say I the only time I wouldn't bring it would be in summer, but then I remember utilizing it well on a July 1st morning in Dolly Sods when the mercury was around 40 degrees so I guess it all depends on the trip. That being said, for 6 and a half ounces, this one almost never gets left behind.

What's yours? Something new or something tried and true?

I have a few.

Katabatic Gear Quilts - Any of them. Chisos, Palisade, Sawatch, they are all great. Genius strap system and the only bags I have ever had (WM, MH, Montbell, Golite, and FF) that have been true to rating (well they are conservative really).

Montbell EX Light Jacket - 5.5oz, versatile, and warm

Montbell Tachyron Anorak - CLUTCH on my Sierras trip the last week of September

Inov-8 Roclite 315 - My new go-to footwear

Swiftwick Aspire ONE Socks - Along with Darn Tough, these are my favorite socks

Neoair Xtherm - Very comfy down to the high teens

Edited by HikeUltralight on 10/15/2012 06:03:58 MDT.

to pay for gas to go climbing ...

its that simple ;)

Salomon Skin-12 pack

Inov-8 F-light 195 shoes

Steripen Freedom

Suunto Ambit watch

Inov-8 Shoes

Dirty Girl Gaiters

Patagonia Houdini

Recent gear : my silnylon trailstar, it was a palace in may 2012 TGO with the scottish weather

a neoair women xlite, great warmth / weight / comfort, ill never go back to my ridgerest after using a regular neoair and now the xlite.

Older gear still favorite : the rab drillium i bought in 2008, still waterproof and better ventilation than i had before with goretex shells.

Edited by Fre49 on 10/15/2012 05:46:42 MDT.

1. Simblissity Gaiters

2. Zpacks Zero cuben hybrid pack in small made 4"longer, w/side, back pockets, top and bottom straps.. Carried up to 18 pounds comfortably on 9 day CA Sierra hike

3. Zpacks Hybrid quilt bag, 20 degrees w/2 ounce overfill

4. Gossamer Gear " The One" tarptent. Lucky I got one new off gear swap. Easy to put up, w 6/stakes, seam sealed, glines=20.5 ounces.

1) Caldera Fusion Cone from Trail Designs for my 750ml Pasta Pot

2) NeoAir and NeoAir All Season both in large. I've been a hammock user for over a decade. These make sleeping on the ground as comfortable as being home in bed.

3) Hilleberg Unna Not light, but warm and dry. Does not budge in the wind.

3 items for me.

Exped down mat ul 7
Six moon Designs Swift Pack (2010 version)
Gooses Feet Down Parka.

1 - Exped UL7 Synmat,
2 - Zimmerbuilt pack, Half Dome, modified.
3 - Dirty Girl gaiters.

A few candidates:
1. Xlite NeoAir - super comfy and light
2. Mountain Hardware Phantom 45 - Very light and I find it adequate for much lower than it's rated temperature.
3. eGear Pico Light - At 0.2 ounces it is crazy light and plenty bright for all my in camp lighting needs. It is also pretty cheap and very accessible since I wear it on a chain around my neck. Since I do not use a light very much, this one is perfect.

Feathered Friends Swift

Mchale LBP38

HMG Porter

Rab Boreas- most worn clothing of 2012, good in every month of the year

Suunto Observer- had it for six years, the altimeter was especially useful for an adventure race and all the off-trail hiking I've done this year, stylish enough to wear with a tie as well

MYOG packs- such a fun learning process, especially as the two I made early this summer are by far the best yet; DX40 isn't the perfect pack fabric but it's the best that currently exists

That's easy. The best piece of gear that most improved my experience in 2012 is the Six Moons Design Gatewood Cape.

It provides SO much nicer coverage than my previous 5x8 Siltarp, and saved me 12 ounces in separate rainwear that I no longer have to carry because the GC does double-duty. Overall, I actually reduced some weight, AND had much more weather protection and comfort, and didn't sacrifice anything. GREAT product!

In second place is the Klymit X-Lite inflatable sleeping pad. I have a body that it fits, and it is one awesomely comfortable and light weight pad. Built very tough, the quickest and easiest pad ever to inflate, unbelievably comfortable for sleeping on back or side(if you fit it), and packs away to nearly nothing.

These were two real good improvements for me this year.

Edited by towaly on 10/15/2012 08:49:05 MDT.

-Wild Oasis inspired modified Heaxamid, 7.27oz
-modified Zimmerbuilt Zen, 10oz
-MYOG cuben/sil poncho, 3.6oz
-MYOG Tyvek jacket, 2.95oz

Inov-8 Talon 212 shoes
Zpack 40 bag
Tarptent
GG poles

continue to serve me well

Favorite new piece of gear this year would have to be my new camera: Sony NEX 5n along with a small stable of lenses, adapters and filters. Taking photos is a big part of any of my trips and this new kit is the lightweight DSLR alternative I've been waiting for.

Also really liking my Zpacks cuben Multipack to carry the camera kit. Super handy little bag with lots of options on how to carry it: chest pack, shoulder bag, attach it to pack/hipbelt, etc. Super lightweight, durable and reasonably watertight. Good stuff.


A couple of "older" items I'm still really pleased with...
- Katabatic quilts
- Sawyer Squeeze filter (minus the sawyer pouches)
- MLD Trailstar

Edited by NickB on 10/15/2012 11:27:37 MDT.

My Goosefeet down balaclava....I love it!

Therm-A-Rest 40th Anniversary Edition, small, 480 grams (17 oz)
I sleep much better, because I'm warm enough, and not waking up in pain. Not light, but necessary for me.

Saltstick Caps Plus, 1.3 grams each
Prevents cramps, maintains caffeine intake (multi-use!), and generally makes hiking more enjoyable.

Redwood Hikes Press maps, 73 grams (2.5 oz)
Excellent maps for the areas I hike most in Northern California. Includes trails and distances I haven't found from any other source.

ASICS GT-2150 Trail, with orthotics, 498 grams (18 oz) each
Superseded by GT-2170 Trail. I'm on my fourth generation of ASICS GT-21x0 Trail shoes, generally wear out one pair per year.

Edited by Rex on 10/15/2012 09:43:10 MDT.

I see the Xlite and Xtherm getting some mention and I recently got to try my first-gen-NeoAir-warranty replacement Xlite -- very impressive upgrade IMHO. On the favorites list for sure.

Always nice to see what newer equipment gets mentioned as well as the older stuff that just keeps performing.