You know how it is, you've read the reviews, digested all the manufactures blurb and stuck your hand in your pocket for the latest and greatest. When whatever it is arrives, you're like a kid at Christmas and can't wait to try it out ... but a few days later you're like a kid on Boxing day with a pile of broken toys.

Your new 'thing' just doesn't live up to the hype and expectation. Perhaps some's our own fault and we expected too much but sometimes it does actually feel like you've been sent a different product from the one everyone's raving about

So, what gear have you bought/used that lives up to the hype? It's early days yet but so far my Trailstar is proving to be everything everyone says they are ... what else deserves its reputation?

Camping, it's got to be my hammock(and associated gear), I really struggle sleeping on the floor.

Bike, it's a toss up between my Lezyne Micro floor Drive HV or my Reverb(after a warranty rebuild).

I think my PHD Ultra Minim kit qualifies. Widely regarded as being quite expensive, but quality is superb, as is weight, packed volume and warmth.

My bike - there's nothing I'd change on my bike just now. Frame from Singular, components from Hope, Middleburn, Ragley, Charge etc. Every part carefully selected and works perfectly.



For balance, do we also need a thread "Don't believe the hype - undeserving gear"?

For balance, do we also need a thread "Don't believe the hype - undeserving gear"?

I condidered that but then thought, let's keep everything 'fluffy and light' ... everyone can always find stuff to moan about, without any help

Shimano MW81 boots - kept feet warm and soak free on the WRT
Ergon GP1 grips - biocork. No more vibra-hands (and look pleasantly retro)

Thomson seatpost and stem have been very good so far, not problems in a few thousand miles of abusive riding including a couple of very salty/nasty Scottish winters!

I held off buying Shimano winter boots for years for various reasons. Wouldn't be without them now.

My alpkit gilet as well. Something else I'd put of for years, then bought and had one of those "wish I'd done it years ago" moments. Admittedly, it might be more of an endorsement of down vest than Alpkit's it's just that's the only one I've got.

Oohh loads of stuff - off the top of my head (and in no particular order): Castelli nanoflex knee warmers, Morvelo bib shorts, Lumicycle XPG light, ESI grips, Specialized phenom saddle, New XT/XTR, Stan's Crest and Arch rims (29er), Specialized S works Ground Control tyres, 15mm front axles, Merida Big Nine Carbon 3000....

Also worth a mention is Merida UK, found 4 cracks in the top tube of my big nine carbon on Monday night (which is disappointing seeing it's only 4 months/1500 miles old) - sent the photos to my LBS at 10am Tuesday morning and by 3pm got a text saying new frame on way from Germany due in Monday - Result !!!

Switched to flatties about 8 months ago for bikepacking use but it's not the pedals i'm recommending, it's the pair of Five Ten Impact boots I bought to go with them. Not fantastically waterproof but standing up well to the abuse I give them, very sticky on the pedals and great for when your having to push. Also impressed with my Ergon GP1/Mary bar set up, very comfy.

A shame they don't exist anymore, but my Phoenix Phoxhole hooped bivvy has done me many sterling years of service.

Aside from that, my ancient Montane Extreme smock. Not the lightest, but toasty warm.

Endura Mt500 baggies, spesh bg comp shoes and ridge line bg gloves are the only bits of kit I have actually worn out and then replaced with the same.

Gore-tex socks. Although not meny people seem to make these anymore they are great for keeping your feet warm and dry and make great camp footware. Also love my Patagonia down sweater and Nanopuff

Some of my go-to items after years of sterling service:

Fenix L2D / LD20 etc torches
Chris King headsets
Michelin Krylion Carbon road tyres (23 or 25mm)
Topeak Hummer multitool (including the best chainsplitter I've ever used)