Champ Chef Ranger III Stove: Almost Perfect

Backpacking Gear

We’ve had this stove for only a couple years, so I can’t call this a review. Not enough years to determine is reliability and durability. Let’s call this a short term or quick review.

Yesterday I posted an article on how to choose a camp stove. Using the same criteria, let’s see if the Camp Chef Ranger III meets the attributes we need in a camp stove:

  • Fuel: I want the stove to connect to our camper’s low-pressure propane system using a quick connector.
  • Wind Worthy: It has to work well in windy conditions.
  • Ample Burner Power: This is measured in BTUs.
  • Compact: It has to be easy to store.
  • Size: It has to be large enough to fit a decent size pot(s).
  • Light: As light as possible.
  • Griddle Compatible: Big enough for a decent sized griddle.

Continue reading Champ Chef Ranger III Stove: Almost Perfect →

How to Choose an Outdoor Stove for Your Camper or RV

Backpacking Gear

One advantage of camping over backpacking is the camper usually has more time to cook. I mean the time to really cook a meal that is simply wonderful to eat. And if you own a car or even a camper or RV, you have the space to bring real cookware, and of course, a real stove.

Camping is about spending time outdoors. A camper itself, for many who own one, is just a huge traveling tent meant only for sleeping and shelter in poor weather. Not only is it more fun to cook outdoors, it prevents stinking up the small interior of the camper by cooking inside the contraption. Which leads to the question, what is the best outdoor stove for camping?

In this post I will discuss what we need a camping stove to do and then compare our requirements agains our Camp Chef Pro 60D stove, which does not meet these attributes.

This does not mean the Camp Chef is a poor stove. Continue reading How to Choose an Outdoor Stove for Your Camper or RV →

Cascade Designs (Therm-A-Rest NeoAir) for the Win!

Backpacking Gear,

Nine days ago I posted an article about my several years old NeoAir mattress which had developed a leak. Late that afternoon, June 18, I shipped it to Cascade Designs. The return authorization form had this message, prompted by the ongoing pandemic:

So the wait began. The company’s repair service had been shut down for a couple months and had just opened three days earlier. To be honest, I just forgot about it. Continue reading Cascade Designs (Therm-A-Rest NeoAir) for the Win! →

Why I Don’t Take a Cell Phone Backpacking

Backpacking

Nowadays cellphones, or more precisely smart phones, are considered an important piece of equipment for backpackers. They are often included as one of the Ten Essentials.

If you feel one of these devices is essential then by all means carry one. It is not for me to tell someone what he or she should or should not carry with him or her on a backpacking trip.

On the other hand, cell phone users might be curious why I exclude it from my gear. Continue reading Why I Don’t Take a Cell Phone Backpacking →

I Need a Decent Backpacking Drinking Cup

Backpacking Gear, , , , , ,

(L to R): Sierra Cup, Rocky Cup, MSR Titan Cup, REI Double-Walled Insulated Cup

I’ve been doing this backpacking thing for over 50 years and have never owned a cup that did what I wanted (or needed) it to do. This fact is my fault. My drinking cup choices have been focused on the wrong attributes. The main purpose of this post is to review my approach to drinking cups over the years — that is, the thought process. I might have finally found a cup that may tick off all four of these attributes. But I haven’t used it long enough to really evaluate it as a solution.  Continue reading I Need a Decent Backpacking Drinking Cup →

Book Review — How to Survive Your First Trip in the Wild: Backpacking for Beginners

Backpacking, Book Review,

As the title states, this is a guide for beginners. Given this, the author accomplishes this goal in an easy to read, compact package.

In this age of Internet experts, we often are bombarded with information from dubious sources and of questionable expertise. So the first place to start with this review is the author’s credentials as a backpacker and expert. Continue reading Book Review — How to Survive Your First Trip in the Wild: Backpacking for Beginners →

Thoughts on Boots and Boot Care

Backpacking Gear,

The main purpose of this post is to discuss how to maintain leather hiking boots.

First, I’d like to talk about boots in general. For the past eight years, ever since I started this blog, I have been an outspoken advocate of running shoes for backpacking. Not, trail running shoes in particular, but even lighter more gossamer shoes.

I am beginning to change my mind. Continue reading Thoughts on Boots and Boot Care →

Nalgene Oasis Water Bottle

Backpacking Gear

This isn’t a review. Reviews should entail dozens and dozens of days of use. It would be even more preferable to use a product for ten years before reviewing it. Long-term usage can discover faults or weaknesses in a product.

On the other hand, I’ll be 70 years old in November, so I won’t have many (or maybe even one) ten-year blocks of time remaining. So let’s call this post a first impression. Continue reading Nalgene Oasis Water Bottle →

Camping Gaz Globetrotter Stove: 35 Year Review

Backpacking Gear,
Camping Gaz Globetrotter stove

I haven’t reviewed this stove because it is no longer made. More importantly, if you have one or buy a used one, you can’t buy the canisters anymore either. However, for several reasons, this has always been my favorite canister stove. I liked it so much; I bought a second stove in case the stove was discontinued — which it was. What I didn’t anticipate was the fuel canisters would also become obsolete. Given all of this, I was able to re-work the stove and make it compatible with the common IsoPro canisters that are popular today. So, it is time to review the stove, because it can be updated, and actually made lighter. Continue reading Camping Gaz Globetrotter Stove: 35 Year Review →