My Forum

Ah, now sleeping mats is one thing I've managed to keep under control.

Exped Downmat 7 (3-season backpacking)

Exped Downmat 7 deluxe (car camping)

Just received an Exped Synmat UL for summer backpacking.  Lovely mat and only 460g.

Actually, I've still got a few old Thermarests knocking about but they don't count...

Vargo Titanium Jet-Ti (my go to choice for 3-season backpacking)

Soto Micro Regulator gas stove (got it cheap secondhand because I was curious)

MSR Windpro (for winter)

Primus Anti-gravity (must get around to selling it)

Trangia with gas conversion for car camping

Bushbuddy Ultra woodburner (again,should sell this)

Jetboil (handy for fishing)

Bleedin' great Campingaz 2-burner with grill job that we used to use for car camping

When it comes to pans, I had a clearout not long ago so I'm down to:

Titanium 900ml pot that houses the Bushbuddy

Trangia panset

MSR Titan kettle

An old MSR Blacklite gourmet pan set that I should sell

I've got one of those mkettles on my wishlist at Uncle Bob's - oh wait, I can't post links - always something wrong with this website. 

Fatwalker wrote (see)

Real fires also help to keep the midgies away at the expense of also keeping oxygen away

I've never understood how that works in practice.  Surely it's the smoke that keeps the little bastards away and if you're sitting upwind to avoid being enveloped in smoke, surely the midges'll still get ya.

I spent a fair bit a few years ago not long after I got into backpacking, upgrading from basic, heavy kit to some lighter stuff.  It increased my enjoyment immensely.  Although I enjoy my home comforts in the boonies, you have to remember that you'll be carrying the suff for longer each day than you'll be sleeping in it.

When deciding what to upgrade, I compared the price to the weight saving to arrive at £/per 100g saved and this drove the priority.