Worst piece of gear you ever bought?

[briansnat]

Heh, my first backpacking stove about 20 years ago was a Coleman Peak 1 multi-fuel. It is definitely big and heavy by today's standards, but back then it was considered to be pretty sleak. I am surprised to hear that you apparently got a lemon, too bad. Mine has been an absolute work horse. I don't take it backpacking anymore, but it is my favorite stove for car camping. It simmers and lights up like a torch and everything in between, and has never disappointed me in any way. It's actually one of my favorite pieces of gear I've ever spent money on.

Glad your experience was a good one. About the same time I bought mine (about 27 years ago), several other friends did as well. All of our stoves leaked. We took to packing them inside a large Ziploc so the gas didn't leak all over the rest of the stuff in our packs.

Maybe by the time you bought yours Coleman fixed the leaking issue.