Articles (2020)

2 lb 3.9 oz
3 season
1 door
18 ft2
3 ft 4 in peak height

The Spitfire is noteworthy because a major tent manufacture used light silnylon. Not surprisingly, it’s also the lightest tent Eureka! makes – just a shade over 2 pounds. The Spitfire UL uses a standard single hoop design.

• Single hoop 8.84 mm DAC Featherlite frame attaches with clips
• Tent body constructed with noseeum mesh for maximum ventilation
• Bathtub floor with taped seams
• Poke-out vent in fly is accessible via zipper in mesh roof cloth
• 2 interior storage pockets
• Silicone-treated nylon fabric meets CPAI-84 F/R (fire retardant) requirements

Eureka! Spitfire

Helly Hansen is not known for their backpacking apparel. I was lured into their OR show booth with a promise of the world’s lightest wind jacket. See the dispatch here. After oohing and ahing over the wind jacket, I stayed for the full tour and spotted several items of interest for the adventurist. I won’t cover shoes here, but suffice it to say that the Helly execs come from a footwear background and their interest in shoes shows.

Helly Hansen is known for their LIFA fabric. LIFA is polypropylene manufactured and treated with proprietary processes. Polypropylene is completely hydrophobic which makes it a wonderful fiber to use in active clothing. Older iterations of polypropylene are famous for a single characteristic: the ability to accumulate odor like no other fiber. The reason: polypropylene fibers, during manufacture, are prone to extremely rough surface textures that provide a tremendous surface area:volume ratio, which means lots of places for bacteria to grow and odor-causing compounds to absorb. Helly Hansen has created a manufacturing process that virtually eliminates this surface roughness, resulting in polypropylene that accumulates stink no worse, than say, most polyester-based fabrics, such as Capilene.

Helly Hansen uses polypropylene in various fabric applications including the new, woven LIFA, and LIFA Versa. Both these fabrics are used in the new Versa Duro shirts. LIFA Versa is a bicomponent knit fabric with LIFA face and polyester exterior that is used in the majority of the Duro shirt. Woven LIFA, which is more durable than knit LIFA, is used in the shoulders, back, and waistband. I’ll be looking forward to getting some real use data onhow this shirt performs. The technology certainly holds promise.

Marmot brings in an interesting item for Spring ’06 – a synthetic insulated bivy with a nearly waterproof and breathable shell. Weight is 2 lb 3 oz, and it’s large enough to slip a 40 degree bag inside. The Pertex Quantum Endurance shell fabric is laminated to Primaloft Sport insulation.

Marmot Pounder Bivy.

Specifications and Features

• Weight: 2 lb 3 oz (968 g)
• Sizes: long 6’6″
• Perimeter left zip (across hood to foot of bivy)
• Shell: Pertex Quantum Endurance
• Insulation: Primaloft Sport

The Pounder Bivy easily fits over a Marmot Atom 40 degree bag (shown on top of the bivy).

CW-X uses technology and body movement analysis to create apparel as technical as other gear you use to enhance your backpacking experience. Next Spring CW-X expands its bra line to include a Mesh Support Bra, a Ventilator Support Bra, and a Full Cover Support Bra. Their parent company, Wacoal, has spent 40 years studying the human body. The CW-X Soft Support technology was developed after extensvie high-speed video analysis of women in motion. The Soft Support Web utilizes mesh webbing built into the cup of the bra in a five-point star pattern. Suspending the breast from the shoulder strap of the bra, the webbing reduces the initial upward bounce experienced during high impact activities. Anchoring the Soft Support Web at the base strap and shoulder provides the wearer with a floating inner support web that is comfortable, yet supportive. In addition, a comfortable level of compression is used to provide added motion control and increases the bra’s ability to move moisture away from the skin.

Dawn Vribe models the CW-X Ventilator Support Bra.

Specifications and Features

• Inner cup Soft Support Web provides targeted Soft Support to breasts during activity using five interconnected floating inner cup straps.
• Four-way stretch Coolmax mesh lining panel provides maximum breathability and moisture movement.
• Offset flat seams prevent chafing and improve comfort.
• Elastic base strap sits comfortably around rib cage and works in tandem with the inner cup support web and shoulder straps.
• Mesh back panel provides extra compression and fabric reinforcement to enhance supportive fit.

Debbie Tebbs in the Mesh Support Bra.

Debbie shows off some definition and the back of the Mesh Support Bra.

The Sierra Designs Origami 2 Ultralight is a tarp made with five equilateral triangle panels creating a very versatile shelter. The Origami 2 can be set up low for storm protection or high for spaciousness. It can be set up with or without a trekking pole, with an awning, or as a pyramid tarp.

Features and Specifications

• DAC Featherlite NSL poles 9.0 mm
• Trail weight: 1 lb 12.5 oz
• Packed weight: 2 lb 6 oz
• 1 door, zippered panel
• Covered area: 52 ft²
• Peak height: 58 in
• Body material: 40d HT ripstop nylon PU/silicone 1500 mm

Overview

Besides being larger, the SL3 adds a center pole similar to the one used on the Sarvis SL2+. This pole dramatically increases the stability of the tent, especially in strong side winds. The SL3 may be a three person tent for some. Given the relatively narrow fit of the Seedhouse line, folks needing a bit more room might consider it a two person tent.

Specifications

• Trail wt: 3lb 15oz
• Packed wt: 4lb 8oz
• Fast Fly/wt: 3lb 2oz
• Packed size: 8″ x 16″
• Floor area: 36 sq. ft.
• Vestibule area: 6 sq. ft.
• Head height: 46″
• Price: $349

Overview

The Apex is a headlamp with a current regulated 3 watt LED, four task light LED’s and a 4 AA rear mounted holder. A real mamasita of a headlamp, the Apex is designed for both intense forward illumination and bright task lighting. It sets a new benchmark for long term intense light for a headlamp under 10 oz. Beware, this light may blister the paint of your walls if you aren’t careful.

While the Petzl MYO XP’s 3 watt LED shuts down in about 20 seconds to prevent overheating, the Apex’s 3 runs brighter and longer by using a thermal regulating heatsink. While introduced at Winter OR the Apex is not expected to be available for at least a couple of months.

Specifications

• 3 watt Maxbright Luxeon LED for spotting
• Heatsink thermal regulation allows LED’s to burn brighter and longer
• Collimator lens for maximum brightness (a broader beam than Eos)
• 4- 5mm LED for area light
• Separate switches provide independent control over Maxbright and area light LEDs
• Current regulated for constant light output in all modes
• 4 AA batteries- offers 60% more efficiency then 3 AAAbattery units
• Battery life indicator
• 72 to 150 hr
• Uses alkaline, lithium and rechargeable batteries
• Waterproof to 1 meter
• 9.8 oz with batteries, 6.4 oz empty
• MSRP: $79.99

Available Late Sep. 2005

Outdoor Research NightHaven Shelter
Weight: 1 lb 10.9 oz (762 g)
Area: 56.4 ft2 (5.2 m2)
Options: Add in floor/footprint
$159.00

I saw a number of innovative floorless, single walled shelters at this OR. This is a healthy trend for hardcore ultralighters who will have much to choose from this spring.

The NightHaven is my favorite. It has a bomber pitch, complete rain and bug protection, and room to rival most 3-person tents. But it weighs less than most tarp shelters. There’s a huge interior vestibule area in the front portion of the shelter to store gear and to, ahem, cook. This would be a fabulous 2+ season shelter for the Sierras or Rockies.

Here’s a list of cool features of the NightHaven

• Silnylon ripstop fabric
• Complete rain and bug protection
• A Partial floor seals around shelter edges to keep bugs and rain out
• Vents under tent edges, large vent at rear of shelter, and zippered vent at peak for ventilation
• A very stable tent with two trekking poles, catenary cut design and lots of stakeouts at the right points. 6 major stakeout points have webbing with adjustable tension buckles. Should handle a lot of wind!
• Large zippered front door
• Interior storage pocket

Ventilation: A zippered peak vent perfect for convective ventilation. Warm air exits out the peak vent pulling cooler and drier air in from the sides and rear vents under the tent edges. Vent is strategically located to cook in the tent (not recommended by the manufacturer!). In the bottom right you can see the partial floor sealing around the edge of the tent. Black fabric is the optional floor with grommeted reliefs for trekking pole tips

A potential downside of the NightHaven may be limited breathability. I can see the potential for condensation in cold, humid and windless conditions. The ventilation features will help, but to what extent? Only field testing will tell for sure. This should not be a problem for drier mountain and desert areas of the West and Southwest.

Integral Designs Primaloft Poncho Liner
Weight: 1 lb 12 oz (790 g)
Size: 7 ft x 5 ft
Temp: 50 F / +10 C (may be conservative) $125.00

This is what my wife and I will take on our paddling trip in Florida this December. Unlike other insulated ponchos and many rectangular bags unzipped, the Primaloft Poncho Liner is wide enough to cover both of us. The Primaloft insulation is well suited to the damp environment and has the right warmth for the season. My wife runs a bit cold at night and will enjoy snuggling up in the poncho as the sun sets and temperature drops.

• Generous 5 ft width – room for two to sleep under.
• Can be used as an insulating garment at rest stops, before bed and while cooking breakfast in the morning.
• Used as a rectangular bag, there is plenty of room inside to wear insulating garments like a down jacket.

Used as a rectangular bag, there is plenty of room within the Primaloft Poncho Liner to wear a down jacket or other insulating garments to boost its warmth.

Getting to the bottom of a meal after a long day in the backcountry can be a great joy. But getting your hands messy as you dive deep into the far recesses of a food coated bag is never any fun. Spoons of a standard length are just not long enough. Goyot Design’s long handled spork and spatula solve this problem. The set weighs 1.4 ounces (40 grams). If you are like us you will find the spork is all you need and you can halve the weight of the set when you leave the spatula behind.

• The spork and spatula each weigh 0.7 onces (20 grams).
• Both utensils are easily 1 inch longer than the average lexan spoon.

The MSR Fling is a single wall tent with room for two. It can be used with the optional top pole to make it a freestanding shelter. Remove the top pole to save approximately 6 oz.

Features and Specifications

• Floor Area: 32 ft²
• Minimum Weight: 3 lb 6 oz
• Interior Peak Height: 40 in
• Release Date: February 2006
• MSRP: $269.95

Hilleberg is known for their four season tents. The Rajd (pronounced "raid") is a departure from that model, but takes its roots from their oldest design – it’s the inner tent from Hilleberg’s first double wall tent design from 1973. It is what lightweight backpackers would call a tent or a floored tarp tent. Hilleberg is very keen on it not being called a "Hilleberg tent" since that conjures up the image of a sturdy four-season shelter for those familiar with Hilleberg, and the Rajd is intended for three-season use.

Rolf and Bo Hilleberg side by side in the Rajd; Bo has plenty of head room.

The Rajd weighs 2 lb 2 oz including Hilleberg supplied stakes and guylines. Weight does not include the two required trekking poles (tent poles are available as an option). Weight does include incredible head room for two people and lots of length. I sat and reclined in the Rajd with the 6’3" Rolf Hilleberg. Both of us had plenty of room length wise and above our heads. The zipped doors on both sides made it easy for two people to enter/exit the Rajd.

There are large triangular vents above both doors.

The Rajd displays Hilleberg’s usual attention to details with some nice touches. The small awnings on both sides can be zipped in two to make entry/exit easier. The guyline comes off from both sides of the awning for even tension. Hilleberg worked with a US company to develop 2 mm guylines that have some nice features. The Spectra core and polyester outer are interwoven to prevent some of the problems associated with Spectra core guylines.

Both sides of the zip apart vestibule can be secured together with a loop and toggle to ensure even guyline tension.

• Weight: 2 lb 2 oz (950 g) including guylines and 10 stakes
• Height: 45 in (115 cm)
• Area: 25.8 ft² (2.4 m²
• Fabric: Kerlon 1200
• Optional 13 mm poles, 45 in (115 cm) long, 9.7 oz (276 g) each, MSRP $35
• Available: Spring ’06
• MSRP: $285 includings pegs and guylines with runners

Pacific Outdoor Equipment makes the insulated blow-up pad shorter and lighter. The Max Thermo 3/4 is insulated with a sheeted combination of Polar Guard and Holofill insulation for three-plus season warmth.

Specifications and Features

• 20x48x2.5 in (51x122x6.3 cm)
• Weight, manufacturer specfied: 15 oz (425 g)

Teva X-1 Trail Running Shoes
Weight: 9.8 oz (280 g)

The Teva X-1 is another very light trail running shoe in the mode of not interfering with the foot’s natural biomechanics. It is suitable for adventure racing, ultra running, and other hardcore outdoor endeavors. One of its strengths is that it absorbs little water and its open mesh upper drains water quickly. It’s a Tech Amphib with a real heel counter. You can run through a river and the shoes drain immediately. The ventilated mesh helps your socks dry quickly.

We believe that the Teva X-1 would work well as an ultralight backpacking shoe, especially in wet environments with lots of wading. It would also make a good paddling or canoeing shoe where you need to do hiking or portages. But realistically they should work equally well in dry environments.

Overview

New at this show is the Quad. This unit is a 3 AAA, multiple LED headlamp similar in concept to the Petzl Tikka line but with more sophisticated electronics – current regulation, higher output LED’s and a low battery indicator. The four super bright Nichia 5 mm LED’s are more energy efficient than the single 1 watt LED of the EOS. They also cast a broader light more suitable for area lighting and camp chores than the pencil beam of the Eos. The Quad also costs less than the Eos.

Specifications

(4)- super bright Nichia 5 mm LED’s, 30% brighter than standard LED’S

Current regulated for constant output

4 output modes- hi, med, low and safety flash

Low battery indicator

3 AAA batteries for extended burntime

Burn time 25 hr to 150 hr

Waterproof to 1 meter

Weight 3.5 oz

MSRP: $32.99

Available Early spring 2006