Backpacking, Hiking & Camping Gear to Use this Year

IntrepidXJ said:
I finally went on my first backpacking trip over the weekend and everything went well. I also got to try out some of this new gear...here's a few quick thoughts.


Therm-a-rest ProLite Plus- Very comfortable and large enough for me, but I don't think it will work well for backpacking. I'd like something a bit lighter and smaller. This was strapped to the outside of my pack and kept dragging over the rocks as I descended ledges...don't think it will last long if I keep that up. This will be great for rafting and camping out of my Jeep still.
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IMO, inflatable pads are definitely the way to go when backpacking for their low weight and compactness. I also think they are a lot more comfortable than the self inflating or foam pads. Both Exped and Big Agnes make oversized pads(25"x78") with or without insulation. I have a Big Agnes AirCore Insulated and an Exped DownMat that are both 25"x78" and very comfortable. I also recently tried out the Klymit Static V which is a little wider that normal 20" pads. It is 23"x72", 20oz(mine actually weighed 16oz) and kept me warm in my 20 degree bag when the temps dropped to right around freezing. It folds up smaller than a nalgene bottle.

I agree with what HomerJ said about your pack. Sounds like you had more weight on your shoulders than you should have.
 
It didn't feel like I had any weight on my shoulders? I know to keep the weight off of them as much as possible.
 
I do sometimes....but usually only on longer day hikes....10+ miles.

I'm sure my shoulders could benefit from some workouts, but I also wonder if my posture might also cause some issues...
 
IntrepidXJ said:
I do sometimes....but usually only on longer day hikes....10+ miles.

I'm sure my shoulders could benefit from some workouts, but I also wonder if my posture might also cause some issues...
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I have bad posture. When I use a backpack I usually leave the sturnum strap undone so that the shoulder straps pull my shoulders back. Especially if I have my camera in my chest pack. It tends to keep me from hunching forward.

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Deadeye008 said:
I have bad posture. When I use a backpack I usually leave the sturnum strap undone so that the shoulder straps pull my shoulders back. Especially if I have my camera in my chest pack. It tends to keep me from hunching forward.
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That might be part of my issue...I'll have to experiment some more.
 
HomerJ said:
Sounds like too much weight was on your shoulders. The bulk of it needs to be on your hips. The shoulder straps should mostly keep the pack against your back and not hold the weight. You may have to adjust the straps a bit to get it right. Keep the heaviest items in your pack near the middle of your back. Proper gear packing goes a long way.
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i actually had this same problem with my Atmos 65. while i agree about how to pack, load & putting the weight on the hips, I think that the lightweight, narrower straps on the atmos are a problem. there is NO padding to speak of.
I had the same shoulder discomfort on my overnight trip to Egg Canyon a month ago.
 
I have a 2012 Atmos 50 (w/ adjustable straps) and its fine. Unless youre frequently using a pack that's the same weight I would expect a little bit of soreness but it should get better the more you use it.
 
REI had a nice deal on a North Face Allegheny 40 degree sleeping bag last week and I figured it might be useful to have a warmer weather bag around....so I ordered one. It just showed up today and fits me well...now I just need to test it out :)

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I won an REI Hobitat 4 in a Facebook photo contest and have been loving it. So far we camped in rain, snow, and lots of wind and its been fantastic. I've owned 8 tents and this is the first that I've been able to stand up in and I love it.
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Summit said:
I won an REI Hobitat 4 in a Facebook photo contest and have been loving it. So far we camped in rain, snow, and lots of wind and its been fantastic. I've owned 8 tents and this is the first that I've been able to stand up in and I love it.
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It goes nicely with your 500 liter backpack. :roflmao:
 
I'm looking forward to trying out our new BA Jupiters Cabin in a few weeks....it's much bigger than our old tent, but I don't think it's as big as that one :)
 
That Rei tent is pretty sweet.. I been looking at getting something like that for awhile. I will wait to see if I can win something sweet like that.
I bought a Kelty Trail Dome 4 tent from a killer Cableas sale for $69 a couple weekes ago and gave it the test run this last trip. For the most part it worked pretty well in the crazy wind. However the Aluminum poles now have a permenent bend in the top of the tent and it sits a bit lopsided now.

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wes242 said:
That Rei tent is pretty sweet.. I been looking at getting something like that for awhile. I will wait to see if I can win something sweet like that.
I bought a Kelty Trail Dome 4 tent from a killer Cableas sale for $69 a couple weekes ago and gave it the test run this last trip. For the most part it worked pretty well in the crazy wind. However the Aluminum poles now have a permenent bend in the top of the tent and it sits a bit lopsided now.
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I don't know how cool Kelty is about fixing/replacing, but I got nailed by some wind in my Big Agnes Seedhouse once and they replaced my bent poles free of charge. Might be worth checking.
 
nick said:
I don't know how cool Kelty is about fixing/replacing, but I got nailed by some wind in my Big Agnes Seedhouse once and they replaced my bent poles free of charge. Might be worth checking.
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My wife looked up there warranty and it said online that they wouldn't cover things such as natural hazards, like weather. But you can buy new ones. I bent it back and it seems to be ok for now...
 
Since I'm planning on hitting the river next weekend, I stopped by the local rafting shop at lunch to pick this up for my IK...

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I finally got a chance to really put my f-stop gear Tilopa BC to the test on a 12.5 mile hike on Saturday and I have to say....I really like it. Much better than the Clik Elite Hiker that I've been using for the past few years.

I was worried that the bag was going to be too small for someone of my height, but it actually fits me well. After the 12.5 miles, my shoulders weren't even sore....and that was carrying about 23lbs of gear.

I love being able to access my camera and lenses through the back...I can just drop my bag to the ground and unzip it...no need to flip it over and get the part that touches my back dirty.

I currently have the large pro ICU because it holds all my camera gear, but since I don't always take all my gear with me, I'm going to pick up a small or medium ICU so I can fit more hiking gear in the bag when needed. It's a very versatile system. I've even been using the pack without the ICU for when I ride my bike to work...it works great as just a regular backpack.
 
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