Richard Gear's Latest Answers

Q: Hi there, Could you recommend a wind shield to use with an MSR Pocket Rocket, also for my first night in a tent this year I was wondering what your thoughts would be on using combination of a Blizzard Bag, a 3/4 thermarest and a Deuter Plus One sleeping bag?

A: The name is Gear, Richard 'Mixed Question' Gear. As far as your Pocket Rocket goes, I've generally nicked the flexible heat reflector and windshield that lives with my MSR XGK multi-field stove.

MSR sells a similar reflector and windscreen as an aftermarket accessory and I think it should work okay with a Pocket Rocket and form a reasonable closure around the bottom of your cooking pot. Don't ..'
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Q: Can I wash waterproof clothing in pure soap flakes without proofing it again?

A: The name is Gear, Richard 'Clean Machine' Gear and I'm a demon for detergent, erm. Well, not really. In short, the answer to your question is yes, but... If you use pure soap - or a soap-based technical cleaner from the likes of Grangers or Nikwax - then it shouldn't compromise the factory water-repellant treatment on your waterproof clothing.

Normal detergents, both biological and non-biological and including Ecover and the like, contain agents which can mask the effectiveness of the original DWR. pure soap doesn't do this.

Unfortunately there are down sides - soap flakes don't clean as effectively as washing powders and liquids from the supermarket, so if your jacket is very dirty, soap alone may not ...'
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Q: I am told that Scarpa are changing the Manta for next season to include a different crampon fitting style. Can you tell me if this is true and if so why are the shops that stock Scarpa not trying to sell off there old stock at knock-down prices? I need some 44's and can't afford £165.99 plus some crampons to fit . Want them now to break in for next season?

A: The name is Gear, Richard 'Updated' Gear. I can't confirm that Scarpa is updating the Manta for next season, but it would definitely be a logical move for them, so I wouldn't be surprised.

Most of Scarpa's recent mountaineering boots use a new crampon system called GSB which has a slot in the front of the boot's sole which accomodates a locating prong on the crampon replacing the front bale.

It's a very secure system, so it would make sense to use it on a revised Manta. Scarpa already has the Mirage GTX, ..
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