Confessions of a Gear Addict

I suppose there are far worse human foibles. It could be ancient throwing axes. Or even fuel tanks from vintage cars. But luckily for me, and not so lucky for my closets, I'm a hopeless outdoor equipment collector. Over 25 years of enthusiastic cycling, paddling, hiking, skiing, camping and trip planning has led to the assembly of gear that a quartermaster in the U.S. Army would envy. Adding to the equation was the fact that I undertook the outdoors as a vocation and owned a bike/ski shop and then became a sales rep. I was pursued on all sides by the siren call of fast skis, jewelry-like bike frames, boots from the master artisans of Italy, and paddles of so many materials, shapes and lengths it makes some people dizzy.

In my defense of conspicuous consumption charges, I always fall back on the fact that these are all tools of my trade. Jeez, who would begrudge the carpenter a choice of hammers for different tasks. Certainly not me if I wanted my house built with the proper care. But in weak moments of candor (these times being when I can't get the cars in the garage) I admit that things have gotten out of hand. At last count I had five floor pumps for pumping up bike tires. That's way more air than a Tour team needs, let alone a time strapped pogue like me. At least I can claim to be a collector of discriminating taste. In all these years I have gravitated to only those products of exceptional design, function and above all durability. Some of this gear is 20+ years old and won't wear out, blast it! But then something comes out that does the job a little better, fits better (I'm a growing boy, don't you know) or works in conjunction with other gear I already own.

Take a simple thing like handwear. What works great for a 30 degree bike ride is too sweaty for a energetic 5K Nordic ski. And then what about camp set-up in 5 below zero conditions? And then there is holding the kayak paddle in 35 degree sleet. Don't get me started on hats! In the case of clothing I've never been accused of being a fashion maven but some colors simply cannot exist with others or there will be voltage surges in the universe that will surely knock me right out of my snowshoes.

In golf there is a condition called being "ball bound". This is when you've had so many lessons, tips and advice on every possible aspect of your golf swing that when you stand over the ball to strike it, you go catatonic. Total gridlock. I've had this happen when getting dressed for an outdoor activity. Should I wear the medium weight thermal layer or the lightweight? Weatherproof shell or windproof fleece? These are far more complex matters than serving red or white wine with a meal. Or buying 87 versus 89 octane gas. Hours of hard-fought leisure time hang in the balance!

Things hit critical mass a few years back and I had to adopt the lose-the-old-one to get-the-new-one rule. Because of this new rule, the local boy scout troop had bestowed upon them some pretty weird stuff that they are still trying to figure out. And my Mom, bless her heart, is struggling to find uses for those size 10 Scarpas. Even my son, a modest gear meister in his own right, has begged off on any more hand-me downs. But even worse has been the evaporation of time to use my beloved toys. So with a heavy heart, I have put serious restrictions on acquisitions of any kind unless I can prove to myself that everything is getting used to the point of exhaustion or becomes a safety hazard.

A magazine article I once read asked local gear meisters in Aspen, CO what they would pull out of their burning homes if they could just choose ten items. You could tell they were hardcore about skiing and hiking since those toys were at the top of the list ahead of pets, stereo equipment and even loved ones! I know better than to put my picks down in print so I'll play a different game. Here are the items I would really, really miss after the house burned down. These get my absolute highest endorsement for making whatever it is you do outdoors more fun. And there's not a single "comped" product in the group. I paid full boat retail for all of them which being in the business, almost broke my heart!

CrazyCreek Chairs
I've taken these things from mountaintop to track meets and my back loves every minute. Saved me from many a wet butt and the durability and lightweight have amazed me over the ten years I've owned mine. There's plenty of copies on the market but when mine finally auger in, I will buy Crazy Creek.

Dri On or ZeO2 Underwear
It makes no sense to have high tech outwear and fleece and wear cotton base layers. But I've had comfort, moisture and odor problems with many of the heavily advertised tech underwear until I tried DriOn from Mont Bell, a Japanese brand no longer available in the US. But Mountain Hardware has cloned this technology with their ZeO2 and this stuff delivers on the promise of staying dry and not smelling horrific. Still,being polyester based, the durability is not bomb proof and the price is steep but once you've worn it, anything else doesn't cut it.

Mountainsmith Lumbar Packs
I've never liked carrying daypacks with shoulder straps and fanny packs won't stay put while skiing or mountain biking. But Mountainsmith lumbar packs will carry big loads without shifting a whit and no shoulder straps and sweaty backs. You can fine- tune the fit for winter or summer clothes and the packs make great travel-ons for flights. My Tour pack is 14 years old and still sees severe use week after week. N.E.O.S Overshoes Like most kids ,I loathed four buckle arctics and hid mine in snow banks on the way to school. Now as a purported grown-up, I hate heavy winter boots even worse since I am either too hot or cold and chafe and blister easily. NEOS are very lightweight, weatherproof over shoes that I put on over my favorite outdoor shoes and it turns them into a virtual expedition boot for snowshoeing, paddling, winter camping and trips through the slush and wet. I'll never wear heavy Sorrels again.

Kneissl Frontier XC Skis
I am a purist's purist when it comes to Nordic skis. I not only have every wax you can name, I love to wax skis! But once I tried the Kneissl 170 cm skis my waxing days have been scarce and they deliver amazing glide for short squatty skis. And when I want to bushwhack, the short length and generous width is deluxe.

Early Winters Visor (winter) Kavu Visor (summer)
I used to think I had a weird internal thermostat since I would roast in whatever winter hat I chose but without one, my ears would pay the price. Got the fleece visor for a present years ago and wore it to humor the giver and have never used anything since. Actually bought two more since mine kept getting "borrowed". As my jackets have hoods, when things get really serious, I pull up the hood. And for summer, I get great protection and comfort with the Kavu products and they stay put better than baseball caps in the wind.

Primus Multi Fuel Stove
On quite a few trips I have soup simmering while everyone else is still screwing around with their latest lightweight wonder. The Primus products have been to the world's most severe places and I'll pack the extra weight any day. The multi fuel lets me go anywhere and not fret about finding the right canister since I can burn white gas or kerosene.

Moss Tents
My greatest weakness: tents. My first real backpack trip was with a cheap tent that damn near cost me my life so I've over-reacted when it comes to sleeping in the elements. I just assume the wind is going to hit 70 mph and throw trees around so it's Moss for me. Once I woke in a campground to find every tent and even some trailers leveled and the Moss was sitting pretty. No, I didn't get much sleep but my gear was dry and in one place. (BTW-Moss was purchased by MSR and that is the name the tents are now sold under...MSR).

DeLorme Atlas & Gazetter
These detailed maps of individual states are indispensable when planning, and then executing a tip. I've discovered places to paddle 20 minutes from my house that I didn't know were there. I've planned backpacking trips to Glacier and navigated my way around construction zones in metro Detroit. All the CD ROM map programs still require so much time and have to be printed to be any use or give you the big picture.

Walden Vista Kayak
Simply the best all-round kayak for 90% of the day trips I do in lower Michigan. While not suited for big water crossings, it does a hell of a job in rivers and good sized lakes and the best part is the Vista only weighs 41 lbs and holds up to a lot of whacking. I liked this boat so much after I bought mine, I pestered the founder of Walden into hiring me as his Michigan rep.