Silvia's Gear Review: 2011 ...

I have always thought it would be awesomely amazing to write up Product Reviews, particularly about bikes, but hiking is my job, so backpacking gear reviewer?  I may have better writing samples than this one available... anyone?  I am the perfect candidate to product test.  I take care of my things, but I manage to break things anyhow. Thus, the perfect person to test gear. 

This gear I actually haven't field tested yet, for reasons and circumstances I care not to discuss. I have spent a lot of time making sure that all the parts are included, and have set them up in the yard.

Here we go!


1.  Northface 2-3 person Pup-tent.
Poles: Really big aluminum poles maybe 2 feet long each section.
Material: Something not sil-nylon
Manufactured: USA
Weight: 6 pounds easy

Thoughts: Wow, this tent must be waterproof! But it is just starting to rain here.  My main concern is that it won't fit in my pack. I haul so much anyway that the weight of this tent is no concern.  I mean, seriously, when was the last time you bought a tent (other than the ones people make for thru-hikers) that was Made In the USA.  I should send this tent to Melissa in AZ. Will it solve her Made In The USA dilemma?

But oh wait! I don't need to worry about it fitting in my own backpack.

2. Camp Trails External Frame Adjustable Backpacks (disregard the Mt. Smith packs on the left)

 Material: Heavy duty nylon packcloth
Weight: 3.5 lb

Thoughts:
I can use a cotter-pin to adjust the shoulder straps! And I can pack a ton of tools and ginormous things to the outside.  It has big roomy pockets for my 4 pound radio.  Negative: no where for my water bladder, just water bottles.  The hip belt sure is comfy.

3. Headlamp and Fire Shelter
It was standard to have to carry a fire shelter, but  maybe this one is a little outdated.
And what kind of batteries do I have to carry for this headlamp? Whoa!

Summary:
Good Gear Lasts a long time, as you keep the mice out... and obviously this isn't a real review at all. I was asked to go through the gear my district has. These were some of the star finds.

Seriously, these packs are a critical part of backpacking and gear design! At one point in backpacking evolution there were 6 packs. Now you go into a store and you can't avoid talking to someone about packs. There's different torso lengths, different pockets, ones with tons of padding, ones for UL (oh sorry, ultralight), kids packs. Craziness.

 The headlamp and fires shelter were just little bonuses in my chore of purging the gear storage for work. The packs are tried and true for hauling a lot of gear, but if someone can tell me when North Face last made tents in the USA I'll be elated.  North Face (sorry guys) of all companies with roots in lovely California, actually had tents made in the USA at some point.  If they made their first tent in 1974 or 1975 (they did), and it was a Geodosic tent, meaning it was a geometric dome shape. Bob Howe, is an amazing tent designer. It inspires me to go back to school for design instead of Recreation Administration.

Either way, it was quite fun to see a little part of Backpacking History.

First person to tell me the model and year of this tent, gets something awesome, yet small mailed to them!  If I get the answer first, then you'll just have to pat yourself on the back.

Awesome History of Gear Webite
The History of Gear Project .  I would put in a quote from it, but just read it for yourself.  Especially the section, "Why Does Anyone Care About Old Gear?".