Do you test your gear

[WiseOwl]

For all of you that have a Katadyn Hiker and the Hiker Pro, be sure to keep the pump lubricated. I have a friend that did not do this and after 100 or so gallons pumped through he tore it up.....I have only put maybe 30 gallons through it since last year but I try to lube it every 6 months...just a thought guys and gals

[snarlbuckle]

At this point I've thoroughly tested everything in my BOBs on numerous hikes and backpacking trips as well as general use around the homestead. I use to toss stuff in a pack and call it good. But after carrying it for miles and numerous backpacking/camping trips it is amazing the amount of stuff you don't need. While some things can make certain tasks a little easier, more often than not it seemed I would spend twice the energy hiking with the added weight than what it might save in actual use.

I have to second that. On my recent trip, I carried about a 40+ pound pack. Toward the end of the trip, my hiking partners were in no condition to continue, so I had to drop most of what was in my pack and book it Bear Grylls style the last 6 miles to the car. I got my pack weight down to about 20lbs, and it felt so light that I didn't even need the hip belt anymore. I made that 6 miles over rough terrain in about 2.5 hours with almost an hour of break time along the way. You should always test your setup and figure out what you use and what you don't. Reducing pack weight is a vital part of being not only more mobile, but also more flexible.

[Cimarron]

Checking some gear I stowed last summer (maybe farther back) I found two items in need of help. A battery powered lantern and battery operated fan. Both with leaking batteries and had coroded terminals. The lantern came clean with little problem but I will have to really work on the fan to get it in operable condition.

[CLT46910]

Back when I could get around, my BOB/GHB was my hiking pack. Stayed with me or in the car all the time. Many times I got off work, changed clothes and when hiking for the evening. Not counting the times I hiked over weekends and such.

So I knew what worked or did not.