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Backpacker Magazine – Online Exclusive

Gear Makeover Contest - Meet the Winners!

These six readers convinced us their gear needed an update! Look for their full makeovers in our January 2012 Readers' Choice issue.

by: Kristin Hostetter

1 2 3

Regina Payne

1 2 3

Matt Kilcoyne

1 2 3

Cafferata family

Gear
Ultralight

UPDATE: MEET OUR WINNERS!
Box Primus stoves, down coats from the 1970s, and runny cheese … these readers convinced us they needed a gear makeover stat! So we’re sending them cooking, apparel, and lightened-up gear galore.

Dress Better   Winner
It’s obvious that Regina Payne, 71, has more hiking miles in her, but she needs to update her wardrobe and supplies in order to complete her life’s dream: finishing the Appalachian Trail. We’re tossing out the old pack, synthetic sleeping bag, and well-worn Dunham Waffle-Stompers in favor of warmer, better-fitting equipment.

Runner-Up
New mother Angela Hayes was too busy juggling food, filters, a hand-me-down carrier and her ever-growing baby to enjoy the Grand Tetons looming in her backyard. We’ll leave the parenting concerns to her, but we’re more than happy to replace her father-in-law’s 30-year-old down jacket.

Go Lighter   Winner
Matt Kilcoyne admitted his gear closet looked more like an Army surplus store meets K-Mart display than the lightweight accouterments of an aspiring trail maintenance worker. It’s time to put the 6-pound tent and 4-pound lantern in the garage sale. BACKPACKER to the rescue!

Runner-Up
Deterred neither by too-heavy gear (including a box Primus stove) nor pancreatic cancer, wizened camper Chuck always has a smile on his face even though his bulky gear has slowed him down. Chuck’s friends entered this contest on his behalf, and we’re more than happy to outfit their beloved hiking partner with some lighter gear.

Eat Better   Winner
The five members of the Cafferata family love sharing their love of the outdoors with others; they’d just like to feed them something other than the boiled noodles and instant oatmeal typically on the menu. We’ll help them bring wilderness gourmet know-how to their fellow-campers.

 Runner-Up
In the past, any package that made it into college kid Nick Sutton's backpack was mandatorily marked with three qualifying words: "just add water." Now, with a little help from BACKPACKER, he's ready to go gourmet and get rid of the Ramen on his summer treks to Kings Canyon National Park and Arizona's West Clear Creek canyon.

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READERS COMMENTS

You folks better use that sweet sweet gear! Congrats!
Posted: Jul 09, 2011 Drewman84

Hey Kristin, any updates or news regarding progress with the chosen 3?! Happy Fourth of July: God Bless America!
Posted: Jun 30, 2011 Drewman84

I agree! This was a blast! Any idea when we will hear who won? How do we know that our entries were received??
Posted: Jun 20, 2011 Patrick T

I'm eager to see who won, and what they ended up with. Even if I didn't win, this contest was actually FUN to enter.
Posted: Jun 20, 2011 Hans

Posted: Jun 17, 2011 Terri Grinner

Posted: Jun 17, 2011 Anjie Beechey

100 words isn't too many! Gotta make 'em count!
Posted: Jun 11, 2011 Briana

I was looking terms and conditions but didn't find anything - can we only enter for one category? Thanks!
Posted: Jun 09, 2011 Nick

I was looking terms and conditions but didn't find anything - can we only enter for one category? Thanks!
Posted: Jun 08, 2011 Nick

In 1973 I bought a new north face down sleeping bag and a new north face two man 4 season tent and took off hitch hiking for Alaska to work on the fishing boats I still have the sleeping bag but the tent got battery acid spilled on it and destroyed it I'm am planing to hike part of PC this summer and am in desperate need of new gear THANKS
Posted: Jun 08, 2011 Craig Thompson

Great gear
Posted: Jun 07, 2011 Jo Smith

Kristin, this is so awesome! Hey what you should do is have the people write reviews of the gear that they got for their trip!
Posted: Jun 07, 2011 Ian Smith

David, if you want to enter, and it sounds like you should, please follow the steps outline above. thanks!--kristin
Posted: Jun 06, 2011 kristin

My last day pack is from the late 80`s and just to small
Posted: Jun 03, 2011 Dean Carter

Your mention of a 40 lb pack hit home!While trudging up devils slide trail to the summit of Mnt. san Jacinto I was wondering why I was so tired? Pehaps the elevation? It wasn't until I returned home that I realized the true reason.I failed to weight my pack before setting out.I repacked my pack as I would have had it befor the trip. Oh my @#$!*&%? 48 lbs !My pack alone (empty) weighted 7 3/4 lbs, Tent 6.5 lbs and sleeping bag 4 .5 lbs. Thats 18 3/4 lbs in jusst 3 items. I need a make over please!Not setting a good example to my BSA troop.
Posted: Jun 02, 2011 david dubnicka

This really made me smile! We are all so truly blessed here in the States despite the gear, or lack there of!
Posted: Jun 02, 2011 Drewman84