budget gear – Page 5

Quick Tip: Pull tab guyline tensioner

Posted onMarch 22, 2016April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Make a guyline tensioner out of pull tab from a can. Light, cheap and easy to use. Read More …

Gear review: Paradox DriRelease thermals from Costco

Posted onFebruary 16, 2016December 8, 2025AuthorPaul Mags10 Comments

A review of the Paradox DriRelease thermals. Well made, affordable and effective base layers typically found at Costco. Read More …

Quick Tip: Sun shield for winter camping

Posted onJanuary 27, 2016October 9, 2018AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A simple trick for sleeping warmer at night. Read More …

Gear Review: C9 (Target) running pants

Posted onJanuary 15, 2016April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Some effective pants for ski touring when constantly on the move and above 10 or so in temperature. Read More …

TBT Gear: Windbreaker anorak

Posted onJanuary 7, 2016April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Another TBT item. The simple anorak windbreaker works very well for winter. Read More …

Gear Review: Open Country 4 Quart Pot

Posted onDecember 23, 2015April 25, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

An inexpensive and effective pot for group trips esp in winter. Works well for car camping, too. Read More …

Gear Review: 100 weight fleece pullover

Posted onOctober 15, 2015December 15, 2025AuthorPaul Mags15 Comments

Perhaps the most versatile piece of clothing I own: My 100 weight fleece pullover. Read More …

Quick Tip: Ziplock bag wallet

Posted onJuly 28, 2015March 13, 2017AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A Ziplock bag for a wallet seems obvious. But then I saw a review for a $35 hiker wallet. Perhaps the idea is not obvious after all. Read More …

Frogg Toggs UltraLite2 Rain Suit (DriDucks)

Posted onJune 19, 2015April 14, 2019AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Light, functional and inexpensive rain gear: Frogg Toggs UltraLite2 Rain Suit (DriDucks) Read More …

Quick Tip: Gutter spike nails as tent stakes

Posted onMay 28, 2015April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

An inexpensive, light and durable alternative to traditional tent stakes. Read More …

Alcohol stove alternative – Hornet BRS-3000t

Posted onMay 5, 2015December 14, 2021AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

A sub-one ounce canister stove that may be a good option for solo backpackers. Read More …

Gear Review: M65 field pants liner

Posted onMarch 20, 2015July 17, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A closer look at some wonderful bargain puffy pants from your local military surplus dealer. Read More …

TBT Gear: The Photon II light

Posted onMarch 12, 2015April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Another TBT gear – The Photon II keychain light Read More …

Gear: Cheap vs Affordable vs High End

Posted onDecember 19, 2014November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

What is the real difference between gear in terms of price. Do you really get what you pay for? As always: It all depends. Read More …

Gear pick of the year 2014 – Scraps of blue foam

Posted onDecember 11, 2014January 13, 2021AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

My gear pick of the year for 2014: Scraps left over from a blue foam pad! Read More …

Quick tip: Xmas Tree Disposal bag = emergency shelter

Posted onNovember 24, 2014April 24, 2018AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Another quick tip just in time for the coming season. Read More …

Quick Tip: BagTex – A poor person’s VBL

Posted onNovember 17, 2014December 3, 2020AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A quick winter tip for keeping the feet warm in single digit temps. Read More …

Light, versatile and cheap: The p38 and p51 can openers

Posted onAugust 1, 2014April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

A surprisingly versatile invention that is well over seventy years old at this point: The p38 and p51 can openers.
Read More …