[pct-l] Gear vs gear vs gear

[CMountainDave@aol.com (CMountainDave@aol.com)]

I've come to the conclusion that everyone is prejudiced towards the gear they
already have. No one wants to admit that they made a bad choice when chosing
gear or, worse yet, that they REPLACED bad gear with bad gear. For a matter
of pride, they are going to swear by their supposed experience in chosing
gear.
 What is really needed is something like consumers report to test and
recommend gear without prejudice. Something that is not likely on this list
given the tarp vs tent and down vs synthetic discussions. (Has anyone tried,
say, 20 pairs of shoes, 10 tents or 10 sleeping bags. Unless you have how can
you possibly say what's best?), or the store clerk who gets 2 weeks off a
year to field test gear. Or a magazine that advertises backpacking gear.
 Now for my prejudice: I've hiked exclusively since 1978 with a down bag,
mostly in near temparate rain forest conditions. It has never been wet. My
conclusion: a bag can be kept dry no matter what the weather conditions are
or their duration. One simply has to make it a point. I go prepared: I carry
a 1 pound bivy sack to use INSIDE the tent if necessary and 3 trash compactor
bags. I make up for the weight by ditching 2 lbs of fuel, 1 lb of filter,
1.5 pounds by using down instead of synthetic fill, and whatever hiking poles
weigh.
  Choosing gear to fit the situation is expensive. I'd rather have a one size
fits all even if a little more weight is involved. One can guess what the
conditions should normally be, but weather has extremes as well as
"averages." One just has to decide if saving weight is worth being misersable
for short, infrequent 1 to 3 day hypothermic events. I say no.
 A question for tarp users: When you add the weight of a ground cloth, bug
netting and hiking poles, where's the weight advantage over a -3 lb tent?
Those items gotta weigh at least 2 pounds, or don't you count the pole weight
because they aren't on your back