5 ways to compare Backpacking supplies?
April 1st, 2010
A reader asked..
I need to know 5 ways to compare 2 seperate items from the following for a research project i am doing
Camp Stoves
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Foul Weather Gear
Backpacks
Boots
High Tech Gear
Any help with these would be greatly appreciated.
(Scroll down to read responses).
Tags: backpacking, compare, Supplies, Ways
April 1st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Have a peek at http://mungobah.blogspot.com/2008/09/okay-final-list-for-my-solo-trip-into.html
This is my list of my backpacking solo canoe trip supplies I used recently.
Hope that helps.
April 1st, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Stoves: I always measure my BTUs vs. weight. But depending on what you want to do with the stove determines what I take. If I’m just boiling water I’ll use an alcohol stove. If I want to simmer I’ll take my JetBoil. Long term use I’ll take White Gas or Alcohol vs canned fuel.
Tents: Weight. Is it just me? Then I take the bivy. Is it winter? I’ll take a tent. Is it Black Fly season? I’ll take the tent with more mesh. Do I need a full vestibule? Can I get by on just a tarp?
Sleeping Bags: What is the weather going to be like? How bulky is the sleeping bag? Weight? Is it going to be warm enough to get by with just a zip-up fleece blanket or a hostel bag? I don’t use down…ever. It’s just a pain to properly maintain and uselss when wet.
Foul Weather Gear: Gore-Tex vs. other types. Is my jacket long enough to cover the bottom of my shorts and thus avoid me having to take rain pants? How packable is the rain gear? Am I taking my gaiters? What kind of mid-layer do I want? Fleece or Primaloft? Do I need this mid-layer? Do I use a hood? Do I want a large brimmed hat? Is the hat waterproof? Do I need gloves?
Backpacks: How much do I have to carry? How much does the pack weigh? How well does this pack fit? Do I want this on me for eight hours a day? Am I gonna use a hydro system? How prone is the pack to needing repairs? Can I make them in the field?
Boots: Weight. Waterproofness. Durability, Support. Fit. Comfort.
Tech Gear: What are the chances I’m going to use it often? Does it need batteries? Is it going to break? Do I still need to take something low-tech as a back-up? Weight. Multi-functionality?
April 1st, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I’m not sure I understood your question correctly but do you want to compare 2 of the same equipment type (2 stoves for example) and not 2 different types (say, stove against tent?). Ill answer as if 2 of the same thing
Camp stoves:-
1. Weight
2. Heat output (generally time to boil a litre of water)
3. Burn time from a full fuel load
4. Fuel Cost
5. Ease of buying food…
Plus things like its stability, ease of use, safety etc..
Tents:-
1. Weight
2. Ease of Pitching / Striking
3. No. of people who can sleep in it
4. Storage areas
5. Materials (example, pole materials, fabric waterproofing level, groundsheet etc)….
Sleeping Bags:-
1. Rating (seasons or comfort rating)
2. Weight
3. Fill material (synthetic / Down)
4. Style (Mummy shaped, square, full length zip, hood etc)
5. Price
Foul Weather Gear
1. Style (poncho, zip up waterproof, etc)
2. Material (if its breatheable or not)
3. Colour
4. Cost
5. Warmth
Backpacks
1. Size (no of Litres)
2. Pockets (side pockets, no pockets)
3. Adjustable size (if it fits your back)
4. Does it have waist straps / chest straps
5. Versitility (say Ice axe loops, hydration pack hose hole etc)…
Boots
1. Size
2. Materials used
3. Tread pattern
4. If it can accept certain gaiters / Crampons
5. Weight
High tech Gear
Not sure what you mean here but maybe..
1. Robustness
2. Does what it says it does
Can’t think of others – like i said not sure what you meant