What's Your Favorite Pipe for Backpacking or Camping?

[mso489]

My back-packing experience is mostly confined to one three-week excursion in the Blue Ridge mountains. I've heard some veteran back-packers, like the Appalachian Trail folks, take such extremes as breaking the handles off their toothbrushes to keep the weight down. Though this sounds sort of fanciful to me, it is an argument for nose warmer cobs as camping pipes for shear light weight. Just don't turn around and tell me you took along your espresso pot.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

My back-packing experience is mostly confined to one three-week excursion in the Blue Ridge mountains. I've heard some veteran back-packers, like the Appalachian Trail folks, take such extremes as breaking the handles off their toothbrushes to keep the weight down. Though this sounds sort of fanciful to me, it is an argument for nose warmer cobs as camping pipes for shear light weight. Just don't turn around and tell me you took along your espresso pot.

I’ve done a few 50 milers. Probably would carry a cigar and whiskey to share with my friends.

 

[heathandleaf]

Wifey and I go hiking frequently - short to moderate day hikes. Regardless of the length of the outing, I have a backpack with about 4 pre-loaded pipes of varying degrees of cost, and all are lightweight (< 50g). I only have one cob, and I never use it because it is too long, too heavy, and I don't appreciate the art of it as much as I do my briar collection. My selection process for tobacco and pipes before the hike is a ritual I enjoy, and I don't shun a pipe based on how much I spent on it.

Being an occasional klutz, I tend to own more rusticated/blasted models in the event I drop one. The only times I've intentionally packed pipes I was okay with losing have been the times they were in checked luggage for a flight. Like wrecking a car, I'd rather lose or damage a loved pipe by my own foolishness than someone else's.

 

[johnnyreb]

I do a bit of canoeing in a Kevlar canoe. Near my seat on the inside I glued a small piece of steel sheet & on the water I always take a trusty MM Magnacob. I have a backup Magnacob should I ever lose my primary.

 

[peteguy]

My Glass weed pipe. Hey you asked.

 

[RookieGuy]

Looking through my own camping supplies unearthed another option. A couple thrift/antique store finds. Turns out last summer I had tossed in a couple estate Medicos and Kaywoodies in with the cobs in an old toiletries bag.

 

[Jacob74]

Like @RookieGuy I have an old Dr Grabow and whatever cob I choose that go with me when I'm camping. Hard to beat turning some plug or flake into ashes under the stars next to a good campfire.

 

[hauntedmyst]

I don't have a specific pipe. Since the wife is not a camper, we don't camp. I have been looking at getting a Tsuge Spyder or H. Weibe for travel since they break down. I'm a little hesitant on the Weibe since I've had two of their bowl experience burn out. I like the Spyder because it comes with a cap so you can seal half a bowl and relight it later without your bag or pockets end up covered in dottle.

In the mean time, I'd take a crappy pipe or two with me. Or my Davidoff's. If you are unfamiliar with Davidoff pipes, they are...um...unique...kinda...not really. A classic example of someone sticking their name on someone else's product and calling it upscale. I got 4 of them cheap. They smoke well enough but there is nothing special about them.

 

[whitebar]

When I go camping I load up either a 5 pipe or 7 pipe leather pipe case depending on the length of the trip. These cases really help protect the pipes and I have never had any damage to a pipe. My most often packed pipes are Castello sea rocks. They are really rough and tumble pipes that can take a beating without damage. I will also often pack a meerschaum in its hard case because they can be smoked every day without resting them.

When backpacking I usually bring one sea rock and one meerschaum in my backpack. These two pipes allow for multiple smokes per day.

 

[sandollars]

If I was trailering, it would be this:


If I was backpacking, it would be this:

 

[7ach]

I always take one when I go backpacking(see profile picture). I take smaller pipes and keep it in a sunglasses case(Simi-rigid).
I don't shy away from nice ones as I take care of them when packing and place it in a safe spot in my pack.

I did just get an army mount Castello kk(small) that will go with me next time. Last trip I took an Abe herbaugh smooth lumberman. I think he's a backpacker too.

 

[saltedplug]

Take 3 cobs that are entirely disposable and very cheap. You're saying that the pipes may be lost or damaged. The guys that are recommending that you spend more and get something sturdy are missing that point.

 

[Peter - CCB]

I like filtered pipes first off. I don’t have to worry about running a cleaner through it to dry out and have a nasty cleaner to hold, especially if on the move. After that, I want a bent pipe or a clencher. I have a nice bent Dr. Grabow that I use a balsa filter in as it gives better airflow. I cut the corners a bit for more airflow. I also use a full bend Vauen 9mm. Ones I don’t need to worry about. I use those o-ring keychain pill bottles to hold some extra bowls. If it’s flake, you can get 4-6 grams into a container and it stays as well as a jar for months without drying. So it’s not so much the pipe as the entire thing for me. Lol. Sorry for the long, all over there post

 

[Charlie718]

I haven’t gone hiking in a while and not since I picked up the pipe but when I get back on a trail I’ll definitely bring a cob. Cheap and easily replaceable plus they seem more forgiving of repetitive smoking which frees up more space for more tobac in the backpack lol

 

[RookieGuy]

Charlie brings up exactly why I'd say a cob. Not about dropping it down a ravine or class 3 rapids. It's more about being able to smoke 3 or 4 bowls in a day for the length of the trip out of the same pipe with not as much worry about Bad Things happening.

When I used to do much more backpacking, weight and space were at a premium. Every ounce has to be carried somehow. Everything has to fit.

 

[YoungButter]

Cobs, definitely. I also have a trio of Butz-Choquin pipes that I purchased unsmoked as estates for $40ish a piece that I bring outdoors.

It's slightly more expensive but I've considered getting a military-mount pipe to take camping so that I can break it down, clean it and put it away immediately after smoking without worrying about letting it cool down but I suppose that might just be an excuse to buy another pipe...

 

[Frasermac]

….and another vote for a MM cob!
I spend 1/2 my life outdoors walking, climbing and occasionally bivvying. Cobs weigh virtually nothing (so I’ll take a spare) and aren’t as delicate as a briar when it comes to reuse!

 

[Chasing Embers]

and aren’t as delicate as a briar when it comes to reuse!

Another marketing myth. Keep them clean and you can smoke a briar as often as you like.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I am now thinking my new Peterson Derry Rustic would make a good camp/hike pipe given it's "army" stem.

 

[The Pipe Professor]

MM Country Gentlemen or MM Country Towne Cobbler. No matter what, in the backcountry, I always take a cob, no briars.