I don’t consider this site a gear-focused one. Still, after nearly twenty-five years of maintaining some form of this website, I have written almost 400 articles that discuss gear, techniques, and related on some level, if not always in the expected way.
With all that in mind, I thought I’d take a bullet-point look at the gear, techniques, and similar items we still use on some level all these years later.
Some of the years of first use are a guess at this point, but close enough.
Part one of a series I plan to post in the coming weeks.
- Library card: First used – 1980, First mentioned – 2016 , Used by – both of us
Get inspired, find some old, out-of-print guidebooks, check out books on interlibrary loan, and increase your outdoor knowledge.
Peanuts by Charles Schultz
- Synthetic rectangular bags : First used – 1986, First mentioned – 2022, Used by – both of us
It is inexpensive, easy to wash, takes a beating, and is part of our current sleep system. I used this type of sleeping bag for a camping trip in New Hampshire, and years later, I still seem to use some bags of this type in our current system.
- Navigation course: First used – 1996, First Mentioned – 2000, Used by -Both of us
After my first mistake-prone backpacking trip, I knew I needed to learn basic navigation principles. The Narragansett (Rhode Island) chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club offered a two-day course, which included a classroom session followed by a field session in the “wilds” Acadia Management Area, complete with 10-foot contour lines on the topo maps!
I learned about declination, how to read a map, take a bearing, and not get completely lost in the backcountry. Rhode Island is not known for its wilderness lands (!), but those basic concepts still apply to me today.
Over the years, my skills improved as I learned micro navigation through experience, modern navigation with GPS that complements but does not replace map and compass use, and how to plan our routes.
Local courses are available at many outdoor stores. I suggest this free, 18-part Columbia River Orienteering Club (CROC) series in sub-10 minute chunks and covers maps, compass use, and tools such as Gaia GPS and CalTopo.
- Log House Design Gaiters: First used – 1996, First Mentioned – 2013, Used by – Me.
When I started backpacking, I rocked long gaiters with leather boots. I no longer use the gaiters for hiking, but I still use the gaiters for Nordic touring (if less since moving to Utah), and the same gaiters I’ve used consistently are the Log House Design Goretex gaiters. Made in New Hampshire, these gaiters keep out the snow, last a while, and never seem to make me sweat. It is simple and effective for those who snowshoe or ski tour.
A 0F ski +/- one early morning. PCO Andrew Skurka
- One burner propane stove: First used – 1996, First mentioned – 2013, Used by -Both
Before I knew any better, I used a one-burner propane stove for backpacking.
Heavy, bulky, and inefficient for backpacking, but it got me out there when I did not know my “ass from my elbow,” as Mom would say.
Years later, Joan and I still use a one-burner stove in some way for our perma-camping kits.
We use slightly different models for our quick camps or post-trip hot drinks, and Joan has one for her kit when she camps on her own.
We prefer to use a refillable propane tank and adapter for more extended camping, but nearly three decades later, this little stove still comes in handy for quick trips or boils.
Joan is about to enjoy a hot drink after a few days of backpacking.
- Flyers kit bag: First used – 1996, First Mentioned – 2014 , Use by – Both
I bought this excellent and useful surplus store special as a canvas version at a long-closed store in Newport, RI. I used it to move a lot of my crap to Colorado, put gear in it, and finally replaced it with a more durable nylon version.
Years later, Joan also used one for gear; we used it for luggage, another for packrafting gear, and gear sorting in general.
It is one of our most valuable and loved pieces of kit. Even used, it is still under $40. Get one.
- Sports drink bottles: First used -1996, First Mentioned 2000-, Used by – Both
As with many people, I started with Nalgene bottles. Although they are heavy for three-season backpacking and somewhat expensive, I bought them because that’s what other people use.
My buddy Tim, whom I’ve known since Catholic elementary school, wondered why I bought such expensive bottles when you can purchase a Gatorade bottle that’s lighter, cheaper and comes with a drink.
He was right, and little did I know he’d introduce me to this lightweight backpacking staple.
Years later, I still use some variations, and Joan even found a version that shrinkflation did not affect.
(We still use Nalgene for cold weather backpacking)
- Z-lite-style pad: First Used -1996, First Mentioned – 2000, Used by – Me (Joan and I using the scraps in various ways)
When I started backpacking, I started with a blue foam pad and quickly switched to a Z-rest (as Cascade Designs then called it) because it was more comfortable and warmer. As a beginner backpacker, I knew the Therm-a-Rests available then were too bulky, expensive, and heavy. They were also not durable enough for how I sometimes treated gear.
Over the years, I have flirted with blue foam again but always seem to come back to the Z-lite style. I often buy a clone and can’t tell the difference. I cut it down to save weight and repurpose the scraps for other uses.
It is a long-time staple and a blend of comfort, warmth, and versatility (sit pad, stay in the pack, packrafting pad, etc.). Perfect for throwing on the ground, sleeping under the stars, and calling it good.
From Joan
- Polycotton shirts, First Used – 1996, First Mentioned – 2013 , Used by – Both
Even when I started backpacking, I tended to use budget items. As an orderly at a local hospital, I found the operating room scrub shirts worked well for hiking. The 50/50 polycotton blend dried quickly, breathed well and took a beating. I did not see the need to get something “better.”
Once moving to Colorado, I bought polycotton dress shirts for better sun protection and found they worked well.
Many years later, I’ve settled on “Western snap shirts” for my ~65F+ or more hiking during dry weather. They block the sun, help with insect protection, and are reinforced in the right areas against the shoulders and neck so the sun won’t penetrate. They breathe well and are loose for ventilation. Overall, they are my preferred hiking shirt in these conditions.
Joan, who burns easier than me and will not compromise on sun protection, prefers these shirts in warmer conditions.
One mile from the end of the SEUG Circuit. Joan walked in some burritos and cokes for me!
- P38 and P51 can openers: First used – 1996, First mentioned – 2014, Used by – Me
When I started backpacking, Dad gave me one of his P38 can openers, famously called “The Best Army Invention ever.”
Of course, it opens cans of green chile, which I occasionally pack in. But it also works as a basic screwdriver and bottle opener in a pinch, among many other uses. The bigger brother, P51, works well as part of a backcountry ski kit and is an easy way to open bear canisters.
It is light, at .125 oz / 4 g (or less) on a scale, and inexpensive.
A simple and practical item!
- Sno-seal, First used – 1996, First mentioned – 2013 , Used by – Me.
I no longer wear leather boots for most backpacking, but I occasionally wear them in slushy conditions, for trail work, around camp, and on ski tours.
How do I treat the leather for longer-term use? I use the circa 1930s SnoSeal. It is simple to use, effective, and not expensive.
From Atsko
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This article is the first in a series of longer-term reviews of some gear we’ve used over the years and still use today.
You can read all the articles currently published.
In the coming weeks, I hope to post similar articles about what has worked for us when we backpack, hike, ski, or even camp.