Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Anybody have the Marmot Never Summer sleeping bag? The price to quality ratio seems pretty good, as are the limited reviews I've found but wondering if anybody has first hand experience they can share.

https://www.marmot.com/never-summer-889169869136.html

 

I love it. I love my Patagonia puffy down sweater for the really cold stuff, but the Torrid APEX is my go-to AZ and summer jacket. I run pretty warm but I can honestly say that I'm safely warm in it down to about 30 degrees without other layers. Below that, I'm putting on another thin underlayer and probably my rain jacket. The fit is pretty accurate to maybe slightly large. I'm normally an XL t-shirt but I went with the Large jacket and I can still fit a thin layer under it and put my pack on. It fits well under a pack because it's a trim fit but I never hike with it on anyways. I love that its synthetic so if it gets wet I can dry it out fast and it keeps some loft. Less maintenance in the long run. Oh, and it's almost half the weight of my Patagonia and packs down nice and small. Warmth factor for its weight is well worth it especially for summer use.

 

Made a couple changes to the gear today
Broke down and bought some GTX shoes. La Sportivas have never let me down, and these have much better grip for scrambles than my Wildcats.

Also returned the Osprey Manta to REI and picked up a Gregory Zulu 30 day pack. The Gregory just fits a longer torso better and imo has a much more comfortable waist strap.

 

Interesting that Sportiva is using Vibram instead of their Frixion rubber for the outsole. Vibram will wear out much slower but it's not the grippiest stuff on the market. Post back after some use. I'm always in the market for better trail shoes. I currently use the Raptors and have been for a few years. They're pretty bomber and climb well enough for a trail runner.

 

Will do still a few weeks away from hiking again and months away from doing anything sketchy. La Sportiva Wildcats have been great but no grip and let water in like crazy so these will be my winter/wet weather shoes.

 

I used the Wildcats before I got a pair of Raptors. They are a much better shoe for my use. I used to tear Wildcats apart in a month or two. I get at least 6 months out of the Raptors. They also make the Ultra Raptor which is GTX. Since the Sierra is so forgiving weather wise, at least in summer, I've never bothered getting GTX shoes. I carry a pair of flip flops when I have to travel wet terrain. lol

How's the rehab going?

 

Going pretty good weak spot is still full extension and weight on my tip toes. But at least I'm walking around almost normally. Should be able to start light trail work soon on smooth crushed gravel type trails working up to rockier uneven terrain in a couple months. In the meantime exercise bike for cardio.

Wildcats do seem to go quick mine are almost worn with only 125 miles on them

 

I'm at 13lbs 10oz for my base, which I thought was doing good. In all honesty most of that weight is the pack and tent at just over 7lbs for the 2. I've come to the conclusion that the only way I am getting significantly lighter is going full UL in pack and shelter, which I dont think I am ready to spend the $ on or do. I like the conveniences of good back ventilation in my pack and full tent. I can shave about a pound by changing a couple small things but nothing to shave significant weight without opening up the wallet.

 

you can find full tents at 2lbs that aren't crazy expensive. North Face 02 tent at 2lbs and $299 or Big Agnes Fly Creek UL at 2lbs and $349. I have the 02 and use it anytime I don't use a hammock

 

there are lots of tarp style tents that use trekking poles as the main frame that are super light too. Say for example, my Gossamer gear The One i found used for $200, and its about 24oz with the stakes.

 

The problem there is I dont use trekking poles so the added weight for those offsets the savings in the trekking pole shelter weight.

That post did not come off how I intended. I am not unhappy with my current set up in fact most of it is pretty new and purchased with a lot of research and consideration for weight and comfort.

 

There is always a trade-off with weight. Heavier, which is still very light compared to gear even 10 years ago, lasts longer and is way more comfy. Lighter tears to shreds in a season and isn't nearly as comfy. You did your research and are happy with the gear weight and performance. Keep the wallet closed. lol

 

On a different note think I finally found the perfect day pack for me. Pretty impressed with Gregory again. I love my Zulu 55 backpacking rig carries weight like a champ so much so it made me hate carrying less than half the weight in my osprey day pack. In comes the Zulu 30. Holds a 3L bladder plus anything and everything I'd need for a day hike. Ice tool or trekking pole holders and fits my long torso way better. Also it's nice living in the same area as the REI distro center ordered Saturday arrived today.

 

Same boat. When im not using a hammock, I have the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 2 Mtnglo. great tent. Only one door but its usually just me. Although I have been eyeing the TigerWall 2.

 

good thing is you know where you can cut weight, but if you're not UL on your pack and tent and you're at under 14# base weight then youre still doing pretty good. UL tent will help with pack space, too. You can go with a smaller pack even if you don't go UL.

 

Not a huge savings, but I learned from hanging with the thru hikers a bit this year. One thing is why the hell am I carrying a full 1.3L pot for cooking when all I do is boil water. Sure it only weighs 8oz but I can get a 600-700ml titanium mug that is 3.5oz and is better suited to my need. Not to mention it takes up less room in the pack. Few little changes like that and my base is down below 13 which I am 100% ok with.

 

@OnePuttBlunder What kind of heat source are you using to boil the water. I mostly use alcohol - Trail Designs system specifically. Light weight, highly wind resistant.

 

MSR 110g small canisters isopro. with MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove

 

When govt agencies have 'fire bans' which usually includes any fire source that doesn't have a shut off valve, I bought a Soto Windmaster canister stove, works well but I hate carrying the canister(s) and maybe a spare. It works well also but prefer the alcohol.

 

You can get a lot more quantity of boils per oz of canister and iso fuel than you can from alcohol, and much faster than alcohol because it's hotter. I can get at least 24 boils out of one 110g can of MSR iso fuel (7.4oz total weight for a full can) and most of my canister stoves with a proper wind break. That's at 10k+ altitude.

You need what.. 1oz of alcohol per boil of up to 2 cups of water, and that's in optimal conditions? That's 24oz of JUST alcohol not including the bottle, and you risk spilling or violating fire bans. A JetBoil with full can of fuel, scrubby sponge, lighter and titanium spoon weighs much less than that.