I have a problem...
Mmmmmm...gear
I am addicted to gear.
Somebody help me.
Over the last couple weeks, I've spent about 95% of my free time looking at backpacks on the Internet. Not just browsing from site to site observing that one company's pack color labeld "Pure Evergreen Mist" is nearly indentical to another company's labeled "Metallic Extreme Moss," but crunching numbers, memorizing features, comparing fabrics, examining construction and generally being obsessive. Clearly, I have a problem.
You see, I'm in the market for a new backpack. Why? Because I already have a perfectly good one. In fact, it's a great pack. Fits well. Carries all my gear. Durable. But, it weighs about 28 ounces more than I would like. And, it doesn't quite have all the features I'm looking for, which will allow me to cut a few more ounces. Basically, I'm insane.
I have a spreadsheet that lists weight of every piece of backpacking gear I own. (D helped with this, so she's not totally innocent.) How do I know the weight of each piece of gear I own? Because I have a kitchen scale that I used to weigh it all. That's how. Yup, insane.
So thanks to the spreadsheet, I know my base weight without food and water. Check that, I've even weighed typical backpacking food items, so I know how much weight I'd be carrying with food and water. I've got it all detailed out. And, yes, I'm not healthly.
Armed with this knowledge, I've been poring over company websites, gear blogs, reviews, discussion boards...you name it, I've read it. I've been looking at 360° views of packs. I've been reading about customizable options. I've been looking at total cubic inches. I've been looking recommend uses. I've been...well, you get the point.
Bottom line: I am addicted to gear. I love it. I love everything about it. In fact, researching the gear may be more fun than actually using it.
Anyway, I've picked out the pack I want. Now I just have to order it.
Now, I need to look at new boots...
Comments
Re: I have a problem...
by Pete
on May 3rd 2007, 8:03 am
Ryan, you and D need a couple of kids! That refocuses your obsessions really quickly.
(BTW ...poring; reading carefully, w/intent to remember,
pouring; to make flow, as from a container. I'm a little obsessive too about spelling...)
Re: I have a problem...
by Ryan
on May 3rd 2007, 8:14 am
Pete - Thanks for the spelling correction. That one always gets me.
Kids? Kids need gear, too!
Re: I have a problem...
by Howie
on May 6th 2007, 3:45 pm
Actually the only problem you have is thinking that there is a problem being a gearhead. This is quite normal for those of us living in this area. What you really need is help over coming the idea that you have a problem so you can go about your necessary gear researching and buying guilt free. Food? Rent? Mortgage payment? Really now - these are all secondary. You gotta have the gear!
Re: I have a problem...
by nate-tron
on May 7th 2007, 8:40 pm
I know where you can get some good outdoor gear...GREAT GLEN!
Re: I have a problem...
by Ryan
on May 7th 2007, 9:42 pm
Nate is even trying to sell me stuff through the blog now. Relentless.
Really, though, when it comes down to it, I like being a gearhead. It's a good place to invest. That's probably why our TV is 15 years old and has a built in VCR!
Re: I have a problem...
by Brian
on May 8th 2007, 10:33 pm
I have this same problem. I love gear. I'm so happy to find there are many others out there like me! I haven't done the spreadsheet before, but I will soon! And I have to second the part about kids and gear. My wife and I just had a baby, and some of the baby gear is awesome!!! Which, come to think of it, brings my backpack tally to 8, if you count the Kelty child carrier and Baby Bjorn I just ordered. You may hate me for showing you this, but check out www.steepandcheap.com
Re: I have a problem...
by Ryan
on May 9th 2007, 2:33 pm
Brian - Congrats on the new addition! I wasn't even thinking about the new tricked out strollers and backpacks, but that's a good point. I was thinking more about the Patagonia jacket and Crocs we just got for our 1-year old niece. Gotta start 'em young!
