This follows up on https://adrr.com/d20/2025/11/12/trying-a-new-stove/
GasOne
Hilltop Apex
Comparison
The Hilltop Apex is a little heavier but is much more robust. The “Apex Giant Micro Stove” is 1.7 ounces and is much more robust and tighter in fit and construction.
It had a slightly more direct and focused flame contact but it also will output a much stronger flame. I was impressed. Not sure how it translates in real life.
The fold outs are a little larger and the stove is a little more stable. Much more stable than the Snow Peak stove.
I haven’t tested to see if it uses less fuel and boils faster as claimed.
Bottom Line
For $19.98 it was worth the experiment. It may end up on the trail with us next year.
Other gear/gloves
Zpacks is selling NRS Hydroskin Gloves. I’m still looking for better gloves for cold weather.
Amazon and REI are also selling them.
Maybe these will be my next gloves. I’m going to give them a shot. They are wet suit gloves repurposed for backpacking.
That said, I’ve tried a lot of gloves. I keep looking. Getting just the right glove seems to be a constant quest.
What is needed varies by season and trail.
I’ll report on these when they show up. Same for the new camp shoes, I’ll report on those.
Happy6 has tried everything I have and a pair of Showa gloves.
The Showas are kind of bulky and heavy (ok. Under two ounces if unlined, about four when lined. The bulky makes them seem heavier). https://andrewskurka.com/review-showa-281-gloves-temres/ for more on them.
Also see https://andrewskurka.com/review-showa-282-gloves-cold-wet-conditions/
Things I’ve tried:
- Polyester fleece gloves + rain shells. Warm. Dry. The gloves were inexpensive at Home Depot. Will melt if you aren’t careful when drying them near a fire.
- Possum fur gloves + rain shells. Warm and comfortable enough. Lost one pair on the Pinhoti.
- Various water resistant work gloves and painter’s gloves from Home Depot and Dollar General. Great to protect your hands and improve grip on granite climbs. Not warm or waterproof enough for other uses.
- Ski gloves from Costco. Bulky.
- Military style wool gloves + shell. The shells I have are long in the tooth as I’ve had them since 2018 or so and they are no longer sold. The wool gloves aren’t bad.
- Convertible glove/mittens. I really wanted to like these but they were never warm enough. The glove and coat drive in the community was glad to get them.
Convertible glove/mittens have a lot to recommend them but they just did not do it for me. They are only $12 so they were not the most expensive miss-step I’ve made with gear. Need to be worn with a rain shell. Another shell review.
Some people really like convertible gloves. They have wear pads on the palms, a mitten top that flips over and it is easy to get your fingers out to manipulate things.
As for the rain shells they can be a bit clunky and it is hard to do anything with them on other than hold a hiking pole. Not my favorite for setting up a tent.
Bottom line. The perfect glove or glove system is light, warm and doesn’t need a rain layer. It also allows you to use your hands and fingers for more than a clumsy grip on your hiking poles and is reasonable in price.
I still haven’t found it. The NRS seems close. I’ll know more after Christmas when I get my pair.