2014 PCT Gear Review

There are plenty of PCT gear reviews out there on the internets and I wasn't originally going to do one myself. However, one more gear wrap up certainly isn't going to blow up the web or collapse global servers and maybe some of you will find this helpful. I have a feeling that the PCT is going to see an increase in traffic in the coming years, partly from the "Wild" effect and partly because it seems inevitable. I must admit to having mixed feelings about this, hiking the PCT has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life and I would love to see many others have a similar experience. On the other hand, more people on the trail leads to more trash, more problems and a change in trail culture. Hopefully, those who do attempt the PCT in the future plan ahead, hike responsibly, show respect and avoid giving thru-hikers a bad reputation.

With that out of the way and in the hopes of helping future thru hikers prepare for an intense, amazing and challenging journey, here is a summary of my PCT gear.

To see my pre-hike gear post go here: PCT Gear List

The Big Three:

1. Shelter

Zpacks Hexamid Solo Tarp (full review): Just about perfect for the PCT! I only set mine up about a dozen times, so for a shelter option that you will basically keep in the bottom of your pack, the weight is hard to beat. In extended rain, it is difficult to stay dry, even when used with a bivy. In my opinion it is mainly for emergency use only. If I was expecting extended rain or much snow I would look into a different shelter. But for the majority of the thru-hiking season (May to September) it is perfect because you don't need a shelter for 90% of the time.

MLD Superlight Bivy (full review): I used this every single night unless I was sleeping indoors and loved it. While not strictly necessary I found this bivy to provide wind protection, kept my quilt snug around me and kept out the bugs and mice. It can be claustrophobic for some, by suspending the mesh hood up off my face, I slept very comfortably. Problems that I had were that the DWR wore out (so it would wet out very easily), the zipper started failing and I got a hole in the mesh. But I have slept a solid 250 nights in this thing over the years and I am surprised it has lasted as long as it has.

2. Sleeping

Enlightened Equipment Revelation X (20 degree): Great quilt, kept me warm every night and was overkill for 75% of the trail. I liked the quilt a lot and my only complaint was that I really didn't need that much warmth. It weighs 26 oz and took up a fair bit of room in my pack. If I were to do the PCT again I would get a lighter quilt and supplement it with a warmer hooded jacket. This way I could mail the jacket ahead to Cascade Locks from Echo Lake and not have to carry the extra weight!

Thermarest Neoair (full length): Absolutely loved it! I was so happy to snuggle into my cocoon every night and this is about as comfortable as my bed at home. Having said that, in the future I might just go for a foam pad. Sure its not as comfortable but I was so tired every night that I would have slept anyways. Blowing it up and deflating it every morning was tiresome and I was always paranoid about putting a hole in it. A closed cell foam pad is much simpler and bomb proof.

Gossamer Gear 1/8" thinlite pad: Basically protection for my neoair and I used it to nap on. Some hikers use this as their only pad, they are god-like and magical, I cannot imagine being comfortable with just this. But for what I used it for, perfect.

3. Backpack

Zpacks Arc Blast 60L (full review): I really wanted to like this pack but I switched it out in Lone pine (~ 750 miles into the trip). For the weight and bulk I was carrying this pack was not sufficient and I had very painful shoulders and hips. If I were to use this, I would absolutely have to have a base weight under 10 lbs. Also, you will be lucky to get more than one thru hike out of this pack.

HMG Windrider 4400 (full review): I really liked this pack, almost perfect for a thru hiker. I carried it for the remaining 1900 miles and will continue to use it in the future. The 4400 size is overkill for most, but I managed to fill it up a few times. I still can't believe I could fill it up... Carried incredibly well, water resistant, durable and you can impress your friends with the cuben fiber. However, they are not cheap and if I didn't get a hefty discount I would never have bought one. But read my full review for the full story.

Clothing Worn:

Columbia Tamiami long sleeve shirt: Awesome hiking shirt! I use this for work when I am in the field in temperatures up to 120 and it breathes really well. This has been my go-to hiking shirt for the past 5 years and will continue to be. Size runs large so buy one size smaller.

Nylon Shorts: I got mine at the thrift store for four dollars and they lasted 5 years and 4500 miles. Try to avoid expensive shorts, they are not worth it. I like having big pockets to put snacks and my phone in, you may be different.

Synthetic boxers: I used REI brand, they worked. Some people prefer commando, I don't.

Darn Tough socks (no show ultralight versions): Great Socks, get them on sale and have them for life. Mine lasted about 300-400 miles each then I would turn them in at an outfitter on the trail and get new ones for free. Lifetime warranty FTW!

Brooks Cascadia 9 shoes: Completely subjective choice, footwear is probably one of the most difficult gear decisions. These worked for me, I could get 900 miles on a pair (not really recommended) and I never got a single blister (may not be the shoe I almost never get blisters). I did have daily foot pain that never went away, this seems to be my curse as I always get foot pain in any shoe I have ever used, usually after 10-12 miles.

Outdoor Research Sunrunner hat: Great sun hat, I wore it every day. It started to fall apart by the end of the trail.

Simblissity Levigaiters: I love light gaiters and have used these for years but now I hate them. They did not stay secured very well for me and I found myself admiring all the dirty girl gaiters everyone else had. The dirty girls need the Velcro tab, but really a little super glue and you are golden. Do yourself a favor and get the most crazy and loud dirty girl gaiters you can.

Other Clothing:

Just a preface, this is where I would make the most gear changes if I were to do the PCT again.

Patagonia Houdini Windshirt: Pretty awesome piece of clothing and I wore it quite a bit but I would not take it again. I would just use my rain jacket instead.

Montbell Stretch Windpants: I love these and I will cry when they wear out. I wore shorts most of the time but when I didn't I wore these.

Patagonia Capilene 1 tops and bottoms: I used these mainly to keep my sleeping quilt clean. I only needed them for warmth maybe 4 days on the whole trail. I would not take these again, I would take a set of Terramar silk tops and bottoms at half the weight and price and 1/4 the durability (be careful!). Or just be a dirtbag and wear your hiking clothes to bed.

Montbell Ultralight Down Jacket: Great jacket, I love the fit of Montbell but this one is not very warm. I would switch out for a warmer hooded jacket that is 12 oz or less and be happy. My ultimate thru hike jacket is the Nunatuk Skaha Plus, but unless you use dollar bills to wipe your ass, you probably can't afford it. The Montbell Mirage Parka looks pretty decent (also not cheap but at least not insane).

Outdoor Research Helium II rain jacket: I liked it, I would take  it again. Never really got to test out how waterproof it was because I was using an umbrella but it worked well to shed wind and keep me warm when I needed it.

Zpack cuben rain wrap: I don't know what to say about this. It is a great idea and works well except that the zipper broke the 3rd time I used it. I continued to use it after that, I just couldn't unzip it, fortunately it broke near the top so I could still walk normally while wearing it. I brought a pair of rain pants starting in Washington that I never used, the rain wrap thing is really functional, just watch the zipper.

Mountain Hardwear liner gloves: They weigh about 1oz and I used them from the border up to Yosemite and then from Snolqualmie pass to the Canadian border. Not super warm but if you are in the normal thru hiking season you don't need a super warm glove.

Mountain Laurel Design rain mitts: I only used these a couple of times, they are not waterproof, kind of disappointing. Not really necessary until Washington and I would try the Zpacks cuben fiber ones.

Zpacks fleece hat: It fit pretty well and kept my shaved head warm.

Cheap Flip Flops: Spend a little more and get the 10$ flip flops, they will last the entire thru hike and your feet will love you. I went through 4 pairs of cheap ones and finally wised up. I used flip flops every single day, great for letting your feet air out and breathe.

Cooking and Hydration:

Snowpeak Litemax Canister stove: It worked really well, and I ended up using it for the entire hike and sending my alcohol stove home. They are safer than alcohol, they heat up water much faster and you can simmer. What's not to like?  Well, from Oregon north, finding fuel is sometimes a pain.

Evernew titanium pot 1100 mL: Worked well but bigger than I needed, a 900 mL would have been fine and lighter. Check out Toaks, they have super light titanium cookwear for cheap!

Titanium spoon: go for the long handle and keep your hands cleaner.

Snowpeak titanium mug 600 mL: really not necessary, I am not sure if I would take a cup on a future thru hike, but  a nice luxury. Again, check out Toaks for good options.

Insulating Pot Cozy: I liked having it, you could use your jacket or sleeping bag but what if it spills?

Sawyer mini water filter: I loved this at first and then hated it by the end. No matter how many times I backflushed it would clog up very quickly and filter very slow. Do yourself a favor and get the normal sized one, and definitely bring the plunger thingy to backflush. If I didn't hate the taste of Aqua Mira, I would probably use that instead. Also, I used my filter in a gravity set up, I still like this method as the squeezing gets old pretty fast. If you do this with the normal sized sawyer you will need an adapter to fit it into a tube.

Platypus bladders: I got 2 leaks and had to replace them, but overall very happy. Really lightweight and collapsible option. Smartwater bottles work well too and are cheaper but not collapsible.

Camera and Electronics:

Camera Gear:

This could be the subject of an entire blog post, so I am not going to go into it here. Plus, I still don't know how I feel about what I did. I questioned my sanity every day but as a photographer I could not do without. I will say that if you never plan on printing your photos and they are for the web only, then a small camera or even a smartphone with a good camera will be fine. If you are picky and critical like I am, then just grin and bear it.


Electronics:

Homemade solar panel: My dad made it for me (thanks Dad!) and it worked great, was free and fairly light. If I was to do it again, I would just bring an external battery that can charge my phone a couple times per charge and be happy. As a side note I originally planned to use the solar charger to charge my camera batteries as well, I ended up not needing to do that, three camera batteries was more than enough.

Eton Boostblock 6600 mAh: I bought this from Amazon while on the trail and had it delivered to Callahans near Ashland (I am still amazed by this whole internet thing). It weighs 6 oz and took a while to charge but would keep me powered for at least 10 days. Unless you are a power user, this is pretty much all you need.

Motorola Moto G: It cost $200 was unlocked and did everything I needed. The camera on it sucks, just so you know. I never had a smartphone until I started this hike, I found it to be extremely useful. Not only are there some great apps for the trail but you can check weather, order gear (and pizza!), take notes, blog from the trail. It really was a great device. If you can afford it, Verizon had the best coverage by far. I had AT&T and was disappointed often.

Everything Else:

First Aid Kit: bring it and know how to use what you bring, hopefully you wont have to. I never did.

Gear Repair Kit: again, useful if you need it, useless if you don't but I would bring it again. I used cuben fiber repair tape once on my pack and that was it. I watched Slow Bro repair his hipbelt with a needle and thread, he was really glad he brought a kit.

Toiletries: Brush your teeth! A side note about toilet paper -  if you use it, Pack it Out! Please! I am not anti TP, I use it and love it but I carry it out in a little plastic bag. Its not a big deal and then you are not contributing to trashing the PCT. Thank you.

Zpacks cuben fiber stuff sacks: All of my cuben fiber stuff sacks wore out quickly and were never waterproof, I switched to Outdoor Research silnylon dry bags and was happy for the change. More durable and actually water proof.

Aloksak (large size): I used this more for peace of mind, they would last about 400 miles. At first I could fit 4-5 days of food in one, when hiker hunger came on I could not fit more that 2.5 days of food in them. I slept with my food every night, never had a problem with bears or mice. Was it because of these? I don't know but I will keep using them.

Brunton ADC Pro: It can do pretty much everything except cook me dinner. Was kind of cool checking wind speeds in the desert and water speed when crossing creeks. Of course it does temperature, barometric pressure, altitude and a bunch of other stuff. What I mainly used it for was as my morning alarm and I would bring it again.

Petzle Tikka headlamp: I have mixed feeling about this. It worked but I think I really could have got away with a much smaller headlamp. I didn't night hike very often and ended up using this just around camp at night. I would look for a lighter option for a thru hike.

Black diamond Trail trekking pole: I only use one pole for some reason but I really like having it. I ended up breaking the tips off 2 poles but it could be the way I jab at things as I walk. Most people used trekking poles but it is a personal choice.

Halfmile maps: Use them and love them! Don't be like that stoned guy I met walking the wrong way down the trail because he was hiking without maps. And don't think it was because he was high, there were plenty of high people walking the right direction.

Swing Lightflex umbrella: same thing as the Golite Chrome Dome and now the only thing since Golite is bankrupt. I am still not sure how I feel about the umbrella. It was great in the desert, when it wasn't windy, which is about 10% of the time. It was great in the rain, when it wasn't windy, which was more like 75% of the time. I carried mine for the entire trail but used it rarely. I guess I really like the idea of the umbrella but maybe the reality of it is not so great. I would probably not bring it one for the desert again, cool to have but kind of a pain in the ass too. If I was expecting extended rain without much wind then it would be great, but otherwise I think it stays at home.

Gossamer Gear Polycro groundsheet: Super light and works great! I replace mine halfway through and was happy. It doesn't provide much protection from pokey things but for keeping your stuff off the ground its great.

Titanium stakes: they worked well, I bent one but otherwise no issues.

Brunton Compass: never used it, sent it home and never thought about it again.

Sierra Specific Gear:

BV500 bear canister: I used it because a canister is required, you should too but there is no way I could fit more than 5 days of food in one.

Sea to Summit headnet: kept me sane, highly recommended. I didn't actually need one until almost Oregon but I carried it from Lone Pine just in case.

Sea to Summit Nano pyramid net (full review): cool idea, I did use it a few times but the bugs were just not that bad this year and I sent it back from Ashland.




That pretty much sums it up. Go as light as you possibly can without jeopardizing your safety, every ounce really does count and your feet, legs and knees will thank you. If I were to do this hike again, I would aim to get my base weight down to 8 lbs (without camera gear dammit!). I hope this was post was helpful. If you are planning a thru hike, have fun you will absolutely not regret it. If you are not planning one, well maybe its time to think about it?



 

HMG Windrider 4400 Review

I have just finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail as I write this review. The PCT is the perfect place to test gear, many different conditions over months of use. The wear and tear from the trail will give a good indication of durability while exposure to wind, rain, sun, snow, as well as heavy loads will challenge functionality. My thoughts and conclusions in this review are from almost 2000 miles of use and abuse.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear is a small company based in Maine that is putting out some interesting gear. They are among the few cottage manufacturers in the US that are providing high quality backpacking gear for the lightweight hiking community. Most of their gear is made of cuben fiber; a lightweight, waterproof and expensive fabric. You can read more about cuben fiber and its properties on their website.

I received the HMG Windrider 4400 pack when I reached Lone Pine, CA, about 750 miles into my northbound hike on the PCT. The pack I was using previously had become more and more uncomfortable the longer I used it. I was going to be heading into the Sierras carrying more food than normal, as well as a bear canister, so I knew I had to switch my pack to something more comfortable. My friend Jacob (check out his blog) got me in touch with Mike at HMG and I very quickly had a new pack. The Windrider comes in three volumes: 2400, 3400 and 4400 cubic inches. These volumes are internal only, the hip belt and mesh pockets provide additional storage capacity. The pack I am reviewing is the 4400 cubic inch model but I believe the fabric, design and features are similar on the other two models as well. There are also four sizes: small, medium, large and tall. It is highly recommended that you measure your torso length before ordering so that the fit is optimal.

on top of Mt. Whitney

The pack itself appears well constructed, with sturdy stitching and materials. The cuben fiber used, looks and feels quite robust and has a very different feel to it than the cuben fiber used by other manufacturers such as Zpacks. The material is waterproof and although the seams are taped, HMG does not claim waterproofness. I can say from experience that this is accurate. When out in rain the fabric does not absorb water but some moisture can still enter the pack through the seams. If you are expecting to be in wet conditions then using dry bags or a pack liner is still recommended. However, there is a benefit, as the cuben material does not absorb water, the pack does not get heavier when wet. After about a 1000 miles, I did notice some of the taping on the inside of the pack coming loose. This is probably from me pulling out items and stuffing them back in multiple times per day. I don't think it is a problem, more of an aesthetic issue than anything else but I will keep an eye on it to see if I notice any issues.

Boat ride!

The color of the pack is white and will get dirty. It is an interesting color choice and is one of the few models of white packs I have seen. White reflects light and will probably keep the contents a little cooler in direct sunlight but it will show all dirt and stains very clearly. The bad news is that you won't look like you just stepped out of an REI catalog. The good news is that you look like badass hiker trash who eats miles for breakfast.

Hiker Trash

The layout of the pack is pretty basic with a main pack body, two hipbelt pockets and three outer mesh pockets. There are also 12 separate straps and places to put more straps if you feel the need for more. I have to admit that it took me a while to figure out where all the straps go but it is very secure. The suspension system includes a solid back panel as well as metal stays. These do an excellent job of transferring weight to the hips. HMG claims a carrying capacity of 40-60 pounds. While I think the pack is certainly capable of handling that weight, I don't think it would be very comfortable. This is somewhat subjective but for me 35 pounds and less was very comfortable. I did get a sweaty back from the pack, while this is pretty normal for most backpacks, I would like to see them implement curved stays to allow for better airflow. There are a couple of manufacturers doing this and I think it really improves carrying comfort, especially on warmer days.

in the High Sierras

The 4400 cubic inch model is huge, it could even double as an emergency half bivy. I can easily fit all my gear and eight days of food (that is in PCT hiker amounts which is more than most people carry on shorter trips). This is more than I require most of the time and is more than many people will need but the pack does compress down quite well when not full. Normally I am not a fan of big packs but I enjoy the freedom of not having to think too hard about how I pack it, I know everything I need will fit. This is especially nice when hiking long days and I don't want to spend extra time in the morning making sure everything is fit together like a tetris puzzle. Additionally, this will make a good winter pack when more volume is necessary.

Emergency half bivy!

Additional storage capacity is available in the pockets. The pockets are on the side and back of the pack and are made of mesh. I was initially skeptical of the mesh used because it is a more open mesh which I thought might catch on things easily. It hasn't so far and is proving to be quite durable, I have not torn or ripped it and I am not being extra careful. The open mesh also has the advantage of being easy to see through, so I know what is in the pocket at a glance.

The side pockets need some improving, it is very difficult to pull things out of the pockets while wearing the pack. Many hikers, myself included, prefer to be able to reach water bottles without having to take off the pack. The pockets are raised up a few inches from the bottom of the pack, probably to keep the mesh from rubbing on the ground. If the pockets were lowered and a more durable fabric put on the bottom, this might solve the problem. The mesh pockets are sewn into an extra layer of cuben fiber that skirts the bottom of the pack. I think this is meant to increase durability but has the unfortunate side effect of channeling water into the bottom of the pack where is can soak through the seam into the inside of the pack. I would like to see this changed as well.

HMG Windrider next to a 65L Deuter pack

The two hipbelt pockets are integrated into the hipbelt and cannot be removed. I found them to be frustrating to use and too small for my needs. I like to be able to keep snacks and some small miscellaneous items easily accessible, the pockets were too small and very difficult to take things out when the hipbelt was buckled. The tension on the pockets make the opening very tight and I had trouble with anything larger than a tube of chapstick. If the pockets were larger and easier to use they would be great.

In conclusion, I am really happy with the Windrider 4400. Aside from the issues I had with the pockets, I found myself really enjoying this pack. It handled everything I needed easily, was comfortable, held up to a ton of abuse, and did everything a pack should do. If the side mesh pockets and hipbelt pockets were fixed and the stays curved to provide a little airflow to the back, I would say this is close to a perfect pack. Although, it is expensive it is also quite durable and will easily handle thousands of trail miles. Compared to the other cuben fiber packs I have used or seen, the HMG Windrider is far more durable and in the long run will prove to be a better value.

Disclaimer: I did receive a discount on this pack in exchange for writing this review.

Sea to Summit Nano Pyramid Net Review

This piece of gear seems to have gone under the radar of many in the ultralight community. I have only found one review (Backpacking North) and very little discussion (Backpacking Light) about what is potentially the lightest and cheapest mosquito net option for pyramid style shelters. So, what is there not to love about a 3 oz pyramid style net that costs $50?

I bought mine from REI with a 20% discount, so it cost me $40 and I figured it was worth trying out. Other netting options for my Zpacks hexamid are quite expensive and I couldn't really justify the expense. Of course, it is hard to put a price on peace of mind, which becomes very valuable when being attacked by hungry, persistant and horribly annoying mosquitoes.

I don't recall where I first heard about the Sea to Summit Nano Pyramid Net but you can get the specs here:

Sea to Summit Nano at REI

I decided to take the net out on my last backpacking trip, not because I expected any bugs but just to see how it worked with my hexamid tarp.

The first thing I did was weigh it, many times manufacturers claims about weight are off but in this case it weighed in exactly at 3 oz. I think I can reduce this a little bit by trimming off the immensley long stretchy cord that is used to hang the apex of the net. Make sure you get the Nano, there is another non-nano version that weighs 3 times more.

Bug net set up under Hexamid

There are corner loops that can be used to attach the net to your tarp, if your tarp has loops or clips to attach to. The hexamid has these, as do many other pyramid style tarps.

I had to do some field modifications to keep the net from being too droopy and laying over my face. This net is not specifically designed for use with the hexamid, so I wasn't surprised that it didn't fit exactly. In fact, it fit a bit funny and I had to play around with it for a bit to get it into decent form. I found that clipping all four corners of the net to the tarp did not work out very well, so I ended up only clipping in 2 corners.

Rubber band and stick to take up slack

The elastic around the bottom of the net did an ok job of sealing off my sleeping bag, pad and bivy from the outside. There were a few small gaps that a persistant mosquito could get into. With some more fiddling these could probably be sealed but it is not a perfect fit.

I keep mentioning mosquitos because the netting is definately not fine enough to keep out noseeums and other really small insects. For me, in the West, this is not a big deal but those of you in the East, this might reduce the effectiveness of the netting. There is a bug repellent treatment applied to the netting, so this might provide some protection, but I am just speculating.

What came to mind for me as I was playing around with the netting was that it actually could be quite versatile. For example, if you want to eat your meal in peace, just drape the net over yourself and keep those pesky mosquitoes away. I can see this being very useful when stopping for lunch and you don't necessarily want to set up your shelter for a short period of time. Draping the net, takes almost no time and provides 100% mosquito protection.

And, perhaps more importantly, it can be used when Nature calls. You know there is almost nothing worse than trying to do your business, squatting over a freshly dug hole, and being ruthlessly bombarded, in very sensitive areas, by hundreds of mosquitoes that have been following you around. With some care, OK a lot of care, you could drape the netting over yourself and have a few minutes of peace with a nice relaxing poo.

So relaxing

That almost makes it worth the price right there and is one definite advantage this net has over many others which come with attached floors. As I carry a ground sheet, I do not require any floor with the net and so this allows it to be much more versatile.

To summarize, I think this net has a lot of potential. If you want a light, cheap bug net option and are willing to accept that it might not fit your shelter perfectly, I don't think you can go wrong with the Sea to Summit Nano Pyramid Net. Add to that, the ability to provide yourself a mosquito free zone when eating and excreting and you have a winner.

Zpacks Arc Blast Review

I just received my order from Zpacks and I am quite excited. In this day of one click shopping, made in China products and overnight delivery, there is something satisfying about having to wait 6 weeks to receive your order. Rather than being impatient that I had to wait, I enjoyed thinking how nice it was that my order was being crafted just for me, in the United States. It may also be a savvy business strategy because I was told, in the email informing me that my order was going to take some time, that I could feel free to add to the order at any time before shipping.

As my Gossamer Gear Gorilla (2010 version) pack is starting to die from old age and hard use, I have been in the market for a new pack. After narrowing down what I wanted in a pack to a couple of choices, I went over the reviews I could find and decided to try out the Arc Blast.

Zpacks Hexamid with Arc Blast

As the Arc Blast is a new pack introduced this year, I didn’t find that many reviews on it. Therefore, I want to get this review out quickly, so people have more information when making their next backpack choice. This is going to be a rolling review, that is, I will update it periodically as I gain more insight and experience.

First, I should state why I have been interested in this pack:

1.    Lightweight (about 1 lb)

2.    Should be able to handle up to 30 lbs comfortably (it has a frame)

3.    Arc design reduces SBS (sweaty back syndrome)

4.    Seams are taped and pack is rainproof (maybe waterproof if not submerged for long?)

5.    Perfect volume for me (I chose the 60 liter version)

6.    Highly customizable

I will try to address each of these points over the course of the review as well as my general impressions on functionality and durability.

You can imagine, it was like Christmas in September, when I opened up my package from Zpacks. There was an assortment of smaller items but the most anticipated item was the pack. I have to admit my first impression was “wow this fabric feels like a paper bag”. Indeed, it has a certain paper quality feel to it although it is much much more durable. I have a few items made with cuben fiber, mostly stuff sacks and also the Hexamid but the Arc Blast is made from a 2.9 oz/sqyd hybrid cuben fiber that is supposed to be stronger and more durable than that used in the other products I have. It certainly feels like a much different fabric.

  

One reason for using cuben fiber in a pack is to reduce overall weight. My 60 liter Arc Blast comes in at 16.5 ounces and certainly qualifies as lightweight. One of the issues with cuben fiber is durability, I will be more careful with this pack than my others but I am not going to baby it, we will see how well this hybrid cuben fiber holds up.

One of the most important characteristics of a pack is the ability to comfortably carry a load. I have high hopes for this pack as I expect to carry up to 35 pounds, although it is advertised as able to carry up to 30 pounds well. For my first outing I had a total pack weight of 18 pounds (9 lb gear + 5 lbs camera gear + 4 lbs food and water) and it carried very well. The shoulder and hip belt padding is fairly thin but I am of the opinion that thicker is not always better. The advantage of thinner padding is that it can form to the curves of your body more easily. I think this increases carrying comfort. One thing to note, if you use the sternum strap and have larger than a medium sized chest you will want to ask for a longer sternum strap. I do not have a big chest and the strap just barely fits me.

Update: I started to notice some very slight discomfort over 25 lbs. This is due to the padding on the shoulder strap not completely covering my shoulder. The padding needs to extend another inch towards the pack body. I think I can add a small amount of padding to that area to improve comfort. I will say that it was not painful just noticeable above 25 lbs and slightly annoying. Below 25 lbs is still very comfortable.

 

Arc Blast with black belt pouch and grey multipack

The basic pack design is similar to many other lightweight backpacks out there. It is a sack with shoulder straps, a hip belt, side pockets and a mesh pocket on the back. However, what sets this pack apart, and attracted me to it in the first place, is the arcing frame design. I am really excited about this as it is not offered on very many packs and none in this weight range. After using it this weekend I am sure that it is a big improvement for SBS compared with packs without the arc. That is not to say it eliminated the sweaty back, I don’t think this is possible, but it was noticeably better, the Arc Blast allowed enough airflow to reduce sweat buildup.

Approximately a 3" arc

In order to take advantage of the arc design you must tension the pack frame to form a curve away from your back. The recommended amount is 2.5 inches in the center of the arc. I didn’t measure what I did but it looked to be around 2.5 to 3 inches. Tensioning the frame was not difficult and the linelocks holding it in place seem to do a good job. I will be keeping an eye on these over time to see how well they maintain the arc shape.

Update: Still happy with the arc design, it works much better than a flat back design. I read a thread on Backpackinglight where some people were saying that the arc would push the load too far back. This is definitely not the case and is one of those hypothetical complaints that has no basis in reality.

The pack is advertised as water tight, I don’t know exactly what that means and I have not had a chance to test this yet so I will reserve judgement. I expect that it will be waterproof enough under real world conditions during rain or snow events but I will be testing it fully, including submersion (realized I have the drinking tube port so it would not make sense to submerge) in the near future.

Update: We finally have had rain in California, the first significant rain since I bought the pack. Perfect chance to test "rain-proofness". I set the pack up in the backyard for a 24 hour period. Rain was light but steady with a few heavy showers, total rainfall 0.8 inches. I put a bulky sleeping bag, inside a cotton sack into the pack with a couple of paper towels on top. I velcroed the top and rolled it 3 times for a secure seal and left it in the rain.

Results: I will admit some disappointment. While not a total failure, it did not keep the contents dry. I was careful, when opening the top, to make sure no standing water leaked in. Standing water = waterproof fabric. The paper towels I had put on top were quite damp, not soaked completely but damp, as was the cotton sack. I was not able to squeeze any water out of the towels.

Opening roll top

Wet paper towels

Wet sack containing sleeping bag

Additionally, the sleeping bag inside the cotton sack was also fairly damp, indicating that enough water leaked in to soak through to the bag. From the pattern of wetness on the sack and feeling inside the pack, it appears that water came in through the back of the pack (part of the pack that would be in contact with your back). This is where the most stitching is located and so would make sense to be the weakest point. As far as I can tell all the stitching has been well taped over on the inside of the pack, so I am at a loss as to where exactly the leak came from. I think near the top, because the wetness extended from the top to the bottom of the cotton sack, so the water probably leaked down.

I also took the opportunity to test the side pocket, which is also supposed to be rain proof. I placed paper towels inside the pocket as well.

The paper towels were damp but not completely soaked, and there was no standing water in the bottom. They performed slightly worse than I expected but still ok.

Bottom Line: The fabric appears to be quite waterproof, however the stitching is not, even after being taped by Zpacks. Water does get into the pack under light to moderate rain. It will keep out the majority of moisture and definitely performs better than non-cuben fiber packs but it is not completely rain proof. The side pocket will keep out most rain but will not remain completely dry. If you thought you could ditch your pack liner/cover, think again, especially if you are expecting precipitation. I will continue to pack my sensitive gear into water tight stuff sacks.

The Arc Blast is offered in three different volumes: the 45 liter (2750 ci), 52 liter (3200 ci), and the 60 liter (3650 ci). I chose the largest volume because I believe that it allows me the most versatility. My current pack, the GG Gorilla is about 46 liters in volume and I find that while I can fit all my summer gear plus food and water, I frequently want a little more space. And I cannot use it during winter trips as it is much too small. Therefore, I think the 60 liter volume will be a good compromise where it is not too big for my 3 season trips but is still big enough for winter trips. Plus, it allows me to carry enough food and water if I was to ever pull off a more ambitious hike (more on that at a later date).

Multipack, part of my continuing quest to find a good carrying solution for my camera gear

One of the great things about ordering from Zpacks is the ability to customize your gear exactly how you want it. You can choose from a wide selection of accessories such as different configurations of straps, pouches, load lifters and trekking pole holders. If you have a specific design element or specifications in mind you can also directly communicate with Joe to build these as a custom order. I think this is a great service that most other gear manufactures do not offer. Of course it will come at a cost but this seems reasonable.

Belt Pouch

I actually did not choose any customization, except to add the hipbelt pocket, on this pack as the base configuration is all that I need. Although I was tempted by the bright orange cuben fiber, I decided to be boring and stick with a nice neutral grey color. I did ask for a custom built dry sack for my tripod (unfortunately I gave the wrong dimensions, so it doesn’t fit, but that was my fault).

Update: Although I can reach my water bottle in the side pockets with the pack on it is a little awkward. If you use a hydration tube then this is of course not an issue.

Slightly awkward to reach water bottle

To summarize, my impression is mostly very positive: The pack is very comfortable under 25lbs, the arc design definitely works, it is lightweight, I can fit everything I need inside. The fact that it is not rain proof, is sad but not a deal breaker and I wish it were slightly more comfortable with loads over 25 lbs. The other thing I will be keeping an eye on is long term durability but it is too early to make any conclusions on that.

If you have any specific questions that I did not address, feel free to ask in the comment section below.

You can find this pack and many other cool items at Zpacks.com

Updated: Jan 9th

The Sleeping Pad Post

It is about time I added another review of what I am using for lightweight backpacking. Usually it is more interesting to write a review on gear that I really enjoy using, if I am happy using something I am obviously going to be more enthusiastic about reviewing it. However, I am going to go against that tendency for this post.

Shoot, I have already given the punchline before the story but let me back up. I have been on  a quest for the past few years to find the perfect sleeping pad. Maybe it is because I am getting older, I never used to think about it that much, I just used whatever I happened to have on hand. But I find myself really thinking hard about this now because getting a good night sleep seems to be more difficult.

I think we can all agree that a good nights sleep is pretty important. It becomes even more important when putting in long days on the trail. I know that my motivation to keep moving will drop if I am not getting good sleep and good means not only sufficient duration of sleep but also quality.

As a brief recap I have tried a few sleeping pad options over the last couple of years. They fall into 2 categories: inflatable and non-inflatable (closed cell foam). Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The inflatable pads are usually more comfortable and pack up smaller but at the expense of being more delicate and well, expensive. The foam pads are durable and cheap but usually more bulky and not as comfy. But all have failed in one critical area: allowing me to sleep well.

I first started with a Thermarest prolite sized small. It weighs in at 11 ounces, is 1 inch thick and covers an area from my shoulders to my knees. In total I used this pad for around 2 years on and off. I can sleep ok but I find myself tossing and turning a lot. I will wake up 15 or more times in a night to turn over or readjust and it is annoying. If I have a long enough time to sleep then I can usually get enough rest to feel good the next day. But if I have a limited window of sleep time, I need to wake up early or I get to bed late, my sleep is not quite enough. The main problem is that 1 inch is too thin and so my hips and shoulders get sore, which is why I keep waking up to readjust position. I also find the pad material to be somewhat slippery on sil nylon and if there is any slope where I am sleeping I will slowly slide down hill, ending up in a tangled mess.

Prolite sized small on the outside of my pack (at Henry Coe State Park)

In a really enthusiastic and optimistic moment I bought a nightlight torso pad and 1/8" thinlight pad from Gossamer Gear. These are closed cell foam, which I prefer because there is no chance of a puncture. They are also very light weight and pack small. The torso pad weighs in at 4.5 ounces and the thinlight is about 2.5 ounces. So, used together they weigh 7 ounces and the torso pad can fit into the back of my Gossamer Gear Gorilla pack acting as a kind of frame. During rest breaks or in the evening I can use it as a sit pad as well, which I really do think is a great feature. The torso pad just fits my shoulders to hips while the thinlight goes from my shoulders to my ankles. I really wanted to like this combination, I took it out on trip after trip but I just could not get a good nights sleep. If I set up on softer ground, such as pine needles, then it was adequate but on anything hard or rocky, forget it, it sucked. Now I know there are those people that say "You should be more careful where you set up camp, look for those soft areas under trees, ect and then you won't need as soft a pad". Well, in theory that makes sense but in reality it doesn't work out that way. There are times when the only usable site is rocky or hard and there are many times, most of the time actually, where I like to sleep out under the stars. On a grassy meadow this can work fine but there are not that many grassy meadows out there and I don't want to sleep under trees all the time. So, while I tried to make it work and I did like the torso pad, it was just not comfortable enough for me.

Thinlight on left and Torsolight on right (These are 3 years old and have held up very well but are about finished)

My sized small prolite got a leak in it that I have not been able to find and so I was in the market for another pad. I have been eyeing the Thermarest Neoair for some time and have heard the heart warming testimonies of people who have never slept better after getting one. The problem is, they are expensive! Like, really expensive and although they are very light they are also more fragile and so a bit of care must be taken when using them.

Because I am cheap and probably because I have a really poor memory, I decided to go with a Thermarest Prolite again and this time, I convinced myself to go with the extra small. This is basically the same pad as the first one, just smaller and 3 ounces lighter. It weighs in at 8 ounces and covers an area from my shoulders to just below my hips, it is still 1 inch thick. I have been using this in combination with the 1/8" thinlight pad for the past year. It is the best combination so far but I still find myself waking up very often during the night. The one benefit of this is that I remember all my weird dreams but honestly I will trade that for better sleep.

Photo credit: Eric Lundquist

As a side note, I also bought a Thermarest Ridgerest Sol full length closed cell pad for winter camping. I have not actually used that by itself. When I go winter camping I will put my prolite pad over that one on top of the snow. This is actually when I get the best sleep, as long as I am warm I sleep really well with this set up. Unfortunately, it does not pass my lightweight filter as the Ridgerest weighs in at 14 ounces by itself.

Ridgerest Sol on winter camping trip in Yosemite

So, here I am in the same situation 3 years later, out a bunch of money for all these pads and still looking for that perfect pad. It probably doesn't exist but if I were to put it into words it would be: A full length, closed cell foam pad weighing less than 8 ounces that packs up small and allows me to sleep like I do at home. If anyone knows of something like this, please tell me!

I am still eyeing that Thermarest Neoair and I think I am going to pull the trigger. Hopefully, I can borrow one soon to try out, just to make sure that the investment is going to be worth it. I will have to be a little more careful with cleaning my sleeping area before I put it down and using the Gossamer Gear 1/8" thinlight below the neoair should provide some extra protection and help prevent punctures. But, if I really can get a good night sleep, then it will be worth it... right?

Western Mountaineering Summerlite

Choosing a sleeping bag can be one of the more difficult gear decisions. It is difficult not only because it is a critical piece of gear but also because what is necessary in a bag depends on so many factors such as environmental conditions, user health and metabolism, and user experience. Of course, cost is also a major factor for most of us and this needs to be considered. This review will be on the Western Mountaineering Summerlite sleeping bag. I will first go over why I chose to buy the Summerlite and then I will go over real world performance.

Western Mountaineering has an excellent reputation in the backpacking world for producing high quality down sleeping bags and clothing. They are a California based company using high quality European goose down as their fill material and all labor is done locally (San Jose). They also have very good customer service. All of this quality comes with a price, as you can imagine. Western Mountaineering bags and clothing are not cheap.

Although cost is an issue, I also think that a high quality bag is a worthy investment. With proper care they will last many years and staying warm is important in most environments.

Link to Western Mountaineering:

I bought the Summerlite in late 2009, it has been my primary sleeping bag since then, so I know this bag really well.

 

Lori playing around in the new Summerlite

I chose the Summerlite based on a few factors. Living in California I knew that I would not be exposed to a lot of wet, humid weather (I have used down bags in the pacific northwest without issue but it is more tricky there); I would be camping mostly in 3-season weather; I wanted something that was lightweight but effective; I was familiar with using sleeping bags (rather than quilts); and the incredible reputation of the company also factored in.

The Summerlite is rated as a 32^o F. bag, has 10oz of down and uses very light shell and liner material. Total weight is around 19oz, not bad at all. I had heard from many people that Western Mountaineering was conservative in their temperature ratings, that they were in fact warmer than advertised.

Temperature ratings are a really tricky thing and can vary widely between companies. Some are more “optimistic” with their temperature claims while others are more conservative. There is a US system and a European system as well. While not useless, ratings need to be taken with more than a few grains of salt. Individual metabolism and preferences will also play an important role in how warm a bag feels.

I don't have very many pictures of my Summerlite, this is from the Western Mountaineering website

With that being said, I had hoped that I could be toasty warm down to 32^o with only a minimal base layer on (on a sleeping pad as well). I also hoped that I could supplement the bag with some other layers and get myself down to 20^o while still remaining comfortable. Unfortunately, I was a little too optimistic with my hopes.

I can say with absolute certainty that with only base layers, on a decent sleeping pad, in tent or bivy I am comfortably warm down to the low 40s. If I throw on a light down jacket, hat, pants and wind shell, then I am good to the mid 30s, to go below that I need to really supplement by clothing. There is a limit to the effectiveness of layering as the bag is not spacious, so adding too much clothing will have diminishing returns. It also helps to eat something high in fat before bed. And site selection is important, I try to sleep under trees if I expect colder nights and out of the wind.

I hope that I am not misleading anyone, the  32^o rating is accurate, the lower rating of a bag is not intended to represent the lowest temperature where you can expect to sleep soundly and warmly. It is more likely to keep you warm enough but not necesarily comforatable. There are many bags that are rated at this temperature that are not as warm.

 

Summerlite inside HMG Echo shelter

Perhaps the epic reputation that Western Mountaineering has caused me to have unrealistic expectations, that and the glowing reviews I have heard. In hindsite, for the conditions I normally encounter, I should have gone with a warmer bag. I have made it work but I have certainly had some cold nights.

My current thinking is that I am going to start looking at sleeping quilts rather than sleeping bags. I think they will work better for me, are more versatile and there are quite a few really good quality cottage gear manufactures making them. If Western Mountaineering made the kind of quilt I am looking for I would certainly consider them.

The bottom line is that the Summerlite is a really good bag, I would say it is very good for 2+ seasons. If you are looking for a traditional sleeping bag for warmer temperatures and don’t mind shelling out $350, then I would recommend it.  But if you are looking at camping in the shoulder seasons and expecting temperatures in the 30s or lower, do not want to be confined to a mummy bag, or are a colder sleeper then I would say keep looking, there are plenty of great options out there.

Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight Bivy

It's time for another review and I am very excited about this one. There are some things that really clicked with me when it comes to backpacking: the switch from boots to running shoes; the switch from a white gas stove to alcohol fuel; and the switch from using a tent to using a tarp and bivy.

The transition from tent to tarp and bivy for me was sudden. I had been reading about reducing pack weight and as one of the heaviest items tends to be the tent, I knew I could make some progress quickly here. I can also get obsessed with an idea and as soon as decided to try out a tarp, I started working on making it happen.

Long story short, I made myself a tarp out of silnylon and loved it... with some exceptions. Now, I love Nature and that is one of the appeals of the tarp, you can be protected from weather under it but still not feel totally closed off from the environment.

In front of my homemade tarp (Henry Coe S.P.)

 But, I don't love all things found in Nature and some of these things really like me, as a meal. I had a pretty bad tick experience in Henry Coe State Park and that convinced me that I needed a little extra something to keep the bugs and crawly things off me while I was sleeping. I also realized that most of the time I don't want to bother setting up the tarp, I am lazy that way. The problem with this is that under certain conditions my sleeping bag (with all that nice fluffy down inside) would get wet from dew.

I actually made an all mesh "tent" that fit under my tarp. It worked but was a pain to get in an out of and I still had to set up the tarp to make it work. I started just climbing inside it at night, without setting it up and sleeping in it. that worked ok but didnt keep off the dew very well.

Sleeping bag inside my mesh tent (somewhere on the PCT)

In comes the bivy sack!

Bivy sack covered with gear

It is basically a nylon shell that zips over the sleeping bag and sleeping pad. There are tons variations from waterproof/breathable to emergency bivys to all mesh bug bivys. Of course, in my quest to lighten my load, I wanted something lightweight with a big mesh screen over my face so I could breath lots of fresh air.

Campsite on the lost coast trail

After realizing that I didn't have the patience to keep making my own gear, I started looking around for pre-made bivy sacks. I narrowed it down to a couple and then started checking out the gear swap section of backpacking light

Check it out here

Awesome deals can be had and my experience has been very good. People are generally very honest about the stuf they want to get rid of and give very fair prices. I like recycling gear, especially when it is still in good shape. I managed to find a Mountain Laurel Designs bivy for sale and I bought it. Got a pretty good deal too (and I didnt have to wait 8-10 weeks! for them to make me one).

Link to MLD they make some really nice stuff you are just going to have to plan far ahead and be patient.

The first time using it was awesome and I have brought it on every single trip I have taken since. (Except when I go with Lori, then we use a 2 person tent, she is not so into the being one with Nature thing)

Bivy in the foreground, various ultralight shelters in the background (High Sierra)

It keeps the bugs out, the dew off, the sleeping bag warmer and I feel like I am in a warm cocoon. Not everybody is into these things, it can be claustrophobic for some and I admit, I do sometimes think I must make a very enticing human sushi roll for the wandering beasts of the wild. But, the simplicity and the functionality are superb. It has also saved my ass on some damn cold winter trips.

Bivy under home made tarp, during a big dump of snow in Yosemite

The superlight bivy is very well made, I don't know exactly how many nights I have on it, somewhere around 40 or 50 and I bought it used (though it was like new). Still no signs of wear and tear, still fully functional if a bit dirty, I fully expect it to last for many more years. There are different versions of it, I have the one with the silnylon bottom and endurance shell with an event footbox.

Campsite near Castle Peak

Really, I cant say enough good things about this bivy, I highly recommend it to those looking for a simple, light and functional piece of gear.