I gotta ask.. Ultralight? - Page 2 - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

ploddinTod · 11-03-2004, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiwayman

Have you researched the new Big Agnes Air Core pads? They look kinda neat. Light, 2 1/2" thick and pack to waterbottle size. I have only seen them in BP mag. I believe they rated them fairly high. Worth a look.

What do these weigh compared to the Therma-Rest pads?

lost_but_found · 11-04-2004, 09:56 AM

The Big Agnes that I gave a link to is 1lb3oz, dimensions are 72x20x2.5
The Therm-A-Rest ProLite4 is 1lb8oz, dimensions are 72x20x1.5

In my opinion the Therm-A-Rest is going to be much more durable than the air pad. Also, I would think that since the ProLite4 is rated as a four season pad it should have much better insulation. But I was just looking at this and was pleasantly surprised to find that these air core pads aren't too bad. :idea: I think I may stop by REI today for lunch and find out how much breath it takes to get one inflated properly and lay on it to see how comfy it is. I will post my results.

11-04-2004, 09:55 PM

Yeah, That's the pad I was writing about. The one with insulation in it. I believe there is another manufacturer that makes one with down. Anyway, thanks for covering for me lost_but_found.

lost_but_found · 11-05-2004, 03:14 PM

I haven't had a chance to make it REI and check out the pads yet. But they just opened a brand new Gander Mountain right down the road from me so I think I am going to check them out - maybe they will them there. They should, the building is the size of a freaking Wal-Mart. :rolleyes:

Does anyone know anything about the Primus Micron stove? I was reading up on all the stoves and this stove stands out well! I am curious if it is any better than the Pocket Rocket about flame concentration on the center of the cooking pot. I want to start learning how to cook some killer backpacking meals, but the my trusty Pocket Rocket burns the center of the pot too much.

munkee · 11-17-2004, 04:24 PM

This is my view of ultralight: go as light as you can comfortably. You can spend thousands on the lightest titanium, and tech fabrics or you can go with a trashbag and two sticks.

I personally have lightened up my overall pack weight by investing in a lighter tent(REI 1/4 dome UL), bag(Exponont Canyon) and pack(Golite Race). I use a thermarest guidelite 3/4 pad, MSR pocket rocket stove on a Snowpeak 110g can, kettle for boiling water and ziplocs to store food and eat out of. If solo, I use a Clark Jungle hammock and maybe a sheet(warmer temps). Overall weight normally is at or lower than 30#'s. That's with water and/or filter.

I have personally felt the difference that dropping 10lbs off your back can make. I wear trail runners instead of bulky boots. zipoff pant legs. LED squeeze light and headlamp. The key is looking at what you carry and thinking how many times you have used it in the last trips. If it's not necessity or emergency, why take it along? Finding dual purpose items is key as well. It's not for everyone. Some people must have their Java press, some are ok with coffee bags(like tea). Taking gear inventory is the best idea and sometimes cutting out on some of the little things or changing a few items can reduce your weight and make a bigger difference than one might think.

ploddinTod · 11-29-2004, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lost_but_found

The Big Agnes that I gave a link to is 1lb3oz, dimensions are 72x20x2.5
The Therm-A-Rest ProLite4 is 1lb8oz, dimensions are 72x20x1.5

In my opinion the Therm-A-Rest is going to be much more durable than the air pad. Also, I would think that since the ProLite4 is rated as a four season pad it should have much better insulation. But I was just looking at this and was pleasantly surprised to find that these air core pads aren't too bad. :idea: I think I may stop by REI today for lunch and find out how much breath it takes to get one inflated properly and lay on it to see how comfy it is. I will post my results.

I returned recently from a backpacking trip in which I utilized the Therm-A-Rest 3/4 length self-inflating pad for the first time. I'm not sure if it was the ProLite4, but it was definitely a model for backpacking. (Bought it from Campmor.) I have nothing but positve things to say about it. It was stable and didn't slide around the tent floor during use. It was also lighter and less bulky, giving you packing options. (Pack it inside your pack or strap it to the outside.) It was less thick than the previous model I'd been using. But it did not affect my sleep at all. This was the first time I had used a 3/4 length mattress and was concerned about my feet and legs dangling. As it turned out, this was a non-issue.
I think I've found a winner and wanted to pass along the info. :yes:

ploddinTod · 11-29-2004, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon

Thanks for that reminder -- I had to check our online Yellow Pages to verify that because it wasn't dawning on me where they're located. You are indeed correct -- we have one Oshman's in town. I'll have to make a visit. I'm only familiar with Academy, and less so the Whole Earth Provision (neat store, but in one of the most upscale shopping centers in town, with prices inside to match). It's why I do most of my gear shopping online (Campmor.com, REI.com, etc.) after extensive research and word-of-mouth.

I think I need to do a Q&A article with one or more of you backpackers here -- a sort of "Beginning Backpacking Guide". I have so many questions that I know I'd get some awesome answers to from the group here, and it'd help Justin and I as well as others in our situation. If anyone's interested, let me know here or via PM and I'll email you a copy of the questions when I write them up. If you have a website of your own, you could even republish the completed article if you participate in helping answer questions for it -- in the interests of sharing knowledge and getting others properly educated and equipped for backpacking.
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Shannon, I would be glad to help anyway I can. Let us know when you and Justin are ready for your maiden backpacking voyage. Perhaps a bottle of bubbly would be appropriate to send you off.

copuswalker · 11-29-2004, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ploddinTod

Shannon, I would be glad to help anyway I can. Let us know when you and Justin are ready for your maiden backpacking voyage. Perhaps a bottle of bubbly would be appropriate to send you off.

Beer Todd? Beer!!

ploddinTod · 11-29-2004, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copuswalker

Beer Todd? Beer!!

Okay,Mark, you win. But you have to tote the keg.

copuswalker · 11-30-2004, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ploddinTod

Okay,Mark, you win. But you have to tote the keg.

No problem Todd! The ice, bucket and cups you'd be carrying are probably heavier? Oh and the lawn chairs.

ploddinTod · 11-30-2004, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ploddinTod

I returned recently from a backpacking trip in which I utilized the Therm-A-Rest 3/4 length self-inflating pad for the first time. I'm not sure if it was the ProLite4, but it was definitely a model for backpacking. (Bought it from Campmor.) I have nothing but positve things to say about it. It was stable and didn't slide around the tent floor during use. It was also lighter and less bulky, giving you packing options. (Pack it inside your pack or strap it to the outside.) It was less thick than the previous model I'd been using. But it did not affect my sleep at all. This was the first time I had used a 3/4 length mattress and was concerned about my feet and legs dangling. As it turned out, this was a non-issue.
I think I've found a winner and wanted to pass along the info. :yes:

I did some further checking and found that it was the Therm-A-Rest Expedition that I bought, which is heavier than the PorLite4 but certainly lighter than what I had been using. :idea:

Shannon · 11-30-2004, 05:02 PM

I'll definitely let you all know when our maiden voyage is scheduled. I have the Kelty backpack and ProLite4 on my Amazon wishlist, so I have my fingers crossed.

I just blew some cash today on a 400GB hard drive that had to be purchased before the holidays, otherwise I'd splurge and get at least the pad myself. Justin has an unused external frame pack that's about 7 years old but was a Backpacker Magazine editor's choice for at least one year, if not more. So he already has a halfway decent pack for backpacking. And we have a terrific small stove -- not uber-tiny, but small by most standards (Peak 1 Expedition, I think's the name; single burner, not double). No water filtration unit yet; hauling water will encourage us to purchasing that at some point, I suppose.

ploddinTod · 12-01-2004, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon

I'll definitely let you all know when our maiden voyage is scheduled. I have the Kelty backpack and ProLite4 on my Amazon wishlist, so I have my fingers crossed.

I just blew some cash today on a 400GB hard drive that had to be purchased before the holidays, otherwise I'd splurge and get at least the pad myself. Justin has an unused external frame pack that's about 7 years old but was a Backpacker Magazine editor's choice for at least one year, if not more. So he already has a halfway decent pack for backpacking. And we have a terrific small stove -- not uber-tiny, but small by most standards (Peak 1 Expedition, I think's the name; single burner, not double).

I have the Peak 1 also. I've been pleased with it as it boils water very quickly. I, however, have not had it out in freezing temps yet to see how it responds. Also you might want to weigh a full fuel canister to guage how much you used when you re-weigh it.

JasonL · 12-14-2004, 08:37 PM

Ultra-light, hmmm. I'm thinking these days technoligy has allowed for may standard things to be very light already, but if you want to spend the bucks I guess you could go ultra light. I'm thinking *laugh* that in the summer time I'll find plenty that I don't need and that will be my solution for ultra-lightness.

* Shannon, I've got a Kelty pack, uber-nice! it's a 6500ci, it's a beast, but still rides nice.. pending a real lenght excursion test. check out www.campmor.com nice gear and the prices are nice.
* I was thinking of a cooking stove, and I just thinks it's just something more I'll need to bring fuel for. I figure unless I'm camping on a rock I'll have plenty of fire-wood about. My trick is I carry a mini-shovel (HomeDepot), and dig a narrow hole. Back in the day when I was a wee-laddy, we mad Hobo-stoves. These days I make and use them for starting and keeping my fire going. use a tuna/catfood can - cut-to-hight some standard cardboard - roll the card board up and place it in the can - melt wax in the can... and poof, you very own gett'r done - camp fire. At HomeDepot they have small paint cans with lids those work great. You can use a large coffee can as a cover with can-opener wholes at the top for air. This is great for those windy days or on the beach.
* I'm ready to go hiking now!.. pending my boss won't miss me - at work at the moment. (yes working as you can see)

02-26-2005, 11:22 PM

shannon, I bought an eddie bauer pack at target 2 years ago around 5000ci for just over 100.00 dollars it is a internal frame pack has a seperate pocket inside for a camelback type water system and a bottom zipper pocket for your sleeping bag. plus the top pouch unzips to a fanny pack. when i first started buying gear and packed it it weighed almost 70 lbs full(being new i took everything including my kitchen sink) so it would be plenty big for your needs. it weighs around 5lbs if i remember rightly. one nice feature is that it is fully adjustable on torso fit and does'nt carry too bad. also you can try it on for size at your local target store if they still carry them. I now have my gear weight down to 35lbs(including 2 full water bottles) and its pretty empty every thing can fit inside including a sleeping pad. it has a rain cover built into it. plenty of pockets on the outside for smaller gear too!! If your like me i want performance over style so i feel it has been a good buy. check one out before you by a 300.00 pack you'll save yourself a ton of cash that will buy you a good sleeping pad. Plus if you get one you can afford a day pack and a week-end pack plus the eddie bauer pack for the cost of a quote "brandname pack" (and if i recall its made by kelty for eddie bauer)