Richard Gear's Latest Answers

By Jon

Gear news in association with

Our man Gear, Richard Gear, has been hard at work answering your questions and hiding under a massive umbrella from the rain....

So far Richard has answered over 500 of your questions and you can find all his past answers together with a search mechanism at the Ask Richard Gear section of the site.

Browse through his past answers or ask a question of your own...

This week Richard answers questions about which lightweight stove to choose for trekking the entire length of the Pyrenees, suggests a tent to double for both solo and two/three-person lightpacking and explains what's women's specific about women's-specific packs.

Q: Which lightweight stove and type of fuel would you recommend for trekking the entire High Route of the Pyrenees? Fuel has to be readily available in small villages/towns in France/Spain?

A: Gear here, Richard 'Multi-Fuel' Gear, multiple user of multiple fuels in a very multiple sort of way.

You don't say what sort of stove you have currently, but there are a few potential answers to your question. First., while gas is very convenient, the canisters with screw-top universal fittings are harder to find in France and that's the fitting most lightweight stoves sold in the UK use. In larger towns and villages, you may be should be able to find piercable gas canisters...
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Q: I want a tent for overnight camps thats light enough to carry alone or with a mate or my two little boys. I was thinking GoLite Hex 3. Easy up, one pole (or stick) and super versatile for all of the above. What do you think? Any alternatives you might suggest?

A: Gear here, Richard 'solo-packing' Gear and here were are again, trapped in the terrifying vortex of lightweight backpacking...

What's an 'acceptable' weight for solo backpacking is a bit of an individual choice, but the 1330g weight of the Golite Hex 3 is very reasonable and I'd agree that it should definitely be on your short-list.

There are a few things you need to bear in mind though. The Hex 3, as you're probably aware, is a floorless shelter which is fine in dry conditions ...
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Q: What makes a womens-specific rucksack specific to women?

A: Gear here, Richard 'Women's Specific' Gear, master of cross-packing and a man very much in touch with my feminine side in a metro-sexual sort of way. But enough cheap jokes for now...

It may sound obvious, but women are a different shape from men and women's-specific packs have been specifically designed to take this into account. As a result they often give a much more comfortable and efficient carry for women users than standard men's packs. Here are a few of the differences...

Women tend to have shorter backs relative to their body than men as well as narrower shoulder, so standard packs are often...
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Check out the full Ask Richard Gear section of the site for a searchable archive of all Richard's past answers, some of which make sense, or ask a question of your own...

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Discuss this article, 1 of 16 messages, read more:

Cruxster man ( just don't mention green tents )

Posted: 10/07/07 22:25:22 22

I have found that the Hex 3 is more than capable of dealing with UK Winter summit camping and takes "hoolies" in its stride and is certainley not confined to "Valley" pitches.

Infact i have never pitched it in a valley or a sheltered spot. The tent is awesome for space to weight and it's ability to shed 50mph winds and driving rain is amazing.

I was confident enough in the tent at the weekend to pitch on a ridge with a 40+mph wind blowing over with my 9 year old daughter.

Or I may just be mad and a deranged tent abuser/killer!!!!!

Drew

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Outdoor clothing and footwear

Richard Gear's Latest Answers

By Jon