Worst gear ever?

Does anyone else ever giggle whenever there is yet ANOTER one-star or zero-star review of TNF Chilkat boots?

As far as major outdoor bands go, (Ozark Trail doesn't count) I think these must be the worst product ever. 

Any thoughts?

Biolite Stick Snapper Is one of the lamest

Don't know about the quality of these goods, but these items belong on the list due to their concepts, as designed. 

Certainly the Biolite wood fuel camp stove/battery charger belongs on this list.

All models of "survivalist" walking sticks and trekking poles that come loaded down with all the survivalist porn gizmos survivalists and preppers like to carry around 24X7 "just in case".

Bear repellents that use foul scents to repel bears, versus pepper sprays that uses the burning sensation of capsaicin to repel Yogi.

Liquid trout attractant.

Ed

I would add the Sierra Club cup ..noisy banging along as you hike with it on the trail, burns your lips if you use it for hot beverages...and it's open flat design doesn't keep beverages warm for more than a half minute.  

Other than that, it's great.

OMG yes Ed! EVERYTHING labeled "survival" and wrapped in black Paracord!!!

the 'Sierra cup' is interesting. despite its flaws, it's iconic.  GSI and Snowpeak both make versions of it. back in the day, it was a nice design for dipping into a stream (pre-giardia). and while it does burn your lips with hot cocoa (any non-insulated metal cup will do that), the handle won't burn your fingers. also, the open design helps it double as a small food bowl. (best trail cup? thermoplastic top from an old Nissan insulated bottle I had).

worst gear ever? the duo fold 2 layer thermal shirt, the old school style where the outer layer was wool blend, inner layer was cotton.  intended to be a base layer.  never failed to leave me cold and miserable.  

When a knife is called a survival knife it chaps my hide. Usually they are thick, with thick edges, heavy, bulky with a heavy sheath. They don’t make good food prep knives and are about as useful as a boat anchor on the trail. But they sound and look cool I guess. 

leadbelly2550 said:

the 'Sierra cup' is interesting. despite its flaws, it's iconic.  GSI and Snowpeak both make versions of it. back in the day, it was a nice design for dipping into a stream (pre-giardia). and while it does burn your lips with hot cocoa (any non-insulated metal cup will do that), the handle won't burn your fingers. also, the open design helps it double as a small food bowl. (best trail cup? thermoplastic top from an old Nissan insulated bottle I had).

worst gear ever? the duo fold 2 layer thermal shirt, the old school style where the outer layer was wool blend, inner layer was cotton.  intended to be a base layer.  never failed to leave me cold and miserable.  

 But  the duo-fold made great  pajama tops :) lol

As noted in other threads, "tactical" sets me off. I think I started a thread about a review of "tactical sporks" that I stumbled across in a survivalist magazine a while back. As far as I can tell, it means that you can use whatever it is to kill someone. Tactical Sierra cup anyone?

For many years the word "technical" was used to try to boost the reputation of random bits of gear, ie. technical underwear. That usage seems to have faded.

Tactical underwear?

I spent a few hrs this Christmas looking for a flashlight as an alternative to my headlamp collection. The number of "tactical" flashlights made my head spin. I would suggestfor outdoor use avoiding tactical lights...it seems like that is code for way too heavy and so bright it will blind you.  

"Tactical"and "survival" are marketing buzz words with no meaning in real life.

I can travel a long way with a good sleeping bag and a Sierra Club cup. 

hikermor said:

"Tactical"and "survival" are marketing buzz words with no meaning in real life.

Disagree, mate.
For example, if a multitool is called "tactical" it usually includes some special tools for gun carriers. I mean some carbon scraper for your gun or dissasembly punch -- that is cannot be found on an average multitool.

But some manufacturers made it a matketing trick,ye

I have those TNF boots they are my 3rd pair in 10 yrs I kinda like them. 
Worst  gear Columbia’s omni heat all of it. 

William Goldman said:

hikermor said:

"Tactical"and "survival" are marketing buzz words with no meaning in real life.

Disagree, mate.
For example, if a multitool is called "tactical" it usually includes some special tools for gun carriers. I mean some carbon scraper for your gun or dissasembly punch -- that is cannot be found on an average multitool.

But some manufacturers made it a matketing trick,ye

 Fair enough.  But that doesn't address the "tactical" flashlights, pants, sunglasses, watches, backpacks, and all sorts of other cr8p that is being marketed.

William Goldman said:

hikermor said:

"Tactical"and "survival" are marketing buzz words with no meaning in real life.

Disagree, mate.
For example, if a multitool is called "tactical" it usually includes some special tools for gun carriers. I mean some carbon scraper for your gun or dissasembly punch -- that is cannot be found on an average multitool.

But some manufacturers made it a matketing trick,ye

yes but use with an assault rifle is tactical and most of us who hike, paddle and generally do outdoor recreation do not carry an AR-15. I can see military carrying a tactical multi tool but they are a tactical organization and most of us here are not going on maneuvers. But a big tactical knife is good for waving at the bad guys on the tele.  ;)

Google "tactical" and just about anything and you're likely to come up with something.

https://shop.coolmaterial.com/products/kabar-tactical-spork

https://www.tacware.com/products/titanium-tactical-tweezers?variant=5225096740891

https://havitzgoods.com/products/tactical-trekking-poles-for-hiking-defense-survival

https://tacticalgear.com/tactical-socks

https://shop.tacticalshit.com/billet-ornament-christmas-ornament-set

https://tacticalrabbit.com/about-us/

The militarization of daily life?

and unfortunately it all sells

BigRed said:

Google "tactical" and just about anything and you're likely to come up with something.

The militarization of daily life?

There are times I could use some tactical TP or deoderant (don't ask why!).

Ed

I avoid anything trending in outdoor gear,...Seems like thaeyre  catering a fad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=-aqFmQJ-v4o

A nearly 9-minute video "review" of tactical toilet paper. Maybe Alicia can get some for Ed to test drive...

Big Red...you should have mentioned the Tactical Spork site also has a hostage rescue card with all sorts of mini tools. Now that may come in handy if the bears can't get into my canister and take me hostage instead. 

Hmm, so they beat me to my best ideas.  Gotta come up with something no one would consider...  Tactical suppositories.  

Ed

whomeworry said:

Hmm, so they beat me to my best ideas.  Gotta come up with something no one would consider...  Tactical suppositories.  

Ed

 I know where you can't carry them.

https://www.tacticaloutfitters.net/products/moab-suppositories-3d-pvc-morale-patch

We are devolving into a bad place.  A very bad place. You all snowed in? Ha ha...

ghostdog said:

We are devolving into a bad place.  A very bad place. You all snowed in? Ha ha...

 I wish

Tactical gas control pills?  To be deadly, you need to be silent.

hikermor said:

"Tactical"and "survival" are marketing buzz words with no meaning in real life.

 What about tacticool

On man's syncline is another man's anticline.

i am tired of tactical, survivalist paramilitary crap. 

Otherwise, outdoor equipment continues to improve.  It is a competitive market place driven by slick magazines like Outside and Backpacker.  Some of the cheap Chinese goods are  not that dependable.  A lot of European equipment is not that good.  Many people will dispute that claim. 

The older people in the group remember when Army surplus was the main place we got our equipment.  Watching companies like REI develop into mass merchandising companies was a big deal.   I will never forget waiting in line at the old REI HQ in Seattle all night to get a shot at shopping in the old 5 story warehouse building. 

Personally the concept of titanium everything is a little over the top.  As my bping career comes to an end after 60 years I still have great affection for frame packs, little brass stoves,  German hiking boots, down sleeping bags and even Sierra Club cups. 

A lot of European equipment is not that good.  Many people will dispute that claim. 

Me for one:) A bold and general statement without backup is difficult to ignore...a lot of US equipment is not that good either...there are long lists of good quality US manufacturers as well as European ones...and probably just as long lists of poor ones on both sides of the pond.

Ah, come in Phil!  I think we all old farts can all attest pipine's statement, "A lot of European equipment is not that good" is true, as are your comments about US quality.  At our age we've seen enough equipment to realize only a few brands at any moment have superior stuff, but often it is also beyond our budgets.  Perhaps that explains why so few mfg pursue high performance gear.

Ed

FlipNC said: “A bold and general statement without backup is difficult to ignore...”

Agreed..

that is a serious faux pas on any site but most of all on a review site. Too many old self appointed gurus. Looks incredibly foolish but that doesn’t seem noticeable from their self admiring, evidence free perspective. People who would project their nullity on others… 

It’s nutty but that is the world we live in. 

Ultimately most of this is just fleeting background noise. What matters is what you do now. Intentions, opinions or expressions of attitude don’t count for anything at all.

When you have enough experience, you learn that certain brands and certain designs don't muster well in the field.  You don't have to take a ride in a lead zeppelin to know it will never fly.  As for the evidence: the evidence is the summation of decades of experience, using all sorts of equipment, and sharing experiences with others of such August stature (learning vicariously).  You don't need to drive every car to know some have less than glamorous reputations, for example, what friends/owners say about Land Rovers and Jaguars being garage queens is often the case.  Has been for generations, and probably will be for awhile, further along the arc of time.  

---------------------

Ghost:

neither pipine nor I are conducting a product review, we are just commenting on the marketplace, based on our own experiences - well over a 100 years worth between the two of us.  Certainly that alludes some credibility to our voices.  Experience doesn't automatically qualify one as an expert; nevertheless I have yet to meet an expert who hasn't put time into the task to acquire expertise.

I am not sure how to digest the self appointed guru thing.  Pretty much every time someone responds to a question posted to the forum, the respondent becomes that guy who feels (self) qualified to offer advice and opinions - just as you are doing on this very thread.  Lastly, neither Ppine nor I mentioned any individuals in our comments, implicitly or otherwise, let alone nullified their significance or judge personal character, based on content individuals post to the forum.  Let's avoid straying down that alley...

Ed

Wasn’t pointing a particular finger at you Ed. when you focus you are an intelligent one to discuss with. And you actually post picture to go along with your discussions.

 But I’ll repeat to nobody in particular, and this happens way too much  and at times kind of preachy. A bold and general statement without backup is difficult to ignore...

The day we are not allowed to have opinions on a forum is the day I go somewhere else.  I am talking about equipment, and some people want to point fingers.  Go ahead.

I don't care what you think. 

On my first couple of trips to Europe I spent a lot of time in outdoor stores trying to find good equipment, something I bring could bring home from my trips.  I gave up.

This whole website is one big opinion after another. 

Hey guys. I hat the internet! I didn't mean to spark this little fire and regret how the wording came across...my smily face got lost in there!

I have tremendous respect for the voices on here, and ppine's experience both recreationally and professionally. Ed's experience also speaks for itself, although he often does too! (Smily face again).

I intended on calling out ppine to back up the statement, which he did later although I would like to show him some of the European stuff from the last few trips I have made. Obviously that came across differently than intended. I'll still enjoy a debate and heartily but good naturedly disagree with him, but maybe that's best over a campfire rather than this silly internet stuff. 

Apologies for the misworded response that started this.

Thanks Phil.  An apology was not necessary.

WORST
It’s a tie between 

1 an ankle length poncho designed for backpacking ( I was completely soaked in leas than a minute) how is it possible to mess up a poncho????

2 a cell phone that isn’t smart enough to win every internet debate i engage in and correct all of my grammatical errors. ( take this one for instance, ove Dang phone wants it to be of) now who the heck is right??? I have it phonetically correct.

yeah its a tie phone and poncho 

both suck

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