I like many others have changed gear when the next "bestest" thing comes along, however, there is always gear that does not change because we are happy with it, for me it is the BPL.com long handled spoon. The spoon has an interesting history as the design was first suggested by Bill Fornshell on BPL.com MYOG Spoon Well I purchased one of the BPL spoons in 2006, when they were bright and shiny, now they have a matte finish.
The spoon is ideal for the meals where there are a few pieces at the bottom of a deep pouch. However, whilst out for a day walk I realised that I had forgotten my Ti stakes for the Caldera stove, but then I discovered that the spoon had another use, a pot support in a Trail Designs Caldera Titanium Caldera.
It is no longer bright and shiny but will remain in my pack for many trips to come.
What has been in your pack for many trips? And it is not likely to be changed.
The one thing that goes with me everywhere since the day I bought it is my Montane Lite-Speed windshirt. Nothing else out there at the moment could replace it.
ReplyDeleteI have an old aluminum 1 1/2qt. cookpot I bought at Campmor about 20 years ago, and even though I own about a dozen pots in various sizes and materials I still grab that one more than any.
ReplyDeleteIt has got to be my clickstand stove, had it for years and have even tried replacing it by buying newer shinier stoves. Still keep on going back to it and will probably continue using for many years yet!
ReplyDeleteMy compass is a Silva Type 54 bought around 1988 so that would be my longest serving piece of gear.
ReplyDeleteI was given a pair of aluminium Pacerpoles back in 2008 (by Heather and Alan at Pacerpoles)and they were fundemental in the trip being successful. Not old, but I would be devastated if I lost them as we have so many memories. Old equipment has to be an old Paramo aspira jacket. Must be at least 10 years? Very heavy and thick but still years left in it toasty in winter!!
ReplyDeleteAll of my really old equipment got lost in the bus accident of 2008. I bought the same puukko again, and also the German Army knife, one of them is always with me; often both. Never leave the house without a knife.
ReplyDeleteJoe, yes I carry a litespeed too and they a great piece of kit.
ReplyDeleteGeorge I am still looking for the ideal pot though I know now that preferred pots are in the range 550 to 850 mL, with handles.
James yeah I have a clickstand too, it is amongst the many no longer used stoves. I see they now I have Titanium Clickstands.
Mac E Compass hmm now I do have a old silva, a field 7, I think had it since the 80's, but does not get out a lot these days as I carry a small Brunton compass around my neck, which is good for giving a general direction.
John, I love my pacer poles, and Paramo Velez Adventure Pants are becoming my go to cool weather pants.
Hendrik, sorry to hear about the loss of your gear, I have moved too many times and am now missing gear that I would love to have for sentimental reasons if no other. As for knives mine is a very small Swiss Army Classic, good for opening packets and not much else.
My swiss army classic (tiny) and my suunto A10 compass.
ReplyDeleteThanks Philip, I bought a swiss army classic last year so I expect it will be carried for a long time to come.
ReplyDeleteI wear a Suunto Vector which I received as a gift in 2005 and it is still going strong.
Missed this. Heres my tuppence worth (better late than never).
ReplyDeleteI ruthlessly downweighted over a period of three years from 2005-2008 and virtualy nothing survied. My oldest, functional kit is a Trangia 27 I purchased in 1985 but which is now retired for backpacking and is still in use for canoe camping. The only one piece of old gear that still gets into my pack is an old Helly Hansen lifa beanie. My wife dispairs and would like to see me burn it but it's part of me. Couldn't find it before Norway (very suspicious!)so I now have an Icebreaker Merino Beanie but if I ever find the lifa again it will be back in the bag.
Dave I have more hats than I care to mention, and I do try to reduce the number in my pack to 1 or 2. My favourite cap is the OR Radar Pocket Cap, not really suitable for sun, rain, cold or heat but I like it. The Icebreaker Pocket 200 is a nice and warm beanie, ideal for summer.
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