I was picking up some bits and pieces, and it’s always the shiny that catches my eye. I was fed up taking a slagging about how “heavy” my Optimus folding spork is, so I got a Light My Fire plasticky affair and a Vargo titanuim one. I’ll see if not being able to stow my utensil in my pot melts my heid or not, but these’ll be easier to keep clean if nothing else.
Also I couldn’t resist a Sigg oval bottle. In its wee neoprene pouch if fits snug into a regular rucksack bottle pocket, but isn’t so bulky. The capacity is good at 600ml, but using a screw top again is bit of a bugger, Camelbak and Raidlight straw bottles have been a constant for ages now.
For high camps I got a Source 2L collapsible bottle. That plus an external bottle gives great flexibility in carrying capacity and physical volume of water in my pack. I’ve been used to just carrying two 750ml bottles of late. That’s usually just enough to get beakfast made before descending to look for more water.
Nice to try something a bit different. It really is a constant process of evolution, daft little things like a spork and also the bigger changes. This winter I’ve been sleeping in baselayers at camp and I’ll find it difficult to go back to sleeping in a lot of clothing. I didn’t expect that, but it’s good.
Being “lightweight” can be such a millstone around your neck. I mean if it’s been designed to be as functional as possible, it has to be light? In principle anyway.
Hold in your hand, look at it, wear it, use it and you can easily tell if there’s a good balance between weight and function. And, sometimes going either side of the balance is worth it. That bottle below is heavy and I just don’t care because it makes me smile.
I bought one of those Optimus folding sporks on your recommendation and whilst they are light-ish and fit inside my Titan kettle neatly they do have a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, they are a bugger to clean and secondly they’ve been known to collapse when squeezing a teabag on the side of the mug. I also never use the ‘fork’ part so I’m gonna be switching to a simple spoon that’ll just sit in my food bag. Funny how THE ONE turns out not to be sometimes.
Funny, I love my folding spork, it definitely has that ‘smile factor’. Not had it collapse either, the slidy catch thingy seems to work well.
The Light My Fire on the other hand – ok to eat with but that curved stem makes it a bugger to find a neat place to stash it… I prefer my plain lexan cutlery to that :(
You have been busy today !
I just drop my Vargo spork in my nylon “food” bag. Nae biggie and it’s easy to find. I’ve heard some folk bend them to fit into their pot but I cannae bring myself to do it.
One of my Sigg Ovals came with a replica stainless steel canteen/mug thing. Beautiful to look at but a lot heavier than a neoprene pouch :o)
Have you seen the Sigg with the Grolsch-like flip top btw? I was gutted when it turned oot to be too wee for anything other than booze.
I ain’t bending my new Vargo spork, it did not go well with the old one…
I’ve seen thw wee Sigg bittle, it’s neat. They’ve got new bottles for spring as well, currugated sides on some bottles and ovals with 1930’s lids.
I like their gear. Lighter tham some plastic bottles too.
You cannae beat the folding spork for pack size, and I’ve been lucky with it not folding in use.
I’ll see, if the newbies don’t mesh with my camp kit they’re oot!
I use the “Tibetan” version of the folding spork, I like it and it hasnt folded on me when using so I’m happy.
I’ve been looking to see if I can make a hinge on the plastic one…