The issue
Something common to many surveys of the “best” items of gear is that they are not the most commonly used items of gear.
Instead they often are:
- More expensive
- Heavier
- Only marginally better
- Used by a small group
Now, this isn’t true of all “best” items from all surveys, but it is a common theme.
An example
I first noticed it in evaluations and surveys of rain gear. I own an Arc’tryx that was at one time “the best.” It has protected me against hyperthermia in pouring rain for hours and kept me dry.
I wore it today to walk in the snow.
While my wife bought it for me at a dramatic discount I’m still embarrassed at how much she paid. I don’t wear it on trail anymore and instead backpack with something that weighs half as much.
The most common shell on the Appalachian Trail (where you can expect to get rained on a lot) is by Frogg Toggs. It is by no means highly rated.
To quote the latest survey:
Frogg Toggs was once again the top brand and model of rain gear used by hikers, perhaps due to its reputation as an affordable and easily replaceable option.
Two brands whose rain jackets I recommend (Lightheart Gear and Montbell) were highly rated.
For Frogg Toggs a complete set, jacket and pants, costs $32. Lightheart gear’s jacket costs $150 and Montbell lists at $260 (but is currently on sale for about $180).
That pattern repeats often.
Another example
Another example is stoves. Often fancy, heavier stoves are rated as better than much less expensive and lighter stoves.
The reason
Now there are good reasons for the way the ratings turn out. “Best” items tend to have better features and be sturdier. So people rate it higher.
A best knife will have a great blade and wide functionality.
The most common knife will weigh less and will only cut cheese and salami and tape.
The same is true for tents. Highest rated tents are all three person palaces that are double walled and freestanding.
Most common will be smaller and weigh half as much.
The heavier items have a place, especially for weekends or car camping. I still have gear just for that type of use.
But day after day through hiking where the primary goal is to cover distance creates a use where lighter weight has a value.
Exceptions
That said, sometimes “best” is lighter. That is especially true with down. 450 loft is heavier for the same insulation than 650 which is heavier than 850 which is heavier than 950/1000. Synthetic will range between equivalent to 450 to equivalent to 650.
Sometimes “better” is more common than “barely good enough”. So while Frogg Toggs are most common for rain jackets, for puffies (down jackets worn at camp to keep you warm until you go to sleep) the most common ones are also quality gear.
Trends
The trend is for better gear to be lighter and for a convergence to develop where the highest rated is often lighter than less expensive gear.
Technology is making strides.
Caveats
First. Once you get away from surveys many of the ratings are driven by affiliate marketing kickbacks.
While surveys have their weaknesses (they are what people carried before they hiked) surveys at least tell what gear is an actually being used and how people felt about it.
Striking, often a list of “best” or “top recommendations” will not overlap with what people are using. When there is a divergence like that it bears some attention.
Second. Some years are statistical anomalies.
For example, one year the Sawyer Mini was the highest rated filter. I like the regular Sawyer, the BeFree and the Sawyer Micro filters.
But the Mini? Friends don’t let friends carry a Mini. Slower. More prone to clog. Minuscule weight difference. My advice about the Mini is to just say no. How it came out as “best” one year I have no idea.
Third. Surveys are perpetually behind the curve. Usually innovations aren’t that significant and you can always be just fine without the latest and greatest.
Sometimes it is great to have made a switch before everyone else.
Finally. Surveys can miss things or be incomplete. You won’t get a survey of the best pot or the best spoon or best hat.
So surveys are useful, but they do not replace thinking or research. Remember you are looking for what is best for you not what other people thought was best for them.