Buying some new gear, based on recent experience

You might contact Thermarest about the baffle… maybe they will give you a free replacement. I have had TWO air pillows break baffles and the company (not Thermarest) replaced them free both times !!!

Well done making do despite the gear challenges. I hope you had a great trip and I’ll be looking forward to your report.

I’ve also found the uberlite a bit too delicate for my use. Unfortunate, because I like the weight savings and it seems similar to competitors in terms of warmth and comfort. I went back to my xlite, although I’m currently experimenting with a Nemo Tensor because some reviews suggested it was more comfortable. So far, I don’t find much of a difference FWIW.

A while back I bought one of the deuce of spades titanium trowels, and quickly stopped using it because it hurt my hand. But then someone told me to turn it around and dig with the handle, and that made all the difference. Now I love it.

My Dirty Girl gaiters give me heat rash (“golfer’s vasculitis) when I hike in hot weather.

Low gaiters in Summer are too hot for me, as well. Light boots with lightweight synthetic socks have been working great for me.

Old Army trick: I wear over-the-calf-length socks and fold them over the top of my boots. This makes a snug seal both around my leg and around the boots. Nothing gets in. Not sure the method would work with shoes, though.

The lightest calf-length socks I could find were dress socks. They work fine, are noticeably breezier than my wool socks, and appear that they will last a lifetime. The lack of padding has not bothered me.

Try the Bogler trowel. Digs well and has a plastic piece at the end of the handle, so it doesn’t hurt your hand. I think it’s lighter than the Deuce.

Another Bogler trowel fan here.  That little plastic piece on the end makes all the difference.  Mine weighs 13 g on my scale.

Looks like a great trip.

that Bogler trowel is light.

You could find an old kitchen knife in a thrift shop like this one for a few cents. I snapped off the long blade. It has a big wooden handle which makes it comfortable for digging. The blade is now 3.5” and the tool is very strong unlike the plastic trowels I’ve used. This one weighs 2.45 oz compared to the GSI plastic trowel’s 3.1 oz. It is also a much better digger. This doesn’t need to be sharp to work in rocky, hard dirt. You could find a smaller version and save more weight.

Another and much lighter version is the digging stick. You make that quickly with your knife and a found, fallen stick near camp if that’s an option for your terrain and ground makeup.  It has a factor of zero weight.

I’ve always been a fan of the QiWiz UL Ti trowels. Just had to buy a new one recently. I’m always digging in rocky soil and it finally bent clean over just to pop right back to its shape! ( was trying to dig a large rock out of my tent spot. Normal stuff. These things take a beating! ). It left a creased crack that would just get worse. Didn’t want to cut myself. This one lasted since 2017. 6 years in rocky soil, not bad. The Big Dig (middle size) is listed as .60 oz. After removing the rubber Plasti-Dip it comes coated with (it always rubs off immediately). I primed the handle with a waterbased urethane bonding primer. Re-dipped handle 5 times to create a good grip. It now comes out to .65 oz.  100% recommend.

I’m having the same dreaded issue with my Uberlite. Had it since 2018. I would buy another Uberlite if I were in your shoes. I like it too much. I believe they fixed the leaking issue from the first runs of this line, with a new inflation valve style.

I suffer heat rashes where synthetic fabrics sit against my skin – socks, underwear, shirts, etc.  Treatment-wise a 50/50 mix of cortisone and anti-fungal cremes brings the most relief, but the most effective fix has been merino wool.  (i still apply the creme combo to my lower back morning, noon, and evening).

Maybe try lightweight wool crew length socks under the dirty girls.

I’ve not seen any low gaiters for sale that aren’t synthetic.  I don’t know if wool under them would make it better. As to treatment, I usually just wait until it’s gone, which takes about a week. My companions on my recent trek were pretty horrified by the purple all over my lower legs and feet! But it doesn’t really hurt – itches a bit, and is hot to the touch. I don’t think it’s fungal, because it goes away on its own after a time. Once I’m acclimated to the heat, I don’t get it any more for that excursion.

Update: I got the Bogler trowel, it’s great! Thanks for that suggestion.

Also thanks for the suggestion on contacting the manufacturer of the Uberlite, Cascade Designs. They in fact did replace it for free, because of the broken baffle!! I’m psyched. I now have a brand new mattress, with the newer better valve, and even an inflation bag, which will honestly probably never go with me, because it’s a single use item and extra weight. But I’ll continue to use the Uberlite at only 9 ounces and plenty warm for summer trips.

Now I just need more days off work.