Prospects for 2012: New and Noteworthy Gear

Any time i'm dealing with UL fabrics, i always use 'bungy' cord at atress points to spread the load. :)
Use a loop of bungy/shock cord at each corner of the bivvy, and stake that instead of the loops on the bivvy. A sleeping man can put a lot of stress on a tie-out when he turns in his sleep.

Great overview of some cool items. You mention the Outdoor Retail Show which I think starts this week. Are you guys doing you're normal coverage ? – I always enjoy your insights and look forward to the multiple days of articles.

Thanks Mike!

Yeah, I want to know about the down also. If it works out al of my down stuff would be on the swap within a few days.

Just curious: why do folks stake out their bivy? I have the tie-outs on mine, but have never used them.

Only thing I can think of is if you're at a basecamp and you don't want it to blow away while you're gone.

Me too, please! Who else will be selling us 'hydrophobic down' products? I know about Berghaus and Kjus (the ski brand), I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't others.

Regarding the hydrophobic down being discussed – I really hope that if this works there will be the opportunity to retro-proof our old gear rather than everyone shelling out for expensive new hydrophobic down gear- especially when down has a potentially long usable life.

MEC in Canada has sleeping bags available now. Anybody up to test one for us?

I thought there would be more comments by now.

I really admire Ron Moak's design (re-design?) of the tents in the Skyscape series. And he's got a Skyscape for just about every pocketbook and user, from Scouts to
UL backpackers.

The Skyscape X is the one I lust after with it's very low weight – to match its very high price. But it does show that combinming the familiar tarpers' aspects of a Cuben tarp, groundloth and full mosquito net gives a true tent that is lighter than the tarper's setup.

But being a silnylon TT Moment owner, and fonder still of that design, I TRULY lust after a Moment in a durable weight Cuben fabric.