[The Horrible Esthete]

I figure there are. I've got a couple questions about gear, looking to solicit some opinions.

- What water filtration method do you use? I had been researching this like crazy of late, and my head was spinning from all the conflicting product reviews and lack of concensus amongst experienced users. I just ordered the MSR Sweetwater, mostly because I found it on-sale for $63 US + free shipping. Good or bad move? I almost got a SteriPEN, but any method which relies upon an UV glass bulb, battery, and electronics in the backwoods just seems a tad bit too impractical to me.

- Do you carry a sleeping pad? I have been carrying a Ridgerest for years, and while a foam pad like that is great for colder ground, I want to an inflatable for 3-season comfort and compressiblity. The new ThermaRest Neo-Air is getting rave reviews in the backpacking community, but no way am I paying $150 US for a pad. Many seem to like the TR Prolite, but I've heard quite a few say that the Big Agnes Insulated Air-Core is more comfortable than the Prolite (for a lower price). Thoughts?

Any other brands or models of gear that you swear by and cannot imagine being without on the trail? I have a very nice Marmot Cross-Terra pack and absolutely love it (it changed my whole perspective of 'backpacking'), and I have nothing but good things to say about the Marmot brand itself.

Let's hear your opinions!

[sullivand]

Not sure I qualify as "serious," but here's what I gleanded from a few years of living in Colorado and Montana...

1. Water filter. Keep it simple, as you already noted about batteries/electronics in the backcountry. I carry (carried) a PUR (now Katdyn) HIker: Always liked the bottle adapter so I could pump direct to my water bottle. I hiked with friends who had the MSR equivalent, and it worked fine. The Sweetwater looks great. As long as you're collecting it from moving water, any filter is going to do fine.

2. Sleeping pad. Had the same basic Thermarest since 1993. Wish it was full-body length instead of 3/4, and wish it had that anti-slip stuf on its surface (why did I always set up my tent on hills?). The NeoAir looks spiffy, but (1) All that internal technology is great, but it's still just a layer of air between you and the cold cold ground; and (2) I always strapped my pad to the outside of my pack, so it's size wasn't much of an issue, and its weight was certainly never one. Can't speak to the Big Agnes, but this comment caught my attention: "I am a side sleeper and have always woken up with a sore hip. Now I feel like I am sleeping in my bed at home." That's worth considering, personally.

Other random thoughts: Always glad to have my headlamp and folding saw. And waterproof matches. And always loved my pack, made by Dana Design out of Bozeman (which I just learned has merged with Marmot).

Where are you headed, and for how long?

[The Horrible Esthete]

I guess "serious" is not as important as "experienced" or "moderately experienced". :thumb:

The Katadyn Hiker definitely seems to be the most popular. Though I've heard lots of people extol the pumping mechanism on the Sweetwater (more ergonomic, supposedly), so I thought I'd give it a shot. All I know is that boiling is inconvenient, and tablets taste funny, and I'm tired of both options.

Re: pads.....that NeoAir has a inner triangular matrix which is supposed to improve support, and a "aluminized urethane film" which they claim does reflect heat back to your body and deflect cold air from the ground, and testers seem to attest to that...but I still aint buying one unless they cut the price significantly.

I hear you regarding the "slipping" on your pad -- the reason you "always set your tent up on hills" is probably because unless you're on glacier-scraped flatland, its damn hard to find a 5x7 area of perfectly-level ground at a campsite you chose for other necessities (water source, windbreak, etc.). I have major slipping issues with my Ridgerest. The newer inflatable Thremarests have an improved coating/cut pattern that is much more slip-resistant than your '93 model or the closed-cell Ridgerest. I'm a "side-sleeper", so that 2.5-inch BA IAC is something I'm looking into...the hard-core ultralight BPing community seems to really favor that pad for 3-season camping.

I too have a headlamp - rather essential piece of gear, unless you like doing things one-handed. And those folding saws are handy; I have something similar -- it's smaller and lighter than the one you linked, but it does not fold; I just sheath it instead.

I'm not planning any BP trip in the immediate future, but I'm streamlining / updating my gear to lighten my pack. I want to get Jenna on some longer hikes with me in the future, and heavy gear won't help to those ends. She's been enjoying our smaller, less taxing hikes, so....so far so good.

Someday soon I want to cover a good chunk of the Appalachian Trail. I also want to do some stints in the Adirondacks, White, Blue Ridge, and Smoky Mts. Heck, there are all sorts of destinations here in North America that I would love to explore someday....

[sullivand]

All I know is that boiling is inconvenient, and tablets taste funny, and I'm tired of both options.

Agreed.

She's been enjoying our smaller, less taxing hikes, so....so far so good.

Good for her, and good for you. My wife drew the line at car camping, and I didn't put up much of a fight. I'm a sucker for easy fires/cold beers.

Heck, there are all sorts of destinations here in North America that I would love to explore someday....

Agreed again.