Heheh... a few months before I got onto the lightweight hiking kick, I had bought a bunch of military gear, the old stuff: ALICE pack, web belt, etc. I took it on one car camping trip and since then it has sat in my storage unit. It weighs a ton. It would probably hold the apartment still during an earthquake.

Two summers ago I saw a hideous green kayaking shirt on sale at REI and HAD TO HAVE IT. I needed a synthetic shirt at the time, and it was only $15. My need for something practical completely overrided my sense of style.

The worst part was that I showed a picture of me in that shirt to my wife during our first date. She thought it looked horrid, but still wanted to go on a second date.