trophyhill
WKR
Feel free to chime in. What worked well for you and what will you be replacing? The longer I stay in the game, the more I’m upgrading what hasn’t met my expectations, or I feel could be better, or always looking for better.
I had several upgrades this year that worked great! First I am not an ounce counter. I know what I need so whatever it weighs, it weighs.
I made a couple changes. I purchased the MSR Windburner and have retired my Pocket Rocket. Very pleased with the performance in wind, rain and a little snow. High elevation 28 oz boil time was more than adequate and faster than the Pocket Rocket. Definitely recommend.
I originally started out with the Xped UL7 sleeping pad 10 years ago. The yellow one. It expanded and popped a baffle during a summer fishing trip when left in the car inflated in the NM heat 4 or 5 years later. Totally my fault. The next few years I tried a couple Sea to Summit models. Both had issues. I am a cold sleeper and am willing to pay the weight penalty for the Xped 9. I filled it and forgot it. It never lost air, and made a big difference keeping warm. If you don’t mind a little more weight? I highly recommend.
and my next upgrade is sleep related also. I bought the zero degree Kifaru Slick Bag. No more Marmot bag for me. It was a 15 degree bag but I would be cold in 25-30 degree nights. Temps this year ranged in low to mid 30’s and I never got cold once.
Again a small weight penalty but when we are talking sleep, I want to be well rested. Especially on extended hunts at high elevation.
boots. I bought a pair Meindl Comfort Fit Hunters since last elk season. Used them last January in AZ which was a good test for spot n stalk style deer hunting in lower but rocky dry terrain. They got an A for that hunt but the true test wouldn’t come until this past elk hunt. Deadfall, water, cold mornings, and steep! At first I was apprehensive because several years ago the website stated something like “order the same size as previous Meindl models if you’ve owned Meindl boots before”. Now on the website it says to go half size smaller than what your foot measures. I ordered the same size 10D that my previous Meindl’s were and the boots performed flawlessly! I just wish they had a little more insulation. My feet were cold the last couple mornings unless I was moving. But that only lasted for a short time until it got to 40 and above as the temps climbed. I give the boot an A. If the boot had another 200 gr of thinsulate or equivalent, I’d give them an A+.
I will unfortunately be replacing my tent for next year. I currently use the Big Agnes Copper Spur. I got it used several years back and it’s been a good tent. However several holes have developed near the zippers on either side and a trekking pole went thru the rain fly several years ago that I had patched. There’s no effective patching I can do on the holes in the mesh. However even slightly damaged, it has never leaked. I like the tent so much, I may buy another Copper Spur UL2. It has the room I need for me and my stuff in the backcountry.
I had several upgrades this year that worked great! First I am not an ounce counter. I know what I need so whatever it weighs, it weighs.
I made a couple changes. I purchased the MSR Windburner and have retired my Pocket Rocket. Very pleased with the performance in wind, rain and a little snow. High elevation 28 oz boil time was more than adequate and faster than the Pocket Rocket. Definitely recommend.
I originally started out with the Xped UL7 sleeping pad 10 years ago. The yellow one. It expanded and popped a baffle during a summer fishing trip when left in the car inflated in the NM heat 4 or 5 years later. Totally my fault. The next few years I tried a couple Sea to Summit models. Both had issues. I am a cold sleeper and am willing to pay the weight penalty for the Xped 9. I filled it and forgot it. It never lost air, and made a big difference keeping warm. If you don’t mind a little more weight? I highly recommend.
and my next upgrade is sleep related also. I bought the zero degree Kifaru Slick Bag. No more Marmot bag for me. It was a 15 degree bag but I would be cold in 25-30 degree nights. Temps this year ranged in low to mid 30’s and I never got cold once.
Again a small weight penalty but when we are talking sleep, I want to be well rested. Especially on extended hunts at high elevation.
boots. I bought a pair Meindl Comfort Fit Hunters since last elk season. Used them last January in AZ which was a good test for spot n stalk style deer hunting in lower but rocky dry terrain. They got an A for that hunt but the true test wouldn’t come until this past elk hunt. Deadfall, water, cold mornings, and steep! At first I was apprehensive because several years ago the website stated something like “order the same size as previous Meindl models if you’ve owned Meindl boots before”. Now on the website it says to go half size smaller than what your foot measures. I ordered the same size 10D that my previous Meindl’s were and the boots performed flawlessly! I just wish they had a little more insulation. My feet were cold the last couple mornings unless I was moving. But that only lasted for a short time until it got to 40 and above as the temps climbed. I give the boot an A. If the boot had another 200 gr of thinsulate or equivalent, I’d give them an A+.
I will unfortunately be replacing my tent for next year. I currently use the Big Agnes Copper Spur. I got it used several years back and it’s been a good tent. However several holes have developed near the zippers on either side and a trekking pole went thru the rain fly several years ago that I had patched. There’s no effective patching I can do on the holes in the mesh. However even slightly damaged, it has never leaked. I like the tent so much, I may buy another Copper Spur UL2. It has the room I need for me and my stuff in the backcountry.
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