New Gear Today! (4/9/15)

Well, Today and Yesterday, if you want to get technical about it. Every spring, REI does a sale for their members, where you get 20% off on one item, and I needed to pick up a couple more things. I ordered a Gregory pack cover (Large) for my Baltoro 65, a pair of Black Diamond Neutrino Wire Gate carabiners, and a SiltStopper filter for my MSR Sweetwater. What's that you say? Why haven't I reviewed the Sweetwater yet? Good question, the reason is that I don't want to just do an unboxing and show you that I have it. I want to let you know if I LIKE it or not. If it works well in the field, and since I just got it in march, I haven't really had the time or the opportunity to go and filter some water with it. Same reason I haven't done a review for the Kelty Cosmic Down 20.

So, I used the 20% code (20REWARDS for REI members until the 13th.) for the pack cover, since it was the most expensive of the items. There wasn't much else I needed, I'm pretty much equipped with what REI can offer me for major gear that I need for the moment. Needed to replace the worthless trash carabiners from the Xada hammock, so I got some Black Diamonds for $7 each. funny enough, these Neutrino Wire Gate carabiners weigh together roughly what one of the junky ones that the hammock came with weighs. I did some research into carabiners while I was at it, too. Apparently, if they don't have their force ratings right on the metal of the carabiner, they shouldn't be trusted to hold your weight. I'm lookin at the Xadas, and they don't have ANYTHING of the sort. Bad show mate, bad show.

As for the old carabiners? Since they're heavy as hell, I'm not sure I'm going to use them for anything. Well, the one that isn't bent out of shape I MIGHT repurpose. but even keychain carabiners are half the weight of these suckers. How did I miss how effin heavy these were? I'm no toothbrush driller, but there's no sense in using something twice as heavy as it needs to be

The siltstopper looks good. Should help keep the bigger gunk out of my main filter. We'll see how that works out.

The pack cover fits my pack, which you'll see in an upcoming review. Figured I didn't need one right away last year when I bought the pack, since I was traveling by train and had some houses to stay in. Now that I'll be out on the trail more, it was time to pick one up.

Bottom line, would I recommend REI? Heck yes! Totally worth the $20 membership. between my dividend and all the discount coupons I've used, I've more than recouped the membership fee. If you want to get in on the fun, click here to buy a REI membership!