Right, Chesney, As well as racking my brains I've looked through my complete kit list, and these are the things that niggle me:
1. I've got a day sack that has really stiff zips. There used to be a zip-lube type of product available but I was [censored] if I was going to spend a fiver for it.
2. On a day outing, when I'm not carrying a great deal, all the heavy items, such as camera, cans of drink etc. end up in a heap at the bottom of my rucksack, making it unbalanced and uncomfortable to carry. It'd be nice if there was a sack that had some sort of system of pockets down the back inside it to keep all the heavy items close to your back and shoulders, for better balance.
3. Could you design a simple and effective camera tripod carrier? The carrying strap on the bag for my Benbo Trekker constantly slips off my shoulder, and the tripod is too long to go in my rucksack.
4. The non-slip surface on my Thermarest mattress has worn off, so it tends to slide about inside my backpacking tent. They used to sell a spray-on product called StayTek which ruined the appearance but it did the job. I don't think this is available any more.
5. I own a Snugpak Sleeka insulated jacket. They're brilliant except the Pertex outer wears quickly. Could be improved upon?
6. I used to have (lost them) a pair of Polarfleece mittens which I kept stuffed inside a pair of P.U. nylon outers. Didn't matter that the nylon wasn't breathable, as there was minimal condensation. It'd be great if a combination like that was available on the market.
7. All sun hats should be made of synthetic material. Most of them are cotton and gradually shrink till they end up like a pimple on your head. (Ban anything cotton, come to that. It wears quicker, loses its colour and takes too long to dry, compared to synthetics.)
8. Can't someone invent a gas lantern mantle that doesn't disintegrate?
9. Tiny sample-size tubes of toothpaste (for backpacking) are becoming hard to find. My wife gives me airline ones from her travels, but I'm running out. If only outdoors suppliers sold them.
10. The instructions for my walking poles say to put your weight on the wrist straps and just guide the handles with your fingertips. It doesn't work, the straps gradually slide along the edge of my hand. If the principle is correct then there's something wrong with the design.
11. Develop a human equivalent of Frontline or Advantage that we drop on the cat's neck once a month to stop her getting fleas etc. A dab of something like that on my neck is what I need to stop me getting ticks every time I go backpacking.
12. How about OS maps with a perforation so that if you want to remove them from the cover, like I do, you can do it cleanly instead of tearing it out?
I won't be surprisesd if people now tell me that half the thing's I'd like are already available, but I feel better now that I've got all that off my chest!
