Things have been a little quiet around here lately.
Looking at the site stats the "Kit Chatter" section has always been the most active part so lets really talk about your kit.
Here is the question. What is really your favourite bit of kit and what makes it so special to you.
We're not looking for my kit is better / shinier / lighter / more expensive than yours.
We're looking for the story behind the kit, the first time you used it, how you got it, why you just wouldn't be without it, that kind of stuff.
When I thought of this thread I thought I'd probably talk about my camera because that's what gets me out of doors most often, but while typing I realized it's just a tool and it wouldn't matter if it was that camera or another.
I started thinking, "What's my oldest bit of kit? and why haven't I replaced it?"
That made me think of my barrel knife.
I was given a barrel knife by my Dad many years ago so it's got a lot of sentimental attachments but this one is not actually the one he gave me, that was stolen while I was at college.
It's close to my favourite, but not quite.
The oldest gear I have, that has been in continual use, is my old canvas gaiters.
They've out lasted several pairs of boots, many trousers and I suspect they'll out last my knees in a while too.
I bought them in Ambleside about 25 years ago in a shop that has changed hands a few time since then.
I couldn't afford the fancy nylon ones that everyone else was wearing, so I had to "make do" with cotton canvas, which everyone told me was not as good.
How wrong they were. they're tough and much more breathable than the synthetic ones and they have aged to such a wonderful flexibility that I hardly know I'm wearing them.
They were made for boots that lace a long way down the front. They don't make boots quite like that now so the hook's in the wrong place really. They still work so I still wear them.
I couldn't even begin to calculate how far I've walked in them, but they are also useful for just beating about in the bush.
I've looked a couple of times at replacements, but the closest I could find had a nylon drawstring channel attached which looked and felt completely wrong.
In the end, when I compared them to mine there was just no competition, even though mine do look a little worse for wear these days.
The irony is, that those new canvas gaiters were twice the price of the nearest synthetic ones, but of course, they're not a good are they...
Looking at the site stats the "Kit Chatter" section has always been the most active part so lets really talk about your kit.
Here is the question. What is really your favourite bit of kit and what makes it so special to you.
We're not looking for my kit is better / shinier / lighter / more expensive than yours.
We're looking for the story behind the kit, the first time you used it, how you got it, why you just wouldn't be without it, that kind of stuff.
When I thought of this thread I thought I'd probably talk about my camera because that's what gets me out of doors most often, but while typing I realized it's just a tool and it wouldn't matter if it was that camera or another.
I started thinking, "What's my oldest bit of kit? and why haven't I replaced it?"
That made me think of my barrel knife.
I was given a barrel knife by my Dad many years ago so it's got a lot of sentimental attachments but this one is not actually the one he gave me, that was stolen while I was at college.
It's close to my favourite, but not quite.
The oldest gear I have, that has been in continual use, is my old canvas gaiters.
They've out lasted several pairs of boots, many trousers and I suspect they'll out last my knees in a while too.
I bought them in Ambleside about 25 years ago in a shop that has changed hands a few time since then.
I couldn't afford the fancy nylon ones that everyone else was wearing, so I had to "make do" with cotton canvas, which everyone told me was not as good.
How wrong they were. they're tough and much more breathable than the synthetic ones and they have aged to such a wonderful flexibility that I hardly know I'm wearing them.
They were made for boots that lace a long way down the front. They don't make boots quite like that now so the hook's in the wrong place really. They still work so I still wear them.
I couldn't even begin to calculate how far I've walked in them, but they are also useful for just beating about in the bush.
I've looked a couple of times at replacements, but the closest I could find had a nylon drawstring channel attached which looked and felt completely wrong.
In the end, when I compared them to mine there was just no competition, even though mine do look a little worse for wear these days.
The irony is, that those new canvas gaiters were twice the price of the nearest synthetic ones, but of course, they're not a good are they...
