Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

What does this do?

 

Kills everything.

 

getting a new sleeping pad in a couple of days to try out this weekend thermarest neoair all seasons. interested to see how she works out. my old pad finally (thankfully) bit the dust so I had an excuse to get a new one. the old one was super bulky and really heavy for what it was.

 

Interested. I like the R value on that beast. Weight is more than I would go with, but I like a long pad.

Give us your unbiased opinion after you get a chance to put it to the test.

 

Will do. Anything beats the weight of my old pad. Im hoping the R value is sufficient for some winter camping later on, but we'll see.

 

Picture dump. June Trips. Grand Canyon Rim to Rim, Woods Canyon Lake, Telluride, Fossil Creek, Knoll Lake













Woods Canyon Lake



Telluride















Fossil Creek







Knoll Lake

 

well I am not going to be able to make it out camping this weekend, but I did inflate it just to make sure it held air to begin with. rolled up, it is just a little larger than a Nalgene and its pretty light weight for me so I like that. it came with a free air pump (ill probably only take this on truck camping trips) that was pretty small and made blowing the thing up easy. I'm 6' tall and the pad was PLENTY long for me. It is pretty much as long if not a little longer than the mattress on my bed at home. Its a pretty crinkly material so ill have to see how that works out for me since I despise that kind of noise. it takes a LOT of blowing to get this blown up haha. Im used to a pretty much self inflating mattress so this will be a learning curve. its kinda like blowing up a big ass pool float. it seems stable and comfortable though. the woman and I were talking about just setting up the tent in the back yard and "camping" there for a night just because we had our hearts set on going this weekend anyways. If we do that, ill let you know how it actually slept.

 

I cannot recommend this stuff sack enough. It is the perfect size for a backpacking clothes bag and pillow, plus it has the awesome bellows feature for quickly inflating most types of inflatible pads. The nipple on the bottom is also a great air release when you really want to compress this bag. Throw in your stuff, roll and clip the top like a regular dry bag, and squeeze the air out. When compressed, just twist the nipple closed, fold it, and wrap the attached cordage around it for a secure seal. This bag is feather light and multipurpose, so it's the only stuff sack I take anymore.

https://www.rei.com/product/846714/big-agnes-pumphouse-pad-pump-dry-sack

 

I have yet to see this! thatll definitely make blowing it up a little less taxing. Thanks man!

 

Your life will be changed. I know the nipple fits over my Klymit valve, which is one of the larger standard size valves. 5 fills/squeezes of this bag fills up my Klymit. Takes 30 seconds.

 

Sick looking trips! Any one your particular favorite? Also, any spots to get in with an RTT?

 

Do you guys have separate hiking shoes for each are you head too? I have a pair of hiking boots but was thinking of picking up maybe a low top pair of shoes for desert camping where there wont be too much rocks.

 

I have a pair of hiking boots and a pair of hiking shoes. pretty much for that exact thing you described. if we're doing anything where id need good ankle support ill wear the boot

 

I stopped wearing boots long ago, but I also don't hike in snow or super cold temps. Merrell Moab Ventilators for all of my treks. Light, fit like a glove right out of the box, breathe well, easy to clean, great traction, Vibram soles, always under $100. With enough hiking, your ankles won't need boot support anymore. Plus, boots just add more weight you have to lift with each step, and you'll start feeling it in your hip flexors if you aren't used to them.

 

I wear boots anytime I'll be climbing or crossing snow, hard to kick steps with runners. Otherwise, most Summer backpacking and desert trips I do in trail runners with running gaiters to keep the scree out

 

Thanks for the info guys. Gonna start looking for a nice hiking shoe/trail runner. Haven't seen anything I really like yet.

 

I've been really pleased with Keen products.

 

Keens are comfy. Good for wide feet, too. Lots of toe room to let your feet spread out like they should. I have a pair of mid height Keens and they can take a beating.

 

Absotively!

 

Gaiters for life. I won't go without them on any long days of hiking. Keeps your feet and socks clean, too.