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Dumbest outdoor gear purchase

Clint Valentine · · Seattle, WA · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 161

Technical North Face products

Kyler R · · SLC · Joined May 2013 · Points: 20

ANYTHING with a TNF logo. Over priced and lackluster quality.

thomas.w · · Denver, CO · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 5

I think I can improve this thread:Wren - soloist 65$ takers?

Dr. Long Arm · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 15
FrankPS wrote: Why was a bear canister a dumb purchase?
Probably because it's an unnecessary 2-3 extra pounds to bring with you on what could be an otherwise ultralight trip. It's not too hard to just string your food bag in a tree...or just sleep on your food bag like a pillow and have your whistle ready!
FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
idahomike wrote: Probably because it's an unnecessary 2-3 extra pounds to bring with you on what could be an otherwise ultralight trip. It's not too hard to just string your food bag in a tree...or just sleep on your food bag like a pillow and have your whistle ready!
They are required at many trailheads as part of getting your wilderness permit. I know that some people think the rules don't apply to them and don't bother with permits or those other burdensome requirements like bear canisters. Not saying that's you, but some people. Whatever.

Edit: The bear canister requirements apply to many of the Sierra trailheads. For the few where it's not required, I don't bring one. I don't know what the permits requirements are in Idaho, Mike!
iceman777 · · Colorado Springs · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 60

For all the TNF lovers

Hff

Clint Valentine · · Seattle, WA · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 161

Great shirt iceman! My first technical pack was N. face... boy did I enjoy that when the shoulder straps ripped off the body of the pack mid-approach. I stubbornly bought flip flops from the same store and it was exactly three days before they delaminated! I'm in a vicious cycle of returning the pack and flip flops for N. face gift cards only to feel obliged to buy the next year model.

Every year I do this.

Ryan Nevius · · Perchtoldsdorf, AT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 1,837

Almost anything "ultralight"

Bryan Ferguson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 635

Power Bars, no wait, Cliff Bars. Hmm, yup, Power Bars. Cliff Bars are a close second.

Ben Woods · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 20

red beanie

mountainhick · · Black Hawk, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 120

Picardin insect repellant, more like attractant

Scott O · · Anchorage · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 70

Gore tex bibs.

Mike Belu · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 135

Early purchases made at full price. Also, of course, the Swedish penis pump. Like the Swedes are known for their amazingly large members....

Ryan Nevius · · Perchtoldsdorf, AT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 1,837

A .4 BD X4

Mikey Seaman · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 5

Deodarant. Fortunately I learned that lesson awhile ago and have spent more money on stripper b hole than deodarant. And I'm still fresher than that B

Dr. Long Arm · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 15
FrankPS wrote: They are required at many trailheads as part of getting your wilderness permit. I know that some people think the rules don't apply to them and don't bother with permits or those other burdensome requirements like bear canisters. Not saying that's you, but some people. Whatever. Edit: The bear canister requirements apply to many of the Sierra trailheads. For the few where it's not required, I don't bring one. I don't know what the permits requirements are in Idaho, Mike!
Ya, growing up in California we always hated having to abide by the bear canister rules but our Dad insisted on them where they were required. It's a little annoying having a ranger check your pack for a canister when you are deep in the backcountry, but I guess that's just part of California. That being said, I've never made a trip to the Sierras without a bear encounter, including a stubborn one who tried to make off with my brother's pack (all the food was cleared out except for an empty clif bar wrapper) multiple times after we tried scaring him off.

Luckily in Idaho not a single area that I know of requires them, at least not anywhere I frequent. I've had far fewer bear encounters here but did get almost trampled over by one in the middle of the night while sleeping under the stars. Still not sure what his plan was but he was within 5 feet of our ground pads before we scared him off.
Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

Those plastic camp spoons they sell at REI. REI membership as well

Rodney P · · Ouray,CO · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 335
Chris Schmidt wrote:Last year I paid $700 for a "custom fit" pair of 120 flex ski boots complete with footbeds and custom liners thinking they would be solid for 5-10 years. They already feel like sloppy 80 flex boots with under 100 days in them. And they hurt like mofos.
HAHAHAHA, don't feel too bad, Ive been repeating that same process once or twice a season for the last five or six years now!
Paul Leverich · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 10

Worst gear purchase. They walk out real easy on lead at Devils lake and not much better in sandstone.

Perrin adjustable stoppers

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
idahomike wrote: Ya, growing up in California we always hated having to abide by the bear canister rules but our Dad insisted on them where they were required. It's a little annoying having a ranger check your pack for a canister when you are deep in the backcountry, but I guess that's just part of California. That being said, I've never made a trip to the Sierras without a bear encounter, including a stubborn one who tried to make off with my brother's pack (all the food was cleared out except for an empty clif bar wrapper) multiple times after we tried scaring him off. Luckily in Idaho not a single area that I know of requires them, at least not anywhere I frequent. I've had far fewer bear encounters here but did get almost trampled over by one in the middle of the night while sleeping under the stars. Still not sure what his plan was but he was within 5 feet of our ground pads before we scared him off.
I haven't seen a backcountry ranger in the Sierra for years. I've even heard that there are only a couple of areas they still go in the backcountry (Whitney). So I've never been asked to prove that I have one. When you're getting the permit, they tell you one is required and ask if you have one. They've never made me show it to them, but I still don't want to risk not having one where it's required.

Good for your dad! Thanks for the bear tales. I've only had a few encounters. The bears in CA are relatively timid and you never hear of a mauling (not that I would want to tangle with one).
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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