gear changes for '14

[fillthefreezer]

so i liked the thread armyjoe started highlighting what worked well for you, but what about the stuff that didnt. what failed or just didnt work out like youd hoped. what are you planning to replace it with and why?

 

[fillthefreezer]

for me im still on the hunt for the perfect short gaiter. started the year with the OR flextex, but my axles are too skinny. so then i used the OR endurance all year and they worked well, but im still looking. im about ready to buy a croc or kuiu and have it modified to 8".
vortex ss tripod- just never could get used to the legs, bought a slik 634cf. they are not even in the same league.
sitka ascent shorts- finally gave up after quite a few seasons of good use. will likely replace them with some kryptek valhalla shorts.
OR stocking hat, is just a little too tight on my ears too sleep well in, will likely be looking to change that out with something else...

 

[Heather Stomper]

I am not at all happy with the durability of my Kenetrek Mountain Extremes.
The boots are about five years old. Year two they required resoling.
This year on our trip into the North Cascades the heel stitching blew out on the right boot. On the left boot the padded heel gusset blew out. Kenetrek offered to overnight a new pair for jus the full retail price. They reviewed the pics I provided and said they could not be repaired.
I sent them to Dave Page and one week later headed out on the high hunt.
On return the sole had begun to separate at the toe on the right boot. I filled it with shoe goo and got thru a day hunt for deer in the foothills around home.
Now the entire left side of the right boot has come unstitched where the leather on the bottom meets the padded area on top. My wife who is a professional seamstress fashioned a leather patch and we used some glue that she uses when making chaps to stick them back together. Hopefully they will not disintegrate while elk hunting next week. I will be going back to a La Sportiva mountaineering boot next year. About half the cost and I can expect 10+ years of heavy use in the mountains.
That said, the Kenetreks were extremely comfortable and the soles were awesome.

 

[boom]

owned my bow since 2010..still on the fence on how i feel about it. i dont LOVE it. i shoot if perfectly fine, but it is a tad uncomfy for me..feels long in DL, jumpy cam, etc..

i have got to get rid of my synthetic base layer bottoms..and underwear. for everyone's benefit.

 

[InDeep]

New pack is always on my list.. I'm switching over to down jacket to save soem good wieght . Also looking at shaving some wieght in my bivy!

 

[Manosteel]

moving away from mummy sleepping bag - I move way to much and feel like a bear burrito when I sleep at night. Going with the quilt/pad/bivy for next year. Still on the look out for the perfect light mountain pants. The first gen kryteck (Alaois?) were a huge disappointment. The new pants are supposed to be way better.

Lost my treking poles so going to replace them with ultra light carbon ones.

 

[Carlin59]

I'm starting the '14 gear change this weekend. I have been running a Cabela's Alaskan Outfitter Frame with an assortment of daypack and drybags lashed on for three years, and decided something different for next year was a must. Amazon had the Horn Hunter Full Curl System on sale for $160 (~$330 retail) after archery and 1st Rifle Elk, and I couldn't resist getting one to try for deer hunting. It was great for day hunts last weekend; this will be the first overnight load-up. I'm hoping this will be a good value and fit the bill for a few more years while saving up for a top-end pack.

 

[pyroducksx3]

I'm thinking if switching from the sawyer gravity system to a katadyn pro hiker pump filter. The sawyer works well enough but when I can only find shallow creeks its a pain to fill the bigzip 10 times to get a liter of water

 

[colonel00]

At the top of my list is a new pack, most likely a BHC7000. Also planning on getting setup with a Sawyer filter (pyroducksx3 PM me if you want to unload your's) so I can have a dirty bag and filter not only for me but for others in the group. The other major upgrade will be in optics. I am leaning towards a Vortex Viper HD 10x42

 

[luke moffat]

Likely going from a Leica 1200 CRF to a 1600B if Santa has deemed I have been good enough this year

The rest 'eh probably going to be the same.

 

[pyroducksx3]

I need a new rangefinder as well. I have the lieca 1200 also but would like a more consistent ability to range farther. I'm looking at the 1600B as well but thinking of making a completely irresponsible decision and getting a pair of swaro el range binos

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Changing camo from kuiu to Kryptek for 2014 hoping for a new lighter more compact tripod. If I can sell my current 10x50's and 15x56's I'll get one pair of 12x50's.

Probably pick up a sawtooth and an oval stove late next year for late season hunts.

At least that's the plan for now........

 

[HellsCanyon]

Likely going from a Leica 1200 CRF to a 1600B if Santa has deemed I have been good enough this year

The rest 'eh probably going to be the same.

Pshh you don't shoot over 500 anyways!

Mike

 

[trdhunter]

Im in the market for new pack, most likely BT2. Probably try floorless shelter next year. More merino and sleep pad. Sure there will be more, but that's all for now. .

 

[Rucker61]

I bought an awful lot of new gear this year. There's always a wish list, but the short list is:

Salomon Quest boots for early season
Mountainsmith Haze 50 pack for day hunts
Longer stovepipe to fit the Luna 5
If the Carbon Knight drops to $549 bare bow, a new bow.
And maybe a Savage in .280AI

 

[Bmcox86]

New rifle in 300wm, vortex scope and shooting sticks is what I need the most, maybe a spotting scope.

 

[jmez]

Upgrading my pack, ordered a new one today. Timberline 1. Pretty hard to pass up with the sale.

Will also upgrade my tent and bag this year as well. Both that I have work ok but want to lighten up a bit. Going to get a Big Agnes Scout for tent and haven't decided on a bag yet. Probably a Marmot Plamsa, Western Mountaineering or Z packs are at the top of the list right now. Western Mountaineering ultralite bag, long/wide sold tonight on ebay, NWT for $350. I forgot about it or would probably own that right now.

 

[kaboku68]

Likely going from a Leica 1200 CRF to a 1600B if Santa has deemed I have been good enough this year

The rest 'eh probably going to be the same.

I thought you guys were getting more party boats(PR49s).

 

[TEmbry]

I got the C4E Torrent Rainsuit, game plan gear bow sling, Vortex Viper HD 10x42 binos, and I plan to add a Kuiu bino harness and a neo air xtherm pad among a few other small things to round out the haul for next year.

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

My Eureka Solitaire worked fine. It doesn't weigh a lot, it goes up fast enough, it has room for my boots at night and all of my extra clothes. BUT I'd really like to be able to sit up while I put on my pants and socks. And a little more room for my pack and bow would be nice. I don't want to add weight so I'm looking at floorless shelters. I think the Mountainsmith Mountain Shelter LT is going to be the one. I wish it was not bright yellow.