Deuter Giga Office Backpack

Advantages: Will burn well just about any fuel you can find to use, good at altitude.
Disadvantages: Not as good looking a stove as others in the series! Keep a spares kit.

...If you really do want the latest, most fancy, up to the minute backpacking stove then look at the rest of this great manufacturers range!!! There will most certainly be an MSR stove there just for someone just like you! If however, just like little old me, you really want a go anywhere and do just about anything stove, to backpack all around this world with, then PLEASE do look no further. Your journey for finding a perfect backpackers stove is over, and you have arrived at your requested detination, right on time!!! I own two of these excellent stoves, both bought from Field and Trek, if I recall correctly. I got my first of these when Chris Townsend reccomended them in Trail magazine, or was it TGO??? Being a bit of a CT fan I wanted the same stove that the old master backpacker had!! I was later often glad that I did have... Read review

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Advantages: High Volume and Superb stability with heavy loads
Disadvantages: Military image - olive green

...You don't see the Vulcan around much these days but I had one and it was a rock steady backpack. Manufactured by Berghaus for the serious mountaineer but affectionately used by the military and forces due to its high volume and stability when loaded to the maximum. Features 100litre volume with two detatchable side pockets (very useful for expeditioners who have trekked to a base camp and then require a day pack for day walks etc) - the pack comes with straps to turn the side pockets into a small backpack. A feature copied by many other manufacturers. Internal frame that can be moulded to your back. High density foam in the right areas to prevent chaffing and rubbing (eg hips, shoulders and lower back - good lumbar support) My one had a divider between the main sac - not sure that this was common but very useful to keep dirty... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, light, the back packers friend
Disadvantages: Bulky, can damage pride if mate beats you in combat ;o)

...with these things is that although they are light, when rolled they take up around the same space as a well packed sleeping bag, which can be a downer if you are backpacking. Ants' tip of the day however is to roll it up around your sleeping bag so it fits in the sleeping bag attatchment bit of your backpack. Yes, I know I'm a genius ;o) Oh yeah, another tip for a comfortable nights sleeping is if you are in a field with long grass, cut some of it and shove it under your groundsheet as it acts like a cushion. While minimal it can make the difference. Sleep well, and thanks for reading :o)... Read review

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