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Favorite gear item

Author

Text

Mort

11/06/2009 12:01AM

Just curious what particular piece of gear people are drawn too. You know, what you always go to right away when you page through a new gear catalogue, ..walk into an outfitting store, ..or are surfing gear stores on the net.

For me it's tents. I just really like looking at them, comparing them, ...and yes, buying them. Ha!

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wetcanoedog

11/06/2009 12:39AM

any fire making gizmo..followed by stove-knife-flashlight.those are the fun items..things that are a chore and involve a lot of hassle to look over and pick out are tent-boots-paddle.

it's just a level trail thru the woods.

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andym

11/06/2009 04:00AM

Hard, hard, hard to pick one. But I'm going to go with canoes and paddles. OK, that's two but I don't think you can separate them. Both are things of beauty and central to what I love about canoe camping.

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Winemaker

11/06/2009 06:40AM

paddles, always looking for new paddles. Funny thing is I have been using a Kruger I bought 20 years ago as my primary for about that long. But I still look at and buy new paddles, especially wood. Looking for a double bend right now...

hummm??

"Opening a bottle of wine in a canoe is a desirable, but irrational act."

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cowdoc

11/06/2009 08:27AM

My Basecamp water filter took top honors this year.

"What could happen?"

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moose plums

11/06/2009 09:13AM

This year it was my Kelty Redwing 3200 pack. Fits perfectly in the bow of my Magic. It carries alot of incidental gear, stoves, water filter, tackle pack, etc. It's durable and comfortable to carry while portaging my canoe.

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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amhacker22@hotmail.com

11/06/2009 09:19AM

I'm always drawn to packs. I can spend all day looking at them. My best deal of the year, though, was a used Granite Gear Superior One that I got off of craigslist. Its from way back when GG still made everything in Two Harbors. Its really solid and it can hold everything for my wife and I for a 5 day trip and probably more if I made myself cut down on gear.

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11/06/2009 09:32AM

A vote for boots. I love them and have a different pairs for all kinds of reasons, yes my wife thinks it is ridiculous.

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kanoes

11/06/2009 10:39AM

tents

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apugarcia

11/06/2009 10:43AM

My Taj 3!!!!

I think it looks so bad-ass without the fly on.

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hiawatha

11/06/2009 11:13AM

Canoes; I know that I am already committed to the three canoes I already have and a severe marital discord would erupt if I even broached the possibility of adding another, but it must be human nature to desire what one cannot achieve for I find myself always drawn to any display of canoes or paddles.

The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. --- Henry David Thoreau

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Bill Tea

11/06/2009 12:18PM

I'm a sucker for stoves and cooking gear. Alcohol stoves are now my newest kick. When will I be cured of this affliction?

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shoreviewswede

11/06/2009 03:32PM

Stoves.

Be Nice -Swede

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gbusk

11/06/2009 03:51PM

Paddles. Best part is I get to use them a lot on a trip.

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Savage Voyageur

11/06/2009 04:09PM

Mine is navigation stuff, compasses, maps, GPS units. I like to hike through the woods to other lakes. That takes USGS topos and a good compass.

"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD

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PortageKeeper

11/06/2009 04:41PM

It depends on what part of the trip is happening at the time.
First, Magic and carbon paddle, next, stove, next, H Hammock etc

“The more you know, the less you carry” Mors Kochanski

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rlhedlund

11/06/2009 04:50PM

Flashlights, stoves, packs, boots, flashlights, sleeping bags, hammocks, flashlights, gpss, knives, headlamps, water filters, oh yeah, did I mention flashlights? I like flashlights.

Life is Good, Living is Better. Everlasting Life is Best! Pray for Us Amok.

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Cedarboy

11/06/2009 06:25PM

Old stoves and/or cook kits. Just got rid of some and now I am feeling a large void that needs to be filled.
"HI, my name is Brent and I am a stove addict...."

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overthehill

11/06/2009 06:38PM

Cooking pots and water shoes/boots.

Not to Hurry-Not to Worry

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whiteh20

11/06/2009 07:23PM

Tents and packs. I really love tents! Tunnel tents are my favorite!!

"With an ax, you can build a life. With a stove, you can boil water. That is if nothing breaks and you don't run out of fuel." -Samuel Hearne

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OBX2Kayak

11/06/2009 07:37PM

Tents and tarps

"I go because it irons out the wrinkles in my soul" -- Sigurd Olson

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togue

11/06/2009 09:25PM

I also have a problem with tents. Stoves are a close second.

I dont know you guys, its gotten weird at times with gear for me. I get new gear and it sits out next to me days after I bought it.
Instead of doing chores I scurry outside to try it out over and over again. My wives givin up hope for me.

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wetcanoedog

11/08/2009 10:28AM

Brent--get over to Classic Camp Stoves,asap!!!!..that will fill your need.

it's just a level trail thru the woods.

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camp-n-scrap

11/08/2009 05:23PM

Tents and then sleeping bags

THE EDGE, there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over. - Hunter S. Thompson

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lars54

11/08/2009 05:28PM

It has to be my trap I sewed up last winter 15x25

it has saved me twice already from bad weather this

year. I made it from 1oz ripstop nylon, it weighs in

around 3lbs

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mc2mens

11/08/2009 05:57PM

tents and packs

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mocha

11/08/2009 07:24PM

maps!! and any piece of equipment that is multi-use.

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Koda

11/08/2009 08:06PM

I've been thinking about this ... not sure if I can put my finger on one most favorite item. The canoe is the most important, then the paddles, and I've put quite a bit of energy into customizing them. But I'd also have to agree with mocha on both counts: I look for multi-purpose items whenever possible, and I spend a lot of time making custom maps.

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alpine525

11/09/2009 12:56PM

My Exped down sleeping pad!

Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. Dalai Lama

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myceliaman

11/10/2009 06:35PM

Its definitely my fishing poles and fishing gear. How many of us out there sit in the living room and sort out all your lures about a half dozen times each winter. Making sure each lure is grouped by color and running depth. Every year I buy new rods or reels and lures using the excuse that its the perfect smallie rod or the perfect walleye rod. Then I get all nostalgic and end up slip bobber fishing with my st. croix rod and my gramps old Mitchell 308. My name is Darn and I'm addicted to fishing gear thanks for letting me share.

There comes a time when the blind man says don't ya see..

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PWAXON

11/11/2009 01:51PM

I am drawn to any cool looking new thing that I don’t already own, I’m pretty indiscriminant. I am right now obsessing over filtered water bottles and the Hennessey Hammock. A new paddle is looking pretty hot also.

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Rich Mahogony

11/11/2009 02:20PM

For me it's tents. I'm glad to see I'm not the only neurotic tent shopper. I can spend hours on end pouring over specs looking for the
"perfect" tent. Packs are a very close second.

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Koda

11/11/2009 03:35PM

PWAXON, let me direct you to Sanborn Canoe Co.. They have a couple of outstanding paddles at very reasonable prices. I'll be getting a Kawishiwi some time soon.

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Cedarboy

11/11/2009 09:53PM

Thanks for the invite WCD, looks like fun over there!
CB

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dogwoodgirl

11/12/2009 03:56AM

I keep looking at this thread, thinking that I ought to be able to narrow it down to maybe 2 or 3 types of gear that are my favorites, but it's hard!
Perhaps cooking equipment...or maps...or tents....or socks....or packs. Boots! No, sleeping bags!
Nope, it's hopeless, I love it all! Just don't let me in an outdoors store unless you've got a couple hours to kill.

~On to Fort Chipewyan before the snow flies!

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shawhh

11/12/2009 07:42AM

maps, compasses, knives, day packs and bags. it's stupid how many of each i have, but i can't seem to stop! i keep looking for the "perfect" one. oh, well :)

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Merganser

11/12/2009 08:03AM

I don't really have a single obsession. I do always have my eye out for an upgrade though. The piece of gear I geek on most is probably tarps. I really like playing with tarps.

"That sort of thing is my bag baby."

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snakecharmer

11/12/2009 12:28PM

Fishing equipment...without a doubt.

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after"
~ Henry David Thoreau

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Jay

11/13/2009 07:20PM

anything I don't have, this Christmas it will be one of those star gazing gizmos

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Captn Tony

11/14/2009 07:28AM

Knives!!!

You're going to HELL and you're going to drag me with ya!! -Gunsmoke

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SunCatcher

11/15/2009 06:34PM

Reflector Oven. HomeMade. Love fresh Muffins and Brownies!!!
Especially after a long day of portaging and paddling.

SunCatcher

"WWJD"

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gutmon

11/15/2009 06:46PM

I'm still looking for the perfect backpacking toothpick.

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kevheads

11/15/2009 09:41PM

Mine would have to be my Big Agnes Pad combined with a regular North Face bag with an expander panel added to the zipper so I can insert the pad inside my bag.No more sliding off my old Thermarest all night long.Only drawback is the hood is a bit to tight with the pad inside but a stocking cap is usually enough for the time of the year we go.

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boonie

11/16/2009 06:48AM

Gutmon - plackers. Get the good ones with the kevlar floss - they're tougher and lighter, too :).

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Trix

11/17/2009 07:34PM

This is a tough question. I would have to say, whatever I happen to run into first in the store I am currently in. From there everything else down the line.

C-H-A-L-L-E-N-G-E: Do not let what you cannot do, interfere with what you can do.

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MGD

12/05/2009 11:23PM

Gotta go with fishing gear, but hey like everyone else on here, I'm a gear junkie and can spend way too much time "window shopping" for this, that and anything else.

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mntentman

12/06/2009 12:28AM

Tents. Well, stoves, too, I guess. And sleeping bags. Packs also. And to be honest, sleeping pads.

I'm really surprised my wife hasn't divorced me...

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Jeriatric

12/06/2009 12:48AM

I'm a fanatic for a second pair of Terramar underwear. It gives me something to wrap the Gold Bond in.

The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end that's all there is. ___Mr Carson (Downton Abby)

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mjmkjun

12/07/2009 06:20AM

knives
i 'need' a ...
KANETSUNE IRODORI really bad.

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Sir Isaac Newton

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TomT

12/07/2009 07:39AM

I'm a footwear guy. I love to look at all the shoes for portaging and also ones for hanging around camp.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw

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whiteh20

12/07/2009 08:02PM

Quality tents! I love really good tents.

"With an ax, you can build a life. With a stove, you can boil water. That is if nothing breaks and you don't run out of fuel." -Samuel Hearne

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Corsair

12/07/2009 10:22PM

My permit

"Pack lightly, Tread lightly"

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MrWalleye

12/08/2009 12:31PM

My favorite gear item is the item I don't have yet or want to upgrade. I do a lot of research and question asking until I find the one that fits me and my needs. Right now it is stoves and tents.

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