we buy meals and make our own with ingredients from http://www.packitgourmet.com. you can buy premade meals in bags, or pick your own ingredients & buy bags to cook in. it's awesome. the food is super high quality & really good. the breakfast smoothies are the shit. steer clear of the hamburger wrap kit unless you like ground beef with TONS of black pepper. the chicken & dumplings soup is good, but takes a little longer to cook than they say on the package. we've made tacos & beef/vegetable stew from individual ingredients & it was really good.

2/4/2012 11:57:46 PM

Quote :

"http://www.packitgourmet.com"

jeebus, that place is expensive...i'm glad i'm capable of (and happy to) go backpacking with foods i can get for $cheap at the grocery store or make with my $20 dehydrator

in other news, i think i've decided on gaia gps (http://www.gaiagps.com/) as my android-to-offroad-GPS app...it's got a boatload of features, uses OSM cycle maps, and allows you to download map tiles for offline use...it's also got one of the cleanest interfaces

maverick pro is a runner up

2/5/2012 4:02:42 PM

Yeah it's expensive but when you need it only once a year & you want convenience, it works.

2/5/2012 5:31:53 PM

thinking about hitting up linville gorge/falls at the end of march.

any advice will be appreciated. we're planning on doing the loop, and maybe adding a leg to go up to the falls.

also, anyone have a suggestion for a decent hand-held GPS unit? something not too expensive.

2/9/2012 12:28:13 PM

^I'm planning that too in the next few months! I've got a Garmin 62s I got on sale at REI. It works magic. It last 1-2 days recording constantly (off at night / long breaks). My favorite part is importing it into Google Earth and seeing your trail on the 3D terrain.

[Edited on February 9, 2012 at 12:36 PM. Reason : s]

2/9/2012 12:36:08 PM

^^ Ditto! Not trying though til around October, I want to see the leaves!

Trips this year! SO EXCITED!

Linville Falls
Art Loeb Trail (Annual thing, go every 4th of July and hike the whole thing through!)
Grayson Highlands
Roan Mountain section of the AT
Wilson Creek

And I'm looking for something wihtin a few hours of Myrtle. My family is having a reunion and I may want to sneak away for a few days while I'm there and do some backpacking.

2/10/2012 10:29:53 AM

i'm surprised no one has mentioned the massive sale at REI in cary, since they're moving

all fuel is 50% off...all clearance items are 30% off clearance price...i picked up a 60 lumens petzl headlamp (one of the really efficient ones with a red LED night mode) for $25 (regularly $55)

white gas was $6.50/gallon and a standard size canister of isobutane was something like $2.50 or $3

3/5/2012 9:12:34 PM

We're planning an overnight to South Mountain March 25th.

That was one of the first places I camped in North Carolina...that was fun, but then I had to go to Gastonia
afterwards. Blleeeech.

3/5/2012 9:22:31 PM

this is the headlamp, in case anyone cares: http://www.rei.com/product/791313/petzl-tikka-xp-2-led-headlamp

$26.55 after discount at the cary REI ONLY

3/5/2012 9:49:15 PM

^ I have had that headlamp myself for a year or two. I love it - the red light is especially nice when trying to preserve night vision. I have been eyeing it on clearance online for a while now, so maybe I'll go see if they still have them at the Cary store and pick one up for my Dad.

Thanks for the heads up! Didn't realize they would be having a sale since they're just moving down the road...

3/6/2012 9:54:06 AM

^ i wouldn't have thought so, either...it's my understanding that they're slowly going up in discount (it was only 20% last week, now it's 30%) and will end with 50% the weekend of the massive (cary/raleigh/durham combined) garage sale on the 17th (i think)

they still had 5 or 6 of the grey/orange that i got, and several of the indigo (not my thing)...they also had several of a cheaper model (the non-XP, maybe?)

3/6/2012 11:11:03 AM

No more jet boil fuel to be had because someone whom will remain safely anonymous (HockeyRoman) bought the last three!

Also snagged some winter boots for $38, three of the ultralight travel towels and one of those spiffy headlamps.

3/6/2012 1:38:10 PM

My friend works at that REI and didn't tell me anything about a sale happening before the actual garage sale

3/6/2012 4:55:57 PM

i may be the only data junkie in this thread and as such, the only person that cares about doing this...but i'm going to try using my thunderbolt as a data logger for our mcafee knob trip this weekend

GPS Essentials will actually only turn on the GPS at a given interval (rather than keeping it on and only spacing out the recordings) and still record at a given interval: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mictale.gpsessentials

GO Power Master will let you turn off everything (data, wifi, cell signal, etc) and allow you to kill truly useless apps (who needs facebook running when you don't have data?): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gau.go.launcherex.gowidget.gopowermaster

theoretically, that gives me about enough on-time for our 2.5-day trip, but we'll see

3/7/2012 1:10:48 PM

That sounds like fun!

I am on track for my 8 day Georgia AT trip starting on the 17th. Starting at Springer and ending at Hiawassee. Gear spreadsheet is *mostly* complete and I have several freezer bag cooking meals that I like and will be taking along. While this won't actually be the truest test of my winter weather gear, it will at least give me a chance to get on trail for an extended period of time.

I also ordered this little goodie to satisfy my weather bug! Haha.

http://www.backcountry.com/brunton-atmospheric-data-center-pro

[Edited on March 7, 2012 at 1:37 PM. Reason : .]

3/7/2012 1:35:29 PM

I track all my trips using a Garmin Forerunner, been doing it since 2008. I get about 12 hours of tracking or so.

3/7/2012 1:48:08 PM

Quote :

"I track all my trips using a Garmin Forerunner, been doing it since 2008. I get about 12 hours of tracking or so."

well, i still use my navin minihomer, which gets around 17-18 hours...but it's flaked out a couple of times...i'll check it while stopped and it's turned off (while the battery is still fine)

the estimated life of the tbolt as a logger is around the same...while it's certainly heavier and larger, it has the added advantage of letting me check an actual map (using gaiagps) if necessary

3/7/2012 3:05:03 PM

Does anyone have an old tent footprint that they'd be willing to part with by chance?

3/12/2012 2:39:48 PM

get some tyvek. they sell it at GOP by the food/yard/some linear dimension.

3/12/2012 2:51:26 PM

or if you want something cheaper, lighter, smaller than tyvek: window shrink film

http://www.amazon.com/Frost-V73-3H-Shrink-Window/dp/B0000CBJN3/

pick whichever size box has the sheets that are sized to meet your needs...you can get it at lowe's or home depot, though it's half the price from amazon...frost king brand, red box is what i have, though any of them should work

same stuff as gossamer gear's polycryo

it doesn't even seem like it would be puncture-resistant, but it is...it likely won't last as long as a comparable sheet of tyvek, but it IS cheaper and lighter and it's not like it just suddenly falls apart...i've used the same shrink film groundcloth for 20+ nights and it's still hole- and tear-free

by the same token, it can be difficult to use if it's windy BECAUSE it's so light

[Edited on March 12, 2012 at 3:22 PM. Reason : only if you're using it as a ground cloth, though...won't make a good shelter]

3/12/2012 3:17:30 PM

a piece of tyvek for our 2p backpacking tent was <$10. i think i'd be too scared to use the window shrink wrap. tyvek doesn't really weigh that much either, but there are different levels of lightweight backpackers...soooo to each his own!

3/12/2012 3:29:03 PM

Quote :

"a piece of tyvek for our 2p backpacking tent was <$10."

a box of shrink film that has covered my brother's 3-man, my 3-man (with 2 vestibules), my 2-man, my solo, and my other brother's 2-man...using less than half of the box...was about $7 shipped

Quote :

"i think i'd be too scared to use the window shrink wrap."

that's pretty common...i use it and i'm still surprised that it doesn't puncture or tear...but it doesn't, so i'm convinced

Quote :

"tyvek doesn't really weigh that much either, but there are different levels of lightweight backpackers...soooo to each his own!"

tyvek easily weights 3-4x what this stuff does...and i agree that tyvek is very light, so that should give you an idea of how little this weighs...if i fold it (as opposed to balling it up as i usually do), the plastic for my 1-man tent is half the size of my bi-fold wallet

i'm definitely of the cheaper, lighter, smaller, just-as-durable camp of backpackers, i admit it...my usual camping buddy swears by his tyvek, though, and i DID envy him this past weekend when it was so windy up on mcafee knob...i had to pitch the tent first and then slide the plastic underneath because it was too windy for me to put it down first (still no snags, tears, or rips, though!)

EDIT: forgot to mention that tyvek isn't waterproof, nor does it lend itself to be taped if it develops a hole or begins to fray...so there's that

[Edited on March 12, 2012 at 3:57 PM. Reason : .]

3/12/2012 3:55:03 PM

The purpose would be to cut out a section to place under my pack on the ground to save some wear and tear without adding but an ounce or two of weight.

Also, what is the best way to get dropped off by someone (not a shuttle service) at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mtn? I've found a route on google maps but I am curious if the forest service rd is usable by ordinary folks. And I don't want to hike the 8 mi (from what I've read) from the base of the Falls.

Here's the map I made. You just have to follow it down a bit farther until crosses the AT. Google maps didn't like giving directions to that point. http://g.co/maps/6762b

3/12/2012 4:09:22 PM

Quote :

"forgot to mention that tyvek isn't waterproof, nor does it lend itself to be taped if it develops a hole or begins to fray...so there's that"

tyvek is waterproof, but water vapor can still pass, making it breathable. it's like goretex for your house or something.

and apparently they sell tyvek tape, but that wouldn't typically be something you'd pack for a camping trip lol

and i'm talking about the tyvek for home use, slick, stiff, paper-like. not the stuff they use as fabric.

[Edited on March 12, 2012 at 4:20 PM. Reason : ]

3/12/2012 4:17:29 PM

^^But the approach is half the battle. What's another 8 miles when you're already doing like 2,180?

3/12/2012 5:22:07 PM

Next year, sure. But next week is only my 9 day mini-Hike where I am only doing 70-80 miles so that I know what to encounter next March.

3/12/2012 5:55:54 PM

Anybody backpacked Glacier? I'm planning a trip there late this summer, and am looking for a 4-5 night trip. Done a little research myself, really just looking for any great experiences or advice y'all might have. Pretty excited about this one.

this trip looked pretty cool, but a loop trail would be preferable...distance isn't much of a problem, solitude and scenery are obviously key: http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?tripId=354490

3/13/2012 12:26:02 AM

Anyone have any recommendations for summer camps for kids? My oldest son is 7 (will be 8 this summer) and will be a rising 3rd grader. Looking for over-night camps 4-7 days long pretty much anywhere in NC (southern VA, northern SC would be fine too) that isn't $Texas. Every place I've found that accommodates his age seems to be $900 or more. Don't suppose there could be any in the $200-$300 range is there? Didn't know if anyone here has kids old enough or remembers any camps they went to as a kid that they liked.

3/14/2012 4:12:45 PM

Camp Cheerio
http://www.campcheerio.org/

It's a summer camp associated with the YMCA (so not at all sketch). The camp is located in Glade Valley, NC (nearish to Elkin) overlooking Stone Mountain. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me, and I will pass it along to my girlfriend who works on the full-time staff.

3/14/2012 4:49:45 PM

^I worked there as a counselor one summer as well. Great camp.

3/14/2012 5:02:06 PM

well crap, thats another one that costs more than I can afford. Website says $875 for 1 week

3/14/2012 6:09:56 PM

Call and talk to someone. I know they have special allowances for families who really can't afford it, or at least they did when I worked there.

Also, if you or your spouse is in the medical profession, a lot of camps will give your kids a free stay at camp in exchange for being the camp nurse, or something of that nature.

3/14/2012 6:17:14 PM

I went to Camp Thunderbird as a kid and I know they had special allowances for folks that couldnt afford the whole price. My sister and I both got to go for two years. Im not sure who runs the camp, but I would look into it. MOst summer sessions are 2 weeks at a time.

4/3/2012 11:12:05 AM

eddie bauer has a line of camping & backpacking gear now (tents, sleeping bags, etc). i haven't seen any of it in person yet. if i didn't already have a bag & had more money, i'd probably try one of the first ascent down bags.
http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/Bags--Gear/Camping/Camping-Equipment/index.cat

4/3/2012 11:20:27 AM

eddie bauer stuff always struck me as the kind of thing people who don't do "real" camping/backpacking buy

the prices are okay, i guess, but you can get something from REI for the same price, get 10% back via dividend, and have a lifetime return policy...not sure the eddie bauer stuff is worth anything (IMO, obviously)

*shrug*

4/3/2012 12:53:31 PM

the EB stuff, yeah, i agree with you there, but i've really liked the FA stuff so far (jackets & such). of course that all comes down to fit + construction. i probably wouldn't buy a tent but since i have several FA down & nondown jackets, i'm interested in their sleeping bags.

anyway, yeah, just thought i'd post since i got an email about it yesterday.

4/3/2012 1:11:13 PM

I am thinking of taking a 3-5 day camping trip by myself somewhere in the US this summer. Want to go somewhere with great scenery and little chances of seeing people, other than that not too many restrictions. Would love to go to Alaska but that might be too expensive of a flight. Any suggestions? I live in Texas so was thinking somewhere west like Colorado but never been out that way so don't have any great ideas.

4/3/2012 5:38:42 PM

^
http://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm

dunno if it qualifies but pretty much this is my to-do one!

4/3/2012 5:50:00 PM

That looks amazing, only worry is how much it would cost to get there. Will definitely look into it, thanks!

4/3/2012 6:02:16 PM

i am planning to go to North Manitou Island this weekend! I hiked South Manitou Island 2 years ago and it was pretty cool. We plan to camp overnight and hike the island end to end.

http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/northmanitouisland.htm

Map and other good info:
http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/upload/nmi_brochure.pdf

4/3/2012 6:22:13 PM

I figure I'll throw this out there. I just came back from the first 67.5 (ended up being 68.4) miles of the AT in Georgia doing Springer Mtn to Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee) in just six days. I did all of this wearing http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/12464M/29127/Mens/Moab-Mid-GORE-TEX upon the recommendation from the person at REI in Greensboro. On the third day I developed very intense left knee pain to where I couldn't lift my leg to step over things. I also have three pretty badly bruised toes/toenails. According to the person at REI in Durham this was all a result from the boots I was wearing and has no idea why they would have recommended those for the AT. As a result, I was fitted for http://www.rei.com/product/721359/vasque-wasatch-gtx-hiking-boots-mens and told they would treat my feet and knees much, much better.

When I went for 6 days, my pack weighed 42lbs which is NOT typical for when I planned to thru-hike. More aptly, I will be 30lbs and under like I was able to do once I got to Neel's Gap and send home most of the winter stuff I brought and had eaten down some of the food, but by then, the knee damage had already been done.

I initially liked (and still do like) the idea of using a lighter shoe much like a trail runner given that I will be sub-30 on pack weight and I've read that heavier boots put more strain on your legs/back. I've never had weak ankle issues so the low profile doesn't bother me, but I'd like to retain the stiff Vibram soles for protection over rocks.

I know that footwear is a contentious issue, but I am curious as to what experience any of you have had with trail runners combined with a sub-30lbs pack while avoiding knee issues and jamming my toes against the front causing bruising.

4/3/2012 8:08:15 PM

what do you mean by "trail runners"? you linked to two mid-height boots...i always considered "trail runner" to refer to lows

for me, unless it's below 40F during the day, i almost always hike in my chaco Z/1s...the unaweep vibram soles are comparatively heavy, but they support very well and you never have to worry about feeling the trail under you

when it's cooler or the chacos won't work for some reason, i wear hi-tec radar II EV lows with the v-lite sole and eVent waterproof fabric...they're excellent shoes (i think i got them on clearance for $40 instead of the regular $100+ price), but i can definitely feel the trail after 20 miles or so with a 25lb pack



even though my ankles tend to be weak, i don't like boots with ankle support...i'm sure i'll pay for it one of these trips

[Edited on April 3, 2012 at 9:45 PM. Reason : .]

4/3/2012 9:43:33 PM

Quote :

"for me, unless it's below 40F during the day, i almost always hike in my chaco Z/1s...the unaweep vibram soles are comparatively heavy, but they support very well and you never have to worry about feeling the trail under you"

I love mine, and pretty much wear them everywhere, including backpacking. The problem my friend and I have is that when the straps get wet they really start to dig in. I've still got scars from a couple of long hikes in the mountains. You ever have problems with them when they get wet?

4/3/2012 9:50:54 PM

Right, I know what I linked/wore versus trail runners, but I am curious if anyone had any experience hiking in them with sub-30lbs packs.

I, too, LOVE chacos. I've worn mine all "winter" and thought about getting the ones that didn't have the toe-loop so that I can still wear socks to keep junk from getting in and driving me crazy. I've never had knee issues prior to my mini-Hike so I am curious to know if it was caused by my footwear or suddenly being 42lbs over weight and doing 13-15mi days on the Georgia AT.

4/3/2012 9:54:31 PM

Quote :

"That looks amazing, only worry is how much it would cost to get there. Will definitely look into it, thanks!"

Did Isle Royale a year ago - one of my best camping experiences ever. I'd say 5 nights would be the bare minimum. We'd planned for 5 but the swells were too high on the day of our planned departure, so the ferry didn't run and we had to cram the island transit into 4 nights...still great, but it's a place you could spend more than a week easy. Of course, the visiting season is very short, and it's popular, so there will be other people, but I never felt crowded once we got away from the popular landings. Would answer any questions I could about visiting.

I'd also throw the Wind River Range, specifically the area around Pinedale, WY, out there. It's fairly easy to access from SLC and is an absolutely stunning place. I've done the Titcomb Basin area in winter and seen nobody, but would expect some encounters in summer - but as Forest Service land it's likely less populated than most any national park.

4/3/2012 10:21:14 PM

re: trail runners

i've worn adidas trail runners ever since running on the cross country team in high school. i love them & they are my go-to sneaker and trail shoe (if VFFs aren't going to work). i've had several pairs. i wore some when we did our first portion of the AT last summer & they did just fine. i did some testing with the same pack, same weight (~30 lbs), with the adidas trail runners, VFFs, & the backpacking boots i've had for a long time. i ended up taking the adidas & the VFFs. the boots were just too heavy feeling with a loaded pack on (i love them for muddy/wet hiking otherwise).

i, too, have a history of knee problems. also the shoes are the adidas trail response.

[Edited on April 3, 2012 at 10:40 PM. Reason : ]

4/3/2012 10:40:03 PM

Mountain camping site ideas wanted

This is more for camping out of a vehicle than backpacking in to a location.

I'm looking for dog-friendly areas in the mountains to camp that preferably have:
-immediate access to a stream or river to swim in/drink from/fish for dinner in (yay)
-several hiking trails or areas to explore within walking distance (or if that doesn't exist, at least a reasonable driving distance away...and again, are dog friendly)
-I'm big into photography so any trail with views is even better

I'm really not a huge fan of the cookie-cutter sites that you spend all night sharing music from one neighbor and screaming children from another. I want my pups to be able to explore without having to worry about keeping them on-lead due to neighbors or regulations.

I currently have a 6 year old GSD mix and an almost 10 week old GSD (I'll wait till he's older to take him, of course). I LOVE camping, but haven't been in a few years and I want to be able to go somewhere where I can set up camp and literally not have to drive anywhere else (unless we opt to go into a town somewhere). We would stop somewhere on the way to get groceries and just bring them to the site in a cooler.

ALSO:

Tent recommendations:
-Large enough for my boyfriend and I, with room to spare for the 2 dogs (if for whatever reason they need to come inside) as well as our clothes etc
-Waterproof with properly sealed seams
-The kicker: affordable (I know tents can get expensive quick...this is something we might do once a year since right now we live so far from the mountains)

And any camping absolute necessities you recommend.

Thanks so much

4/4/2012 8:13:18 AM

Quote :

"The problem my friend and I have is that when the straps get wet they really start to dig in. I've still got scars from a couple of long hikes in the mountains. You ever have problems with them when they get wet?"

i think that's a pretty common problem/complaint

mine don't seem to do that when wet in particular, but they can still rub the little toe raw if it's been a while since i wore them...i have callouses there from years of wearing chacos, so it's generally not that big a deal...i don't recall having problems anywhere else on my foot

Quote :

"I, too, LOVE chacos. I've worn mine all "winter" and thought about getting the ones that didn't have the toe-loop so that I can still wear socks to keep junk from getting in and driving me crazy. I've never had knee issues prior to my mini-Hike so I am curious to know if it was caused by my footwear or suddenly being 42lbs over weight and doing 13-15mi days on the Georgia AT."

man, i never got the toe loop models (Z/2?)...my wife prefers them (as do a lot of people, i'm sure), but 30 seconds after i tried them on, i knew i wanted the ones without the loop

your knee issue could be any, all, or none of the reasons you listed, though it's likely a combination of things

you could have hyper-extended at the wrong time and only later noticed it as it began to swell, or pulled something...but it could also easily have been the heavy pack combined with your quick pace and shoes that weren't what you needed

Quote :

"Tent recommendations: -Large enough for my boyfriend and I, with room to spare for the 2 dogs (if for whatever reason they need to come inside) as well as our clothes etc -Waterproof with properly sealed seams -The kicker: affordable (I know tents can get expensive quick...this is something we might do once a year since right now we live so far from the mountains)"

first and foremost...what's "affordable" to you? REI has a 20% coupon for all items (sale/non-sale/outlet), so now might be a good time to use it

my wife and i have two dogs, but they're only 45-50lbs each, so smaller than yours...with dogs that size, you're going to want at least a 3-man tent with at least one vestibule

kelty teton 4 ($128 AC, 4-man, 1 vestibule, 1 door): http://www.rei.com/product/825835/kelty-teton-4-tent-special-buy

mountain hardwear lightwedge 3 ($152 AC, 3-man, 1 vestibule, 1 door): http://www.rei.com/product/839851/mountain-hardwear-lightwedge-3-tent-2011-closeout

big agnes fairview 3 ($144 AC, 3-man, 1 vestibule, 1 door): http://www.rei.com/product/815007/big-agnes-fairview-3-tent-special-buy

alps mountaineering axis 4 ($156 AC, 4-man, 1 vestibule, 2 doors): http://www.rei.com/product/812884/alps-mountaineering-axis-4-tent-special-buy

there are better tents out there, no doubt...but if you're not sure what's going to work out for you (how the dogs will behave in a tent, what size you REALLY need, etc), it might be a good idea to go cheaper at first...my wife and i have a larger/heavier tent we use for car camping with friends since it doesn't matter how heavy it is and we'd rather be comfortable, and then we have a backpacking tent that's a bit more cramped with the dogs, but which is lighter and smaller...we got the heavier one first

of the two, i'd consider the kelty and alps mountaineering tents first, though which one depends on what features you're looking for

from experience, alps mountaineering products are decent, but definitely "value" tents...all of their materials are heavier and thicker than other manufacturers' (which might work well for your dogs), but you pay for this in weight...that tent is just shy of 9.5lbs...you DO, however, get a huge vestibule and TWO doors (which is nice when you have dogs, let me tell you) and it will likely stand up to dogs a little better...you should have plenty of room

if you don't think you need a very large vestibule (half the size of the alps) and a smaller floor space (by about 5sqft) and/or want something lighter (by 2.5lbs!), the kelty is a good choice and a pretty good deal at $30 cheaper

the other two are smaller and lighter

some advice:
- don't buy a tent with fiberglass poles...they WILL break and they DO suck
- since you have dogs, you want at least one vestibule...i promise
- since you have dogs, invest in a "floor saver" or make one yourself out of painter's plastic or tyvek (at least until you know how they're going to do in the tent)...this goes inside and will help protect your floor from nails
- always use a ground cloth...buy a pre-fitted one or make one out of tyvek, painter's plastic, or window shrink film

[Edited on April 4, 2012 at 9:08 AM. Reason : .]

4/4/2012 9:02:46 AM

^ REI has a tent rental system, if you don't really want to make the big purchase yet and want to try some stuff out...plus if the dog nails etc do some damage, least you aren't out a tent

4/4/2012 9:35:06 AM

^ can you rent any tent they sell? even if they don't, i suppose you could try out the different sizes and styles (3-man vs 4-man, vestibules, number of doors, etc)

i'd never return something i'd broken/damaged (like dogs' nails poking holes), but i'd most definitely return something that didn't work out

good point, though, i didn't think about renting something first to see how one likes it

in an unrelated matter, has anyone ever used the sawyer water filtration systems? i just bought both the squeeze (http://www.rei.com/product/837824/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter) and inline (http://www.rei.com/product/801824/sawyer-3-way-inline-water-filter) for $50/each after the coupon and tax (if you didn't know, you can use the coupon up to 8 different times)

i like the idea of the squeeze system, but i was hoping i could actually make the inline version work the same way since it comes with adapters and could be more flexible (though i suspect that won't be the case)

advantages
- only 3oz
- smaller
- no mechanics to break
- almost 50% price of cheapest pump filters
- "1 million gallons" guarantee
- lower operational cost

disadvantages
- difficult to fill bags from slow/shallow water sources (fixed with a small siphon bulb pump like http://www.harborfreight.com/fluid-siphon-pump-93290.html for $6)
- can't replace filter itself (but new unit costs same as replacement for pumps and this lasts longer)
- can't allow to freeze (might damage membrane...keep it in your tent)

[Edited on April 4, 2012 at 10:13 AM. Reason : pump link]

4/4/2012 9:48:49 AM