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How does this thing work . . . .
When you rent gear from us, we enclose related manuals or helpful tips in the package. If any documentation is missing, or if you want to know more about a particular piece of gear, you can usually find it included within a product’s full description (see example here) – sometimes via link to another page or to the manufacturer’s web site. Or, we’ve summarized below helpful information on our most popular gear – just review and/or print out as you like.
Our best piece of advice? Figure out the workings of any gear that is new to you before you leave home. Whip up something with our camping stove in your kitchen; setup the tent in your backyard; load and unload your backpack a few times; practice using the water filter in your sink. You’ll normally get your gear in at least a day before you head out, so set aside some time to get to know your gear before you’re way back in the woods in the dark - literally and figuratively.
TENTS
We carry tents from MSR, Kelty and Sierra Designs. Following the preceding links takes you respectively to our full line of tents and the manufacturer’s web sites. For owner's manuals and other information by specific product:
For general information about tents and tent care, see here.
SLEEPING GEAR
We carry a great selection of sleeping gear: sleeping bags from Sierra Designs and Kelty, and mattresses from ThermaRest. Following the preceding links takes you respectively to our full line of sleeping gear and the manufacturer’s web sites. There are not a lot of operating issues – lay out your mattress; crawl in your bag; go to sleep. But we do have some helpful general hints, and the mattresses can spring a leak. To learn more about outdoor sleeping gear and rest, see here.
BACKPACKS
We carry backpacks from Gregory and Kelty. Following the preceding links takes you respectively to our full line of backpacks and the two manufacturers’ web sites – their sites have full specs on each bag. For specific fitting information on the model you’re renting:
For more on backpack care and technique, see here.
STOVES
The two stoves we carry are pretty simple devices – hook up a fuel canister; turn on; stick a light to it or click the built-in ignitor and you’re ready to go. See the manual on the MSR Pocket Rocket here and more info on the Coleman 2-burner stove is here.
See all of our cooking gear here, and more on backpacking food preparation and suggestions here.
WATER TREATMENT
We offer two methods of water treatment within our hydration product line. The most common and practical is by pump filtration, which we offer via the Katadyn water filter; and through chlorination, via our Sweetwater Viral Treatment Solution. For tips on usage of these treatment options and related technical information, see our general discussion of water treatment and tips here.
GPS
We carry the Garmin eTrex Summit model GPS. See the Owners Manual here.
TREKKING POLES
There’s not much to the poles we carry in terms of operational issues. The MSR Overland pole is very strong and easy to adjust – the three pieces can be shortened and lengthened for any size hiker and terrain. To adjust, set the two lower sections of each pole at the same level on the graduated scale markings (both at 125, for example) and then tighten – by turning the lower section clockwise into the shaft-section above it. Hand tighten only. To loosen, turn the lower section counter-clockwise. For more about using poles – proper techniques and care – see here.
SAFETY GEAR
The gear we carry that is designed at least in part to keep you safe, upright, and available for work on Monday mornings is categorized here. The only item probably warranting additional operational information is the bear pepper spray. We include a link to a good source of info from the manufacturer within the product description, but you can also get there from here. And, for more info on bear safety precautions, see our informational guide here.
INFORMATIONAL GUIDES
We've prepared a number of discussions on gear and camping issues that we believe might be helpful to our users. These are already linked to at lots of places around the site within relevant product context, but here they all are in one list:
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