 
Misc Bits & Pieces !-------------------------------------------------------
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From: David Brogren, 06/12/96 I concur on the quality issue and have several pieces of gear that I have repurchased to prove it. Check out Wild Country tents. I have used Sierra Design, Quest Preying Mantis 4S, and this North Country 2 man by Wild country. It weighs in at 6 lbs 5 oz, but you can actually sleep 2 (countem) adults in it without a problem. Most every other tent that weighs less, doesn't have the appropriate width/length to accomodate 2 20" wide pads, which sort of says to me that they are actually 1 person models. My Wild Country is good up to the tree line, easy to set up, and seems real well constructed. ....I have been sleeping in Marmot Arete's of late, and was warm down to about 20 degrees in the mountains of N Carolina with a stiff wind blowing. They weigh 2 lbs 5 oz each and pack very small (7 x 15). They are tight at the knees, but imminently useable for three seasons. I will take down over my Moonstone Minimas (which weighs the same)or Optima (which weighs a bit more) because I see a dedgrading insulating value in my 3 years of use on my Moonstones. The lite loft seems to break down and that 30-40 degree bag leaves me chilled at a temp that it should easily handle.
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From: Rod, 06/15/96 I've been a backpacker for quite some time, and certainly a proponent of lightweight, high quality equipment. I am an employee of a high-end outdoor equipment retailer in Louisville, Kentucky. In our particular shop, we are salaried, no-commision, experienced users of the equipment we sell. Anyway, I just wanted to throw in my $0.02 about boots - since I'm the resident "boot boss" at our shop (Quest Outdoors). GORE-TEX boots, while waterproof, are hotter than non-GORE-TEX boots (especially in all-leather boots). GORE-TEX is the best thing since sliced bread when laminated under nylon and polyester. GORE-TEX, however, does not work as well under leather. Leather hampers the GORE-TEX's ability to "breathe." Is this a bad thing? Not really. But it is a minor bit of technical information that I believe every hiker or backpacker should know. Well-constructed all-leather boots (good full-grain leather, *very* few seams) that are cared for and treated *properly* will be just as waterproof and more breathable than all leather GORE-TEX boots.
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From: Brad Davis, 12/02/96 Two things I'll mention: 1) I've backpacked all over California my entire life, but it wasn't until I did some backpacking on the Appalachian Trail that I saw the widespread use of gaiters in non-winter months. I picked up a pair (they're pretty cheap) and used them backpacking. The result was terrific. Socks/liners stayed nice and mud-free, and annoying sticks and pebbles didn't find their way into my boots. For their cost and weight, I think they deserve a spot in every pack. 2) I've been using a Solstice Backpacker's Parka with microshed coating. It's every bit as waterproof as Gore-Tex, only not quite as breathable. I've yet to run into problems with condensation, however, since the jacket has adequate pit zips. For only $180, I think it's a fantastic alternative for those of us who aren't ready to splurge for a full Gore-Tex suit of armor.
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