Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/al...filterString=s~sleeping-pads-for-backpacking/

This is the pad that I wanted to discuss.

 

I wish (wait, no I don't!) we had that kind of space. We have one small linen closet. We have our packs and bags indoors. We moved durable goods to the gear shed. Hmm. I guess I do have more than just a closet. Didn't really think of it before.

 

A guy killed a dog this summer because it ran up on him. It was friendly, and non threatening but he didn't like dogs and shot it when it got near him. If I stuck to popular trails, I would carry for that reason. If someone shot my dog for no reason, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot back.

I forget the story but I remember reading that backpackers were taken hostage on a trail. Not sure the truth in it but it's plausible.

Two instances I would want a gun. I still don't carry, but i also don't assume every nature loving person has good intentions.

Worst case scenario you can use it for survival. Most of the time I have some form of a weapon on me. Primarily for hunting purposes.

 

Whenever I'm winter camping I use my old Coleman single burner Dual Fuel unit. Never had any problems with it functioning correctly, even in very-sub-zero weather. Heavier than a butane or propane unit, but a hell of a lot more reliable.

 

Liquid fuel stoves are better performers in the cold and at elevation than their canister stove counterpart. I am partial to my MSR Dragonfly, but I can keep a canister stove working in most conditions.

 

I was actually researching that one just this morning. For the price, I considered giving it a try. It's just slightly heavier than my Klymit, but twice as thick. However I've read on multiple sites that it leaks pretty easily.

I wanted my Z-lite to work for me this year, but I'm just too heavy for it. It would have been so convenient, and would have given me the peace of mind of no punctures, to have this pad actually work for me. No inflation/deflation, use it as a seat, it's waterproof, won't puncture, is cost-effective, etc. I actually considered trying 2 of them and stacking them since the little bumps and valleys would lock into each other. Too bad I already cut 3 sections of it off to use as my camp seat and my vestibule kneel pad.

 

The perks of those types of pads are great, but they show their downfalls quickly on rough or rocky terrain. Stacking two of them would probably remedy that problem, but that would take up a pile of space strapped to a pack.

I say just go for it. If it leaks quickly, you can always return it.

 

There was an incident on the AT several years ago with two women hikers. Sorry, I don't remember all the details and I'm at work...

 

I just don't want it leaking on a 3 week hike where resupply is days away.

 

Well then, back to the folding mats. I guess they really aren't heavy at all, so strapping two of them to your pack may only be mildly irritating.

 

I'm assuming it will be no less bulky than strapping on the Thermarest Ridge Rest Solar which is .75" thick. The Z-lite claims the same thickness, but that's from the peaks and valleys of the 8mm foam. Yet another thing to test out at REI next time I go.

 

I often use a pair of Ridge Rests or similar in the snow. Sometimes pair one with an inflatable for more insulation.

 

Luckily I sleep really warm even in sub-freezing temps especially with my down quilt and nothing but a light pad underneath me. Comfort is what I'm going for on my next big backpacking trip.

 

Ridgerest FTW. Never leaks and makes a great seat around camp. I saw too many leaking inflatables on the AT. Yes they make them better now and you can carry a repeir kit. If you are on a 3 nighter and it goes flat at 2am, and it usually does, well there goes one good night's sleep and your trip isn't as fun as it could have been.

 

What about an air hammock!? Haha. These things seem like such a joke: https://www.opensky.com/beautyko/pr...-oN8GGIHZjLTKpfIZ0bKUnAfcxG6u1tN79RoCTBjw_wcB

 

Someone wanna give me the lowdown between the thermarest Z lite and the thermarest ridgecrest? before I start doing a ton of research lol

 

Folding vs. rolling

 

oh if thats the case, I wont bother looking into the ridgerest haha. Already have two zlites

 

Posts like this are not welcome here, sir. This isn't the thread for that.

Thanks.

 

Get a rolling one, them you can store items inside it if need be.,tent poles? Etc.