Contributions by garrett (13)

i purchased this along with a lafuma down 650g bag - and the two of them together have proven to be a formidable lightweight/comfortable sleeping team. it rolls up pretty tightly (not as tight as an inflatable pad, though) and is extremely lightweight. it's certainly all i need - and contrary to popular belief (it seems) i think that it is incredibly comfortable for its small size / light weight. highly recommended

being new to the world of backpacking, i purchased this purifier system for my first trip. we used it every day, pumping probably 15L total, and it was a great working pump - it worked quickly and efficiently. i only had to clean it out three times, but despite the inconvenience, i guess it's better than drinking the crap i had to scrape out of the filter. folds up nicely, decently lightweight. the platypus included makes everything better - and the convenient hose connections make hooking the filter straight to your water bottle quite easy - raising the efficiency of the system (especially if you were alone and had no one to hold the bottle while you pumped). i never had the need to use the purifier drops. highly recommended - but do research before you buy to see if you really need a filter - in some places chemical treatment is a much lighter, more affordable route.

being new to the world of backpacking, i purchased this purifier system for my first trip. we used it every day, pumping probably 15L total, and it was a great working pump - it worked quickly and efficiently. i only had to clean it out three times, but despite the inconvenience, i guess it's better than drinking the crap i had to scrape out of the filter. folds up nicely, decently lightweight. the platypus included makes everything better - and the convenient hose connections make hooking the filter straight to your water bottle quite easy - raising the efficiency of the system (especially if you were alone and had no one to hold the bottle while you pumped). i never had the need to use the purifier drops. highly recommended - but do research before you buy to see if you really need a filter - in some places chemical treatment is a much lighter, more affordable route.

on my last backpacking trip, i was able to borrow my friend's dragonfly, and while i probably will not be able to afford one, i was incredibly impressed by its SOLID performance. even despite my stupidity, i was able to get it started and cruising every time without a problem, even in strong winds and dampness. it boiled water quickly, and the simmer function works very well. my only qualm is the stove's size - if you're going to be just boiling water or doing other super simple cooking, you'd be better off with a smaller, lighter, and cheaper MSR stove. great though if you're a backcountry chef and like doing fancy things with your cuisine. either way - highly recommended.

forget Swiss Army knives - this is what you should try. i have had my micra for 2/3 years now, and in all that time, i have had it with me camping, or more recently, on my person 24/7. the scissors are incredibly useful in everyday life, and coupled with the small blade, this tool excels in the backcountry where light weight = comfort, without sacrificing any functionality. forget even the bigger Leatherman - the wave, etc - they are simply too heavy for backpacking when all you really need is available in this tool. the best/most valuable tool that i have in my backpacking arsenal. extremely highly recommended.

whether you're going to use this towel for travel or for backcountry use, it's a winner. i bought the largest towel, and it has performed incredibly well - soaking up large quantities of water (mostly getting water off the tent before packing it away for the day) and wringing out quickly and solidly. definitely something you should look into getting if you plan on spending time camping. however, i would advise getting one only as big as you need- in hindsight i would not have gotten the huge towel, but only a moderately sized one. highly recommended.

whether you're going to use this towel for travel or for backcountry use, it's a winner. i bought the largest towel, and it has performed incredibly well - soaking up large quantities of water (mostly getting water off the tent before packing it away for the day) and wringing out quickly and solidly. definitely something you should look into getting if you plan on spending time camping. however, i would advise getting one only as big as you need- in hindsight i would not have gotten the huge towel, but only a moderately sized one. highly recommended.

i bought this coat primarily to use as a light jacket when i didn't want to put on a pullover hoody, but i have found that it is far more useful than just that - i use it for any situation, just about. from -10degree days in downtown Milwaukee (layered with a fleece), to 55degree thunderstorms backpacking in the UP of Michigan, this coat has performed solidly both as a source of warmth and water-resistant (not waterproof) protection. i think the most underrated part of this coat is the "napoleon pocket" on the left side of the chest - HUGELY useful for holding a cellphone, wallet, or school ID. great coat - worth every dollar.

i bought this headlamp for camping / backpack / home emergency use - and despite not being the brightest LED lamp (like some of Petzl's more expensive models) for what I needed, this light is perfect. it is 1. comfortable, 2. inexpensive, and 3. provides enough light for what i needed to do - ie: collect firewood, build a fire, do some night first aid, filter water, cook dinner, eat dinner, get dressed, etc etc. for the money, incredibly useful and a great deal. definitely recommended.

i recently bought these pants for all-purpose travel, backpacking, recreational use. they fit incredibly well, certainly snug - and the material is incredibly comfortable. the pockets are well-placed and deep, and the zippered hidden passport pocket is incredible. certainly expensive, but worth the price

on a recent backpacking trip, i decided to leave the nalgene at home in lieu of a 1L platypus and some plastic bottles. in the future, i will plan on taking only platypii (?) - they are incredibly lightweight and portable (you can roll it up when you're not using it) and is great in the backcountry. my only qualms are that it can be kind of top heavy when filtering into it - making it easy to lose all the fresh water if it falls. also - it is very difficult to dry out completely when you get home, it holds condensation like no one's business. nevertheless - an incredible asset when backpacking for the price. highly recommended.

i have had this compass for probably 3 or 4 years now (since my boy scout days) - and it served me well then doing intense orienteering and now, in backpacking. it is a comfortable, easy to use compass, and is pretty sturdy. recommended.

i purchased these socks for general use - just a day to day sock for backpacking, traveling, lifting weights, running, ultimate, etc. etc. despite their high price - the material is incredibly comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. your feet won't stay wet, even if you're used to your cotton socks getting drenched in sweat.

i just recently purchased this bag for backpacking - due to its INCREDIBLY light weight (somewhere around 1.5lbs) and it's INCREDIBLY small pack size (11"x5"-ish), this sleeping bag is incredible. it is just about perfect length for me (a thin 6'4) and the half zipper is very nice. the accessory pocket and pullover head are perfect. my only qualm might be questioning the 25degree rating - i would probably guess it to be somewhere around 30/32 - I've woken up at night cold before in it when the temperatures were not below 25. overall, though - an incredibly small, light, and comfortable down bag (pretty affordable, too, compared to other brands' bags)

i recently bought these shoes to use for ultralight backpacking, hiking, and overall lifestyle use - after a few days of light breaking-in, these have become my most comfortable shoes. the shoes, despite being sturdy and very supportive, still are somewhat lightweight. virtually impervious to damages. the Gore-Tex (XCR) i sometimes forget about - but it has performed solidly, keeping my feet perfectly dry despite putting them under 2 inches of water or running around in wet grass. great pair of shoes for about anything outdoors.

forget Swiss Army knives - this is what you should try. i have had my micra for 2/3 years now, and in all that time, i have had it with me camping, or more recently, on my person 24/7. the scissors are incredibly useful in everyday life, and coupled with the small blade, this tool excels in the backcountry where light weight = comfort, without sacrificing any functionality. forget even the bigger Leatherman - the wave, etc - they are simply too heavy for backpacking when all you really need is available in this tool. the best/most valuable tool that i have in my backpacking arsenal. extremely highly recommended.