Travel around the world

The world has a huge variety of conditions… from tropical rain forest to absolutely frigid and dry as you get toward the poles or extreme altitude. There is no one option that would cover all conditions.

For where “I” would likely go (mixed conditions but not extreme cold or heat) I would take an appropriately sized pyramid tarp + bug nest, XTherm pad, and 20F down quilt. For me it would be sized for 2 since I would be traveling with my wife.

Presumably I get to pick the locations and timing as I go, so I would aim for shoulder-season times when it’s getting a bit cool or spring hasn’t completely warmed up yet so as to avoid the bulk or tourists that come in “summer” and because I prefer to hike when it’s cool.  So with days in the 50s and 60s, night are going to be in the 30s and 40s and I’d have a 20F-rated quilt with me.

I’d be torn between the reliability of a CCF pad versus the compact volume and comfort of a sealed, insulated pad.  If I went with an inflatable, I’d have a serious repair kit with me.

A pyramid with bug net is tempting for high winds, but they take up a lot of space and sometimes that eliminates some nice tent-site choices.  Something like DanD’s X-Mid 2.  I’d definitely want both full protection from flying and creeping bugs and also good ventilation for warmer locations.

In 2002, I took a surf trip around the world for a year. I took a Kelty Flight 4500 backpack (with no suspension just the 22oz sack), a Stephenson’s Warmlite 3R tent, Big Agnes 20 degree sleeping bag that had no insulation on the bottom and an integrated pad sleeve and a Big Agnes inflatable pad with no insulation. The backpack served as a carryon fully packed. I think I was also using a portion of a Z-Rest folded up as a back pad for the pack at times.

I still have the pack. If I did it again, I would probably go with what I have now, the same pack, but my Locus Gear Hapi with bug insert, my Big Agnes SLX Insulated pad or maybe an Uberlite and Katabatic 30 degree Flex quilt.

That setup served me well through 6 continents and a host of different environments from freezing Europe in winter to the tropics of Indonesia and everywhere else in between. Oddly, I still have the 3R tent and the inflatable pad although the valve leaks and I could never patch it properly.

* sleeping bag – EE Apex 50 quilt (Wide) and Western Mountaineering Megalite (30*) bag, Total weight of both is a tad bit over a kilo, but that allows you to comfortably handle anything from about 18* F on up to tropical conditions and everything in between. I own 20, 30, and 40 degree (F) bags and a 50* quilt. I can’t stand a bag that’s far too warm or too cold for the conditions I’m in.

* tent – MLD silnylon Solo XL mid with innernet. It can handle strong winds and moderate snow better than just about anything other than a true (heavy) 4 season tent. Total weight of fly, inner, pegs and lines is around a kilo. Also made with the highest quality 20d Mountain silnylon 6.6 that won’t fail.

* pad – 1/4″ Evazote ccf 72″ long and Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite regular. Gives you enough R value to deal with all but the the most frigid temps and the ccf underneath mitigates the puncture risk of the vulnerable 30d material. Also if the NeoAir deflates in the middle of the night you can fold the Evazote foam in half to provide torso length 1/2″ padding, which will get you through the night. The 1/8″ Evazote just isn’t thick enough IMO. Total weight for both is about 650 g.

tent/shelter. There was a trip report here a few years ago by a couple who travelled North America and South America who used a silnylon TarpTent Double Rainbow for its length, headroom, double doors, and its versatility to adapt to different campsites including use of the full self-standing mode.

question. I am not able to visualize the distinction in footprint between a mid and a Durston XMid-2.  Is it a function of the guylines or the actual dimensions of the shelter itself? The minimal configuration of my MLD Duomid is to stake down the four corners and have one guyline for the apex. Can you pitch an Xmid without any guylines?

“For where “I” would likely go (mixed conditions but not extreme cold or heat) I would take an appropriately sized pyramid tarp + bug nest, XTherm pad, and 20F down quilt.”

I like this general theme and Monte’s suggestion/tweak about the pad(s).  Mojo said nothing about the pack but appreciate Baja Bob’s noting the situation re: the pack is not inconsequential. There’s bound to be some planes, trains and automobiles so to speak in the travel mix and travel versatility and impacts  might be an added consideration in choosing the pack

I have an EE convert 20 bag/quilt that I got with this general type consideration of versatility in mind and love it.

Whoopsy.

agree that monty specific selection would be extremely versatile in a wide range of conditions, though if money is no object I would go with DCF rather than sil-nylon for the shelter.  Harder to get the perfect pitch, but absorbs less water during multi-day rainstorms, has less condensation, and does need re-staking when the sil-nylon stretches.

travel around the world, what sleeping bag, pad and tent would you bring with you?

For the 3 choices

1. Quilt is my original EE Enigma 30°F down model, with maybe a lighter synthetic overquilt to combine.  Carry the down in compressor sack along with a down hoody.
2. Pad.  Main one would be my inflatable Uberlight with a 1/8” thinpad or similar folded as a pseudo frame in pack (below)
3. Tent?  Tough one.  Some sort of subdued bivy would be the best for any stealth needs, .. maybe a subdued tarp, but a Tarptent sounds more comfortable if mostly backpacking in the wild.

Think pack needs to be mentioned though, especially if wanting to be “stealthy” in the walking/hiking department (see above Uberlight and folded thinpad which I’ve done after mention on other UL sites).  What to carry it all in as luggage based packs are too heavy and unwieldy.

The stripped down Kelty Red Wing can work, but also think getting one of the cottage makers to built an ultralight pack with decently rugged fabric (all that knocking around vehicles, etc), solid pockets with no/minimal netting, good sized straps, along with cordage that came easily be untied (cordage is good in that backcountry but can snag in city environments).  A subdued color like black.  See if MLD would do a “super” option, ULA all solid (though their netting is pretty tough), or a complete custom pack by Zimmerbuilt in dyneema grid off the top of my head.   There’s also the thicker grades of new materials like “Ultra”.

Pretty sure I wouldn’t expose DCF hybrid to luggage holds..

If needing to carry any sort of board, maybe a Granite Gear Crown Vic 60L in black or custom-maker with Granite Gear type straps?   Recall a Florida Trail hiker/skater bringing a skate board to deal with all that road-walking.

Add for heavier backpacker mag had a feature on “Euro-style” (re: hostel and hotel) backpacking over a decade ago.  Could use some UL sensibilities though.