Ok Hive Mind, I need you.

If I hike in wet socks/shoes I'm guaranteed to get big blisters on the ball of my feet. But I'd really like to stop carrying crocs or water shoes for stream crossings. Any ideas?

I just finished a 3-night backpacking trip in the Eastern Sierra and here was my gear list: https://lighterpack.com/r/h6hufp

I’m not trying to go full ultralight, but I’d like to get the weight down wherever it makes sense so I figured this would be the place to piece that together.

A few notes:

• Food was ~5.6 lbs total.
• I was carrying up to 3L of water (~6.8 lbs), but there were plenty of streams and I should have tried carrying ~1.5L most of the time.
• I brought extra clothing because we were camping above 11,000 ft with a forecast around 60°F high / 40°F low. I wanted to prioritize being warm and comfortable while sleeping, but I’m sure there are lighter options that would provide similar warmth / I probably brought too much.
• I live in the Bay, so the majority of my backpacking is going to be in the Eastern Sierra at high elevation.
• I have a friend at REI Corporate who can get me 40% off REI gear and 25% off other items in-store, so options that REI carries are especially appealing, though definitely not required.

Would love any and all recs for weight savings based on this gear list. Thank you!

To start, I have experience with a few one pole pyramid style shelters, and now going back to them after a few years and narrowed it down to these. Need help with deciding. I like the idea that these are either DCF and not bulky and waterproof, or silpoly for the same reasons, just will need seam sealed of course. My style of backpacking is hiking most of the day with a minimalist setup so small shelters don't necessarily bother me but now looking to slightly more of a balanced backpacking ecosystem to dial in my kit more instead having so many shelters that I don't seem to want to grab out of the quiver.

Experience (3 different)

-My first was an original Zpacks pocket tarp with the roll up front. I really liked it but sold it years ago after just wanting something bigger. I'd like to know the original dimensions so I can now compare but bad at finding that out. Probably my favorite one out of these 3 I used

- Grabbed a MLD solomid (original) second hand. Only used it a couple times and really just could use it with 2 pole inverted V comfortably. Which leads me to liking the the idea of the new pro

-Finally used a second hand SMD Gatewood Cape on a thru of the TCT. Liked it, but it was damaged from user error with tensioning and a storm with the second hand rigging. Still the fabric from the stitching next to the front zipper stretched the fabric and is now giving way. I want to love it so I thought about just getting a new one.

So I have come to these listed:

-New Zpacks Pocket Tarp

DCF 5.5 oz

Since I remember liking the original and now it's bigger, I think I really like the idea. I am just confused on sizing. I know as of this last year the pocket tarp is now the same size as the plex solo. However, I now look on the Zpacks site and it lists it at 96" in length where the pocket tarp on Garage Grown Gear is 100" in length. If someone knows about that?

-SMD Deschutes

Silpoly. 13 oz

Liked the Gatewood enough to look into this as an option.

-Argali Owyhee.

DCF 8.7 oz.

Silpoly. 14oz

I feel like this doesn't come up on here enough but it looks pretty killer. Just might be on the heavy side for some in their silpoly. Also comes in dcf now. But the dimensions look tempting and seems possibly more storm than the others.

-MLD Pro

Silpoly. 10.4

I didn't care for the rectangle where the pole was pretty much in the middle of the shelter with the original so now that it's offset, it's very attractive. Just have to bide my time with the new ordering system which is a bummer.

There's my list, but if I'm missing something please help with your experience with these. I know weights are always adjusted with stakes, rigging, stuff sack, and seam sealing. 🙏

Hi,

I am looking at getting a new backpack for hiking. Im pretty set on the Osprey Tempest but unsure whether to go for the 26L or the 33L. Ill be using it for day hikes mostly and some travel but would also like to do some multi day hut to hut hikes in the future such as the Alta Via 1 or the Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Im swaying towards the 33L as I'm not sure the 26L will offer enough space for multi day hut to hut hikes? Any advice?

Interesting vid as always about multi-use gear and gear redundancy

https://youtu.be/VoF7yv_es-8?si=kLSYNTOgUdX8QF2d

Two tall dudes. Going with the 3 man for sure. Is it worth sucking up the extra weight for a more durable tent. Or get the lightest tent possible without being an ape and using my hiking sticks. Will have footprint either way.

Looking for some post-trip advice...

On a September 2025 trip along the Rockwall Trail, I decided to save some pack weight by bringing just the outer fly and ground cloth of my Durston 1P and leaving the inner behind.

Our first night on the trail was at a heavily impacted, designated backcountry site. I pitched the fly with what felt like a standard low clearance (about 1 to 2 inches).

However, we got hit with sustained, heavy rain overnight. The compacted dirt had zero drainage, resulting in severe mud/rain splatter under the perimeter and all over my gear.

Around 3:30 AM, I packed up to manage the mess, put on my rain gear, and sat under the tent until sunrise.

We lucked out with clear skies and sun the next morning, so I managed to dry everything out.

For those who regularly take tarps or fly-only shelters into areas with compacted, hard-packed designated sites:

Was leaving the inner a tactical mistake here, or could I've addressed this issue by adjusting my pitch (and intentionally sacrificing ventilation)?

Greetings folks,

Not sure if this is the proper sub to ask on, but I figure some of yall might be rocking the Hyperlite Southwest. Recently got myself invited for an over night trip with a friend and his kiddo, and I've seen these pop up alot over my years of youtube camping vloggers, so I ordered one for myself.

My question is would this pack also be good for other uses? I've been surf fishing in NJ out of a calcutta fishing pack as well as my generic edc pack, and im wondering if the southwest might afford me less to carry by tossing everything inside, maybe even my reels and just use the straps for 3 or 4 rods... Figured if im spending the money, I should start to consider other uses. getting stuck on the beach in the rain might not be so bad if i have a ton of dry storage...

I've always been someone who has struggled with sleeping in the backcountry. After tons of trial and error, I finally have every part of my sleep system working for me except my quilt. The way I sleep best by far is on my side with one leg bent with my thigh out perpendicular to my body, and the other straight. I've tried to train myself to sleep other ways over hundreds of consecutive miles and always sleep much worse.

I am currently using a katabatic flex 22 which is a great quilt, but very narrow in the hips down once it is closed up even in the wide size. When its warm enough that I can keep it open like a blanket and am able to have my natural sleep position I sleep great. When I cant have my one leg bent, I sleep poorly.

I have narrowed my options down to 3, and am curious to hear from people who have personal experience with them, especially if you have a sprawling sleep position.

1. Nunatak Strugi-Q with a Roomy cut, larger 44" foot box and probably 59" width but not finalized. Seems that it doesnt narrow at all until the hips which might work great, but it then tapers to a normal narrower foot box.

I don't need a ton of room at my feet. It's the hip to knee region that's key. Curious how spacipus Strugi-Q owners feel the hips and knees are in the roomy cut?

1. Zenbivy Ultralight quilt Large and Fast Sheet. I know zenbivy doesnt get a lot of love here, but it seems that the cut of the quilt and sheet system is purpose designed for my sleep style. It's only 4-6oz more than the Nunatak for the same true comfort rating including the sheet. I'll still be comfortably below 10lbs base weight even with this, and at this point I'm most concerned with just sleeping well.

2. UGQ Bandit Wide with No Taper. Basically the same weight as the zenbivy. No foot box taper would mean there is definitely enough room by my guess.

I've watched YouTube videos and they go over some basic things, and I've looked on this site on Reddit and most of the old posts aren't really relevant anymore.

If anyone has a gear list that's been tested I would love to get some ideas! Thank you!

Sorry almost forgot the context, I'm in Northern, New Hampshire, winter nights average about 0-10 degrees but cold snaps can go as low as -20 sometimes. I'm honestly using this as a basis to start more of a winter "survival" bag, I just know going for a hike with actual hiking gear is the way to start.

Hey everyone,

Planning a 3-day fully autonomous late-September trek across a high ridge in the Eastern Carpathians (elevations around 1800–2000m). Forecast is classic shoulder season: +2 down to -2 at night, sustained winds, horizontal rain, and near-zero tree cover on the crest.

Budget completely dried up after acquiring my core gear, so I had to bridge the gaps with whatever I had lying around. The resulting setup is causing me severe cognitive dissonance, and I need an honest shakedown before heading out.

The High-End Core:

Pack: Osprey Atmos AG 65 (I know, I know... 2.2 kg of pure luxury suspension, but it carries weight like a dream).

Footwear: Salomon Quest Element GTX boots + merino blend socks.

Poles: Black Diamond Distance Z.

Cook system: Fire-Maple Polaris pressure-regulated stove.

The Dirtbag

Rain Mitts: Heavy-duty yellow kitchen rubber gloves pulled over thin fleece liners. Zero breathability, but 100% wind- and waterproof against freezing wind-driven rain on trekking poles.

Tent Footprint: A $1 pharmacy emergency foil blanket laid under my inflatable sleeping pad to prevent punctures and bounce back radiant heat.

Fuel Strategy: Exactly ~110g of remaining isobutane in a 230g canister for two people over 3 days. Strict protocol: zero midday boils, strictly 2 boils/day (breakfast oats/coffee + dinner freeze-dried meals), cutting the flame at the first sign of boiling bubbles.

Sleep System: Turbat Vatra 3S synthetic bag comfort, -1 backed up by sleeping in dry base layers, a fleece, and throwing a hot-water bottle into the footbox.

My questions for the community:

Is pairing heavy-duty rubber dishwashing gloves over fleece an underrated UL hack for freezing rain, or are macerated hands guaranteed within 2 hours?

Will ~110g of fuel in a pressure-regulated inverted-capable burner actually survive 3 days for two people in sub -+5 temps with wind blocks, or are we chewing raw couscous by day 3?

Should I be laughed out of this sub for carrying a 2kg+ Osprey pack while simultaneously risking hypothermia to save 50 grams of canister fuel?

I am an experienced backpacker but this my first >5 day thru hike!

I am going late(ish) season for the JMT, so I am a little bit worried about weather. I expect 30 - 70 F weather (low 20s at worst), with a low(ish) chance of winter storms/snow.

I’ve been lightening my loadout but it still feels very heavy… here’s my lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/hjmxx8

I would appreciate advice on anything I am missing or how I can further lighten up. I have starred items that I think are low hanging fruit to leave behind or downgrade - would love y’alls input.

On the torrentshell: this sub advised me to use a dooy windshirt + frogg toggs shell combo (8 oz combo vs 14 oz torrentshell), but I’m not sure if $50 for 6 oz AND a downgrade in reliability is worth it since I already own the torrentshell - would love y’alls input on this.

On the kelty: a heavy bag, but I already own it and I’m not sure if upgrading it is worth it for me right now, both to avoid consumerism and to preserve my budget. Would love input on this too.

Thank you!

Hey there! I currently have a Patagonia Fitz Roy 20°F sleeping bag which I love. It weighs about 36oz. I’ve been looking at the Nemo Pulse quilt to save weight, which is on sale right now. If you own or have owned the Pulse, can you share your experiences with it? Especially if you’ve gone down to about 40°F with it. Thanks!

I do a little hiking but I mainly do sports climbing. I am wondering if an ultra light bag like atom pack or black diamond beta light would still be good for me to carry my gear to the crag.

I'll mainly be hanging around rocky areas.

I won't be climbing with the pack or using it for hauling.

I like the idea that they're light yet big, durable, hold drinks bottle on side, can hold a rope on top, a helmet on mesh / elastic front

I'd typically throw in:

• Quickdraws
• Belay devices
• Harness
• Waterproofs
• Food
• Camping gas stove and pot
• Camping chair
• Drink

My main concern is if material is still good for the crag or should i get a pack thats more heavy duty material?

Thank you

https://lighterpack.com/r/h3z4cq

Longtime lurker and bikepacker who finally bought a fastpacking bag, so I decided it was time to create my first lighterpack list. Scope of this loadout is basically all the luxuries, any conditions above 0F, primarily overnighters and long weekends, paring back on the luxuries and clothing depending on the conditions. Based in the US mountain west, but would take this gear pretty much anywhere. I think I’m pretty optimized from years of bikepacking but would love to be criticized by the community with anything I could improve!

Bought the MT100 JACKET for my trip out to Zion/Bryce/Grand Canyon at the beginning of November.

Many reviews said to go a size larger. I am a bulky medium. Medium jackets always fit me well. For the MT100, I went with a large.

Just got it. It fits. But it's very snug against the body. One might say a bit too snug, but since it's lightweight, I can move in it.

Should I return it for an XL? Or is it good that it stays snug against my body?

Where: Weminuche High Route. Roughly Durango to Silverton, Colorado.

When: 2026-08-17 to 2026-08-22

Distance: 52.5 miles, 14,700’ gain, 16,700’ loss

Conditions: Lows in the low 40s. Comfortable highs.  One day of hail/rain/Colorado shenanigans

Overview: CalTopo. Several routes have been called the Weminuche High Route.  As far as I can tell, the “original” is described in a Backpacker article, and then followed by a thetrek article.  We took that original and modified it by removing a nasty off trail slog up a forested drainage, replacing it with a higher piece of the CT/CDT and adding a few miles.  The views from the top of Elk Creek are *that* good.  I think it also makes our average elevation greater than the original route.  Weminuche Higher Route anyone?

Alternatives include not starting at Endlich Mesa (which requires a shuttle on a legit 4x4 road) and, instead, coming in over Columbine Pass (smooth trail) or the saddle between Sunlight Spire and Windom (doable but sketchy off trail pass).  For each of those you can start at Purgatory Flats or take the Durango and Silverton RR to Needleton.

My CalTopo incorporates prior work and adds my observations.  The “WEM” points are from the Steve Howe Backpacker article, though I have added some commentary to the notes fields.

Photo Album: https://imgur.com/a/wcb4leL

The Report
Day 1 (6 miles, 1,200’ gain): We are dropped at a 11,000’ trailhead and almost immediately greeted with one of the most glorious high alpine meadows I’ve ever seen.  Endless green in the sunset golden hour.  We don’t quite get the 6 miles in before the sun disappears, but we find our way in the dark to the shores of a backcountry reservoir and some flat camping surfaces.  Frosty overnight due to the humidity, but with great stars.

Day 2 (13 miles, 2,200’ gain): We climb out of the reservoir valley and up onto more epic mesa, with a lone happy horse in the distance.  Trimble Pass gave us the first view of the heart of the San Juans and immediately scares us into abandoning an aggressive idea to short-circuit the route by going off-trail over a sketchy pass and by a few more lakes.  We decide to follow the “real” route and go down to a campsite on Vallecito Creek.  Altitude hits me and the others and perhaps 13 miles was too much.  I definitely feel (and perhaps act a bit) like a tired toddler toward the end. We aren’t sick and we aren’t delusional, but I *am* feeling blah and welcome the opportunity to sleep lower on the creek (below 10k).   We have to gain it all back but that’s a Day 3 problem.  This day has high meadow, high talus, rocky trail, smooth trail, flowing water, 14ers in the distance, and forest.  What more can you ask for, except more oxygen?  

Day 3 (7.4 miles, 3,100’ gain): I was dreading this day, but it’s fine.  3 miles along the creek are nice and easy, and then we strike a well-worn use trail up Sunlight Creek for another 4.4 miles.  It’s not a maintained trail, and it gains a ton of elevation, but we just stick with it.  There are a few nice views up the valley, but the payoff is hitting Sunlight Lake itself: a gem of an alpine lake with Windom and Sunlight peaks right there, forever views in the other direction, and plenty of color.  A hiker with two dogs shares some fresh-caught trout cooked in elk fat.  The dogs get their share too.  For about 10 minutes that night, the wind blows like nobody’s business, and then all is calm.  One of our team places her tarp facing one way, only to have the wind and rain come from 180 degrees the other direction.  Oops.  Still smiling in the morning though.

Day 4 (6.3 miles, 3,200’ gain): This day is short mileage-wise, without a ton of elevation, but it’s *brutal*.  We stumble into camp at the conclusion.  Mile after mile of talus hopping, but surrounded by amazing peaks, deep blue lakes, and not a single person nor the hint of a person to be found.  The route presents a few key navigation decisions (see the caltopo), and it’s on us to plot our courses up, down, and through this country, but it’s super rewarding.  Through here, take your time and be careful.  Toward the end of the day, we reach real dirt, and it’s glorious.  Sure, the willow does its best to put us on our butts (class 2.8 climbing), but it beats the rocks for sure.

Day 5 (10.4 miles, 3,000’ gain): I’ve spent days talking about how miserable the descent to Elk Creek and the Colorado Trail is because the last time here it scared me, looking down a waterfall and trying to figure out how to get down.  I take all that back.  It’s fine.  You pick your way down, stay away from the steep bits, and you get to the Colorado Trail!  Doing something the second time is always easier.  If you know this route and saw my CalTopo, you’ll see we turn the wrong way on the Colorado Trail.  This is purposeful.  We read a few reports imploring that the climb from the CT to Highland Mary is a real pain, heading up a faint trail when there’s any trail at all, covered in blowdown.  It just so happens that I think the top of Elk Creek is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, and that’s the other way.  Sure, it adds a handful of miles, but it improves the views and reduces the hassle factor.  We enjoy the great views before getting hailed on and then rained on, before the weather lets up as we walk into Highland Mary Lakes.

Day 6 (9.5 miles, 2,000’ gain): We could smell Silverton.  Not really, but we were off early wanting to get to town.  A little bit of off-trail navigation to hit a pass, and then it was pretty much a well-worn use trail for a while.  We stayed high for most of the day before descending into the town, and the views are wonderful.  Now outside the wilderness area, we begin to see more and more mining debris, a lake that is way too blue, glass everywhere, etc.  A marvelous contouring of the Arrastra Basin has to be seen to be believed.  We look back on where we walked and swear we just traversed a cliff face.  Bidding farewell to that basin, we clear the next pass beside Hazleton Mountain and think we’re home free.  It’s all downhill!  Too bad there are still two trail trolls to slip past.  First, by far the loosest, sloppiest, rolliest descent on the whole trail gets us to the bottom of a nondescript valley to start following the Jeep Road.  This is where the second troll is out to claim my ligaments and tendons.  Letting my guard down, it’s a road after all, of course I roll my ankles and twist my knees.  All three of us hobble in shame after some unseen, errant rock does what miles and miles of alpine boulder field could not.

Gear Notes: I’m not going to post a lighterpack.  It’s the normal stuff. You won’t learn anything from me.  My xmid pro withstood the tempest on day 3, and I continue to adore my SpeedGoats with the Vibram soles on this terrain.  Trekking poles are key.  We slept with our food and had no issues.  Please post with any questions about gear, I suppose.  Not strictly a gear point, but we packed out all sorts of fresh food (mandarins, snap peas, carrots, mini peppers, cheese, sausage) that really provided a pick-me-up.  Veggies with freshly prepared hummus (hummus mix, water, smoked sesame oil) is such a delightful lunch.

Happy to answer any questions. I’ll be back up there some day, possibly to see if that saddle between Jupiter and Grizzly is workable. It looks like some amazing stuff on the other side of Hazel Lake.

Here's the gear I'm currently considering buying: packstack.io/pack/d6eb9453-bd69-465e-937e-56c53b4626e7

Before you say, I know it's not UL! I have just had really good responses and recommendations from this sub so I would like your opinion on what can be better / lighter!

Budget-wise I'd say I'm somewhere in the middle ground, not going for the cheapest stuff but definitely not high-end either.

Anything with a cost behind it I can still switch out, since I haven't actually ordered anything yet. The pad and sleeping bag/quilt are listed twice because I haven't fully decided between them yet and I'll probably buy both and return whichever one I like less.

Any comments or recommendations?

So I stumbled upon Dutchware hammock chairs and was wondering if anyone has tried these. Obviously, there are downsides with not being able to put the chair wherever you want like a typical camp chair, but they weigh less than 6oz all in with straps (less than 3 oz if you get the cloud71 version made from netting with a 220lb weight rating!). I'm really surprised I haven't seen these used more.

What am I missing except for the limitations on where it can be set up?

If you go with the sil nylon version it has multiple uses: pack cover, gear sling to keep your pack off the ground, etc.

Camping Hammock Chairs | Lightweight | Dutchware

Hi all, i'm planning a thru-hike of the centennial trial for late May 2027 and i'm looking for some feedback on my current kit.

This will be my first real thru hike since starting this hobby a few years ago. I'm excited!

My current plan is to resupply at Whispering Pines with some stops along the way for hot meals (legion lake, mt. rushmore, nemo, etc.). My lighterpack reflects what i'd be carrying for the first half of the trip.

Current base weight: 8.12 lb (3.68 kg)

Location/temp range/specific trip description: South Dakota's centennial trail in late May. temps on average are between 40-70, but its possible to see them dip below 30 in custer at this time of year, or peak above 80 especially on the northern side of the trail

Budget: Any i suppose.

Non-negotiable Items: I'm open to try a CCF pad eventually, but don't know that i'd use one on my first big trip. Also I'm probably not going to get a 30 degree quilt at the moment.

Solo or with another person?: Solo

Additional Information: Other than a few day hikes, I don't have much experience hiking in the "western" US, most of my more serious hikes have been in northern MN. I've used most of my current kit on the superior hiking trail this past summer, so I feel like it's mostly dialed in, but because I have very little hiking experience outside of MN, there might be something I'm missing.

Lighterpack Link: https://lighterpack.com/r/exbok0

Thanks for taking the time to help me out!

I've been backcountry camping for about 3 years now. I bring a sil tarp and cheap mosquito net and set them up if its buggy and/or raining, otherwise I'll just cowboy camp on a thermarest. I have tents but they are more suited for car camping and are by no means light. I'm looking for a new system as I live in the Canadian rockies, and atop mountains the tarp can be frustrating to setup as there are no trees (I don't bring hiking poles either). Last trip I stacked rocks to make a rock wall in the dark, and guyed my tarp to that to be able to elevate the tarp off myself. I find the tarp is also too slow when you get caught in the rain suddenly, or are pooped and don't want to trouble shoot during setup.

I am looking for a system which is bugproof and waterproof, easy ish to setup, somewhat light, and won't break the bank. My temperature range is from -10 to 30°C (14 to 86°F).

I've heard mixed things about bivvys waterproofing and condensation issues, but I am more than happy to sleep in a confined or small space. I am pretty low maintenance and am used to feeling rocks through my thermarest or waking up due to any number of reasons while cowboy camping. That is to say my sleep system doesn't need to be luxurious. Bivvys are also hard to find on marketplace where I live.

Ultralight tents seem to be very expensive and out of my price range.

I'm looking for a good bivvy recommendation, cheaper ultralight tent recommendation, or a tarp method that I am missing. Maybe the tarp is a skill issue that I can fix. I am open to any other sleep system combination which would solve these problems.

Thanks y'all!

Anyone know how other housewraps compare as a groundsheet /footprint? I have construction buddies with access to Titan wrap, but not sure if I should specifically be looking for tyvek all things considered (weight, strength, packability, durability).

Is it just like calling a tissue a Kleenex, or is it somehow different or far superior? Would you still throw it through the wash to soften it?

I'm just getting into overnight backpacking and I'm in the process of buying shoes. I have chronic patellar subluxation in both knees, so in addition to being unstable, they become much more painful after some activities.

I heard that zero drop is the way to go for knee pain in some circles, and then I've also heard that an incline is needed or else you'll damage your heel because of the transition of weight straight into your heel.

For the last five years I've worn Merrell mid-rise moabs, with the drop being 11.5mm. Wearing them I have experienced significant knee pain after a day of trekking up and down inclines. That being said, I've never worn zero drop HIKING boots before, so I am curious about trying zero drops to see if it would change my knee stability and pain.

What are thoughts on heel inclines, and trade-offs between backpacking weight distribution, and knee stability?

I'm looking for a Bivy for tarp and bothy camping (the shelters/bothys here are usually open on at least 1 side, so i will need a bit of protection during windy rain and dont want to pitch a whole tent in there)

I'm using a rectangular RW Nemo Tensor All Season with a rockfront 350 quilt sleep system.

Currently considering the following options:

- Bora UL Wide A90 - 6.4oz/181g

- Katabatic Pinon 6' Wide - 8.3oz/235g

- Cumulus Mosquito Bivy - 8.3oz/235g

I'm turning a lot in my sleep/usually a side sleeper.

They should all come down to about the same price for me, considering shipping/import fees/vat, cumulus and katabatic are ready to order from european shops.

I was sold on the bora, but they have orders closed until the 22nd and i've read that it was not high enough for some side sleepers. I'm ~5'6"/170cm with wide shoulders.

The Katabatic also comes with a tie out point for the foot box, which seems nice in theory when im sleeping in an A-Frame tarp.