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Well, I got the EMS bag, the REI bag, and the North Face bag. I like the EMS bag best for the large mesh pockets and overall feel. Carries a little better for me (they all carry fine but I like the...

I just picked up the EMS bag. Great bag: huge mesh pockets swallow a 1L Platy easily & room to spare. Good divider, 9 oz total on my scale. Straps carry well but aren't bulky & compresses small....

Good tip, thanks. I'm putting a black slider on the loooooong straps as a retainer and good to go. Great little pack.

+1 for both REI and LL Bean. I buy from them often because of the great service. I would NEVER abuse their warranty policy. And I love sending other people to buy from them, who will in turn be happy...

A few years ago my Vasque boots, very pricey boots sold with an unlimited lifetime warranty, had the soles crumble on them...chemical breakdown of the soles, which Google showed as a known widespread...

+1000 for this being an awesome tent. Grab it at 30% off, a steal. The bathtub floor WORKS even when your site becomes a lake. Incredibly livable design, very roomy. Great setup for 2 also.

Need help trying to choose between several makes of UL day pack, each sub-14 ounces, each approximately 25 liters. Two intended uses: one for the trail ( as a day pack, sometimes for day hikes,...

@ OP: Like everyone, I agree this kind of opportunistic theft is a rare event on the trail. Too bad it happened, and sounds like your son took it in stride and kept it in perspective. Good for him,...

Typo. I should have said '40 to 60 pound average pack load'. 30 lbs would have been considered extremely light, and would have been very difficult to manage with the gear--clothes, tents, bags,...

Search the Flash and you'll find a lot of reviews from people who've used it just fine on one or more thru's. These are sturdy, well built packs. If one did start to fail, any REI store will replace...

PS There are a lot of little keychain/zipper pull sized compass/air temp thermometers for under $10 so one more alternative to paying to have it on a watch.

There are now a zillion confusing Casio model variations, some much better/worse than others. Overall after trying & returning several I think the Pathfinder is 'all hat and no cattle.'
I agree the...

When I hiked in the early 70s the experienced, savvy long distance hiker wore:

denim Wrangler or Levi's jeans
heavy leather above-the-ankle hiking boots, preferably European, that wore and...

Deer ticks are small and easy to overlook but they are definitely visible if you're looking for them. SNP is full of them.
Deer ticks are in a pretty wide territory, and humans are one of their...

All good advice. Sounds like you're ready.
You've probably already done this, but it's really helpful to take all your thru gear out for a shakedown weekend. Do some miles, live for 48 hrs or so as...

Yep, definitely join, the best $20 you'll ever spend outdoors.
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One of the perks is you get to come to their 'returned gear sales' they hold at local stores roughly every 90 days (ask at each...

Definitely take action. Delay and time are not your friends when Lyme's could be involved. Anecdotally there are a lot of people who take too long to get diagnosed or get false reassurance from a...

BJStuart, great link! I'm going to order some, thanks a lot for the tip.

Also, Dollar Tree stores have similiar (maybe identical, same maker?) lights, I think 2 for a buck. great for clipping to a...

Anything smaller than 700ml is just too small to be useful and a waste of weight. If you just want a zero-weight drinking cup, just cut a water bottle down to whatever size you like. Free and fun. ...

Circuit is just a great pack. All the ULA's I have seen are beautifully built. Totally exceeding all expectations.

Search and you will find lots of posts from people who have done 35-40 lbs and...

Flash 65 is a GREAT pack. Well designed, well built. Lots of storage options.

Can't beat REI's warranty/return policy.

REI has an unlimited return policy. Keep your receipt (or buy it with your member # so they can track it later in their database) and you can return it basically forever...which I hope doesn't get...

I was in Costco last week and saw a name brand camera (forgot the brand) that was guranteed to be waterproof (OK to immerse to X feet), shockproof, dropproof, etc. Had a sturdy looking rubberized...

Hmmm...a lot of threads are what I call 'base weight anorexia'.

Tall and thin means high center of gravity, easier to tip out of most pockets (YMMV), harder to keep upright on a flat surface....

Bigger is better. Titanium or stainless. I like the cheap dirtbaggy idea of the grease pots, but bottom line these are soft aluminum meant for storage, not cooking, and any way you slice it you're...