I guess there’s always something to be improved on.

Boots: For the record, my holy grail of boots has been my teva terrafi2 sandals as I have backpacked in them from 25F to 110F. from monsoons to deserts, through rivers, and scree, w/o blisters or stubbed toes (knock on wood). You won’t find me w/o a coolmax sock accompanying the sandal.

Pack: I love the lightweight Mariposa (16oz) but in the summer, I sweat too much in it so I go back to my heaver Ghost (34oz) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.

Bag: I love my WM POD30 (17oz) , but I wish it had a full zip so I can take it in warmer weather. I take the heavier Caribou (20oz) in warmer weather (If my son doesn’t go with me). Maybe a quilt will solve this lightweight problem.

Tent: I always want the lightest tent out there. But there is a point where I say ‘it’s not worth it.’ I like my 2-man GG Squall classic at 24oz. Since the ‘One’ came out at 19oz, is it worth the 5oz weight savings at the ~same cost as a 2-man squall? Is it worth the loss of living room? For me, the ‘One’ would have to be cheaper and the tent would have to be 16oz. However, there’s a catch with that; The SMD Wild Oasis looks excellent but I don’t know if I could stand it in hot and humid summers.

Pad: (maybe this should be the big 5 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />). I never know which of my pads to take. Decisions, decisions. Usually I take a heavier pad on low mileage trips and lighter pads on high mileage trips.

-Barry