Gear Wish List

[Esther Luft]

Okay, so fall will soon be here and camping season picks-up with a bang.  If you could add any one item to your collection, what would it be and why?  How would you best use it?  Is there something you wish you had but you can't find it anywhere? 

I would like a way to repel gnats without a bug suit/hat/helmet/light saber, etc.  Also, pants for women that are actually cut for women.  We are not just oddly shaped boys with big hips, skinny thighs and no waistline.  Attractive huh?

I LOVE my mystery shirt from NRS.  It's super comfy, mader for on-water use, warm for those cool days on the water, repels water, breathes, and I can wear it as a super hero costume!  X-Men here I come, well, sort of :\

What about you?

[vivian]

I don't know about you but I will be repacing the nylon pants I wear with the zip off legs this season. Problem is I can't find just plain quick dry pants for women that don't cost $75 or more. In my canoe I like to sit and switch tucking my legs under the seat to kneel. The zippered pants become very uncomfortable as the zipper hits the back of my thigh at the wrong place against the seat edge. One of my friends who worked on clearing the Bear Lake Trail recommended BDU pants. He swears by them for bug protection and durability. I've been looking at different websites but wish I could find a place locally to try a pair. Anyone know of such a place in Miami?

[Juan Estevez]

Paddling hat!

I have been through two hats already, they work fine until the wind kicks in, I've been looking at the Tilley LTM6 AirFlo, quite expensive but I keep reading positives reviews. What do you wear? Do the flap (or brim) stays planted when facing strong wind?

Juan

[yakmaster]

The army navy on flagler & 18th has tons of them. New & used.

http://www.flaglerarmynavy.com/

[Keith W]

Altama jungle boots. Slogging the Cypress has already trashed two pairs of 'waterproof' hiking boots in as many seasons. When you're up to your a** in swamp water, waterproof boots don't count for much anyway...so get boots that were meant to be submerged. Altama's have drain holes in the instep.

[Esther Luft]

BDU's are pretty great, but they are still 35% cotton and they are not cut for women, not even the women's version. They remind me of ridding pants with gigantic hips. Tactical pants can be pretty good too; they tend to better tailored.

I want lightweight, quick dry pants for under $40. Comfy and with a nice fit. Maybe we should start a new clothing line. Swamp Cheek. LOL!

I must say, I do love my exofficio pants. I just didn't like the price, even on sale they were in the $80 range. The bug shield works great though and they are comfy for hours. No poorly placed seams, zippers or anything.

[Esther Luft]

The Tilley hats have a guarantee, if you lose it they replace it. Not sure what they charge but that may make it worth it. They tend to stay put too.

I am bad, I like my baseball cap best. The wide brimmed hats impair my vision. The flaps are just annoying to me. I just like my cap.s

[Connie Mier]

You can't go wrong with a Tilley. I have a T3 cotton duck, looks silly but what the heck. It can feel a bit hot at first, but after a few washes and getting use to it, it's quite comfortable. You can button up the brim on one or both sides for wind. If you do get one, make sure it is listed as gauranteed for replacing worn out hats. This is probably the best feature of tilley hats, I sent mine in and within a few days I had a brand new hat. Only cost $7 for shipping.

As for pants for women, I go with the campmor nylons, cheap and adequate. I also find that they protect me well enough from bugs. What I do find to be annoying are the nylon fishing shirts with the air vents in the back. It's as if they posted a sign there in loud bright letters" "Bugs welcomed here".

[yakmaster]

Also available @ Flagler...for even less $$$

[vivian]

I love my exofficio pants and they are worth the money, but the ones I have are also the zip off leg style that does not work for me. Your "Swamp Cheek" or maybe "Swamp Chic" clothing line idea would be a fun clothing line idea.

[vivian]

Thank you Yakmaster! I used to shop at this store when I was in high school back in the 70's. Never thought to check it if they were still in business. I'll make a trip there and try out those BDU pants although from Esthers description they might not work for my figure, lol! Even if they are 35% cotton that would work if I used them for camp pants and days of no rain on the canoe. I like the bug resistant fabric and price.

[Walt]

I would like to pick up a canoe, preferably a "Seawind" from Kruger Canoes.