Thanks for the overview. I am 58 and my first unsupervised backpacking trip on the AT at age 17 saw me heading out day one with over 60 lbs dry weight and about 40 lbs base weight. None of today's ultralight tech was available and re-supply opportunities were not nearly as numerous or hiker oriented then so I thought I was doing pretty good once I got my base weight dialed down to about 22 lbs a few weeks in. I heard a quote from a couple in their 90's yesterday. " If we knew eating right and taking good care of our health was going to buy us 10 additional years in a nursing home, we would have taken more chances." I'm weighing the possibility of hiking all my unseen sections of the AT so this has been a very relevant display and manipulate video for me.
Jay i just discovered your channel. There’s so much I can relate to in the way that you review/rationalize your gear. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos! Super helpful for someone planning a future thru-hike!
This is excellent. I just ordered the same exact quilt and still had some reservations about weather I ordered the right size but I am also 5,6 and it looks like it works well for you. Cant wait to finally put a quilt to the test. Thanks for this video.
I remember going over a friend’s pack weight when he started the AT. It was 90 pounds. He told me he just discarded 30 pounds by the time he got to Virginia. He still went to Maine with 60 pounds. Sheesh, what a difference! Texas
I know, right? I've only seen it once before and I watch a ton of videos! I thought some people that tried a quilt and didn't like it may not have used it correctly so I felt I had to include it. That was the same method I used almost the entire trail and it worked great.
The tent is very neat. After a wet new Zealand hike, I got a synthetic sleeping bag... which you can use to "iron dry" your wet clothes. its a trick I learnt in the Army - lay your shirt and trousers under the bag and in the morning they are dry. Also you dont have to fret about getting a wet bag , as they dry out easily. Yes they are heavier and bulkier, but cheaper also. You can a lighter bag and sleep with your puffy jacket to make it warmer, or put hot water in your MSR dromadery or nalgene as a hot water bottle.
Nice setup! I use the Z lite 3/4 size for a few years now. Never had a problem, though my husband has a neoAir. While I won't envy him when it gets a hole, it sure is comfy (and light).
Got same pack but green, EE Revelation 20 degree Extra wide, 6ft, thermarest neo air xterm or mini, the exterm max worked really good in Mt. Whitney back in 2016, temp went down to 30 the night I camped out..the one thing was my hands were cold even with OR gloves on as I had them out of the quilt and my head was cold too as I only used a wool beanie, the rest was just really nice, hit the bed around 11:45 pm woke out several times during the night and at 6.00 am could not sleep anymore, may need some tweaking for next trip if temps are going to be low..the head hood I don't know about that, good review on everything...my tent is the same too with them poles which it is nice to setup and fast..now the pack, quilt and thermarest are close to 7 pounds...1.6 the pack, 1.5 quilt, 1.9 thermarest, 1.9 tent + poles/ stakes...right there it is already heavy right?, could leave the poles, could go with a lighter sleeping pad, could go with shorter quilt but it would not be the same and only save maybe a pound and half maybe less?...we are continuously experimenting nd adjusting accordingly.
Totally agree we are constantly adjusting. I think I've quit adjusting any high price items but will definitely be adjusting how I use them and what accessories I use them with. I learned years ago that keeping my head warm helps my core stay warm like they say so I like additional layers ready for my head.
Nice run down of your gear! Since you mused about if they made sleeping bags without down on the backside... yes they do. Big Agnes makes those bags and they have a sleeve that a pad slips into. This is great for two reasons... one is like you said, saves weight and it gets rid of the down that would compress anyways. The second reason is that since the sleeping bag and pad become integrated, you don't slip off the pad like in a typical setup. I'm intrigued by the quilt but for now, I'm happy with my Big Agnes gear.
I have been using Big Agnes since they were a new company (probably about 18 years or so). I'm on my second BA sleeping bag and LOVE it. I never slide off the pad and never have any drafts come around. You get the weight like a mummy bag but the room like a rectangular bag. Awesome products!
One time I fell off my pad and I didn't just fall off I did one of those freak out and kick and swing my arm out. I'm just glad I didn't rip my tent or break my trekking poles or something.
It doesn’t have to be hot for you to need the vent in the back I just finished the winter hike of the Oregon coast trail and was glad I had that vent on my back
Yeah, I guess it'll keep your back from getting sweaty so that's always good. I took the ULA out on some longer trips when it was colder and it felt fine even though I run warmer. That foam sure was nice to put my feet up on though. I'll miss that.
I do not. I'll just use my sleeping pad for that. When I switch out gear at Kennedy Meadows I'll have my Neoair XLite sent with a small sit pad and I'll ditch the ZLite Sol. This way I can start strapping my bear canister to the top of my pack instead of the pad. I still have plans to make a video of swap out gear so maybe in a week.
I tried the small Neil air with the set pad and I just could not get a good nights sleep had to switch to a full body air mattress but each to their own
I had a small NeoAir Xlite on my last trip and it did hurt my back a little with my feet dropping below my body but at least if it doesn't rain I can keep it inside under my legs. If it doesn't work out I have an XTherm I can have sent to me somewhere. Heavy, but warm.
I have the same length quilt in 850 but not in wide and commonly get cold spots at the sides and have debated replacing it with the wide model. I use the Neo Air Xlite pad and strap the quilt to the pad. I just recently got that pack in the green. Late last year I got the same tent model in green. I have the msr stakes and have debated getting those zpacks stakes. I have only used the zlite sole in winter along with my neo air.
I'd say go for it on the ZPacks hook stakes. The corners don't get that much stress and even if it did as long as those vestibules are anchored you should be safe.
Thank you. Just last night recorded video going over my electronics where I go into the battery pack I'm bringing again. It has a super dorky intro but it should go live in a week. That passthru charging will be super useful staying overnight at a hotel or something that's for sure. It's best to get back on trail all topped off.
505/81! Good to know what kind of stuff people are using as their go-to gear! Looks like you're comfy.. I have a bag it goes over my head and it's a little too big for me so that I can pull my face in there :)
Thanks for sharing. Nice set up. Researching to get mines. I know I like the ZPacks Duplex and pad. Unsure about the sleeping bag. I’m sure it works great, I’m aiming to having a zipper mummy type. I know it’s a win with Zpacks option for weight. Good point on the sleeping bag about laying and smashing the down damaging the sleeping bag over time. Haven’t consider that. Good clip.
The worst part about the bottom of the sleeping bag is you're still carrying it all the time. Good luck on getting and testing out your gear! I recently compiled my notes and counted 132 nights on trail in the tent and it's still holding up well! Considering all the complaints I heard about pin holes on the top I was glad I got the slightly thicker camo material.
The great thing about the ZPacks packs is you can remove any option you don't want. In fact on my last trip I was super grateful I could detach the hip pocket and clean all the mouse droppings out of it without having to manhandle the whole pack.
Yep. I slept maybe 50% side and 50% on my back and switched back and forth all night and it was fine. I have wide shoulders so I got the wide and it was great. I didn't bother with the straps they send you that goes around the sleeping pad either. If I rolled to a side I'd just push the center of the quilt up to my shoulder and made sure the quilt was tucked under my back and it worked perfectly. Some people like the strap but I'm too lazy to bother with it.
I jumped for joy when I saw how much weight the short saved compared to normal. Thanks for watching. I know you know all this stuff but I had my friends and family in mind as well when I made this.
Nice setup and just subbed so i can follow your journey. Any perticular reason why you went with the Orange Arc Haul vs anyother colour. Im on the fence between green and orange.
Thanks for subbing! I enjoy hiking alone and plan on doing most of it alone so I wanted it easier for people to find me if that was necessary. No point making search and rescue work harder than they already do. Also, for a second reason if I happen to be hiking in hunting land somewhere else I just wanted that orange so I stick out.
Jay ...... so I followed your PCT journey and commented on numerous occasions. Unless I am mistaking seems the pack I saw you using in many of your videos is not the same pack you discuss here in your BIG 3? Did you swap out a lot of gear thru the course of several mos?
My Arc Haul was falling apart. There was a design flaw from the previous year which caused the arching part to break which happened to a ton of people on trail. My shoulder strap was also worn down to half what it was. Zpacks did send me a new one but while I was home for the wedding I just grabbed my ULA Catalyst.
I have my multipack hanging higher on the shoulder straps and the lower strap attached where the zpacks logo is located on the shoulder strap. this keeps it from bouncing around..
For the big three trails maybe but it would differ depending on your start date and direction you're going. Also I think 20F is ideal for most men but women should consider something much warmer or additional layers.
NVM, I watched the rest of the video and you answered my question, lol. Have you considered bringing/purchasing a Buff in place of the shemagh? Less weight and can either keep you warm or cool. Also you can use it in many different configurations 👍🏽. Anyway, great breakdown of your gear
The short Thermarest pads are 4 feet long. Yep, I own several buffs and used similar devices back to 2003 but I cannot sleep with them. I always feel like it's choking me and I wind up trying to stretch it out as much as I can. With the shemagh I can adjust it as much as I want and it's also much warmer when draped over the head.
Major Heath Warning!!! This tent will cause HYPOXIA. Lack of ventilation will give you a major headache. You must leave at least one vestibule open at all times, even in the freezing cold and rain. Condensation is also a major problem in cold weather camping. You will have ice and or water on everything inside including your sleeping bag.
The tent is well ventilated even with all the vestibule doors closed. I never had a problem and I've seen several couples with a duplex that always closed all the doors. Never have I heard of anybody that closes all the doors have headaches. There is a ton of venting on each of the long sides and the doors don't really go all the way down. From my experience and hiking with people with double wall tents if it's cold enough for someone with a Duplex to get ice on the inside of the tent and on the sleeping bag everybody is getting ice all over their sleeping bag and fly. When we had to stop to dry out gear everybody had to stop, not just the single wall tent people and double wall people dried out their fly and tent each time. Thanks for watching though!
@@gregsparks It's easy enough to do, since your fingers appear to be working... search UA-cam for the ZPacks Duplex and upon watching their short video one can see that it's extremely well ventilated and is designed to direct the condensation downwards where it drips outside of the tent. Easy.
@@ceeteemcdee4126 I asked you for your research...which I'll assume is zero since you have no answer. I've hiked over 300 miles on the AT with this tent. Tell me more about your research again.
Yeah, that tent is pricey but that's also why I'm using a footprint for it. I'll be unemployed soon so have to keep that thing working well for years to come.
I wanted ultra light because I was going way off old school by carrying a bunch of cameras with me. Different purposes I suppose. I used to go backpacking with a tarp instead of a tent. I still remember waking up and having nothing between me and nature on one side anyway.
Thanks for the overview. I am 58 and my first unsupervised backpacking trip on the AT at age 17 saw me heading out day one with over 60 lbs dry weight and about 40 lbs base weight. None of today's ultralight tech was available and re-supply opportunities were not nearly as numerous or hiker oriented then so I thought I was doing pretty good once I got my base weight dialed down to about 22 lbs a few weeks in. I heard a quote from a couple in their 90's yesterday. " If we knew eating right and taking good care of our health was going to buy us 10 additional years in a nursing home, we would have taken more chances." I'm weighing the possibility of hiking all my unseen sections of the AT so this has been a very relevant display and manipulate video for me.
Good luck to you! I don't ever want to die in a bed or in a hospital so I'll keep exploring.
Jay i just discovered your channel. There’s so much I can relate to in the way that you review/rationalize your gear. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos! Super helpful for someone planning a future thru-hike!
Thanks. I sometimes do have alternative takes on gear that every other channel sometimes misses so I try to express them. I need to do more though!
This is excellent. I just ordered the same exact quilt and still had some reservations about weather I ordered the right size but I am also 5,6 and it looks like it works well for you. Cant wait to finally put a quilt to the test. Thanks for this video.
I thought it worked out great! If it's too long I would definitely have rubbed the bottom on the walls of the tent way more often.
I remember going over a friend’s pack weight when he started the AT. It was 90 pounds. He told me he just discarded 30 pounds by the time he got to Virginia. He still went to Maine with 60 pounds. Sheesh, what a difference! Texas
Nice rundown... after a couple hundred hiking gear videos, yours is the first I've seen to actually show how to use a quilt! Thanks.
I know, right? I've only seen it once before and I watch a ton of videos! I thought some people that tried a quilt and didn't like it may not have used it correctly so I felt I had to include it. That was the same method I used almost the entire trail and it worked great.
The tent is very neat. After a wet new Zealand hike, I got a synthetic sleeping bag... which you can use to "iron dry" your wet clothes. its a trick I learnt in the Army - lay your shirt and trousers under the bag and in the morning they are dry. Also you dont have to fret about getting a wet bag , as they dry out easily. Yes they are heavier and bulkier, but cheaper also. You can a lighter bag and sleep with your puffy jacket to make it warmer, or put hot water in your MSR dromadery or nalgene as a hot water bottle.
Nice setup! I use the Z lite 3/4 size for a few years now. Never had a problem, though my husband has a neoAir. While I won't envy him when it gets a hole, it sure is comfy (and light).
Thanks. I have a NeoAir short as well and it had a hole at one point. I wonder what the record for patched holes on one of them is.
Got same pack but green, EE Revelation 20 degree Extra wide, 6ft, thermarest neo air xterm or mini, the exterm max worked really good in Mt. Whitney back in 2016, temp went down to 30 the night I camped out..the one thing was my hands were cold even with OR gloves on as I had them out of the quilt and my head was cold too as I only used a wool beanie, the rest was just really nice, hit the bed around 11:45 pm woke out several times during the night and at 6.00 am could not sleep anymore, may need some tweaking for next trip if temps are going to be low..the head hood I don't know about that, good review on everything...my tent is the same too with them poles which it is nice to setup and fast..now the pack, quilt and thermarest are close to 7 pounds...1.6 the pack, 1.5 quilt, 1.9 thermarest, 1.9 tent + poles/ stakes...right there it is already heavy right?, could leave the poles, could go with a lighter sleeping pad, could go with shorter quilt but it would not be the same and only save maybe a pound and half maybe less?...we are continuously experimenting nd adjusting accordingly.
Totally agree we are constantly adjusting. I think I've quit adjusting any high price items but will definitely be adjusting how I use them and what accessories I use them with. I learned years ago that keeping my head warm helps my core stay warm like they say so I like additional layers ready for my head.
Nice run down of your gear! Since you mused about if they made sleeping bags without down on the backside... yes they do. Big Agnes makes those bags and they have a sleeve that a pad slips into. This is great for two reasons... one is like you said, saves weight and it gets rid of the down that would compress anyways. The second reason is that since the sleeping bag and pad become integrated, you don't slip off the pad like in a typical setup. I'm intrigued by the quilt but for now, I'm happy with my Big Agnes gear.
I have been using Big Agnes since they were a new company (probably about 18 years or so). I'm on my second BA sleeping bag and LOVE it. I never slide off the pad and never have any drafts come around. You get the weight like a mummy bag but the room like a rectangular bag. Awesome products!
One time I fell off my pad and I didn't just fall off I did one of those freak out and kick and swing my arm out. I'm just glad I didn't rip my tent or break my trekking poles or something.
It doesn’t have to be hot for you to need the vent in the back I just finished the winter hike of the Oregon coast trail and was glad I had that vent on my back
Yeah, I guess it'll keep your back from getting sweaty so that's always good. I took the ULA out on some longer trips when it was colder and it felt fine even though I run warmer. That foam sure was nice to put my feet up on though. I'll miss that.
Do you have a sit pad?
I do not. I'll just use my sleeping pad for that. When I switch out gear at Kennedy Meadows I'll have my Neoair XLite sent with a small sit pad and I'll ditch the ZLite Sol. This way I can start strapping my bear canister to the top of my pack instead of the pad. I still have plans to make a video of swap out gear so maybe in a week.
I tried the small Neil air with the set pad and I just could not get a good nights sleep had to switch to a full body air mattress but each to their own
I had a small NeoAir Xlite on my last trip and it did hurt my back a little with my feet dropping below my body but at least if it doesn't rain I can keep it inside under my legs. If it doesn't work out I have an XTherm I can have sent to me somewhere. Heavy, but warm.
I have the same length quilt in 850 but not in wide and commonly get cold spots at the sides and have debated replacing it with the wide model. I use the Neo Air Xlite pad and strap the quilt to the pad. I just recently got that pack in the green. Late last year I got the same tent model in green. I have the msr stakes and have debated getting those zpacks stakes. I have only used the zlite sole in winter along with my neo air.
I'd say go for it on the ZPacks hook stakes. The corners don't get that much stress and even if it did as long as those vestibules are anchored you should be safe.
Great gear I really like your gear reviews I switched from the anchor battery to the rav power because of your video thank you
Thank you. Just last night recorded video going over my electronics where I go into the battery pack I'm bringing again. It has a super dorky intro but it should go live in a week. That passthru charging will be super useful staying overnight at a hotel or something that's for sure. It's best to get back on trail all topped off.
505/81! Good to know what kind of stuff people are using as their go-to gear! Looks like you're comfy.. I have a bag it goes over my head and it's a little too big for me so that I can pull my face in there :)
Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing your fine video. You did a fine review. Take care out there and always have fun.
🤗
Thanks for sharing. Nice set up. Researching to get mines. I know I like the ZPacks Duplex and pad. Unsure about the sleeping bag. I’m sure it works great, I’m aiming to having a zipper mummy type. I know it’s a win with Zpacks option for weight. Good point on the sleeping bag about laying and smashing the down damaging the sleeping bag over time. Haven’t consider that. Good clip.
The worst part about the bottom of the sleeping bag is you're still carrying it all the time. Good luck on getting and testing out your gear! I recently compiled my notes and counted 132 nights on trail in the tent and it's still holding up well! Considering all the complaints I heard about pin holes on the top I was glad I got the slightly thicker camo material.
Hi from Holland, thanks for sharing your big 3 gear. I've just bought the Zpacks Arc Haul Zip and Duplex Camo + flex poles.
I hiked with a couple that had the poles and I was a bit envious. Hope it works out for you!
Wow, another really nice video. Fun to watch and well thought out. I'll be curious to see how everything works for you.
This is the first gear review that I could totally relate. You had so many great points throughout. Thank you!
Great video. Good luck on your hike. You made it interesting and fun to watch.
Love your gear. I aim to get your exact Zpacks backpack and options. Nice video.
The great thing about the ZPacks packs is you can remove any option you don't want. In fact on my last trip I was super grateful I could detach the hip pocket and clean all the mouse droppings out of it without having to manhandle the whole pack.
Love the quilt idea! My question is, if you're a side sleeper, which I am, would it still be efficient?
Yep. I slept maybe 50% side and 50% on my back and switched back and forth all night and it was fine. I have wide shoulders so I got the wide and it was great. I didn't bother with the straps they send you that goes around the sleeping pad either. If I rolled to a side I'd just push the center of the quilt up to my shoulder and made sure the quilt was tucked under my back and it worked perfectly. Some people like the strap but I'm too lazy to bother with it.
@@JayWandersOut thank you!
Excellent choices Jay. I'll admit when it comes to gear weight I'm always envious of you smaller guys. Your gear can get so light!
I jumped for joy when I saw how much weight the short saved compared to normal. Thanks for watching. I know you know all this stuff but I had my friends and family in mind as well when I made this.
Jay Wanders Out I don't mind seeing gear either! Love that zpacks camo.
Nice setup and just subbed so i can follow your journey. Any perticular reason why you went with the Orange Arc Haul vs anyother colour. Im on the fence between green and orange.
Thanks for subbing! I enjoy hiking alone and plan on doing most of it alone so I wanted it easier for people to find me if that was necessary. No point making search and rescue work harder than they already do. Also, for a second reason if I happen to be hiking in hunting land somewhere else I just wanted that orange so I stick out.
Nice thanks for sharing your input. Good luck with your hike and look forward to seeing your videos. Cheers!
It all looks good in the living room.
Nice, thanks for the tips and tricks!
Jay ...... so I followed your PCT journey and commented on numerous occasions. Unless I am mistaking seems the pack I saw you using in many of your videos is not the same pack you discuss here in your BIG 3? Did you swap out a lot of gear thru the course of several mos?
My Arc Haul was falling apart. There was a design flaw from the previous year which caused the arching part to break which happened to a ton of people on trail. My shoulder strap was also worn down to half what it was. Zpacks did send me a new one but while I was home for the wedding I just grabbed my ULA Catalyst.
I have my multipack hanging higher on the shoulder straps and the lower strap attached where the zpacks logo is located on the shoulder strap. this keeps it from bouncing around..
So right, they are way too low. Every time I attach something to the shoulder strap it's way low the first time. Thanks for the input!
I attached my top strap where my load lifters attach on the shoulder strap... seems to be the right height for me.
I love the demonstrations. Good videos
Thanks, Kale
I Have the exact same big 3 (quilt is different color but otherwise the same). Great minds think alike ;-)
Nice break down of your big 3.
A 3-season quilt for any of the thru-hikes would be minimum 20° quilt?
For the big three trails maybe but it would differ depending on your start date and direction you're going. Also I think 20F is ideal for most men but women should consider something much warmer or additional layers.
New sub. That’s very interesting about the Satchel. Enjoyed your video.
Thanks! I would say don't overload it but otherwise pretty useful especially for walking around town or something like that.
Subbed. Nice video, you'll be fun to watch out there this year. Hike on!
Thanks! I hope to get sillier the longer I'm on trail.
Nice gear.
Thanks. We'll see how long they stay nice.
What size is your sleep mat?
NVM, I watched the rest of the video and you answered my question, lol.
Have you considered bringing/purchasing a Buff in place of the shemagh? Less weight and can either keep you warm or cool. Also you can use it in many different configurations 👍🏽. Anyway, great breakdown of your gear
The short Thermarest pads are 4 feet long. Yep, I own several buffs and used similar devices back to 2003 but I cannot sleep with them. I always feel like it's choking me and I wind up trying to stretch it out as much as I can. With the shemagh I can adjust it as much as I want and it's also much warmer when draped over the head.
best equipment vid ever....your hilarious....
boy, you spent big bucks for your equipment.....nice when your shedding ounces...
Yep. It's all about improving my chances of success.
Major Heath Warning!!! This tent will cause HYPOXIA. Lack of ventilation will give you a major headache. You must leave at least one vestibule open at all times, even in the freezing cold and rain. Condensation is also a major problem in cold weather camping. You will have ice and or water on everything inside including your sleeping bag.
The tent is well ventilated even with all the vestibule doors closed. I never had a problem and I've seen several couples with a duplex that always closed all the doors. Never have I heard of anybody that closes all the doors have headaches. There is a ton of venting on each of the long sides and the doors don't really go all the way down. From my experience and hiking with people with double wall tents if it's cold enough for someone with a Duplex to get ice on the inside of the tent and on the sleeping bag everybody is getting ice all over their sleeping bag and fly. When we had to stop to dry out gear everybody had to stop, not just the single wall tent people and double wall people dried out their fly and tent each time. Thanks for watching though!
This is the last tent that would cause hypoxia. Please do your research before making such a claim.
@@ceeteemcdee4126 Please tell me about your research.
@@gregsparks It's easy enough to do, since your fingers appear to be working... search UA-cam for the ZPacks Duplex and upon watching their short video one can see that it's extremely well ventilated and is designed to direct the condensation downwards where it drips outside of the tent. Easy.
@@ceeteemcdee4126 I asked you for your research...which I'll assume is zero since you have no answer. I've hiked over 300 miles on the AT with this tent. Tell me more about your research again.
Wow, I wish I was rich lol
Yeah, that tent is pricey but that's also why I'm using a footprint for it. I'll be unemployed soon so have to keep that thing working well for years to come.
Dude, you gotta stop wasting your money and go old school.
I wanted ultra light because I was going way off old school by carrying a bunch of cameras with me. Different purposes I suppose. I used to go backpacking with a tarp instead of a tent. I still remember waking up and having nothing between me and nature on one side anyway.