camping

Gear talk: Heat Exchanger pots

What do heat exchanger pots have to offer the lightweight backpacker? Are they any more efficient, and if so, does this compensate for the increased weight, bulk and expense? Three Points of the Compass takes a glance at some of those available.

Cooking

Gear talk: my backpacking gear for spring in the UK

A glance at the gear Three Points of the Compass has packed for a weeks wander across Lowland Scotland. I have a mix of official campsites and wildcamping, and because this is in May, I can anticipate low to mid-high temperatures and dry or wet conditions.

Cooking

Gear talk: cleaning the generator tube on a multi-fuel stove

Some stoves require just a little maintenance to keep them operating optimally. Liquid or multi-fuel stoves often feature a generator loop where liquid fuel is vaporised. This occasionally requires internal carbon deposits removing. It isn't a difficult task if carried out before it becomes a problem.

Cooking

Gear talk: looking at canister top ‘stove systems’ and stability

Many backpackers will simply buy what is reviewed as the […]

ditty bag

Gear talk: repair tape and patches carried on trail

Anyone who has been backpacking a few years will have invariably accumulated a plethora of repair tapes and patches along the way, be it a roll of tape from the local hardware store, self-adhesive flashing tape when making pot cosies, or repair kits supplied with shelters or sleeping mats. But what, if anything, to actually carry on trail? This is what Three Points of the Compass is packing along.

Gear

Gear talk: sodium acetate crystallisation-type heat-pads

This type of re-usable heat pad has been around for a good few years now. The science is based around an old chemistry laboratory experiment with salt and water that was assured to wake up even the most bored of students.

Electronics

Gear talk: Pad-Pal, the world’s smallest and lightest electric pad inflator is getting smaller and lighter!

This is an update on the progress that Tyler Reeves is making in further reducing the size and weight of his home-grown pad inflator. It isn't available yet, and may differ substantially from the prototype shown here, but watch this space...

Electronics

Gear talk: my 2023 electronics

It is three years since I did a dedicated post on the electronic gear I carry on backpacking trips, so here is the 2023 update. Do note that this selection is peculiar to me. I am a UK lightweight backpacker who still enjoys a bit of luxury. As always, there is also a little experimentation underway at present so one item at least will be dropped later in the year.

Cooking

Gear talk: Fire Maple Blade, Blade 2 and Volcano remote canister stoves

Three Points of the Compass looks at three similar remote canister stoves from Fire Maple- the FMS-117T Blade, FMS-117H Blade 2 and FMS-118 Volcano. These stoves range from three-season, to lightweight four-season, to heavier weight four-season options. There isn't a bad stove amongst them.

Gear

Gear talk: GSI Infinity Backpacker Mug

Always on the look out for a possible improvement to gear, Three Points of the Compass tried the GSI Infinity Backpacker Mug. While an excellent piece of kit, we had issues with some of its features. Did it earn a place in the pack?

first aid

Gear talk: my 2023 First Aid Kit

It is perfectly possible to go on a multi-day walk carrying no first aid capability at all beyond what is between the ears. However knowing how to cope with issues and carrying something to deal with blisters, cuts, strains, allergic reaction, chafing, diarrhoea or even worse, can make completing a trail both possible and more enjoyable.

Cooking

Gear talk: Fire Maple Hornet II stove

The Fire Maple Hornet II canister top gas stove is intended as an upgrade to the popular smaller and lighter Hornet and is safer when used with wider pots and pans

Gear

Gear talk: stuff I don’t use any more- SIGG Traveller bottles

Another blast from the past. Just before I finally ditch them, Three Points of the Compass takes a glance at some drinks bottles that used to be taken on hiking, camping and cycling excursions.

Knife chat

Knife chat: the NexTool Mini Sailor keychain multi-tool

The NexTool Mini Sailor combines ten functions into a single product to bring a surprising addition to the few 'keychain sized' multi-tool options available.

Cooking

Gear talk: The Edelrid Hexon multi-fuel stove

It has been a few years since Three Points of the Compass purchased this multi-fuel stove specifically for more challenging sub-zero winter backpacking trips. My terrific Edelrid Hexon stove has seen far too little use due to a series of mild winters coinciding with improvements in gas stove design

Gear talk

Gear talk: changing the mantle on a Primus Micron lantern

The Primus Micron is a gas powered lantern with a mantle. Every now and then, a mantle requires changing. It isn't difficult, but can be a mystery to those new to the process.

Gear

Gear talk: silicone light diffusers

Three Points of the Compass takes a glance at cheap silicone diffusers that used to provide a 360° pool of light, potentially useful in the home or tent.

Gear

Gear talk: a minimal USB-A diffused lantern

This cheap little USB light can be plugged directly into a powerbank and may be all that is required for night time lighting of a shelter when backpacking. They don't come much lighter than this!

Gear

Gear talk: Sealskinz waterproof socks

Three Points of the Compass uses a pair of camp socks instead of camp shoes while backpacking. Having recently splashed out on a third pair, it is time to take a look at the technology and practicality of Sealskinz waterproof socks.

Gear

Gear talk: stuff I don’t use any more- Skinners sock-shoes

A few years back, on the search for lightweight camp-shoes to use while backpacking, Three Points of the Compass came across the European made Skinners. These are stretchy, breathable 'sock-shoes', with a waterproof polymer bonded to the bottom and sides. They looked promising.

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