My job and hobbies have me outdoors a lot, and the key components for me have to be my boots and my backpack. I recently got new boots for work, and I’ve had the same trusty backpack for a couple of years. What kind of gear do you all use that you absolutely can’t live without? Think this can be the thread to brag on the stuff you like best.
My Boots are the Timberland Pit Boss steel toe. I haven’t come accross a more comfortable and supportive boot in a long time, and since I’ve had them, they stood up to every task and still allowed good mobility even with the steel toes.
Even while I was in the Military I didn’t have a pack that helped me stay this organized. That and the rubberized zippers make this a great pack for me. Comfortable and it holds my lifting gear, douche kit type stuff, and when I hike or camp it holds up to absue. Mine isn’t this color though, it’s grey and sort of steel blue.
functioning raingear. Pants and shell, because if it rains, you really don’t care because you stay mostly dry. Nothing is funner than getting fall down drunk in the rain when there is nothing else to do.
Headlamp. Nice one, w/ extra batteries. Priceless for night fishing and whatever else you can think of.
Bug Gear and DEET, depending on where you are. Clouds of mosquitos, black flies, and other demon spawn, can ruin the enjoyment. Cap, head net, socks, and long sleeves w/ pants to the job alright.
For fisherman some essentials:
Heavy Duty Pliers w/ Hook Cutters. I’ve seen one buddy get hooked to flipping walleye, nice fish too and the only one we’ve pulled out of the French River, and his little brother get hooked to a tackle box. Almost had to cut them out, but luckily I had these.
…Those are the essentials I can think of right now.
I did a wilderness program a few summers back, we learned primitive skills, and since then one thing I never go out without is a lighter or matches, because bowdrilling or striking a fire is tough stuff.
Connor: [picking out weapons and gear] Do ya know what we need, man? Some rope.
Murphy: Absolutely. What are ya, insane?
Connor: No I ain’t. Charlie Bronson’s always got rope.
Murphy: What?
Connor: Yeah. He’s got a lot of rope strapped around him in the movies, and they always end up using it.
Murphy: You’ve lost it, haven’t ya?
Connor: No, I’m serious.
Murphy: Me too. That’s stupid. Name one thing you gonna need a rope for.
Connor: You don’t fuckin’ know what you’re gonna need it for. They just always need it.
Rope.
I carry it everywhere. Infinitely useful, from keeping stuff tied down to building a shelter to lighting a fire.
I made a killing about 6 months ago at REI’s garage sale. That’s where they sell off the returned items that can’t go back on the shelf. $150 pair of Vasque boots for $35. A therma rest that just needed a patch for $5. A bunch of other general camp gear.
[quote]Bujo wrote:
Connor: [picking out weapons and gear] Do ya know what we need, man? Some rope.
Murphy: Absolutely. What are ya, insane?
Connor: No I ain’t. Charlie Bronson’s always got rope.
Murphy: What?
Connor: Yeah. He’s got a lot of rope strapped around him in the movies, and they always end up using it.
Murphy: You’ve lost it, haven’t ya?
Connor: No, I’m serious.
Murphy: Me too. That’s stupid. Name one thing you gonna need a rope for.
Connor: You don’t fuckin’ know what you’re gonna need it for. They just always need it.
Rope.
I carry it everywhere. Infinitely useful, from keeping stuff tied down to building a shelter to lighting a fire.
I made a killing about 6 months ago at REI’s garage sale. That’s where they sell off the returned items that can’t go back on the shelf. $150 pair of Vasque boots for $35. A therma rest that just needed a patch for $5. A bunch of other general camp gear. [/quote]
+1 on rope (and movie quote)
and I’m jealous of your impressive discounted haul.
For nasty terrain I like the Carolina logging boots. I’ve used them for years in some of the nastiest mud sucky terrain and situations.
You can also spend hours on end in them in good conditions- steep and rocky hiking/climbing and whatnot. Great treads that clear well.
That sheathed cordage is always a plus too, but for rigging up over branches and forks, I like the braided nylon used for arbor work as a leader line with a shot bag.
A good flint is a must , as is a decent knife , and I will also through in a vote for rope . However the gear whore side of me says MSR pocket rocket stove , Leki treking poles , and a ceramic element h2o filter are high up there on my list .
It is a good thing I work at an outfitter so I can afford to be a gear whore otherwise I would be reeeal broke between my hiking/ powerlifting hobbies.
I have a real hard time leaving gear behind. On long trips I have to though, no GPS, no water filter (in the mountains, coast needs filter) no tarp. But I always have a good down sleeping bag and a watertight stuffsack to carry it in. It is without a doubt my favourite item.
I have 6 pairs of hiking boots so no favourite there (you know, some goretex/waterproof, some lighter more like approach shoes, some mountaineering with full shank…etc)
[quote]NATOR wrote:
A good flint is a must , as is a decent knife , and I will also through in a vote for rope . However the gear whore side of me says MSR pocket rocket stove , Leki treking poles , and a ceramic element h2o filter are high up there on my list .
It is a good thing I work at an outfitter so I can afford to be a gear whore otherwise I would be reeeal broke between my hiking/ powerlifting hobbies.[/quote]
Any chance you work for an outfitter near Lafayette?
(you know, some goretex/waterproof, some lighter more like approach shoes, some mountaineering with full shank…etc)