Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

go into a REI location they will fit you with a pack that fits you and one you will like.

 

I think they make a great 'throw stuff in and pack it down to the tent or into the hotel' type pack. Depending on what you are comparing them to, they are heavy and uncomfortable and if you are ACTUALLY going to backpack, they kind of suck...

 

SynMat Duo ...
Long and wide model will not fit in truck bed.
I got the M model. Fits between wheel wells and fits long bed length.

 

That's good to know. I have the SynMat single in Long and Wide. It fit in the back of my long bed with the tailgate shut, but I had to have low pressure in it and fold the bottom end a bit...

 

SynMat Duo LW
Length:
77.6 in

SynMat Duo M
Length:
72 in

 

I think i could make the Duo fit if I made this fit:

SynMat LW
Length:
77.6 in

 

Curious, why are you thinking of the LW.
The LW is also too wide between wheel wells. 51 inches wide.
If on a platform, the width is good, but the bed is 72'.

BTW, two of us sleep on the 'M' in the truck bed fine.

 

I tend to go for the long mats being 6' tall, but I may reconsider the Medium after reviewing the dimensions between the wheel wells and the dimensions of my tent here. It's looking like, because of the width, I have no choice but to go with the Medium.

 

I am 5'10". I can get a little diagonal, so that adds a little length.
I can see your issue. The bend in the pad. Does it lay flat when you lay on it?

 

Yes, for sure it lays flat. The bend is only at my feet. I like the pad deflated a little for comfort. These Expeds can get rock hard if you inflate them too much.

 

After going to the ER with a severed artery, I take it more seriously.

 

I've been involved in two climbing accident rescues that involved severed arteries. One wasn't so bad. The other was the femoral and a really bad femur break. Both times where at least 1 mile from a road that EMS could get too. Both patients lived and resumed climbing.

I take it seriously and didn't mean to make you feel insulted or that I don't. Traveling into the back country to climb I just can't have that much shit with me. I do carry a lot more in my rig when I'm wheeling. Hope that clears up my post.

 

Yeah, they might seem too soft till you get on them.
The Duo has two sections to it. Independent inflation.

 

Mine was a weird injury, but it got me thinking about other bleeds I could possibly get. What happened to me was I was already on blood thinners and with my stroke, the left side of my mouth is numb. I accidentally bit my cheek while eating lunch and bit off a half dollar size of meet in there. Severed a facial artery. I tried pressure and all sorts of dressings to get it to stop for over an hour, and when I started to get light headed, I knew I had lost a bit of blood. In the ER, they went to examine it and I shot blood a good 6' across the room when my mouth opened and I hit a few face guards on the nurses and the ENT. We got pressure on it, and then it took 52 stitches to fix. Luckily no pain.

I've had some smaller injuries since then that I didn't feel (got stabbed by a stick in the woods when I was out hiking and didn't know it until I saw blood running into my sock). The numbness I have in various parts of my body prevents me from having that pain feedback that alerts me to injury. It has since improved and I'm getting some feeling back at least.

 

short of backpacking, i bring along my heavy ass cooling gel memory foam pillow from home with a dedicated camping pillowcase. I've found that the pillow makes the biggest difference in my sleep quality compared to just about anything else.

 

Blood thinners and any cut can cause issues. As you already know. I've got a scar on my cheek that required 57 stitches to close. I could stick my tongue through the wound. If we ever meet I'm tell you the story. lol

 

Anyone have a recommendation on a double zero degree bag for winter camping? Looking for something cheap.

 

Just scored a Nemo Alti Storm 3P that was only used twice (2 total nights) for $75. It's in mint condition.

 

$185 Hyke & Byke Snowmass 0°F Cold Weather Mummy Hiking & Backpacking Sleeping Bag - Duck Down 650 FP 4 Season Sleeping Bags for Adults - Ultralight with Compression Stuff Sack (Blue, Long)

Hyke and Byke?

I personally have the Helium Membrane

 

Girlfriend wants a double bag that zips together. Haven’t seen too many of them that are rated to 0.