My XUL Packlist for summer in europe

Thanks for the gear list, SUL and XUL doesn’t get enough copy on BPL anymore. I’d like to find out more about your tarp. In the drier parts of the US it’s often hard to locate trees, bushes, etc to suspend one. Any pics?

Nice to know the Uberlite is holding up, as you’re aware they’ve gotten a reputation for not being durable. How about water purification, camp trowel, pillow, bug protection, sit pad, personal care items (toothbrush/paste/floss, sunblock, soap) water bottles/bladders, first aid kit?

I’ve read that Romania has the largest swath of woodlands left in Europe, don’t you have bears there? If so do you bear bag? When you come to the states let us know and there are many here who will help with all types of information. I admire your Spartan approach and John Muir diet.

Here’s an XUL kit I put together in Spring 23. Doesn’t include cell phone so technically it’s SUL really (85 to 141 g). https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/xul-overnight-kit-for-temps-50-f-3-2-lb/

Hello Monte.

I don’t think bears are as big a deal here as they are where you live. Romania also has a large population (I think more than 10,000 by now), but you hardly ever see bear bags or cans here. There are very few incidents involving hikers, even though they have increased in recent years. If I see a lot of tracks or bear shit during the day and feel uncomfortable, I set up camp near people, on the outskirts of villages, farms, etc. I’ve had contact twice so far, but that was limited to curious glances from both sides. The locals are the best source of information on this as well. In such areas, I pack my food in a fork in a tree about 200 meters away. So far, I’ve only been robbed by squirrels and martens :)

I don’t need a towel, the Buff is enough for me. I forgot my toothbrush on the list, so I added one. I don’t use toothpaste, I eat little to no sugar, so mechanical brushing is enough for me. For a pillow, I just slide a little bit of ground under the head of my mat so that it’s slightly raised. And yes, the Uberlite breaks easily, this is my third one so far.

For the tarp, I got the pattern from the German UL forum, where you can find other versions, including pictures: https://ultraleicht-trekking.de/forum/thread/665-tarps-aus-xfoil/?pageNo=1

But I have four that I use all the time, whether they’re classic rectangular tents or Tarptents.

No soap, water is enough for me. Insects don’t bother me either; if they want to bite me, then so be it. But if an area is heavily infested with mosquitoes, I move on or look for a higher place where the wind is blowing.

I didn’t know John Muir at all, but he seems like an interesting person, as I read :) Sometimes I also bring tea bags with me, which I hang in my water bottle.

And perhaps also Romania, where there are (still) huge ancient forests and relatively unspoiled nature overall, although this is also due to poverty. I don’t know of a more beautiful country for hiking, and not just because of my origins.

I don’t filter water, but rather look at my route. Even in the middle of nowhere, there are still houses or people (caravan etc.) where I can ask for water, or I can find springs or streams and follow the stream upstream to see if there is agriculture or towns before I drink from it. Or I just don’t drink nothing, and then the first thing I do in the morning is look for water. If I know that I won’t be able to get past nothing for two days (which is hardly possible in Europe), then I take more water with me.

Thank you very much for the kind offer. I will definitely get back to you as soon as the whole visa issue has been resolved (hopefully successfully).

Ant thanks for the super interesting packlist, do you have more informations about your Alpha Direct 4004 and Argon 49 quilt/blanket/wrap or pictures?

Clever looking tarp.

This is a low quality photo of the MYOG Alpha Direct quilt, but gives you an idea. Features drawcord closure at head and foot as well as a Kam snap foot box, along with 2 elastic straps to go around pad and torso so as to lock in the warmth when needed (like an EE Revelation but with rectanglar shape). Quilt also fully opens up to function as a blanket for sleep or to wrap around when sitting around camp. To make I simply cut Alpha and Argon 49 to same size and then sewed together around perimeter with 2.5 cm DCF strips. The drawcord head and foot was more involved. I still might add a poncho head slot to the quilt. Not as much warmth to weight as down, however I don’t worry about moisture. The Alpha hardly absorbs any water and if it does it dries out very fast. The AD also packs down much smaller that Climashield of similar weight.

Great idea! I’ve had a piece of Alpha Direct lying around here for a long time without knowing what to do with it (the rest was used to make a sweater). What temperatures do you use it up to?

Nice tarp

I’ve done something like that before.  It’s especially good for trying out an idea before spending a lot of money on expensive fabric

3 mil polyethylene?  with what do you reinforce the guyline tieouts?

I eventually evolved to a mid which lets less rain in the sides, and holds up in the wind better

I’d say the AD quilt has a lower comfort limit of around 11* C, not as warm as your down quilt. Often if I don’t bring a poncho tarp I’ll sleep in my Rab Phantom to add a little warmth. Or if I really want to be sure I don’t freeze I pack a folded mylar emergency blanket (50 g) in my back trouser pocket to place over quilt in case it gets too cold. Doesn’t breathe but gives me a few more degrees comfort if I need it (also waterproof and windproof).

I got the idea for the quilt from Timmermade. They use an Argon 67 single outer shell instead of Argon 49. The heavier Alpha Direct 4008 would of course be warmer, but it weighs 135 g/m square. https://timmermade.com/product/alpha-direct-4004-overbag/

AD 4008 https://ripstopbytheroll.com/products/polartec-alpha-direct-4008?_pos=3&_sid=a158e63c4&_ss=r

Great list and gear.  Definitely envy your food situation (here in the US have to worry about rodents, bears, etc..).

May want to add an UL toothbrush though.  The bread you eat will deposit carbohydrates on your teeth

I’ve been looking for a solution for very humid weather/areas for quite some time, but the quilt isn’t ideal for this. When I sleep near water and the quilt is relatively wet in the morning due to dew, I spend a lot of time getting it dry for the next night. I’ll try to implement that. Thanks for the idea. I also realize that brands like Timmermade are completely new to me.

@HkNewman. Thank you. Yes, you’re right about the toothbrush, I’ve added it.

@Jerry Adams The foil is more durable than 20D ripstop nylon (on their website, someone uses the film as a hammock, which I wouldn’t trust many UL fabrics to do). And since I’m not particularly good at sewing, but also love nighttime visibility, this is perfect for me. I make the anchor points from a cut piece of plastic and tape, and that’s what determines how well the whole thing holds. In the German forum, you’ll find lots of examples of how others do it. The thickness is 0.7 mil or 19 micrometers i believe

The MLD Spirit 48 (9* C) quilt might be a good synthetic choice, but of course the Climashield Apex is very bulky. You can also get the poncho headslot option with the Spirit which a big plus for being able to wear around camp. I’d rather go with an Alpha Direct 4008 quilt however because it packs down smaller and the AD doesn’t degrade from stuffing the way Climasheild does. It would be a slight bit heavier at around 430 g (with 7D shell) but would also be a little warmer than the Spirit 48. Another advantage of the AD over Climashield is you only need 1 outer layer shell, whereas Climashield needs 2. Problem is nobody offers a quilt with the 4008 (only 4004), so you’d have to make one yourself. https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/spirit-quilt-48/

thanks Chris

https://www.xfoil.shop/en sells xfoil  24 euro for 1.6 x 6 m, or about $30

That’s insane to hike in the SkyFire shoes lol. Might as well use the Nike Streakfly and save 2oz.

My main runner is the Longsky, an older pair is used for hiking. My SkyFire gets used only when I want to PR a route. But, for a practical super light shoe they probably hold up well. I love the Matryx upper, so breezy yet durable.

I agree with you,that’s because I got two pairs on eBay for a pretty good price. Otherwise, I usually run in the Agility Peak 5 or the Altra Lone Peak, and on easier terrain I almost always wear Shamma sandals.

Monte; how small do those alpha/argon quilts of yours pack up to? Could you measure?

I’m thinking this an option for me for short sleeps (up to 3 hours or so) on Randoneuring events. Even if its colder than 11C it doesn’t really matter for that length of time, but I want something a bit warmer than mylar and more breathable. Otherwise I was thinking of doing a simple SUL sewn thru MYOG karo down quilt, but the alpha would be much easier again and of course better moisture resistance. Just need to pack it down relatively small…. aero watt gains are far more important than grams on the bike ;-)

Adam, this is what the 4004 quilt looks like in an S2S 3L (XS) Ultrasil stuff sack. It could easily pack down to 2.5L but I don’t like to hard stuff synthetics, even though Alpha supposedly doesn’t suffer from aggressive stuffing the way Climashield or Primaloft does. I’m sure with a compression sack the quilt could squish down to under 2L. It might harm the insulation, but maybe not though.