Category: gear

The most popular sleeping pad on the Pacific Crest Trail these days is NOT the lightest.

It’s the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® XLite™ NXT.

I opted for the slightly heavier, rectangular Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® XLite™ NXT MAX Sleeping Pad. Not inexpensive at CAD $340.

That shape completely covers the bottom of my 1-person-tent, keeping everything cleaner. And dryer.

I hike and cycle in rainy, muddy destinations. Iceland in 2024, for example.

I’ll be carrying it a lot for BikePacking where weight matters less.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Great pad. But VERY SLOW TO FILL using the supplied inflation bag.

I decided to purchase the tiny USB powered FLEXTAILGEAR Portable Tiny Pump 2X. (CAD $46)

• 96 grams
• inflate sleeping pad
• deflate sleeping pad
• stoke outdoor fires
• flashlight

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Do YOU have trouble sleeping in a tent?

OFTEN it’s simply a matter of trying out different sleep systems. And getting used to it. 

Personally, I enjoy a solo evening tent camping. The best thing I ever did was buy a one-person-tent. 

IF two people can stand each other living in the same tent, they could certainly get married. 😀 It’s VERY close. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. 

These two are just about to head off for an around the world tour. 

Not widely available as yet.

It will be released first in US / US & PacRim.

I LIKE the increased amount of mesh.

But certainly I’d NEVER buy a tent this white. It would be filthy in no time.

I’ve been a Hubba guy for decades. Purchasing perhaps 6 — so far — using the old parts to put together additional Franken-tents.

The current zipper system is a bit awkward, BUT I wouldn’t want them to change. It seems durable enough, for me.

The BIG problem with Hubba tents is the pole. It will be the first thing to break and it’s difficult to repair without extra parts.

MSR started to switch to Easton Syclones (below) — but that system was no more durable. And splintered.

My newest is a European Hubba NX with the stealth camping green fly and original red poles. I trust the old poles slightly more.

Without the fly, the tent is much cheerier.

If you MIGHT be interested in the LT, Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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This was the spot, camping on the Rhine in the rain, when my Hubba tent pole snapped for no particular reason. I’d not dropped nor stepped on it.

The 4th Hubba pole to break on me in the wild.

I somehow stayed fairly dry with that broken tent pole.

I like it.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

BÆRSkin sent me their latest update of their fantastic hoodie to test for hikers.

It’s an impressive piece of kit. I knew instantly as I looked first at the zippers. High quality.

Typically zippers are the first thing to fail on tents and jackets.

I wore it cycling and hiking on a cool day in the Pacific Northwest under my rain jacket.

I was plenty warm.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Bottom line ➙ this will be the BEST hoodie in your closet.

But — for me — it’s too heavy and bulky for hiking. Instead, I’ll take it car camping and wear it outdoors on windy, cool days in the off season.

Highlights:

• 12 Secure Pockets
• Reinforced SAB Zips
• Long baseball style hood peak to keep wind / rain away from your face. Love it.

Details and more reviews.

Click PLAY or watch a more detailed review on YouTube.

I’ve been wearing Columbia OutDry jackets since they were first released.

AND I bought one for my Dad. 😀

My OutDry makes me feel invincible in wind and rain. The water protection is on the OutSide.

Traditional Gore-Tex inner liner jackets have never worked well for me.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Steven’s opinion.

In another video, Steven compares ALTERNATIVES to Gore-Tex type jackets. Umbrellas. Ponchos. Etc.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

1. Editor’s Choice: ULA Equipment ULTRA Circuit
2. Lightest Weight: Zpacks Arc Haul 60
3. Best Value: Durston Kakwa 55

According to the very reliable Adventure Alan and Co.

BEST ULTRALIGHT BACKPACK 2024

Honorable mention — Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55.