I absolutely love this jacket. Packs into its own pocket, is super light, not too tight so can get plenty of layers underneath. It's taken me to -14 quite happily here in the UK. Alas discontinued. Any ideas on a similar replacement?.

Dear all,
I am planning on doing the Te Araroa Trail starting December.
Please help me improve my gear list: https://lighterpack.com/r/qcz4ze

I have tested all gear previously but I would be happy to reduce or replace certain items or cut something.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I had originally thought that these were so the battery could be used as a back-up AA or AAA, but the dimensions/voltages don't match. Is there any technical reason to engineer them this way? Otherwise it seems like a hazard and I might as well go up to the carbon battery. Thanks!

https://www.litesmith.com/nitecore-minimalist-ul-power-bank/

I recently bought two zip up FF hoodies. They are pretty great, warm and incredibly lightweight. But after one run, the armpits smell horrible, stunningly bad. Now maybe I just stink, but I’ve never experienced a garment that picks up a smell and holds onto it so tenaciously. It seems to amplify the stink. I’ve washed it in laundry sanitizer and it smells fine, but after another 30 minute run, it smells horrible again. Has anyone else experienced this? Why is this so much worse than any other garment I’ve worn? I suspect it has something to do with the wicking of the fibers. It’s so bad, I would stop wearing it, except it is so functional.

Been looking at reviews for a 0f sleeping bag and noticed that the older model of the mountain Hardwear phantom sleeping bags (red and blue colorway) have 850 fp down (with hydrophobic coating in an even older generation) and a gore Tex shell. The new ones (red and gray) have 800fp with no hydrophobic coating and what seems to be a proprietary water resistant shell.

I'm a little hesitant to go for the newer model because it seems like a direct downgrade to its predecessors. What're everyone's thoughts on the MH phantom lineup?

I'm nowhere close to having my own kit yet (I hiked a lot as a kid with shitty gear and now I'm trying to get back into it without the trauma caused by a flooded tent and 30kg packs), but in the planning process I notice that it is very difficult to achieve both lightweight and cold weather protection with quilts. I also have issue sleeping with a really thick blanket on warm nights at home. Do you just pick a minimum temperature you'd be willing to hike into and buy the thickest quilt necessary (and overheat in the summer), or you do keep multiple sets of quilts and pads for different trips? If so, which breakpoints do you use? For reference I think I'll be staying in western US and north east Asia (Japan, Taiwan, maybe Korea).

Before y'all come for me: I understand that a phone is way more prone to break or malfunction in the backcountry than a dedicated safety device, but let's please set that aside for just a moment.

I got my family to chip in on an inReach Mini 2 as a holiday gift, only to find that the Pixel 9 now has a "free" SOS satellite feature (SOS only, no texting like Apple has so far). According to a test by the Hiking Guy, the Pixel actually performed better than the iPhone and inReach in some scenarios. I have a Pixel 7, so I'd need to upgrade, but it'd cost less than the price of a Garmin to do so with a trade-in and I'd avoid the subscription fees (although I was thinking of getting Garmin's SAR insurance to supplement).

My gut feeling, however, is that the technology is too preliminary right now---no global coverage, no texting, and yes, a phone can easily break and needs to be charged. Part of the reason I wanted a satellite messenger and not a PLB is because I now backpack with a dog, and I know SAR won't just come rescue us if my dog is incapacitated, whereas I can text contacts to assist me.

I suspect texting will make its way to the Pixel soon, but for now, how are people feeling about this brave new world of backcountry phone communication?

Anyone in Canada order a quilt from Enlightened Equipment before? They have a sale on, and the in-stock Revelation quilts have their shell made in China which I think means I'd have to pay duties in addition to taxes to import - approx $165CAD total on delivery for the model I want. But if You order a custom quilt it's Made in USA (CUSMA country) meaning I'd only pay taxes (approx $65).

Has anyone ordered from them and shipped to Canada and what was your experience?

Estimating import duties/taxes:

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html

I know from researching this sub that this debate has been done to death with no definitive answer.

That said I’m still undecided on the trade offs. I would like a down quilt for the size and weight benefits, but most of my camping and backpacking is in the Carolinas where it is always humid, and often rains. So im worried about the effectiveness of a wet down quilt.

Looking for input from those in the area. Is down worth the risk of sleeping in a wet quilt?

Leaning toward EE Rev or HG Burrow.

It looks like a down EE is the moat popular still on the AT. So I may go with that.

Edit: Great input everyone. Thanks

Has anyone purchased the REI Trailmade Insulated Hoodie? If so, would that work as an outer layer with the 650 Down jacket as a mid layer?

Hi, i don't know if this is the right place to ask this, but i am searching for a relatively light and warm sleeping pad and found this. It just sounds to good to be true, does anyone has any informations regarding build quality and the durability of it? Because a 6.2 r value for 80 Euros, is just insane.

Thats the Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.de/HIKENTURE-Ultraleicht-Aufblasbare-Luftmatratze-Jahreszeiten/dp/B0CRV252YF/ref=asc_df_B0CRV252YF?language=de_DE&mcid=9f3b1b7ae30437eb976f28d906d88035&tag=detxtgostdde-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696539473093&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6398773977122492220&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9196252&hvtargid=pla-2304137346180&psc=1&language=de_DE&gad_source=1

Hey folks,

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been doing a ton of one-night trips, pushing myself to go farther and refine my gear setup. It’s been awesome to see how much I can strip down while still staying comfortable. I’m dialed in for a 3-season cowboy camping setup here in Colorado, where weeks without rain make it viable.

I’ve got almost everything I need: a down quilt would complete the setup and let me finally test out the 10-liter pack I’ve been itching to try. I’m leaning toward the Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20-degree quilt with 850-fill, but I’m debating if it will pack down small enough for my UL goals or if I should go for the 950-fill option instead.

Does anyone have thoughts on whether the EE Revelation 20 is worth it for 3-season Colorado use and if the 850-fill will pack small enough, or should I invest in the 950-fill? Also, any tips or suggestions on my overall setup (linked here) are welcome!

Thanks in advance!

I’ve been digging around on here for sleep layer recommendations, and have seen talk re: alpha fleece. Does anyone have any brand recommendations, specifically for women? Google isn’t bringing much up but maybe someone here has some insight.

Alternatively, I’m interested in reading even more takes on the best and lightest sleep/base layers for women.

Plan on using for general three season backpacking in the PNW, but am also specifically plotting my UL gear for a July JMT hike next summer.

Hi there, I’m new to backpacking and light weight backpacking at that. I’m currently acquiring basic good quality things, and in regards to tents I’m seeing that NatureHike keeps popping up as a great option.

I wanted to know if anyone has bought naturehike gear from AliExpress, have they found it to be good quality, legitimate? It’s much more affordable than the website, or amazon.

Thankyou everyone who takes their time to answer this!

Last summer I did the Walkers haute route in C-category Meindl's. That was a bad decision because the shoes were too hard and did not fit well. I used leukotape religiously, so I did not get blisters. Without it, I could not have done it. I saw other hikers that were using trailrunners, and they seemed to thrive. That's why I want to buy new shoes.

I do hike lighter weight (baseweight of 7.4 kg). I do not trailrun.
Even though there was a bit of snow, I did not use my crampons.

I wear barefoot shoes in daily life, and I don't like the feeling of a lot of foam under my feet. However, I have the tendency to be more accident prone after walking for a long time, so I want a shoe in which I can step on a sharp rock with less problem. I am not looking for a barefoot shoe!

I did a footscan in an outdoor shop and I got some data from them: both feet are 41.1 D.
I have a width of 98mm, heel width of 60mm and instep height of 60mm.

I have tried lowa, salomon and la sportiva. The ones I tried were the salomon speedcross 6(women) and the la sportiva ultra raptor II gore tex. The lowa was too wide, the salomon was perfectly sized, and the la sportiva had a loose heel. I did not really like the foamy feel of the salomons though. I have not tried other brands, and I have limited to no access to trying specialist brands.

I am looking for a shoe that:

1. is narrow
2. Locks my heels
3. is comfortable for walking 8+ hours
4. has low to no drop
5. is less stiff than C category shoes
6. can be used in mountains and on roads(if it can do asphalt without pain that's a big plus)

I wish for a lighter shoe because I will keep using the Meindls for shorter winter hikes in thick snow.

Thank you for reading this far!

Edit: the ones I tried were the salomon speedcross 6(women) and the la sportiva ultra raptor II gore tex.

Is taking an emergency poncho instead of a rain jacket or regular poncho (like maybe the Sea to Summit Ultra Sil) being stupid light for the High Sierra Trail in late July? Here's the one I have.

My base weight is about 11.5 pounds. I have not experienced rain very often backpacking in the Sierras in the summer, but also haven't done any thru hiking nor been at higher elevations. Any advice would be great.

Here's my other clothing:

Rab Mythic Alpine Hoody (11oz)

Dooy windbreaker (2.3 oz) - debating whether to include this or not

REI Sahara hiking shirt (6.65 oz)

Farpointe alpha cruiser 90 (4.4 oz)

Patagonia zip off pants (11.6 oz)

EE rain wrap (1.8 oz)

Ice breaker leggings 200gsm (6.1 oz)

Farpointe alpha pants 90 (4.2 oz)

REI beanie (1.3 oz)

Possom wool gloves (1.3 oz)

I'm looking for a well fitting 30ish liters backpack for fastpacking and bikepacking trips. The main use case for me is quick 1-2 night mountain biking trips with 5-6kg base weight. Does anybody have experiences to share about USWE Hajker Ultra 30l? Should I go with that (the no dancing monkey harness is good for mtb, at least in smaller backpacks), or should I consider Salomon XA35 or maybe something else?

might be a stupid one, but why have something like a nitecore nb10k Gen3 for 50$ when you can have 3 18650 Keeppower P1840TC 4000mah batteries, which double your charging speed in town and are cheaper with 13$ each?

Weight will be a tad bit higher in the 3 batteries( they weigh 50g each vs 150 for the nitecore but you have to have 2 more cables), for the same capacity, but the big positive effects are:

• you can charge all of them at the same time, which should at least double your charging speed vs the 18w of the nitecore
• which means if your charger has multiple ports, you can speed up your charging time, while in town, you only need very short c-c cables or y-cables with multiple c ends and instead of charging with 18w in the nitecore you can now charge at (not 100% sure but i think it is ~15w but x3)
• cheaper, and you can take as many as you need, instead of a 6 or 10k block to increase capacity
• protected so no accidental catching on fire, can easily be made waterproof with a plastic container
• no single point of failure for the powerbank, as you have multiples
• if you change your flashlight to one that supports 18650, you will have swappable batteries for them, without charging your flashlight, with even more inefficient converting.
• 18650 flashlights are not much heavier empty most of them are around 60g, are waterproof(e.g. armytek elf ip68) unlike the nu25 with its meager ip66, and can easily be modded for a lightweight headband, if you don't already have a sports cap

Downsides:

• charges slower, so you will need a multi port charger to benefit from charger all at the same time
• you need multiple cables or y-headed ones that can support the output.
• charging devices is slower, but at night, that does not count that much

Or am i seeing something completely wrong and my math is just off and i am not thinking correctly?

edit: in the 21700 camp with the vapcell 6k with fast charging for 78g it looks even worse for the nitecore it seems

edit2: seems like the 6k nitecore is exactly a 21700 6000mah with a carbon case for 10g weight penalty for the case. Also has ip68 and is double the price for the battery alone.
So a better, faster and more reliable way overall would be 2x 6k nitecores with 2 cables and a 2 port charger for around 30-40g weight penalty in total(including cables).
Also you would charge your phone in quick charge with the second port, eliminating the need for passthrough

I see plenty of people use tyvek for ground sheets, but what about tarps? Are they suitable for cutting out a small, light, and squishable tarp?

I’ve heard some people say tyvek is waterproof, and some people say it isn’t which is a concern for me

Have seen a lot of praise for the Decathlon Down Jacket. Price is good, more down than any other jacket on the market in the price range.

Only issue is that I’m 6’8” and about 215 lbs. This has caused me to get the XL Tall 650 Down Jacket from REI.

Is REI the only company that caters to tall sizes? I would love to pick up the Decathlon jacket but worried about the length of the sleeves and what not.

Hey I’ve recently been making my clothes lighter and more performative. In the past I’d bring a pair of non descriptive thermals and some trackies. I’ve recently bought a pair of decently warm Marino tights at 230gsm. I’m wondering if I buy some rain pants to insulate them or maybe some fleece for relaxing around camp

I typically don’t camp out below -5 Celsius/25F

I have a good offer on a used DCG one but am worried that my quilt may get wet. I'll be using it on the Jordan trail in January.

Hi, I’m from South Korea. It's a small country but with a wide range of weather conditions.

The annual temperature swing here is huge, from -13°F (-25°C) in winter to over 104°F (40°C) in summer, and the daily temperature range can also be significant.

Summers are hot, humid, and often marked by heatwaves, while winters are cold, dry, and hit by icy winds and freezing temperatures.

We have a rainy monsoon season in summer, followed by occasional typhoons and storms, and winter can bring snowstorms and strong winds in the mountains.

Despite the dramatic weather, South Korea is relatively small, so we don’t have many truly remote areas that require multi-day backpacking trips.

Almost everywhere is reachable in 2–3 days or less, and cell service is available almost everywhere.

However, camping regulations here are strict, and wild camping is prohibited in many places, so I mostly stick to car camping or short hiking trips.

I currently own six tents for different camping purposes, from hot and humid summer outings to cold, windy winter camps.

I also scuba dive and own separate setups for tropical Southeast Asia and cold Korean waters, so adding more gear is becoming a burden in terms of both cost and storage space.

What I’m Looking For:

Now, I want to start ultralight backpacking and invest in a versatile tent that can work across seasons and conditions. Here are my preferences:

• Weight: I need something lightweight because I have a herniated disc. I’m willing to compromise a little on comfort or features for the sake of reducing weight.
• Capacity: Mostly solo trips, though I’d like the flexibility to bring one guest occasionally.
• Height/Size: I’m 5’7”–5’8”, so I don’t need a ton of headroom.
• Weather Resistance: The tent should handle rain, strong winds, and moderate snow, but I’m not planning to camp in extreme alpine conditions.
• Freestanding vs. Non-freestanding: I like the weight savings of non-freestanding tents but worry about their practicality on international trips or in areas where staking isn’t easy. I’m considering hybrid options like Tarptent moment DW with crossing poles. I have been thinking about having a non-freestanding tent and would like to try it.

What I’ve Considered So Far:

I’ve been researching American brands like Tarptent and Durston, etc.

I’m intrigued by the idea of getting a Tarptent model and adding crossing poles for freestanding versatility.

At first, I thought about picking up a Big Agnes Copper Spur (because it’s so popular and looks great) alongside a lightweight non-freestanding 1P tent.

However, the more I look into it, the harder it is to decide, and I feel like I’m going in circles.

My Questions:

1. If I were to buy just one versatile tent for backpacking in various conditions, what would you recommend?
2. If I were to buy two tents, which one would I buy now and which one would I add later? How would you approach and set up your tent in this environment?

Additional Context:

Backpacking is growing in popularity among younger people in Korea. Until recently, carrying a full pack and camping in the mountains was mostly seen as something only older, professional mountaineers would do. But things are changing fast, and more people are getting interested in lightweight backpacking.

I’d love to hear your recommendations, as they might not only help me but also inspire others here who are starting to explore backpacking and camping.

Thanks so much in advance for your advice!

I just picked up a Decathlon Forclaz MT100 hooded jacket, based on many positive reviews. There's a Black Friday sale going on right now, so I'm considering also picking up the MT500 for colder days, but I am wondering if instead that layering the MT100 is a better idea. What are people with the MT100 wearing underneath? Merino wool base? And what are good recommendations for a rain/wind shell for the MT100? I worry that during a rainy week, the jacket would need better protection. Thanks for any tips.

Hoping this counts as on-topic because its referring to a UL fleece (which is pretty good, in case anyone is in the market for a super light, super breathable, and super warm layer that is really good at soaking up fish oil, and also a bit goofy looking). If not: sowwy.

So I got a Fairpointe Octa hoodie around the time they released last year, and initially loved it. I weighed it in at 4.3 oz, and was super impressed by the balance of warmth and breathability it provided, even if it isn't the best for moisture-wicking, and it doesn't really have much in the way of stretch or give. I haven't ever owned alpha fleece, but based off of how fragile I've heard it can be, I was surprised that this octa hoodie seemed to be pretty sturdy despite being so lightweight.

On to the issue: I took it with me on a road trip with my dog, and unbeknownst to me, my dog's fish oil (liquid from a bottle) supplement leaked onto one of the arms at some point during the drive back, and set in pretty well. So far I haven't really had much luck in getting the stain out with regular washing, and I can't seem to find anyone else who has managed to do something like this to Octa fleece.

Any ideas here? I've seen some recommendations for dawn soap, baking soda, and vinegar/lemon juice somewhere else, but I'm hoping to avoid destroying the hoodie if possible.

Im looking to venture into the world of backpacking quilts, but I'm a bit lost on what to buy considering I have been using bags my whole life.

My budget is in the low $200 dollar and below range, and Im looking for a 30F or warmer quilt (preferably on the warmer side as I am a cold sleeper).

As I have been looking, two quilts keep popping up, those being the Featherstone Moondance 25, and the Paria Outdoors Thermodown 15

I'm a little worried about drafts on the Paria, as, at least as far as I can tell, does not have a draft collar.

Which would you all recommend? and If there's any quilt I'm completely overlooking, please let me know.

Thank you in advance!!

Hey All! just looking for some opinions and anecdotes on where to start organizing the garage/gear room.

For some context, I recently moved in with my girlfriend and we're both avid Outdoor recreators.. UL Backpacking, Skiing (resort and Backcountry) Paddle Boards, several bikes the whole 9 yards.

The big goal this winter is organize the gear and garage before ski season kicks off full swing.. my question is where should I start?? I know I'll need a new shelving system, but it seems silly to invest in that before I know what kind of bins and storage I'll get. But it also seems crazy to pull everything out and organize before I buy either of those things..

I know I'm making this way harder than it needs to be and I would love your help. Feel free to share your gear room porn if you're so inclined! I'll use it as inspiration

Good to know as you look through it:

- I'm an old-school backpacker trying to transition to UL

- Being in Europe (UK) it's difficult to find many of the usual recommendations

- Given that, and also being on a budget, I've looked for second-hand gear as much as possible

- Will mostly be hiking in Europe or surrounding areas, either Spring to Autumn, or in Winter further South

- My goal is to first gain some experience with this and then go on hikes with my young child (shorter/slower ones of course), so I'm fine carrying some extra weight now in view of reducing weight later, since I'll have to carry a lot of their extra gear too (advice on that point would be welcome too!)

- Comfort is very important to me, hence things like a sitting mat or the breathable rain jacket and pack

Pack list: https://lighterpack.com/r/bplfo2

PS: How do you weigh small items with precision? my regular scale can't seem to handle it.

Cheers :)

Literally just had order dropped off. Switched from sawyer to Befree and been happy seems like almost a decade now with was looking to replace a lost Hydropak seeker 2L and came across the Hydrapak 28mm filter kit ordered and here it is. I had delivered to work and it screwed on a smartwater bottle perfect i have not scaled to verify weight or put water through to compare flow rate will after work but hopeing for a small change up but big diffrence. I carry a 2L Seeker with a quick connect that runs a external bite valve carried external pocket zpacks arc zip. A second 2l seeker dirty water with Befree other outside pocket why because i live in the desert i like having bladders external i can touch side pocket and get a guess on how much is left and they just fit very nice in side pockets. I am excited to check how 28mm Hydrapak works as a inline with Seeker 2L and as a smartwater bottle adapter when i switched to befree i dropped smartwater bottle for a Gatorade 20oz on a zpacks shoulder pouch and that is for my electrolytes would like to pull out a old water bottle sleeve and be able to switch on the fly or adapt to different water sections only red flag so far is the 0.3 microns vs the Befree 0.1 as someone who backpacked who has not been sick yet... Should this be a big as deal seems like a large step back to me at least worst of worst i just send back.

I know personal preference trumps all, but from a technical standpoint, how is a grid fleece supposed to fit and be worn?

I know some people wear them as base layers for winter sports, while others wear them as an active mid/insulating layer. Can both be achieved with the same fit?

Does the amount of space between you and the garment effect breathability? Should a snug grid fleece breath the same as a looser one?

The above thought got me thinking about windshirts. Some people will wear them even in the winter in below zero temps because it's their everything dry outer layer. Does the "breathability" of a wind shirt depend on how it fits at all? Should there be room for it to billow or would that just be super annoying in the wind?