On sale for $5 US
Reviewed by my friend, Dan, an experienced outdoorsman.
His observations:
Tropical storms and $5 wal-mart tents are not a match made in heaven. Actually, though, it went up fairly easily in the dark. I wasn't impressed with the dinky strings and non-intuitive tighteners on it. I did like the bottom made out of tarp material. It slept me well for Friday, when it was dry. Saturday afternoon Hurricane Dennis rolled in and I quickly recovered my important gear out of it... sleeping bag & clothes. Food can get wet. Sunday we got around 3 inches. I noticed the flaps were not tied, so water was blowing in the door. One stake had come loose and the roof had sagged considerably... the impermeable floor held the water in so that there was a decent sized puddle along a portion of the floor. On the other hand, I pulled out my sleeping pad and it was dry and the box which contained my food was only wet on the side which was very near to the door. Had I been forced to sleep there, I probably would not have been soaked but not come out as dry as I did. Still, overall it was a nice tent, especially considering the economics. I will definitely use it again, and it met all my expectations. (you can use this on your web site review of camping gear if you like... a field test...) You better believe I will, Dan. I need the content!
$20 US
I bought this tent after using the above mentioned Trail Tent on the AT. Up there in the hills the soil is shallow and soft, and any tent depending on stakes to stay up will be a de facto bivy sack by the time you wake up. So I decided to check out some self-supporting options in the cheapskate range.
This tent seemed a natural. Small enough for one man to carry, large enough for me (I'm 5'7' or less) and my gear. It ends up weighing in at about 3 1/2 pounds without stakes (I replace the heavy factory steel stakes with cheap, durable plastic stakes).
I like the no-see-um mesh on the panels and the superior ventilation through the extra-large door. I ditched the tiny, obligatory tent fly and decided instead to try a poncho. Great match! I use a large US Army Poncho, which gives almost total coverage. Works like a charm, and gives superior protection and good ventilation. I'll use laundry clips to keep the fabric taut and off the tent. I sprayed Camp-Dry silicone spray on the lower third of the tent to protect against groundwater and uncovered areas. I think that if I can cut weight elsewhere I will bring this model along a trip. Otherwise, I'll use the Trail Tent and tie it off between two trees. Then I can leave the poles behind and get my tent weight down to slightly under 2 pounds!
Obtained from: Sportsman’s Guide
Price: $12.99 US
Weight: 1 1/2 lbs
Size: Folds to shirt pocket size
Comes w/ nylon carrier pocket
I know from more than one experience that ‘Caveat Emptor’ is the motto for all those shop for bargains in the camping equipment world. But I was willing to go forward once more into the breach and purchase this item.
It comes in a small cardboard box that opens to reveal a purple nylon pouch. This pouch looks sturdy and might even be good for holding other items on a pack or a belt. Inside it was my awaited treasure, the Pocket Cooker.
It was pretty oily, which I suppose protects it, and I plan to oil it again after a few uses. After wiping it down I was prepared to assemble and observe my purchase.
The true test of a piece of equipment, at least for myself, has always been whether or not I can use it without looking at the instructions. Fortunately, the Cooker deployed itself almost instantly. All I had to do was shake and turn it upside down.
Once set up for use the Cooker resembles a small black Mesoamerican pyramid, save for its flat sides. Provision has been made for more air to enter from below to feed the fire. A side door, opening upwards with a small lever/handle, is used to feed fuel. The air looks like it would be directed upward into the top of the pyramid structure, increasing the heat and directing the fire in the ideal way.
I fired up the oven with some newspaper that had been shredded into strips. Some leaves were added and a healthy flame arose from the oven. I took a pan from my aluminum meal kit, filled it with water and placed it above the flame. I conducted this experiment at night with a mild breeze in January, with the temperature around freezing. I was able to get the water steaming in about 1 ½ minutes, but the fire died out twice and I had to feed freshly lit newspaper from the top and side to keep it going. A cooking mitt or some good gloves might be necessary for a trip with the Pocket Cooker to prevent burned fingers. I wasn’t able to test with twigs, only leaves and newspaper, so perhaps a longer lasting flame could be built. The leaves in my back yard were damp but not soaked, and burned well once the oven was going. I think that speaks well for the product, or at least for the idea behind it.
After letting the water settle I used it to put out the fire inside the cooker and let the cooker cool down. It did not take long (this being a cold, breezy night) and I was able to clean, fold and store the oven in a jiffy.
Ashes were simply shaken out onto the ground. (This may be a fire hazard. Use your discretion!)
Folding the oven took some thinking, as there are no illustrations in the instructions (yes, I caved in and read them). Put simply, you fold in the hinged side first, bringing the 2 slanting walls together, then the side held together with the ring.
Quite a bit of black soot came off the side when I wiped it down, but otherwise the oven appeared undamaged from its ‘baptism of fire’. The only problem I found was that new fuel fed from the side hatch would sometimes push aside the fire inside. I was able to get around this problem by lifting the pan occasionally and feeding leaves from the top. For a flame broiled burger, a small grate could be used.
For use on a backpacking campout I would recommend a supply of shredded newspaper, at least to start the fire with, and something to protect the hands while feeding fuel. I feel that this device provides a more efficient way to cook over a fire that the traditional campfire, since little of the heat escapes skyward without passing by the pot or pan being heated. Close attention to recent weather and weather forecasts is essential in using this stove. If the leaves and twigs are wet where you are going, bring some newspaper, old paperback books, or cardboard to keep the flame going. I would not recommend this for complicated cooking or simmering. It is the most compact stove ever, and more environmentally sound than a full size campfire. It is also easier to fuel that a campfire, needing only kindling and leaves. Too often I have had to range far from camp looking for fallen, dry wood, and I expect the situation to get worse as more people compete for less wood in our high-traffic forests.
In short, this thing turned out to be worth the money I paid for it, but not for the trail. It won’t replace my propane camping stove, since its reliability is worth the extra 1/2 pound. I'm putting it in my car as part of my emergency kit. One use might be as a second cooker, perhaps to boil stream water or heat up a side dish.
East German 'Esbit' Stoves
Price: $4.95 for 2 cookers, $4.95 for 15 Bars Fuel (Trioxane)
I planned to try out the Esbit stove soon after evaluating the Pocket Cooker, since the weight difference would be more worth it, and you don't have to scrounge for leaves and twigs. Once again I ordered from the Sportsman's Guide, and received 2 East German Esbit stoves with 15 bars of Trioxane Fuel. These cookers were East German army issue, and inside were a dirtier version of the non-toxic Esbit brand name fuel. They didn't consume themselves completely upon use, but they were the same milky-white color. I was able to get a red flame from this fuel and heat (but not boil) water. The Trioxane fuel is apparently designed for the US Army, and packaged in thick foil. It smells like burning plastic and leaves a black residue in the stove. I solved the residue problem by burning the soapy blue fuel in the foil container. Then I could throw the foil and residue away together. Wash your hands after handling the fuel.
The Trioxane burned a bright blue, and easily boiled 2 pints water (my usual amount) in a few minutes. I made a windscreen from a tiny aluminum foil baking pan, and I was able to do the same with 1/3 of the fuel bar!
These Esbit stoves are not the modern kind, with air vents, but are pretty good regardless (see below- i got the real ones eventually!). One thing I noticed with these East German surplus cookers is that you cannot narrow the two sides for smaller pots, cups, etc. I like this type of stove and will be using it on my next trip.
UPDATE: I tested brand-name Esbit fuel + trioxane side by side this summer in a test to see which I should bring. Here's the results. I used the REAL esbit stove ($1.99 from Cheaper Than Dirt, with REAL Esbit fuel- Belgian Army Surplus).
Esbit fuel- Leaves a sticky residue on bottom of pan but does consume itself and can be blown out and re-used. Handling seems safe. Breaking up intentionally is ill-advised.Trioxane - burn it in its foil wrapper, leaves black residue when done. Burns hotter than Esbit fuel, but not dramatically. No residue on bottom of pan. Dusty to handle and toxic smell (mild) when burned. Doesn't mark stove up when burned in foil wrapper. Cannot be re-lit RELIABLY- but usually can be done as long as there is some blue coloration. Pouring water on it is the best way to stop it. Can be used in pieces but will begin to turn to dust over a few days.
I got a pile of Trioxane with my East German Esbits and a pile of regular (Belgian-army issue) Esbit fuel with my
I also have a French Army personal stove (aluminum) (NEW $3.99 each from Cheaper-Than-Dirt catalog). shaped to heat canteen cups. Works well and is the lightest of all.
Seventy-nine bucks, and it’s a good brand. It’s my first pack. (I’ve always borrowed before). Where the hell were packs like these when I first began shopping for one? All they had was the damn internal frame packs for 200 friggin dollars!! I’ve hiked with both, and although my hiking has so far been during the summer, I prefer the feel of an external. Maybe during winter an internal would insulate the back, but during the summer it just becomes a huge sweat sponge. I’m not one of these creatures that was raised in germ-free environment- when I sweat it stinks. I get out only 1 or 2 times a year, and $$$ per trip is a factor in my purchase. Adjustable straps, frame length, padded everything. It also has a BIG water bottle holder (1 1/2 liter, maybe 2!) and plenty of pockets. I like the externals because you can strap a lot of bulky stuff like tents and tarps to the frame. I’ve since seen other external packs in the same under-$100 price range. I understand the staff of Backpacking magazine buying a $400 tent or a $200 anorak, because they go out constantly and face harsh conditions. But this hobby has been getting out of the range of the common man (Or a cheapskate like me), who just plans a weekend hike on the AT during good weather. Top
Too heavy. Nice packbag, but boy that rivet in the small of the back, dear God! Maybe the packbag would work with a different external frame, one without a rivet. The frame is so heavy you could weld 4 together and make a lawn chair for an elephant. This is the pack I used on my very first hike. The waistband isn’t padded and digs like hell. This pack is good for Long Marches, Death Marches, and jungle campaigns with the Chindits or Merrill’s Marauders. Otherwise, not even. Top
from Tasco
Clean and clear. Also works as a magnifier, which isn’t an advertised feature but one I tried out after reading about another monocular/loupe that does the same thing. No way would I use it as a key ring, which is the suggested method, since coins in your pocket would destroy the lenses. Works with both contact lenses and glasses.This item comes in black or gold, but for the love of Pete get it in BLACK. The gold one looks like it should come with a white double-knit leisure suit and a pinkie ring. Serious Liberace look, people.
NOT A SCAM! They do warm you up. I carry a $1 emergency one (Wal-Mart) just in case, and a $7 heavy duty brand-name one for regular use as a tarp, ground sheet, or to extend the temp rating of my bag. If I could find out how they come up with the ratings I would tell you by how much. You do have to keep it near your skin get the effect. Their reflective surface can be used as a signal. I also keep one of these in my car in case I get snowed in or run off the road.
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