Jay, thank you. I really like your relaxed conversational style on this video and you hit a lot of points I was interested in hearing your opinion on. Congrats on the PCT, what an accomplishment! I'm a long time canoe tripper and just getting into backpacking. Your channel feels fresh and honest, not the typical 'blogger-sphere' glitz style that seems to be more interested in reviewing the newest bling and not talking honestly about what worked and what didn't. Keep up the great work and enjoy nature as much as you can. Ken
Thanks, Ken. I'm tempted to make review videos since they get so many views but there are just so many out there. I feel I offer more talking about points other reviewers fail to mention or discussing features I enjoy in my unique ways.
Semper Fi! I served with Marines for 3 years at SWFPAC in Washington state while I was in the Navy. I am planning a 2019 PCT thru hike and watching these videos for advice.
my mom is watching your series so she can get a sense of what I'm about to experience, also I just thought she'd like you. It's funny cause she'll update me on "what Jay just did/saw/etc" (i've already watched all your vids lol) anyway, thanks for helping to keep my mom happy!
That is funny. I bet some parts of the videos would have her concerned but I'm hoping she would look forward to everything you'll get to see more than the bad stuff.
Interesting point on the overlapping part of the vestibule. I use the same combo of stakes with the Duplex, so good to hear your experience. Really enjoyed your thorough review and looking forward to your electronics and other gear reviews. Thanks, Jay!
dont know if you guys cares but if you guys are stoned like me atm then you can watch all of the new movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been streaming with my gf during the lockdown xD
I always enjoy the post thru-hike videos because there is no better test of gear than months of daily use. Thanks for sharing your insightful advice, Jay!
Great video Jay! Zippers are definitely super important! Those nasty bugs know it too lol! What I do with zippers is to apply a small amount of silicone sprayed into a small eye drop type bottle and then apply a small amount of the silicone along the zipper teeth and ajoining fabric. Every now and then, just reapply a small amount of silicone to the zipper line and you will be golden!👍Lamplighter 2019 out!😎
After a lot of use and the occasional accidental tug on the zippers the head spreads open by a tiny amount, micrometers even, but that tiny amount leads to the zipper not being able to bind the teeth together after a while. Even with good lube it could still happen so it's something to watch for. I was concerned about liquid or waxy lubricants because fine dust would stick to it but have no experience to say whether that is true.
Thanks Jay for all the info. I’ll be checking out zipper info as I have the duplex as well. I tried out the new Uberlite at 23 degrees and BRRR! 2019 PCT - “ Grandma Flew the Coop” on UA-cam now. All your videos and info sure does help, thank you so very very much Jay! I’m getting nervous now, start date is March 16. My C.A.P. Ranger team training will kick in as did your marine training did for you. Please keep the info coming, hugs 🤗
Great video, so much information. Glad you learned the secret life of zippers, they spread as they get older 😂😂. You should do a repair video or even a series of 5 minute repair videos, although this video almost covered that. My season end routine is clean all gear, lube and tighten zippers, check wear points for fraying, check buckles for cracks and alignment, etc., then it's ready to go on a couple between season trips and the next season. I'm glad you kept this channel up and hope to see more of your adventures.
I did Sweden thru hike in 131 days, so pretty close to your timeline. I only did 1900 miles though. But I must say having more time and less pressure for pumping out miles I found it more enjoyable.
It is! I saw a lot of people being really rough with their gear and I don't get it. Unless they're rich or can get new items free or cheap it doesn't make sense not to take care of the gear.
Nice points on the Arc Haul, just checked mine and I guess I have the newer version. I was going to put shoegoo on the bottom of the strap for abrasions resistance, but I wont be needing it.
The webbing they switched to is SO much better than the thin fabric they had before. That and the fabric they do still use is stitched tight to the buckle so it won't flip to a corner like mine did. I think it'll last a lot longer than mine did.
@@JayWandersOut We have been slowly testing and adjusting our gear to get it all dialled in. Ever since we did the Annapurna circuit trek, we wanted to do something amazing to top that and decided on the PCT (A little extreme i know :P). Cant wait to see your next adventure!
The key with lightweight gear is taking care of it. You understand that and adjusted your plans accordingly. On the other hand you could have used a 7 pound pack that would withstand a toss off a cliff. That’s old school for sure, but hard on the knees!
Nice! Thanks for your review, a lot of great insights that only come from thousands of miles :) Btw. the new thermarest pad is called Uberlight, it is currently sold out on their website, but they have it on REI. Looking forward to you electronics post hike review
Thanks! Some other hiker told me there was a newer XLite but I guess he confused it with that uberlite. That lower R value though has me just continuing to use my XLite small.
Zippers do not handle dust very well. I spent a week at the burning man festival one year and none of my zippers worked after all that dust got in them.
That's a bummer about the 5 week wait for the lumbar pad. I had a similar situation trying to order a LiteAF pack recently. They are on a 21 week wait! In my opinion that's unacceptable and they need to revamp the order process. Maybe some sort of lottery system. I bought a X-pac Circuit from ULA gear instead. Thanks for the video and see you on the trail!
21 weeks!!? That's insane. They definitely should reduce marketing and increase production. The 5 weeks was a bummer all right. ULA shipped me a new waist belt in one day! Others on trail had similar rapid response from ULA. I know they recently got purchased by somebody else so I'm hoping they maintain their level of customer service. I ordered some repair tape from ZPacks about 8 days ago and they still haven't shipped yet. It's just repair tape. Kind of a bummer with that as well.
@@JayWandersOut You would think some of these "cottage" companies selling packs for $400 and 1-2 person tents for $600+ would be more customer focused. When I emailed ULA a question they responded in like 6 hours. That reassured me they are a company focused on getting a quality product to their customers in a timely manor. Hope you get your tape soon. See you on the trail.
Hi from Holland, I enjoyed your PCT journey. How are you doing now in daily life? Any post thru hike depression feelings? What's next? I love the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated pad.
No post trail depression. I think it helped that I had plans for afterwards but I'm doing well. I've been driving and traveling this month and so far so good.
Thanks! I used a Zoom H1N with a Comica CVM-V01GP lav mic with the dead cat. The microphone is ok. The Zoom let's you see your audio levels or even plug in a headphone to hear how it sounds. It works pretty well. I use my editing program Davinci Resolve to lightly take out some background noise though to finalize.
Very good video. I like your analysis on the equipment and footwear and everything else. Very valuable advice on the footwear for The cold weather in Washington. What is your advice on food and cook ware? God bless you.
My main day hike backpack is an Osprey. I love their replacement or repair policy especially if you'll be using it a lot. Zpacks did give me a replacement so I'll use it on another thru hike but it is sad knowing that after the hike it'll be nearing its end of life. If I had to buy a new backpack now I would definitely go with a company that would ensure longevity.
The old golden rule of sleep systems: One layer on top is equal to two layers under you. The XTherm is those two layers. 100% correct, with a quilt, use a higher rated pad. XTherm all the way baby!
I have one of those... somewhere. I did consider bringing it but I preferred a normal knife and couldn't justify the weight. I met people along the trail that had multi-tools and I did borrow them a couple of times to fix my sunglasses or to tighten my trekking pole clasps so it wasn't too bad.
Yes, I would definitely say it was more comfortable. However, I did not use it during the hottest weeks in trail and I'm sure that foam backing would have had me dripping with sweat. It fit and handled weight much better though since it was rated for more weight. If you ever feel the waist straps for the ULA compared to Zpacks you will see a huge comfort difference as well.
Zpacks makes them. Search for top side pockets. Not super cheap but nice. If you put heavier items in them they may start wearing out sooner so better watch for that. www.zpacks.com/backpacks/arc_haul.shtml
I totally understand! The first thing I do is clear a ground then lay my footprint down and it immediately tells me if it's good or not. Sometimes I think a patch is good but I lay the footprint down and it's obvious how it angles. Very useful. It also makes it easier to locate a good site since I know how far the stakes go from the footprint so I'm not surprised and crawling under a bush trying to sink a stake in.
It's a Comica CVM-V01GP Lavalier Lapel from Amazon. They no longer have it though. It was a pretty cheap model which I'm sure they have clones of everywhere. I connect it to a Zoom H1N where I think the quality really comes from.
I have but the camera and electronics gear I have require me to carry additional weight so it wouldn't quite work. For this year's trips I'm cutting even more weight but adding more electronics so it balanced out again.
I mentioned it some. It held up great and for me anyway worked as I hoped even down to the 20s and cowboy camping in the wind and everything. It's still my go to quilt for any backpacking trip.
Regarding your zip malfunction. You should carry a zip maintenance kit with you on a through hike. Applying the lube regularly will drastically reduce the risk of failure.
True but I was concerned about any dust clumping into any kind of lube. In my case and as with many of the zipper failures it's because of the head of the zipper opening up over time with a lot of use. As the head opens up it can't force the teeth together as well. Even the tiniest amount can start problems. With a set of pliers you basically close them back together and it's fixed.
nice review, unfortunately all your gear is way expensive for this old guy......I'm bringing upholstery thread with me it make repairs if my back pack acquires any wear issues.....tough stuff....also doubles as emergency fishing line......
Yep, gorilla tape and floss were my primary repair tools and that cuben fiber tape. Oh yeah, I also had nylon tape for repairs for my quilt, puffy, or rain jacket. I used all of them here and there too.
yeah, I have plenty of floss, though I haven't purchased gorilla tape yet.......need to get that leuko tape too from what I've read about foot problems.......@@JayWandersOut
Instead of leukotape, which is hard to cut and rough on the outside, get NexCare tape - you can get it anywhere, you can tear it by hand, and it is soft and spongey, so if you wrap a toe - it does not rub the next toe. @@poppawolf26
Great review Jay for people that can afford it , 599 for a tent 199 for a pad .What about us poor people or in my case retired with limited funds. So when we go cheap we carry more weight as with me. Since I won't be doing thru hikes , hopefully it won't matter. As I finally completed my big 3 with a Alps Lynx 2 weighing 5.4 lbs for 109.00 , Therm Sol pad with a N. Face Cats meow 20* to go with my large Ascend 5400 backpack , just in case I want to take my float tube and waders. Hopefully I can run into you on you driving journey when you get back up here and not in September like the last 2 years.
True, everything is expensive but I've learned a long time ago to buy once and be happy instead of buying cheap and buying a better option later and wind up spending even more. That's also why I try to take care of my gear. Buy once and extend its life.
@@JayWandersOut This is why I can still wear my gore tex pants and jacket that are over 20 years old and still work , if only I could keep boots or shoes more than a year , rough on footwear.
Jay, thank you. I really like your relaxed conversational style on this video and you hit a lot of points I was interested in hearing your opinion on. Congrats on the PCT, what an accomplishment! I'm a long time canoe tripper and just getting into backpacking. Your channel feels fresh and honest, not the typical 'blogger-sphere' glitz style that seems to be more interested in reviewing the newest bling and not talking honestly about what worked and what didn't. Keep up the great work and enjoy nature as much as you can. Ken
Thanks, Ken. I'm tempted to make review videos since they get so many views but there are just so many out there. I feel I offer more talking about points other reviewers fail to mention or discussing features I enjoy in my unique ways.
Semper Fi!
I served with Marines for 3 years at SWFPAC in Washington state while I was in the Navy. I am planning a 2019 PCT thru hike and watching these videos for advice.
my mom is watching your series so she can get a sense of what I'm about to experience, also I just thought she'd like you. It's funny cause she'll update me on "what Jay just did/saw/etc" (i've already watched all your vids lol) anyway, thanks for helping to keep my mom happy!
That is funny. I bet some parts of the videos would have her concerned but I'm hoping she would look forward to everything you'll get to see more than the bad stuff.
Interesting point on the overlapping part of the vestibule. I use the same combo of stakes with the Duplex, so good to hear your experience. Really enjoyed your thorough review and looking forward to your electronics and other gear reviews. Thanks, Jay!
dont know if you guys cares but if you guys are stoned like me atm then you can watch all of the new movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been streaming with my gf during the lockdown xD
@Wilson Braxton Definitely, I have been watching on instaflixxer for since december myself :D
I always enjoy the post thru-hike videos because there is no better test of gear than months of daily use. Thanks for sharing your insightful advice, Jay!
I really like your videos. I was just watching your more recent AZT videos and especially enjoyed the spreadsheet post analysis.
Great video Jay! Zippers are definitely super important! Those nasty bugs know it too lol! What I do with zippers is to apply a small amount of silicone sprayed into a small eye drop type bottle and then apply a small amount of the silicone along the zipper teeth and ajoining fabric. Every now and then, just reapply a small amount of silicone to the zipper line and you will be golden!👍Lamplighter 2019 out!😎
After a lot of use and the occasional accidental tug on the zippers the head spreads open by a tiny amount, micrometers even, but that tiny amount leads to the zipper not being able to bind the teeth together after a while. Even with good lube it could still happen so it's something to watch for. I was concerned about liquid or waxy lubricants because fine dust would stick to it but have no experience to say whether that is true.
You have a very relaxing voice, I could listen to you all day. Good honest info too.
Thanks! I honestly don't like my voice that much so it's nice that some people enjoy it. My latest video all I do is talk for 30 minutes.
Gear repair is such an important skill. I also like the tape sandwich method, I use Tuck tape on everything from tarps to jackets.
Great video, really enjoyed watching your PCT through hike series. Great personality and dialogue throughout.......👍🏽👣👣👣👣👣🏔
Thanks Jay for all the info. I’ll be checking out zipper info as I have the duplex as well. I tried out the new Uberlite at 23 degrees and BRRR! 2019 PCT - “ Grandma Flew the Coop” on UA-cam now.
All your videos and info sure does help, thank you so very very much Jay!
I’m getting nervous now, start date is March 16. My C.A.P. Ranger team training will kick in as did your marine training did for you.
Please keep the info coming, hugs 🤗
Great video, so much information. Glad you learned the secret life of zippers, they spread as they get older 😂😂. You should do a repair video or even a series of 5 minute repair videos, although this video almost covered that.
My season end routine is clean all gear, lube and tighten zippers, check wear points for fraying, check buckles for cracks and alignment, etc., then it's ready to go on a couple between season trips and the next season.
I'm glad you kept this channel up and hope to see more of your adventures.
I did Sweden thru hike in 131 days, so pretty close to your timeline. I only did 1900 miles though. But I must say having more time and less pressure for pumping out miles I found it more enjoyable.
It's amazing how abusive people are with their gear than complain about it. Good vid Jay nice to see you back.
It is! I saw a lot of people being really rough with their gear and I don't get it. Unless they're rich or can get new items free or cheap it doesn't make sense not to take care of the gear.
I appreciate the zipper fix video! Haha a big deal for me about gear is that it’s repairable WHEN it fails lol. Thanks for the info :).
Thank you for this honest and precise review of the gear you used. Thanks
I use a footprint also. Not only does it keep my tent floor clean, you also get less condensation in your tent with a footprint.
Nice points on the Arc Haul, just checked mine and I guess I have the newer version. I was going to put shoegoo on the bottom of the strap for abrasions resistance, but I wont be needing it.
The webbing they switched to is SO much better than the thin fabric they had before. That and the fabric they do still use is stitched tight to the buckle so it won't flip to a corner like mine did. I think it'll last a lot longer than mine did.
Great review! The wife and I are half way thru your great PCT vlog. Taking notes as we are doing the PCT in 2020! 😀
Test out your gear before you hit the trail and you'll do great. It's pretty amazing what you'll experience the time you're out there.
@@JayWandersOut We have been slowly testing and adjusting our gear to get it all dialled in. Ever since we did the Annapurna circuit trek, we wanted to do something amazing to top that and decided on the PCT (A little extreme i know :P). Cant wait to see your next adventure!
Learning to fix zippers has saved me alot of money.
Yep! It's often the common fix as well.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the gear 🌻
The key with lightweight gear is taking care of it. You understand that and adjusted your plans accordingly. On the other hand you could have used a 7 pound pack that would withstand a toss off a cliff. That’s old school for sure, but hard on the knees!
Osprey's lifetime warranty makes me consider it again as well. The idea of having one pack to last a life time is very appealing.
great video, hoping to see you on the road somewhere. safe travels man
Nice! Thanks for your review, a lot of great insights that only come from thousands of miles :) Btw. the new thermarest pad is called Uberlight, it is currently sold out on their website, but they have it on REI.
Looking forward to you electronics post hike review
Thanks! Some other hiker told me there was a newer XLite but I guess he confused it with that uberlite. That lower R value though has me just continuing to use my XLite small.
@@JayWandersOut Yeah, good idea to keep it :)
Great video, thanks. How did the Zpacks do with a bear canister inside?
Take care of your gear is the best advice.
Zippers do not handle dust very well. I spent a week at the burning man festival one year and none of my zippers worked after all that dust got in them.
That's a bummer about the 5 week wait for the lumbar pad. I had a similar situation trying to order a LiteAF pack recently. They are on a 21 week wait! In my opinion that's unacceptable and they need to revamp the order process. Maybe some sort of lottery system. I bought a X-pac Circuit from ULA gear instead. Thanks for the video and see you on the trail!
21 weeks!!? That's insane. They definitely should reduce marketing and increase production. The 5 weeks was a bummer all right. ULA shipped me a new waist belt in one day! Others on trail had similar rapid response from ULA. I know they recently got purchased by somebody else so I'm hoping they maintain their level of customer service. I ordered some repair tape from ZPacks about 8 days ago and they still haven't shipped yet. It's just repair tape. Kind of a bummer with that as well.
@@JayWandersOut You would think some of these "cottage" companies selling packs for $400 and 1-2 person tents for $600+ would be more customer focused. When I emailed ULA a question they responded in like 6 hours. That reassured me they are a company focused on getting a quality product to their customers in a timely manor. Hope you get your tape soon. See you on the trail.
Hi from Holland, I enjoyed your PCT journey. How are you doing now in daily life? Any post thru hike depression feelings? What's next? I love the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated pad.
No post trail depression. I think it helped that I had plans for afterwards but I'm doing well. I've been driving and traveling this month and so far so good.
Thank You Jay...Very informative and interesting observations.
Great vid jay! Informative as well.
Has the durability of the replacement backpack held up? I was considering an Arc Haul for a PCT thru hike.
Big help. I will practice zipper repair for my tent. Question: What microphone are you using? Perfect ballance and sound quality.
Thanks! I used a Zoom H1N with a Comica CVM-V01GP lav mic with the dead cat. The microphone is ok. The Zoom let's you see your audio levels or even plug in a headphone to hear how it sounds. It works pretty well. I use my editing program Davinci Resolve to lightly take out some background noise though to finalize.
Awesome info. Thanks for the video!
Very good video. I like your analysis on the equipment and footwear and everything else. Very valuable advice on the footwear for The cold weather in Washington. What is your advice on food and cook ware? God bless you.
Really really glad i sold my arc haul. I hear nothing but horror stories. Osprey has never let me down, heavier pack but god damn is it comfortable
My main day hike backpack is an Osprey. I love their replacement or repair policy especially if you'll be using it a lot. Zpacks did give me a replacement so I'll use it on another thru hike but it is sad knowing that after the hike it'll be nearing its end of life. If I had to buy a new backpack now I would definitely go with a company that would ensure longevity.
Thanks Jay! Great info.
The downside with sleeping wit your puffy is the oils from your body can affect the loft of the jacket. So, overtime your puffy will lose warmth.
True. I bet synthetics can handle it better but definitely something to consider.
The old golden rule of sleep systems: One layer on top is equal to two layers under you. The XTherm is those two layers. 100% correct, with a quilt, use a higher rated pad. XTherm all the way baby!
I still love my XTherm. Any time I'll question the weather it's just the safe fall back to keep me warm.
Great video! Lots of good info!
Leatherman Squirt PS4 Multi Tool - 57 grams. Worth the weight to be able to fix your own stuff on trail and you can still cut cheese!
I have one of those... somewhere. I did consider bringing it but I preferred a normal knife and couldn't justify the weight. I met people along the trail that had multi-tools and I did borrow them a couple of times to fix my sunglasses or to tighten my trekking pole clasps so it wasn't too bad.
Nice job explaining your big 3.
Thanks
REI has the UberLite and even there it’s kind of a back order check it out
Just curious, would you say the ULA was more comfortable than the Zpacks?
Yes, I would definitely say it was more comfortable. However, I did not use it during the hottest weeks in trail and I'm sure that foam backing would have had me dripping with sweat. It fit and handled weight much better though since it was rated for more weight. If you ever feel the waist straps for the ULA compared to Zpacks you will see a huge comfort difference as well.
Who makes the upper side pockets you added to your pack? I have been searching for add on pouches that could hold my cooking kit
Zpacks makes them. Search for top side pockets. Not super cheap but nice. If you put heavier items in them they may start wearing out sooner so better watch for that. www.zpacks.com/backpacks/arc_haul.shtml
Using a footprint can help you find flat ground that you didnt see before. Hope that makes sense... Hard to explain
I totally understand! The first thing I do is clear a ground then lay my footprint down and it immediately tells me if it's good or not. Sometimes I think a patch is good but I lay the footprint down and it's obvious how it angles. Very useful. It also makes it easier to locate a good site since I know how far the stakes go from the footprint so I'm not surprised and crawling under a bush trying to sink a stake in.
Great reviews!
Can you share what is that microphone (with the deadcat windscreen) you're using to record yourself?
It's a Comica CVM-V01GP Lavalier Lapel from Amazon. They no longer have it though. It was a pretty cheap model which I'm sure they have clones of everywhere. I connect it to a Zoom H1N where I think the quality really comes from.
@@JayWandersOutThanks, Jay!
I, for one, care about zippers. Thank you for the link! :D
So important and underappreciated until they break.
can you review your sleeping bag
Have you considered a frameless pack?
I have but the camera and electronics gear I have require me to carry additional weight so it wouldn't quite work. For this year's trips I'm cutting even more weight but adding more electronics so it balanced out again.
Good job
What about the quilt? I didn’t see that in the video.
I mentioned it some. It held up great and for me anyway worked as I hoped even down to the 20s and cowboy camping in the wind and everything. It's still my go to quilt for any backpacking trip.
There's a video about how to shorten your xtherm. Check it out.
Yep. I've seen it but it's still hard to cut up a $200 sleeping pad.
@@JayWandersOut lol I hear that.
Regarding your zip malfunction. You should carry a zip maintenance kit with you on a through hike. Applying the lube regularly will drastically reduce the risk of failure.
True but I was concerned about any dust clumping into any kind of lube. In my case and as with many of the zipper failures it's because of the head of the zipper opening up over time with a lot of use. As the head opens up it can't force the teeth together as well. Even the tiniest amount can start problems. With a set of pliers you basically close them back together and it's fixed.
nice review, unfortunately all your gear is way expensive for this old guy......I'm bringing upholstery thread with me it make repairs if my back pack acquires any wear issues.....tough stuff....also doubles as emergency fishing line......
Yep, gorilla tape and floss were my primary repair tools and that cuben fiber tape. Oh yeah, I also had nylon tape for repairs for my quilt, puffy, or rain jacket. I used all of them here and there too.
yeah, I have plenty of floss, though I haven't purchased gorilla tape yet.......need to get that leuko tape too from what I've read about foot problems.......@@JayWandersOut
Instead of leukotape, which is hard to cut and rough on the outside, get NexCare tape - you can get it anywhere, you can tear it by hand, and it is soft and spongey, so if you wrap a toe - it does not rub the next toe.
@@poppawolf26
Great review Jay for people that can afford it , 599 for a tent 199 for a pad .What about us poor people or in my case retired with limited funds. So when we go cheap we carry more weight as with me. Since I won't be doing thru hikes , hopefully it won't matter. As I finally completed my big 3 with a Alps Lynx 2 weighing 5.4 lbs for 109.00 , Therm Sol pad with a N. Face Cats meow 20* to go with my large Ascend 5400 backpack , just in case I want to take my float tube and waders. Hopefully I can run into you on you driving journey when you get back up here and not in September like the last 2 years.
REI garage sale. Good luck!
True, everything is expensive but I've learned a long time ago to buy once and be happy instead of buying cheap and buying a better option later and wind up spending even more. That's also why I try to take care of my gear. Buy once and extend its life.
@@JayWandersOut This is why I can still wear my gore tex pants and jacket that are over 20 years old and still work , if only I could keep boots or shoes more than a year , rough on footwear.
Zpacks quality and customer service. LOL.
I care about fixing zippers!