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Christmas Gear Thread.

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  • 13-12-2013 3:16pm
    #1
    Mycroft H
    Registered Users Posts: 9,316 ✭✭✭


    As christmas is coming soon, may not be a bad idea to post some gear ideas for the aspiring camper.

    Two from me;

    The Alpkit Hunka; a great bivvy bag and for less than 50 quid delivered, you can't go wrong at this price. Used it a lot during the summer. Fairly breathable and packs small.

    Click on the pic for the link

    hunka_main_chi_456_456auto.jpg

    The Trangia. Any of them are good. They pack small. Complete set; pots and pans included. Practically indestructible and totally reliable. Can't say that about your Whisperlight. I've mine 5 years and it's took lots of abuse over the years. I'd go with the standard, it's more tolerant of abuse than the non-stick coating.

    Trangia_25-1.jpg


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    #2
    WAPAIC
    Registered Users Posts: 240 ✭✭WAPAIC


    The Hunka has no way to keep out midge. In wicklow and many other places in Ireland, this is bad! I'd rather get one with a little mesh across the opening gap, much better.


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    #3
    mr lee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 332 ✭✭mr lee


    non stick coating always comes off eventually,no matter what its on


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    #4
    Mycroft H
    Registered Users Posts: 9,316 ✭✭✭Mycroft H


    WAPAIC wrote: »
    The Hunka has no way to keep out midge. In wicklow and many other places in Ireland, this is bad! I'd rather get one with a little mesh across the opening gap, much better.

    I must have got lucky to be honest; camping out near the coast with a bit of a breeze.
    mr lee wrote: »
    non stick coating always comes off eventually,no matter what its on

    Which is why I wouldn't be bothered with it to be honest. Plus you can clean the pots with a bit of gravel/sand with the plan aluminium ones, where you would wreck the pots doing that with a teflon like coating.


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    #5
    WAPAIC
    Registered Users Posts: 240 ✭✭WAPAIC


    It's a good bit of kit other than that.

    I see they do stoves now, worth a look
    https://www.alpkit.com/products/kraku


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    #6
    Pat Mustard
    Registered Users Posts: 9,554 ✭✭✭Pat Mustard


    Mycroft H wrote: »
    The Trangia. Any of them are good. They pack small. Complete set; pots and pans included. Practically indestructible and totally reliable. Can't say that about your Whisperlight. I've mine 5 years and it's took lots of abuse over the years. I'd go with the standard, it's more tolerant of abuse than the non-stick coating.

    I'd also agree the above; excellent piece of kit. It's worth pointing out to those who may be trying to decide on a stove, that although fuel is a concern with any stove, these use methylated spirit, which is easily available. Meths can be got from pretty much any hardware store or pharmacy. Contrast that with the availability of gas.

    A further option when it comes to Trangias is the hard-anodised aluminium set. I have this one myself. I'm not certain if it's as durable as the standard trangia, but it's supposedly more easy to clean and it's more durable than the one with the non-stick surface.

    160258%281%29.jpg

    Cheaper versions would be the old Swedish Army Trangias. They really are going for a song, and I suppose that you'd get a little piece of history there as well, whether or not they are as good as the standard versions. Also available on ebay, of course.

    To be fair, you could have a whole thread on camping stoves alone.
    WAPAIC wrote: »
    The Hunka has no way to keep out midge. In wicklow and many other places in Ireland, this is bad! I'd rather get one with a little mesh across the opening gap, much better.

    On that issue, this Highlander Hawk bivvy bag is on my list of things to get in future. It doesn't have a brand to compare with Alpkit, but it is described as having a Hydrostatic Head of 4,000mm so it should be waterproof enough. Also, it has a mesh insect screen. I have high hopes for this one.

    41zUfNAaauL._SX385_.jpg


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    #7
    Tabnabs
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,692 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    If you can get one, the dutch surplus hooped bivi bag is the dogs...

    http://www.gisurplus.co.uk/shop/product.php/789/dutch-camo-goretex-hooped-bivi-bag-pole


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    #8
    thehomeofDob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭thehomeofDob


    If you're not a fan of multifuel stoves, don't like to carry meths, or just prefer the use of gas canisters I'd recommend either the Kovea Spider or if you like to shop local and don't mind paying for a name the MSR Windpro II. Both are remote canister stoves that will operate in inverted canister mode meaning they work in all temperatures you're bound to face in Ireland. Another benefit of a remote canister stove is that you can completely enclose the stove in a windshield with no fear or overheating the canister and causing an explosion!

    I've found the MSR in 53 Degrees north if you'd like to buy Irish. It's about 100 quid
    msr-windpro-II-stove.jpg

    The Kovea can be bought on eBay or Amazon for about $50, eBay has free shipping from China.
    2065.jpg


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    #9
    silverharp
    Registered Users Posts: 17,840 ✭✭✭✭silverharp


    thehomeofDob wrote: »
    If you're not a fan of multifuel stoves, don't like to carry meths, or just prefer the use of gas canisters I'd recommend either the Kovea Spider ..........

    looks good, I am always worried about the gas stove toppling over and losing dinner, it looks like that system is more stable as it would sit lower on the ground. I just might treat myself to that


    As far as I know I am getting a top of the range Marino Base Layers from "santa", looking forward to trying them out in Jan

    A belief in gender identity involves a level of faith as there is nothing tangible to prove its existence which, as something divorced from the physical body, is similar to the idea of a soul. - Colette Colfer



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    #10
    mr lee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 332 ✭✭mr lee


    what is the difference between the anodised trangia and the standard one?


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    #11
    Pat Mustard
    Registered Users Posts: 9,554 ✭✭✭Pat Mustard


    mr lee wrote: »
    what is the difference between the anodised trangia and the standard one?

    They are non-stick.


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    #12
    thehomeofDob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭thehomeofDob


    silverharp wrote: »
    looks good, I am always worried about the gas stove toppling over and losing dinner, it looks like that system is more stable as it would sit lower on the ground. I just might treat myself to that


    As far as I know I am getting a top of the range Marino Base Layers from "santa", looking forward to trying them out in Jan

    I have a similar remote canister stove without the inverted mode function and it's brilliant. It can leave a scorch mark on the ground though so you may want to keep it off the grass if you're concerned about leaving no trace.
    The Mustard wrote: »
    They are non-stick.

    Just bear in mind with non-stick anything you should be sure to use stiff rubber/plastic utensils and a soft sponge/cloth when cleaning. Non-stick coatings come off so easily. :o


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