So for those of that have been tripping for a while, we kinda fall into some ruts and use the same gear year after year. I know I do. What do you consider the most beneficial upgrade you've made after years of using the same old thing?

We used the kaytadyn gravity filter and loved it, until it started clothing... Now I'm building a Sawyer one that I can back flush, really looking forward to not having to pump!

My own bending branches paddle - no idea before I got it how much of a difference it makes. A CCS deluxe food pack with their stuff sack set designed for it. My Exped DLX9. Add my MSR dragon fly to replace whisperlight - because I like to cook - not just warm edible food.

For canoe tripping it would be a Kevlar Canoe hands down. That upgrade has yielded the greatest cut in weight and subsequently expanded the travel range and overall comfort at the end of the day.

For wilderness travel in general I would have to say a PLB was the most important upgrade I've made. Hard to beat peace of mind.

Everything else has meant smaller improvements in weight &/ comfort and don't really contribute quite as much to improving the overall experience.

sleeping pad, a short torso pack, CCS rucksacks

Exped Synmat 9, My Big Agnes sleeping bag, and my Bell Canoes

Three recent upgrades that have significantly cut weight and bulk for me:

Synthetic sleeping bag replaced with a down bag.
Thermarest TrailPro Lite pad replaced with the Exped UL Basic.
Thermarest foam Pillow replaced with Exped inflatable pillow.

Kevlar canoe, Exped Synmat 7 sleeping pad, CCS Pioneer packs.

bell magic, zre paddles, synmat 7, 800 fill marmot arroyo.

Ostrom barrel harnesses, Wabakimi pack, CCS Tundra Tarp, Synmat 7 really lightweight canoes, Zaveral and Dog Paddles.

Northwind over QT17.
Magic over Tranquility.
Carbon over wood paddles.
Hammock over tent.
Jetboil over every other stove that I have used.
Warmlite Down Air Mat over all other pads (when I do use a tent).

They're all huge improvements so it's hard to say which was the biggest improvement.

Exped Synmat 7 LW
Gravity filter
CCS tarp
Jetboil Sol
Waterproof P & S camera
Marmot Sawtooth down bag
Sea to Summit waterproof compression stuff sack

Over the last 5 years
Rapidfire over the Magic – Lighter, faster, easier to handle in wind and the big fish tow me around more.
Lumix DMC-Zs20 over a mid-size digital – Fits in a dry bag that fits in my shirt pocket, takes better pictures, lighter
Warbonnet and superfly over tent. Better rest, easier to stand up.

Kevlar canoe, MSR Reactor, Screen shelter,MSR gravity filter

Best upgrade was signing onto this site. The best information around!

butthead

PS: I think that just upgraded me to a "BearClaw" bh

quote butthead: "PS: I think that just upgraded me to a "BearClaw" bh


"

well deserved! congrats and thank you for all you contribute to this place.

quote kanoes: "

quote butthead: "PS: I think that just upgraded me to a "BearClaw" bh



"

well deserved! congrats and thank you for all you contribute to this place."

+1

+1

EXPED Downmat 7 from Thermarest
CCS tarp from Walmart tarp
CCS Guide/Pioneer and GG Nimbus from traditional Duluth canoe packs
Wildwood bent shaft paddle from Bending branched special
Souris River Quetico 18.5 Le Tigre from aluminum canoe

1) Exped downmat 9 from Thermarest...biggest surprise. Increased m trip enjoyment.
2) SR17 Kevlar from Winnona Spirit fiberglass... Drastic improvement but expected.
3). Blue barrel from std food pack...I hated spending time/energy in hanging. Love stashing. May bears never catch on! RIP big blue.

Two things that have definitely increased my enjoyment of my trips:
17' Wenonah Kevlar canoe at 42 lbs...portages are more fun
A Platypus gravity water filter instead of any pump system. We simply turn the system upside down and backflush several ounces each time we use it and it just keeps on working perfectly.

Assuming that you rent your canoe and paddles from an outfitter like I do... or that you're talking about something that's less expensive than a canoe.

By far, the best equipment upgrade I have made for both canoeing and backpacking was my Big Agnes Lost Ranger down sleeping bag. It's smaller and lighter than my old bag, and far roomier allowing me to toss and turn as my old creaky bones need. I sleep WAY better, and therefore am far less cranky in the mornings.

If a canoe is part of this conversation, then I agree that a kevlar canoe is the way to go.

Thwarted reminded me I how much I love not hanging my BearVault.

Not hanging food packs (no new gear involved in this one, just common sense), all Exped mats (new downmat 9 just delivered today!!), down quilt versus bag and any paddle other than a Whiskey Jack.

carbon fiber paddles and down sleeping bags for me.

Clark NX 150 Hammock.
Every bit as comfortable as my own personal bed at home.
And that's the truth.
And no more tent sites needed. All I need is two trees - anywhere.
With my bottom quilt, I'm warm and toasty down to around 15 degrees.

Best overall: Sealine dry bag packs to Knupak portaging packs. Too bad they are not available anymore but they made portaging comfortable for me and enabled us to single portage while still being able to see.

Second best overall: hanging a food pack to Ursacks

Most recent: iodine to Sawyer gravity filter.

Best before that: Thermarest to BA and Exped inflatable pads.

Didn't have to upgrade: we had Zaveral paddles on our first trip.

Dragonfly stove.
Silt prefilter (MSR sweetwater silt filter will work with any brand) saves clogging filters
MERINO WOOL even on (especially on) the hottest day.
Picardarin instead of DEET
My own personal "comfort yoke". Made of wood and a dense foam contoured pad that covers both my shoulders and around the back of the neck.

Exped pads - a really big one! If I can sleep well, I can put with almost anything during the day.
Any merino wool clothing

Sawyer gravity filter over my ancient Katahdin pump filter, so much easier.

Bear vaults over hanging the packs, again so much easier and more peace of mind.

Exped Dlx9 down sleeping pad over an ancient Thermarest. Warmer and better sleep.

For tripping Gravity water filter over MSR EX pump, carbon ONNO double blade over any other paddle, CCS 1.1 tarp over crappy, heavy and bulky el-cheapo tarps, Jetboil SOL over anything I've ever had

I've made the following upgrades over the last several years. Best one by far was #1 Muck Boots is solid #2. The others would be rated differently depending on the time of day, I suppose.

1) Expend Downmat 9 DLX - upgrade from standard Thermarest WOW!

2) Muck Boots - upgraded from hiking boots to LL Bean rubber bottom hunting boots to Rocky insulated rubber boots and FINALLY to the Muck Boots. I do most of my tripping in early spring or late fall and am solid on the Muck Boots. Too bad it took me 40 years to find a satisfactory solution.

3) 60" snowboard bag for portaging paddles and other loose odds and ends (works great and I clip it to the shoulder straps of my Granite Gear portage pack to support the weight. - upgrade from two hands

4) Bending Branches Espresso Plus 14 - upgrade from heavier BB Expedition Plus paddle

5) MSR Whisperlight Universal use in canister mode - upgrade from noisy MSR Dragonfly. (Dragonfly is a great stove, just got tired of the noise.

6) Camp Tarp (Guide Gear) - from CCS Tarp. The CCS tarp is MUCH higher quality but I like the camp aspect enough to settle. Haven't had any problems after about 6 years though.

7) REI Half dome 4 - upgrade from 25 year old REI Mountain Hut 3. Very happy about the drab green color of the Half Dome (did I mention I like to go cameo or low visibility.

8) Expend Air Pillow - upgrade from stuff sack full of socks and underwear.

Some great ideas here, thanks guys. I have most of my own stuff, and am happy with a lot of it, like my timberline rent and beaver tail paddle, but thinking a new pack or tarp is in order. I'm still young enough (30) to carry my Old Town rather than pay for a Kevlar canoe, also I don't think I'm gentle enough for one.

Just about all of my camping gear has been upgraded in recent years. The most important one was probably when I threw away my old blue foam sleeping pads and got an inflatable one. That extended my camping career for many years.

Akto tent,the Eureka was light weight and free standing but to save that weight it had too much bug net and no zip closed door.
Bell Prospector, light weight Kevlar,the Old Town Pathfinder was a stable tough boat but 20 pounds to heavy for me now.
Gaz stoves,i have a few. the Coleman Peak lasted many many years but the ease of Gaz won me over.

Any old paddle to a Bending Branches Expresso to a Badger Sliver (excellent paddle).

Cheap blue "tarp" to a CCS Tundra Tarp.

Using the CCS tarp (and getting the 10x16) over the tent (replaced two door out the sides with a 1 door on the end to facilitate this system).

More and more wool products (sweaters, to jackets, to t-shirts). Nothing beats wool.

Rag wool socks to Teko heavy hiker socks. They are incredible - keep there support day after day with no liner sock needed.

Hanging a food bag to randomly setting it in the woods - and the 30 L barrel is a nice addition. Much easier and no problems to date. Learned later that Cliff Jacobson has never hung a food bag.

Baseball cap to Filson Packer (warmer weather) or Filson wool-lined, waxed canvas outer Waterfowl hat (colder weather). Both are excellent and indestructible.

Pur Hiker and MSR pump filters to the Base Camp gravity filter.

WIll be buying no more rain jackets that simply wear out, get ripped, etc. and keep you just as wet inside as the rain outside whenever you are paddling and portaging, or hiking. Will be going only with a wool cape coat for inclement weather. Note that i do not go in the middle of the summer. Then I would simply not wear anything but my wool t-shirt.

Not looking forward to portages to accepting portages to taking things in on the portages as a unique part of the trip.

Happy planning for 2014 adventures!

My upgrades are...
Hammock for tent
CCS tundra tarp for old blue eureka tarp
GoPro camera for Flip camera
Titanium cookware for Aluminum or stainless steel
Food pails for hanging food packs
gravity water filter for pumping water
Shamano reels for Abu-Garcia

Nobody is admitting to upgrading to Tilley Hat..lol.

Replaced one-man hiking tent with Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock

quote Savage Voyageur: "My upgrades are...
Hammock for tent
CCS tundra tarp for old blue eureka tarp
GoPro camera for Flip camera
Titanium cookware for Aluminum or stainless steel
Food pails for hanging food packs
gravity water filter for pumping water
Shamano reels for Abu-Garcia "

This is one that I don't remember reading before. What do you like about titanium cookware over aluminum or stainless?

quote gsfisher13: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "Titanium cookware for Aluminum or stainless steel"

This is one that I don't remember reading before. What do you like about titanium cookware over aluminum or stainless?"

Not SV, but I also switched to titanium cookware. The #1 reason for me was that I'm a backpacker first and canoeist second, so the difference in weight is a really, really big deal. Some people also don't like the taste that aluminum can add, and others are worried about the link to Alzheimer's (which is very much debated still). Stainless steel doesn't add taste, but is very heavy. Aluminum is a bit lighter, but tastes funny. Titanium is lighter still and doesn't add taste - best of both worlds (at the expense of cost, obviously).

quote tonyyarusso: "

quote gsfisher13: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "Titanium cookware for Aluminum or stainless steel"

This is one that I don't remember reading before. What do you like about titanium cookware over aluminum or stainless?"

Not SV, but I also switched to titanium cookware. The #1 reason for me was that I'm a backpacker first and canoeist second, so the difference in weight is a really, really big deal. Some people also don't like the taste that aluminum can add, and others are worried about the link to Alzheimer's (which is very much debated still). Stainless steel doesn't add taste, but is very heavy. Aluminum is a bit lighter, but tastes funny. Titanium is lighter still and doesn't add taste - best of both worlds (at the expense of cost, obviously)."

hard anodized aluminum is tasteless, as are the no stick versions.

quote kanoes: "

quote tonyyarusso: "

quote gsfisher13: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "Titanium cookware for Aluminum or stainless steel"

This is one that I don't remember reading before. What do you like about titanium cookware over aluminum or stainless?"

Not SV, but I also switched to titanium cookware. The #1 reason for me was that I'm a backpacker first and canoeist second, so the difference in weight is a really, really big deal. Some people also don't like the taste that aluminum can add, and others are worried about the link to Alzheimer's (which is very much debated still). Stainless steel doesn't add taste, but is very heavy. Aluminum is a bit lighter, but tastes funny. Titanium is lighter still and doesn't add taste - best of both worlds (at the expense of cost, obviously)."

hard anodized aluminum is tasteless, as are the no stick versions."

Here is why I like Titanium cookware... 5 reasons why I like Titanium

I like my two kevlar canoes. I also like my PBL. I LOVE my LED flashlights.

For me it has to be the canoes. Due to the fact I'm also a Backpacker, I've always had pretty good gear, depending on the era. Through the years there has always been tweaks, but my canoes have undergone the most dramatic change.

In the early to mid-70's, there was my Alumacraft 15' tandem. Then, upgraded to a Grumman 17' "Whitewater" tandem around 1978. The next canoe upgrade in 1980 was a "Goldenglass" Sawyer Cruiser, followed a three-years later by an Expedition Kevlar Sawyer Cruiser. Finally, upgraded to a Kevlar Cross-Rib Wenonah Odyssey in 1988. The Odyssey has been my canoe-country mainstay ever since. (When my oldest daughter was younger, I'd occasionally use my Wenonah Jensen 18' as a Solo/Tandem combo when tripping on the smaller BWCAW lakes.)

As for my solo canoes; I started with a "Goldenglass" DY Special in 1981, and then an Expedition Kevlar DY Special in 1984. Around 1989, upgraded to a Kevlar Center-Rib Wenonah Jensen C1W. Although the DY was still a great solo tripper IMO, the C1W provided better load capacity, better big water capacity and offered a drier ride, turned easier than the DY Special with no sacrifice in performance.

In 2004 I upgraded to a Kevlar Flex-Core Wenonah Voyager. The Voyager provided all of the benefits of my two previous solo tripping canoes, but provided more capacity and stability for hauling my almost 90-pound Golden Retriever "Buddy". Even when I'm not hauling Buddy, the performance, seaworthiness and capacity of the Voyager is hard to beat IMHO.

Hans Solo

A King Pine Dome Tent HD 4-Person tent and a Double High Airbed - Queen. Did this for my September trip. Had the best eight nights sleep ever in the 25 years I have been going to the BW.

4 man tents ( first Bibler now Trango 4) for 2, carbon (ZRE, paddles in the 90's) sawyer gravity filters last 4 years, and last trip a Helinox chair.

quote missmolly: "I like my two kevlar canoes. I also like my PBL. I LOVE my LED flashlights."

Great addition MissMolly.
LED flashlights are a great upgrade, longer battery and bulb life, and they are also brighter.

quote OldGuystilltripping: "4 man tents ( first Bibler now Trango 4) for 2, carbon (ZRE, paddles in the 90's) sawyer gravity filters last 4 years, and last trip a Helinox chair. "

I find your list intriguing. I have a Trango 3.1. Lightness ain't its forte though strength is.

Probably you are balancing things though. Helinox and gravity filter and ZRE paddle.

quote Mickeal: "A King Pine Dome Tent HD 4-Person tent and a Double High Airbed - Queen. Did this for my September trip. Had the best eight nights sleep ever in the 25 years I have been going to the BW.
"

Interesting that you used the double high airbed at 9 lbs. But if for two, that's 4.5 lbs per person. Not too bad for a good night's sleep. How long to inflate with the built in pump?

quote Mickeal: "A King Pine Dome Tent HD 4-Person tent
"

I have one of those and wonder how you portage that! I have been back to LL Bean twice for replacement poles. The fiberglass ones just snap too easily. Mine is some six years old. I use it for car camping. Next time the pole snaps, LLBean will have the entire tent on their customer service counter. The tent has great space and is pitchable by one and the patio is nice but the poles are crud.

The trango 4 has proved to be a great tent. I went to 4 person tents for 2 with a Bibler Pueblo in the mid 1990s that was light, great, and single wall. I go on my trips in April May and late August into October. It has snowed on us many times and goes into the teens and 20's. I look for a 4 season tent with both screen doors and solid doors, a big enough vestibule to cook in, and all people with access to both doors. The Trango has two windows and enormous waterproof space, what my girlfriend calls the palace. The last trip which ended in October the screen door zippers started separating and Mountain Hardwear is repairing it currently under warranty. The tent is from 2005 and has been great in many storms.
To stay on the topic, my first tripping canoe was an abs giant that weighed 80 lbs. I don't think I could carry one. We rented lot's of kevlars, mainly Sawyer and Mad River, but I liked the Wenonahs best and bought an Itaska and later bought a Minn 2 at 42 lbs. which are my 2 canoes. Once I tried a Zeveral paddle I'll never go back, carbons are strong and weigh nothing! Bought a Sawyer gravity filter after pumping for 30 years and will carry another Sawyer as the backup and leave the pump at home. I never brought a chair but as I've said I now may have to bring a 2nd Helinox as it attached itself to my girlfriend.

#1 - The Original Bug Shirt Company "Elite Edition" bug shirt

#2 - Exped DLX9

#3 - SealLine Pro Pack

Owning a canoe instead of rental
MSR Hoop tent
MSR whisperlite universal stove
new thermarest (don't remember which model, but its full length and thicker than my old one)
Mountain Hardware Mesa convertable pants
packable goretex raingear.

Most of this saved weight, some of it made me more comfortable, the boat made things cheaper.

I bought a Frogg Togg rain jacket last year and I am continually impressed by it. Very light weight. I wore it during a downpour while we were day tripping for a couple hours and it kept me dry the whole time. Even fully zipped it didn't get too hot inside like some rain jackets can, it really did feel "breathable".

Here is the part I didn't expect, I wore it the other night over a sweatshirt while snowblowing. It was 0 degrees at the time. The Frogg Toggs over the sweatshirt kept me warmer than my current "winter jacket" from Land's end. Kept the cold out, kept the blowing snow from the snowblower off me.

AndySG with a Coleman pump it took about 4 minutes. Next day tighten it up again and was good for the rest of the trip.

yellowcanoe, the carry bag the tent came in was large and strong. I could wear it like a day pack and carry my canoe at the same time.

I guess I should throw mine on here too.

My thermarest neo. Much thinker and way better support make for a much better night of sleep

Screw in Trolling Rod Holders. Messed around with crappy clamp ones forever, and they never really worked. Screwed these into my Oldtown and they are rock solid.

Bringing a hatchet. I can start a fire in any weather now and can make all the tinder, kindiling, and wood I ever need out of any size log. Split wood starts way easier and burns better.

Moving to a hammock from a tent has been the best change for me in the past few years. I sleep better and then feel better the next day.
Folks can argue about what hammock they think is best, but just getting up off the cold ground has been a real treat for me.

quote jcavenagh: "Moving to a hammock from a tent has been the best change for me in the past few years. I sleep better and then feel better the next day.
Folks can argue about what hammock they think is best, but just getting up off the cold ground has been a real treat for me."

I have been toying with this but I think for this trip it wouldn't work AT ALL.

quote Doughboy12: "

quote jcavenagh: "Moving to a hammock from a tent has been the best change for me in the past few years. I sleep better and then feel better the next day.
Folks can argue about what hammock they think is best, but just getting up off the cold ground has been a real treat for me."

I have been toying with this but I think for this trip it wouldn't work AT ALL."

I'm not sure what you mean? Are you planning a winter BW trip? Even then, hammocking works if you have the right insulation. Check out the MN Frozen Butt Hang threads on Hammockforums.net.

I trip with my son a lot, so until he's older (he's 3) no hammocks for me.

I use my hammock on weekend trips down here in Florida with the scouts. I thought about using it in the Q, but my tripping partners are usually my two sons. I would rather "hang" with them in the tent. We do use them when we go backpacking. If I was with a bunch of other guys, I would opt for my hammock. I do sleep better in my hammock than on the ground.

quote jcavenagh: "

quote Doughboy12: "

quote jcavenagh: "Moving to a hammock from a tent has been the best change for me in the past few years. I sleep better and then feel better the next day.
Folks can argue about what hammock they think is best, but just getting up off the cold ground has been a real treat for me."

I have been toying with this but I think for this trip it wouldn't work AT ALL."

I'm not sure what you mean? Are you planning a winter BW trip? Even then, hammocking works if you have the right insulation. Check out the MN Frozen Butt Hang threads on Hammockforums.net."

Yes...I leave at noon.

Doughboy12 gonna be one cool camper...NWS sz single digits F and snowing until Monday, when it gets all the way up to 16F...

quote jcavenagh: "Doughboy12 gonna be one cool camper...NWS sz single digits F and snowing until Monday, when it gets all the way up to 16F..."

wow.. He will be active all day.. unless he can stay in the hammock all the time.

I am a wuss. Snowtrekker and a stove for me!(thank you ebay)

quote yellowcanoe: "

quote jcavenagh: "Doughboy12 gonna be one cool camper...NWS sz single digits F and snowing until Monday, when it gets all the way up to 16F..."

wow.. He will be active all day.. unless he can stay in the hammock all the time.

I am a wuss. Snowtrekker and a stove for me!(thank you ebay)"

No thanks. Only about eight and a half hours of daylight this time of year. The night is too long even in my nice and toasty cabin. : )

quote yellowcanoe: "

quote jcavenagh: "Doughboy12 gonna be one cool camper...NWS sz single digits F and snowing until Monday, when it gets all the way up to 16F..."

wow.. He will be active all day.. unless he can stay in the hammock all the time.


I am a wuss. Snowtrekker and a stove for me!(thank you ebay)"

We reached the limit of our go/no go low temperature at -20. If the forecast gets there we postpone so I didn't leave...and may not go at all. The trip goals would take 3-4 days and with that pushing it there was no way to do what we wanted and may just save it for another day.
I do not yet hang and the temps are one of the reasons.

quote OBX2Kayak: "Replaced one-man hiking tent with Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock"

I upgraded to my bwca.com hat. :)

Almost anything that saves weight.