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DrRichardCranium
05-15-2015, 12:11
Sometimes it seems people over do it with all the gear analysis. Does anyone else get bored with all the gear talk?

Can't you just get some reasonably light gear that's good enough, and just start hiking?

George P Burdell
05-15-2015, 12:18
Yes, but there are constantly new people joining this site that have no prior experience. They haven't seen the same subject posted 100 times. Plus it gives people a way to pass the time when not hiking.

RED-DOG
05-15-2015, 12:19
YES people stress too much about gear, some folks always got to have the latest in gear and lightest, too some folks it's an competition and yes you can just buy resonably priced gear and start hiking heck i knew a guy in 06 that completely outfitted himself at wal-mart and hiked the whole trail on wal-mart gear, i think all this gear CRAP is a WB thing.

DrRichardCranium
05-15-2015, 12:24
It's on other places too. Go to YouTube and search for "thru-hike " and over half the videos are a half hour of someone going over their gear piece by piece. Why not talk about the scenery or describe the plants and animals on the trail?

Tipi Walter
05-15-2015, 12:40
Whiteblaze is nothing when compared to BackpackingLight.com. Just check out their gear forum and you'll be amazed---

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/display_forum.html?forum=18

bemental
05-15-2015, 12:42
Whiteblaze is nothing when compared to BackpackingLight.com. Just check out their gear forum and you'll be amazed---

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/display_forum.html?forum=18

As soon as I saw the style of forum upon clicking that link I knew exactly what you were talking about. Many of my searches have led to that forum; full of great info when you need it but I bet it's a headache to live there.

LoneStranger
05-15-2015, 12:53
I'm of two minds on the subject. As a gear reviewer I'm always interested in new concepts and designs, but I definitely agree some folks go beyond avocation into the realm of pathology. I had to leave one backpacking forum because it was too depressing to read. The people seemed to have lost all joy other than shaving off one more gram.

I've found a solution for those times when it seems that people online are too obsessed with their gear. I shut off my computer and go spend a few days on trail. Some time alone in the woods always makes me much more tolerant of other people's obsessions :)

Walkintom
05-15-2015, 12:53
My gear analysis usually stops at the level of convenience where something is no longer an issue or challenge or I believe that it's not soluble without going to extraordinary means.

This means that I stop short of what a lot of people do. And I benefit from reading about their efforts and results. So while I'm not often delving into the level of detail or expressing the commitment that some people do to solve a situation, I like that they do it. If it bores me, I skip it.

AO2134
05-15-2015, 13:13
There is no trait I dislike more about hikers than gear "talk."

Tuckahoe
05-15-2015, 13:32
We are on a hiking forum where a large par of the discussion by default is of course gear, which I thoroughly enjoy. I like reading about the gear, seeing the debut of new gear and following reviews. Checking out gear is what I get to do at home when there is no trip planned. But when I am hiking gear chat never crosses my mind, and the times I have hiked with friends we have never had gear discussions.

BirdBrain
05-15-2015, 13:40
We are on a hiking forum where a large par of the discussion by default is of course gear, which I thoroughly enjoy. I like reading about the gear, seeing the debut of new gear and following reviews. Checking out gear is what I get to do at home when there is no trip planned. But when I am hiking gear chat never crosses my mind, and the times I have hiked with friends we have never had gear discussions.

Fully agree. Forums are the only proper place to debate and plan. It is too late to wonder about choices when on the trail. I am racking my brain trying to recall such a discussion on the trail. Similarly I never post on forums while hiking. And yes, I obsess about gear. I reject the idea that it is a bad thing ;)

Double Wide
05-15-2015, 14:06
Out on the trail it's all gear talk for the first hundred miles, then the talk is all about food, beer, laundry, hot water, food, food, sex, food. In here it's gear talk and arguing about trail magic, with a few nuggets of wisdom found on occasion...

Wyoming
05-15-2015, 14:09
Gear talk, car talk, sports talk, politics talk, fish talk, hunting talk, girl talk (can I say that?! - lol), guy talk (better say that too huh?), gun talk, etc.

It is human nature to talk about all the details of what interests you. There is nothing unusual about hikers talking about their gear. People obsess, it's what we do.

And, of course, there is always someone who wants to complain about what others talk about. I think that is a category in the above list too. If it gets tedious just skip it for a few days.

bigcranky
05-15-2015, 14:10
It's like any other hobby that requires gear - some folks obsess over it. Think about music, photography, cars, fishing, whatever. Some group of guys is arguing over the best fishing lure, or the best camera lens, or the best power cord for their tube amplifier, or the best strings for their guitar. I saw a thread once on a painting forum arguing about the best paint brushes, seriously.

daddytwosticks
05-15-2015, 16:10
Sometimes it seems people over do it with all the gear analysis. Does anyone else get bored with all the gear talk?

Can't you just get some reasonably light gear that's good enough, and just start hiking?
One's got to have something to do between hikes. :)

canoe
05-15-2015, 16:18
It's like any other hobby that requires gear - some folks obsess over it. Think about music, photography, cars, fishing, whatever. Some group of guys is arguing over the best fishing lure, or the best camera lens, or the best power cord for their tube amplifier, or the best strings for their guitar. I saw a thread once on a painting forum arguing about the best paint brushes, seriously. Yep thats what hikers do when they are not on the trail. Talk hiking and gear. I haven't heard to much talk about how to walk, but many folks like to talk about how they want to prepare for their hike. For many its a lot of fun to talk gear.

WingedMonkey
05-15-2015, 16:21
It's on other places too. Go to YouTube and search for "thru-hike " and over half the videos are a half hour of someone going over their gear piece by piece. Why not talk about the scenery or describe the plants and animals on the trail?

If I come across the posting of a video (usually when looking for something else) detailing their gear before they have even left on a first thru-hike, I just turn it off and go back to what I was looking for.

I might watch a video someone posts about gear AFTER they have successfully completed a thru-hike.

Even more so if it is about what didn't work and why it didn't work.

4eyedbuzzard
05-15-2015, 16:31
Sometimes it seems people over do it with all the gear analysis. Does anyone else get bored with all the gear talk?

Can't you just get some reasonably light gear that's good enough, and just start hiking?Sure. But some want better. While I agree that it gets ridiculous at times, such as cutting the handle off a toothbrush to save 3 grams while rendering the toothbrush less effective, there is a significant advantage to many gained by paying attention to gear weights and performances. Technology in materials and engineering brings lighter gear every year. From year to year the differences are rather small, and perhaps meaningless to some. But over the course of many years they add up greatly. A typical thru-hiker today likely carries 10 to 15 lbs less gear than one did 30 to 40 years ago.

And if you think hikers obsess about gear, go to a golf forum, or camera forum or ___________ forum.

fastfoxengineering
05-15-2015, 16:39
Gear talk is benefecial and can be annoying at the same time. I have learned a ton by looking at other people's gear lists.

The only thing about gear talk that annoys me is when someone does a poor review on an item with minimal experience with it. "First impression" reviews are pointless.

But.. you like cars, boats, guns, musical instruments, clothes, pets, etc, etc, etc. Just add "topic" and porn.. and well with gear.. some of us like to check out gear porn.

it's good when your in winter hibernation and can't get out to hike.

but yeah.. a pissing contest about who's got the "best" gear or what's right is stupid.

However, ask a stupid question, get a stupid response.

garlic08
05-15-2015, 17:21
If you're bored with gear talk, just don't read those posts.

Personally I find it amusing that many of the most common gear questions here are about things I don't even pack: stoves, water filters, knives, and phones.

MuddyWaters
05-15-2015, 19:44
There comes a point, when you are aware of all the options and what they are like, plusses and minuses, and you know what YOU want.
Then you really dont care anymore.

bigcranky
05-15-2015, 21:06
Personally I find it amusing that many of the most common gear questions here are about things I don't even pack: stoves, water filters, knives, and phones.

My God, man, you'll die out there without a phone!

DavidNH
05-15-2015, 21:44
oh yes folks obsess way too much over gear.

A few basic facts: if it rains hard enough long enough no boots will keep your feet dry, and rain will soak through rain coat.
The most important gear is whats in the ol noggin!

blazercoach
05-15-2015, 22:07
I'm sure that there are people who obsess about gear. But I'm also sure that I can't tell the difference between those people and others that just want to enhance their experience through gear more functional for their purposes......and enjoy discussions about it.

BirdBrain
05-15-2015, 22:13
I obsess.... and enjoy discussing my obsessions.... and enjoy the obsessions.

double d
05-15-2015, 22:29
Most hikers like to discuss gear, its fun to see what hikers use and hike with. The best advice is this: buy good, high quality "gear" and let the gear help you enjoy your hike.

bemental
05-15-2015, 22:43
Most hikers like to discuss gear, its fun to see what hikers use and hike with. The best advice is this: buy good, high quality "gear" and let the gear help you enjoy your hike.

I'm with you.

Don't pine excessively over what you can't have, but don't suffer unnecessarily due to poor choices, either.

Malto
05-15-2015, 22:43
There comes a point, when you are aware of all the options and what they are like, plusses and minuses, and you know what YOU want.
Then you really dont care anymore.

Yup!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alligator
05-16-2015, 15:00
Members have the option to place any of the subforums here on ignore if they want to.

RockDoc
05-16-2015, 17:25
I've done my share of fixating on light gear, but I would have to say that my worst hiking experiences I've ever had were when I took the lightest gear. I was gambling on smooth sailing, but conditions threw me things that I didn't expect.

Yes there is something called the "stupid side of light", and it's a good place to avoid.

Now I carry a bit more and work on lowering my bodyweight. Where's the discussion of lowering the weight of hikers?

BirdBrain
05-16-2015, 17:52
I obsess over finding the lightest functional necessities that are within my budget. Nirvana comes with finding the perfect balance between those 4 criteria.

Lyle
05-16-2015, 17:52
Gear shopping and analyzing is fun, and keeps the cottage manufacturers around.

That said, if a newbie is paralyzed by making his or her choices, then it is definitely a bad thing. VERY VERY seldom will your gear really affect your hike in any kind of substantial way. Yeah, you may be able to go a bit farther a bit faster, you may have a bit less foot pain, but as long as you listen to your body, and adjust your hiking style, you can walk from Georgia to Maine with just about any gear. It's more cost effective to not start with junk, but folks have accomplished the hike, even with junk.

So as long as you DO buy some gear and get out and use it, there is no really bad choice. I often recommend that a complete new hiker find one or two experienced hikers to act as their mentor. Copy their gear/style/suggestions, get some first hand experience, then have at a lifetime of gear analysis and have fun doing it first hand, on a trail.

aaronthebugbuffet
05-16-2015, 19:16
Hiking and backpacking is a hobby but at its core there's not much to talk about. You move your legs and after a time you end up somewhere else.
This is just like any enthusiast forum. We obsess on the minutia of this activity that we love. Gives us something to think about and discuss during our more mundane moments.

Odd Man Out
05-16-2015, 21:13
I obsessed way too much over a few purchases. My goal was to get it "right" the first time. I eventually came to understand that there are many right choices. Of course there are also many wrong choices. In the end I realized that once you have done your homework and identified a few good choices that meet your needs, the final decision is not all that important. I think I now over my paralysis by analysis.

The Splitter
05-17-2015, 08:53
I know I obsess too much about gear but for me it's part of the experience. I love to hike for all the same reasons that anyone else does but I also like to hike because I love "gear." I love trying new gear and techniques to see how they help me or make my life easier or more efficient.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

q-tip
05-17-2015, 09:08
I am a music collector, I have over 1,700 recordings and have a passion for it and buy music every month. I am a hiker, I have 1,500 + miles on three continents and read about all aspects of hiking on a regular basis. (WB daily fix) Part of my passion is constant improvement. I have not bought any gear in two years, can't find anything that is providing wt/performance enhancements. Butf I sure do love to see what's happening...... But if I had some extra cash I would trade my TT Contrail for a new Pro Trail....

shakey_snake
05-17-2015, 09:08
Gear is near.

There's not much to talk about unless you're talking about a specific place, in which case most people are excluded from the conversation because they live and hike somewhere else.

It's really not as bad on Whiteblaze and elsewhere because there is a lot of focus on the AT, especially the Georgia section.

Tipi Walter
05-17-2015, 09:45
There are a couple facets to gear obsession and just plain gear fascination. One is using gear in harsh conditions in which a piece of gear passes the tests of time and enters our Circle of Trust. We think about our gear and are most interested in what works and what fails. The crap that falls outside my Circle of Trust (due to failure) is crap best left at home. I could name several products---ozark trail tents, sennheiser radio headphones, Mt Hardwear Atlas tent poles, Limmer boots, Sangean portable radios, the cork handles on Black Diamond hiking poles etc etc.

To me the most important facet of Gear is what it's like when it fails since every piece of gear will fail at some point or another. This is where gear reviews seriously fail, especially on websites like sectionhiker.com whereby he usually is sent gear to "test" and after a couple weeks or much less of field use offers his opinions. No adequate review can be done on a piece of gear until that gear is worn out and starts to fail. THEN it's time to write a review. Many people review items which just haven't been tested enough, and of course usually offer glowing reports.

The fascination with gear occurs in my opinion because gear is the ticket price for time spent outdoors and for the opportunity to live outdoors for weeks at a time. Not obsessed with gear? Spend 3 weeks backpacking in January at 0F or -10F and then we'll see how you feel about gear.

Lyle
05-17-2015, 10:03
Tipi, your point about gear reviews being inadequate if they are done too soon is spot on. Most any reasonably constructed gear will perform well for it's first few outings. You are entirely correct, the real test is how it handles the unexpected. Granted, I am no longer looking for totally bomb-proof gear for three season hiking, but it is still better to know the long-term performance of your chosen gear. This is why I generally put little stock in the "review" sites or, in the past, the Backpacker Magazine reviews. A much better gauge, if you want a dependable piece of gear is to check out both model longevity and user reviews.

All that said, I do still find Youtube reviews helpful for the cottage manufacturer's products that it is difficult to examine in person. They at least help you winnow out the items you have no interest in trying.

That is why, for someone who doesn't want to do the research and testing, for a first purchase, you can hardly go wrong with things like a REI Quarter Dome, not the lightest, but fully tested, or a North Face Blue Kazoo. Cutting edge? Nope. Lightest available? Nope. Fully tested and survived decades of use and still being sold? Yep. Will probably perform adequately for whatever endeavor you wish to undertake. You will not fail due to choosing this type of gear.

rickb
05-17-2015, 10:51
The fascination with gear occurs in my opinion because gear is the ticket price for time spent outdoors and for the opportunity to live outdoors for weeks at a time.

Only for a very few.

For most, the fascination with gear is no different than the fascination of the suburban school girl who "needs" a special brand of shoes to go clubbing, or the facination of the middle-aged guy who struggles to break 100 on the links who needs customs fitted clubs.

It's just human nature to make a fetish out things. It's why the malls are packed and local trails are not.

BirdBrain
05-17-2015, 10:57
This thread is helping me understand my obsession. It had not occurred to me that I mainly obsess over things I build. I give very little thought to bought items. Yes, I read reviews and look at specs. However, if I build it, I rebuild it many times in an attempt to perfect it and save a gram. I call that obsession fun.

Offshore
05-17-2015, 10:58
Tipi, your point about gear reviews being inadequate if they are done too soon is spot on. Most any reasonably constructed gear will perform well for it's first few outings. You are entirely correct, the real test is how it handles the unexpected. Granted, I am no longer looking for totally bomb-proof gear for three season hiking, but it is still better to know the long-term performance of your chosen gear. This is why I generally put little stock in the "review" sites or, in the past, the Backpacker Magazine reviews. A much better gauge, if you want a dependable piece of gear is to check out both model longevity and user reviews.

Taking Backpacker as one example - when they do a review on a piece of gear, its tested by professional reviewers who use evaluation criteria and personal experience to come up with the highs and lows. They also give the item more use in the course of a review than the average person here on WB would give it in a year. The other problem is that the models tend change year after year (sometimes big changes, sometimes "marketing changes") so by the time something has stood the test of time long enough where you feel comfortable buying an item, its been replaced and the cycle continues. Sometimes you just need to jump aboard and start the ride. One really needs to use one's experience and evaluate an item in terms of materials, construction, and track record of the manufacturer and take the plunge. Issues may arise, but to guard against a real problem, buy from a manufacturer and outfitter that backs their products/merchandise as a start. It's also important to buy why meets your needs, not what people on WB or on the trails would have you do.

Keep it in perspective - for 99% of us here, its only gear. Its not life or death. I've gotten stuff that I didn't like. I either return it, give it away to someone who would use and enjoy it, or hang onto it for my loaner supply for when I take newbies out. No matter how much research you did, there will always be something newer and better.

JumpMaster Blaster
05-18-2015, 02:36
Hiking and backpacking is a hobby but at its core there's not much to talk about. You move your legs and after a time you end up somewhere else.
This is just like any enthusiast forum. We obsess on the minutia of this activity that we love. Gives us something to think about and discuss during our more mundane moments.

When you're on WB you're not out hiking. A lot of things get beaten to death when we're sitting behind keyboards instead of putting left foot in front of right out in the woods. I, for one, would rather talk about gear than not if I can't be out hiking.

greentick
05-18-2015, 18:20
Seems a lot of new folks asking the same questions have weak google-fu.

That being said, for every 10 WBers that see a newby down vs synthetic, etc thread posted and look away, 1 or 2 good souls will post up.

Traveler
05-19-2015, 05:49
Sometimes it seems people over do it with all the gear analysis. Does anyone else get bored with all the gear talk?

Can't you just get some reasonably light gear that's good enough, and just start hiking?

Most all hobbies, sports, or activities that are taken seriously have a technical component to them that typically leads to tech-talk. NASCAR enthusiasts are a good example of this that both spectator and driver can discuss common gear minutiae interests with equal enthusiasm. Additionally, in places like WB, there are new people who come into the group that may not find a conversation on vestibule fabric manufacturing specs useful, though other people don't know what a vestibule is and benefit greatly from any conversation about them.

Human nature may not allow for a dynamic activity like hiking to not have gear talk be part of the topics discussed around campfires or boards.

bemental
05-19-2015, 06:00
Seems a lot of new folks asking the same questions have weak google-fu.

That being said, for every 10 WBers that see a newby down vs synthetic, etc thread posted and look away, 1 or 2 good souls will post up.

Might be a good noob sticky front page topic write up.

double d
05-20-2015, 01:09
There are a couple facets to gear obsession and just plain gear fascination. One is using gear in harsh conditions in which a piece of gear passes the tests of time and enters our Circle of Trust. We think about our gear and are most interested in what works and what fails. The crap that falls outside my Circle of Trust (due to failure) is crap best left at home. I could name several products---ozark trail tents, sennheiser radio headphones, Mt Hardwear Atlas tent poles, Limmer boots, Sangean portable radios, the cork handles on Black Diamond hiking poles etc etc.

To me the most important facet of Gear is what it's like when it fails since every piece of gear will fail at some point or another. This is where gear reviews seriously fail, especially on websites like sectionhiker.com whereby he usually is sent gear to "test" and after a couple weeks or much less of field use offers his opinions. No adequate review can be done on a piece of gear until that gear is worn out and starts to fail. THEN it's time to write a review. Many people review items which just haven't been tested enough, and of course usually offer glowing reports.

The fascination with gear occurs in my opinion because gear is the ticket price for time spent outdoors and for the opportunity to live outdoors for weeks at a time. Not obsessed with gear? Spend 3 weeks backpacking in January at 0F or -10F and then we'll see how you feel about gear.

Once again, well said Tipi Walter

moytoy
05-20-2015, 05:07
Sometimes it seems people over do it with all the gear analysis. Does anyone else get bored with all the gear talk?

Can't you just get some reasonably light gear that's good enough, and just start hiking?

I think it's only natural to talk about the gear you use on the trail. Compared to ham radio operators hiker gear talk is just an after thought.

lemon b
05-20-2015, 06:31
Obviously the answer is Yes and I've certainly been guilty.

sbhikes
05-21-2015, 10:12
It's like any other hobby that requires gear - some folks obsess over it. Think about music, photography, cars, fishing, whatever. Some group of guys is arguing over the best fishing lure, or the best camera lens, or the best power cord for their tube amplifier, or the best strings for their guitar. I saw a thread once on a painting forum arguing about the best paint brushes, seriously.

Musicians can be the worst. I knew a guy who had the nicest violins but he could not play a violin at all. Meanwhile, I have a cheap Chinese fiddle and it's the only one I've ever had. I can't say I play well, but I know that a better violin isn't going to help me.

With hiking I love to make every backpack trip a gear test of some sort. I like playing with new gear. It's like playing with new toys. I don't buy a lot of gear and I'm not always trying to go even lighter. I like to try to make my own gear and test it, come up with my own ideas and see how they work out. I like to test different food, too.

Praha4
05-21-2015, 10:25
Sometimes it seems people over do it with all the gear analysis. Does anyone else get bored with all the gear talk?

Can't you just get some reasonably light gear that's good enough, and just start hiking?

Dr Cranium:

really an interesting thread, thanks for posing that question. I'm pretty guilty of obsessing over gear myself.

I did some thinking about it, and realized the answer depends a lot on the hiker's experience level

Tipi Walter shared one of his many excellent 'hiker-wisdoms' here at WB a while back, he was talking about his tent, or some other gear, that he uses on his many winter hikes. He used the term "circle of trust", and how that "circle of trust" tends to go through change, as the hiker spends more time on the trail, in different weather conditions and seasons, he gains more confidence in his clothing and gear that is necessary.... he's able to quickly make a decision on what gear/clothing is necessary, what is 'nice to have', and how to best prepare for the 'what ifs?'....those little demons that whisper in the hiker's ear, that keep him/her constantly thinking

the answer also depends on the geographical region, the length of the hike, etc. lots of variables.

as time has passed, I've become less obsessive on gear, spend less time browsing gear websites and backpacking magazines to find the latest and greatest gear. And the gear manufacturers are very good at constantly tweaking gear, clothing and footwear to attract new buyers, that's the game

but it is completely possible to do as you asked, just grab some basic gear and go hiking. That is really the best way to start, because it is the only way to figure out what works and what doesn't work in your case. What works for Joe or Jane, might not work for you or me.

but I never tire of reading gear posts here on WB, it's maybe like fishermen never tire of talking fishing gear, lures, rods and reels and bait

FlyPaper
05-21-2015, 11:27
Gear talk, car talk, sports talk, politics talk, fish talk, hunting talk, girl talk (can I say that?! - lol), guy talk (better say that too huh?), gun talk, etc.

It is human nature to talk about all the details of what interests you. There is nothing unusual about hikers talking about their gear. People obsess, it's what we do.

And, of course, there is always someone who wants to complain about what others talk about. I think that is a category in the above list too. If it gets tedious just skip it for a few days.

Well said! People talk about things they love. If you eliminate all talk that is somehow "unnecessary", we'll barely even speak. It should be no surprise that some hikers enjoy talking about gear. It is a form of recreation itself. If that seems silly, consider that even hiking is "recreation" and considered silly by some.

rocketsocks
05-21-2015, 11:33
Read an article the other day that talked about the release of chemicals in our brand when we do certain things, like scratching an itch, or even talking about ourselves to other people, it releases feel signals. Thought it interesting and seems to make sense as to why one would go on and on about themselves, could be an addition.

Nodust
05-21-2015, 19:02
I obsess about gear more than I should. But when you're stuck at work or can't hit the trail, that passes the time. Looking at gear and looking at trail maps gets you to the next venture.

Sarcasm the elf
05-21-2015, 20:35
Sometimes we obsess about gear too much.

Sometimes obsess about pedantic aspects of LNT too much. http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/70618-How-do-you-carry-your-ground-coffee

It's the internet, we all say silly things.

BirdBrain
05-21-2015, 20:41
Now that's some funny stuff right there. I don't care who you are.

I sure am glad I am taking via and packing out the wrappers.

Theosus
05-21-2015, 20:50
It's like any other hobby that requires gear - some folks obsess over it. Think about music, photography, cars, fishing, whatever. Some group of guys is arguing over the best fishing lure, or the best camera lens, or the best power cord for their tube amplifier, or the best strings for their guitar. I saw a thread once on a painting forum arguing about the best paint brushes, seriously.

I used to do a lot of shortwave listening. Its a fun way to pass the time, especially running across pirates or some broadcast from halfway across the world. Sometimes I would hear amateur operators, and by and large for the most part they seem to talk about the same things hikers talk about, weather, food, and gear. Pretty funny how different the hobbies are, yet how similar the conversations go.

I think some people obsess about gear too much, but there just seems to always be a better way to do things. In my own experience, I've gone through several iterations of hammock rainfly hanging. First I had a thick paracord line which I would just tie around the trees. It was a pain and took a while to get right sometimes. Then I tried the same line with a carabiner at one end to clip to itself, and just tie the other end. Thinking of a way to make it easier, I made a couple of tree straps, which worked awesome but added weight. I got rid of the straps and made a set of hooks for the ropes with prussic knots that would slide. After a couple of hikes I completely replaced the paracord with smaller rope, with the hooks at the ends and a new way to tie it off to itself.

So, for someone new to hiking, they may be gear obsessed and want to find the absolute best way to do stuff, so they don't have to go through all the trials and expense. That's the nice thing about hiking with a group. You don't have to constantly be asking people online. Everyone sets up camp and you look around and see what each other is doing.

rocketsocks
05-21-2015, 21:46
I used to do a lot of shortwave listening. Its a fun way to pass the time, especially running across pirates or some broadcast from halfway across the world. Sometimes I would hear amateur operators, and by and large for the most part they seem to talk about the same things hikers talk about, weather, food, and gear. Pretty funny how different the hobbies are, yet how similar the conversations go.

I think some people obsess about gear too much, but there just seems to always be a better way to do things. In my own experience, I've gone through several iterations of hammock rainfly hanging. First I had a thick paracord line which I would just tie around the trees. It was a pain and took a while to get right sometimes. Then I tried the same line with a carabiner at one end to clip to itself, and just tie the other end. Thinking of a way to make it easier, I made a couple of tree straps, which worked awesome but added weight. I got rid of the straps and made a set of hooks for the ropes with prussic knots that would slide. After a couple of hikes I completely replaced the paracord with smaller rope, with the hooks at the ends and a new way to tie it off to itself.

So, for someone new to hiking, they may be gear obsessed and want to find the absolute best way to do stuff, so they don't have to go through all the trials and expense. That's the nice thing about hiking with a group. You don't have to constantly be asking people online. Everyone sets up camp and you look around and see what each other is doing.
I just use hammer and nails. :D