Ok so I'm really torn, I'm looking for a new cannister top pressure regulated stove. I've kind of narrowed down to the Firemaple Greenpeak 2, the Firemaple Polaris and the Soto Windmaster. I'm not overly interested in boil times. I'll be using it mostly for boiling water and my primary concerns are gas consumption efficiency and performance in wind. I am leaning towards the Soto stove but curious about those two Firemaples.

Hi everybody,

Im thinking about if its worth to reduce weight in my sleep system, concretely in the sleeping pad.

The last year i bought a therm a rest neoair xlite nxt regular wide thinking more in the comfort than weight but right now im checking the short model because im 168cm and thats the size of the pad it will be comfortable in terms of lenght? Anyone tried a similar system?

Thanks a lot in advance.

I need you experienced ultralighters to give input on my gear. I'm going on a shoulder season one month Appalacian trail hike. Male, 58, 6'2", 240 (I'll be less by the end). Starting at Springer Mountain on Feb 21st, I anticipate 18-40 degree nights, and 40-60 degree days. My biggest fear is wet conditions from which I won't be able to dry things out. Here is my proposed gear, with ounces. Total weight 26.5 lbs. It seems too light to me. Your thoughts are VERY welcome!

Pack		
80.0 Osprey Aether Large 65L				
 4.0  Osprey rain cover

Tent
29.0 X-Mid Solid 1 (106" & 90") link
     X-Mid ground sheet - Maybe

Sleep
50.3 Feathered Friends Snowbunting (0 deg)
18.0 Thermarest Neoair X long

Cooking
 2.6 MSR PocketRocket 2
 3.9 Toaks Titanium 750mL pot link
 0.7 Toaks long spoon link
 0.4 Bic Mini Lighter
 7.4 Snow Peak Giga Isobutane link
 2.5 Reheating Coozy 10"x9" link
 0.3 Bandana to isolate pot & fuel
		
Water
 3.2 3L Hydrapak Seeker
 2.7 2L Hydrapak Seeker
 2.0 1L Hydrapak Stow
 1.0 Hydrapak Screw-in filter
 0.8 Katadyn Micropur water tablets link
 0.7 10' paracord to hang dirty water
 1.2 Carabiner petzl Ange L

Boots
29.0 Keen Revel IV High Polar
 5.0 Gaiters
 8.6 Snowline Chainsen Light 2XL link
10.6 	Camp shoes Xero

Bags
 1.1 Sea to Summit 3L Ultra-Sil
 1.1 Bear bag
 3.7 50' paracord 550

Clothes
 7.0 Shirt1 short sleeve
 7.0 Shirt2 short sleeve
11.0 Shirt long sleeve
 8.0 Marmot Elche shorts XXL 88% nylon, 12% elas
10.0 Hiking pants
 2.5 Undies1 Exofficio 94/6 nylon/spandex
 2.5 Undies2 Exofficio 94/6 nylon/spandex
 2.5 Undies3 Exofficio 94/6 nylon/spandex
 4.0 Sleeping sock pair
 4.0 Hiking sock pair 1
 4.0 Hiking sock pair 2

Warmth
 4.2 ZPack goose puffy, large link
 1.3 ZPack Possum Gloves link
 1.2 Merino Neck Buff
 7.1 Thermal shirt
 6.0 Thermal pants Polartec L1 93/7 poly/spandex
 1.5 Balaclava
 5.0 Cold weather montreal hat, re-waterproofed
     But maybe Alpaca City Large link

Rain
 5.4 ZPack Wind/rain shell link
 1.5 ZPack Rain Kilt link
 0.8 ZPack Rain Mitts, Large link
 4.0 Waterproof sock pair
     Stiff, waterproof hat?
     Microfiber towel for end of day?

Gear
 2.0 Moleskin
18.8 Caving Drybag w/everything
        Knife, scissor, tweezer, whistle, nail Clippers
        Ibuprofen, Electros, Imodium
        Duct tape, flagging, pad, pencil
        Mylar blanket
 4.0 Paper map
 0.8 Tenacious Tape link
 2.7 Gossamer Thinlight 1/8" sit pad

Hygiene
 2.0 Soap Dr Bronner 2 oz
 3.7 TP
 0.5 Chapstick

Electronics
 6.5 TCL T7760 phone
 1.0 Anker Powerlink III 3' USB C-C cord
 0.1 Anker Nano 3 wall adapter
12.1 Anker 325 20,000
 4.4 Zebralight 600h + 18650 + headband
 3.2 Spare 18650s

I recently took a Stop the Bleed course, and I think anyone who recreates in the outdoors should have this knowledge. I've seen some discussions on here about first aid and have plugged the Stop the Bleed course enough times that I figured I would make a post about it. Knowledge is the lightest thing you can carry.

What is Stop the Bleed?

Stop the Bleed is a national awareness and training campaign from the Department of Homeland security designed to teach bystanders how to stop severe bleeding with 3 simple techniques (direct pressure, wound packing, and tourniquet application). A person can bleed out from an artery in 3 to 5 minutes, and the average response time for an ambulance in the US is 7 minutes. Bleeding is the #1 preventable cause of death after an injury.

How do you stop the bleed?

I highly recommend taking an in person course (they're usually free!) so that you can practice these skills in real life, but at the very least, watch this video. I'm not going to go into all the details in this post, but essentially:

1. Apply direct pressure with your hands (this can be done anywhere on the body). The vast majority of bleeding can be stopped with direct pressure.

2. If direct pressure fails or if the wound is too deep for direct pressure to work, pack the wound with gauze or the cleanest cloth you have available, and then apply direct pressure. (This can only be done on the limbs or junctional sites - thighs, neck, shoulders. It cannot be done on the torso). They make gauze impregnated with a hemostatic agent that aids in clotting.

3. If the above fails, use a tourniquet. If the bleeding is severe enough, you can skip the first two steps and go directly to a tourniquet. This only works on arms and legs. We used to think of tourniquets as a last resort, but after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan we now know that a tourniquet can be left on for up to 6 hours before there is risk of permanent damage.

Other thoughts:

• I bought a Stop the Bleed kit to keep at home / in my vehicle. For recreating outdoors, I likely will not carry a tourniquet since it is a very specialized tool, but will carry gauze with a hemostatic agent. This is a lightweight, effective, and versatile piece of kit. If you don't want to splurge for QuikClot, regular compressed gauze works nearly as well.
• Andrew Skurka's first aid kit contains QuikClot gauze.
• If you are at the point where you need to use wound packing or a TQ to stop severe bleeding, you will need to evac immediately. Consider carrying a satellite communicator.

Links:

• Find an in-person course near you.
• Take the online training.

There has been quite a bit of enthusiasm for this small, lightweight solar panel here. I decided to buy it and felt reasonably satisfied with its performance here at home. It seems pretty fragile though, and I could imagine it breaking while in the pack.

How have you managed to securely pack this inside your bag for times when you don't want to hang it on the outside of your bag?

I have been looking into ultralight dynema tents. Sadly it seems to be quite limited in Europe. As most brands I can find online either ship from. The US or Canada. I have found a couple from Europe. Or at least European sellers.

As I don't want to deal with importing the tent, what which one would you recommend?

At the moment I use the MSR elixir 2 I really like it. It's easy to set up, has a lot of space inside, I can sit up straight (I'm quite tell) and there is space for the backpack outside. But it's heavy. 2,7kg I think. So I'd love a similar tent, but lighter.

I thought this group may know something about this battery pack.

I have an Nitecor NB10000 Gen 2 I purchased last year and used a few times.

After charging overnight, only 2 blue LED’s are lighted. I believe the manual says 100% should show 3 LED’s.

Is this correct? How can I know it’s working properly?

At 52 I have decided to have some new kit! My North Face Tadpole from the late 90s has had too many nights, and my Karrimor Jaguar that weighs 2.85kg empty is equal vintage.

I guess it all just worked and so I carried on. Then I looked at some new kit and realised by 12kg base weight was heavy. Tent was 2.25kg, Rucksack 2.85kg, Sleeping Bag 1-season 1.4kg (presumed mainly dirt), plus other little stuff, like a trowel, currently 70g.

Location/temp range/specific trip description: The John O Groats Trail (145 miles) in the North of Scotland on the Coast from Inverness to JoG. Scottish Highlands. Mid May, pre midges hopefully. Avg day temp around 12-15°C,, night from 0 to 5°C. May might give me snow or 20°C.

Goal Baseweight (BPW): Less than the 12kg+food I have been lugging. Anything marked with a star is to be bought shortly, and is based on reviews/weight. But definitely interested in other views.

Currently at 7.5kg based on selected kit, a 4.5kg saving, maybe 6.5kg?

Budget: I'm fortunate, I can have what I want.

Solo or with another person?: Solo

Additional Information: I cover long days, typically 25-30 miles on good trails, 20-25 if the going is difficult. And often click in 2-5miles after a pub dinner and wild camp late near the trail. This often leaves me with crappy pitches and poor pegging options.

And I'm a solid 18-stone at 5ft10, so any clothing is XL or larger, so never on the lighter side.

Lighterpack Link: https://lighterpack.com/r/2i9rcq

Tent: With hundreds of nights in my North Face Tadpole (3 pole semi geodesic) I prefer a freestanding tent. The thing has been great in heavy weathers and on shoddy pitches. I occasionally have used a single hoop Terra Nova Solar, and it's awful to pitch unless the peggings good (then it's fine). My walking poles are fixed length (but fold in three) so not sure how they would work with a pole tent. Although I could be tempted with a Lofoton ULW 2-person at 526g. Some of the weight of the Hubba Hubba is a bike specific bag (I also bike) and reckon swapping that out will save 50g.

Camp Mat & Sleeping Bag:  I sleep well and warm.

I have used a thermarest (700g) or 3/4 length Karrimor (480g) self inflator at 1cm thick. I could drop down 200g with a Nordisk Ven 2.5, but a full length and a 7.5cm thick mat seems tempting for 377g

Sleeping Bag its either:

• SEA TO SUMMIT Spark Pro -1C Down Sleeping Bag
• RAB Neutrino 200 Down Sleeping Bag

Both 630g but at different price points. I could go lighter but reckon this will be manageable for me from early April through to October, which is 99% of my camping. So saves buying another for other times of year. And unless I go quilt I don't seem to save a lot. Really really want a decent length zip, I'm a leg out sleeper (and often useful for drying blisters overnight).

No cook kit: Pubs are available

Input very welcome.

I know, I know. “We don’t need another Lighterpack alternative”, “Just use a spreadsheet”, “etc…”.

I understand, and this is a personal project that I wanted to build to practice app development. I do think it turned out nice though and some others might like it.

A few things. I don’t like spreadsheets as a way of tracking my gear, it's not user friendly. Lighterpack doesn’t have a mobile app and isn't supported by the developer anymore. Other apps don’t have everything I want in a backpacking app. This is my very first app, and I have tried to implement features that everybody likes but also add new features that exist in other apps but not all in the same place. It’s not just a weight tracking app.  I know you’re interested in weight saving, and tracking weight is the main feature of the app, but there’s other features that apply to backpacking in general.

Key features: 

• Gear Inventory: Create a detailed inventory of your gear, with weights, descriptions, pictures, and categories. Also an import .csv feature. (I tried to make importing as seamless as possible but some refinements may be necessary.)
• Dynamic graphs: Change between beloved pie chart, and new sexy bar chart! Weight unit selector to easily switch between g/oz/lbs/kg.
• Pack Manager: Design and manage multiple packs. Add items from your gear inventory right to your pack. Check items off as you go to make sure you’re not missing anything.
• Hike Journal: Document your thru-hikes with detailed logs, record elevation, distance, and sleep location. Track your progress and elevation over time with interactive graphs.
• Peak Bagging Tracker: Use the checklist to record your summited peaks (NH 4k footers, Colorado 14ers) and notes about your hike.

The app works offline so you can record your hikes where there’s no service. There’s no ads, no subscription, no affiliate links. I am charging $1, but only to try and recoup some development costs. I plan on supporting the app for the long term and want to keep adding features and improving the experience based on your feedback. 

The app is iOS only right now, but if there’s enough interest I may make a web based version. A web based version kind of defeats the purpose though because I made this app specifically to be mobile friendly. I don’t really use my computer all that much and I have my phone with me 24/7, so it just makes sense to keep track of my gear there.

The app is called Pak Mule and you can download it on the App Store now. I have also created a subreddit r/pakmuleapp where you can submit feature requests, report bugs, or just give general feedback. Or you can just DM me!

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pak-mule/id6741242360

I understand there may be bugs or just features that don’t work quite right in general so please let me know if you encounter anything out of the ordinary and I will try to fix it as quickly as possible. I tried to be very thorough with making sure everything worked properly but I may have missed something. I am only one person building this app.

Hello!

I’m an experienced hiker, having completed trails like the John Muir Trail and other alpine hikes. I’m planning a hut-to-hut trip in the Italian Dolomites with my partner, who is relatively new to hiking. We’re focusing on the Alpe di Siusi area in Val Gardena and have outlined the following itinerary:

1.	Compaccio to Rifugio Bolzano

2.	Rifugio Bolzano to Alpe di Tires Hut

3.	Alpe di Tires Hut to Rifugio Sasso Piatto

4.	Rifugio Sasso Piatto to Rifugio Venezia

We’ll be embarking on this journey during the last week of June and the first week of July. While the distances and elevation gains seem manageable for us, I’m particularly concerned about trail exposure, technical challenges, and the potential presence of snowfields, especially given my partner’s beginner status. I’ve heard that the section between Rifugio Bolzano and Alpe di Tires might be tricky, possibly involving via ferrata segments.

Could anyone provide insights into the following:

•	Are there exposed or technically challenging sections on these routes?

•	Is via ferrata equipment necessary for any part of this itinerary?

•	Given our travel dates, is there a high likelihood of encountering significant snowfields on these trails?

•	Any alternative route suggestions that might be more suitable for a beginner?

Thank you in advance!

Hey. I'm looking to replace my BD Distance Carbon FLX poles after I took a fall this summer crossing a creeping and snapped one.

I've had them for probably 6 years now and they've been awesome, but the updated version doesn't have the same length adjustment range as my old ones do (120-135 or 140cm).

I hike most of the time at 125cm, but 120 is super handy for steep uphills or side hilling and not having to choke up a bunch on them.

I definitely want to stick with a folding pair like the Diatance FLZs because they can fit inside my daypack and it can still be zipped fully shut.

Any suggestions? Any "off brands" i might be missing out on (I've looked mostly at BD, Leki, and Komperdell)?

Thanks!

I've been wearing the Brynje long johns and shirts while (resort) skiing as my baselayer, and they seem pretty warm. All over this sub and others are vague attestations that "fishnets are WARM! they're so great!" What I haven't seen is any rigorous comparison showing that they're warmer than other baselayers. All baselayers are "warm," from the REI long johns I wore in college to Uniqlo heattech that I still like sometimes because they're so soft. But for technical outings with serious cold, I really to be dialed in with layering, maximizing warmth for weight while maintaining breathability for high-output moments. Has anyone really tried to compare fishnets to merino or SOTA synthetic?

Right now I've just tried them skiing but down the line I might use them for ice climbing and ski touring.

I think next time I ski, I might just bring my capilene and merino shirts and swap them in the restroom and test myself.

An Apple watch is not an ultralight fitness tracker but it is what I have and what I use on 3 to 6 days trips. I always appreciate the tips I find in this community so I can go UL whenever I can afford it.
That being said, Are there any AW ultralighters that have taken a deep dive into this topic?

I have a variety of AWU charge pucks, dongles and dedicated AW charging battery banks. They vary from 2.5W to 5W. 5W is a tolerable charge speed while 2.5W is aggravatingly slow.
I started with an aftermarket puck 20g plus my battery bank but found that I would come back to see that the battery bank powered off (assuming the watch temp sensor auto stopped charging and the battery bank shutdown).
The stock AWU charger is 31g and 3' long. I'm assuming this has technology to keep the temp in check to provide continuous draw of power which doesn't overheat an kill the power from the battery bank to the watch but it is bulky and "heavy".

I recently picked up a little 36g 1500mAH battery with integrated AW charge pad to only charge the watch. It is 2.5W and takes about 2 hours to charge from 15% to 90%. This is almost acceptable to me for the weight penalty but it is only good for 2 charges which I can tolerate on a 3 days trip.

I got a new type C dongle puck with USB adapter (12g + 4g) and hopefully that can plug in directly to my standard power bank USB port and not suffer from the high output that overheats the watch. Testing this soon.

Has anyone gone through this process before and come out with a satisfying solution?

Are Dyneema composite fabrics necessary for ultralight thru-hike packs under 3.5kg base weight?

Below is a MYOG example and my experiences with using a 40d fabric over a short period of time.

Photos: https://imgur.com/a/OKtr0ky

Weight- 256g total weight - includes all straps as seen in photos

Fabrics: Palante simple pack pattern 40d silnylon main fabric 55g/m2 30d nylon backing fabric (only used on back panel) 3mm 3d mesh 4mm evazote padding

Fabric Strength: 40kg tensile strength (50mm) on silnylon 460n tensile strength (50mm) on 30d nylon 3d mesh no test results on extreme textile but estimated at more than 90kg from other similar fabrics found on internet.

After the first hike, a 215km hike in Portugal, one strap on my pack started fraying slightly at the seam on day one. I sewed it up, and it didn’t worsen. The issue was at an edge without 3D mesh backing. It doesn’t seem to be structural as on the straps the 3d mesh is stronger and should hold a majority of the weight. See picture for reference.

For argument take the back panel attachment point. I have doubled the fabrics for the back panel (see photo for reference). The 2 fabrics together 40d and 30d over the 8cm attachment distance have a tensile strength of 114kg. Unless I am visualizing this incorrectly it is hard to imagine exceeding the strength of the fabric. Even loaded on food and water the bag will not exceed 13kg of weight far below the tensile strength of the fabrics.

One area I worry about is needle hole expansion on such a light fabric. Will update post after summer when I have hiked kungsleden and SL1.

Previous posts of packs that used lighter non Dynema fabrics: Reddithttps://www.reddit.com8.3oz HEX70 Pack 1800mi Review : r/myog

https://www.reddit.com/r/myog/s/r3Z7FZjvEF

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/74846/

My not updated lighter pack: https://lighterpack.com/r/iyl2fk Hike with girlfriend so she is carrying stove and pot.

Does anyone in this community have thoughts or knowledge that they could share?

Hi everyone, I was just wondering if anyone has done an eastbound hike on the PNT directly connecting to the GDT? Considering doing this in the summer of 2026 and looking for input on start date / what bits are tough with snow. I know the permits can be tricky on the GDT but I'm confident I could make it work in that regard. Any input is appreciated!

I'm trying to dial in an ultracompact loadout, and the advertised packed dimensions for shelters are confusing me a bit. My understanding is that Silnylon should pack significantly tighter than DCF, so I had primarily been looking at shelters like the GG The One, but the HMG Unbound 2 lists a kind of ridiculous packed dim of 8.5x6x5.5 for a 2p shelter. Am I missing something, or is this just very ambitious marketing?

Also, if anyone has recommendations for compact shelters, I'd appreciate it.

This is a different sort of shakedown. This is not for a specific trip, rather, it's for my generic packing list that I use as the basis for any/all 3-season trips. I copy this LIghterpack list and customize it for each specific trip I go on, adjusting quantities to add things from the "conditional" list or remove them from the main list as appropriate to the specifics of the particular trip.

Lighterpack

These items represent the lightest reasonable items I've found to achieve their respective functions. All items with a decimal place in the grams measurement represent the actual weights on my scale. If a weight is not in 3 decimal places, I have not verified it.

• If the item has a yellow star, I've identified a lighter alternative
• If the item has a red star, I need to verify the weight
• If the item has a green star, I don't own it yet.

What I am looking for: Please identify lighter possible options for specific items or multi-use items where an item's function might be combined with another item so as to eliminate one of them. Please provide links or sources for these items, and please don't list for me items that are no longer available/no longer sold. Please don't just tell me some item is unnecessary. I'm looking for refinements and ways to improve upon specific items. And if you're going to quote a weight for a specific item, make sure you have actual weights that you've verified on a scale that reads to tenths of a gram, not just some specification on an equipment manufacturer's site that says something weighs some amount (which it often does not.)

Current base weight: Depends on the trip.

Location/Temperature Range/Description: North America, 3-season. Specifics depend on trip.

Budget: Unlimited

Non-Negotiable items: None

Solo or with another person: Solo

Additional information: MYOG suggestions are on the table, but please provide me a source that I might consult for an example.

For reference, I am 5'-10" and 205 pounds.

I've been looking at the Toaks 1100ml pot with pan which seems really nice. Howeever I also like to cook real food which titanium is not the best for. In my opinon these titanium pots should come with an aluminium pan because the use for a pan is cooking and titanium sucks for that anyway so whats the point with a titanium pan. But I really like the titanium material for cooking water.

Has anyone tried finding a seperate aluminium pan which worked as a lid for any of the toaks pots or any other titanium pots?

I'm looking for a pot which will fit the 230g gas cannister. Does not have fit anything more really, i'm fine having the stove and such stored seperatly.

What are some good DIY nesting options you guys use? I have a trangia 27-3 today which I could perhaps use parts for to create something viable for my needs.

Hi, I am thinking about getting the SWD Long Haul 50 for my upcoming backpacking and mountaineering season. I was wondering what people thought of the pack if they have one, or if anyone tried the pack on before buying it? It makes me a bit nervous to buy such an expensive pack without trying it on first. I live in western Washington if anyone has one laying around they would be willing to let me try on…

Hello!

I’ll be hiking the PCT this year and am trying to see what I can do to get my pack weight down (not ultralight but I thought I’d come to the pros!):

https://lighterpack.com/r/z246nw

I am 5’3” and ~130 lbs so probably on the smaller end of the hiker size spectrum.

Chunky items I’m on the fence on:

• Camp shoes (I weighed these sandals at ~4 oz but they come up about twice the weight online)

• Olympus camera: 8 oz but the pictures are a lot more special to me than those from my phone’s camera

• Kindle: a lot of people say to read on your phone but a lot of other people say it’s their favorite piece of gear

TENT:

• I found a used Zpacks Plex Solo for $400 on Craigslist. I’m thinking of taking the leap since it’s half the weight of my Durston. Not sure if it’s worth the extra money and hassle of selling my other tent, though… I might return my poles and use my $30 Costco poles to recoup some of the cost (and the women’s BD poles I think are too short?)

(Accuracy: I won’t be at home with most of my gear until April so I had to do my best researching all of the weights online.)

tl;dr: I have used every item in my FAK and repair kit at critical points when backpacking. This has worked really well for me, and I tend not to want to add/remove anything

Lighterpack Breakdown

I have over 16,000 miles of backpacking under my belt, and have largely settled on a first aid kit and repair that is effective for multi-month trips, and an acceptable weight (my base weight is around 8.5 lbs). I've used every component of this kit, with the exception of the bleed stop (no major bleeding out for me!), to largely keep hiking and to stay on trail. The only time I've been forced to get off trail because my FAK has been inadequate is when I got giardia.

My FAK comes in at 4.7 oz when fully restocked, and my repair kit comes in at 1 oz. For shorter trips, I cut down on (or just don't restock) the quantity of pills I'm carrying (just won't need all the NSAIDs or acetazolamide).

Most frequently used items: tape (for blisters), naproxen (for throbbing soreness), sewing kit (blisters w. lighter, gear repair), aspirin (soreness, minor aches), ace bandage (various), acetazolamide (altitude)

Picture

Drugs

I've found these are the most important things, as they can't be filled in for with other pieces of gear. I mostly select drugs based on their ability to get me out to a road if I need it, and for me to continue a trip.

Pain relievers:

• 6x aspirin - heart attack prevention, decent analgesic effect when crushed for wounds, general NSAID, blood thinner.
• 12x naproxen: lasts longer than ibuprofen. I personally find it does a better job at preventing throbbing pain and aiding muscle recovery than ibuprofen. This is by far my most used drug.
• 6x ibuprofen: NSAID. Used more for acute pain, and non-altitude headaches, and less for throbbing pain/swelling. Least used NSAID in my kit.

Sickness treating:

• 3x 12hr Sudafed (actual pseudoephedron. Get from pharmacist directly). Primary use as a stimulant, significantly more effective than caffeine. It's also a nasal decongest that can relieve most flu-like symptoms. Most likely thing to drop, but I've found it valuable the times I've needed it (I did 34 miles with COVID, only functional because I had taken Sudafed).
• 12x diphenhydramine (benadryl): treating allergic reactions. Nasal decongestant. Sleep aid (although current research links use to Alzheimer's, so I'd avoid unless really necessary). Sudafed can pair with benadryl to help cut drowsiness
• 4x Acetazolamide (diamox): only thing that treats altitude sickness. Also very effective if taken the day before going to high altitudes. Crazily under-represented in FAKs. Grab some from your doctor (they will prescribe if you indicate you're going to be doing some high altitude sojourns).
• 4x Peptobismal tabs: treats diarrhea and constipation. less effective than Imodium for diarrhea, but also an effective antacid. Better at relieving stomach aches/pains. Could switch to Imodium.

Blood and injury oriented

• 1x ace bandage. I've used it to wrap minor sprains, and to help stabilize knees and ankles. I've used it to pad heels from bruising, or to bulk up hip belts to allow weight to be carried. I've used it to wrap bleeding wounds. In general, I've found enough uses for it over time that I think it's worth keeping (despite the heft). I role it around the pill bottle I keep everything else stored in.
• 15g bleed stop: it will stop pretty serious bleeding -- like, serious bleeding.
• mini roll of electrical tape: my preffered tape for taping blisters, at this point.
• 1x tube mini super glue. I actually don't understand why so many people go for bandaids rather than super glue. Any minor wound clots quickly, and can be taped. Bandaids fall off almost immediately. Larger, non minor scrapes or lacerations I've found are better treated with super glue and then tape, rather than to add bandaids or butterfly strips. Also doubles for gear repair (water bladders, sleeping pad punctures, etc.)

Mechanical tools

• 1x precision tweezers: removes splinters/cactus needles. Useful for fetching other things out of my FAK. Helps with tiks, I guess?
• 1x nail clippers: mostly used to cut tape, packages, and... to cut/file nails. Can help open my bear boxer bear can. Have also used to cut some paper clips and other odds and ends for repairs. My TSA suitable alternative to a pocket knife.
• foam ear plugs: when you need them, they're great

Repair kit (1 oz)

• Mini sewing kit: I've sewn so much shit on trail. I also have used the needle to lance blisters. Such a frequently used item.
• cuban fiber tape: good for holes in gear (e.g. puffy, tarp, bag, pack, etc.)
• mini bic lighter: useful for melting fraying nylon/poly cord. Also FAK use for disinfecting needles. Or starting a fire if needed to keep warm. Ability to quickly start fire is worth the weight hit.
• 2 safety pins: primary use has been for lancing blisters. Also have used to hold tent zippers together, sun glasses together, and other minor repairs before I can sew that shit.
• 8 aquatabs: when your filter breaks, it's shitty not having a backup. I've needed this a few times now.

I also tape a couple of feet of duct tape around my trekking pole for more rapidly taping blisters/repairing gear. Duct tape is shit, but hangs out well when exposed to elements on trekking poles (worn weight). I also will typically have electrolytes with me in my food bag (consumables)

Have something you want to discuss but don't think it warrants a whole post? Please use this thread to discuss recent purchases or quick questions for the community at large. Shakedowns and lengthy/involved questions likely warrant their own post.

Looking to get my son (9) a 30-50°F synthetic (or down if it’s in the budget) quilt for summer hiking in the southern US. Budget roughly $150-200. He’s about 52” tall, but something he can grow with for at least a couple seasons would be great. Any input appreciated!

Hi,

I want to get a new tent that’s light as I can but won’t break the bank (maximum £400). I live in the UK so it needs to be outer/flysheet first. It also needs to be able to comfortably fit 2 people and a bag each, ideally below 1.5kg. I’ve seen the Durston x-mid 2 solid which looks ideal but will cost loads to get imported here - does anyone in the UK have one? How much was it to get it imported? Does anyone have any recommendations that could help?

I'm considering buying a GramXpert eLite quilt for bikepacking. I would like to use it in summer (Europe) but also spring and autumn, which Apex should I get? Do you have any other recommendations? I dont want to use down due to ethical reasons

Current Base Weight: 12.48LBs

Location/Temperature Range/Description: 5 days 4 nights trip in Big Bend National Park doing the Outer Mountain Loop (OML) in March, where the average high is 70° and low is 48°.

Budget: $200-$300, but flexible. I'd like to stay away from trip-specific gear as I do most of my backpacking in the PNW. Shelter and backpack were recently purchased.

Non-negotiable: Satellite Communicator.

Solo or with another person? Solo

Additional Information:

Because of the environment and the OML, I may have to do a significant water carry for 2.5 days which could involve lugging 10 liters of water (20 LBs). I'd like my base weight to be as low as possible to accommodate for that and make the carry easier. My backpack, the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 has a "max" capacity of 30 LBs, so I'm worried about hitting that with my base weight + food + water.

Not sure if I'm able to cross post so for specifics on my trip see my most recent post in the Big Bend subreddit. That will explain the need for the water carry.

I'm looking for general guidance and specific points on clothing and water strategy (taking three 3L CNOC water bags, hiking for 2.5 days, and then refilling at Homer Wilson).

Lighterpack Link: https://lighterpack.com/r/343se0

Can anyone recommend the right dose of bleach tablet/gallon of water? Instead of carrying liquid bleach the tablets seem lighter and not leak-prone Otherwise, I'd appreciate tips for tiny, bleach-safe bottles that can handle the liquid stuff.

Hi all! Though one day I will be camping in the snow, which both of these tents are more than capable of doing. Most of my camping is going to be in Florida Summer/Falls where nights are hot and humid. As such, air flow is the most critical point for me. I am also 6'4 and would be sleeping with my wife on some trips.

The carbon struts on the dipole 2 seem to enable far greater air flow through the tent when the side rainfly/barrier is unzipped. I assume that is true? Will either be okay for high air flow?

Anyone have a 3rd option for a super roomy, super breathable tent? I know we can remove the rain fly on either, but rain is inevitable.

I got some hikes like this planned year:

• Cusco, Peru in late April–early May
• El Camino (Spanish route) late May
• Interlaken to Grindelwald in August (multiple day hikes)

AFAIK none of these spots really dip below freezing. mostly be 10°C give or take during the day. But close to 0C at night, but I’ll have a sleeping bag or indoor accomodation for that.

Gear-wise, I’ve got:

• Light 700-fill down puffer
• Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
• Planning to wear a wool or synthetic quick-dry tee as base.

My research shows these three are top options in terms of breathablity, warmth to weight ratio and packablity.

What’s the best mid-layer for these conditions? (Also I'm open to other alternatives)

I'm only taking a 17L day pack with me in most day hikes, hence why I'm posting in this sub.

P.S. here's ai-powered comparison (take it with a grain of salt)
Edit: See u/lushootseed's comment for the image of this table.

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for an ultralight fleece available in Germany. Most recommendations I’ve found are US-based, but I need something fairly quickly. Saw mixed reviews about the Patagonia R1 Air but I don’t think its bad. But I would like to know what you think!

Thanks in advance!