From PJ: Thanks to long time reader and contributor J for taking the time to write about the gear he utilized while on a trip to the Scottish Highlands. It’s one thing to have a bunch of cool gear sitting in the corner for emergencies, it’s another thing to get out in the bush and test the equipment to see what works and what needs replaced.
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Had a great trip to the Scottish highlands and tested out most of my gear under some fairly grueling conditions and wanted to share my evaluation of the gear I had for those that might be interested. I spent a week out in the elements, rough camping the nights and hiking most of the days. Most of the gear I had held up very well happily. No one wants to get out and find they have made poor choices in that area. Also most of this gear is reasonably priced; you don’t have to spends thousands of dollars on gear to get by with in my opinion. Here is what I used and my thoughts on it.
Karrimor Notus Weathertite Hiking Boots
Karrimor Notus Weathertite Hiking Boots. – First rule of hiking is take care of your feet. I got these boots in the UK and have nothing but good to say about them. They are water proof and come with comfortable soles in them. I got them for about $50.00 and put them through some pretty rigorous testing; everything my body could put them through and still manage to halfway function, anyway. To clarify I climbed a 15 mile mountain path in them and had no blisters or problems with my feet. The rest of my body is another matter.
Alpaca Socks
Alpaca wool socks. – I have mentioned these before and can say they are well worth the $20.00 or so a pair that you pay for them. No itch as sheep wool tends to give and keeps your feet warm even when wet.
Primus Backpacker Stove
Primus Classic Backpacker Stove. – I have nothing but good things to say about this stove. It was perfect for making coffee and cooking small meals over. There was literally no fuel to burn to start a fire with around and everything was soaking wet even if there was. An 8 oz. fuel can lasted me the 4 days, using it sparingly.
Stanley Adventure Cook Set
Stanley Adventure Cookware set – A cylindrical cookpot with 2 hard plastic cups that fit inside it. Great for use on the stove listed above, easy to clean and large enough to heat pretty much any single person meal. Handle gets pretty hot if you’re not careful so make sure you have something that can be used as a pot holder handy.
Teton Sport Explorer Packs
Teton Explorer 4000 backpack – This brand of pack seems to make a lot of people nervous due to the price (around $80.00) but I have no complaints about it. It took some pretty rough treatment and held everything I needed. It has adjustable straps, lots of various sized pockets and an adjustable internal frame. It has a 65 liter capacity which is not too small and not so large that you overload yourself.
UV Paqlite Set
UV paqlite scout set– PJ reviewed this product some months ago and I completely endorse this product after using it a week in the field. I had small LED light in my tent that I hung next to these articles and elt them charge for about 15 -20 minutes. After my eyes adjusted, I had several hours of working light in my 3 man dome tent. Well worth the money and they are light and durable. I would estimate that they would easily double your battery life in your flashlights and lamps if used conservatively.
Coleman Dome 3
Coleman 3 man dome tent– this was probably my worst choice in equipment, more for me using it outside [in bad weather] contributed to the rating than anything else. I packed it along because I have a couple of them and didn’t expect any heavy weather. I got caught in a pretty strong storm in the highlands, winds 40 MPH and higher driving rain through the zippers and such. I had to break out the paracord to tie it down and keep the top from literally hitting the ground from the wind gusts, but managed to weather to storm ok. Was pretty damp after but it was better than the alternative. The mosquito netting is not midge proof, either; they are small enough to get through it.
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Author
J
Thanks for taking the time to write this up. I’m going to grab a few pair of Alpaca socks to check them out (I have a sock fetish) and will let you know how it goes. Also I realize that we are all searching for bargains but in some instances you get what you pay for…even though most of us could make due with a cheaper variant.
I used to rock a $60 backpack and an even cheaper tent until like you I had to use them out in the elements. My current Eberlestock pack was around $300ish and the REI tent was a bit more but the difference in construction and quality is very evident. I realize none of us are made of money so gotta prioritize as to what should be upgraded and in what order.
Thanks again for posting your trip and include some pics of the scenery if you can!
Excellent post….very informative. Thanks.
Author
John
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for the great information! Nothing like FIRST HAND experience and reporting. Well done.
PJ,
Here is the site for the Alpaca socks I got. I have had good luck with him and can vouch for the quality of the socks and other merchandise he sells.
http://www.northriveralpacas.com/
Author
Thanks J
I’ll pick up a couple pair
Your trip illustrates why I carry the extra weight of a tent and a tarp for shelter, Mother Nature can be a heartless bitch or as Murphy put it SHIT happens! And, sometimes there are very few natural materials to work with. A tent provides a micro climate but it is not a solid structure; with the addition of a tarp that can be erected above the tent to reduce solar heating in hot climates and/or wrapped tightly over the tent to provide some insulation and better moisture protection. If a tent is really watertight, then you’ll have condensation problems, even from your own breath! I use heavy 10 inch tent spikes with a washer tac-welded 3 inches from the top and small clips so I can quickly change the tarp from one position to the other in a hurry, because storms (especially in the mountains) can come out of nowhere at the drop of a hat! Also, a tent gives you a good place to cook your food (or heat that morning coffee) if you have a camp stove. You can build a small camp fire inside your tent if you place about 3 inches of sand/dirt on the tent floor, wet it down, build a small fire on it with at least three rocks to place your pan/pot on, cook your food and put the fire out. Remember, this type of fire is not an overnight, let the crackle of the flames rock you to sleep type of fire, that’s how people burn to death! Alternately, if you have a larger pot, you can use that by placing the sand/dirt in it and proceed. the advantage of this is that when finished cooking, put a (tight-fitting equals less smoke) lid on and put some more sand/dirt on the lid to keep it on and you have a radiant heat source if needed! Cast iron dutch ovens are great for this but rather heavy! Make sure you have a wet cloth handy if case the firewood pops and throws embers so you an quickly put them out without burning your hands! Also, make sure you have a place in the ceiling for smoke to escape; unzipping the top of the doorway works, but remember to keep your fire as small as possible (use twigs) and remember that every fire needs oxygen, don’t give it enough and it smokes! I use a small (12 inch) copper tube to add air as needed to have a small but hot burning fire. I haven’t used Alpaca socks, usually use a wool blend. I was told that 100% Alpaca socks aren’t very durable, but that a wool/ alpaca blend gave you the best combination, can you give me more information on this? Have had frostbite on hands and feet so they tend to get cold easier and it’s hard to sleep with cold feet! Good Luck!