Don't re-light my fire
I was reading the latest issue of Trail the other day and in particular the comments of Pete McFarlane, their lightweight expert. He was basically saying that the central tenet of being lightweight was to optimise the performance you need with weight.
Although I still think that the lightweight “movement” if you can call it such a think has led to unnecessary gear faddishness, I thought there was a lot of sense in his words. The main problem I have is that often people seem to compromise performance (and therefore comfort) for the sake of saving a few pounds in weight.
Clearly that’s a personal choice but I’ve often pondered the point of a lightweight jacket that lets you down in torrential rain (which, let’s face it, you’re as likely to get in the UK in mid-Summer as mid-Winter).
My trusty Trangia is a case in point. For years I’ve suffered brickbats from companions about its weight, size and slowness to boil (although I’m not sure why boil times are quite such an issue in the wilderness - I go there to get away from time pressure!).
Yet time and time again the Trangia would triumph over other models lighting and staying lit in a Force 10, and giving me tea whilst my mates where still muttering curses and trying to construct impromptu windshields.
I guess, like so many things, it comes down to personal preference and indeed money. I would always tend to buy the best performing item, almost regardless of weight, but this trip has made me more conscious of the lightweight options.
But let’s not forget you can still enjoy the hills in a £20 cagoule from Millets
