Useless gear

There was a Facebook post asking people to list gear that was a waste of money. This is part of the list that came up with my thoughts:

• Store bought packaged first aid kit. // Those usually have too much stuff, not the right stuff and weigh too much.
• Snake Bite kit. // The medical advice now is not to use them—that they are usually worse than doing nothing.
• Electronic sleeping pad air pump. // Some are tempting. Most are too heavy or kind of slow. It is a mix, though I don’t currently use one.
• Pocket Saw. // Not a tool for a thru-hiker. Maybe for a weekend trip.
• Full pot set. //. Too much. Too heavy. Too large. A single pot or a mug depending on if you are hiking by yourself or hiking with a partner.
• Sleeping bag liner other than silk. //. The real point is that liners do not add much warmth. Some people carry them to keep dirt away from their sleeping bag. A base layer does the trick.
• Different types of water filters when not needed. // One filter is all you need. Some backup aqua tabs.
• Leatherman Multitool. //. Shows up in lots of affiliate marketing lists but absolutely no place on a thru-hike.
• Bushcraft knifes. //. Knives are generally a waste of space. Maybe a folding razor blade type knife. The big ones are really a waste.
• Oversized battery bank. // Depending on the trail 10,000 mhA is enough. If you are really remote, a second one. Two will charge faster.
• Evac Stuff sacks. // Lightweight cheap stuff sacks are fine, and fewer than you think.

• Isobutane Lantern. // Your headlamp should be all you need.
• Nalgene bottles. // Too expensive and too heavy.
• Klean canteen bottles. // The same. Smart water or similar bottles are all you need.
• Thermarest Uberlite pad. // Now out of production—it was too fragile.
• Several UL tents and backpacks. // For most people a completely frameless pack won’t work. One good tent is better than several.
• Evernew & Trangia Alcohol stoves. // For most trails you can’t use them. When you can they are slow and the weight does not work out.
• Multiple titanium mugs. // You generally do not need a mug and a pot. Aluminum mugs work just as well and cost much less.
• AAA battery headlamp. // The rechargeable Nitecores have made other technology redundant.
• Snow Peak coffee press. //. Most people quit using coffee presses. They are an item for week end camping.
• GPS watch. // I went from always wearing a watch or smart watch to using my phone on trail. They do seem to make weak Enders happy.
• Dirty Girl Gaiters. //. Not sure I agree with this. I’m a fan of gaiters, Just prefer the ones that match my shoes.
• Suunto Pocket Compass. //. For most trails compass isn’t that useful. I have carried one for the CDT though.
• Titanium Spork. //. Long handled spoon > spork.
• Z seat pad. //. I got one for free. Eventually quit carrying it. Haven’t missed it.
• Paracord. //. Carry your bear bagging kit. You don’t need extra cord and the slick Dyneema cord rated to 250 pounds will handle emergencies. Paracord in your gear box is harmless.
• Carbon Fiber Tent Stakes. //. DAC aluminum (as used in groundhogs) or titanium shepherd’s hooks (for the Appalachian Trail) are cheaper and function better.
• 18w 3 panel Solar Panel. //. Lixada is ok. The bigger, heavier, etc panels are too much if you have sun, not enough for green tunnel trails.
• World’s loudest whistle. //. If you need one, a light emergency whistle is enough.
• Zippo lighter. // Too heavy and a small BIC lighter is all you need.
• Pot/ Pouch cozy. // A cozy is actually a great thing.
• Trash compactor bags (or specialty) for pack liner. // Well. I’m big on Nylofume bags. Clear. Last long enough.
• Lucid Inflatable Solar Lantern. // Again. Weekenders have a use for various lanterns. Otherwise use your headlamp if you need light.
• RIP Frogg Toggs UL Rain Set. // Ripped pants are found in hiker boxes everywhere bb

• Q-wiz titanium trowel. // The Vargo I got for free is great. The aluminum Deuce of Spades is a great item. There are some titanium trowels that are fine. Snow stakes just don’t do the job.
• Accurite Thermometer. // Eventually we quit carrying a thermometer. You can always check Garmin weather for the temperature. Harmless to carry.
• Osprey Daypacks. // Daypacks seem like they would be useful. Expedition use they are ok. Otherwise they don’t fit a thru – hiker’s needs.
• collapsible mugs; looking at you S2S. //. The writer obviously had a bad experience with that brand but all the varieties are weekender use.
• Bum bags/ fanny packs. // Sone people find them useful but …
• Flint rod. // Firestarters other than a lighter are just excess.
• Polyester beanies. /. There is a place for wool or polyester beanies. Most people gravitate to wool.
• Polyester gloves. // Some are actually pretty good.
• Scrubba clothes wash rolltop bag. // again. This was someone’s specific experience. But specialty laundry tools tend to not fit a thru-hike.
• Military Woobie. //. Neat stuff but too heavy.
• Signal mirror. //. Again, never heard of someone using one.
• Travel toothbrush. //. Regular toothbrush or a travel battery powered toothbrush is better.
• Smartwool long underwear bottoms. //. Base layer yes. But regular, people tend to use other underwear.
• rainpants without full side zips. // True for the AT (Appalachian Trail). Otherwise the other, lighter ones are great.
• calf roller. //. I’ve seen them recommended but the person complaining made the point they had not seen them on trail.

• Authentic footprint. // Generally polycro or tyvek is cheaper and lighter and more useful.
• Bear bells. //. Bear spray is great stuff.
• Pillows. //. I’ve migrated away from them. But I really tried.
• Full pot set. //. Full cook sets are weekender gear. Great for the right application. Yes. This is a duplicate. But it bears saying twice.
• Camp chairs. //. For weekenders they can be great. But I’ve never felt like carrying one beyond that —and I’m not very flexible.
• Water (hydration) bladder set ups.// Something I liked for short sections and moved away from.
• GoPro. //. There were even classes. But they just never catch on for a thru-hike.
• Too small power bank. //. 5,000 mhA is really too small.
• Sleeping bag/quilt that isn’t warm enough. //. Especially older bags. Survival rating |= comfort rating.
• Heavy tents. //. 5 lb or so tents can be tempting. After all. It is just a few pounds. They get galling after a while.
• Biolite //. Bad stoves. Don’t recharge things well. Heavy.
• Firearms. //. Heavy. Limited use. Lots of regulations.

Hope this makes sense. I did not agree with everyone but so much made sense. Many of the things have a place for short trips and weekends (camping coolers anyone?). But many also do not translate well to thru-hiking.