Gear time with Chiefjason

chiefjason

chiefjason

Vendor and Leather Hack
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
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Longview, NC
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Gonna start this thread after having to completely rethink my backpacking ideas, gear, and style over the last couple years. Going to post some of the gear I've upgraded. Companies I like. Sources for material. Etc, etc.

Let's make it interactive. Let me know what you are doing too.

Background for me.
Degree in Parks and Rec focused on outdoor education
WEA NSP certified outdoor leader - expired
2 summers with Camp Daniel Boone BSA trekking program
6 years at John de la Howe School mostly in the Wilderness program working with at risk boys. First, and only, non supervisor allowed to take groups backpacking for the school.

I've been working towards a lighter load out, might not be able to claim ultralight just yet but I'm trying. The last 4 day trip my pack was 31.3 lbs with gear and food.

Also, let's talk tips on how to do things. Sky is the limit. At the end of the day a lot of backpacking/hiking gear and skills carry over into survival, prepping, and other stuff.
 
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Sea to summit bowls and pots. Bought them to upgrade some stuff. Love them! They performed great on the trip. Very light. Pack down nearly flat. The space saved may be the best thing since I’ve cut down on my pack size.

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Gravity filters. I made a couple variations and finally bought this Sawyer. It performs very well. My only complaint is that it’s not very packaged. From looking I thing the Platypus might be more package than the Sawyer. But these inline gravity filters are great. I do like the capacity of the Sawyer though.

1A8EFFB9-585D-43CF-AE09-3C3D183A2E6A.jpeg
 
Soto Amicus stove. I’ve been a fan of my MSR for a while. Picked this up with a pot I bought a few years back. Finally used it and I’m a fan. I like the way the supports hook and collapse. And the electric ignition is very handy. Still small and light. Fits in the small plastic case that my MSR came with.

572F7B9B-55FC-4D48-BFF8-0AADD7B429D9.jpeg
 
Dynema sacks. Heck, dynema anything! The large great sack is a pack liner from Zpscks. I use it in my pack for things that need to stay dry like clothes, electronics, fire starters, sleeping bags, etc.

The green ones are off Etsy From Ultralitesacks. The larger one carried my sleeping bag and hammock. I carried them outside my pack. Do they were rained on every day. They stayed as dry as they were when I put them in. The smaller one carried out TP and other more girly toilet stuff. It stayed bone dry the entire trip.


80B1348E-B49A-40BC-8D41-6A9303D5FCED.jpeg
 
Great thread topic. Is your pack weight listed in the OP with water too? If so, how many ounces do you carry?

Just want to compare apples to apples with my set up. I carry a 100 oz Camelback. I drink A LOT of water. Adds a lot of weight to the pack when full, but beats stopping for water more often.
 
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cubrock said:
Greta thread topic. Is your pack weight listed in the OP with water too? If so, how many ounces do you carry?

Just want to compare apples to apples with my set up. I carry a 100 oz Camelback. I drink A LOT of water. Adds a lot of weight to the pack when full, but beats stopping for water more often.
Click to expand...

No water in the pic. I carry 2 liters at the start. I drink a lot too.

Be warned when looking online. Those crazy light pack weights are no water and no food. I wish I had weighed it with gear only. My food pack is hefty. For 4 days on trail I'll pack it and eat well. I'll post my shakedown pics in a second.
 
Lunch and breakfast packs since I’m digging through pics.

I have one bagel and the rest of the contents in each lunch bag.

Daughter has ramen in a thermos and the contents in a snack bag.

Each meal goes in its own ziploc except breakfast. I can get both in one bag. D048A5C3-EDD7-4E36-B4E1-4A8D42C133F1.jpeg4B17790E-B7C8-4DD9-959A-7C153604DB5A.jpeg974F8E3F-0B1E-42CE-A83E-3ADF6FCABC4B.jpeg
 
Great thread, good for old timer (70's - 90's backpacker) sorta getting into it again. Gear has come a long way, as has how-to philosphy (-ies).

But the Windini Code requires at least a small smart alec comment:

You hike in Birkencrocs?
Crocs.png

:D:D
 
Windini said:
Great thread, good for old timer (70's - 90's backpacker) sorta getting into it again. Gear has come a long way, as has how-to philosphy (-ies).

But the Windini Code requires at least a small smart alec comment:

You hike in Birkencrocs?
View attachment 479077

:D:D
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Gotta have me some camp shoes! And they are stupid light and have closed toes. And I hate flip flops.

Trail shoes are Hoka Challenger ATR 5 with super feet insoles and Thorlo our smart wool socks.
 
QiWiz ultralight titanium backpacking trowel. Finally got to break it in on the trip. This is without a doubt the best trowel I have ever used. I have the Megadig, largest model. If you cut a couple slices into the ground first. Then dig them out. Then cut the walls back to make the hole larger it works amazingly well. And you don’t have to pry on the shovel that way. Although I intentionally did pry the dirt with it and it had no serious flex.

The mega dig is 8.5” long and 1 oz.

www.garagegrowngear.com

Ultralight Titanium Backpacking Cathole Trowels by QiWiz UL Gear

Ships in 1-2 business days | Based in Cleveland, OH | Est. 2011 Titanium is tough stuff to work with, but it makes a great trowel. Thin but incredibly strong. Ultralight, nearly indestructible, cuts turf and small roots with ease. All of the shaping of the titanium metal is done with high heat...
www.garagegrowngear.com www.garagegrowngear.com


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Most of my camping is on my motorcycle. I just got a new Exped sleeping pad that is light years ahead of my old Thermarest. My next purchase is going to be a Big Agnes sleeping bag.
 
SPST said:
Most of my camping is on my motorcycle. I just got a new Exped sleeping pad that is light years ahead of my old Thermarest. My next purchase is going to be a Big Agnes sleeping bag.
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I've gone strictly to over quilts with a foot box. Think 3/4 sleeping bag with no zippers. The part of the sleeping bag you lay on is largely wasted and mostly useless anyway. Also cuts some weight and bulk.
 
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The Big Agnes bag has a pocket on the bottom to hold your pad so that you don't roll off of it
 
Ok, might as well give y'all some ammo for smart-alec'ing me back!

This is the only backpacking stove I've ever owned. Cleaned it up (somewhat), tested it, and will use it for an overnighter this week.

Svea Dirty.jpg

Svea Clean.jpg

Svea 123, Swedish Army stove. NOT the Optimus knonck-off. Bought it at the Boulder Army Store in 1980. It's been all over the USA, from the Sierras to the Rockies to the White Mountains, and sea-to-shining-sea as well.

I'm pretty sure it's still got the original seals. One day I'll buy a kit, then take it down & really polish it up, 'cause why the heck not? :)

Next month, maybe I'll dust off the old Astrolabe & Sextant go geo-caching! :D
 
SPST said:
The Big Agnes bag has a pocket on the bottom to hold your pad so that you don't roll off of it
Click to expand...


The overquilts we use have a pocket for the pad, too. They work great.
 
@chiefjason
I am looking for durable shoes or boots holding up for rucking with 30+ lbs, outdoor work, wet weather, and range mud. I'd like them to be a drab color and last as long as possible. What brands do you trust to last forever?

Do you recommend waterproof or goretex shoes or boots instead of normal? They keep water out in wet grass and puddles, but they take longer to dry once wet(the rest of the trip, in my experience), and goretex wears out after some use. Do the positives outweigh the negatives?
 
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Fred said:
@chiefjason
I am looking for durable shoes or boots holding up for rucking with 30+ lbs, outdoor work, wet weather, and range mud. I'd like them to be a drab color and last as long as possible. What brands do you trust to last forever?

Do you recommend waterproof or goretex shoes or boots instead of normal? They keep water out in wet grass and puddles, but they take longer to dry once wet(the rest of the trip, in my experience), and goretex wears out after some use. Do the positives outweigh the negatives?
Click to expand...

Shoes are tough. I hope you get more input than just mine here.

I’ma huge fan of Hoka shoes. The entire family has trail shoes. I have their running shoes. I think I have 4 pair right now. Trail, work, old running that are my regular shoes now, and a new pair of running shoes.

I don’t recommend gore Tex in shoes. They are bit too low to be much use. Spend the money on good socks. I’ve spent so much time outside wet feet are a non issue for me. I don’t even change at Creek crossings, just plow through and keep hiking.
 
chiefjason said:
Shoes are tough. I hope you get more input than just mine here.

I’ma huge fan of Hoka shoes. The entire family has trail shoes. I have their running shoes. I think I have 4 pair right now. Trail, work, old running that are my regular shoes now, and a new pair of running shoes.

I don’t recommend gore Tex in shoes. They are bit too low to be much use. Spend the money on good socks. I’ve spent so much time outside wet feet are a non issue for me. I don’t even change at Creek crossings, just plow through and keep hiking.
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To add to what Chief wrote:

I've moved from boots to trail shoes. I'm having good luck with New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v2 right now. We shall see how durable they are, as I've been using them only a couple months. I can say they are extremely comfortable on the trail and dry pretty fast. First pair of footwear I've never gotten a blister in, thus far. Not even during break-in (which wasn't long). Prior to that, I was using running shoes. The trail shoes do have better traction than the running shoes.

Gore-Tex is great in hunting boots. I don't like it for hiking much, anymore. Once it gets wet, it stays wet, which means the first day of sweating on the trail, for me.
 
Fred said:
@chiefjason
I am looking for durable shoes or boots holding up for rucking with 30+ lbs, outdoor work, wet weather, and range mud. I'd like them to be a drab color and last as long as possible. What brands do you trust to last forever?

Do you recommend waterproof or goretex shoes or boots instead of normal? They keep water out in wet grass and puddles, but they take longer to dry once wet(the rest of the trip, in my experience), and goretex wears out after some use. Do the positives outweigh the negatives?
Click to expand...

Just re read this when I got home and wanted to add. I have the Hoka Challenger ATR 5. They are on #6 now. My pack is 35-40 lbs. This last trip I did 36.5 miles in 4 days. Roughly 6, 12, 14, and 5 miles. I use the green Superfeet insoles in them too. I have zero foot pain I could associate with the shoes. Just normal sore and tired after a long day hiking. It rained the entire hike in day one. About half way through day 2 I had walked them dry. Rained half of day 3. And the entire hike out day 4. They are very thin and breathable. So they get wet pretty easy but they also dry fast and do not hold a lot of water in the shoe.

Pretty sure I got them in 2021 and have done 2 4 day trips and tons of day hiking in them.
 
Fred said:
My only pair of shoes are Brooks Ravenna 10 running shoes, which seems like a similar design to the Hoka and New Balance mentioned above except for having much less tread. Are lightweight mesh shoes the way to go now?
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It really is what works best for you. I am enjoying hiking more with lighter mesh shoes compared to my heavier, Goretex boots. As mentioned already, good socks will make all the difference when your feet get wet. I’ve found that a change to fresh socks also helps, even when my shoes are still wet. You can dry the wet socks by hanging them on the back of your pack while hiking.

I’m currently wearing my last couple pairs of John Wayne brand socks. Best hiking socks I have ever had. They hike great, wet or dry. Bought them years ago when @Dale Gribble posted a link to them on sale. I think they have been discontinued, unfortunately.
 
cubrock said:
I’m currently wearing my last couple pairs of John Wayne brand socks. Best hiking socks I have ever had. They hike great, wet or dry. Bought them years ago when @Dale Gribble posted a link to them on sale. I think they have been discontinued, unfortunately.
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I have been on the lookout for them. If I ever find any more for sale, I’ll let ya know👍
 
Dale Gribble said:
I have been on the lookout for them. If I ever find any more for sale, I’ll let ya know👍
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Dale Gribble said:
@cubrock

I fired off an email to the company (John Wayne Stock &Supply) asking if they still produce the socks, if they manufactured them or if another company produced them for JW Stock & Supply.
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Thanks, I got 6 pair back when you told us about them.
I've been looking to get more, just no luck, now I know why.
 
ronn47 said:
Thanks, I got 6 pair back when you told us about them.
I've been looking to get more, just no luck, now I know why.
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I bought a bunch, but as the boys grew, they started wearing the same size I do and my stash was rapidly depleted. I save my last two pair for hiking only.
 
Speaking of socks we have Darn Tough, Smartwool, and Thorlo here. All make good socks. I've got some I've worn the elastic out before I get any holes in them. And it takes a long time to wear holes the Thorlo's. For occasional hiking it would take years to wear them out.
 
Fred said:
My only pair of shoes are Brooks Ravenna 10 running shoes, which seems like a similar design to the Hoka and New Balance mentioned above except for having much less tread. Are lightweight mesh shoes the way to go now?
Click to expand...

IMO trail shoes are fine sometimes. For the Tobacco Trail or more maintained trails almost anything works fine. That road at our cabin with larger gravel and rocks really comes through in a light shoe though. So I usually wear either my rucking boots or some Merrell’s I have with a heavier sole. And rocky or heavily rooted trails I tend to like a little ankle support.
 
CZfool68 said:
IMO trail shoes are fine sometimes. For the Tobacco Trail or more maintained trails almost anything works fine. That road at our cabin with larger gravel and rocks really comes through in a light shoe though. So I usually wear either my rucking boots or some Merrell’s I have with a heavier sole. And rocky or heavily rooted trails I tend to like a little ankle support.
Click to expand...


Truth. The New Balance trail shoes I have have a very thick and well padded sole. Huge difference on rocks and roots compared to my New Balance runners. With that said, I’ve used the runners fine. They just aren’t as comfortable.

Ankle support hasn’t been as big an issue as it used to be with the workouts I’ve been doing, but it can be very handy to have.
 
Fred said:
@chiefjason
I am looking for durable shoes or boots holding up for rucking with 30+ lbs, outdoor work, wet weather, and range mud. I'd like them to be a drab color and last as long as possible. What brands do you trust to last forever?

Do you recommend waterproof or goretex shoes or boots instead of normal? They keep water out in wet grass and puddles, but they take longer to dry once wet(the rest of the trip, in my experience), and goretex wears out after some use. Do the positives outweigh the negatives?
Click to expand...
I am a big fan of either orthopedic inserts or Superfeet inserts along with Darn Tough Vermont socks regardless of shoe or boot. I'm likely at the opposite end of boots & shoes (heavy and supportive) than many others (lightweight and nimble) due to my foot issues.

I've worn Merrel MOAB's for over 10yrs as my daily shoe. They "upgraded" to MOAB 2's a few years back (2018) and this past Spring I finally ran out of pre-purchased pairs of MOAB's and had to go to the MOAB 2's....so far I'm not overly impressed and looking at Keen and others.

My primary hiking, rucking, hunting, and range boots are Kenetrek Safari. I also have a pair of their Wildland Fire boots that I snagged from their eBay store. I'm at 3 years this July and easily several hundreds of miles on the Safari's. They still feel great and are holding up very well except their one drawback is that they have softer outsoles than most boots in the Kenetrek lineup. Thus they wear more quickly if you do a lot of paved trail/asphalt or on concrete walking. I log on average 15 miles per week just walking around my development on the sidewalk. It's about time to send these in for a re-sole to the upgraded K-73 outsoles which my Fire boots do have.

My next pair will likely be a set of Desert Guide boots. because it has the more durable K-73 outsole and a 7mm vs 5mm midsoles which will last longer (10+ years), especially under a load/pack/ruck, but it takes almost twice the amount of time to fully break in (30 miles vs 15 miles). In hindsight I probably should have bought the Guides boots instead of the Safari initially,

All three of these boots lack a waterproof breathable membrane specifically so my feet don't sweat horrifically in the HOT to mild NC temps. Even with Merino wool socks; warm temps and a Gortex or Windtex liner is a no go for me.

Once properly treated with waterproofing bees-wax my boots have stayed impervious to water, including multiple stream crossings during a hike. One of my first major hikes with them was through some of the nastiest mud and puddles, zero issues.
 
CZfool68 said:
IMO trail shoes are fine sometimes. For the Tobacco Trail or more maintained trails almost anything works fine. That road at our cabin with larger gravel and rocks really comes through in a light shoe though. So I usually wear either my rucking boots or some Merrell’s I have with a heavier sole. And rocky or heavily rooted trails I tend to like a little ankle support.
Click to expand...

In a light shoe, sure. In a trail shoe, not as much. I wish I had pics of the trail headed off Andrew's Bald. We rock hopped a trail that was more like a small creek for nearly a mile downhill. It was nasty. The trail shoes did just fine. Daughter had no complaints.

That said, how well your ankles and feet handle the stress plays a big role in it. I've been going barefoot at home a lot and that has toughened up my feet noticeably. And I have rubber ankles. I turned both ankles on this trip that might have ended someone else's trip and I'm able to just walk it off. One was bad enough to be a bit sore the next day. But anyone with foot or ankle issues might look for more support. Just understand that more support usually equals more weight.

I've heard several versions that 5 lbs on your feet is like 10 lbs on your back, or 1 lb on your feet is 5 lbs on your back. The point is extra weight on your feet translates into extra energy expended to walk.

@Fred I couldn't be happier with the lightweight trail shoes. Feet stay cool, water drains well, less energy expended. But I've also combined that with cutting the overall load I carry on the trail. When I was younger and wearing Vasque boots it was nothing to be carrying an 80 lb pack as well. No way I could carry that weight in shoes though.
 
@Fred I got these Merrell‘s off tacticalgear.com on closeout for about $50 or so. Decent thick sole and have been rock solid. This is what I wear on the trail most of the time. When the weather sucks or Go Ruck has just sent me another free pair of boots, 🤣, I wear those boots.

A52ACDBB-7B92-457D-9A15-76DE80CE796E.jpeg
 
Fred said:
@Bunsen those are all leather boots. Isn't leather even worse than Goretex for sweating? It's air proof and almost totally waterproof, because it's animal skin- right?
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Yes they are a full leather boot. No, in my experience the Gore-tex membrane makes it worse for feet sweating. The combo of Merino wool socks and the boot lining keep my feet dry and comfortable even into 90 degree temps.
 
I’ve never seen stakes like those. What are they called?
 
cubrock said:
I’ve never seen stakes like those. What are they called?
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Titanium nail pegs, I use them for my tarp.


ripstopbytheroll.com

Vargo Titanium Ultralight Nail Peg

Description A lighter version of the popular Titanium Nail Peg, the UL Titanium Nail Peg can be driven into hard soil without getting bent or damaged. Reflective cord offers increased visibility and easier removal. Made by Vargo Outdoors. Specs *Note: sold in packs of (4). Enter a qty of "1" for...
ripstopbytheroll.com ripstopbytheroll.com
 
Time to revive this thread!

I've posted some new gear & upgrades in the "Recent Hiking Pics" and "Pics You Took Today" threads, so these are repeats at this point.

I've been on the trail a lot (for me) this year. Last count, I've car-camped... once?, logged over 130 miles day hiking, done 4 backpacking overnighters, and a 3-day paddle camp trip, all between April 9 or so and Nov 13. Whew! Didn't think I had it in me.

All my gear is rather ancient (see fig 1, "Svea 123," above!), so I'm gradually trying new things and working on upgrades. The lure of Black Friday deals has me window (Ubuntu, actually) shopping this weekend.

Weight reduction (for backpacking) is a primary goal. I was tougher then... So far this year I've gotten a new sleeping pad (Klymit V), a decent pair of trail shoes (Saucony), an MSR-style gas canister stove (cheap chineseum), a 500ml titanium cook pot, an alcohol stove, and just added and a fuel bottle for alcohol. I also got a pair of trekking poles after borrowing a set & seeing the light.

Trangia Fuel Bottle.jpg

I've given up on going back to a (modernized) external frame pack. I got a used 1990's vintage Kelty, ditched the square pack bag, and tried various lashings/attachments of dry bags, but it got to the point of reinventing the wheel for no discernable advantage. I'm back to using my Gregory internal frame (1 center stay) until ... The Best New Thing strikes my fancy. It's heavy, and will probably prove too large for the trips I'll be doing for the foreseeable future (no more week long wilderness solos for me!), but I know it & have grown accustomed to its fit.

Next up will most probably be a trekking pole tent. I like the Durstan https://durstongear.com/product/x-mid-1p but I'm cheap, so may get one off Amazon. I've been warned that the polyester fabric is the better choice, as nylon is hydrophilic and will sag when wet.

If not the tent, then I'll be getting a down sleeping bag or quilt next. I borrowed one for the Nov 12-13 trip when it got down to 32F and now I'm hooked! Just have to find the right mix of practical temp rating and weight.

So who's got new stuff recently? What are you hoping Santa will bring?
 
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well, not totally "new", but new replacements of trusted brands....
Thorlo (best socks by far)
Saucony (Jazz, the original)
Kenetrek (almost a car payment)

Santa:
Vargo Nail Pegs (sold out right now)
Dyneema (like you said...anything)
Djeep (stocking stuffers)
 
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