I want to start by saying I'm quite impressed by MEC's move into the "Ultralight" game. I don't know how many people here have used any of it or if they enjoy it, but it's looking pretty good and the effort, from my perspective, is impressive. Does anyone know if there's any rumours of them producing a trekking pole tent? I think that would be the product I'd most be interested.

So last fall, I caved and got them whoopie slings from /u/littleshopofhammocks. People kept saying it's the best system, but I'm missing something.

You loop the 1" strap around a tree and pass it through the sewn loop at one end. Now I have a 1" strap hanging.

On the hammock, I have a loop to loop connection to the whoopie sling, with a loop on the end of that. If I sew a loop in the strap, I can't make a loop to loop connection, because it would mean having to either pass the whole hammock, or the whole tree, through one of the loops in the chain.

Right?

Do I still need to use hardware in there somewhere? Is there a hitch I can use on webbing that doesn't slip or jam that I untie the next day?

Somehow, Google has been no help.

We have decided to do the Fundy Foothpath this year instead of our annual Cape Chignecto trek, and either way I want to shed more pack weight, so here we are. My current bag is an older North Face Cat's Meow, weighing in at 1437g.

I've been eyeing the Western Mountaineering Summerlite because:

• I run hot, and we mainly camp May-October in Atlantic Canada, so I don't really want to get a bag that is rated for lower than 0°.
• The weight savings would be incredible - almost a third of the weight at 595g, a savings of 842g!
• It has a full-length, 2-way zip for dumping heat.
• It's a high-quality bag that I can purchase locally at MEC, making returns easier.

I've read reviews and a few things have come up that led me to these questions:

• Is the exterior material ideal for Atlantic Canada? Some folks mentioned it may not be good for humid climates. It's almost always dewy overnight, especially along the coast where we usually camp.
• I'm a side sleeper and someone mentioned the hood adjustment strap hangs in the face of side sleepers.
• Any other options close to this weight with a similar feature set come to mind? The other one I was looking at is Patagonia's Fitz Roy, though it is 895g.

The answers to my other post were helpful. Now I am wondering if it is legal to camp on conservation land? There are lots of small conservation areas in my area. I was wondering if I could camp there. I do live in South West Ontario so there are pretty small. I know I can't at Point Pelee unless I pay for one of their designated camping sites.

I'm planning on doing a backpacking trip in the Jasper area either in May or September and have been considering either one of these tents.

I'm 5'10 and like to crawl out when I sleep, and have a 70L pack.

I have the Eureka Midori 3 person, but its heavier than I want to carry on the trail.

I've done a side by side compare of the Spark vs Lyra on the MEC website but am still torn between the two. I've found the exped on sale so it'll be within 50 dollars of the price of the spark so when looking at those two, price isn't a big factor.

Anyone have any experience with either of these / can anyone provide any feedback on them?

Is there something else under $400 you'd recommend instead of one of these?

Hello everyone, I have an option to purchase the MEC Spark 1.0 used from a friend for 160 cad. The 2.0 is also at the store for around 300 with tax and everything included. I am 6 feet tall and have a 70L pack.

I am curious because I have done some research and people say that being 6 feet tall is too big for the Spark 1.0. Some others also state they have problems with rain splashing into the tent when on a rocky surface.

I currently have a Nemo Aurora 2p that I absolutely love tent but mostly for short trips and I want to get something a bit lighter for longer trips I plan on doing.

Any advice from people who have heavily used the spark 1.0 would be greatly appreciated. As well as general advice on other recommendations.

Thanks for any help :)

I wasn't able to find anything online so I thought I would ask. I am looking for an overnight backpacking trail within 2 hours of Chatham Kent Ontario. This area isn't great for backpacking, so I don't have much hope that there are any trails. I do plan on going to Algonquin sometime but that's much farther and would take more planning. I want something close by because this would be my first time backpacking.

I'm looking to overfill my winter sleeping bag (MEC Thor -30). This bag has 750 fill goose down so I'm looking for something equivalent or better in quality (I also have a few other projects planned for any extra down I buy).

Of course I could go on Amazon or eBay for a source but I'm skeptical as many of the reviews, even with the highest rated sellers / products, are somewhat mixed.

Is there anywhere in Canada that I can purchase bulk good down from?

Welcome to the r/UltralightCanada gear buy/sell thread!

Buying and selling gear from the US gets expensive for Canadians. This thread aims to allow Canadians to buy and sell between each other to avoid these added fees.

There are some simple rules that should be followed when using this thread:

• Top level comments should be ONLY for WTS (want to sell) and WTB (want to buy), and WTT (want to trade) posts.
• The first line of your post should make it clear what you are offering / wanting to purchase. Please format the first line of your post like this example: "[WTB] MLD Burn DCF".
• If you are posting a WTS, include an asking price and weight for the item, as well as photos if possible.
• If you are posting a WTB, be specific! Include things like sizing and colour if they are applicable.
• If your item or request has been sold or fulfilled, please mark the post as such. Edit your post and add some bold text to the top of your post that says sold or fulfilled so that other users do not waste their time.
• Include a reason why you are selling your gear. People like to know what the issues you had with the gear was, or why you are getting rid of it.
• Do not repost the same item in the same monthly thread. Wait for next month to repost.
• Do not attempt to sell purchased gear above its original selling price.
• Do not comment negatively on prices for posts not breaking any of the above rules.

Linking to other gear trade sites or cross posting is allowed.

Please post using CAD!

Any deals made on this subreddit are the responsibility of the participants. Please use your common sense and be careful when buying and selling gear on gear trade sites! We advise you protect yourself by using PayPal business for a small 3% fee.

Remember to sort by "new" to see listings in chronological order!

Cloud Windbreaker
Is anyone familiar with this jacket? Its made with 20-denier ripstop nylon with hand pockets. It's on sale & I'm looking to replace my tatty Houdini.

Y’all were super helpful yesterday with the sleeping pad, so I’m back with my last predicament: deciding on a camp stove. I am looking for one that comes with a pot included, and enough space inside to carry the fuel canister. I’ve narrowed it down to 3/4 choices:

Jetboil Flash Cooking System 2.0

• 371g, boils in 3min, piezo ignition, 9000BTU

MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Kit

• 372g, boils in 3.5min, piezo ignition, windscreen, 8200BTU

Vs

MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit

• 278g, boils in 3.5min, 8200BTU

Jetboil Stash Stove

• 200g, boils in 2.5min, 4500BTU

Any insight or recommendations? TIA!

Hi! I’m looking for a sleeping pad. I would like a 3 season pad, wide, and one with great warranty. Price is not a factor, but would like it under 1.5lbs and comfortable for side sleepers.

I have been strongly considering the Nemo Tensor or Women STS Ether light XT.

Any insight or recommendations to consider? TIA!

Hey UltralightCanada!

As the title suggests, I wanted to have a little chat to see how interested people would be in Canadian (Vancouver specifically) top quilts. I've been making gear for some time, have access to proper industrial sewing equipment, and I make a great synthetic top quilt which I'd like to start selling. Crunching some numbers, it looks like I can match or possibly beat the price point of some other established quilt shops that sell a similar product (think $270 CAD - slightly over $300 depending on temperature rating).

Specs would be similar to currently available Apex insulated quilts since I'm pretty much using the same materials that other shops are already using. So far I've been making quilts with a draft collar included, probably wouldn't charge extra for that. Would come with pad straps, stuff sack, and a storage sack. Not making down quilts (yet) strictly Apex insulation to start.

The reason I think people might be into this is that the customer stands to save a lot on shipping / customs / duty / associated costs of buying a product from the USA. Additionally, the handful of stores making products like this seem to usually have a lead time of 4-8 weeks to get a quilt made and shipped. So they seem busy! Maybe another shop in the mix could cut down on wait times and we can all get our gear a little faster.

I'm just now getting to work on taking some nice photos and throwing together a website, but what do we think of this? Would you consider shopping with a new quilt maker if it meant you could buy local and save on some shipping expenses?

Thanks for your time!

What's up everyone - EE is having a sale and Michelle and I are thinking we may match it at 15% (they are 20% but after exchange, shipping, brokerage and whether you may or may not pay duty it would for sure be cheaper). We are setting up a promo code and only posting it to a couple places as we don't want to get inodiated.

Please keep in mind, these will not ship for 2 weeks.

Here's the promo code:

SLEEP15

Its valid until Sunday at midnight. If you've been waiting to scoop a quilt up, this is the best time to buy one for the season.

Also - if you want to match it with a pad, we could extend the 15% on to the pad as well. Please don't use the code just on a pad as I will cancel the order haha - also don't use it on the Nemo Tensor pads already on sale. Again, I will just cancel the order.

Thanks again folks for the support and let me know If I can help with any questions,

Jesse

Does anyone know where to get the regular sawyer squeeze right now? It seems to be unavailable everywhere now except for a few questionable websites where the price is doubled. I'm located in the GTA so can drive around here, but online is easy as well. Thanks for any leads!

EDIT: Thanks for all the replies. I realize it may have been helpful to provide some additional info. I had one that I got off of amazon a few years ago, but I left somewhere that froze it recently, so I'm looking to replace it. Amazon only seems to be carrying the mini versions now, and places like MEC, geartrade, Valhalla, etc don't seem to carry it. I like how it works with the connector piece and I'm comfortable with cleaning and maintaining it, so I'm not looking to try to switch to a different filter right now if it can be helped. I'm heading out to try the PCT in a few weeks so I'd like to do so with the sawyer since I'm comfortable with it and trust it. I tried the mini, but as someone else noted, the flow rate wasn't great, and I dread having to constantly try to backflush the mini every day in the desert. Again, I really appreciate all the replies. I'm getting the sense there aren't any places right now in Canada I can find it, so I may try to stop at REI on my way to the trail head if I can't find it here. Happy trails.

I'm tentatively looking at attempting a thru-hike of the Appalachian trail next year. Would be an early April start. I'm about ready to pull the trigger on an Economy Burrow 20 (they are having a 30% off sale), but just want to make sure there isn't any Canadian options I would be overlooking. It's still going to be a good deal, but that exchange rate is brutal 😩.

Also, does anyone have one? Did you have to pay any extra duty/border fees?

Orders are closed on the special! Thanks for the support! I will put another special together later once these orders are fulfilled.
I am getting some requests for a 'special'. From time to time I will put a set together and sell at a reduced price. I have a few rolls of extra fabric so here's the current one. (I actually have one for Underquilts for hammock users as well as a topquilt).

Fabric is 10D. The Outer is a Moss (light olive) color in a mini ripstop .71oz/yd. Nicely wind resistant and with a DWR. The inner is a choice of either Dark Purple or Moroccan Blue in a ripstop (purple is now gone, just Moroccan Blue available) fabric. 850FP down with a choice of neck baffle, 20°F/32°F temperature rating and 3 lengths. Pricing is pretty aggressive. I just charge GST and a flat rate for shipping (which is less than actual costs). Quilt comes with 1 padstrap, stuff sack and a storage bag.

Lead times are good so contact me if you are in a hurry.

Serratus TopQuilt Special

Cheers

JamesLittle Shop of Hammocks

Just trying to understand the prices for used sleeping bags and backpacks. Is 400 for Katabatic palisade 30f too much to ask for basically new? And 400$ for 3400 southwest black also basically new. Used 1 trip? It’s lower than retail but wondering what the used market is for quilts and bags. Also curious if there are other products to look out for (sales or maybe they are just cheaper/better) for ex. More conventional bag (Gregory stout or something like that used is cheaper) ee synthetic 30f quilt on geartrade is cheaper etc. other backpacks from companies like ula through geartrade etc. although The nice thing about the southwest 3400 or some Gregory/Osprey bags is it’s easy to try on at MEC.

Thanks

How accurate is IHunter? I’m a bit confused I’m trying to look for crownland spots this summer and came across a few lakes that look perfect for camping. But when I look up the lakes they’re part of a water trail system and you have to book and pay for the sites through one of the government websites, but IHunter says it’s crownland.

I’m looking for used xmid in Canada. I was going to order through the states and the estimated cost for a 1p and z flick polls is $700 with fast shipping. I would need it next week. I was also looking at using a copper spur 2p or hubba hubba. it’s around the same cost ordering in Canada. Is there any good used sites in Canada? Anyone use the hubba hubba ? The reviews horrible online regarding the carbon polls. I will be living in the tent for a month close to the ocean and the xmid looks fantastic.

I was wondering if anyone has hiked Heaven's Gate trial and has any intel they could share. I'm mostly curious about the camping situation on the unnamed lakes (sat image) under La Cloche lake. Are there established spots or clearings that would make camping around those lakes ideal?

Only evidence I've found so far is an old Alltrails comment stating "there's lots of places to camp, pretty much every lake has a fire pit and a place to pitch a tent".

Any info or tips would be awesome, thanks everyone!

Hi Everyone,

First time tent buyer here, I'm looking for sort of a budget 2 person backpacking tent to use time to time, and ended up considering Spark 2.0, especially since it is on sale now. The only thing that bugs me is that upon reading the reviews saw some saying that the fly funnels water directly inside when you leaving a tent. Is it actually that big of a deal ?

Any reviews using it, especially during rainy days, considering the fact that BC has lots of rains.

Many thanks!

Greetings!

My wife and would like to explore the nature and culture of Quebec. We would like to find a town for a one-week stay between Quebec City, Tadoussac, and Lake Saint-Jean. We will use it as a base for day trips and short hikes (3-4 hr, moderate). Likewise, we would like to be close to a grosser, outfitters, and a good bar.

A million thanks for your recommendations!

​

So far I’ve tried a few different 500g container options but none of them are quite big enough to fit my meals comfortably.

I’ve walked up down the aisle at multiple grocery stores and just can’t seem to find the perfect jar with a 600g capacity. I’m hiking the GDT stoveless this summer so all my meals are pretty hefty and up to 1000 calories each.

So with that all being said does anyone here have any recommendations for a cold soaking container with at least a 600g capacity?

Thanks in advance!

Thinking of doing this trail at the end of this month. Anyone know how the conditions are? Worth the hike or are there better trails for backpacking camping in Chilliwack?

Hey guys, just getting into backpacking and trying to do some 3 season backcountry camping with a friend. I just ordered all the major items in terms of gear, but wanted to post it all here and see if there are any suggestions for better alternatives.

(All prices after tax)

Sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Ascent, paid $230 it was like 60% off lol

Stove: MSR pocket rocket, $77

Filter: Katadyn BeFree 1L, $68

Tent: Naturehike Cloud Up 2 $203

Sleeping Pad: MEC VectAir, $111, really struggled to find a decently rated pad within this price range, the VectAir seemed to have fairly positive reviews

Pack: Gregory Stout 60, $283

Bear Canister: BV450, $111

Working on a decently tight budget here but if you have any suggestions for alternatives to what I bought, would love to hear them! Preferably somewhat similar in price, currently available online, and shippable to Ontario. Thanks everyone :)

Until Mar 10, the MEC Talon 0C Quilt is 40% off. Not a bad price.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6022-629/talon-0c-quilt?queryID=0c495e964e53ef40f9894eec156e1f58&colour=Neutral+Grey