Open Country 700 Watt Dehydrator

So you have that new titanium cookware. Your 850 fill power down sleeping bag is almost weightless. Tents are a thing of the past...tarps are all you need. Congratulations on getting lighter and making your backpacking experience more enjoyable. I am confident you have one more area to improve. Your menu...

Prepackaged food is a great convenience. One can hike all day, setup camp, open a can of Chef Boyardee, and relax. Unfortunately your canned food was heavy, not nutritious, and boring. Several options are out there to change this routine. Many companies make freeze dried meals that only require boiling water. These meals are much lighter than canned goods and are generally more nutritious. These meals also include a hefty price tag and chemical additives.

The smarter, cheaper, tastier, and more nutritious way to go is dehydrating your own food. I understand it appears like a daunting task. After buying a dehydrator and experiencing first hand what dehydrating food entails I can honestly say...it is a breeze.

Six months ago I purchased the Open Country 700 Watt food dehydrator. This particular model features 5 trays (expandable to 14), a fruit roll sheet, and a perforated sheet for small items. A guide book and manual were also provided. I have dehydrated many different fruits, vegetables, and meats in this machine with great results. Temperature range is great (95-160 degrees) which allows one to prepare herbs to jerky. Drying is uniform and the build quality seems adequate. Dehydrating foods in bulk then vacuum sealing them allows me to always be prepared for my next backpacking trip. My only criticism of this machine is a lack of a power switch. Unplugging and plugging in the machine acts as its power switch.
All food dehydrators need a fan and thus will make some noise. At about a foot wide counter top space could be an issue. Remember however that this machine does not have to be in the kitchen. Your dehydrator can reside in any place that has power.

I strongly recommend you to start dehydrating your own meals. In a no time at all you will be creating a menu you would be proud to serve to company at home or on the trail.

Performance: 7.5
Quality: 8
Weight: N/A
Price: 7.5
Tilt: 9

Total: 8

REI Camp Towel

We all have gear lists when we are planning an adventure. Sometimes we write it. Sometimes we memorize our list. Sometimes we tell our friends the list so we can blame them when gear is forgotten. I am confident that most people rarely forget important items. What takes a trip to the next level in regards to gear is the little things. An ultralight titanium mug or an almost weightless piece of candy that soothes your soul (and your sweet tooth).

REI's camp towel is one small item that really makes my backpacking adventures more enjoyable. The 85% polyester/15% nylon microfiber mixture really facilitates quick drying and admirable absorption rate. From doing the dishes, drying your tent, or practicing good hygiene these towels have many uses. Hygiene you ask? I hope you are removing all the dirt and grime from yourself before crawling into your $500 sleeping bag. All that crud will ruin your down not to mention disgust your bunk mate.

I have been using REI towels for around nine months and am yet to damage one (I have a small and a medium one). This product does not absorb odors and goes from fully soaked to bone dry in a few hours. This towel reminds me of what a SHAMWOW is supposed to be. Even when it is wet it will still absorb more.

My only possible criticism is I have seen some slightly lighter and cheaper towels on the market but I have no experience with them.

REI has various sizes to choose from. Wash cloth sized(small) to beach towel size(x-large). I strongly recommend this product even to the ultralight crowd at 2.2 oz.

Performance: 9
Quality: 8.5
Weight: 7
Price: 6.5
Tilt: 9

Total: 8

REI $9.50(small w/case), 2.2oz

Snow Peak Titanium Plate

Snow Peak always shows great attention to build quality and weight. While Snow Peak charges a high price for their wares I usually do not regret buying high quality items. The titanium plate I purchased over a year ago might be the only Snow Peak purchase I regret. Snow Peak delivered on quality and ultralight weight. The price is not even as bad as usual. My issue with this plate is where it fits in on my gear list. If I am going strict ultralight I am just eating out of my pot. If I need to serve more people than myself one person can eat out the pot and one from the lid. If I really need to have a separate serving dish I bring a bowl which is more versatile. In my past year of ownership I have used the titanium plate infrequently.

This plate cleans easy, is great to look at, and is very light (2oz). Be sure to have a thick layer of material between the plate and your lap because heat goes right through.

For those of you that must have a plate for the backcountry this is your go to product. In my humble opinion a bowl is more practical. Snow Peak does offer a titianum bowl which is lighter. I cannot however recommend it without trying it myself.

Performance: 8.5
Quality: 9
Weight: 9
Price: 6
Tilt: 5

Total: 7.5

REI $15.95, 2oz.

REI Sahara Convertible Pants

If you are still hiking or backpacking with jeans your next piece of gear most certainly should be pants. Jeans and other cotton products might be comfortable for day to day activities but they are poorly suited for the trail. Cotton gets wet and stays wet. Which means not only does it absorb rain and other environmental hazards it also absorbs sweat. Cotton takes more than 24 hours to air dry.

About 6 months ago I picked up a pair of REI Sahara pants. I am usually hesitant to buy store brand items but I liked the feel of them when I tried them on and also the price. These pants are made of Supplex Nylon. This allows for drying in minutes and provides immunity to odors. The versatility of transforming into shorts with little effort make these my go to pants during any season. Cargo pockets along the legs and standard pants pockets ensure you will have plenty of room for your gear. I love having a belt built into the pants. To tighten I just cinch the slack end and I have a perfect fit.

When venturing into materials other than cotton a common concern is durability. Intially I was concerned that my $60 pants would be burned or torn to shreds after only a few trips. I can honestly report that these pants can resist burning embers and marches through sticker bushes. I have yet to have a rip, hole, or tear.

My only critique of these pants is the gigantic bottom half. The section from your knee to your boot is very wide. This is typical of most convertible pants but these are much larger than usual. Normally the price for these pants is $60 but as of writing this post they are on sale for $40. I highly recommend this product.

Performance:7.5
Quality:8
Weight:7.5
Price:8.5
Tilt:8.5

Total:8

REI $40, 12.875oz

Primus Isobutane Lantern

Let there be light...at your campsite. Today I would like to share my review on the Primus isobutane lantern. I have owned this product for over a year. I have always liked traditional fuel based lanterns. As a kid I fondly remember the big Coleman lantern illuminating the summer night. Light from an LED or bulb is too artificial for my taste.

This Lantern is well built and solid. I enjoy the added protection of the hard plastic case that is provided from Primus. This little guy puts out 80 watts of light and is adjustable. One criticism I have is a lack of different light intensities. For the most part you have a high, middle, and low setting. The glass that surrounds the mantle is glazed which is fantastic. Too many lanterns I have seen just have a clear glass globe. This makes the light too intense to look at and provides uneven lighting. This glazed globe makes great light. A nifty feature is the wire string the lantern is on. This allows you to hang it off of a branch or stick in the ground. Burn time is respectable. Using a midsized can of fuel I have had this thing go at full blast all night. The new model comes with a penzo ignition system which adds even more ease of use. Noise level is also low compared to other lanterns I have used. This lantern is one of the lightest around but I have seen some others that are slightly lighter. The case is rectangular and is 4.75 inches high with 2.75 inch sides.

This device is obviously not going to find its way into an ultralight backpacking setup but is appropriate for groups or those that like to have little luxuries. At 6.8 ounces you can make room in your pack for the Primus Isobutane Lantern. We have come a long way from the 3 pound beast of a lantern from oh so long ago.

Performance: 8
Quality: 8.5
Weight: 7.8
Price: 8.0
Tilt: 8
Total: 8.06

REI $59, 6.8 oz

ExOfficio Boxer Briefs

Today I would like to share with you my thoughts on a life changing pair of boxer/briefs. I know you must think I am mad but I cannot be anymore sincere. To properly explain my aforementioned bold statement I must get a little personal. I am about 5'7" and weigh 230 pounds. While I am strong and some of my weight is muscle, I have quite a bit of fat as well. As a heavy person I used to be the victim of inner thigh chaffing. What made things worse was my propensity to sweat without cause. When combining skin to skin contact and moisture, pain and suffering will ensue. While I always enjoyed backpacking, hours and hours of hiking would cause so much pain my trip would be close to ruined. My 12 hour shifts at the hospital would be spent in agony.

Enter the ExOfficio boxer/briefs...my life has been changed. These boxer/briefs have eliminated all skin to skin contact and moisture. Not only has my backpacking trips become endlessly more enjoyable but my daily life has vastly improved as well.

I have owned this product for about 6 months. Right away most people will be turned off by the price at $25 a pair...but worth every penny. Now that the only downside is out of the way lets get to the good stuff. ExOfficio has really made a durable product. I Have been rotating 3 pairs daily for 6 months. They get washed between each use so each pair has seen the washing machine, dryer, and actual use very heavily. I have seen no break down of the elastic. None of the fabric has been ripped or worn. The little logo has faded overtime but this has no effect on performance.
The comfort level is nothing short of sublime. The boxer/briefs feel like a second skin but are designed to give my boys plenty of room. These are more comfortable than any cotton boxers I have worn. During running, hiking, and working I have not had to re-adjust these.
No matter how much you sweat these boxer/briefs will wick all moisture away. The 94% nylon/6% spandex mix allow for quick drying and will not retain odors.

I have categorized this product as ultralight. The reason for this is not because they are that much lighter than cotton boxers (they are about an ounce less). The other reason they are ultralight is I only need one pair in addition to the one I start with, no matter if the trip is two days or two weeks. Wearing a pair all day then washing before bed ensures I always have a clean pair.

I give this product my highest recommendation. Spending $25 dollars now will provide daily comfort for many years to come.

Performance: 9.5
Quality: 9.5
Weight: 8
Price: 4
Tilt:10

Total: 8.2

REI $25, 2.875 oz.

Backpacking Chair

Today we're going to talk a bit about backpacking with a chair. This is not recommended for the ultralight backpacker, as the ground or a rock will always suffice. But it is possible for the standard ol' "lightweight" backpacker, thanks to REI's "Trail Stool."

The Trail Stool is a tripod style chair. Its obviously not the most comfortable, or most luxurious thing to sit on, but it is relatively comfortable compared to the other options. It sits about 15 inches off the ground, again not optimal, but still better than the ground itself.

REI lists the stool as able to handle 225lbs, and I would not argue with that very much at all. I weigh in at roughly 210, and when I stand up or sit down adding to the pressure on the chair, I sometimes worry that I may have done it in. It has, however, not failed me yet!

The price is right for this chair when it's on sale. The typical price is 19.95, but I was able to grab it for 12.95 (IIRC), and I'd say thats about what its worth. The weight, while not ultralight, is very do-able for 1 or 2 days trips, at 18oz. This can even be cut down slightly by the removal of some unnecessary straps.

Performance:7
Weight:8
Quality:7
Price:5
Tilt:7

Total:6.8

Its a nice little chair, depending on your trip.

This chair is available for purchase at REI for $19.95.

Snow Peak Titanium Mug

I had a hard time figuring out what labels to give this little guy. Some people would agree that a mug is a luxury item in the backcountry, while others would say it is required. Enter the Snow Peak doubled walled mug and you have a strong case for adding a hot beverage holder to your gear list.

Right out of the box you will be pleased with the aesthetics of this mug. It is stunning. The second thing you will notice is how light it is. The third thing you will notice is no lid is provided. I must strongly criticize Snow Peak for omitting a lid. When spending over forty bucks on a cup one would expect all the bells and whistles. A carry sack is provided at least. Total weight is 4.2oz. This Snow Peak holds 15.9 fluid ounces and has fold out handles. I have owned this product for about 8 months.

When I am cooking a meal I always boil extra water for my after dinner drink (usually tea or hot chocolate). Before adding my meal to the water I dump some into the Snow Peak. After cooking and eating my drink is still extremely hot and waiting for me. I understand that I could just use a weightless Styrofoam cup, but there is something special about drinking out of this titanium chalice. I will not try and defend this purchase against the ultralight crowd. They are right, why do you really need a mug on the trail? Bring a Styrofoam cup if you must have a hot beverage. Although I have been going light/ultralight the past few months I still pack the Snow Peak doubled walled mug...we all have our guilty pleasures.

Pros: Ultralight titanium, gorgeous
Cons: Very expensive, does not come with a lid

Performance: 9.0
Quality: 9.0
Weight: 9.0
Price: 4.0
Tilt: 9.0

Total: 8.0

REI $42.50, 4.2oz (with stuff sack)

Brunton Raptor Isobutane Stove

So you just hiked for 15 miles. You started off with a good breakfast. The trail mix you munched on for lunch was tasty. Dinner time has arrived and something cold just will not do. What you need is something warm, soothing, and filling to recharge your batteries. Whether you are just adding boiling water to prepackaged meal or making your recipes, a stove is necessary.

Two years ago I asked Santa for the Brunton Raptor and he delivered. This stove has never let me down and creates a whole lotta heat. As you can see in the pictures this stove is very small. With the case it comes with and the optional stand (separate purchase required) this setup weighs in at 7.625 ounces. Without the stand the stove comes down to 6.875 ounces. When I received this stove as a gift it was one of the lighter stoves on the market. At the time of writing this much lighter isobutane stoves are available.

There are some great features on this stove. One enjoyable aspect is the ability to control the flame with ease. An intelligently placed handle/grip can be turned to a myriad of levels. Any stove can boil water but not all can cook delicate items. With the heat control the Raptor offers you will have an easy time cooking your morning pancakes. Another great feature is the penzo ignition system. To light this stove simply turn on the gas and push the little red button. The largest pot I used on this stove was 3 liters. Normally I am using my REI 1.3 liter pot (review here). In ideal conditions I can boil 2 cups of water in under 5 minutes. Air temperature and wind conditions will affect times. 8 ounces of fuel is rated to last 1.5 hours at full blast. A final advantage to the Raptor is cost. At $30 the Raptor is priced well below many other stoves. I must point out however that more expensive stoves are much lighter.

The main problem with isobutane stoves is the fuel canisters. 8oz of fuel weighs just about 15oz due to container weight. The fuel canisters are also bulky and waste pack room. When the fuel canisters are empty you have to pack them out.

For the ultralight crowd an alcohol stove might be the best option. In the next few weeks we will be testing penny stoves and will post our experiences.

For weekend trips or those people not very concerned with weight, the Raptor is an easy, effective, and reliable way to cook on the trail. Although I will most likely be moving to a penny stove setup in the near future, the Raptor was and still is a great stove.

Pros: Inexpensive, Small, Reliable
Cons: Many lighter stoves are available, requires heavy fuel canisters

Performance: 8
Quality: 8
Weight: 5
Price: 7.5
Tilt: 7

Total: 7.1

Available at Amazon $30, 6.875oz, 1.7 inches x 1.5 inches x 2.5 inches (folded)

Kelty Coyote 4750 Pack

If one piece of gear could sum up someone's backcounty philosophy it would be one's pack. You can pick them out on the trail. Guy with huge pack and gear strapped all over it must really care about comfort. Gal with what some would call a day pack but has been on the trail for two weeks...must be an ultralighter.

Today I would like to discuss the Kelty Coyote 4750. I have owned this pack for over a year.

This pack has many things going for it. First off the pack is very comfortable to wear. Nicely padded shoulder straps and hip belt make this wonderful to use. Straps work well and the adjustable suspension system allows for customization. This pack can hold quite a bit of gear. It sports 4750 cubic inches of space or 78 liters. 9 separate pockets are available in addition to the main compartment. The second you touch this pack you can feel it is of high quality construction and materials. I have absolutely stuffed this pack full of gear and goodies without any issues. A great little feature is the ability of the top section to convert to a small day pack.

Heavy loads are handled by the aluminum internal stays. A few times I was backpacking at close to 40 pounds and this pack could take the weight. I have not used the feature but water bladder storage is supported. A final advantage is the price. This pack is well below the cost of other competitors in its class.

I do have several issues with this backpack. A glaring problem with this pack is weight. At over 5 pounds it weighs just slightly less than my sleeping bag and tent combined. For those of you that enjoy a sleeping bag compartment this pack is not for you.

If you are not focused on weight I strongly recommend this pack. If you are or might be interested in light/ultralight backpacking this pack is too heavy to recommend.

Pros: Good Construction, Features, Affordable

Cons: Weight

Performance: 7.8
Quality: 7.9
Weight: 4
Price: 8.5
Tilt: 7

Total: 7.04

REI $160, 78 Liters, 5Lbs. 1oz

First Need Water Purifier

Water is one of our most basic needs. Out in the back country water is your highest priority. On a short one night trip carrying water works just fine. When on weekend trips or longer you will need to get water in the field. Several methods are used to purify water while backpacking. Boiling, filtering, and chemical options are all available. This post will focus on using the First Need XL water filtration/purification device.

I have owned this water filter for about eight months. In my opinion it is a very special piece of equipment. A significant advantage this filter has on the competition is its ability to purify protozoa, bacteria and viruses without using chemicals. The First Need is the only water purification system on the market with this ability. The end result is water that tastes exactly as it would taste untreated. Why ruin beautiful water with downright nasty tasting chemicals?

I have used this purifier in many different settings and it has not let me down yet. A great feature is the ability to screw wide and narrow mouthed bottles directly to the filter. This allows for easier filling of bottles.

To filter water simply lower the suction end into a body of water. Use the pump to begin filling your bottle. This pump is rated to filter 1.8 liters of water per minute. In real world applications I fill my one liter nalgene in about 35-40 seconds.

Some disadvantages to the First Need are present. Price is a concern at $110 and $50 for a replacement filter. Ultralight folks may find this too heavy at 16oz. A final concern is the First Need is not field serviceable. The filter canister is self contained so you cannot take it apart and clean it. You can however backwash if debris seems to be clogging the filter. I have not had the First Need clog in my 8 months of usage.

Overall this is one of my favorite pieces of gear. Experiencing nature in its purest form is important to me and the First Need allows me to literally taste the back country in an untouched state.

Performance: 9
Weight: 6.5
Quality: 8.5
Price: 7
Tilt: 9.5

Total: 8.1

REI $112, 16oz

Thermarest Compressable Pillow, Small

For most backpackers, the word "Thermarest" is synonymous with sleeping pads. Its what the company is most known for, and it's what they're best at. I say this because I have a Thermarest Compressable Pillow (small), and it didn't really live up to my expectations. Keep in mind during this, that I'm reviewing it as a backpacking item...not a "travel" item.

When I purchased this, it was a time when I was just beginning to understand the idea of "ultralight" but didn't fully grasp the concept. So, logic told me: Get the small one! Unfortunately, a pillow of any kind is a "Luxury" item. You don't need it...rolled up clothes/stuff sacked clothes will get the job done. So, now I have a luxury item that can't perform luxury duties.

The small is...well, its small. That strength is its greatest weakness, almost to the point of uselessness in backpacking. First of all, it takes a good hour or two to fluff up nice. And it takes about 15 minutes for my head to re-compress it. After that, I end up folding it in half . So now I have a 12''x8'' pillow, instead of 12''x16'', as if that wasn't already small enough.

This was about when I learned that ultralight and luxury don't mix. Sure, this pillow only weighs 7oz, but its a pretty much wasted 7oz.

For non-backpacking expeditions, perhaps air travel, this pillow could be nice. As true to most Thermarest products I've seen, the quality is top notch. But if you want this as a backpacking item to make sleep nicer, I would suggest looking elsewhere.


Performance: 3
Weight: 3
Quality: 8
Price: 5
Tilt: 5

Total: 4.8

Titanium Backpacking Pot

Lets face it,trail mix is good, but in the back country nothing soothes the soul like a good hot meal. Hot meals can vary from simple precooked "just add boiling water" meals to elegant 5 star dining. Regardless of your level of culinary fortitude you will need a vessel to cook in.

Several options are available on the market. Pots are made of aluminum, stainless steal, cast iron, and titanium. Each offers different advantages and disadvantages.

Aluminum is inexpensive and light but cannot handle intense heat.

Stainless steel is a worthy choice. It is inexpensive and conducts heat well. It is however a tad on the heavy side.

Cast iron conducts heat like no other material can however unless you have a pack animal with you (say an elephant) you just cannot carry it.

This brings us to titanium. Titanium is strong, durable, conducts heat well, and is extremely light weight. The only downside to titanium is on the fiscal side.

The only cookware in my load out is a 1.3 liter titanium pot from REI. This pot weighs in at 6 ounces. 1.3 liters is more than enough for one person but usually I am cooking for two or more. This pot features hinged handles for easy storage. A very tight fitting lid is also provided. Having a lid is important for getting heat built up quickly. This pot feels very solid and has seen much abuse over the past year I have owned it. Some other nice features include a pour spout and 500ml and 1000ml markings inside the pot.

This pot is non stick which has some pros and cons. An advantage is clean up is very simple. Non stick is also great for cooking items like pancakes or eggs. A disadvantage is non stick can wear over time and metal utensils should not come in contact with the non stick surface. From personal experience I can honestly say I eat right out of the pot using a titanium fork. I have not significantly scratched the non stick coating. With just a small amount of care and attention one can eat right out of the pot using metal flatware.

Overall I love this pot and am very happy I purchased it.

Performance : 8.9
Weight :8
Quality:8
Price:7
Tilt:9

Total score: 8.18

REI $59.50, 1.3 Liters, 6oz