Articles (2020)

Nine Days in Parque National Los Glaciares, Argentina: Global Test Photo Essay

In this Global Test Photo Essay, we arrived ill-equipped for a trek over an ice field. Setting up a base camp and sticking with day trips ensured that we didn’t miss out on one of the most beautiful parks in the world.

Editor’s Note: click here to see all the articles (and a brief synopsis of each) in this excellent series.

The Global Test: Nine Days in Parque National Los Glaciares, ArgentinaThe Global Test: Nine Days in Parque National Los Glaciares, Argentina - 1
Parque National Los Glaciares, Argentina

Introduction

What’s more ultralight than not carrying any pack at all? Such was my experience in Los Glaciares National Park in southern Argentina.

Our bus to El Chaltén, the village inside the park, made a mandatory stop at park headquarters. After a briefing in English given by eloquent park rangers, which highlighted safety and Leave No Trace practices, we were already impressed. Yet afternoon storm clouds had covered all of the towering peaks in the distance, and we we were unable to see the legendary Fitz Roy.

In the park office Danny and I studied the many detailed maps in different colors, dimensions, and resolutions. There was one large loop in the park, but one-fourth of the terrain crossed over the Patagonian Ice Field. We were not equipped for such an expedition. The rest of the trails mostly emanated from the main trailhead that started in town. We decided to make a base camp an hour hike from El Chaltén. From there, we would do day trips to the many glaciers. Additionally, resupplying from town would be quick and easy.

As it turned out, this was a smart decision. Patagonia weather can be unpredictable, so camping at a low elevation and in the trees helped seclude us from high winds and cold temperatures. We took advantage of the long Patagonia summer days, and never ran out of day light. Instead, sheer exhaustion sent us to bed. Because we traveled light, with a few extra warm clothes, a small med kit, and plenty of calories, we could travel fast and cover long distances.

We passed through several crowded camps on our day hikes, yet most of those hikers we did not see on the trails. Our hypothesis was that moving camps and carrying heavier packs discouraged trekkers from exploring beyond the main routes.

With one backpack, carried often by my personal sherpa, my husband Danny, I was able to backpack in one of the most beautiful parks in the world, without actually carrying a pack.

Photo Essay

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The town of El Chaltén is situated next to Rio de las Vueltas. It is the only entry point for all of the great hikes and climbs, including those to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

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We set up a base camp in the protection of these wonderfully crooked trees, within view of Fitz Roy. Still, the winds were quite strong and kicked up a lot of dirt, often leaving a layer of dust on our gear inside the tartpent.

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Park rangers warned us that the trails were dangerous in certain sections, such as this path across a steep rock slide above Laguna Torre. We did see a few guided groups, but we felt comfortable navigating on our own.

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Cerro Torre, at 3128m, stands tall over Torre Egger, Punto Herron, Cerro Stanhardt (left to right).

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On a rare day like this, with clear skies and no wind, we stretched out our breaks so that we could further enjoy the majestic surroundings.

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Rock surfing next to Glaciar Piedras Blancas – another favorite lunch spot that we had all to ourselves.

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Typical ground-hugging vegetation in southern Patagonia.

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The ferocious wind made hiking difficult as we made our way up to Lago de los Tres. When we finally arrived, the lake was still frozen over and clouds obscured our view of Fitz Roy.

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On the descent from Laguna de los Tres, we enjoyed expansive views of smaller mountains and the Argentine steppe to the east.

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Snow covered mountains for as far as the eye can see. The rough waters are the only indication of the strong wind, given the calm appearance of the sky.

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Yvon Chouinard climbed Fitz Roy in 1968. Can you guess where he got the inspiration for the name and logo of his soon-to-be outdoor company?

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After resupplying in El Chaltén, we hiked south for our last trip: an overnight to Lago Toro. We were blasted by sleet and snow as we hiked over the pass.

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The weather improved the next day during our return hike, allowing us a memorable last view. The “light” at the end is Glaciar Rio Tunel. We camped nearby the spectacular glacier the night before.

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Cerro Solo. One last dramatic view before returning to El Chaltén, to catch a bus to Chile. Our amazing experiences in Parque National Los Glaciares set the bar high for our next trek in Torres del Paine.

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Food Planning Using Pounds Per Person Per Day

Calculating how much food to take on a trip? My goal is to be perfectly satisfied during my time in the backcountry, but to walk out of the mountains with absolutely ZERO food. It is so gratifying to eat that last raisin on the last mile of the last day. If I can do that, the math worked out perfectly.

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Katabatic Sawatch 15 Quilt and Crestone Hood Review

Very warm, quality gear from a cottage manufacturer dedicated to innovative lightweight sleeping solutions.

Introduction

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Sawatch 15 Quilt.

Katabatic Gear is a small cottage industry set up ‘to build the finest ultralight sleeping bags available,’ and the Sawatch 15 is their middle offering (they are working on a quilt for even colder conditions). While rated to 15 F (-9 C), they only call it their ‘three season workhorse.’ This has got to be different from some other bag manufacturers who notoriously hype their offerings to temperature extremes. The Crestone hood is described as ‘our warmest lightweight hood, ideal when extra head insulation is needed.’

Neither of these items feature any of the usual mass-market gimmicks, but the quilt does have an interesting method of stopping drafts from getting in at the sides: it has (patent pending) clips to hold the sides down onto strings tied around your air mat. Yes, they assume you will be using an air mat at the temperatures this quilt is designed for.

I field tested the Sawatch 15 and the Crestone Hood on a couple of trips in the Australian Alps during the winter and early spring. Unfortunately both trips had to be aborted part-way through, before I had done any serious photography, so many of the photos used in this review are derived from the Katabatic Gear website. Those photos have ‘KG’ in the corner. (The first ski trip was aborted as I needed stitches in my knee. The second trip was aborted as we could not cross the flooded rivers.)

We do not award the Highly Recommended rating lightly: gear needs to be very good to get this rating. However, you should remember that ‘highly recommended’ does not mean ‘perfect’ – no gear is ever perfect. I have commented on some fringe features, but commentary is not the same as criticism.

Technical Details – Sawatch Quilt

The fabric used in the quilt and hood is Pertex Quantum: none of your cheap Asian taffeta here. Trust me, it feels very nice. The goose down is rated at 850 loft on the enhanced IDFL USA scale, or 750 – 800 on the more realistic European scale. (The enhanced IDFL scale relies on an unrealistic conditioning process to get a higher score, principally for marketing purposes. Neither the birds nor the down has really changed, however.)

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Details underneath.

The quilt is made with proper internal baffles and a differential cut. The foot end is closed into a footbox, which is really the only way to keep the bottom end of a quilt under control. They claim to have ‘overstuffed’ the tubes around the footbox so your feet are toasty, but I don’t think this is the best way to keep your feet warm. However, the weight of the extra down used is probably barely measurable, and perhaps it will help people with poor circulation.

Beyond the foot box (going towards the neck) the quilt opens up in the usual quilt manner, and a short way up there’s an adjustable webbing across the gap (yellow line at left). Personally, I think the buckle could be dispensed with, as I cannot see anyone doing much adjustment. The design simply does not allow for much sensible adjustment, but this does not affect the quilt.

Further up the sides again there are two sets of small plastic clips (red lines): these form the patent pending attachment which is meant to hold the edges of the quilt down to the mat. The picture helps tell the story. The idea is that these clips will hold the edges of the quilt down against the mat to prevent drafts. Since mats don’t provide anything to attach to, the quilt comes with two sets of string (one set is a spare) which you tie around the mat to make the anchorages. It is an innovative idea.

In addition, there are extra clips on the outside (top side) of the quilt in just a bit from the edge (green lines). The idea here is that if you are still getting drafts when using the clips on the edge of the quilt, you should switch to using the outer clips, leaving a sort of ‘baffle’ along the edge to block the drafts. Doing so reduces the width of the quilt a fair bit.

You might ask why not use tapes under the mat to hold the edges of the quilt down? Katabatic claim that using tapes under the mat leaves an air gap down the sides of the quilt which can let drafts in: ‘Your precious body heat is spent trying to warm this draft tunnel, which leaves less body heat for you.’ Instead, the clips allow the quilt to be tucked in much closer to your body. I’ll disagree with part of this: the energy required to heat the small volume of air is utterly trivial. However, if you toss and turn a bit, any air space could definitely be conducive to drafts. At -10 C (14 F), drafts are definitely to be avoided. On the second trip to the mountains, I did not always bother with the strings around the mat, relying instead on my experience with a quilt to avoid getting drafts at the sides. That made it easier to get under the quilt, as seen in the first photo below. More on this in a moment.

Katabatic also claim that tapes under the mat ‘can also cause compressed insulation at your shoulder and hip. All this conspires to leave you cold.’ That is because the tapes tend to stretch a narrow quilt across your body. I will only partly go along with this idea: the use of a differential cut should prevent any squashing of the down over the high point of your body. However, quite often ‘should’ does not work too well in the middle of the night when the quilt is only just wide enough. What may be more important here is that this quilt is wide enough to avoid drafts.

I have to mention here that my normal three-season quilt is much wider than this one, so the problems described don’t happen with it. Frankly, I think that you might get more joy from adding 6 inches of extra width to your quilt than any fancy methods of holding the edges down. Having a wide quilt means I can drape it partly over my wife when the nights are very cold and share warmth with her. Of course, such extra width does mean extra weight, so things are not that simple, and the Katabatic solution does work. Please note that I am not implying that this quilt is too narrow: that is not part of my field observations.

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About to go to sleep.

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The neck muff.

The top end of the quilt has two interesting features. The first is that the corners of the quilt can be connected under your neck to bring the quilt around your neck and shoulders. That gives it a ‘bag’ type of neck. You can see the single snap used in the above photo. There is also a draw cord around the neck which can be tightened once the snap has been done up. The second feature is based on the first: there is a down baffle or ‘neck muff’ around the neck to block drafts. This would be relatively useless if the top was just open like a quilt on a bed, but we all know that neck muffs are quite popular on warmer sleeping bags. It works fine here.

The Sawatch 15 does not have an attached hood. Personally, I like an attached or integral hood on my quilt: my head goes under it and I can manipulate it however I want. Instead, Katabatic offer the Crestone hood or the Windom hood. How well this works is discussed later.

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Crestone Hood.

Finally, in a very nice touch, the quilt comes with its own large cotton storage sack, to keep it clean at home.

Technical Details – Crestone Hood

The Crestone hood is the top of the Katabatic line of hoods, with almost double the amount of down compared to the Windom. It looks just like a conventional balaclava with a longish neck region, but with a rather small opening for the face. It has a draw-cord around the face and two detachable loops of light cord going from the front to the back. These hook under your arms to keep the hood on your head.

Katabatic do make a ‘lighter’ hood with a larger opening for the face. I mention this here for reasons which will soon become apparent.

Field Assessment – Sawatch

Frankly, hauling the Sawatch out of the stuff sack I was using for it each evening was a pleasure. It feels nice, and I knew I would be warm under it.

The overstuffed footbox worked fine, although I have a bit of a bias against believing the usual footbox marketing spin. My experience has always been that having a good dinner, a good mat under me, a warm head and no restrictions around my legs is usually quite enough. Yes, I have tried breaking each of those rules, and I regretted it every time. But anyhow, under the Sawatch, my feet were always warm with or without socks. The photo here was taken early in the morning in a mountain hut: nice morning sun, but those metal huts do get cold overnight!

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Early morning in a mountain hut.

The tape across the gap worked fine. As mentioned above, it does not seem to warrant the buckle for adjustment. But of course, it works with no attention.

I am in two minds about the clips which fasten onto the string around the mat. Yes, I found that they do work to keep the edge of the quilt down, but… First of all, with both sets (call them top and middle) done up, it is a bit hard to sit up. The top clips drag the mat up as well. Also, once or twice I did notice the clips under me. I am not sure why, because with a bit of a shove and a wiggle the clips ceased to be noticeable.

Second, doing up the clips was always a bit of a hassle at the last minute. There I am, lying down in the dark, and I have to hook the clips onto the string – if I can find the clips and the string. First find a clip, then find the opening in the clip, then find the string. Sometimes I succeeded, sometimes I just didn’t bother, as shown in the previous photo. My wife reckons I fall asleep very quickly in the evening.

I am sure the top clips came undone from the string a couple of times. I thought I had done them up before going to sleep, but at least one of them was undone in the morning. Eventually I reached a compromise with the clips when I used them: I did up the bottom clips before I lay down but not the top clips. This seemed to work fine.

It is worth emphasising a point here: even without the clips the quilt was wide enough to keep me nicely warm. That means that the ‘system’ is not critically dependent on the clips. I doubt very much that the clips would break under normal field use: the plastic is of a high quality. But even if one did break, it would not be a disaster. In addition, as mentioned below, the latest model of the Sawatch has a backup for the clips.

I mentioned the width of the quilt above. With the clips all done up I didn’t experience any draft, so I didn’t need to resort to the outer set of clips (the ones with the green pointers). Personally, I doubt they are needed – at least for someone as slim as me (62 kg). And yes, I did find the quilt wide enough that I didn’t have any problems with drafts when I turned over – even without the clips. Mind you, I am not a ‘clutcher’ – when I turn over, I do so under the quilt, leaving it in place. It’s practice: you wake up about 10% and turn over, then relax back to sleep.

The neck opening on the unit I had for testing proved less successful. It was very nice when done up around my neck, with the baffle stopping drafts, but the snap came undone rather easily. Doing the snap up in the middle of the night was never easy. I found this a bit frustrating, but see below for what Katabatic have done to fix this.

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New snaps on neck.

So a preliminary assessment is that the quilt is very nice and warm, but the technical features didn’t seem entirely successful on the unit I tested. However, Katabatic were aware of these problems and the company sent me an update, which I will quote in full. The new features should be current by the time you read this.

  • Elastic binding around the bottom opening prevents possible gaps and drafts and stabilizes the cord clips, keeping them more securely attached to the cord.
  • Webbing straps and attachment loops in addition to the cord clip attachment system allows bag to be used like a traditional quilt-style bag and allows the option of being used without a sleeping pad.
  • Two snaps at neck closure with reinforced material [see photo to right] provides more overlap for a better sealing collar and improves long term durability in this high strain area.

Total increase in weight for all this was estimated by Katabatic at about 0.5 ounce. I am not sure about the need for the first two modifications, but the double snaps will definitely give an improvement in holding power. (Double snaps seem to give more than just twice the holding power – something to do with how the pull is aligned with the snaps.) I think the double snaps solve the only significant criticism I had, and they are responsible for changing my initial rating from ‘Recommended’ to ‘Highly Recommended’.

Field Assessment – Crestone

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Small opening on Crestone hood.

There is no question that the Crestone hood is suitable for very cold weather. But therein lies a problem: it is sometimes too hot and sometimes the wrong shape.

Above about -10 C (14 F), I found it rather too warm. This created two problems in the field. The first was that face opening is fixed and not large. There is no way to vent this hood. The second is that this warmth means I need to carry a lighter hood or head covering as well, for those nights or times when the Crestone is too hot, but going bare-headed is too cold.

A subsidiary problem is that the face opening is small. I tried to eat dinner with this hood on, but the risks were just too high. I did not want stew all over the hood (from dripping off the under-side of the spoon!). This is another reason why this hood alone is not enough kit even in fairly cold weather: it may be good for sleeping, but not for dinner time.

Unfortunately the seam is at the back, or I might have unpicked it and added some Velcro to make a closure. It would still be possible to do this if you are willing to cut the fabric and handle the down. There’s lots of it in there!

I had no problems with the loops under the arms. They seemed a bit strange at first, but I think I forgot all about them five minutes later. I also tried sleeping without putting the loops under my arms, and that worked as well. The shape of the hood meant it did stay aligned with my head when I turned over. I didn’t need to adjust the lengths of the under-arm draw-cords: I left them at full length. I didn’t find any need to tighten the face draw-cord either, although I did not get down to extremely cold conditions.

The above might sound like criticisms of the hood, but really they are more comments about the philosophy of ‘flexibility.’ The reality is that you cannot expect to use the same gear over the full range from -30 C to 10 C (-22 F to 50 F). The Crestone is a lovely hood for really cold weather, but most people just won’t need it. Frankly, I would suggest that most people would be better served by the lighter Windom hood with its larger face opening. It would be warm enough. In mild conditions a fleece hat might do well enough, but that is outside the scope of this review.

I do suggest that Katabatic should consider making the front of their hoods openable under the chin, or perhaps offer a similar model which does open under the chin. That would solve a lot of problems.

Summary

This is all high-class gear. The version of the Sawatch 15F which I field tested had one minor nit (the snap) which needed fixing, but the nit seems to be largely fixed in later models. The Crestone hood is hot, and you should seriously consider whether you need something that warm. If you do, then no question! A model with an opening under the chin would be nice, and yes, I will be using these items on snow trips in the future.

The Sawatch may be compared to the GoLite UltraLite 3-Season quilt or the Nunatak Arc Alpinist. The figures quoted here for the latter two are from their websites and are for the Regular/Medium sizes, to match the Sawatch tested. Exact matches between brands are never possible, of course.

  Sawatch UltraLite 3-Season Arc Alpinist
Weight 24 oz (690 g) 24 oz (690 g) 20 oz (570 g)
Height to 6 ft to 6 ft to 5 ft 10 in
Girth 52 in 56 in 55 in
Rating 15 F (-9 C) 20 F (-7 C) 20 F (-7 C)
Neck Muff Yes No No
Down 850 FP 800+ 800+ FP
Fill Weight 15 oz (425 g) 11.8 oz (335 g) 11 oz (312 g)
Loft 3.25 in (82.5 mm) 2.5 in (63.5 mm) 2.5 in (63.5 mm)
Outer Shell Quantum 0.85 oz 15 denier nylon Quantum
Inner Shell Quantum Taffeta 22 denier polyester 20 denier nylon taffeta
Hold-down Clip system 2 straps 2 straps
Price US$370 US$275 US$426

None of the companies state on their websites how the temperature rating for their quilts have been tested: to the reliable EN13537 standard or to some other standard.

The Sawatch is narrower than the other two, but the patent pending clip system used on it seems to be very capable of stopping any side drafts. The difference in width is not great, in any case.

Technical Details

Sawatch 15F Manufacturer claims BPL measurements
Size Regular (to 6 ft or 1.83 m)  
Shell Fabric Pertex Quantum Ripstop .85oz/sqyd  
Liner Fabric Pertex Quantum Taffeta 1.0oz/sqyd  
Weight 24 oz (680 g) 24.2 oz (686 g)
Down 850 loft goose down (USA scale)  
Fill weight 15 oz (425 g)  
Loft 3.25 in (82.5 mm)  
Length 72 in (1.83 m) OK
Shoulder Width (max) 52 in (1.32 m) (>50 in)
Packed size 8 x 14 in (200 x 355 mm)  
Stuff sack 0.64 oz (18 g)  
Price US$370  
Notes: Manufacturer weights are accurate. Length, width and loft depend on how tightly you stretch the fabric.

Crestone Manufacturer claims BPL measurements
Size Just one  
Shell Fabric Pertex Quantum Ripstop .85oz/sqyd  
Liner Fabric Pertex Quantum Taffeta 1.0oz/sqyd  
Weight 2 oz (57 g) 2.08 oz (59 g)
Down 850 loft goose down (USA scale)  
Fill weight 0.9 oz (25 g)  
Price US$79  
Notes: Manufacturer weights are accurate. Length, width and loft depend on how tightly you stretch the fabric.

Disclosure: The manufacturer provided this product to the author and/or Backpacking Light at no charge, and it is owned by the author/BPL. The author/Backpacking Light has no obligation to review this product to the manufacturer under the terms of this agreement.

Small Wonders of Latin America – Global Test Photo Essay

In nine months backpacking around Latin America, there was much grandeur to be seen, but there were also tiny treasures that required a closer look. Examine their petite beauty.

Editor’s Note: click here to see all the articles (and a brief synopsis of each) in this excellent series.

Introduction

As soon as I fall into my hiking stride, I enter a state of rhythmic and peaceful calm. I am only half aware of the nature that surrounds me, the texture of the trail changing underfoot, and the tempo of my inhalations. All I can sense is tranquility.

Rarely do I think about taking photos while hiking. No photo has ever been able to fully capture the joy I experience in nature. Photographs, however beautiful they might be of the landscape, fail to arouse the overwhelmingly positive sensory assault I have while hiking.

When I look back at photos taken during backcountry trips, my memories of the events are colored. Instead of recalling a variety of feelings and views, sounds and smells, my vibrant memories get intertwined with these static snapshots.

How I manage to backpack with Danny is somewhat of a mystery. His feeling about photography couldn’t be more opposite than mine. He is constantly breaking his stride to take photos, often asking me to stop with him and sometimes even pose. He can spend days organizing and editing photos once we return to civilization. Danny loves the wilderness just as much as I do, but also finds great joy in sharing our adventures with our friends and families.

Fifteen countries and more than a year later, I am grateful that Danny has encouraged me to be more open about photography. We have simply seen too much and experienced too much to store it all away in our fallible human memories. Every day of traveling is different, and the lack of monotony in daily life means we have little downtime to think, process, and store.

The photo collection below is a but a tiny sample of the many small wonders we saw during our nine months backpacking around Latin and South America. I am happy that Danny encouraged me to stop and examine the petite beauty contained on a continent that I might not ever visit again. I even admit, I might have taken one or two of the photos myself.

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Rucu Pichincha Volcano (4,698m or 15,143ft), near Quito, Ecuador.

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Cordillera Real, Bolivia.

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Parque Nacional Corcovado, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

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Machu Picchu, Peru.

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Ruki Pichincha Volcano, Ecuador.

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Foz do Iguaçu, Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Brasil.

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Parque Nacional ChirripĂł, Costa Rica.

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Illiniza Norte Volcano, near Machachi, Ecuador.

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Washed-up coral on Playa Blanca, Parque Nacional Caroles del Rosario, Cartagena, Colombia.

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Reserva Natural Dos Brazos, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Small Wonders of Latin America - Global Test Photo Essay - 11
Parque Municipal da Lagoinha do Leste, Florianopolis, Brasil.

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Parque Nacional Corcovado, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

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Ruki Pichincha Volcano, Ecuador.

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Near Glaciar Rio Tunel, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Argentina.

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Cerro Morado, Andes, near Santiago, Chile.

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Ruki Pichincha Volcano, Ecuador.

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Scorpion near El Mirador, El Peten, Guatemala.

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ConcepciĂłn Volcano, Isla de Ometepe, Nicarauga.

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 4 – Technical Treats

Stoves, shovels, poles, crampons, harnesses, and more: oh my!

Editor’s Note: Read all the articles in this series:

Introduction

Since ISPO is a winter trade show, the focus is on snow and ice activities, as well as garments that insulate and protect. By now you may have had your fill of down jackets and 7-ounce smocks. So today we bring you some of the more technical gear from the show. Unfortunately, we did not discover anything new in lightweight shelters. We hope you find something interesting in the following run-down of stoves, shovels, poles, crampons, harnesses, and more!

Soto

The Japanese stove company Soto has made a splash in the backpacking world with their cold-weather worthy OD-1R Micro Regulator Canister Stove (74g/2.6oz). However, they have a new product that may cause many backpackers to rethink their opinion of the liquid fuel stove.

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 4 - Technical Treats - 1
The good people at Soto gave us a full demonstration of the new OD-1NP Muka Stove, due to hit shelves in March. The stove atomizes liquid fuel, so there is no need for priming (there’s not even a priming cup!). Flame control and simmering is actually possible. There is an air release button to eliminate fuel from the fuel line, used when turning the stove off. Flame control is on the pump, which minimizes the risk of hand injuries. The pump is mostly made of aluminum, has a pressure indicator, an emergency stop button, and other innovations. The stove burns all types of fuels, burns with less soot, is lighter and packs smaller, and has a more stable pot support than the standard liquid fuel stove. Basically, it fixes all of the common gripes about liquid fuel stoves. We wouldn’t have believed this if we didn’t spend 25 minutes learning about and playing with the stove, which was burning unleaded auto gasoline!

The stove weighs 160g/5.6oz, and the pump weighs 160g/5.6oz. The pump is only compatible with Soto fuel bottles, which are also new and have been specifically designed for this stove. The cost in the US will be US$150; prices elsewhere will vary. Photos of the actual stove were not allowed.

Providus

Speaking of stoves: Providus is an 83-year-old manufacturing company in Italy that was displaying a few of their camping items, like lightweight aluminum canteens, aluminum stoves and… the world’s lightest canister stove?

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 4 - Technical Treats - 2
The FM300G is a 90g/3.2oz aluminum stove that looks like a lot of other stoves on the market. Almost hidden in the display case was a titanium version (pictured above) of the FM300G that weighs 63g/2.2oz. The display case was sealed, so we couldn’t take a closer look at the stove. Cost, availability and details were unavailable, even after multiple inquiries. We are waiting to receive the product catalogue through e-mail.

Dynafit

This Italian company focuses on ski racing gear.

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 4 - Technical Treats - 3
For ski racers, Dynafit will be making the Broad Peak Ski Poles (190g/6.7oz per pole). These are adjustable, two-section, all carbon poles with baskets and wrist straps. These pretty pieces will set you back 500€ (US$684) per pair when they become available next fall.

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The Broad Peak will use Dynafit’s newly developed Safety Snap. To adjust pole length, flip open the lever and slide to the newly desired height until you feel a divot, then close the lever. The poles have slight indentations every few centimeters and the Safety Snap aligns with these indentations to provide 100% slip-free security. So, it’s a discrete adjustment, not continuous like Black Diamond’s Flick Lock.

Fizan

Fizan is an Italian company that has been making poles since 1947. They were the first manufacturer to make aluminum ski poles, and they still make a wide variety of trekking and skiing poles in their factory in northern Italy.

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Fizan claims that the Compact are the lightest three-section telescopic poles in the world at 158g/5.57oz per pole. These trekking poles have EVA grips, carbide tips, neoprene wrist straps and removable 50mm baskets. The poles use very thin 7001 aluminum and adjust from 58-132cm. Fizan poles are available in 30 countries, including most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, parts of South East Asia, and Kazakhstan. But not the US. The cost is 60-70€ (US$82-96.

Grivel

Founded in 1818 and located at the foot of Mt. Blanc, Grivel is one of the oldest mountaineering brands and is well-known around the world. What may not be so well-known is the great efforts of the company to protect the environment. Grivel’s entire factory roof is covered with 7000m² of solar panels and is able to produce more energy than it consumes.

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We wrote about the Climbing Technology ASD ice axe and shovel combo on Day 1 of ISPO. A fellow BPL reader brought our attention to the Steel Blade (398g/14oz), which is similar in concept and has been on the market for two years. Lighter snow shovels may exist, but this versatile design is notable for three things. First, the shovel can be used with a regular Grivel ice axe (above right) or a standard handle (above left). Second, the shovel blade can be effectively used without a handle (above center). Third, the shovel is made from plastic, but has a steel blade (hence the name). Using plastic in the shovel body saves weight and allows for more intricate forms. The steel blade cuts into hardened snow better than plastic or aluminum. The Steel Blade retails for 45€ (US$70).

Kohla

This Austrian company manufactures snow sport equipment like avalanche shovels, ski skins, and packs.

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Another shovel variation: the X-Light Shovel (weight unknown) has a novel feature in that the handle can be easily and securely inserted into the blade (top right). This would be handy when digging snow caves and quinzees. This shovel is available now throughout Europe for around 50€ (US$68).

Arva

Arva is a French company that specializes in avalanche safety equipment.

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The Snow Pure Light (295g/10.4oz) shovel has a carbon fiber shaft and polypropylene blade. This shovel is ISMF certified and will be available in September for 70€ (US$96). Arva products are available in 34 countries, including most of Europe, parts of South America, India, New Zealand, Canada, and the US (through Wasatch Ski Distribution).

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The Snow Pure Light is reinforced with aluminum pieces on the blade and on the back where it connects with the shaft. The shaft is 44cm and the total length of the shovel is 59cm.

GV Snowshoes

Continuing with our carbon fiber theme, we came across the company GV Snowshoes, which has been making snowshoes in Quebec, Canada for 50 years.

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The Carbon Tech Snowshoe has a one-piece frame and Entech deck. The snowshoes have been around for a few years, but this newest version has moved to an all-carbon frame, with the addition of a front toe stopper and padding on the front straps to reduce foot pressure. It also features buckles made from only two molded pieces of polycarbonate material that is 40% lighter. There is a heel lifter too. All components are tested to work down to -50C/-58F. The 20x61cm/8x24in version is 2130g/4.69lb and the 20x73cm/8x29in model is 2240g/4.94lb. These sell for US$280, CAN$300, or 350€. These snowshoes are widely available in Europe and Canada, and in the US through Cabela’s.

CAMP

Our search for ultralight technical gear led us back to our friends at CAMP.

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The Race 290 (290g/10.2oz per pair) are super minimalist 10-point crampons that require Dynafit-compatible ski boots. These aluminum wonders are color coded to be easily distinguished from each other – orange is left foot, black is right foot. The removable anti-bot plate is included and weighs a few extra grams. These will be available in September for 143€ (US$196).

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The Race 290 uses webbing instead of a metal bar to connect the front and back plates. The crampons have a much smaller volume when compacted. CAMP wins points for having the ONLY scale in the entire show.

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CAMP also debuted their new Blitz Harness (205g/7.2oz). This ski mountaineering harness is made from hydrophobic fabric, has buckle leg loops, and four gear loops. This barely edges out Black Diamonds Couloir Harness (230g/8oz) as what may be the lightest mountaineering harness on the market. The Blitz will be available in September for about 60€ (US$60-65).

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For those of you who haven’t yet seen CAMP’s really light harness, here it is: the Alps 95 (95g/3.35oz), the lightest UIAA-certified harness is the world. This gossamer beauty is made for randonee racing, and as such, has only two micro gear loops. Each gear loop is big enough to hold one carabiner. The Alps 95 is available now for 45-50€ (US$50).

On The Softer Side of Things

Companies are really experimenting with different types of blended fabrics. On Day 2 of ISPO we reported about Rab’s new 65% merino wool / 35% Cocona blend. Today we stopped by Icebreaker and learned about their GT line which incorporates 3% Lycra into their merino wool products. Icebreaker is adamant about not increasing the synthetic composition of their garments any further than 3%. For comparison, SmartWool garments range from 75-100% merino wool.

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Devold’s Active Line uses 54% Thermocool, 37% wool, and 9% polyamide. The Thermocool is on the inside of the garment, which helps channel moisture away from your skin, to the wool layer on the outside. You can see the two layers in the photos above: the Thermocool is light grey, and the wool is black. Additionally, this unique garment also has wind-blocking fabric in the front. This piece is named the Active Man Boxer with Windblock, and the fabric is 205g/m².

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The Air Vest, also by Devold, has a windblocker membrane sandwiched between two layers of wool. The complete fabric is 420g/m². This unique vest will be available in August in Europe for 200€ (US$274).

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Klättermusen makes three jackets that utilize organic cotton with fluorocarbon-free impregnation that make a highly water resistant shell which is ten times more breathable than eVENT. The crew at Klättermusen are devotees of the jackets, but also admit it’s a hard sell to a public that wants high tech clothing to match their high tech gear, especially when this company is going against market giants like Gore-Tex. The Einride Jacket (560g/19.75oz) is available now for 365€ incl. 25% VAT in Sweden (US$500).

And Finally, A Question of Style Versus Utility

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Jackets with angled front zippers were a fairly common sight throughout the show. The benefit is clear – the zipper is moved away from the wearer’s chin. However, it remains to be seen whether this is done for comfort or style, and whether this trend will (or has?) spread beyond Europe.

That wraps up our coverage of four days at ISPO here in Munich, Germany. We hope you enjoyed reading about these new products and innovations.

We’d like to thank Will for helping us prepare for this event, and Addie for doing such a fabulous job making the information available to the Backpacking Light community.

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 3 – A Smorgasbord of Worldly Flavors

From practical (bras) to indulgent (a back-country electronics charger) to “they can do new things with zippers?”, the ispo show floor has it all.

Editor’s Note: Read all the articles in this series:

Aclima – Wool design innovation

Aclima is a Norwegian company that has participated in the textile industry since 1922. The company focuses on sports-underwear that is elegant, warm and soft, breathes, and does not hold odors. All products are available now in Europe. US and UK customers may be able to purchase through NordicOutdoors.

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Most unique about Aclima is their WoolNet line, which is mostly composed of 100g/m² wool netting. The netting gives the garment maximum breathability for active sports. When the activity is stopped, donning another layer on top (like a windshell) maintains a blanket of air next to the skin. The mesh effectively acts like mini baffles for an outer garment. Ultralight wool (130g/m²) is placed around sensitive areas, like the joints, neck, and private parts. The garments are also available in the lighter synthetic CoolNet line, using 100g/m² polypropylene.  Left: Women’s Polo with Zip, 205 grams (7.23 oz), 62€ (US$85). Right: Women’s Âľ Longs (Knee Pants), 121 grams (4.27 oz), 56€ (US$77).

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The zipperless hood can be worn in three different ways, as shown above.

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From left: Sports Top, 84 grams (2.96 oz), 54€ (US$74), racerback design, no adjustable straps. Nursing Bra, 63€ (US$86). What’s more ultralight than producing your backpacking companion’s food? Wool’s naturally anti-bacterial properties are perfect for this application. Sports Bra with Zip, 93 grams (3.28), 62€ (US$85), for women needing more support.

Millet – YKK compatible

Started in 1921, the French company Millet is one of the most established mountaineering companies in Europe. Several of their products are available in the US through internet-based sellers and specialty climbing shops.

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The LTK Shadow (300g/10.6oz) is a concept piece that was premiered at ISPO. The jacket is made from Gore-Tex Pro and has waterproof zippers, one large chest pocket, hem drawcord, extra-long arms, and helmet-compatible hood. The price is not set and the smock won’t be available until summer 2012.

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The LTK Shadow is the first shell to use a new type of zipper, where the coil is sewn directly to the garment. Millet and Mammut worked together with YKK to develop this ultra light zipper, and only these two companies will be allowed to use it. This photo shows the detail of an opened chest pocket.

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The Radikal Speed (420g/14.8oz, 150€/US$165) is a very light approach shoe that is as burly as any boot. It uses Boa lacing system and has tons of protected mesh on the top of the foot for enhanced breathability. These might suffice as a substitute mountaineering boot for some users and are available now.

Lurbel – from Spain

For 22 years Lurbel has extensively researched and developed high-quality technical garments. We were drawn to their claims of accelerating the curing of injuries and blisters with their Regenactiv sock.

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Non-Regenactiv socks start at 10€ (US$14), underwear at 27€ (US$37),and baselayers at 45€ (US$61). Garments in the Regenactiv range sell for about 30-50% more.

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A description of the Regenactiv design. Lurbel makes garments with synthetic or wool as the third layer.

Power Traveller – When you can’t escape technology

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The powermonkey-eXplorer, (65€/US$89), provides a little bit of juice in remote locations. The battery weighs 83 grams (2.93 oz), and plugs into standard mobiles with the maximum power out of 96 hours. Additional connector tips for other devices are available. The solar portion weighs 82 grams (2.89 oz) and can charge the battery while strapped to your pack, as long as there is plenty of sunlight. Power Traveller is a UK company and is currently interested in distribution in the US.

Devold – More established than 19 States

The Norwegian company Devold has been producing high quality wool clothing since 1853! We were pleased with their selection of women’s garments.

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 3 - A Smorgasbord of Worldly Flavors - 11Pulse Bra (left), 22€ (US$30), 230 g/m² merino wool, racer back design, adjustable straps, available in March 2011 Wool Fleece Bra (right), 20€ (US$27), designed for winter use with 470 g/m² wool inner, fleece outer, available now

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 3 - A Smorgasbord of Worldly Flavors - 12Pulse Woman Strap Top (all), 44€ (US$60), and Hipster (middle), 19€ (US$26), 230 g/m² merino wool, available in March 2011

Devold has their own factory in Lithuania and owns wool farms in Australia and Tunisia. They previously had distribution in Colorado and Minnesota but several years ago made the choice to focus their brand in Scandinavia and other European regions. They would like to enter the US market once again and are currently expanding their factory to create the quantity needed for increased distribution.

Alpinist – Picnic for two, please

Alpinist is a South Korean manufacturing company.

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The Picnic Mat is a two-person closed-cell foam pad. The design is similar to the Therm-a-Rest Z-rest, though a bit thicker and more structurally rigid. It appealed to us for two reasons. First, it is a two-person sleeping pad. We share a down quilt and there are not many products made for us! Second, the pad is partitioned into 60x40cm (23.6×15.7in) sections. If you chopped it up, one section could work well for a backpack that uses the pad as the back panel/frame, like those from Gossamer Gear. Two sections placed vertically would give hikers a long and thin sleeping pad (20x40cm/47.2×15.7in). This product is available in certain countries, but very likely none that you live in, and therefore the price is also irrelevant. The weight is unknown as well. Very helpful, we know!

Berghaus – Continuation from yesterday

As promised in yesterday’s post, we have a bit of information on two new jackets from Berghaus.

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Berghaus claims that the Mount Asgard Smock (289g/10.2oz men’s Large) is the lightest Gore-Tex Pro shell in the world. It is one of the first products to come out of their MtnHaus R&D team. This special work-group is composed of in-house experts from all levels of design, testing, and production. This particular piece was field tested and retested by climber Leo Holding, among other elite athletes. All told, this jacket went through 28 samples (a normal shell goes through three samples). The result is a Pro Shell smock at the exact weight as a previous Paclite smock.

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The front chest detail (left) shows how closely the zipper seals. The Raptor hood (center) has two pull-strings on each side of the neck. Pulling down on the tabs at the same time gives a uniformly snug hood (right). The Mount Asgard Smock will be available in spring 2011 for 220ÂŁ/$350.

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The Mount Asgard Hybrid Jacket (472g/16.6oz men’s; 425g/15oz Women’s) uses 700 fill down around the torso, Primaloft One on the arms, shoulders, hood and along the hem, and Pertex Quantum for the shell. This jacket uses hydrophobic down, which is made with a coating process that Berghaus helped develop. The down takes longer to collapse when wet, and has a much faster drying time. In field recovery (ie, not using a machine to dry) is up to 80% of loft, whereas untreated down only recovers to 50%. Berghaus will continue to develop this technology and hopes to be able to use it with higher fill power down in the future. The jacket will be available in fall 2011 for 190ÂŁ/US$300.

Lenzing – ECO Responsibility Award in category Fabrics and Fibers

The less the Earth is impacted by humans, the more wilderness fun for us.

Lyocell fibers, made from pulpwood, were first manufactured several decades ago. Recently, more focus has turned to eco-friendly fabrics and manufacturing processes. Consumers are increasing their interest in products which were created with a low impact to the environment.

Lenzing produces lyocell fibers under the brand name TENCEL. From logistics, to the use of resources, to the working conditions at the company, Lenzing implements a holistic approach from nature to product. In their Austrian factory, production energy is garnered from biomass, municipal solid waste incineration, and a small amount of fossil fuels. The wood fibers come from FSC-certified Eucalyptus grown in South Africa.

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The shell pictured above is just an example of a potential garment. The fabric is 40% Tencel and 60% nylon, weighing in at 41 g/m². The shell is windproof and downproof.

MYOG: 3mil Plastic Tarps

Practice makes perfect: using polyethylene to prototype designs means I can spend less and try more variations before sewing a final product in technical materials.

Introduction

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I have made several versions similar to this. In my three nights under this, it rained really hard with strong wind one night. The only problem I encountered was that I put my sleeping bag in an area that became a puddle about half an inch deep. Fortunately, my air mattress is 1.0 inch thick so I stayed above the water.

I may get beat up for talking about using plastic for a backpacking tarp on Backpacking Light, because it’s so cheap and flimsy, but here goes!

I have spent many nights sleeping under polyethylene tarps. They’re cheap, fairly lightweight, as waterproof as any other material, and possible to make robust enough to survive fairly bad weather. I’ve done about eight different designs and usually just use them on one trip of up to four nights.

I mainly use polyethylene tarps to prototype a design I want to verify before doing it in more expensive material. Such tarps would also be good for backpacking on the cheap, as you’d be able to equip four people for about $20 and some labor. In these economic times, frugal is popular.

Materials

I have always used 3 mil (0.003 inch thick) polyethylene, which is commonly used for protecting stuff while you’re painting. You can get a 10 x 25 ft piece from Home Depot for $10, which is enough for two or more tarps, depending on the tarps’ size. The 3 mil weighs 2.0 oz/yd2, which is fairly light.

Just to experiment, I made a tarp out of 2 mil polyethylene, which weighs 1.4 oz/yd2. It held up in my backyard, through rain and wind, for more than a week before the duct tape reinforcing came off, which wasn’t even a polyethylene failure. Based on this test, I may use this lower weight sheeting instead.

As a comparison, silnylon, a common lightweight tarp material, is about 1.4 oz/yd2 and Cuben, the state of the art material, is 0.75 oz/yd2 for the thickness most commonly used for tarps.

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For guylines, I use Mason’s twine. (Shown: Mason’s twine, some of the slippery pale stuff that doesn’t work very well, and 16-oz coffee cup for scale.) I use this for all my tarps, food hanging line, ditty bag ties, etc. It’s fluorescent red to minimize running into or losing it. Home Depot sells it for $5 for 250 yards, which is enough for 30 tarps. The braided version works best for using a taut line hitch. It’s #18 thickness (0.0625 inch diameter). It weighs about an ounce for 25 feet, which is enough for most tarps.

Several other common guyline materials and weight for 25 feet:

  • Triptease: 0.7 ounce
  • Aircore 2: 0.25 ounce
  • Aircore 1: 0.1 ounce

I tried some similar line from Lowes, and it was thinner and slipperier so it didn’t work very well. The Home Depot line was a brighter fluorescent color. This could just be a particular lot and a different store, or a completely different product. I’ve also used twisted twine, but it comes untwisted too easily.

I use #0 size grommets on my tarps (0.25-inch diameter hole). Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics sells a grommet setter, hole punch, and 24 grommets for $15. I have a grommet setter similar to the OWF version, though mine is cast iron. You have to hammer on the die to squish the grommet down, and it’s a bit of a trick to get it right. You have to hammer the grommet enough so that it doesn’t rotate around in the plastic, but if you hammer it too much, the grommet’s edges will cut the plastic. You should experiment first – hammer it too much so it cuts the edge to see what to avoid. I sometimes have to pry the grommet from the die with a screw driver.

I use readily available duct tape for reinforcement for guyline tieouts. One roll is enough for many tarps, and you probably don’t even need to go buy some because you’ve got it lying around.

I have used two trees to hang a tarp, but it’s hard to find a location with a flat area between two trees. I like camping in alpine areas without many trees anyway, so I finally got a pole which works much better for a one-pole tarp configuration. It’s easier to find one tree next to a flat area. I don’t normally use trekking poles but those make excellent tent poles.

I use some Easton Aluminum tent poles from TentPole Technologies. Quest Outfitters is another good source. I get the 26-inch lengths and cut them down to about 21 inches for each section – 41-inch length as assembled. This is pretty flimsy and could collapse in strong winds, or could collapse if you run into it, but is quite lightweight – 1.5 ounces for the two-section pole. I’ve used this in 20 MPH winds a number of times and have gotten away with it. The tip fits into the #0 grommets. I whittled down the tip a little because it’s a tight fit.

Guyline and Pole Reinforcement

The first method I’ve used to attach guylines is to put a small pebble inside the corner of the plastic and tie around it with the guyline. If you’re not familiar with this, it can be handy in repairing a tarp that rips out in the field. I object to carrying pebbles, so I use 0.75-inch diameter styrofoam balls from the craft store.

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First put the ball in the corner and wrap around it with guyline.

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Tighten and tie a knot.

This is a strong connection and distributes the load to the plastic evenly. The only bad thing about this method is that it doesn’t pull on the precise corner of the tarp, but at a point a couple inches in from the corner, so there will be a few inches loose all around the tarp. Because it’s not tensioned, it will flap in the wind. Also, this method doesn’t work very well as a connection to the sides of the tarp, only in the corners.

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Loose edges.

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The method I have used most often is duct tape for reinforcement with a grommet to run the guyline or pole tip through.

For example, last June I used a tarp in windy, rainy conditions for three nights at Burnt Lake and East Zigzag Mountain on Mount Hood in north central Oregon. Winds got up to about 20 MPH, and while the tarp held up fine, I noticed the duct tape slipped about 1/8 inch relative to the plastic. The adhesive on duct tape isn’t that great, and this wouldn’t last many more nights. Any suggestions on a better tape to use?

I wanted to find a way to attach guylines that would last a little longer than duct tape, so I constructed a simple test – 3 mil plastic, duct tape, and grommet on one side, guyline around foam ball on the other side. I then used it to hold 8 pounds (gallon milk jug of water).

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Test setup.

After about six hours, the duct tape slipped a little (which is what happened after three nights of backpacking in wet windy weather), and after twelve hours, the duct tape slipped off completely. This was my control… then I used the test setup to evaluate a few other methods.

First I put five staples through the duct tape/plastic. It held up fine for a week, so I think this would work well for a tarp on multiple trips.

Second, I tried something not requiring a grommet.

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First put the duct tape on one side of plastic and place knotted twine on the very edge of the plastic.

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Fold the duct tape over onto the other side of plastic, enclosing the knotted twine.

This held up for about a week in my test setup – the twine eventually slipped out of the duct tape. I also used it on a 2 mil plastic tarp that held up in rain and wind for a week before the duct tape slipped off, so this would make a reasonable connection for one trip. I might make the loose end longer and tie it to the main line with a taut line hitch so it won’t slip out.

I also used the test setup with 2 mil plastic. Foam ball worked best, staples in duct tape worked pretty well, no staple slipped off after about a day, knotted line without grommet held up for three days.

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I use a taut line hitch to tighten guylines. I don’t want to insult anyone by assuming they don’t know this knot, but just in case, here’s a taut line hitch loose.

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Taut line hitch tightened up. You have to really pull on the two loose ends (marked with red arrows) to tighten it up enough to hold on thin twine like this. After the tarp is set up and the lines are under tension, go over the taut line hitches one more time, really tightening them up. Also push the loops together on the two tight ends (not marked with arrows) to get the knot so it won’t slip.

This thin line is marginally thick enough to use a taut line hitch. You can always use tensioners instead of taut line hitch. For example, BPL’s Aircore Nano Dyneema Spectra Guyline weighs 0.8 ounces for 50 feet of cord plus 12 tensioners, all for $15.99.

I use 0.34-inch Easton Aluminum poles, and the tips fit in a #0 (0.25-inch) grommet. This pole is a little light and might collapse, especially if you accidentally run your foot into it, but I’ve used it for years, with a 40-inch length, and it has never collapsed on me.

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If you don’t want to use a grommet to hold the pole, then use a guyline and make a clove hitch around the tip of the pole. This would work with a bigger pole, trekking pole, or stick.

Design Examples

Classic Pup Tent

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I used this style tent for my first backpack when I was 12 years old, and it is probably the most common tarp method. Basically, you just string a line between two trees or poles, put the tarp over it, and guy down the four corners

It works better if you have a guyline tieout at the middle of the tarp on each side at the ridgeline. Have a short guyline and tie it to the ridgeline line with a taut line hitch. This keeps the tarp stretched out along the ridgeline. Alternately, you can omit the ridgeline line that goes under the tarp, and instead go from both sides of the tarp to tree or pole, but this puts more stress on the guyline tieout, and if it fails, the tarp will collapse on you (this isn’t a problem with fabrics so much as it can be with plastic).

I don’t really care for this design because it requires two poles, which is heavier, and if the wind blows into either end, then rain will blow in and get you wet. You can try variations, like lowering one end to reduce rain blowing in or making the tarp longer or wider. Adding a catenary ridgeline curve is out of the scope of a plastic tarp, but improves performance dramatically.

One Pole Tarp

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One pole tarp, in plastic.

This is what I have used more than anything else. On one end it’s like a pup tent, and on the other end, the two corners are about 40 inches apart and guylined to the ground. I added a “beak” at the pup tent end to reduce rain blowing in – folded the plastic and used duct tape/grommet to pull out with guyline. There’s duct tape with a grommet at the peak to put the pole through.

This uses less fabric than a pup tent because it’s narrower on one end. Only one end is open, which can allow rain in, which is bad, but only half as bad as a pup tent’s two ends. It has only one pole which weighs less than a two-pole pup tent configuration. It is also easy to find a spot where you can use a simple tree instead of a pole, making it possibly a no pole design.

I’ve used various versions of this on about six trips of three or four nights each over the last couple years. I stayed fairly dry, and it held up pretty well to the wind. Obviously, you want to point the foot end into the wind to minimize rain blowing in, but the wind can always shift on you and defeat this idea.

A good size for one person is 40 inches wide at one end, 76 inches wide at the other end, and 9 feet long. Five square yards of fabric weighs about 10 ounces in 3 mil or 7 ounces in 2 mil or silnylon. Pole and stakes are maybe 4 ounces, so this makes for a pretty lightweight package.

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After successful polyethylene versions, I made one with silnylon to be lighter and more durable. I lengthened the beak and put in a zipper. I made catenary curves from the pole peak to each of the two corners on the low end.

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Head end view with zipper open. This weighs 11 ounces, plus 2 ounces for the pole and 1.25 ounces for the stakes.

Minimalist Tarp

I wanted to have an even lighter tarp that provides a better view from my sleeping bag for when there is only a small chance of a little rain or dew. I’ve slept without a tarp many nights when there was dew, and I slept fine and stayed dry inside, but then in the morning I have to dry things off and any gear also has to be dried off.

My idea is to have a tarp 44 inches wide guyed to the ground and 76 inches wide with two poles on the other end, 6 feet long. This only covers the top half of my sleeping bag, but my bag is water resistant – good enough for dew or slight rain. If it’s continuous hard rain, I’ll get wet.

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In 3 mil polyethylene it weighs 7 ounces. The poles weigh 3 ounces. The stakes weigh 1 ounce. I used this on one trip, and I was okay with it. I really like how I can see out of it almost as well as no tarp at all, but it isn’t wind resistant.

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I liked it enough to make a version with polyester spinnaker cloth from Seattle Fabrics. I lengthened it a little to 7.5 feet.

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I tried it one night. When the winds got more than 20 MPH it was really noisy so I just took it down. It would help to have catenary curves on the two ridges.

The fabric is advertised as 0.75 oz/yd2, but I weighed it as 1.1 oz/yd2. It weighs 7 ounces, plus 3 ounces for poles and 1 ounce for stakes. I’ll play with this on a few trips to see if I like it, and probably find some modification to keep me busy.

Conclusion

If you enjoy making your own gear but hate making mistakes on expensive performance fabrics, get familiar with polyethylene. You can try several variations before making your first cut on the pricey stuff, and it’s even sturdy enough for field testing.

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 2 – Powered by Nutella

Another round-up of innovations and interest, treats and treasures!

Editor’s Note: Read all the articles in this series:

Introduction

While in the land of beer gardens and lederhosen, we are forgoing all cultural temptations to report to you daily from ISPO. All temptations except one. With a high energy per weight ratio of 5.33 calories per gram, Nutella has always been a backpacking favorite of ours. Here in Munich, with the low cost of US$6.66 for a 1400 gram container, it is the main source of fuel to power us through the days of walking and talking, and the nights of writing and fact checking. We hereby nominate Nutella as our favorite European ultralight product. What comes in second place? You decide.

Terra Nova

Terra Nova has been making waves in the ultralight world with their packs and tents. Now sleeping bags can be added to that list.

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The Laser line will consist of three bags, all utilizing 900 fill down and half zips. Pictured above is the Laser 600, with all three bags hanging to the left, in their stuff sacks.

Metric:

  • Laser 300 – 8°C comfort rating, 130 grams of down, 330 grams weight, and 220ÂŁ
  • Laser 600 – 0°C comfort rating, 335 grams of down, 610 grams weight, and 360ÂŁ
  • Laser 900 – -10°C comfort rating, 620 grams of down, 920 grams weight, and 560ÂŁ

Standard:

  • Laser 300 – 46.4°F comfort rating, 4.6 oz of down, 11.6 oz weight, and ~US$220
  • Laser 600 – 32°F comfort rating, 11.8 oz of down, 21.5 oz weight, and ~US$360
  • Laser 900 – 14°F comfort rating, 21.7 oz of down, 32.5 oz weight, and ~US$560

US prices will be nearly the same as British Pounds, as Americans do not pay a 20% VAT or import taxes. Terra Nova is also coming out with a similarly designed line of bags, called Voyager, utilizing 800 fill down and selling for about 10% less. The Laser and Voyager bags should be available in May.

Klättermusen

Klättermusen’s light items were not the only things to catch our eye at this Swedish company. They try to make a light impact on nature, as well. Klättermusen puts a refund value on all of their labels. The items can be returned to the company for end-of-life recycling. The refund values are between 1€ (US$1.36) and 20€ (US$27.23). Each item also has an eco-index which states the degree of impact a product has on the environment, thus a measure of the product’s ecological footprint. UK and US customers can order Klättermussen products through the Scotland-based NordicOutdoor.

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The Hugin pack is a 65 liter behemoth that tips the scales at a scant 950 grams (33.5 oz). The pack is made of 40 denier ripstop sil-nylon, with 420 denier recycled nylon on the bottom. The frame consists of two curved aluminum stays. It features two side mesh pockets, front pocket, padded hipbelt, sternum strap, thumb loops, and multiple attachment points. Klättermusen makes a nearly identical smaller pack, the Ran, which is 50 liters and weighs 900 grams (31.8 oz). The price has not been set, but the packs will be available in spring 2011.

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The hipbelt and stays are both removable on all packs. Shown above is the Higin, which comes in only one size, but there are two attachment points for the load lifters to allow for some adjustment.

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The Agir is the third pack in the series. This 35 liter front loader has the same features as the other packs and weighs 800 grams (28.2 oz).

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Klättermusen packs feature a unique buckle design that is simple and robust.

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Finally, Klättermusen makes several down garments, most uniquely the Idun shirt (left) and Heidrun shorts (right). Both pieces have 750+ EU fill down, horizontal baffles, Pertex Polyamide (35 g/m²) in the body and stretch Polyamide (73 g/m²) as reinforcement. They both use buttons instead of zippers, and the shorts have full side openings that allow you to take them off without removing your footwear. At 250 grams (8.8 oz) each, neither are ultralight but they are unusual designs. The Idun shirt has 90 grams (3.2 oz) of down and costs 201€ (US$274). The Heidrun shorts have 45 grams (1.6 oz) of down and will sell for 210€. They will be available in March.

GoLite

Since GoLite did not exhibit at Outdoor Retailer last month, we decided to peruse their display for new items. We were pleasantly surprised to see that they have quietly released some outstanding new jackets – a down parka and a shell – that at are among the lightest in their class and offer another choice in a crowded market.

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The Bitterroot Parka is another unbearably light down jacket. The women’s jacket weighs 340 grams (12.0 oz) and has 140 grams (4.9 oz) of down. The men’s jacket has 150 grams (5.3 oz) of down and weighs 370 grams (13.1 oz). Both use 850 fill power down and Pertex Quantum GL (25g/m²) on the inside and outside. Zippered-hand warmer pockets, an inner mesh water bottle pocket, an internal media pocket, and a two-way front zip complete the deal. The Bitterroot will be available in fall 2011 for US$375.

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The Malpais Jacket uses GoLite’s three-layer proprietary Trinity WP/B and 15 denier fabric. The women’s jacket weighs 175 grams (6.2 oz), and the men’s jacket weighs 190 grams (6.7 oz). MSRP is US$250 and the shells will be available in March.

Pieps

Born in the Austrian Alps, Pieps is a well-known maker of avalanche safety equipment.

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The Pieps Vector is a four-antennae avalanche transceiver with built-in GPS. The addition of GPS allows the unit to find buried victims faster. A standard transceiver follows the flux lines of the emitted signal, generally leading the rescuer on a circuitous path. After a short time of traveling along the flux lines, the Pieps Vector uses the GPS information to calculate the direct line to the emitted signal, giving the most direct path to the victim. This functionality works regardless of the victim’s transceiver brand or model. Vector will be available in October 2011 with a MSRP of 500€ (US$681). Weight is approximately 200 grams (7.05 oz), including the three AA batteries.

Berghaus

Berghaus is a UK company that has long made quality clothing, but their more recent work with elite climbers has resulted in some nice ultralight options. Today we cover three of those items. Tune in tomorrow to learn more about the Mt. Asgard Smock, which they claim is the lightest Gore-Tex Pro Shell in the world.

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The Velum Smock (left) weighs 312 grams (11.0 oz) and will cost 180ÂŁ (US$291). The Velum Jacket (right) weighs 360 grams (12.7 oz) and will retail for 200ÂŁ (US$323). Both jackets are made of Gore-Tex Active Shell. The hoods are helmet compatible and feature the new Raptor hood tightening system, which uses two elastic pull-tabs to get a really snug fit. The smock and jacket will be available in fall 2011.

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The Rapide is a minimalist shell intended for active use. Hence, it is made with Gore-Tex Active. This hoodless jacket had a full-front zip, one zippered pocket, thumb loops and a microfleece-lined collar. A men’s medium weighs 220 grams (7.8 oz); the women’s weighs 200 grams (7.1 oz). These will be available in the fall for 130ÂŁ (US$210).

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The Rapide uses a patented new zipper-pull which attaches at a slight angle (left), creating a very tight fit (right). This allows the garment to forego waterproof zips. The zipper was created in-house by Berghaus’ R&D team.

Yeti

This small German company makes quality down sleeping bags, jackets, and air mattresses. Customers can contact Yeti directly via their website, where they can find less outrageously priced (and spec’d) products.

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Yeti claims to make the lightest down sleeping bag in the world. However, it is unlikely they have read the MYOG forum on Backpacking Light! Yeti produces six lines of down sleeping bags, but it is their Passion line that we feature here. These “premium ultralight” bags use 900+EU (97/3) down with their proprietary Next to Nothing fabric, a down-proof nylon fabric that weighs 25g/m². Only the Passion Five has baffles; the others use stitch-through construction. Despite the great lengths that Yeti went through to build the lightest bags, they still use full-length zippers. That seems outright silly to me.

Metric:

  • Passion One – 10°C comfort rating, 125 grams of down, 320 gram weight, 400€
  • Passion Three – 0°C comfort rating, 300 grams of down, 530 gram weight, 500€
  • Passion Five – -7°C comfort rating, 500 grams of down, 790 gram weight, 600€

Standard:

  • Passion One – 50°F comfort rating, 4.4 oz of down, 11.3 oz weight, US$545
  • Passion Three – 32°F comfort rating, 10.6 oz grams of down, 18.7 oz weight, US$681
  • Passion Five – 19.4°F comfort rating, 17.6 oz grams of down, 27.9 oz weight, US$817

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The Ambition (men’s version, pictured above) and Attraction (women’s) are as ridiculously light as they are warm. The Ambition is the warmest of a line that is constructed with the same shell and down as the Passion sleeping bags. These garments are available now.

Metric:

  • Vest – 80 grams of down, 120 gram weight, 300€, men’s and women’s
  • Jacket – 100 grams of down, 230 gram weight, 400€ , men’s and women’s
  • Coat – 150 grams of down, 270 gram weight, 500€ , women’s only (it has a much longer torso)
  • Ambition/Attraction Parka – 200 grams of down, 370 gram weight, 600€, men’s and women’s

Standard:

  • Vest – 2.8 oz of down, 4.2 oz weight, US$409, men’s and women’s
  • Jacket – 3.5 oz of down, 8.1 oz weight, US$545 , men’s and women’s
  • Coat – 5.3 oz of down, 9.5 oz weight, US$681 , women’s only (it has a much longer torso)
  • Ambition/Attraction Parka – 7.1 oz of down, 13.1 oz weight, US$817, men’s and women’s

Vaude

Another German company, Vaude makes a wide range of outdoor, cycling, and lifestyle clothing. Liberty Mountain is their US distributor.

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The Norrsken sleeping pad is 5.5 cm (2.2 inch) thick and uses 30 denier on the top and 75 denier on the bottom. Primaloft Infinity is internally attached to the shell at 45° angles, essentially dividing the air chamber in two. This dual-chamber approach is somewhat similar to the new four-season NeoAir pad which was reported at Outdoor Retailer last month. The air tubes on the side of the mat are thicker, to help trap air around the user. Vaude won’t give an official R-value because there is no universal standard. However, we spoke with the designer of the pad, who said it would probably be rated between 3.1-3.4. The Short pad is 150 cm (59 inch) long, 55 cm (22 inch) wide, weighs 500 grams (17.64 oz), and will cost 100€ (US$136). There is also a medium (183 cm / 72 inch) and large (196 cm / 77 inch). While this isn’t a revolutionary pad, it is a small innovation and a solid step in light direction from Vaude.

Rab

UK-based Rab is well known in the ultralight world, as their shells and down parkas have received a lot of attention at BPL and in the mainstream media. We were pleasantly surprised to find some new base layers that have mostly flown under the media radar.

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The two main complaints of merino wool (durability and dry-time) led Rab to develop a new hybrid fabric, which they call Meco. Rab took Cocona fibers, created from recycled coconut shells, and combined them with merino fibers to create a hybrid fabric which can dry up to five times faster than pure merino when wet. The fabric will be made in weights of 120 g/m² and 160 g/m². The Meco short sleeve shirt, shown here, weighs under 140 grams (5 oz) for a men’s medium. We haven’t been this excited about a base layer in a long time. Prices range from 35-60ÂŁ (US$57-97). The full line of men’s and women’s tops and bottoms will be available in fall 2011.

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Also this autumn, Rab is coming out with two shirts using Polertec Powerdry – a waffle-like patterned fabric similar to Patagonia’s R1. Danny is holding the Women’s Baseline Hoodie and wearing the men’s Baseline Shirt (size Large). Both pieces have one chest pocket and a deep chest zip; the hoodie has thumb loops. The men’s hoodie weighs 245 grams (8.6 oz) and the women’s is 225 grams (7.9 oz). They retail for 75ÂŁ (US$121).

This concludes our day two coverage of ISPO. Two more days remaining, and so much more ground to cover.

Winter ISPO 2011: Day 1 – International Delights

In Backpacking Light’s first ever coverage of this massive trade show, we’re highlighting the innovations not generally available stateside.

Editor’s Note: Read all the articles in this series:

Introduction

We are delighted to report from ISPO – the International Sports Trade Show in Munich, Germany. This is the first year Backpacking Light has covered ISPO, so we’ll ease you in with a few facts. ISPO has over 2,200 exhibitors representing 45 countries. 64,000 visitors come from 117 countries to attend the four-day event. In comparison, this year’s winter Outdoor Retailer had 6,875 attendees representing 33 countries, plus 10,061 people working at the exhibits. ISPO began 71 years ago, while Outdoor Retailer is 22 years young.

Our focus during the next few days will be reporting on lightweight and innovative gear and apparel that is generally not available in the US market. Since the companies that develop these products might be unfamiliar to many readers, we will add a little extra background information for context.

CAMP

To ease ourselves into the day, we started at CAMP, an Italian company which has recently made inroads into the US market. Their most exciting equipment comes from their ski racing line, as the products are very light, utilitarian, and efficient in design.

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The Hotmit’n is a serious cold-weather mitt that was designed to keep hands warm during rest breaks in backcountry ski races. The mitts have 50 grams (1.8 oz) of 650 EU fill down and weigh 176 grams (6.2 oz) per pair. The light nylon shell is the same that is used on the Windmit’n (a 12 g / 0.4 oz per pair wind-proof mitten previously covered at OR). These mitts will be available in October for 90€ (US$122).

SkiTrab

SkiTrab may be lesser known in the US, but this innovative Italian company makes outstanding ski racing equipment.

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The Overglove Warmup Alp (78g/2.8oz) is intended to be worn with a thin linger glove for pre-race warm-up, as the name would suggest. The stretchy hole in the palm allows you to quickly free your hand without having to take off the mitten, as shown above sans liner glove. The benefits are numerous: you can make adjustments to your boots, packs, or camera, your hands stay warmer, and the wind won’t steal your mittens. Additionally, the lack of fabric on your palm would give you a better grip on poles while you are wearing the mitts. These retail for 50€(US$68) and are available now, though there will be slight modifications made for the fall 2011 model (most notably, a change from black to bright orange fabric for the outer shell).

Milo

The best deals of the day were found at Milo, a 17-year-old Polish company that creates clothing and gear for mountaineering and climbing. Milo uses Gelanots, a waterproof/breathable fabric developed by Tomen Corporation and sold to Toyota in 2003.

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The Shawan Jacket is a full-featured three-layer shell that retails for US$110. The athletic cut and long arms, combined with the stretchy Gelanots fabric, give the shell a very slim but comfortably unrestricted fit. For 400 grams (14.1 oz), you get Velcro cuffs, two-way full front waterproof zipper, two chest pockets, one shoulder pocket, reinforced shoulders, pit zips, and a helmet-compatible hood. Now go back and read the first sentence again – this jackets costs US$110. It is available now in a few color schemes (apparently not everyone appreciates the bold color combination shown here). Also available are the Shawan Pants that weigh 550 grams (19.4 oz) and also retail for only US$110. Both the pants and jacket will be available by March 2011. Otay is the name of the female versions that are available for a few dollars less.

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Another garment that piqued our interest was the Hetta Jacket. This super warm parka uses 130 g/m² weight Primaloft. This thick jacket does not feel bulky and sports a full front zip, zippered hand pockets, a small front chest pocket, and a noggin-hugging hood (read: not helmet compatible). The men’s version is pictured here; a women’s version is also available. At 500 grams (17.6 oz) for the men’s Large, it’s not the lightest synthetic jacket, but at US$66, it’s the most budget friendly substitute for a down parka, or a lightweight upgrade from a 200 or 300 weight fleece. Available in March 2011.

Climbing Technology

Climbing Technology is the brand of Aludesign, an Italian company with over 25 years of subcontractor experience in the international production of personal protective equipment. Aludesign saw the focus of the market emphasizing profit margin rather than quality, so they decided to fill the niche starting in 2004 with their Climbing Technology brand. All products are designed and created with the highest quality in their modern 4,000 m² building in the province of Bergamo.

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Climbing Technology (CT) caught our eye with the above product – a combination of a snow shovel and ice axe. The ASD package includes an ice axe and shovel blade, plus a steel cable which is intended to be used as a dead man anchor in the snow. Hence, ASD stands for Agile Shovel D-Man. The ASD Plus Kit, pictured above, includes a steel axe and weighs 820 grams (28.9 oz). The ASD Light Kit uses the aluminum axe and weighs 700 grams (24.7 oz). Both axes are 45 cm and UIAA approved, though the steel axe has a more aggressive pick and spike. These are available now at a cost of 120€ (US$163) per kit. The axes and shovel blade are also sold individually.

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To attach the ice axe shaft to the shovel blade, you simply pull back on a metal tab, insert the shaft, and let go of the tab. The shaft is firmly locked in place. Structural stability is enhanced with the six-sided shaft design. This axe-and-shovel combo looks ideal for spring hiking or ski touring trips, when there is a chance you might need an ice axe on a snow-covered pass or there’s a possibility of camping in the snow.

Montura

Montura is a small Italian apparel company that began as a very technical brand, with the founder believing that high quality products speak for themselves, thus little need for a large advertising department. Montura won two Polartec European APEX Awards in 2010, and this year’s products appear to continue their high level of innovation.

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According to Montura, the Super Nova is the first completely stitchless jacket using Polertec’s NeoShell fabric. The jacket has two zippered hand pockets, one external chest pocket, built-in thumb loops, and a light fleece lining. The jacket feels svelte thanks to the athletic cut and stretchy fabric. Montura couldn’t tell us the weight, but this welded-seam beauty will sell for 550€ (US$747) when it comes out in the fall of 2011.

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This stretchy synthetic baselayer, called the Ski Sky Pullover, has a very large two-way front zip. This allows you to release heat from your core while keeping your neck and face covered. Weight and cost were not available, though the Montura reps did say it will be available in the fall.

Red Fox

Red Fox Outdoor Equipment is a company based in St. Petersburg, Russia. They manufacture a full line of quality products, such as mountaineering tents, sleeping bags with welded seems, Arctic-worthy down jackets and pants, and Gore-Tex shells.

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The most expensive item of the day was found at Red Fox. Danny is wearing the Belite Jacket filled with Eider duck down. This insulation reportedly costs from 3,680-11,000€ (US$4,999-14,944) per kilo. The feathers are collected by hand from the nests of wild ducks in northern Russia. The Eider duck feathers stick together, creating an almost uniformly-thick insulation and reducing the need of structure-supporting baffles. The Eider duck feathers do not have sharp tips like goose down feathers, which can poke holes in ultralight fabrics. Only about 30 of these jackets are custom made per year, and with 100 grams (3.5 oz) of down, cost about 2,200€ (US$2,989) each.

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A clump of the Eider duck down, clinging together.

Inov-8 Ltd., UK

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Inov-8 are well known for their trail shoes, but they also have an excellent selection of ultralight race-inspired packs. All packs are frameless, under 600 grams (21.1 oz), and range in size from 12-30 liters. The Race Pro 30, shown above, has an innovative zippered-bottom pouch that holds a two-liter water bladder. In addition to ensuring easy access to the bladder, the H2Orizontal Hydration System has a few advantages. By placing the bladder around the hips, the center of gravity is lowered and pack sway is reduced. The Race Pro 30 weighs 590 grams (20.8 oz) and costs US$105. The horizontal bladder (167 g / 5.9 oz) is US$28 and is sold separately. The pack has two side mesh pockets, a stretchy zippered lid pocket, hip-belt pockets, and anatomical shoulder straps.

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There are many functional add-ons to the Inov-8 packs. Attached to the shoulder straps of this Race Pro 30 is mesh-lined storage that has three zippered pockets and a map pouch.

ATK Race

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Will and Janet covered a super svelte La Sportiva ski setup at the most recent OR. The bindings in that setup, though, are actually made by ATK Race specifically for La Sportiva. In Europe, ATK race sells their own three-way release, Dynafit-compatible ski bindings. The SL bindings, shown here floating away from my hand, weigh in at a paltry 110 grams (3.9 oz). MSRP is 415€ (US$564), and they will be in stores in October.

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ATK Race displayed a few custom race-specific designs, such as the above carbon fiber shovel, probe and skis. You can’t buy them.

Sir Joseph

Sir Joseph is a family-run Czech Republic company, with 35 years of experience producing high quality outdoor apparel and equipment. Sir Joseph uses their own proprietary fabrics. We were drawn to their Super Light Series, and pleasantly surprised by their new Kid’s Collection, which includes sleeping bags and a novel jacket add-on.

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The Jacket Expander is an elegantly simple product. Dual #3 YKK zips allows the product to be inserted into most jackets, allowing extra room to carry and insulate your baby. There is a draw cord at the bottom and a pocket for the baby’s feet. The expander uses Softex ECO, which is comfortable to the touch, and is insulated with Thermaloft Q. The Jacket Expander can even be used by pregnant women who need a little extra room. Weight is 100 grams (3.5 oz), cost is 40€ (US$54), and it is available now.

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The Koteka Down Jacket has 220 grams (7.8 oz) of 800 EU fill down. The inner and outer shell are Softex Micro, a fabric exclusive to Sir Joseph. The jacket has horizontal baffles, zippered hand warmer pockets, two-way front zip, and an interior chest pocket. This 490-gram (17.3-oz) wonder retails for 269€ (US$365) and is available now (though the hood will be slightly modified in the fall 2011 model). If these stats are true, they put the jacket as one of the best-in-class for ultralight down parkas, rivaling the Rab Inifinity.

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The Koteka Vest has the same horizontal baffles, fabric, and quality down. The single-layer loft is nearly 5 cm (2.0 in), which is the same as the jacket. The vest has 140 grams (4.9 oz) of down and weighs 320 grams (11.3 oz). It is available now for 179€ (US$243).

We hope you enjoyed our first day’s coverage of this overwhelmingly enormous sports trade show. We will certainly be stumbling upon new light gear and clothing in the three days to come, and we look forward to bringing you all the details.

-D&K

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVent Anymore!

Since 2004, when Backpacking Light published Alan Dixon’s manifesto on Waterproof Breathable Fabric Technologies, we have been a “whisper in the wilderness” extolling the benefits of truly breathable fabrics, like eVent. Now we are seeing the beginning of a waterproof-breathable fabric revolution.

Introduction

Gore-Tex created a thin waterproof-breathable membrane of expanded PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) about 30 years ago and has dominated the waterproof-breathable rainwear category ever since. eVent’s more breathable technology has challenged Gore-Tex – and Backpacking Light has emphasized that difference for the benefit of our readers – but Gore’s marketing has nevertheless established Gore-Tex as the “gold standard” for waterproof-breathable jackets. Finally, after many years with Gore-Tex as the status quo and little change, Gore’s supremacy is being challenged by a number of companies introducing new technologies and backing them with marketing efforts sufficient to bring about significant change in this category. And technology-loving outdoor enthusiasts, like our readers, are the spectators cheering them on as well as the beneficiaries of the improved performance.

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One thing the Gore-Tex challengers have in common is that they all have Gore-Tex in their crosshairs. Here is Columbia’s display at Winter 2011 Outdoor Retailer.

We are seeing the beginning of a waterproof-breathable fabric revolution, where new innovations are being marketed on the basis of technology differences, rather than just hype (but the hype is still there, for consumers who don’t want to be bothered with fabric technologies and physics). The challengers are actually explaining the technology (somewhat) to help consumers understand how their innovations can possibly be better than Gore-Tex.

The Contenders

We are already familiar with Gore-Tex and eVent. By no means are they standing still; Gore is introducing Active Shell, their lightest, best performing construction yet, and eVent has expanded their outreach by offering “customized solutions and branding flexibility.” The new players are: Columbia, which is rolling out their Omni-Dry technology this spring; Polartec, which is introducing NeoShell this fall; and Mountain Hardwear, which is introducing DryQ this fall.

That’s a total of five major players providing new technologies in the high-end waterproof-breathable fabric category. All are claiming to be different from each other, and all are claiming to be more breathable compared to the “industry standard” (aka traditional Gore-Tex). And many are focusing on thinner, lighter fabric constructions to create garments that perform better in high exertion activities.

It’s the biggest wave of new waterproof-breathable technologies ever, so what are the differences?

The Key Differences

Because of marketing, Gore-Tex has become the gold standard for waterproof-breathables. But we all know that Gore’s approach puts more emphasis on the word “waterproof” (“guaranteed to keep you dry”) than it does on the word “breathable.” Indeed, Gore-Tex garments are waterproof, at least for the first year or so, but breathable – that’s a stretch. Gore-Tex breathability, which is based on vapor diffusion, requires the interior of the jacket to warm up sufficiently so sweat turns into water vapor, because only water vapor can escape to the outside through the membrane’s tiny pores. In Alan Dixon’s classic article on Waterproof Breathable Fabric Technologies: A Comprehensive Primer and State of the Market Technology Review, a key point he makes is that Gore-Tex is most efficient at transferring moisture at high humidity levels. That means the wearer must first get the jacket steamed up real good inside, then its “breathable” performance kicks in. You might legitimately ask: “why pay big bucks for that?” or “they call that breathable?”

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The anatomy of a traditional Gore-Tex fabric construction. The lower layer labeled “protection” is a thin polyurethane layer to protect the ePTFE membrane from becoming fouled by body oils, sunscreen, insect repellent, etc. It’s also the weak link because it minimizes the air permeability of the membrane.

To address this issue, many manufacturers have added workarounds to Gore-Tex jackets like pit zips and core vents to provide more ventilation, to help vent moisture and improve comfort. Note however that supplemental ventilation is counterproductive to breathability through the Gore-Tex fabric, because ventilation lowers the humidity, so there is less diffusion of water vapor through the membrane. If that’s the case, then what is the membrane accomplishing?

Enter eVent and three newcomers. The key difference in their technologies compared to Gore-Tex is air permeability, which allows moisture transport by convection as well as vapor diffusion. The nemesis to breathability in Gore’s waterproof-breathable construction is a thin polyurethane layer necessary to protect its ePTFE membrane from becoming fouled by body oils. The polyurethane layer limits Gore-Tex’s breathability to the process of vapor diffusion only, and eliminates any air permeability directly through the fabric. eVent’s breakthrough is their oleophobic (oil-repellent) ePTFE membrane that does not require a protective PU layer; thus the fabric does have some air permeability, which enhances the direct venting of water vapor and wearer comfort.

All of the challengers to Gore-Tex target its weak link, which is the lack of air permeability. All of their technologies are air permeable to some extent, and emphasize that a small amount of air permeability is all that’s needed to eliminate enough moisture to make a jacket feel significantly more comfortable at higher exertion levels. They quickly follow this up by saying that only a small amount of air permeability is sufficient, and there is no loss of functional windproofness.

To illustrate the differences by the numbers we have so far, Polartec NeoShell has 0.5 cubic feet per minute of air permeability, which gives it a huge breathability advantage over Gore-Tex (0 cfm) and eVent (0.1 cfm). I obtained these numbers from a Polartec representative, who emphasized they were produced by an independent testing lab. The numbers indicate that we should expect significant and perceivable performance differences among these technologies. We know that to be true in our past comparisons of Gore-Tex and eVent, and by extension, we should expect NeoVent to be better yet.

Now let’s take a look at the individual technologies.

Gore-Tex Active Shell

Not to be outdone, Gore launched Active Shell in fall 2010, which Gore says is the most breathable waterproof laminate the company has produced. Active Shell will appear in garments by a number of manufacturers in fall 2011.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVENT Anymore! - 3
Gore-Tex Active Shell construction (left). The Mammut Felsturn Half-Zip (right, 10.2 oz/289 g for size men’s Large, US$390, available fall 2011) will be one of the lightest Active Shell jackets available. It’s intended for light and fast mountaineering.

Active Shell is based on Gore Activent, a fabric introduced in 1995 that was primarily used in windshirts. Activent was highly breathable and water-resistant and popular among endurance athletes. The advanced version, Active Shell, is claimed to be much better as a result of a new construction process that Gore has developed. Conventional Gore-Tex is a sandwich of an outer shell fabric glued to the ePTFE membrane, a thin polyurethane layer glued to the membrane, and a liner fabric glued to the polyurethane. The glue consists of thousands of microdots, which adds weight and cuts breathability (in addition to the polyurethane layer). In the new construction, the polyurethane layer itself acts as an adhesive to bond a thin tricot lining to the membrane. In addition, the membrane is thinner and the lining fabric is stretched to make it thinner and more comfortable against the skin. To be sure that Active Shell garments are as light and breathable as possible, Gore stipulates that garments must have a close fit, few pockets and/or mesh pocket linings, and as little taping as possible.

Note in the above description that the polyurethane layer is still present, so, in spite of the advances, Gore Active Shell continues to be a traditional construction which is dependent on vapor diffusion for breathability. Specifically, the reduced weight and increased breathability are the result of the elimination of glue layers, thinner membrane, thinner face and lining fabrics, and garment design.

To help put the different Gore-Tex fabrics into perspective, Performance Shell is for general use, Pro Shell is for mountaineering and professional use, Paclite is “emergency rainwear” to be carried in a pack and used only when necessary, and Active Shell is intended for high exertion activities like runners, cyclers, and fast-moving mountaineers. A key point is that Active Shell is comfortable worn against the skin (unlike Paclite), which can further enhance its performance in higher temperatures.

eVent

eVent technologists conceived and developed the concept of membrane air permeability combined with sufficient waterproofness, and found a way to make the ePTFE membrane oleophobic without adding a polyurethane layer. Although this approach provides a better waterproof-breathable performance fabric, market forces have relegated eVent to a smaller role in the marketplace, appreciated mostly by technically oriented outdoors enthusiasts.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVENT Anymore! - 4
The zipperless Montane Spektr Smock, weighing just 7.4 ounces (210 g), is the lightest eVent jacket available.

eVent’s reaction to the current waterproof-breathable fabric revolution taking place is to be supportive and flexible (bring it on!). Their marketing strategy will become much more partner-friendly, as suggested by the following pitch prominently displayed at their Outdoor Retailer booth: “Your technology on the outside; our technology on the inside.” GE Energy, owner of the eVent technology, will roll out two approaches to working with partners: 1) a manufacturer may choose to capitalize on eVent’s current reputation and incorporate the industry-known eVent name on their finished products, or 2) manufacturers may choose to combine the eVent membrane with their own knowledge of fabrics, laminate making, and garment construction, and brand them as their own. This means there will be OEM eVent products hitting the marketplace, much like what has happened with polyurethane laminates – it seems like every manufacturer has their own proprietary fabric. Personally, if that’s what it takes to get better technology into the marketplace, then I’m all for it, but the consumer confusion factor will increase dramatically; it will no longer be a simple comparison of Gore-Tex versus eVent.

Polartec NeoShell

Polartec as a company has been very aggressive in rolling out innovations. From Outdoor Retailer Summer 2010, I reported on Polartec Power Shield Pro fabric, which is claimed to block 99% of the wind and provide real water resistance while allowing 1% air circulation within the fabric to greatly enhance moisture transport by convection. Power Shield Pro fabric is featured in softshell garments being introduced this spring by several manufacturers.

NeoShell is basically the Polartec Power Shield Pro membrane with air permeability reduced from about 5 cubic feet per minute to 0.5 cfm to increase its hydrostatic head enough to make it functionally waterproof, about 10,000 mm, which Polartec claims is sufficient. The 0.5 cfm air permeability of NeoShell, compared to zero for Gore-Tex and 0.1 cfm for eVent, enables enhanced moisture transport by convection in addition to vapor diffusion, justifying Polartec’s claim that “NeoShell is the most breathable waterproof fabric available on the market today” (actually starting in fall 2011).

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Polartec NeoShell fabric construction (left). Rab Stretch Neo Jacket (right, 17 oz/482 g, US$365, available fall 2011).

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Performance test data for Polartec NeoShell compared to Gore-Tex (aka “Leading Competitor Waterproof/Breathable”) and eVent (aka “Other Waterproof/Breathable”). Information provided by Polartec.

According to Polartec, the NeoShell membrane is a sub-micron fiber polyurethane membrane, rather than ePTFE, that is air permeable. That’s about all we know about the membrane so far, as details come out and we have more actual user experiences (including our own), we will have a much better description and impression of NeoShell and whether substantial performance differences really exist.

Polartec will launch NeoShell garments in fall 2011 with selected partners including 66 North, Eider, Mammut, Marmot, Mountain Equipment, Montura, Rab, The North Face, Vaude, and Westcomb.

Columbia Omni-Dry

Like Polartec, Columbia is reluctant to release the technical details of the membrane itself, and prefers to place emphasis on its performance. We did find out that Columbia found the membrane pre-existing in the filtration industry, it’s a “modified density polyethylene,” weighs 7 g/m2, it’s stretchy and strong, it’s 75% lighter than Gore-Tex and 50% air, and will withstand 20,000 pounds of water pressure. Woody Blackford, Columbia vice president for global innovation, explained the numerous lab tests they performed to compare Omni Dry to Gore-Tex and other membranes. I won’t repeat it all here, but suffice it to say that based on their testing, Columbia claims their Omni-Dry membrane is “the lightest membrane in the industry,” has equivalent waterproofness to Gore-Tex, and is “about as air-permeable as eVent and DryQ.”

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Columbia graph showing Omni-Dry’s air permeability compared to Gore-Tex (left). Columbia Peak To Peak Jacket (right, 15.9 oz/451 g for size large, US$350, available spring 2011).

Omni-Dry will be offered in three garments to be introduced in spring 2011, and should not be confused with Omni-Tech, a polyurethane laminate, which is Columbia’s first waterproof-breathable technology introduced in 2008.

Mountain Hardwear DryQ

Also entering the fray is Mountain Hardwear (owned by Columbia) with their announcement of DryQ, which is based on an ePTFE membrane that is touted to have air permeability. It should, because Mountain Hardwear dropped their partnership with Gore, then partnered with GE Energy, the General Electric subsidiary that makes eVent. The company cites “the unique combination of the eVent membrane plus supreme quality face fabrics, barriers, backers, glues, tapes, and lamination technology to build its DryQ shell line.” Thus it appears that Mountain Hardwear was first in line, and the first OEM eVent fabric will arrive in fall 2011 under the name DryQ.

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Mountain Hardwear Effusion Hooded Jacket (12 ounces/333 g, US$200) which is a minimalist stretch shell in Mountain Hardwear’s DryQ Active line.

There will be three types of DryQ: DryQ Elite for hardcore mountaineering and skiing, DryQ Active for lightweight high energy pursuits, and DryQ Core for the mainstream consumer.

Other Rumored Developments

When we visited the Pertex booth, a Pertex technology representative casually mentioned that Pertex is partnering with GE Energy and is developing appropriate Pertex fabrics to mate with the eVent membrane, and the resulting fabric will be called Pertex Shield DV (for Direct Venting). That sounds pretty definite since they already have it named! From our perspective, the fabric constructions from Pertex are likely to be the lightest ones available, so they may be the center of our attention. We looked at numerous NeoShell and Active Shell jackets at this Outdoor Retailer Winter 2011 show, and none of them were really lightweight. That’s because mainstream manufacturers perceive that consumers of high-end shells want them to be durable and full-featured. It will take awhile for the likes of GoLite, Montane, Integral Designs, and others to integrate these new technologies into truly lightweight garments.

GE Energy is also working on two new membrane technologies, which will be variations on their standard eVent membrane, possibly to be introduced in 2012. This could be something like an “enhanced air permeability eVent” in response to Polartec’s NeoShell. Whatever it turns out to be, it will surely create some excitement in the outdoor industry.

What This All Means

Some common threads in this synopsis are:

  • All of the new and revitalized competitors developing waterproof-breathable fabric constructions incorporate membranes that provide air permeability, which they perceive is key to providing true breathability.
  • They are all ganging up on Gore-Tex, perhaps in an undeclared effort to bring down the “Holy Grail” of waterproof-breathable garments, and gain market share by educating consumers on the advantages of air permeability to convince them that the technology is advancing beyond traditional Gore-Tex.
  • Don’t think for a minute that Gore will take the competition lying down. They have already introduced Active Shell, and at the very least we expect the competition to heat up and get more interesting.
  • We will soon be evaluating breathable membranes that are based on ePTFE (Gore-Tex, eVent, Mountain Hardwear), polyurethane (Polartec), and polyethylene (Columbia). At this early stage we are lacking information to understand their anatomy and how they work, but that information will be forthcoming for your reading enjoyment.
  • We can expect this revolution to become more interesting and confusing as more and more membrane variations, fabric constructions, and proprietary branding are thrown into the equation.
  • After many years of living with the status quo, it is indeed refreshing to see technology innovation in this category once again, and hopefully it will lead to some really exciting new products for us to report on.

The Bottom Line for Backpackers

All this said, it’s important to point out that the easiest way to improve moisture venting in a hardshell jacket is to simply open the front zipper, and open the pit zips if the jacket has them – simple convection to the rescue! For backpackers who carry a backpack over a hardshell jacket, be mindful that the pack covers a large portion of the jacket’s backside, the hipbelt seals the bottom of the jacket, and the shoulder straps compress areas of the frontside. That eliminates a lot of the jacket’s surface area for moisture venting, or as eVent would say “getting the sweat out.” Opening the front zipper helps a lot, plain and simple.

I have not yet met a hardshell jacket that does not steam up while I’m hiking uphill carrying a backpack. When it’s raining we have no choice, and it becomes a matter of adjusting undergarments and opening vents to attain comfort. Any increase in fabric air permeability would definitely be an improvement.

Given the constraints to a hardshell jacket’s breathability from wearing a backpack, we really do need hardshells designed with enhanced air permeability for high exertion pursuits. The question is, will enhanced air permeability of the jacket’s fabric produce any actual improvement in comfort under these conditions? Lab testing and breathability numbers, based on the same test methods, will eventually help to compare and differentiate the technologies, but perhaps the bottom line will be actual field testing while carrying a backpack to determine if significant and perceivable differences actually exist. Or, conversely, does it really make sense to purchase an expensive waterproof-breathable jacket and then wear a backpack over it? Backpacking Light hopes to test these new technologies very pragmatically in the months ahead and report findings to our members.

An index to the articles in this series:

An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVent Anymore! (this article) Provides a description of the new technologies and highlights new jackets in the pipeline utilizing the new fabrics.

Field Testing Air Permeable Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies Part 2: Are There Detectable Differences Under Real World Backpacking Conditions? Describes my testing method and presents field test results.

Field Testing Air Permeable Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies Part 3: Discussion, Conclusions, and Performance of Individual Jackets Summarizes my findings and pragmatic conclusions from field testing the jackets while carrying a backpack, and discusses the pros and cons of investing in a high-end waterproof-breathable jacket. Presents test data for each jacket compared to “traditional Gore-Tex,” plus my comments on the most appropriate uses for each jacket.

Therm-a-Rest ProLite Air Mat Product Review

Cascade Designs upgraded their ProLite self-inflating mat once again, with another weight reduction. What were the consequences of weight loss on warmth?

Technical Details

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Air Mat Product Review - 1
Photo courtesy Cascade Designs.

Alan Dixon reviewed the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 back in 2004, when he noted that ‘Cascade Designs has whacked more than a quarter pound off their lightest sleeping pad.’ The weight for the Small or 3/4 length mat had been reduced to 370 g (13 oz) at that stage. Well, they have reduced the weight even further: the Small (3/4) is now down to 310 g (11 oz). This is getting rather light.

In the process the claimed R-value has dropped a bit, from 2.3 down to 2.2, while the thickness has stayed the same at a nominal 25 mm (1 in). The R-value is going to vary a bit depending on what pressure you put into the mat. This is discussed further under ‘R-value.’ The nominal length and width dimensions have stayed the same at 505 x 1200 mm (20 x 47 in), ignoring the welded edges. Note however that the mat tapers at the bottom end, down to about 380 mm (15 in).

The foam inside is urethane – as usual with any decent air mat, and the fabric is nylon top and bottom. Both top and bottom surfaces are covered in lots of little dots of something (maybe polyurethane again). The web site says ‘Rest Comfortably: Bottom grips and textured top surface hold the mattress in place while you sleep.’ This apparently refers to the little dots, but see below for further comment on this.

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Air Mat Product Review - 2
Camp below Matte, Via Alpina, Switzerland.

The foam has had star-shaped holes die-cut out of it to reduce the weight. These holes are visible when the mat is inflated, as you can see here. It is interesting to see that Cascade Designs have chosen the more expensive path of only selectively cutting these holes across the mat. That is, rather than taking a long slab of foam and feeding it through some sort of mass-hole-punching system, they have only cut the holes in the middle of the mat. They have left an unpunched edge down each side and across the bottom and a larger unpunched area at the top end where your head goes. You can see the unpunched edges here too. These unpunched areas are meant to provide extra support at the edges and under your head.

Field Testing

As a background to this I should explain that my wife and I have in the past each used a 3/4 length Therm-a-Rest Deluxe LE mat, which has a very nice soft fabric surface and is about 50 mm (2 in) thick. These have been faithful companions for many years and on many ski-touring trips. Sadly, they are no longer made. The only trouble with them was the weight – 750 gm (26 oz). Some of that high weight was due to the coring used: longitudinal holes. That design did however make the mats quite warm in the snow.

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Air Mat Product Review - 3
Camp at the foot of Glacier de Moiry, Chamonix to Zermatt, Switzerland.

We wanted to reduce our pack weights some more and reluctantly accepted that we needed lighter air mats. The weight of the new ProLite mats was good, but would they be warm enough and soft enough? We took the plunge, got the mats, and set off to Switzerland for another two months walking. The verdict was that they were fine.

I had better qualify that verdict. The mats were normally used on alpine snow grass, as shown here. This can be fairly soft in itself, and does provide some insulation from the ground. Mind you, the water in that tarn was cold!

How are they inflated? Like all good foam-filled air mats, you unroll the mat and open the valve. Go away for a few minutes, and they will self-inflate – up to a point. Typically my wife looks after this while I am looking after the tent: when they seem to have reached equilibrium she gives them about three large puffs and does up the valve. I imagine that over time the puffs might put some moisture into the mats, but we haven’t noticed any problems. We always store the mats on their sides inside the house with the valves open when not in use, and I think (hope) that they dry out a bit during storage.

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Evening at Mumbedah Creek, Kanangra-Boyd NP, Australia.

While my wife likes her mat fairly firm, I often let a tiny bit of air out of mine. Doing so lets my hip get closer to the ground, but if I am not sleeping on snow that doesn’t worry me. But the slight reduction in pressure does significantly increase my perception of comfort.

We normally tie our two mats together so we don’t get a gap in between. This is good for those cold nights when we supplement the warmth of our UL quilts by snuggling up together. (Hiking with your wife has some advantages!) The photo here shows one of the blue tie straps just to the right of my wife – it was a mid-summer warm evening. However, while this works excellently with the parallel-sided Deluxe LE mats, it is a bit more tricky with the tapered ProLite  mats. The end result is that the foot end of the mats are close together but the foot end is narrower. Well, true, but the narrowness is not a real problem, given the significant weight-reduction.

I had better also add that these are only 3/4 length. I cover the rest of our tent floor with some 5 mm EVA-30 foam. That protects the silnylon floor of the tent and provides just a bit of insulation under my feet. The combination is generally enough, even at some altitude in our Alps as shown below – dawn at 2,100 m (6,900 ft), North Rams Head, Kosciusko NP, Australia. Of course, if we have spare dry clothing available I often fold that up and put it under our feet as well.

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Air Mat Product Review - 5
Dawn at North Rams Head, 2,100 m, Kosciusko NP, Australia.

Sliding Around

We met a significant problem in the field with the way the mats slide around on the silnylon floor of our blue tent. My impression is that the PU dots are really good at sliding on the silnylon, and discussion with my contact at Cascade Designs more or less confirmed this.

I spoke with Doug Jacot, our Therm-a-Rest director. He said that the problem is the Sil-nylon groundsheet. Even the NeoAir, which has one of the best non-slip treatments, can slip on a silicone-treated floor. As you mentioned, adding the silicone sealant stripes to the floor of the tent really is the best option, other than to use a tent without a silicone-treated groundsheet.

Well, as expected, but I have to say that suggesting I change my tent was hardly useful! And I had already added silicone stripes to the floor of my tent, but they seemed to have very little effect on the sliding. I do wonder whether the dots are there not to stop sliding but to prevent abrasion of the fabric surface. The dots are small, but they are packed really close together, and they do slide well.

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ProLite 3 mat with silicone stripes added.

What the company did not suggest was putting the silicone stripes on the underside of the mat. So I tried this with Permatex Flowable Windscreen Sealant 65AR. You can see the stripes in the photo here. I want to emphasise that these stripes of silicone are really thin: I ran a very thin bead along, then smeared it out with my finger carefully. There are no lumps, and the weight gain would be in the order of maybe 2 – 3 grams. Making the stripes any thicker would not improve their grip. After a rather serious trip in Wollemi NP (a long story…) I can confirm that these stripes made a huge difference: the mat did not slide around. It may be that the silicone stripes on the mat did grip against the silicone stripes on the groundsheet: you may need both. With all due respect to Cascade Designs, I have to ask why they can’t do the same thing?

R-Value

We all know that some companies make exaggerated claims for the insulation value of their clothing, sleeping gear, and mats. We mentioned above that the claimed R-value for the ProLite is 2.2, but obviously this should be measured. Using our insulation test system we measured the ProLite mat with the bottom surface cold and the top surface hot – the way you would use the mat in the field.

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ProLite mat R-value.

Making the measurement takes time, as mats are good insulators and the heat flow is slow to stabilise. There is always a transient at the start which purely an artifact of how insulation testing works, so we have to ignore that. The plot here shows the R-value at several different thicknesses, from fully inflated (and lightly loaded) to under-inflated and heavily loaded.

You should note that this test started with the mat inflated with a few breaths on top of its normal self-inflation, and this does not completely reflect field use. In the field your hips and your shoulders will depress the mat locally, reducing the R-value right under them. Also, you may not blow the mat up fully as that tends to make it rather hard. When the mat is under-inflated just a little bit you get more of it supporting you, which is more comfortable, although this means some bits of you may be a bit cooler than other bits. That’s normal.

My assessment is that the claimed R-value of 2.2 is fairly honest, although if you go for ‘comfort,’ bits of you will see a slightly lower R-value.

Summary

Do we like these mats? For non-snow use, we do. We haven’t tried them in the snow, and probably won’t. Even though they are thinner (at 25 mm or 1 in) they seem to be quite comfortable, and at 310 g (11 oz) they are much lighter. With a quoted R-value of 2.2 and a measured consistent with that, they have less insulation than our Deluxe LEs (about 6.7) which we use in the winter on snow, but they seem fine for three-season use.

Specifications

Manufacturer Cascade Designs
Web Site www.cascadedesigns.com
Model ProLite, Small (3/4 length)
Size (measured) Small: 505 x 1200 mm (20 x 47 in)
Thickness 25 mm (1 in) – approx, depending on inflation
R-value Claimed 2.2, measured 2.5
Weight (quoted) 310 g (11 oz) for Small
Weight (measured) 315 g (11.1 oz) for Small
MSRP US$80 for Small
Other sizes Extra Small: 510 x 910 mm (20 x 36 in), 230 g (8 oz), US$60
Regular: 510 x 1830 mm (20 x 72 in), 460 g (16 oz), US$100
Large: 630 x 1960 mm (25 x 77 in), 630 g (22 oz), US$120

What’s Good

  • Light weight
  • Self inflating
  • Comfortable
  • Seem tough enough

What’s Not So Good

  • They slide around on silnylon!

Disclosure: The manufacturer provided this product to the author and/or Backpacking Light at no charge, and it is owned by the author/BPL. The author/Backpacking Light has no obligation to review this product to the manufacturer under the terms of this agreement.

Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole Review

Lightweight, collapsible, fixed-length poles that use avalanche pole technology to lock the sections.

Introduction

In spring 2011, Black Diamond will be introducing their new Z-Pole series of trekking poles that collapse down to a small size so they can be stowed inside a backpack or travel bag. They use avalanche pole technology to connect the sections, so the poles virtually snap into place.

The series consists of three models: the Ultra Distance fixed length carbon fiber pole, the Distance FL aluminum adjustable length pole, and the Distance aluminum fixed length pole. The Distance and Distance FL are a bit lighter than conventional aluminum trekking poles; their primary advantage is their collapsibility. However, the Ultra Distance (reviewed here) is more remarkable because it is both lightweight and collapsible.

Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole Review - 1
The Ultra Distance is the lightest member of Black Diamond’s new Z-Pole series. It’s a collapsible three-section carbon fiber pole that weighs just 4.85 ounces (137 g) per pole (120-cm length).

The Ultra Distance is a collapsible fixed length pole. It does not have any screw or flick-lock connectors to contend with, which saves weight and potential problems. The collapsibility feature is nice, but how do they compare with other lightweight carbon fiber trekking poles?

Description

Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole Review - 2
The 120 cm length Ultra Distance pole collapses down to 15.6 inches (39.5 cm), small enough to fit inside a backpack or travel bag.

Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole Review - 3
The Z-Pole series employs avalanche pole technology to connect the pole sections. The technology consists of three components: a Kevlar cord threaded through the pole’s three sections (not shown), a protective plastic “speed cone” (left) at each joint that aligns the pole sections so they snap into place, and a push-button release (right) to collapse the poles.

This is one of those things that is much easier to show in a video than it is to explain in print, so the following video shows how they work.

Youtube video

Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole Review - 4
The grips (left) are non-slip lightweight foam with a mini-extension for quick choke-ups. Interchangeable rubber and carbide tips (center, rubber tip shown) are provided with the poles. The Wavelock connection prevents the tips from working loose. The non-removable straps (right) are lightweight, moisture wicking, and left- and right-hand specific. They have cutouts for increased breathability and hook and loop adjustment.

The poles taper from a diameter of about 13 millimeters at the grips to 10 millimeters at the tip.

Performance

I tested the Ultra Distance pole on numerous summer backpacking trips over a wide variety of terrains, most of it very rugged. I used them off-trail a lot while crossing streams, ascending and descending steep slopes, dropping off of ledges, and crossing sliderock slopes.

Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole Review - 5
I measured the poles’ stiffness by our standard BPL method: bridge a pole across a 110-cm (43.3-in) gap between two chairs, hang a shopping bag with 25 pounds (11.34 kg) of weight at the center of the pole, and measure the deflection from horizontal. The 120-cm Ultra Distance poles I tested bent 7.5 centimeters (3 in), which is moderately stiff for a carbon fiber pole. For comparison, the Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 adjustable poles deflect only 5 centimeters (2 in), and a conventional aluminum trekking pole deflects about 3 to 3.5 centimeters (1.2 to 1.4 in).

My field testing of the Ultra Distance pole was positive; I am pleased with the poles’ lightweight, stiffness, durability, and collapsibility feature. I experienced no problems whatsoever.

I especially like the rubber tips that come with the poles. They grip well on rock, whereas a carbide tip will often slip. As shown in the photos above, the rubber tips are quite durable and last a long time. Replacement tips and stopper baskets are available from Black Diamond. Larger baskets are not available.

I carried the collapsed poles inside my backpack, or attached to the side of my pack, several times and found that feature useful and convenient. By comparison, when I tried attaching my Lightrek 4 poles to the outside of my pack, I found them unwieldy, and they got in the way while scrambling.

After using the poles on numerous trips without using the straps, I finally removed them. The straps are removed by inserting the point of a ball point pin into the hole where the cord enters the grip, then fishing out the plastic insert.  Removing the straps lightens the poles by 0.8 ounce (22.7 g) and reduces the weight per pole (120-cm length) to 4.5 ounces (128 g). For comparison, the weight of the Gossamer Lightrek 4 is 3.4 ounces (96 g) per pole.

The fact that the poles are not length adjustable was a limitation for me. I often use shelters that require trekking poles set to a specified length, so I was out of luck with the Ultra Distance poles. Instead, I took the Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 poles for that purpose.

Comparisons

The new Black Diamond Z-Poles are not the only kid on the block. Also coming out in spring 2011 are the CAMP Xenon 4 trekking poles (seen in our coverage of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011), which are four-section and collapse down to 12.6 inches (32 cm). Weight is 5 ounces (142 g) per pole, about the same as the Ultra Distance pole. The stated MSRP is only US$70, which is less than half the cost of the Ultra Distance. Sounds too good to be true…

Assessment

The collapsibility of the Ultra Distance poles is definitely a usable feature. When hiking where poles are not really needed, or when taking trekking poles on any public transportation, it is really nice to be able to put the poles inside my backpack or attach them securely to the outside. That is perhaps the most compelling reason for choosing these poles.

On the other hand, the lack of length adjustment is a major limitation. Many hikers like to adjust their pole length when hiking uphill, downhill, and on sidehills. That was not a problem for me personally, but it is definitely a bummer that I can’t use them for erecting a shelter, unless they happen to be just the right length.

Value-wise, the Ultra Distance poles cost almost the same as the Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 poles (US$150 versus US$160), so the bottom line depends on which feature you value most. If collapsibility is more important, get the Ultra Distance poles; if adjustability is more important, get the Lightrek 4 poles.

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer Black Diamond (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com)
Year/Model Spring 2011 Ultra Distance Trekking Pole
Style Three-section collapsible, fixed length
Shaft Material Carbon fiber
Tips Carbide and rubber
Grips and Straps Grips are molded EVA foam with mini-extension; straps are moisture wicking, left and right hand specific
Pole Lengths Available 100, 110, 120, 130 cm
Weight per Pole 120 cm length tested, measured weight 4.85 oz (137 g), manufacturer specification 4.75 oz (135 g)
Features Compact three-section collapsible poles using avalanche pole connector technology, interchangeable carbide and rubber tips, molded grips with right and left hand specific straps, carry sack included
MSRP US$150

Disclosure: The manufacturer provided this product to the author and/or Backpacking Light at no charge and is owned by the author/BPL. The author/Backpacking Light has no obligation to review this product to the manufacturer under the terms of this agreement.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 4 – Final Day and Still Plenty of Interesting Gear to be Found

Enduring sleep deprivation and a cold, we roamed the show on the final day and found some very interesting gear – new trail crampons, very lightweight rain mitts, more collapsible trekking poles, a 9-ounce snow shovel, cool apparel and footwear, and more…

Introduction

Here’s our report from the fourth and final day of winter OR. Things have really quieted down and attendees leave for home. Everyone is getting a little weary, but the enthusiasm of people in the outdoor industry is always amazing. Despite the fact it was a shorter day, we still found a full complement of things to report on.

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Hillsound is a Canadian company exhibiting at OR for the first time. Their only product is trail crampons and they showed us three models. The Trail Crampon (left two photos, 16.2 oz/460 g per pair, US$59, available now) are slip-on crampons available in four sizes. They have a TPU (thermo-plastic-urethane) harness that will withstand very cold temperatures and underfoot toe and heel hardened steel plates with some serious crampons (far left). They are fairly similar to the Kahtoola MicroSpikes, weigh about 3.5 oz (99 g) more, and cost the same. The Cypress 6 (third photo from left, 19.4 oz/550 g, US$55, available now), are an adjustable instep crampon with a midfoot plate, six crampons, and a polycarbonate binding with two ratchet buckles. Their Trail Crampon Pro (far right, 24 oz/680 g, US$79) for fall 2011 is an adjustable 10-point crampon for serious glacier and snow travel. They have a more substantial polycarbonate harness with one ratchet adjustment. This one is comparable to the Kahtoola KTS Steel crampon; it weighs a smidgeon more and costs half as much.

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The VestPac is a bit hard to describe. It combines a back hydration pouch with front-mounted panels designed for different applications. For example, the GrandPac (left two photos, about 10 oz/283 g, US$68, available now), has a 3D Airmesh backpanel (far right photo) and neoprene hydration sleeve and reservoir on the back, and a zippered pocket and vinyl pockets on the front. The DriftPac version (third photo from the left, about 10 oz/283 g, US$130) is the same on the backside, but the frontside opens up to provide access to multiple attachments and pockets for fly fishing gear. There are seven basic models in all, each with a different combination of hydration and frontpanel design to make them useful for a multitude of applications like day hiking, trail running, fishing, photography, hunting, XC skiing, travel, and field trips. Also, the frontpanel is interchangeable, so a person can purchase a separate frontpanel for each intended use.

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Over at The North Face booth we found the Diaz Jacket (left, sorry, we don’t have complete specs on these items, will update when we get the information) for fall 2011. This pullover jacket has a Pertex Quantum shell (original Quantum) and Primaloft Eco insulation. The Animagi Cap (right) also caught our eye. It has the same face fabric and insulation, plus a Power Stretch fleece ear warmer that extends down over the ears.

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At the CAMP USA booth we found a number of lightweight items. They mainly make climbing gear, but their apparel items and other outdoor gear are among the lightest to be found. We previously reported on their Windmit’n (orange shells only), which are wind mitts weighing just 0.4 ounce (12 g) per pair and MSRP of US$25. For fall 2011 a Waterproof Windmit’n will be offered that weighs about 0.9 to 1.1 ounces (25-30 g). They will be made of a silicone coated nylon, so they will not be breathable. Another version available is the G Comp Wind (above) which is a Power Stretch glove with attached Windmit’n in a small pocket so it can be worn over the glove when needed. Sorry, no weight available; the MSRP is US$75.

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The CAMP rep also showed us their aluminum Xenon 4 Collapsible Trekking Pole (9.9 oz/281 g, per pair US$70) which employs avalanche pole technology to hold the four sections together (see video). CAMP claims they are the lightest collapsible trekking poles in the world, but in fact the carbon fiber Black Diamond Speed Distance poles weigh 0.2 ounce (5.7 g) less; however, they cost over twice as much. In spring 2011 the CAMP aluminum Xenon Trek Pole (not shown) will be available; this collapsible four-section pole will be stiffer and therefore a bit heavier and will sell for US$80. Both of these poles are a great value, but they are not quite as elegant as the Black Diamond Z-Poles.

Youtube video

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CAMP also claims that their Crest Snow Shovel (8.9 oz/253 g, US$38), new for 2011, is the lightest in the world, and I have no reason to dispute that. The 13.8-inch (35-cm) aluminum alloy shaft slides into the blade for packability, and the polypropylene blade measures 7.9 x 7.9 inches (20 x 20 cm). A carry bag is included for lashing to a pack.

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CAMP also has lots of lightweight packs. Two that caught our eye are the Phantom (left, US$40), a minuscule weight 15 L stuff sack/summit pack. It is constructed of thin coated nylon, has a large mesh pocket on the front, and mesh shoulder straps and hipbelt for ventilation. The 30 L X3 600 Pack (17 oz/490 g, US$100) is designed for randonee racing and backcountry touring. It’s a top loader with one fiberglass stay, zippered top pocket, two large mesh side pockets, and two large removable hipbelt pockets.

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Sea To Summit continues to crank out well-designed useful camping accessories. This time we found their UltraSil Dry Day Pack (left, 3.2 oz/91 g, US$55, available August 2011). It’s a different design and a little larger compared to their UltraSil Day Pack we reported on before which weighs 2.6 oz (74 g). This one has a drybag closure with Hypalon straps and packs down to a very small size (center). The UltraSil Duffle Bag (right, 2.8 oz/79 g, US$40, available March 2011) has a zippered top opening and 40 liters of capacity and looks to be a very useful piece. Sea To Summit’s new sleeping bags, which we reported on from the summer 2010 OR, will arrive in March 2011. The lightest one is the Micro II (36F/2C EN rated, 19 oz/539 g, US$350) which has 850 down fill and a YKK #3 full-length zipper.

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Another new exhibitor at OR is ToughStakes, which makes flat aluminum alloy stakes designed specifically for sand and snow. According to owner Eric Simonson, sand/snow stakes currently on the market fail due to repeated tugging on the stakes on a windy day, followed by a good gust that pulls them out. As shown in the video, ToughStakes have a guyline attached to the bottom and require ten times more pulling power to pull them out compared to conventional stakes. ToughStakes will come in three sizes: Small (1.5 oz each/42.5 g, sold in a pack of four for US$20), Medium (5.1 oz each/ 145g, sold individually for US$25), and Large (8 oz each/227 g, US$35); all come with a wire guyline and tie loop. Besides staking tents and canopies, the large stake can be used to tie down a canoe.

Youtube video

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A new product from Adventure Medical Kits is their SOL Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy (3.8 oz/108 g, US$16, available now). It’s made of a metallicized plastic, which is quieter than Mylar, and the coating does not rub off on clothing. Dimensions are 36 inches wide x 84 inches long (91 x 213 cm). AMK claims that the coating reflects 90% of body heat. Although it’s not breathable at all, it’s enough for many thru-hikers in warmer temperatures.

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A really cool midlayer piece from SmartWool for fall 2011 is the TML Mid Full-Zip Hoody (10.9 oz/370 g, US$190). It will also be available as a hoodless half-zip and a vest, each with one zippered chest pocket and two hand pockets. It’s made of a 64% merino wool/34% nylon blend and looks like a softshell, but there is no surface treatment to repel water. It can be worn as an outer layer and its fabric will provide some natural wind and water resistance. It’s mainly intended as a substitute for a fleece midlayer. Men’s and women’s versions will be available in several colors.

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Teva Footwear will be introducing additional versions of its popular Forge Pro shoe this August. They will be the Forge Pro Mid eVENT (right, 15.4 oz/437 g per shoe, US$140) and Forge Pro Mid Winter (left, 16.2 oz/459 g per shoe, US$160). Teva shoes are wider in the toebox, which suits hikers with wider feet. The Winter version will use Thinsulate insulation. Both shoes will be waterproof and feature Teva’s HyperGrrip outsole, which has embedded fiberglass fibers for extra traction on ice.

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A very lightweight rain jacket is the Montane Minimus Jacket (8 oz/215 g, US$219) made of 2.5-layer Pertex Shield. Using 15 denier face fabric, it’s one of the lightest constructions yet with Pertex Shield. With 20,000 mm of waterproofness and MVTR of about 25,000, Pertex Shield is “on top of the pile of polyurethane laminates” according to a Pertex representative. Pertex is working with GE Energy to develop lightweight laminates using the eVENT ePTFE membrane and Pertex fabrics, which will be branded as Pertex Shield DV (for Direct Venting).

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Primaloft introduced a new synthetic insulation called Primaloft Synergy, which is a multi-denier continuous filament insulation engineered for superior warmth, softness, and loft. It’s constructed of fine and ultra fine denier continuous filament fibers, which makes it thicker and warmer without sacrificing compressibility; loft is claimed to be 25% higher than Primaloft Infinity. The intended use is in sleeping bags and outerwear. The current Primaloft insulations are One, Sport, Eco, Infinity, Eco Footwear, and now Synergy.

In other textile news, Outlast announced the application of its technology to a polyester fabric. Originally developed for NASA, Outlast is a phase-change substance that is applied to fabric threads. It absorbs heat and provides heat regulation. So far, Outlast has mostly been used in bedding, especially sheets, but now it is being applied to a polyester fabric to combine the benefits of Outlast’s heat regulation with polyester’s moisture-wicking and durability qualities. The brand sees a lot of potential for applications in technical base layers and socks.

This wraps up our daily coverage of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011. Our final article will address the emerging new revolution in waterproof-breathable technologies. Gore-Tex has dominated the high-end waterproof-breathable category for over 30 years, challenged only by eVENT. Now some major players and new technologies – Polartec’s NeoVent, Mountain Hardwear’s DryQ, and Columbia’s Omni-Dry – seek to raise the bar with marketing campaigns emphasizing the need for air permeability in order to achieve true fabric breathability. Of course Gore is not sitting idly by; they introduced Gore Active Shell, which is their lightest most breathable construction yet. Our upcoming article will describe the technologies and analyze where the trend may be going.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 3 – An Assortment of Awesome Gear

This is not our backpacking gear list (honest!); today we again report on a wide variety of new gear – a new bear canister, more collapsible trekking poles, an insulating skirt for your derriere, lightweight high output lights, an ultralight down jacket from an unlikely source, more footwear, etc, etc…

Introduction

Another full day on the show floor, another full list of interesting items.

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There are a lot of interesting creatures wandering around OR to attract attendees to their favorite products; fortunately this bear was friendly.

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Speaking of bears, this item will interest a lot of our readers who hike where bear canisters are required. A small company named Camp 4 Outdoors will be introducing a new bear canister concept this summer called the Bearier 700 (less than 2 lb/0.91 kg, about US$110). The canister looks like a big plastic bubble, which opens up at the middle into two halves. Each half (lower right) has a mesh skirt to keep food from falling out, and to allow hikers to split up the load on the trail. The volume of the current model is 700 cubic inches (11.5 L) and an extender called the Grub Hub is in the works to extend the volume to 1000 cubic inches (16.4 L). Camp 4 is in the process of getting the Bearier approved and hopes to have it on the market by May 2011. Compared to the carbon fiber Bearikade canister, the Bearier will weigh about the same and cost about half as much. The production model will not be clear as shown, so bears won’t be able to see what’s inside.

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While passing by the SteriPen booth again we noticed the SteriPen FitsAll Filter (2.3 oz/24 g, US$15). It’s a prefilter and bottle adapter in one. As a prefilter it takes out suspended sediments to allow the ultraviolet light from the SteriPen to work more effectively, and it’s also an adapter to mate the SteriPen to various bottles that have a small opening. One of the limitations I found while testing the SteriPen is it doesn’t work very with with bottles with a small opening, like soda bottles. The FitsAll Filter fits all SteriPens and allows water to be treated in almost any bottle simply by inverting the bottle. However, the weight is a little high, almost the same as the new SteriPen Freedom we reported on, so for me it would be more appealing if it were lighter. Available now.

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At the Sierra Designs booth we were shown a must-have product, the Gnar Skirt (4.5 oz/128 g, US$99) insulated with 650 fill down. I’m sure everyone has frozen their tu-tu at one time or another, so here’s the prefect prevention. It’s unisex and comes in three sizes. Perhaps readers can suggest some really good multi-purpose uses for this innovative new product for fall 2011. Of course one fashionable use is suggested by the photo of the model on the right. It should go well with the Outdoor Research Transcendent Beanie we featured in our Day 1 coverage.

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Leki will also have collapsible trekking poles for fall 2011. The line will have three models, and the lightest is the Carbon 4 (top, 7.4 oz/210 g, $230) which is a four-section pole that telescopes down to 21.7 inches (55 cm). The next lightest is the three section aluminum Micro Stick (bottom right, 8.8 oz, 250 g, US$150) which collapse down to 15.4 inches (39 cm). The first two sections of the Micro Stick telescope with a joint lock. All the poles in this series have an extended handle and Leki’s Aergon XL grip, and available lengths will be 110, 120, and 130 cm. Leki will also have a Camera Adapter for the Aergon Grip (bottom left, US$20) available when the poles come out in spring 2011.

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At Lorpen (a Spanish sock maker) we found the Extreme Expedition Sock (no weight available, US$50) which utilized Lorpen’s Tri-Layer woven system which uses different materials for different applications; for the Extreme Expedition Sock, the layering is two layers of Polartec Stretch fabric sandwiching Primaloft Footwear Insulation. The socks are left and right foot specific to fit the anatomical shape of the feet, and are claimed to be on the cutting edge of warmth technology in a sock.

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Fenix is a lighting company started by four Chinese electrical engineers in China, and they are marketing their high-tech lighting in the US. All of their lights are waterproof to 8 feet (2.44 m), ANSI certified, and very bright for their weight. Some standouts suitable for backpacking are the LD01 (right, 0.5 oz/14 g, US$40) which uses one AAA battery, has a hat clip, puts out 72 lumens, and has three brightness levels. Another standout is the HL20 (left, 1.8 oz/51 g, US$42, which puts out 105 lumens, has four brightness levels, and comes with a diffuser for camp use. These are really superb lights and BPL lighting specialist Rick Dreher is working on reviews for spring publication.

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Easton Mountain Products continues to crank out interesting products that include carbon fiber components. New for fall 2011 is the CTR 65 Trekking and Ski Pole (1.12 lb/0.51 kg per pair, US$110) which are two-piece telescoping carbon fiber poles with some really secure locks that can be operated with gloves on. They will come with a standard trekking tip and a large ski basket and will have Easton’s Ionfoam extended grip. These are a bit heavy by trekking pole standards, but they need to be sturdy for skiing.

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In fall 2011 Easton will also be rolling out their Vo2 Racing Snowshoe (24 oz/680 g per shoe, US$299). We include them because of their innovation, as explained in the video below. The frame is two-piece aluminum alloy, the deck is carbon fiber, and the front forged aluminum crampon is split and articulated. They have direct-connect bindings, meaning the shoe of the racer’s choice is screwed to the binding from the bottom; a thin plate under the insole anchors the screws. Easton engineers found that racers were taking the bindings off other brands of snowshoes and cobbling a similar-type binding, so they worked with that approach to save weight.

Youtube video

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Finally, Easton will be introducing a lightweight Expedition Tent (about 7 lb 13 oz/3.54 kg, US$599 with carbon poles) available in fall 2011. That is a good weight for a bomber four-season tent. The double-wall tent (yet to be named) will feature Easton’s stiff FX carbon poles, two-person capacity, two end doors with vestibules (large capacity cooking vestibule on one end), and large top vents adjustable from the inside. A version with aluminum poles will sell for US$479. Easton hinted that they will be introducing several new tents at summer OR.

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Canada Goose is a Canadian company that normally sells bomber down apparel for extreme cold. We got a tip that they are introducing (of all things) an 8-ounce (227-g) down jacket. We checked it out and found the hoodless Hybridge Lite Jacket (10.1 oz/286 g for size L, US$415). It’s insulated with 800 fill down and has 23 g/m2 nylon shell fabric. The underarms are Power Stretch fleece and it has two zippered hand pockets. The jacket has a trim fit in the body but the sleeve and back lengths are plenty long. Holy chicken feathers, this jacket is expensive! Available July 2011.

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Saucony is coming out with a lightweight trail runner called the Outlaw Mid (10.1 oz/286 g per shoe, US$110) in June 2011. The Outlaw features heel and toe protection, a gaiter hook, a slipper cup at the rear, and a padded lace tongue. The shoe is water resistant-breathable but it’s not seam sealed, and has only 4 millimeters of heel lift, so it is nearly neutral. It comes in only a standard (D) width.

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While on the subject of trail running shoes, at Treksta we found the Evolution 2 and Evolution Mid. The difference in Treksta shoes is their NestFit – the last is shaped like feet (right photo, Treksta last on the left compared to a typical last on the right); what a revolutionary concept! They have a snug heel cup and extra room in the toe box, much like the Montrail shoes used to have with their IntegralFit. Both shoes are fairly neutral with moderate stiffness; the Evolution 2 weighs 13.9 oz (394 g) per shoe and the MSRP is US$115, and the Evolution Mid weighs 15.7 oz (445 g) per shoe and the MSRP is US$140. Both are available now.

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Gore-Tex Active Shell jackets we have found so far weigh in the 13-14 oz (369-397 g) range. We finally found a lighter one, the Mammut Felsturn Half-Zip (10.2 oz/289 g for size men’s Large, US$390). As the name implies, it’s a pullover and has pit zips, one chest pocket, an attached adjustable hood, dropped tail, and elastic hem and cuffs. More on Gore Active Shell in a separate article; looks like these high-end jackets are getting pricier than ever.

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We have tested a number of trail traction devices over the years. Some are shoes that have studs in the outsole, or even a removable outsole, but that gets pretty complex and heavy and has limited versatility. Most of the slip-ons work well but they are pretty heavy to pack (around 6-8 oz/170-227 g). At Korkers we found some lighter and less expensive ones, the Polartrax (2.7 oz/77 g each, US$15) available in three sizes and the Polartrax Ultra (3.7 oz/105 g each, US$25) which adjusts to fit any boot. They have studs on the bottom rather than chains and spikes, so the tradeoff is less traction.

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Several manufacturers are introducing Touch Screen Gloves for fall 2011. These gloves have a pad made of a special material on the tips of the index finger and thumb, so you can operate a smart phone, tablet, or ATM machine with gloves on. The lightest ones we found are the Manzella Sprint Touch Tip (right, US$20) and Manzella Power Stretch Touch Tip (left, US$30). Both are very light because they are four-way stretch fleece with a smooth exterior. Both also have a gripper palm and will be available in men’s and women’s sizes.

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Finally we stopped at the OutDry booth for a demonstration of their technology. OutDry is now owned by Columbia. Instead of a waterproof-breathable booty sewn into waterproof boots, the OutDry membrane is laminated to the shoe’s upper in three dimensions before the shoe is assembled. See here for a video of the process. This demonstration video (below) compares the waterproofness of a Gore-Tex boot with an OutDry lined boot. The weights of the dry shoes are measured, then the shoes are placed in a pan of water inside a large centrifuge and spun at 250 rpm for 10 minutes. The shoes are removed and re-weighed. The OutDry lined shoes gained 1.3 oz (37 g) of water, while the Gore-Tex shoes gained 4.6 oz (130 g) of water. It looks like OutDry works, but don’t expect much breathability.

Youtube video

That’s it for another day and evening of OR coverage. We will be back on the floor tomorrow for the final day of the show and hope to round up another batch of interesting gear.

Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 2 – Another Roundup of New and Interesting Gear

Lots of footwear today, for the trail and snow, plus an assortment of jackets, a to-die-for backcountry ski system from La Sportiva, Big Agnes introduces new lightweight trekking poles, a new Klymit skeletal sleeping pad, a 12 ounce sleeping bag from Terra Nova, a 2.3-ounce Quantum GL windshirt from Montane, and more, and more…

Introduction

There’s no end to the wonderful new gear we find at OR. When you love gear, love technology, love innovation, and enjoy seeing your friends in the industry, OR is heaven. But it requires a lot of searching, discipline, and fact-finding, not to mention endurance. Here’s today’s blog of interesting items.

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We started out at the GoLite Footwear booth, where we were shown the new NimbleLite trail runner (left shoe, 11.9 oz/337 g per shoe, US$120) and GorgeLite hiker (right shoe, 15.4 oz/437 g per shoe, US$120), both available July 2011. The NimbleLite has GoLite’s BareTech and PreciseFit technologies and no TPU midsole shank, giving it medium flex and torsion control. The GorgeLite has the same technologies plus a midsole shank, making it a stiffer shoe suitable for rougher trails. I personally like GoLite shoes because they fit my wide feet well and are very comfortable to hike in. The PreciseFit system provides three insole attachments (different thicknesses) for the footbox, so you can adjust the toebox volume to your foot size and sock preference.

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It’s been a couple of years since we focused on lightweight insulated boots, so we are zeroing in on them more at this winter OR, and Baffin has plenty. In their new softshell series we highlight the low-cut Leader (left boot, 14.3 oz/405 g per shoe, US$109), mid-height Zone (middle boot, 21.2 oz/601 g per boot, US$119), and full-height Snosport (right boot, 23.6 oz/669 g per boot, US$129). All of these boots have a softshell upper, polyfill fiber insulation (each fiber has four hollow tubes inside it), reflective foil layer under the insole, triple density EVA midsole, a TPU shank, and an aggressive traction outsole. All are waterproof and rated to -4F/-20C. These boots are made of all synthetic materials, no leather, which we prefer because leather absorbs water to make a boot heavier and cracks when it dries.

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More footwear: Adidas will introduce their Outdoor Performance line in fall 2011, which will consist of loads of outdoor footwear and garments. There will be two categories: Light and Fast (high performance), and Super Trekking (more traditional). In the Light and Fast line, we liked the Terrex Fast X FM Mid GTX or Terrex Fast for short (left photo right shoe, 16.8 oz/476 g per boot, US$160) and the AX 1 Mid GTX (right photo, 15.4 oz/437 g per boot, US$100). Both boots will also be available in a low cut with or without a Gore-Tex lining, as shown in the left photo. The Terrex Fast has Adidas’ For-Motion technology at the back of the heel (center photo) for enhanced motion control and downhill comfort; the AX 1 does not have this technology. Both boots are a medium width and will be available in men’s and women’s versions.

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In Adidas’ new apparel line for fall 2011 we would highlight the Terrex GTX Active Shell Jacket (13 oz/370 g, US$395). It will be one of the first jackets to be introduced using Gore’s new Active Shell, which is their lightest and most breathable waterproof-breathable fabric. The Terrex has a helmet compatible hood, full-height front zipper, two zippered vented hand pockets, adjustable cuffs, and an elastic hem. The women’s version will have unique removable sleeves. We will provide more information on Gore Active Shell in our article on the emerging waterproof-breathable fabric revolution, to be published as the last article in our OR coverage.

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For fall 2011 Salomon will be introducing the XR Crossmax Neutral CS trail runner (10.5 oz/297 g per shoe, US$140), which features a Climashield membrane in the front half of the shoe. The rationale is the front half of the shoe is most likely to get wet and soak through, so they made that part waterproof-breathable to resist wetting, and they omitted the membrane in the back half of the shoe so the shoe will dry out faster. The shoe is neutral, meaning there is no heel lift, and has an aggressive outsole with moderate stiffness, making it suitable for ultralight backpacking on trails. It will be interesting to see how well the partial membrane concept works.

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Salomon also will have two lightweight insulated boots coming out for fall 2011. The Elbrus WP (left boot, 18.8 oz/534 g per boot, US$120) features Climatherm insulation, which is a foam insulation that completely surrounds the foot. It has a waterproof bootie inside, but it is not Gore-Tex; the upper is all synthetic. The women’s version is the Sokuyi WP. The Wasatch WP (right boot, 14.8 oz/421 g per boot, US$110), available in men’s and women’s models, is insulated with 400-gram Thinsulate Ultra and is also waterproof. The upper is synthetic plus PU-coated leather. Both boots have an aggressive traction outsole.

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SteriPen ultraviolet water treatment devices keep getting lighter. The new Freedom (left photo, Adventurer Opti on the left, Freedom on the right), available in summer 2011, weighs just 2.6 oz (74 g) and will cost around US$120. This one will have an internal Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery which charges with a micro USB cable (right photo) in about 3 hours. The Freedom will treat about 30 liters of water with one charge. To initiate a treatment cycle you simply shake it for about 1.5 seconds. It will only treat 0.5 liter of water at a time, but you can treat 1 liter by giving it two cycles. The rechargeable feature may be a disadvantage where power access is limited, so the battery powered Adventurer Opti may be better in those situations.

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At Millet we found the new Trilogy Gore-Tex Active Shell Jacket (14 oz/397 g, US$399) for fall 2011. The Trilogy features Gore’s new Active Shell fabric, a full-height front zipper, pit zips, reinforced shoulders, water resistant zippers, and two large hand pockets. A pattern we are noticing is that Gore Active Shell may be their lightest fabric, but the garments are not their lightest. We have seen Gore-Tex Paclite rainwear in the 8 ounce (227 g) range, which is a lot lighter, but Paclite is not as comfortable to wear as Active Shell.

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We reported on the skeletal Klymit X Frame sleeping pad (right) at summer 2010 OR; this summer they will be rolling out the Innertia XL Sleeping Pad (left, 16.8 oz/476 g, US$129) which is longer and wider (25 x 76 in/64 x 193 cm). It’s still a three-season pad, just one that provides more area and comfort for bigger and taller people. It’s body mapped just like the X-Frame, with voids to save weight. We plan to include this pad in our lightweight inflatable sleeping pads state of the market article to be published this summer.

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Also coming from Klymit is the new Noble Tec argon gas insulated Ularr Jacket (24.7 oz/700 g, US$300) which has vertical chambers completely surrounding the torso and shoulders. According to Klymit, argon gas provides three times more insulation per thickness compared to other insulations. The right photo shows the jacket being inflated (it has a small inflation valve in the left pocket). Three gas cylinders cost US$25 and each cartridge will inflate the jacket about eight times. The inflated jacket looks very high-tech and is quite attractive. Features include a full-height front zipper, pit zips, two zippered hand pockets, two zippered sleeve pockets, attached hood, and waterproof-breathable shell fabric with taped seams.

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Big Agnes will introduce their new Helinox trekking pole line in fall 2011. There will be three series in the line: Causeway (bomber poles for general use), Featherlite (fast and light), and Passport (collapsible using avalanche pole technology). All are made of DAC TH72M aluminum alloy; we are most interested in the latter two. The Featherlite (bottom, shown collapsed) will be available in 120- and 135-centimeter lengths, weighing 9.9 and 12.1 oz per pair (282 and 344 g). The Passport (top) will be available in the same lengths with weights of 10.2 and 10.7 oz (288 and 306 g). A powder basket and overside basket will be available for all of the poles.

Big Agnes did not have them on display, but the Fly Creek UL tent series will be expanded to include three- and four-person models in fall 2010. They will have total weights of 3 pounds 10 oz (1.64 kg) and 4 pounds 9 oz (2.07 kg), respectively.

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I predict that you will be licking your chops when you read about the ultimate backcountry skiing system from La Sportiva. The shaped RSR Carbon Fiber Race Ski weighs just 24.5 oz (695 g) per ski, the RSR Binding weighs just 6.2 oz (175 g) per ski, and the Stratos Carbon Fiber Boot weighs just 18.8 oz (534 g) per boot. The Stratos Liner adds 5.8 oz (165 g) per boot. The ski is not all that wide, around 100 mm at the tips; I would prefer for it to be a bit wider for better flotation in powder. The cost: don’t ask! (Ok, you know that I will give in and tell you.) The total cost is US$5000 in even numbers; US$1200 for the skis, US$800 for the bindings, and US$3000 for the boots. We can all dream can’t we? Many people spend that much on their bicycle, so why not on a new ski outfit? (Yeah, right, try telling that to your spouse!)

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We featured the Patagonia Ultralight Down Shirt (far right, 5.9 oz/167 g) in our OR summer 2010 coverage. For fall 2011 Patagonia will be adding the Ultralight Down Jacket and Hoody (left and center) to the line. These jackets, in men’s and women’s models, will feature 800 fill down and 10 denier shell fabric, and will have a full-height front zipper, two hand pockets, and one chest pocket. The weight for a women’s size medium will be 7.5 oz (213 g). The Ultralight Down Shirt will come in additional colors as shown on the right.

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SportHanza is the US distributor for Montane, a UK manufacturer of innovative lightweight outdoor clothing. An exciting new wind shirt from Montane for spring 2011 is the Slipstream GL Jacket (left, 2.3 oz/65 g, US$119) which is made of Pertex Quantum GL (the latest version). I’m modeling a size Medium, which is a little small on me. It has a full-height front zipper, standup collar, and a dropped tail, no pockets or hood. Also coming from Montane in spring 2011 is the minimalist Lite-Speed H2O Jacket (right, 6.3 oz/180 g, US$119) which is constructed of FreeFlow waterproof-breathable fabric, a polyurethane laminate hydrostatic head of 1500 mm. It has a stow-away hood, attached hood with stiffened brim, full-height front zipper, elastic cuffs, and dropped tail with drawcord hem; no pockets.

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SportHanza is also the US distributor for Terra Nova gear, also from the UK. For ultralight hikers in warmer climates, the Terra Nova Laser 300 Elite Sleeping Bag is pretty amazing. This 50F/10C rated sleeping bag is insulated with 900 fill down and weighs just 12 oz (330 g). It’s a zipperless mummy bag with an attached hood. The MSRP is US$270.

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Finally, we had the pleasure of meeting up with Ron Bell of Mountain Laurel Designs, who was also attending OR. Ron showed us his Superlight Bivy which weighs just 4 oz (113 g) in size medium. It has a 10 denier nylon top with DWR and 0.55 oz/yd2 Cuben Fiber bottom. The cost will be about US$235. Seeing Rons’ gear is a reminder that, indeed, we find innovative and useful gear at OR, but if we want really ultralight gear we need to look among our own brethren, the small companies that tailor to our needs.

And with that closing prayer we will close this daily missive from OR and get a few hours of sleep before we go back tomorrow and do it all over again. Cheers!

Will and Janet