Equipment Recommendations

[CapXK]

The best stoves that we've used have been the MSR Whisperlites. They're great as long as you don't need to simmer anything - their two modes are blowtorch and off. Use a diffusor plate for anything more than a simple "bring to a boil and serve" meal. If you buy an MSR - pony up the extra $10 or so and get the "International" version. This will allow you to use anything from white gas to gasoline to kerosene to even jet fuel. That usually isn't a concern, BUT, the fuel pumps on the "International" versions have a filter cone on the pump intake tube that help take care of any debris that can contaminate the fuel bottle. I've found that Scouts have a difficult time keeping sand and grit out of their fuel bottles. Always buy a repair kit that includes spare gaskets, fuel jets and other little parts. Its a good idea to tear your stove apart and rebuild it a few times at home before you go on an outing. There is nothing like trying to repair a stove for the first time with cold hands, darkness approaching, and a group of hungry campers waiting for supper.

The best stove accessory I've found has been the Outback Oven. A nifty tent of Nomex fabric and a teflon skillet w/lid and thermometer that turns your one burner stove into an oven. There is nothing better than being in the backcountry and enjoying fresh baked cinnamon rolls or a cake or pizza. The Outback Oven is more expensive than a Bakepacker but it will allow you to get a browned, crispy crust on your baked goods. Cost is $40+, I've found some great deals on this sort of thing on eBay.

[wagionvigil]

Propane,Butane,Gasoline. which stove is better and Why?

[diamondbackAPL]

this is just a guess, but I say propane. Why? because it's the only kind I've used, and I've heard it's the safest.

[CapXK]

It all depends on what you are comfortable with and what the circumstances of the trip are. For short-term camping/backpacking there is nothing wrong with propane and butane. They are certainly the easiest stoves to use and, in many ways the safest. However, a properly used liquid fuel stove will deliver more energy for a given amount of weight than compressed gas. White gas (Coleman fuel) can be found at almost any backwoods gas station or general store - not always the case with propane fuel canisters. Many gasoline stoves come with parts that will allow to to use regular gasoline, kerosene, even diesel or jet fuel if white gas is unavailable (make sure you read the directions first!). Gasoline stoves require more attention to detail - inspecting fuel lines, pump seals, etc. for leaks than canister stoves. Also, priming the stoves can take a bit of getting used to. You definitely want to practice before your campout. For long duration hiking I like to use a Zipstove which uses small pieces of wood (twigs, bark, etc.) and a small, battery-powered fan to get a nice, hot flame - that way you don't have to carry fuel for the entire trek. You can't use it if there is a fire ban though.

[Eamonn]

Went to the mail box yesterday and found a pack of catalogs from Cascade. There was the new Thermarest,MSR and Platypus catalogs.
I do own a good Thermarest pad and with my back would not go without it. I did own a platypus pack, but never liked it and gave it to OJ.
Along with some really old Primus stoves, a couple of coleman stoves I have a new MSR Dragonfly.
I also have a few different types of stoves that use canister fuel that burn butane. These are great for younger Lads on shorter hikes.
At times I think some of us are guilty of becoming Equipment Snobs!!
Sure the MSR Wind 4 is a super tent but at $749.95 it ought to be. A titanium mini cook set is nice, but at $89.95 (Add $69.95 for the 2liter pot and $12.95 for the lifter). When we look at equipment like this and prices this high, we are not looking at equipment that most units or most Scouts are going to buy.
I know that come what may I'm going to be fine and dandy, cozy and warm in my $220.00 sleeping bag inside of my $235.00 tent. But making sure that the little fellow who has just joined the Troop is just if not more important.
ALPS Mountaineering seem to offer a nice line of well priced camping equipment and when they have their Salesman Samples on sale you can really get a good deal.
I was up at the OA weekend where some of the car campers were moaning and groaning about a Camporee where they would have to pack everything in. Sad to say Car camping is now the norm. Not because our Scouts don't want to hike and camp, but because the leaders never teach them how to do it.

[deweylure]

I just purchased a tent from alps mountaineering features are great
number 10 zipper, 2 doors ,price is right 179 reg price scout price 104. I even boughjt the factory floor saver. The total was 134.00 I can not wait to try it out.

Deweylure

[pipestone1991]

Swissgear stuff is new, cheap, and nice.

[616kayak]

how durrable is the swiss gear? do they have ultralight equiptment?

[pipestone1991]

how durrable is the swiss gear? do they have ultralight equiptment?

Yeah, my bag's so light I'm takin' it to Philmont with me.....oh yeah, kayack you're in the JROTC?

[616kayak]

Yes I am. Former platoon Sgt ,currently a tech, and awaiting info on whether or not I will be a company XO.

[pipestone1991]

Yes I am. Former platoon Sgt ,currently a tech, and awaiting info on whether or not I will be a company XO.

If I can find a program I want to do it.

[616kayak]

kind of hijacking the post but...

JROTC is a high school class. Teams are extra and practice after school.

[scubascout]

Does anybody know anything about jetboil and hiker pro (water purifier)?

[hacimsaalk]

Does anybody know anything about jetboil and hiker pro (water purifier)?

jetboil- if you are talking about the stove/coffe cup type thing, yes i do. i have seen thru-hikers use them on the AT. seemed to work well.

hiker pro-not sure if it is made by Katahdin, but if so, it is first rate. that is what we have used all 3 yrs on the trail. hasnt failed us yet.

[ScoutingStokes]

To use sgtfrey's format.....(hope he doesn't mind )

I have a CampinGaz stove and lantern, that both work off the same small bottle. My family of 4 recently took it out for a weekend camp/hike. We used the same bottle of fuel all weekend for all of us, and still didn't kill it.
Durability 4 - although I haven't had it that long, I admit - but it does seem very well made

Fuels able to use - only CampinGaz (one of its drawbacks)

Recommend for Scouts - yes, my 13 and 10 yr olds did fine w/ it, w/ supervision of course - both were easy to light and turn up or down

Conditions used in - slightly wet and windy, avg day temp of 80, night/morning temp of 65

3 Positive comments - 1. stove & lantern are lightweight 2. ranges from simmer to boil, & quickly 3. lantern puts out MUCH light (but can be turned to low glow)

3 negative comments - 1. only CampinGaz fuel 2. full canister weighs more than stove and lantern combined 3. can't think of a third

We used a small tri-folded piece of cardboard covered in heavy duty aluminum foil for a cheap, light windscreen - worked great! We took new groundcloths this trip, too, made from Tyvek housewrap. It's woven, so it resists tearing, but is MUCH lighter weight than our old tarp type groundcloths, plus was cut to the exact footprint of our tents.

[alex gregory]

scubascout wrote:
Does anybody know anything about jetboil and hiker pro (water purifier)?

The more standard Katadyn Hiker has worked great for me for years; I've had it since it was manufactured by PUR. I have yet to get the runs on the trail, which is the point I guess. All major outfitters sell it, which means you can get replacement filters almost anywhere. If you have a hydration pack (I like Camelback) get the adapter so you can pump straight into your hydration pack. What I don't like about the Hiker Pro is that the smaller filters do not seem as easy to find, the double hose system is just stupid (apparently you cannot pump direct to your hydration pack), and people tell me the small filter clogs up faster than the standard size. Check out the customer reviews at REI.com and EMS.com.

The jet boil is pretty cool, but not cheap ($89.95 @ REI). A buddy has it, and was able to whip up a cup of coffee on a snowshoeing trek in about 5 minutes from his pack to my cup. The integrated kettle, fuel and stove seems a little cumbersome to me. For the money, I'm sticking to my MSR Pocket Rocket ($39.95 @ REI).

[kwildman]

A great addition to the pocket rocket is the GSI - Soloist or Dualist cook kit. VERY slick cooking system and light!