Homemade Backpacking Gear
by Jason Klass
Links
Rather than re-inventing the wheel and trying to create an all-encompassing list, I've tried to narrow down my "obligatory" links page to some of the more "off-piste" sites in an effort to promote some less-recognized, yet high-quality and well-deserving websites. These are some of my favorites and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. If you have a site or know of one that is well deserving and would like me to add a link, please feel free to email me. I'd be happy to add it. Click on the orange links below to access some of my favs and be sure to check back regularly as I add more. Gear
Anti Gravity Gear
Want to lighten your back country kitchen without taking out a loan to buy the latest titanium gimmick? This is the place to get lightweight and highly-practical kitchenware and other accessories without spending a fortune. I own several of their pots and have been impressed with their durability and features. Their pot cozys are also great.
A site for people who like to combine backpacking and fly fishing.
Gossamer Gear
Home of the famous G4 backpack TM, Gossamer Gear makes UL accessible to everyone by offering innovative gear at affordable prices. They even show you how to make your own! Lots of unique UL equipment you can't find elsewhere like the Sitlight Pad TM and the White Box alcohol stove TM. Also great resources and tips for the UL backpacker.
Minibull Designs
Simply put, Tinny is the most creative and prolific stove designer to date. With a machine shop that would make any stove-maker's mouth water, he consistently produces innovative alcohol-stove designs that meet almost every specific cooking need and sells them at a very generous price. I own several of his stoves and am more than jealous of his workmanship. Be sure to check out his "my adventures" page as well to see his latest projects. Here's the coolest part: his entire workshop is powered by a windmill he made himself!
Trail Gear Trading Post
Home of the Trail Stik--a cleverly-designed hiking staff that stores survival gear inside it's hollow aluminum shaft. I haven't tried one of these yet but think it's a brilliant concept. Imagine never forgetting any of your essential survival items again because they're with you every time you hike.
Ultralight Adventure Equipment
Do you have hip-belt pockets on your pack? It's probably because the major companies copied pack-building pioneer Brian Frankle's famous semi-custom "ULA" packs. Known for their comfort, quality, thoughtful features, and outstanding customer service, ULA packs have created their own cult following (of which yours truly is a proud member).
Homemade Gear
From the inventor of the famous Supercat stove, this website features many other innovative ideas on DIY gear including the Kite Windscreen. He also does uber-thorough analyses of commercially-available gear. Great insights from a truly seasoned hiker.
Zen Alcohol Stoves
If you have any questions about building alcohol stoves, this is the place. Simply put, there's nothing closer to a Bible for stove builders than Zen Alcohol Stoves. Beginners and experts alike find useful information and ideas about the design, construction, and workings of alcohol stoves here. There is no more comprehensive site than this and it's definitely worth bookmarking. I find myself referring to it time and time again.
Trail Gear
How do you make a stove without any tools or materials? How do you tell time without a watch? This site by J. Falk has all kinds of survival techniques and homemade gear ideas that any backpacker would find interesting (and possibly life saving!). My favorite is the "dirt stove".
Materials
This is where I buy my Kevlar wick and Kevlar tape. It's actually a fire-dancing company but they sell a lot of materials that are useful to a stove builder. Very good customer service. One of their employees once spent half an hour on the phone with me to advise me on the best wick to use even though I was only buying about $10 worth.
The Wick Store
Here's where I get my fiberglass wick. You can buy it in large spools or smaller hanks and they have almost every type and diameter you can imagine. Easy ordering and fast shipping.
E-Bottles
Looking for a plastic fuel bottle that's just the right size? Need an aluminum canisters of a certain dimension for your latest stove design? Look no further. This place has a huge variety of every type of bottle imaginable.
Backpacking Information
An awesome resource for every backpacker--detailed backpacking information with help on choosing backpacking gear, weekly backpacking tips, trip reports, and backpacking forums.
An all around great resource for backpacking gear, food, survival information and more!
Cooking
If you haven't tried it, you're missing out! Free yourself from the bland, overpriced commercially-available freeze-dried food and make your own tasty meals with ease. This is THE website to learn about the benefits and techniques of dehydrating your own back country recipes. I like this site because Sarah also has a lot of vegetarian recipes. If you're serious about making your own lightweight meals, buy the book too--it's well worth it!
Minimus
You don't have to lift ketchup and salt packets from McDonald's anymore! Get individual restaurant-style packets of your favorite condiments and personal-care products here. The best part is that you don't have to order in bulk-you can buy individual packets that are perfect for backpacking for a reasonable price and they have a much better selection than your local fast-food joint.
Forums
Great place to share knowledge and ask questions about fly fishing on your backpacking trips. There's also a lot of good information about Tenkara fly fishing here.
Club Tread
A Canadian forum with a different and refreshing perspective from many US-based ones. This forum might be especially of interest for you hardcore winter campers. Traffic is low sometimes but the posts are of good quality.
Gear Addicts
Think you've got a gear addiction? You haven't met these guys! They post complaints if steepandcheap.com hasn't listed a new product by 12:01 a.m.! Fun and friendly, this is a small but growing community of hardcore gear heads with a great sense of humor.
Hiking Forums
A small but friendly and helpful community without all the baggage of bigger ones. Sleek and user-friendly design and layout with some really cool user features others don't have. You'll instantly feel welcome here.
Outdoor Adventure Canada
Another Canadian forum with a cozy, yet very dedicated following. You'll get great feedback here and the site also has a lot of other great resources. The owner is a back country gourmet and this is THE place to post if you want to exchange ideas about cooking in the field.
Practical Backpacking TM
Tired of feuding members and political posts? This forum always stays on topic and attracts experienced members who only want to exchange serious backpacking ideas without messing around. A lot of good advice for beginners as well as veterans. Also, lots of great, professionally-produced podcasts with big names in the field that you won't find anywhere else.
Blogs
A blog about backpacking and fly fishing.
Tinny's Blog
My favorite! You'd better check it 2 or 3 times a day or you'll miss something! Tinny updates it constantly with new videos and inside glimpses of his latest stove projects (interspersed with shots of his cats and chickens of course).
Podcasts
A UK based site that has some interesting podcasts. They may be a few steps behind the US when it comes to UL but are catching up quickly. I always like to get other cultures' perspectives on our sport and these podcasts are great when you're in the mood for something a little different.
Practical Backpacking Podcasts TM
Chances are, you'll recognize most of the names interviewed in these high-quality and well-executed podcasts. Bernie intelligently probes the thoughts and expertise of some of the biggest players in backpacking today. I like to listen to them while I'm punching jets in my latest stove designs with my Whitney punch!
Wildebeat
Great bunch of podcasts covering a variety of back country issues from gear to survival.