Episode 88 | 2023 Ultralight Gear Update

Question: What new gear did you try in 2023 that worked or didn’t?

Packs: Kakwa 40 works well but with my use of soft flask/filter for drinking the pockets are less than ideal. Thinking of taking them off. Still though this pack is going to be for very short trips. If I pack it full it’s too tall and hits my head when climbing and looking up. A used Robic Circuit has been great for BV 475 on down (horizontal fit). I’m trying to decide between an ultra version of this or Flight 2 but do I need to spend $400 to save 4 oz? Probably not especially since I already have flex capacitors bought on great deals and am in the process of sewing daisy chains on them to get my shoulder pockets setup on them. I’m intrigued to try these out again since they are quality packs at just 2.5 lbs and they both hold BV500s horizontally. I am primarily in Sierras or Desolation so canister fit is really high priority and the shorter, wider fit is better for scrambling.

Shelter: I’ve chosen Dipole over X-Mid despite a slight weight penalty and a more expensive shelter. I really like the X-Mid but the peak guyout was a challenge at times and I want greater wind stability. The positioning of the Dipole is straightforward, literally, and the interior is perfectly spacious for my height and needs – the pack in vestibule and everything else at my head. My other shelter system is an old symmetrical Duomid and Pinon bivy so ~1.5lbs. Eyeing the HMG Mid 1 tarp down the line to maybe get this down to 1lb and also widen my sleeping area a bit (37-38″ vs “31-32”).

Stakes: I tried the AnyGear 7075 aluminum stakes but already bent one of them. Going to take RJ recommendation on the MSR core stakes and save these for less critical tieouts.

Pads: I’ve used the Big Agnes Zoom UL and overall it’s been great. Light and comfortable but I don’t like how difficult it is to deflate. I’m probably going to just go the X-Lite route if truly quieter and at 45 yrs old – graduate to a wider pad. Plus I know and like the valve from my use with the Uberlite.

Bags: I’ve mostly enjoyed EE Apex synthetic quilt. The weight savings has been too tempting to leave it home even in low 40s, high 30s. That was pushing it and even though it’s a wide size I did experience drafts as it seemed to roll with me way more than my regular Flex 30 ever did. Problem with the flex is that it’s too warm for me for summer, I never open it to a blanket, and so I feel like I’m carrying extra weight with it. My plan is to go Magma or lighter and combine with the Apex if colder.

Stove: My trail designs alcohol stove is on its last legs and works great but it’s a bit of a process with all the components (wind screen, fuel, measuring cup, lighter) versus just screwing a pocket rocket deluxe onto a canister and getting a flame going in seconds. So I might try that this fall or next summer.

Shoes: the Bushidos are bomber but take my feet a while to get used to them since the fit is a bit tight. Early on I suffered through blisters and if I have to cover long trail miles my feet are killing me. Would the Jackals be a better option? Like I said I’m in Sierras and enjoy a split mix of off-trail and on-trail miles.

Charlie, hope you know the Magma 15 and 30 are on clearance, so grab one soon. Not many left after Labor Day sale. Don’t count on then being back. REI CEO has a different view on product life span. Main reason some excellent REI tents were only available for a limited time (Quarter Dome SL, Flash Air).

I switched from a zpacks pocket tarp to the Plexsolo tent this year. The bugs became an issue of contention and frustration in a tarp. For just a few more ounce I have a sanctuary to retreat too when I’m tired and not fight the bugs and other crawlers I’ve found sleeping with me. The Plex solo has a bit more room as well.

I also switched back to a sleeping bag, just too much draft in a quilt and I could never get warm, especially when it was windy. Sure, you can use those quilt pad straps, but it’s a PIA and just more things to adjust and fidget with and keep track of.

I also went back to a stove after going stoveless for many trips and becoming under nourished on those trips leading to poor performance. I could only eat so many protein bars and jerky just wasn’t cutting it. Using a BRS stove now and hot hearty meals at night and hot coffee in the morning does wonders for the body.

>Packs: Kakwa 40 works well but with my use of soft flask/filter for drinking the pockets are less than ideal.

On my new “2024” Kakwa 55, Platy soft bottles will hold in the deep pocket but not with confidence in the shallow slash cut pocket.

The shallow pocket is too short for even smart bottles if doing any sort of downhill scrambling.  I watched 2 full bottles tumble down a steep cliff while rock scrambling on my butt, they jettisoned right out with no warning.  Amazing how tough those bottles are (thankfully).  I fashioned a quick fix on trail using a short piece of cordage from my repair kit.  One end is is a bowline knot on a carbiner, the other is a taught line hitch so tension can be adjusted based on how the bag is packed.  The bottles were rock solid after that, and I could still remove on the move, but it was less convenient.

In camp or flat ground, quickly detach one side of the cord using the carbiner, reattach in the am (takes seconds)

BTW, love this bag

Tensor/Tent floor noise: anyone know of a reasonably priced source for 1/8 closed cell foam EVA pads in 25″ width?  This under the Tensor would solve the noise issue but with a 4.5 oz weight penalty (ouch).

Closest I could find was the oversized MLD that could be cut down but exchange and shipping puts it over $100 in Canuckistan

Exped .. Canadian?

Think it’s Swiss but, according to a “history” webpage, the company was founded as a distributor, resulting from meeting during an early ‘80s Canadian trip (personal details irrelevant so I’ll omit).  In 1997 the company started to produce their own stuff (note: most companies back then were focused on heavier duty “bomb-proof” gear).

Their internet cookie game is strong as their website keeps knocking me back to their Exped USA subsidiary.

Cheaper [in] long run when i do not replace damaged or heavy items

That’s the way to do it.  Think things can be too light for not much weight savings, but then there’s usage.  It’s one thing to use an item a couple nights per year (especially “fast-packing”) vs daily/nightly on a multiweek long hike.

Seems worth it just for the name alone.

Their price is pretty good. It seems like moderately expensive stuff.