I used to be into cars. One thing I noticed there was a person was likely to have 3 vehicles. A race car or hot rod for a weekend, evening, nice weather car. A daily driver that may be a sports car. And a "beater" car for the winter and/or rain if the daily was also a nice car. In some of these cases; a person may even have a truck in addition to the three cars for towing and hauling. Maybe even a boat and motorcycle too.

I've never played golf and I've never been into fishing. But because of where I kite; I see and observe both those activities. One thing I find interesting that I see being similar to kiting is the gear selection and equipment on hand depending on conditions and for varying conditions.

For example in golf; 14 clubs. In Pro Bass fishing they could having anywhere from 20-40 rods ready to go on the boat.

When I first started with the kite buggy; I initially only had a 2m Flow. I later got the 5m. I always wondered about the 3 and 4 until I got them. Sometimes the 2 was too much so I got a size down. Sometimes the 5 wasn't enough; so I got one a size larger.

Currently; I have 3 sets of kites. Oddly enough; it reminds me of my car days. I have my "main kites". My set of Octanes. I have my good weather kites(Reactors). And I have my "beater" kites when the wind is junky and all over the place(Stings). Starting out; I never would have thought it would have got to this point; but the wind conditions called for more and different kites. Different days call for different kites.

What other hobbies or activities do you know of that also involve having a range of equipment for use depending on conditions?


Not even being into golf; but I found these two videos fascinating and I could appreciate their interest and enthusiasm and knowledge about the selection of equipment:




Same with the fishing videos:

Another good example in the kite realm is the Revolution kite enthusiast. Different sails, assorted frames, line sets for specific situations & numerous variations including power kites. Me, I have ten & "need two more". Also, as previously mentioned, the car hobby, you can see my streetrod in the avatar image.

But the added example I am very familiar with is backpacking. My outdoor gear collection is currently stored mostly in my horse trailer & covers many phases & fashions. There was the early stage I would call - I am prepared for anything. That is kind of old school & heavy but okay for the young men. Next there was the expedition phase where multiple trips were made to set up base camp usually in extreme conditions to push the envelope. Then I arrived at the alpine assault mentality of fast ascent but carrying technical climbing gear for the final push to the summit. Of course you have to keep all this gear as you accumulate your hoard. Eventually my course changed back toward lighter going through stages of just enough to be comfortable, then just enough for a couple nights, followed with got to get all the lighter items to make my burden lighter & on & on. Later I arrive at the ultralight mentality, all needed gear weighs under ten pounds total excluding food & water. Variations of this phase encompass the survivalist mode & super-ultralight, under five pounds, for those summer conditions. Gave up tents, complex stoves, excessive clothes & basically anything I did not have to have to survive the night. Now I travel with a 9 ounce daypack & very minimal gear. You just have to use more brain instead. Other hikers think I'm a dayhiker hence my trail name. So you look at the weather forecast, pick your gear & go for it. Very specialized for eccentric outdoor adventuring.