Futuristic Backpacking Equipment

[Ashevillian]

I was reorganizing my some of equipment this weekend and am still amazed at the difference between my old (20+ year) stuff and things bought in the last couple of years. What do you think the future will bring?
· Select Number sleeping pads?
· Nuclear powered Ipods?
· Jet back packs so you can fly over rivers and rocky sections of the trail?

[ShelterLeopard]

How about anti-gravity hiking boots?

[johnnyblisters]

In futuristic soviet Appalachia, pack carries you.

[4eyedbuzzard]

The "Fusionboil" stove, 9 oz including pot and 20 year fuel supply, or MSR's entry the "Nuclear Reactor".

Seriously though, we are approaching some limits with materials engineering with respect to fabric weights, metals, etc. There may be small weight and performance improvements to be had, such as with Cuben type fabrics, stove / pot efficiency, etc. - but these will not be evolutionary, not revolutionary. The biggest "improvements" for hikers I think will be in truly breathable rain gear, communications, electronic maps / navigation, battery, and charger technologies, UV sterilization, etc.

[10-K]

1. Dominos will deliver to every shelter within 30 minutes.

2. Electrical outlets in shelters for charging electronic devices

3. Lone Wolf will start hanging his food and wearing bear bells.

[4eyedbuzzard]

3. Lone Wolf will start hanging his food and wearing bear bells.

Lone Wolf "with bells on" is just such a fascinating - and disturbing image.

[Ashevillian]

2. Electrical outlets in shelters for charging electronic devices

Cool and the shelters could have satellite and big screens so we could watch the 24/7 AT-TV channel.

[Old Grouse]

Lone Wolf "with bells on" is just such a fascinating - and disturbing image.

Maybe he'll take up Morris dancing.

[Graywolf]

Not eletrical outlets but Solar Power... Fully Functional Solar Shower, Solar powered cooking areas, no longer have to carry stoves because all the shelters will have its own stoves... Electric Bear bag cables, Tent pads with electric fenses, Solar still for mkaing your own water or other liquids..

[snorz]

How about a hoverchair to eat up the miles while in the comfort of an Easychair!

[miassis dragon]

privys with bidets....

[mkmangold]

In futuristic soviet Appalachia, pack carries you.

A pack filled with hydrogen to be used as fuel. It would give the pack essentially a "negative" weight, redefining "ultralight." Shelters would provide electrolysis units to produce the hydrogen from water.

[leaftye]

Minimalist ultralight trail shoes that are actually made for walking, with toe bashing protection, no heel rise, a wide forefoot and a midsole that will last 1000 miles.

Something like the Powerfilm USB/AA that weighs the same, charges 1-4 AA batteries or 1 18650, converts more sunlight to power without increasing the size of the solar panels, and greater output especially if that means being able to charge any usb powered cell phone at night.

[hikerboy57]

GPS chip implants,

[ShelterLeopard]

GPS chip implants,

That's called a SPOT. (Well, a little bigger than a microchip, but still)