Help me spend a little Christmas Money

[Lostsheep]

So I got a few gift cards for Christmas that I need to spend, and could use a little help spending them. I'm kinda stumped at what I NEED so I could use some ideas. To help, the GC is from Alabama Outdoors in the amount of $125 too.

I have several good fleece jackets
I have 2 sleeping bags. A TNF 15* & Marmot 30*
I have a Prolite 3 sleeping pad
I have a decent pack (Kelty Red Cloud)
I have 2 tents & a hammock.
I don't really use hiking poles.
I recently (3mo) purchased a new cartridge for my water filter.
I have a pretty old Mountain Hardwear Shell Jacket (could go with replacing).
I have some good Vasque boots.
I use Frogg Toggs for my rain wear.
I'd like the MSR Reactor, but it isn't practical (I have the whisperlight Int., Peak 1 single burner, cat stove, pepsi G)

So, what am I missing? What do you have in your pack that I may need/will use. Sure I WANT gear, but I end up purging it to the local scout troop if I'm not using it. What say you?

I'm really interested in a good shell jacket and/or maybe an underquilt for a hammock (if possible). I'm open to suggestions...

[camel]

I have purchased most of my non - sensible gear via the AO gift cards thru the years-

1. Titanium Cup - $ 40 bucks

2. Titanium kettle/ cup $ 58 bucks-

3. Black Diamond head lamp- $ 29 bucks

4. $ 18 pair of socks - wear them to hike out - not in.

5. $ 35 bucks Thermarest Chair - only 8 onces- great support when leaning against a tree

6. the $ 12 led light that screws into the bottom of the candle lantern

7. Pocker rocket- $ 50

8. Good "OR" hat - 40 bucks

Over the limit but my random thoughts of trail extravegance!

Camel

[Cuffs]

Base layers!  One piece of Icebreaker would kill that card, but so well worth it. If not Icebreaker then Patagonia capilene.

(the MSR pocket rocket is only $40)

[Lostsheep]

Capilene huh?

Is it a compression type base layer? Would it help double up as a good running base layer or would I overheat with it?

I may be visiting the store very soon

[Tacky Hiker]

It is not a compression base layer. I have a Capilene 3 long sleeve, crew neck and love it. I wear Under Armor compression bottoms and the Capilene seems to be a tad more comfortable. 

[camel]

I got the capilene years ago as Karen at AO in Florence recommended as what she and her husband wore while trout fishing- seems to have same ability as wool to keep you warm when damp- not much bulkier that polypro or thermax- sorry Cuffs - off by $10 bucks on the pocket rocket - maybe you got the one without the built in starter?

Camel

[Big Dumb Admin]

Actually the Merino (wool) base layers work a bit better than capeline in keeping you dry as a result of sweat. Capilene only wicks liquids away from your body. Merino wicks both liquids and vapors. Therefor the liquids never have a chance to form that clammy layer on your skin. Capilene does dry faster though. So if you sweat a lot or you know you are gonna get wet it might be better for that application.

M

[Lesley]

Matt is right. An added benefit of the wool not being clammy is that your body temp is more evenly regulated. (Patagonia is doing merino these days as well) With the capilene I tended to get warm, sweat, get cold, dry off, get warm.. Also, my capilene wore out pretty quickly, the wool seems to be holding up longer. So while there is a higher initial cost the overall value seems better for the wool baselayers. And one more thing that I notice no one is talking about...syntheti c baselayers smell. They exponentially enhance all things nasty funk. Wet wool can smell like a wet sheep, but only if it's really soaked and you haven't pre-washed it. (btw I'm sorry you guys who were there, that time...) And wool can be worn a few times without washing, it's even recommended in the laundry care.

As for the good shell/jacket. Lately I've been wishing I had more windproof items than rainproof. I can put up a tarp or throw in a poncho in case of rain. But rainjackets get steamt! Then I take them off, we stop for break and the wind rips through me and I get cold! I'm inactively looking for a good wind shell.

[Cuffs]

I got the capilene years ago as Karen at AO in Florence recommended as what she and her husband wore while trout fishing- seems to have same ability as wool to keep you warm when damp- not much bulkier that polypro or thermax- sorry Cuffs - off by $10 bucks on the pocket rocket - maybe you got the one without the built in starter?

Camel

Eww, ours have been price $39.95 for a couple years... sorry.

[Cuffs]

As for the good shell/jacket. Lately I've been wishing I had more windproof items than rainproof. I can put up a tarp or throw in a poncho in case of rain. But rainjackets get steamt! Then I take them off, we stop for break and the wind rips through me and I get cold! I'm inactively looking for a good wind shell.

I have, and you might like too, is the Marmot Original Dri Clime Wind Shirt.  (no, AO doesnt carry it...  )

I love that wind jacket sooo much (and left it at NOC last year, never to be recovered...)

Google it for your best deal.