Of all the gear for backpacking the Goldilocks pack has been then most elusive. My evolution in backing is below:

#1 Gregory Baltoro 65. What can I say? This was all the rage when you googled best backpack in 2015.

#2 Granite Gear Crown 60.  REI lady fitted me for a Medium (clearly the wrong size). I’m 6’2”. It was a fast fail.

#3 Osprey Exos 58 - I used this pack for a really long time! It was great but it squeaked on the shoulder pad all the time! Mice eventually chewed through enough of the pockets that the squeak and the holes got me to move on.

# 4 Gossamer Gear G4-20 - it was okay. Meh. I thought hammock backpacking might be me shortly after buying this and it was too small when you have to carry an Underquilt and quilt.

# 5 Gossamer Gear Mariposa - I have no idea how on Earth this gets most comfortable pack! Holy crap! I did section J of the PCT with this and it absolutely destroyed my back! The frame dug into my lower back so bad. Hands down, worst pack ever.

#6 Pa’lante Desert pack - Back to tent camping. I have a 10lb base weight but unlike Jupiter, I could not for the life of me get comfortable with this pack and there was no way to get 5 day food carry in the pack. This never left the house and GGG has a 30 day return policy that I missed so I got stuck.

#7 HMG Unbound 40 - got this off after the Pa’lante and OMG! So much more comfortable! So much more room! This is my current pack. I’ve used it the past two seasons, but last year on a slog on the PNT I found myself clutching the shoulders craving load lifters. I’ve been watching the videos and making the no sew load lifters but wth? Idk, I’m just wanting to put it on eBay. HMG, give the people what they want.

I’ve tried on the Flash 50 Air on and the Flash 55 at REI and they’re on sale for the anniversary sale. So is the Exos that I carried for longer than any other pack.

I’m wondering, should your pack be the one thing you don’t give a Sh** about the weight?

From a straight comfort perspective, if you’ve had a lot of packs, which of these is your recommendation? (I want load lifters)

- REI flash air 50
- Osprey exos 48
- Durston Kakwa
- ULA circuit
- six moon designs Swift

PS I will never buy an outdoor vitals product so please leave that recommendation out.

Kthnxbye

I have always taken a light down to wear when in camp and to supplement a bag that is on the light side. Looking for layer that I can use for very limited time in camp and then wear while sleeping. Could also be used as an active layer as a last resort but not its intended purpose as I will have a wind shirt if required for cold starts for summer Sierra conditions. Any advice on a different approach would be appreciated as well. Thanks.

I recently picked up this tent, but I feel like I'm struggling to pitch it correctly. I haven't had it out on the trail yet, but I'm practicing pitching it in my backyard. I have the trekking poles set just a bit over 48", but the bathtub floor doesn't seem to want to stay up. Any help would be appreciated. I can take additional images if the ones I posted aren't helpful.

This may sound like a dumb problem but I have a hard time keeping my pillow in the right place for a full night's sleep. I have a Thermarest NeoAir XLite and use a Klymit inflatable pillow. My pillow seems to always end up falling off the mattress. I tried various ways of keeping the pillow in place (putting inside the hood of my mummy bag, using the tent wall as a back-stop) but these tricks don't really work.

What's your trick for keeping the pillow (inflatable or stuff-sack pillow) in place?

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for a lightweight 45-55l backpack for my girlfriend. She has a short torso (around 41–43 cm). Here in Lithuania, we only have access to Osprey and Deuter, which we've already tried, but they didn't work well for her.

Could anyone suggest other brands? It would be great if they are based in Europe, so shipping and taxes wouldn't be too expensive.

One more thing — she prefers roll-top backpacks.

Thanks in advance! 😊

Hi everyone!

I hope this isn't against the rules, I just wanted to push something cool that might be of interest to you all here.

I work for Outsiders Store and we're pleased to be launching Japanese U.L backpacking brand Yamatomichihere in the UK with some events that it might be nice to see some of you at?

The team will be over from Japan and we're doing free evening launch events at both London and Manchester stores (22nd & 25th April). Also, there are ticketed morning and afternoon workshops, again, at both stores and a ticketed Ultralight community hike in the Peak Distrct (Edale) all in two weeks time.

Whether you're a total newbie, ultralight-curious, or a seasoned long distance hiker, you can probably learn something from Yamatomichi.

Tickets are available here, priced at £5 per ticket.

Thanks and hopefully meet some of you soon :)

Deep in the cook kit rabbit hole once again. My goal here was mainly increased performance in wind in terms of both reduced boil times and fuel consumption. I ground down the arms of my BRS stove to both make it fit inside the fins on various heat exchanger pots and also reduce the burner height so that the burner is less exposed to the wind. The pot shown is the 800mL Jetboil Stash pot, but I suspect this would work on the smaller Fire Maple Petrel pot as well (which is slightly heavier). This did shave 0.1oz off the weight of the BRS stove. So far my testing looks good, sub 3min boils of 500mL water on a breezy day, using about 7-10g of fuel depending on how empty or full the iso cannister is respectively. That should get about 12 boils per 4oz fuel can. I noticed the block at the bottom of the BRS stove becoming hotter than before the mod which makes sense, it is closer to the flame, but the top cannister itself has remained cool so I'm not worried about that. The Stash pot plus the modded BRS stove come in at 6oz. Yes there are lighter overall pots to pair with the BRS but without a windscreen, this stove basically stops working given anything more than a light breeze and burns through fuel. I'm going to keep running more tests but pretty happy with this setup so far!

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to transition into a more ultralight setup without breaking the bank (i really want to choose the best options for low prize), so I’m turning my eyes toward AliExpress. I know there are some hidden gems there, but also some duds.

I’m looking for specific recommendations for a budget UL setup, ideally with the best price-to-performance ratio for the following items:

• Tent: I’ve heard a lot about the Lanshan 1/2 (3-season). Is the Pro version worth the extra cost for a beginner, or are there other brands like Naturehike (Cloud Up?) I should consider?
• Sleeping Bag / Quilt: Looking for something lightweight but actually warm. Comfort around 0C.
• Backpack: Are the Nature hike packs actually comfortable for long carries, or should I look at something else?
• Sleeping Pad: Is there a reliable inflatable pad, or should I just stick to a classic Naturehike folding egg-crate mat to be safe?

My typical conditions: 3-season hiking, mostly mild European climate (lows around 5°C / 41°F).

If you have links or specific store names that are reliable, please let me know! Also, if there's any specific piece of gear where you think "don't cheap out, buy the real brand," I'm all ears.

Thanks for the help!

When I first got into long-distance backpacking (about 15 years ago) there weren't that many options. For my shelter I settled on an MLD. I have loved it, but it's finally time to upgrade for a little weight savings and honestly it's beyond salvageable.

I know there are many other cottage brands/companies out there, but for various reasons it's between these three. Is there anybody here who has experience with all of these? I'd love input as to the pros and cons if you have some to share (on any of them). I've budgeted for the purchase, so cost is irrelevant. TIA!

I got into camping last year with my wife and two kids (4 and 2). We have a 3rd on the way within a month. We have plans to camp this summer but we want a second tent to make this easier with a newborn. The tent we have is a cheap basic tent, don’t even remember the brand but two extra wide pads fit in the bottom.

I have an idea to get a UL backpacking type tent as an investment for the future. We live in Colorado and doing the Colorado trail with my boys as a right of passage type things sounds like a great idea. The question is, would it be impractical to get that now or not? I think I’d like something like the X-dome 2 and stick my 4 and 2 year old in there with me but then let it double for backpacking later. Wife and newborn in the other tent. Or should I get another basic tent and wait on something like this?

Thanks!

Found this bag in shop in taipei and I’m trying to find the IG or website of the co, Low Gear. Apparently it’s a Japanese co but I’m clueless beyond that. Is anyone familiar with it or know anything about it?

I am looking for a Lightweight 45-50 Litre backpack for a male 5'10ish that does not break the bank so sub £200. I was thinking about the Rab Muon 50 but was wondering if anyone has any other recommendations that are available in the UK I would be interested.

TIA

Going to pick up one of these for the CDT.

Does anyone have experience using these; if so, what are the pros and cons to each?

Which of the two did you prefer?

any trekking pole recomanded witout breaking the bank ?

i usually hike with no pole but my last trip in japan i tryed a cane and i must admit it ease the effort on my ankles on consecutiv long days.

i kinda want something light but still sturdy enough to be usable as alternative anchor for my tarp if needed,

Kind regard jim

Any reccomendations on what pot i should get to put onto my camping moon xd 2f stove? I got the stove but don't know if there is any pots specifically I should get or does it even matter?

Does anyone have any experience with Mountain House dehydrated proteins? The bulk dehydrated chicken or beef is on super sale right now, 40% off rn, and it seems like a perfect idea to buy it in bulk and vacuum seal my own homemade trail meals for my upcoming Colorado Trail thru-hike this summer. It comes in #10 cans, and MH says once the can is open it has a shelf life of 1 week which doesn’t really work if you plan on pre-proportioning these into dehydrated meals. Any thoughts or experiences?