Category Archives: Backpacking Gear

Patagonia Baggies Shorts: 35 Year Review

Backpacking Gear

Stuff That Works

Have you noticed the trend?

Lately I’ve been reviewing a lot of old gear, which I still use. The reason is, these items work. Much of the new stuff are just iterations of the old, camouflaged by marketing people, created to imply new and improved.

I have been using Patagonia Baggies for most of my outdoor activities for 35 years. Not the same pair, because they do wear out eventually. They do last longer than any other shorts I have used though. Continue reading Patagonia Baggies Shorts: 35 Year Review →

Black Diamond Mega Light Pyramid Shelter: Not A Review

Backpacking Gear, , , ,

Time to write about something other than our house remodel. Since we are forced to stay at home, I can’t go backpacking or camping for a while; thus I can’t share any trip reports. Writing trip reports are a pain in the ass anyway, something I have mostly quit doing the past few years.

This isn’t a review. In my opinion, a review requires several years of use, or a few hundred days/nights of use. For that reason, I find most gear reviews of limited value. Often I find gear reviews useless.

This is a Shelter Comparison

Continue reading Black Diamond Mega Light Pyramid Shelter: Not A Review →

Obituary: Chouinard Pyramid Shelter (1985-2020)

Backpacking Gear, , , , ,

This shelter is an old friend. It finally died. More specifically, it really isn’t cost effective to resuscitate it.

Death isn’t unknown to most of us. Just about everyone have friends and/or relatives who have passed away. We cannot replace those loved ones. The same goes for pets. Our wonder dog, Corky, passed away last year and he cannot be replaced. Oh, we could get another dog, but Corky was Corky, an animal with a personality and distinctive characteristics.

A shelter can be replaced. What is replaced? A completely different shelter with dissimilar construction would be a replacement. A similar shelter with the same materials, shape, and structure might be considered a direct replacement.

I am going to get a direct replacement.  Continue reading Obituary: Chouinard Pyramid Shelter (1985-2020) →

MSR DragonFly Stove: 12 Year Review

Backpacking Gear, , ,

Why did I buy this stove in the first place? Was it because this stove…

  • can use white gas, automotive unleaded gas, diesel, kerosene or even aircraft jet fuel?
  • can simmer better than just about any backpacking stove on the market?
  • can handle big heavy, wide pots up to 10 inches in diameter?
  • is so sturdy?

Is this the stove for you? Continue reading MSR DragonFly Stove: 12 Year Review →