Adventure 16 Blog » Gear upgrade

I’m always looking for a way to lighten my pack. Currently, I carry about 25 pounds for a three- to four-day trip. The heaviest culprit in my pack is my MSR DuraLite cookset, weighing in at 16 ounces (one pound).

The DuraLite is a good set for car campers or quick trips where you can carry a lot of food to cook, but on extended trips, the set can get heavy.

So I’m going titanium with the MSR Titan Tea Kettle ($49.95). The Kettle has been out for a while, but until recently, I didn’t think the price justified a lighter pack. Boy does it make a difference.

My meals will be limited to dry-freezed packs (that means no more delicious Top Ramen and beef jerky meals), but it’s definitely worth saving the weight and space. The Titan Kettle weighs in at an almost non-existent four ounces (just a quarter-pound) and a fuel canister fits snug in the kettle.

Injinji socks ($16, crew wool)were also introduced to my gear pack recently. I’ll admit that the toe socks look silly, but I have sweaty feat and I heard Injinjis help keep your foot (including your toes) nice and dry.

The socks get some getting used with the extra material in between your toes, but the extra material wicks away moisture from each toe, drying your foot that much faster.

I’ve used these socks on long hot hikes and even a day at work. I love ‘em. Every time I take the socks off at the end of the day my feet are dry, and they don’t reek.

With my new kettle and my new socks, I can pour a cup of hot tea with my feet.