Top 10 Backpacker Recommended Trekking Poles – 2017

What are the best backpacking trekking poles that backpackers really use? What do you get when you buy more expensive trekking poles and how much better are they than value-oriented trekking poles?

We surveyed 440 backers to find out what trekking poles they use and recommend and found that aluminum poles are still the more popular than carbon fiber poles because they’re less expensive and more durable, although lighter-weight, economy carbon fiber poles are gaining in popularity. The so-called flick lock or lever lock adjustment systems, popularized by Black Diamond, is preferred over twist-lock adjustment systems because they’re more reliable and easy to use. Cork handles are increasingly popular because they provide a better grip when hands sweat and mold to your hand over time. The majority of trekking poles are still unisex, but some brands including REI have introduced female-specific poles with smaller grips and shorter lengths. While Black Diamond trekking poles dominate the high-end hiking and backpacking market, many competitive mid and low-priced options exist, with relatively little loss of critical functionality.

1. Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles

Black Diamond’s Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles ($139) are three-piece aluminum trekking poles with a special shock absorber in the handle to reduce impacts to your wrists and elbows when hiking over mixed terrain. The poles are adjustable using Black Diamond’s flick lock system which is easy to adjust manually without tools. The foam handles are ergonomically shaped to reduce hand fatigue with adjustable wrist straps. Weight per pair is 20 ounces. Men’s length (27″-55″) and Women’s length (24″-49″) poles are also available.
See the Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock

2. Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

Black Diamond’s Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles ($119) are adjustable aluminum poles with a natural cork grip that molds to your hands over time and absorbs sweat without becoming slippery. The grips feature a 15 degree corrective angle that keeps your wrists in a neutral position for comfort while helping to reduce the risk of repetitive strain or wrist injury. These three section poles are adjusted using Black Diamond’s reliable flick-lock adjustment system. Weight per pair is 18 ounces. Men’s length (29″-55″) and Women’s length (26″-49″) poles are also available. See the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork 

3. Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles ($169) are three-piece adjustable carbon-fiber shaft trekking poles that use Black Diamond’s proven flick-lock adjustment system. They have natural cork hand grips with EVA foam extensions so you can shift your hand position up or down without adjusting pole length in uneven terrain. Weigh is just 17 ounces per pair. Length (25″-51″). Unisex. See the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork

4. Leki Makalu Anti-Shock Trekking Poles

Leki’s Makalu Anti-Shock Trekking Pokes ($99) are 3 piece tapered, aluminum poles with a super-strong, twist-lock adjustment mechanism. Ergonomically shaped, natural cork grips with an articulated grip and base shelf help increase uphill propulsion when climbing, while adjustable comfort straps improve stability and security. Super durable carbide tips are standard while different size basket options allow poles to be customized for all seasons from trekking to backcountry skiing. Weight per pair is 19.9 ounces. The Leki Legacy is an updated version of this pole with lever lock adjusters. Length is 27″-57″. Unisex. See the Leki Makalu Anti-Shock

5. Black Diamond Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles ($99) feature a versatile folding design that fits easily into packs and suitcases, making them ideal for backpacking and travel. Available in four lengths when fully expanded: 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, they collapse down to 14″-17″ in length when folded up. Opening and folding them up is simple using a push button mechanism. The poles have extended EVA foam grips, with minimal mesh wrist straps. Non-marking rubber tips are standard but carbide tips are also included. Weigh per pair is 12 or 13 ounces, based on pole length. Unisex.  See the Black Diamond Distance Z-Pole

6. Leki Corklite Trekking Poles

Leki’s Corklite Trekking Poles ($139) are 3-piece aluminum trekking poles with a lever style “SpeedLock” adjustment mechanism.Ergonomically shaped, natural cork grips with an articulated grip and base shelf help increase uphill propulsion when climbing, while the bulbous top facilitates breaking on downhills. Air-textured, wicking straps dry quickly while improve stability and security. Includes baskets and carbide tips. Weight per pair is 19.1 ounces. Length is 24.4″ to 53.1″. Unisex. See the Leki Corklite Trekking Poles

7. REI Traverse Power Lock Cork Trekking Poles

REI Traverse Power Lock Cork Trekking Poles ($99) are 3-piece adjustable, aluminum trekking poles with ergonomic cork grips.  Adjustable padded neoprene wrist straps are included for added support and comfort. The Traverse Poles has a lever lock style adjustment system and include trekking baskets and extra-durable tungsten carbide tips. Men’s length (27″-55″) and Women’s specific (length 24″-49″) poles with a smaller grip size are available. Weight per pair is 20 ounces for the Men’s poles, 17 ounces for the Women’s poles. See the REI Traverse Power Lock Cork 

8. Cascade Mountain Tech Cork Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Cascade Mountain Tech’s Cork Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles ($44) are three-section, carbon fiber trekking poles that weigh just 15.4 ounces per pair. Priced at less than half of what Black Diamond or Leki carbon fiber poles cost, they’re an exceptional value if you’re looking for a flick-lock style trekking pole for hiking and backpacking. These are fully featured, durable, and adjustable trekking poles with adjustable length retainer straps, cork handles, extended grips, and titanium carbide tips. Handle-to-tip length ranges from 26″-54.5″. Snow baskets, rubber feet, and curved pavement feet are included. Unisex. See the Cascade Mountain Tech Cork Carbon Fiber 

9. Kelty Range 2.0 Trekking Poles

Kelty Range 2.0 Trekking Poles ($59) are twist-lock aluminum poles with a built-in internal shock absorption system. They have cork handles with extended EVA foam grips so you can quickly adjust you hand position without having to readjust pole the pole length when hiking up or down hills. Protective tip caps, trekking baskets, and rubber tips for concrete surfaces are included. Guaranteed for one year. Weight is 20 ounces per pair and they’re available in one unisex length (27″-53″). See the Kelty Range 2.0 

10. Mountainsmith Rhyolite Trekking Poles

Mountainsmith Rhyolite Trekking Poles ($39) are a popular value option. These 3-section aluminum poles have a twist lock adjustment system and come equipped with a spring-loaded shock absorption system that can be locked on or off with a simple twisting motion. Molded EVA foam handles reduce grip fatigue and include moisture wicking straps. The poles are snow basket compatible and come with carbide tips and optional rubber feet. Weight is 20 ounces per pair Length (26″-54″). Unisex. See the Mountainsmith Rhyolite

Support SectionHiker.com. If you make a purchase after clicking on the links above, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

 

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Top 10 Backpacker Recommended Trekking Poles – 2017

What are the best backpacking trekking poles that backpackers really use? What do you get when you buy more expensive trekking poles and how much better are they than value-oriented trekking poles?

We surveyed 440 backers to find out what trekking poles they use and recommend and found that aluminum poles are still the more popular than carbon fiber poles because they're less expensive and more durable, although lighter-weight, economy carbon fiber poles are gaining in popularity. The so-called flick lock or lever lock adjustment systems, popularized by Black Diamond, is preferred over twist-lock adjustment systems because they're more reliable and easy to use. Cork handles are increasingly popular because they provide a better grip when hands sweat and mold to your hand over time. The majority of trekking poles are still unisex, but some brands including REI have introduced female-specific poles with smaller grips and shorter lengths. While Black Diamond trekking poles dominate the high-end hiking and backpacking market, many competitive mid and low-priced options exist, with relatively little loss of critical functionality.

1. Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles

Black Diamond's Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles ($139) are three-piece aluminum trekking poles with a special shock absorber in the handle to reduce impacts to your wrists and elbows when hiking over mixed terrain. The poles are adjustable using Black Diamond's flick lock system which is easy to adjust manually without tools. The foam handles are ergonomically shaped to reduce hand fatigue with adjustable wrist straps. Weight per pair is 20 ounces. Men's length (27″-55″) and Women's length (24″-49″) poles are also available.
See the Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock

2. Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

Black Diamond's Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles ($119) are adjustable aluminum poles with a natural cork grip that molds to your hands over time and absorbs sweat without becoming slippery. The grips feature a 15 degree corrective angle that keeps your wrists in a neutral position for comfort while helping to reduce the risk of repetitive strain or wrist injury. These three section poles are adjusted using Black Diamond's reliable flick-lock adjustment system. Weight per pair is 18 ounces. Men's length (29″-55″) and Women's length (26″-49″) poles are also available. See the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork 

3. Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles ($169) are three-piece adjustable carbon-fiber shaft trekking poles that use Black Diamond's proven flick-lock adjustment system. They have natural cork hand grips with EVA foam extensions so you can shift your hand position up or down without adjusting pole length in uneven terrain. Weigh is just 17 ounces per pair. Length (25″-51″). Unisex. See the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork

4. Leki Makalu Anti-Shock Trekking Poles

Leki's Makalu Anti-Shock Trekking Pokes ($99) are 3 piece tapered, aluminum poles with a super-strong, twist-lock adjustment mechanism. Ergonomically shaped, natural cork grips with an articulated grip and base shelf help increase uphill propulsion when climbing, while adjustable comfort straps improve stability and security. Super durable carbide tips are standard while different size basket options allow poles to be customized for all seasons from trekking to backcountry skiing. Weight per pair is 19.9 ounces. The Leki Legacy is an updated version of this pole with lever lock adjusters. Length is 27″-57″. Unisex. See the Leki Makalu Anti-Shock

5. Black Diamond Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles ($99) feature a versatile folding design that fits easily into packs and suitcases, making them ideal for backpacking and travel. Available in four lengths when fully expanded: 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, they collapse down to 14″-17″ in length when folded up. Opening and folding them up is simple using a push button mechanism. The poles have extended EVA foam grips, with minimal mesh wrist straps. Non-marking rubber tips are standard but carbide tips are also included. Weigh per pair is 12 or 13 ounces, based on pole length. Unisex.  See the Black Diamond Distance Z-Pole

6. Leki Corklite Trekking Poles

Leki's Corklite Trekking Poles ($139) are 3-piece aluminum trekking poles with a lever style "SpeedLock" adjustment mechanism.Ergonomically shaped, natural cork grips with an articulated grip and base shelf help increase uphill propulsion when climbing, while the bulbous top facilitates breaking on downhills. Air-textured, wicking straps dry quickly while improve stability and security. Includes baskets and carbide tips. Weight per pair is 19.1 ounces. Length is 24.4″ to 53.1″. Unisex. See the Leki Corklite Trekking Poles

7. REI Traverse Power Lock Cork Trekking Poles

REI Traverse Power Lock Cork Trekking Poles ($99) are 3-piece adjustable, aluminum trekking poles with ergonomic cork grips.  Adjustable padded neoprene wrist straps are included for added support and comfort. The Traverse Poles has a lever lock style adjustment system and include trekking baskets and extra-durable tungsten carbide tips. Men's length (27″-55″) and Women's specific (length 24″-49″) poles with a smaller grip size are available. Weight per pair is 20 ounces for the Men's poles, 17 ounces for the Women's poles. See the REI Traverse Power Lock Cork 

8. Cascade Mountain Tech Cork Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Cascade Mountain Tech's Cork Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles ($44) are three-section, carbon fiber trekking poles that weigh just 15.4 ounces per pair. Priced at less than half of what Black Diamond or Leki carbon fiber poles cost, they're an exceptional value if you're looking for a flick-lock style trekking pole for hiking and backpacking. These are fully featured, durable, and adjustable trekking poles with adjustable length retainer straps, cork handles, extended grips, and titanium carbide tips. Handle-to-tip length ranges from 26″-54.5″. Snow baskets, rubber feet, and curved pavement feet are included. Unisex. See the Cascade Mountain Tech Cork Carbon Fiber 

9. Kelty Range 2.0 Trekking Poles

Kelty Range 2.0 Trekking Poles ($59) are twist-lock aluminum poles with a built-in internal shock absorption system. They have cork handles with extended EVA foam grips so you can quickly adjust you hand position without having to readjust pole the pole length when hiking up or down hills. Protective tip caps, trekking baskets, and rubber tips for concrete surfaces are included. Guaranteed for one year. Weight is 20 ounces per pair and they're available in one unisex length (27″-53″). See the Kelty Range 2.0 

10. Mountainsmith Rhyolite Trekking Poles

Mountainsmith Rhyolite Trekking Poles ($39) are a popular value option. These 3-section aluminum poles have a twist lock adjustment system and come equipped with a spring-loaded shock absorption system that can be locked on or off with a simple twisting motion. Molded EVA foam handles reduce grip fatigue and include moisture wicking straps. The poles are snow basket compatible and come with carbide tips and optional rubber feet. Weight is 20 ounces per pair Length (26″-54″). Unisex. See the Mountainsmith Rhyolite

Support SectionHiker.com. If you make a purchase after clicking on the links above, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

 

from Section Hikers Backpacking Blog http://ift.tt/2ntPv9z

5 quick and easy curly hairstyles to beat the humidity

When the humidity hits, these 5 quick and easy curly hairstyles will have you covered. You can confidently do your hair in minutes and get back to dealing with the rest of your day.

I’ve learnt how to control frizz in my curly hair but sometimes the weather just isn’t on your side.

The humidity has hit peak levels lately and my normal styling efforts are being pushed to their limits. On regular days I could wear my hair out but not in this weather.

I’ve been styling my hair wet and wearing braids constantly. I also have some super quick and easy curly hairstyles that only take a few minutes to do. These styles are perfect for when you thought you could wear your hair out but decide halfway through the day that you need an updo.

These curly hairstyles are also the ideal cover for hair that really should have been washed but you just couldn’t face it. (Tell me I’m not the only one who needs to psych themselves up to wash their hair? The struggle is real!)

Next time the humidity hits record levels, choose one of these curly hairstyles and you can ride out the day in style saying, “what humidity?” and feel smug knowing that your hair is under control.

5 quick and easy curly hairstyles to beat the humidity

The curly bun

This statement bun says I don’t care what the weather forecast is – I can handle it. Perfect for long hair, check out my curly hair bun tutorial to see my tricks for styling this in fine hair.

The 2 minute updo

This looks complicated but set your timer and you’ll see you can do this curly hairstyle in under two minutes. Don’t believe me? Try the 2 min curly updo tutorial here. You’ll make everyone think you went to so much effort when really you hit snooze on your alarm about 6 times.

The braid bun

Leave a few curls out to show that you really don’t care about the humidity but be so grateful to have all your hair off your neck. This is one of those tutorials to keep in your hair-drobe for when you change your mind. You start out thinking you can wear your hair out but realise you’ve made a mistake. This braided bun tutorial will rescue your hair and keep it out of the way. No-one will know this was your second choice hairstyle.

The curly twist

Another style that looks way more complicated than you think. This quick and easy curly twist hairstyle tutorial is a lifesaver on humid days. A little frizz makes this style look even better so you don’t have to think about it all day long. It’s held with 3 elastics as well as a couple of bobby pins so you know it’s not going to budge. You can relax knowing your hair will look the same when you get home as when you styled it first thing in the morning.

The braided top knot

This braided top knot tutorial is one of my go-to styles. It’s pretty popular as it was shared so many times on Pinterest that it was included in Pinterest’s hair trends for the year. I don’t believe in trends, but I know I will be wearing this hairstyle in my curls every summer. It’s a classic that has enough detail to make it look like you went to a lot of effort, but really it’s so quick to do.

So these are my favourite hairstyles to wear when the humidity soars, I’d love to know how do you cope in humidity? Have you got any tricks to beat the frizz?

The post 5 quick and easy curly hairstyles to beat the humidity appeared first on Hair Romance.

from Hair Romance http://ift.tt/2nsjSx5

5 quick and easy curly hairstyles to beat the humidity

When the humidity hits, these 5 quick and easy curly hairstyles will have you covered. You can confidently do your hair in minutes and get back to dealing with the rest of your day.

I've learnt how to control frizz in my curly hair but sometimes the weather just isn't on your side.

The humidity has hit peak levels lately and my normal styling efforts are being pushed to their limits. On regular days I could wear my hair out but not in this weather.

I've been styling my hair wet and wearing braids constantly. I also have some super quick and easy curly hairstyles that only take a few minutes to do. These styles are perfect for when you thought you could wear your hair out but decide halfway through the day that you need an updo.

These curly hairstyles are also the ideal cover for hair that really should have been washed but you just couldn't face it. (Tell me I'm not the only one who needs to psych themselves up to wash their hair? The struggle is real!)

Next time the humidity hits record levels, choose one of these curly hairstyles and you can ride out the day in style saying, "what humidity?" and feel smug knowing that your hair is under control.

5 quick and easy curly hairstyles to beat the humidity

The curly bun

This statement bun says I don't care what the weather forecast is – I can handle it. Perfect for long hair, check out my curly hair bun tutorial to see my tricks for styling this in fine hair.

The 2 minute updo

This looks complicated but set your timer and you'll see you can do this curly hairstyle in under two minutes. Don't believe me? Try the 2 min curly updo tutorial here. You'll make everyone think you went to so much effort when really you hit snooze on your alarm about 6 times.

The braid bun

Leave a few curls out to show that you really don't care about the humidity but be so grateful to have all your hair off your neck. This is one of those tutorials to keep in your hair-drobe for when you change your mind. You start out thinking you can wear your hair out but realise you've made a mistake. This braided bun tutorial will rescue your hair and keep it out of the way. No-one will know this was your second choice hairstyle.

The curly twist

Another style that looks way more complicated than you think. This quick and easy curly twist hairstyle tutorial is a lifesaver on humid days. A little frizz makes this style look even better so you don't have to think about it all day long. It's held with 3 elastics as well as a couple of bobby pins so you know it's not going to budge. You can relax knowing your hair will look the same when you get home as when you styled it first thing in the morning.

The braided top knot

This braided top knot tutorial is one of my go-to styles. It's pretty popular as it was shared so many times on Pinterest that it was included in Pinterest's hair trends for the year. I don't believe in trends, but I know I will be wearing this hairstyle in my curls every summer. It's a classic that has enough detail to make it look like you went to a lot of effort, but really it's so quick to do.

So these are my favourite hairstyles to wear when the humidity soars, I'd love to know how do you cope in humidity? Have you got any tricks to beat the frizz?

The post 5 quick and easy curly hairstyles to beat the humidity appeared first on Hair Romance.

from Hair Romance http://ift.tt/2nsjSx5

Gear Closet: Backpacking Stoves, Pots, and Kitchen Accessories

Here are the backpacking stoves, cooking pots, and “kitchen” accessories, including bear bags and bear canisters, that I use year-round on a regular basis (90-120 nights/year.) Many of these items are old friends that have withstood the test of time and I’ve been using for years and years. Why the variety? I backpack year-round and like to bring gear that satisfies my needs best. These needs change with the season, objectives, locales, and my companions. That said, consider these my “top” gear picks…the stuff that I recommend to friends without reservation.

Evernew Titanium Pasta Pot

I’ve been using The Evernew Titanium Pasta Pot ($69) since 2010 (when REI private labelled it) and mine is blackened by fire and a bit bashed up. Weighing 3.9 ounces, it holds 0.9 liters of water, which is perfect for making the one-pot meals I like to eat. It has a silicone-coated, fold-out handle and strainer holes in the lid (good for pasta) that help prevent boil overs. The inside has measurements scored in ounces and millilitres. I use it when I cook with Esbit or wood, which is the majority of the time. I can also fit my stove, fuel, and fire-making system inside, which is a big convenience.
See the Evernew Titanium Pasta Pot (med)

See my Evernew Titanium Pasta Pot Review

Evernew Titanium UL 1.3 Liter Pot

The Evernew Titanium 1.3 liter pot ($68) is an uncoated cook pot that I use for winter backpacking when I need to melt snow for drinking water. It weighs 4 oz and has a volume of 1.3 Liters, with a wide bottom that helps diffuse the heat of a high-powered liquid fuel stove. In addition to folding insulated handles and a pour spout, it has liquid measurements in ounces and millilitres scored in the pot interior. Very basic, lightweight, and compact.
See the Evernew Titanium 1.3 Liter Pot

See my Evernew Titanium UL Pot 1.3L Review

QiWiz Titanium Dual Burner (Esbit/Alcohol) Stove System

QiWiz, pronounced Chee-wiz, is a one-man cottage gear maker who specializes in titanium stoves and tools. I’m a big fan of his dual burner (Esbit/Alcohol) stove system ($49.50) which includes a 750 ml titanium pot (110g), a dual fuel stove (18g), titanium windscreen (15g), and stainless steel mesh pot stand (10g), although I use a different pot. I also use the titanium windscreen with other stoves, since it’s so convenient to pack in a cook pot.
See the QiWiz Dual Fuel Stove System
See my QiWiz Titanium Dual Fuel Stove System Review

QiWiz FireFly Wood Stove

The QiWiz FireFly Wood Stove ($69) is a 2.8 ounce titanium wood stove made from interlocking pieces of titanium that fold flat when not in use, making it convenient to carry in a backpack. It has an integrated pot stand and mesh floor, as well as a side port that lets you feed in larger pieces of wood to keep it going. You can also purchase a very thin titanium ground guard to place under the stove to avoid scorching the ground. The Firefly is a great little stove that burns very efficiently and adds to one’s camping ambiance. You can also use it as a pot stand/wind shield for an alcohol or Esbit stove when it rains.
See the QiWiz Firefly Stove

See my QiWiz Firefly Wood Stove Review

Kovea Spider Remote Canister Stove

The Kovea Spider ($52) is a 6.0 ounce, remote canister stove that can be used with a windscreen to boost fuel efficiency since the burner is not located next to the canister. It also folds up small and can be stored inside a 1 liter pot for individual use. The Spider is special because it can burn the fuel inside a canister in its liquid form down to about 0 degrees fahrenheit (by turning the canister upside down), giving you a 10-15 degree advantage over regular canister stoves that can only burn isobutane in its vapor form.
See the Kovea Spider Stove

See my Kovea Spider Remote Canister Stove Review. 

MSR Whisperlite Liquid Fuel Stove

The MSR Whisperlite ($89) is my deep winter camping stove, the one I use when I have to melt large quantities of snow to make drinking water and need to use a high power fuel like white gas. The Whisperlite includes the burner, which has an integrated primer cup, pot stand, fuel line, and a plastic fuel pump. MSR fuel bottles are available in a variety of sizes and sold separately. The 11.4 ounce Whisperlite is a very reliable stove and one that you can clean or repair by yourself. It takes a little practice to prime and ignite without burning your eyelashes off, but I wouldn’t winter camp without it.
See the MSR Whisperlite Stove

See my MSR Whisperlite Stove Review

MSR Whisperlite Fuel Bottle

I use a 20 ounce MSR fuel bottle ($19) that weighs 6.3 ounces empty with my Whisperlite stove. You can also purchase 11 and 30 ounce bottles. While MSR bottles are compatible across MSR liquid fuel stoves, I don’t know of any other non-MSR stoves that you can use them with. The MSR bottles have a locking cap to prevent fuel spills. I’ve wrapped my bottle with duct tape to help prevent a cold injury when touching it. The temperature of liquid fuel can drop below freezing and cause frostbite.
See the MSR Whisperlite Fuel Bottle

Folding Wind Screen

I use a cheapo folding windscreen ($8) with my Whisperlite – they’re easily obtainable on Amazon. It weighs 4 oz and is just the right height and length to wrap completely around the pot. It also fits inside the 1.3L Evernew Pot I use in winter, together with my Whisperlite Stove and fuel pump, so they take up less space in my pack.
See the Cheapo Folding Wind Screem

See my Compact Folding Windscreen Review

Light My Fire – Fire Steel

The Light My Fire sparking fire steel ($13.95) is a stove and fire ignition source that always works and that I never have to resupply it after a trip. Matches get wet. Butane lighters jam or run out of fuel, but a fire steel always throws sparks. Light My Fire has two models and I use the chunkier one designed for military use because it’s more durable and rated for 12,000 uses. I carry vaseline covered cotton balls as a firestarter for lighting Esbit cubes or my wood stove.
See the Light My Fire Fire Steel Army

GSI Outdoors Table Spoon

I use a big GSI Outdoors Table Spoon ($0.75)to eat all of my backpacking meals because it’s hard to misplace. It weighs 0.8 oz and is heat-proof and BPA-free, of course. It also costs less than a buck at REI and is probably the least expensive thing in the store!
See the GSI Outdoors Table Spoon

OPSAK Odor Barrier Bags

The manufacturer claims that OPSAK plastic bags are odor-proof ($10.50/2). While I can’t verify that scientifically, I’ve been using these bags for the past 10 years to hold all my food and line my bear bag or bear canister with. At 1.3 ounces each, these big ziploc bags are quite durable and help prevent a mess when one of my food bags rips open or a bar of chocolate melts.
See the Plastic Odor Barrier Bags

Ursack Bear-Proof Bag

I own two Ursacks ($79), which are lightweight (7.7 ounce), soft-sided, bear-proof bear bags made with Spectra fabric. I’ve been using them since 2008 to store my food overnight on backpacking trips and they’re infinitely easier to use than hanging a bear bag overhead in a tree. I can fit 5-7 days of food into one. They passed the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) test and were placed on its bear-resistant products list on July 31, 2014, but some national parks still prohibit their use. That’s not a problem in New England where I do most of my hiking and I know quite a few other hikers who use them. I’ve been evangelizing their use for close to a decade, since most backpackers have difficulty hanging regular bear bags well.  I was thrilled when REI started selling them.
See the Ursack Bear-Proof Bag

See my Ursack Bear Bag Review

Bare Boxer Contender Bear Canister

The Bare Boxer ($59) is a small 2-3 day hard-sided bear canister good for short trips where a bear canister is required. It has three locks in the lid and weighs 26.3 ounces. I only use it for short trips when I head into bear country, where a canister is required. It’s the lightest weight hard bear canister available, perfect for a long weekend.
See the Bear Boxer Contender

See my Bear Boxer Content Bear Canister Review

Garcia Backpacker’s Cache Bear Canister

The Garcia Backpacker’s Cache Bear Canister ($74) is my larger bear canister. It weighs 43.5 ounces and can fit a week’s worth of food and smellables. It’s not the lightest large bear canister available, but the Adirondack bears haven’t figured out how to open this bear canister out yet, which is where I use mine. It makes a pretty good camp seat too!
See the Garcia Backpacker’s Cache

That’s the extent of my backpacking stoves, pots, kitchen accessories and bear protection gear. Let me know if you have any questions. I’m happy to help.

from Section Hikers Backpacking Blog http://ift.tt/2obzt4c