Gear talk

Favourite gear: Katabatic Gear Elite and Flex quilts

Katabatic Gear make some of the best down quilts available. Three Points of the Compass is fortunate enough to own two of their range. They have been used for hundreds of nights while backpacking and each is amongst my favourite pieces of gear. They are superb. I take a look here at the Katabatic Palisade 30°F and the Katabatic Flex 15°F quilts

Gear talk

Gear talk: the Zebra F-701- is this the perfect EDC pen?

What is an Every Day Carry (EDC) pen? Simple. It is the pen that you have with you every day. A pen that is reliable. A pen that you like. Something affordable. Possibly even a pen that fulfils some other purpose- double duty. For many, the Zebra F-701 may fit the bill. And recently, it has got even better.

Gear

Gear talk: Nalgene bottles- hydration, hot water bottle and more…

Nalgene bottles are one of the original pieces of modern backpacking gear. Having updated over the years, they remain one of the best options for a rigid sided bottle on trail

Gear

Gear talk: the search for a pillow for a restless side-sleeper

Three Points of the Compass has spent years looking for a pillow to suit side-sleeping while backpacking. A glance at some near misses and what is now working

Electronics

Gear talk: looking at Power Adapters

My search for an efficient, small, lightweight power adapter with USB-C port for UK use continues. A look here at three prospects.

Cooking

Gear talk- butane canister converter nozzles

Many will be aware that lindal valve gas canisters can be expensive, while bayonet connector butane cartridges can be much more affordable. There is a cheap, tiny, copper transfer nozzle available for putting the contents of one, in to the other...

Cooking

Gear talk: the G-Works Gas Saver Plus

The G-Works Gas Saver Plus is a handy little device for utilising cheap cartridges of butane, or gathering together the contents of almost empty canisters into one. Though simple to use, extreme care must be taken nonetheless.

Cooking

Gear talk: gas canister adaptors

Most backpacking stoves have lindal valve type connectors. Using an adapter opens up the possibility of using different canister types

Cooking

Gear talk: O-rings- check ’em!

Many of us will have managed to fit in a few weeks of backpacking this year and some gear might have been having a rough time of it. Beside cleaning, re-proofing and condition checking, think about including an inspection of the O-rings fitted to gas and multi-fuel stoves.

Gear

Gear talk: mini-tripods

Three Points of the Compass looks at lightweight tripods for use with phone or camera on trail

Cooking

Gear talk: The BRS 3000-T gas stove

The BRS 3000-T is possibly the smallest and lightest that a gas stove can practically be

Gear

Gear talk: fitting magnetic door closures to my Zpacks Duplex

It is simple to fit a magnetic door closure system to a shelter

Gear

Gear talk: DIY bottle hangers

Fitting a DIY hanger to a bottle is an easy task and simplifies hydration 'on-the-go'

Cooking

Gear talk: The Soto Windmaster gas stove

The Soto Windmaster has proved to be a reliable and efficient performer and is now a first choice for three season use

Electronics

Gear chat: lightweight solar panels

Relying on solar panels while backpacking in the UK is ambitious. Three Points of the Compass looks at his three lightweight solar panel options from Lixada, Duragadget and Link Solar

Electronics

Gear talk: Nitecore powerbanks for lightweight backpacking

Three Points of the Compass has a closer look at four lightweight powerbank options from Nitecore

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