I would like to point out that for the one billionth time Miranda forgot her spork in this video. 😂 It’s the Sea to Summit Alpha Long Spork, if anyone is wondering.
Gosh Darn! Lol Btw… I won the prize giveaway from her live show and haven’t heard from you. I sent an email and responded to the announcement of the two winners, but haven’t had a response yet. Maybe you didn’t get my email? Thanks so much! 💙🐦
I want to thank you guys for not putting constant music behind your video's. As a neurodivergent person, it's often hard for me to watch video's with constant music in the background. It makes it hard to follow what someone is saying as it can be very distracting for us. I know this is also the case for some people with hearing difficulties. So thanks for not falling into the trend of always needing music. You guys are awesome.
Just a shout out- you don’t need an apostrophe when you use plural. If you are doing plural possessive then you might. Videos = plural. Video’s = singular possessive: video’s creator. Videos’ = plural possessive. The 3 videos’ launch date will be simultaneous.
Pillow Tip: The Filo Has a loop on each side. Buy some small bungee cord 1/16 inch and tie a portion on each loop and then loop it over your sleeping pad. This is what I do and my pillow never moves.
Nothing helps me feel more refreshed than just washing grime and sweat and dirt off my face, its such a quick easy way to re-energize you when you can't take a full shower or nap, so I absolutely don't question a good washcloth and soap or wipe in the pack.
Me too. Face and hands must be clean. I also carry a tiny nail brush that weighs only 5.4g, and a folding comb/hair brush that weighs 13.6g. Makes me feel civilised! 😄
I'm impressed at how much the weight of backpacking gear has come down in the couple decades I've been away from the hobby. That 17-18lb dry weight would've been doubled in the late 90s to early 2000s. Technology and innovation have been truly kind to us. Great video, you've got great camera presence and a nice way to present your stuff. Glad I found the channel. 👍
Cool to see you're giving the X-Mid a try! I hope it works well. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I also have a new pitching video on my RUclips channel that has a lot of good tips on getting it set up. - Dan
Took my X-Mid 1 out this summer for the first time and it was the best! My mom’s Big Agnes blew over in the wind and was soaked the next morning. Mine was dry and no wind issues even though our tents were less than 3 ft apart. Great tent and plenty of space. Even fit my REI chair with my pack on it in the vestibule.
This tent has made its way over the pond to the UK. The one thing that has stopped me buying it has been the pitching (from what Ive seen on YT) so I will now have a look at the new video. Many thanks for putting it together.
Love that little toiletry bag! I’ve been trying to figure out ways to make toiletry-ing easier at camp. I wonder if thats a video you would consider doing? Like, when you use your soap, how how do you pack it back up after, how far from the tent do you do it, etc. If anyone on the crew uses contacts, what is their system for carrying in the solution and glasses, how do they clean their hands before taking them out, etc. Maybe just me but contacts are one of the most stressful things for me at camp 😂
Yes! Contacts and glasses are totally stressing me out. I'm going to try asking the eye doctor for ones I can wear on a 3-day trip. Usually, I take them out every night, but figuring out how to have really clean hands while camping is a problem.
I came here to say that Durston gear is loved by so many for a reason and that Dan is great about answering questions. I also saw that he has already commented on this video. The man must never sleep.
50 yr old with decades of hiking under my boots. Made the switch to a quilt this year(ZenBivy) mostly due to Miranda and a few of the other other YT folks. That plus the tensor, saves so much weight and was insanely comfy on a late Sept. Yosemite trip. If you are a restless side sleeper, this is your jam.
durston devotée here! i’ve been using and loving it for years! i hope you enjoy it! but if there’s anything you’d like to changed, dan is incredibly open to feedback. happy hiking!
So with your pillow, put it on your sleeping pad and the put a shirt over the pad and pillow like a hat! The pillow stays in place, doesn’t fly off when your on the top bunk in shelters haha…and it then feels like it has a pillow case on it! Soooo comfy 😊
I noticed that you had outer layers for inclement weather, but no change of clothes, even socks and undies. Some people wear the same clothes multiple days when backpacking, while others change every day. You must also be prepared for falling in a stream, etc. What is your recommendation on clothing? Also, do you use booties/sandals while at camp?
In my experience a base layer dedicated for sleep is the only change of clothes most weight conscience hikers bring. Maybe an extra pair of socks or 2.
I watched the "how to pack your backpack" video before my first backpacking trip 7 years ago! Over the years I evolved from a traditional backpacker to a hybrid backpacker (half ultralight gear half traditional backpacking gear!). It's so fun to see you going through the same process over the past few months 😊 thank you for the videos and for making everyone feel comfortable in the outdoors 😊
P Style + Kula Cloth on a retractable badge clip has been a HUGE game changer on the trail, especially when it’s cold out or there are lots of bugs out where I don’t want to pull my pants down
Here in western Europe there's a nice gadget called Uribag, available for both men and women. Foldable and reusable container with spout and cap. Stands on its own when filled. So really useful inside a tent (or car)
@@e.k.4508 How does it stack up against regular female urinal devices, such as the one she showed in this video? I have tried a few and they didn't work for me, despite trying repeatedly, but always willing to give a new device a try in the hope that it works. It would be so convenient when hiking or backpacking.
@@Ekinnajay I can't compare. But the Uribag seems fine, although I'm worried about the materials of the cap. It already has a crack in the cap after two uses so I doubt the durability. It can also not stand on its own ... What I like though is the all-in-one system
I am a big Durston fan, that tent is awesome. You should try the Kakwa 55 pack. I feel flash 55 folks get too attached to their pack. :) - A Zpacks summer quilt in conjunction with that EE quilt will make your setup 4 seasons without a bunch of extra OZs - I use an OV extended head pillow, with a exped mega pillow for a body pillow and a mesh bag of extra clothing between my knees - I really like the rei helix wide pad (I think it is super comfy) - I will spend OZ on a good night sleep - I use Colman soap sheets, I like they are single use vs a multi use bar that you have to store - my daughters use the pee funnel and it works great vs squatting Good luck on the tents virgin voyage.
To stretch the temperature rating of my 20deg quilt, I also got a fairly inexpensive 50deg synthetic, wide over quilt. Layering these two allows the temp rating to be extra 10deg lower, ie becomes 10deg quilt. Perfect for winter camping!
Okay Im in PDX and just need you to hold a beginner hike and camp trip.. YES and THANK YOU :) I binge your videos but none of my friends hike and camp ...soosooo ready! Thank you for the content!
Would love to see a video of you explaining what to look for in a new set of trekking poles! What height you need, folding vs extending (are folding ones just one height?!), weight, grip material, etc. I cant tell if theyre all just so similar it doesnt really matter, or if there are red flags to avoid. It's all so overwhelming!
Folding trekking poles generally have fixed sized bottom segments but there's a section at the top (once everything is screwed/attached together) that is adjustable. So, still adjustable, but possibly not as much as some extending trekking poles. The advantage is that when folded up, they are usually shorter than extending trekking poles, so can fit inside a pack more easily. (As demonstrated by how Miranda was not able to use the standard trekking pole holder on her pack and just put them in the side pocket.) Like you could fit it inside a day hiking pack so that there's fewer things on the outside that could catch on stuff, but still have the poles with you if you end up wanting to use them.
I feel like the channel is seriously hitting a stride! There’s a acquired confidence and familiarity im picking up from you. It’s like you know who you are, and who the channel is and that’s exactly what you’re providing. Well done!
I saw a few other people mention it but wanted to add my support for the Zen Bivvy fast sheet to stop your pillow sliding off the matress, absolute game changer and only adds 80 -110g depending on the size you use. The fabric also feels way nicer to sleep on than being straight on the matress!
What clothes do you pack? How many extra under garments, socks, and layers? Thanks for sharing, Miranda… even though you forgot your spork. 😜 Rainer’s earning his money over there. 😅
Trash compactor bags are great as an inexpensive dry bag. We've used them on youth canoe-camping trips, combined with 5-gallon buckets. The trash compactor bags keep gear dry, and the 5-gallon buckets provide physical protection for the trash compactor bags.
I use the fillo pillow and bring a cut out of an anti slip mat about the same size as the pillow! I just roll it up with my sleeping pad to store. It's inexpensive, light, and works fairly well for me :) I love your interactions with Rainer so much lol
Hi Miranda, an easy solution to your pillow situation would be to inflate your fillo pillow, put your buff around it and then thread a pad strap through the underside of your pillow and between the buff and strap it down. I've done this a couple times now and it's worked for me.
Fillo Pillows have a loop on one end, and a tag on the other end that’s essentially a second loop. Get a couple feet of shock cord and tie it to both ends to make a pad strap for a couple bucks.
As a former AT hiker, I don't recommend battery powered headlamps. Lithium AAA batteries are expensive, and the other kinds burn out too quickly. You also need to charge everything else between stops, namely your phone, so more clutch is having a wall charger with enough slots than to have things that are battery powered. I took the Nitecore 25 and it was one of my favorite pieces of gear. I prefer to Hike at night (insomnia / it's cooler) and that little guy did some heavy lifting. BTW, your setup is awesome. You could definately thru hike with it, even though that isn't your goal. I'm always learning from your channel!
Going to second the Nitecore25 headlamp, it’s awesome! For longer trips a good battery bank (Nitecore makes one) and cables along with wall charger to recharge when possible, especially if thru hiking, as you’ll need it for recharging devices (phone, satellite communicator, watch, headlamp, etc.).
We use the zenbivy sheet with the pillow garage at the top to keep our pillows in place. I suppose it is added weight, but my husband and I are very pleased with the whole quilt/sheet system.
@@OlgaWB I think that depends on the temperatures you will experience. We camp early in spring and late into fall. We used to pile on clothing to wear to make up the difference if it got too cold but having bags rated to the temperatures we were out in is a difference maker. We have lighter down bags we have had for years that we use in warmer weather. They are designed to unzip and lay flat like a quilt. I ordered the extra stick-on clips from zenbivy and laid one of the down bags on top of the system, the pads and sheet in place. Then I placed the clips to the correct locations and now we have a 20 degree system and a more summertime arrangement. If you are talking about down vs a synthetic fill, well, it’s about weight and if you think you will be in conditions so wet your sleep system will get wet. Wet down is a nightmare. I will say we have never, ever had our bags get wetted through in 40 years of backpacking. Not that it won’t happen. But we are really careful about where we camp and we have a good tent.
I switched to a quilt, and I've always struggled with inflatable pillows. I ended up switching to the Zpacks Ultralight Medium-Plus Pillow. It's basically a dry bag with a layer of super soft fleece on it. You put clothes in it to pad it, and it's big enough that it doesn't really move around.
Hello Miranda. As a quilt user too, I made a "pillow pocket" for my Fillo with attached straps for my pad. Weighs 66g but, it will not move around and as a tummy sleeper I can put my arm under it too. The top fabric is very much like the Fillos and bottom fabric is ripstop. Stap are webbing and use the same buckles at most pad straps. Let me know if you want the pattern.
Quilt user here 🙋🏻♀️ I use the flextail B-shaped pillow and it came with a strap on the back of it. I use a wide pad to keep my elbows off the ground and modified the strap to fit a wide pad. You could sew a strap to the Nemo Fillo to hold it in place on the pad. Or try the Zenbivy Fast sheet. I got one by need to sew a seam on each side to make the pouch smaller. I have the PStyle urinary device and like it so much that I sometimes use it at home. I think I need to keep it and a kula cloth in my bathroom all the time.
You should try a Zenbivy fast sheet to contain your pillow and help with drafts. It weighs ~3 ounces. I modified my hammock gear quilt by adding the connection loops and it works great.
Probably my best investment in gear are my Hammock Gear quilts. Haven't gone to ground with the top quilt yet, but really digging the adjustability of the underquilt. Used my 0deg quilt on a high-30s night without being too hot.
Here in the PNW I layer a 40° EE Apex Convert quilt over my EE down 20° Enigma. This combo manages moisture very well and keeps the down quilt fluffy. I’ve had this to 15° and felt very warm. I imagine I could take it to 0°. I wear EE synthetic booties, EE synthetic pants, a 150 gsm alpha direct hoody, merino wool gloves, and merino wool beanie.
For the pillow situation, I slide my pillow into a neck buff/gaiter then I use a elastic pad strap from enlightenedequipment sliding through the buff behind the pillow. Strapping this around my sleeping pad to be secured. Another alternative is velcro but that will require you to stick the velcro onto the sleeping pad and pillow.
For the pillow: I haven't seen many other comments suggesting this, but you can add velcro to the pillow and the mat. Sea to Summit even have a special type of velcro that they include with their mats and pillows (I haven't actually tried it but it seems great). If the pillow strap is still a bit slippy or you're someone who really tosses and turns this could be an extra step more secure.
Another easy pillow fix is either use your buff (if it's stretchy enough) to slip around the top of your pad like a sleeve, then put your pillow under that, or you can do similar with a zipped up jacket/shirt. Keeps the pillow from sliding off edges and doesn't require any extra gear.
Pillow: I’ve found putting my buff over the pillow and using a connector attachment through the buff and under the mat it stays in place for the most part. I actually use the clip attachment from my quilt that I don’t use with the quilt.
I like to bring the Nalgene when it gets cold too. After you fill it with hot water you can wrap your wet socks around it to help dry. I bring the old school HDPE version. It's softer but lighter and you can still fill it with hot water.
Trekology 2.0 inflatable pillow. It comes with a pad strap so you don't lose it. It can be cold in winter though because the air in it gets cold, but if you wrap your hoodie or puffy around it, it works great. I've had mine for several years now. I hope you practiced setting up the X-Mid before youre out in the backcountry! It can be a tricky tent. Ive had a 1P for a couple of years, and hust got a 2P this year. I have a love/hate thing for that tent 😂 I think it's because I failed geometry in school. 😉
Trekology makes a great pillow - I've been using them for a few years and been very happy with them. The valve design is a lot better than other brands I tried out.
I have seen some hikers stuff their Nemo Fillo pillow inside their buff and then run a thin line through the buff and around the sleeping pad to hold it in place. This allows you to use your favorite pillow and hold it in place with a quilt. You are already packing the buff and the line weighs only a few grams.
Interested to see more on the durston! I know there's endless content on it already, but a little more never hurts 😅 I'm considering getting one to cut down on weight and still have a 2 door option. I love the look of it, and even if I were out alone, being able to wake up, open both sides to see out and around camp or overlook, and still be protected from the bugs is what I'm interested most in for a solo person tent. Also the extra stargazer setup, to pitch only the net in nicer weather, sounds like something I'd enjoy and still be well under half the weight of my current setup.
I just got and used the Zenbivy sleep system (sheet and quilt) and the hood on the sheet does a great job of holding my Fillo in place and doubles as extra warmth for my head if needed.
I was scrolling comments to see if anyone else said Zenbivy. I love mine! I have the light system and it's so handy for not having to chase down my pillow.
@@bleheckman I've been curious about the item, too, since ads for it are all over my FB and IG feeds these days. I keep finding good reviews for ZenBivy, but it's a major investment, so I'm still cautious.....
Great review of your cold weather gear, and yes, I saw your Garmin InReach mini too. I am curious about your new tent as well. I did watch the video of the Durston Tent and was really impressed with the ease of set-up, 2-person capacity, and how snow and wind weatherproof it is supposed to be. I saw only one complaint and Dan recommended closely following the new pitching guide video with the link provided which is very detailed and shows how to trouble shoot and do variations to the tent as well, and it is about 18-minutes. I have always been a 4-season tent hiker, so was never real concerned about weight, but for just a little over 2-pounds, I can be flexible. But before I buy, I will wait to see how you like it. But another "but" Miranda, I would highly recommend watching the video and practice set-up prior to going out.
I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate your approach to choosing gear: it's a stark contrast to the elitist UL rhetoric most hiking channels preach. Thank you for not weight or gear shaming! I'm just getting into backpacking and found UL gram counting to be very discouraging. Sure, there's always lighter, more expensive, hip gear out there, but I don't see the benefit of constantly comparing pack size. Even with tons of research, I barely managed to piece together a 10kg, 1500€, down-free, 3-season kit. Sidenote: enlightened equipment seems to be amazing for synthetic quilts. Unfortunately, as most companies backpacking youtubers push, they don't have a feasible international distribution system. Getting a quilt shipped halfway across the world is not the environmentally friendly business strategy I imagine the hiker crowd wishes for. Same with garage-grown gear.
@Justin Outdoors has some good recommendations on pillows that work well with the quilt that stay place with pad straps, haven’t actually tested any myself yet!
Fun fact: I as a man lost a "how far can you pee contest" to a woman using a similar pee device when at a Techno Festival in Germany (Fusion) We are still friends this day
I sewed a fitted sheet (very light wt material) with a sewn in flap for my pillow so it doesnt fall of the end of my sleeping matt...it works great, means i dont need a liner for my quilt as well
P-style, Gnara pants (changes everything!), tushy travel bidet (5.3 oz wt) for your poop kit consideration. Gnara pants, are well made, and they unzip from stem to stern-you never have to squat to pee again, the p-style really isn't necessary after you get the hang of it either-that much less weight! Another excellent addition to poop kit is BORSALI Paper Soap Sheets. To clean your hands after and before food prep. They are super light sheets that dissolve with a tiny amount of water.
My pillow is a simple inflatable pillow placed inside a queen sized pillowcase. I put in in (inflated) across the sewn end then the rest of the case goes under my torso so it doesn't travel. I use the pillow case for a number of other things as well. Pre filter for muddy water before filtering, laundry bag for my fine washables and so on.
A note about the lightload towel, I would recommend unpackaging it (you'll need to use a little bit of water to unravel it) and then sending it through the wash at least once. It will be kind of stiff and awkward the first time you use it. It won't be unusable, but a little less effective because of the water you'll have to use to unspool it. I am so in love with lightload towels that at home I have replaced my cotton towels with their full size ones because they are so much more absorbant. Especially great as a hair towel because it isn't as bulky as cotton and does a way better job. Also, it is the GOAT gym towel!
I’m super curious about the redesigned flash 55. I have used the old version for 4 years now. Every once in a while I will trade packs while hiking with friends. Every time they don’t want to give it back even though most of them have lighter packs than I do.
Thanks for all of the tips. I’m a new Outback owner and wondered why i seemed to have trouble with opening & closing the lift gate. This video answered that question and more. Thanks for another great video, Alex!
I had a liner with a hood at the top that was big enough to flip over my fillo and the top of my nemo tensor. It kept it in place pretty well and if you have an extra quilt strap it'd keep it pretty snug. Bonus bit is that the liner would keep the pillow clean from my dirty self lol.
That’s ok I recently changed out a lot of gear I’ve been using since the 70’s. A thirty to forty pound pack I was lugging around went down to just over 20 pounds but that’s with a lot of stuff I don’t always bring. I was amazed at the lightness of everything. My 7 pound tent went to just over 2 pounds. My tired “self inflating” OG thermarest I finally put to rest with a Big Agnus again like 1/2 the weight. I don’t care if I’ve got the lightest stuff or not, I’ve cut so much weight off from what I had that my whole body sings for joy when I put my new pack on.
I put my pillow into a buff and use a cord to weave thru the buff and underneath my pad. I use the zpacks pillow attachment cord, but any bungee string should work.
I use the Nemo Fillo with a quilt as well. I added a piece of shock cord to the loop on one side and the label on the other so it stopped falling off the sleeping pad at night.
My trick with the pillow situation is to get a pillow that allows for a strap which goes around the pad. I use the exped megapillow, but adding your own pad strap loops to pillows is easy too.
Lately, I’ve been using the new Outdoor Vitals pillow and I attach a line lock that wraps around a sleeping pad and the pillow is nonslip. It’s been great.
Big sky inflatable pillow inside buff. Can use the top strap from quilt in loop through buff to hold pillow to pad if desired. Just got my Xmid pro 2+ 👍
Hey! I use an Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20F as well (950/10/10), and got my NEMO Tensor EC a week ago. I coupled them both for an overnighter where it got down to 20F here in CO. The pad was a hint less comfortable than my EXPED 7R (which I had next to me in my Durston X-Mid2, wrapped in my Zenbivy 10 Quilt and Sheet) but it was WARMER. The ZB was a bit warmer than my EE20 as is to be expected since it has a lower limit rating, but the EE overperformed with the pad and I was plenty warm... And I hate to admit that I'm a bit of a pansy about being cold when sleeping, AND I'm a cold sleeper, so... I bet I could have dropped another 5F before I really got uncomfortable. Also, if this was in my Durston X-Mid1 I would have been even warmer. YOU were the reason I went to a NEMO Fillo, but tried a Trekology pillow and... It's GREAT! And I've tried similar pillows and didn't like them but these are really good, and rather cheap. They have a strap so they stay put. BUT, you can use a Zenbivy sheet, which has a hood (this is magic... Seriously) and keeps your NEMO in place. I will be using my EE Revelation with my Zenbivy sheet. Try it if you have a chance. Also, it is easy to modify the quilt to work just like a Zenbivy with the sheet, and that's a very good thing.
I carry a fleece for warmth (don't have a puffy) and I use it to wrap my pillow. But sure that approach would work for you, but I don't find it slipping and I prefer the surface to the pillow surface. 🤷♂️
I love the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight pillow because it is so comfortable and yet packs down absolutely tiny. Sea to Summit includes "hook-and-loop patches" with their pads but I have good luck using adhesive velcro patches to hold the pillow in place. Outdoor Vitals just released a cheaper pillow that still packs down very small, the Ultralight Non-Slip Stretch Pillow. I got one recently when they were on sale just after release and it seems like a very good product. They have a flap on each side of the pillow with a grommet in each flap so you can use cord to attach the pillow to your pad. On the back of the pillow there is a grid of non slip rubber dots which seems to do a pretty good job of keeping it from slipping without attaching anything. I have not tested this one yet but am looking forward to it. Still, I just love the Aeros Ultralight so much that I will probably usually stick with it.
I'd love to see you try out the Amok Dramur Hammock. I just used it at 30 degrees with their winterlight pad (R5 insulation) and was perfectly warm. Hammocks changed my love of hiking as I'd always wake up in pain in a tent, but I sleep comfortably in the Dramur and sleep reasonably flat and on my side all night. Game changer for me. I'd love to see more people use it!
PILLOW RECOMMENDATION: Use a good quality blow up pillow WITH strap to attach to sleeping pad. Place it inside your buff, blow it up only partially then slide coat or some other clothing inside the buff on top of the blow up pillow. I actually use a "My Pillow" on top of the blow up pillow, all inside the buff, and strap it down to the sleeping pad. Viola! Perfect, fully adjustable comfortable pillow that never gets away from you during the night.
17lbs is a great weight. Anything between 15-20lbs is REASONABLE for a 3 season loadout that's not going to fall apart after a few trips. I wish folks would get off that sub-10lb target for ultralighting. I think they make too many compromises in durability, comfort and safety for some arbitrary number goal. My 3 season loadout is 18lbs and that's with a Mystery Ranch Coulee 40. That includes everything in the video + a powerbank, compass, mapcase, map, knife, knife sharpener, ferro rod, Bic, natural tinder (aka firestarters), a repair kit (sewing kit, Gorilla tape, emergency poncho, wire, zip ties, etc...), spare batteries, an air mat inflator/camp light and bug repellant with a face net. There are zero compromises in that kit. I could do the winter in it if I just added an axe & folding saw to top out at 20lbs for building fires. My winter loadout is a Mystery Ranch Bridger 65 that comes in at 25lbs with a more substantial sleep system for sub-zero conditions, a camp chair and extra clothing layers. My hunting loadout is in the low-30lb range. My chair (8.5lbs) & pack (6.5lbs) alone weight 15lbs. The rest is technical gear for the most part (ammo, camera tripod, camera kit, binoculars, field dress kit...all that jazz).
I use the ZenBivy Light Bed. All the benefits of a quilt and a sleeping bag together, including a hood for my pillow, which is the Thermarest compressible size regular.
Ok, hear me out.. it’s a luxury item, but I love the crazy creek camp chair- hex 2 - it’s great to sit with a backrest, and it doubles as a sleep pad(?) but I like the long one to fold out as my picnic spot. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Put the Buff over your pillow of choice (mine is the Big Sky DreamSleeper, weighs under 2oz) and then use some shock cord to tie it to your sleeping pad. Alternatively, you can zip up your jacket around your sleeping pad with your pillow inside it.
Two questions / 1 comment - 1) why do you put your bear can & tent inside your liner? I thought liners were only to keep the items you don't want wet dry? 2) did you forget your sleep clothes too? lol. Comment -- If you look into the Zenbvy pad liner, it has a downfilled head cover. you could use that with your quilt so you are laying directly on your pad and then your favorite pillow can tuck into the head cover. I have the liner and my pillow never falls off. Plus I keep my electronics and items that need to stay warm up there too.
Pillow solutions? I’m loving my Big Agnes sleep system (Rapide SL pad and Anvil Horn 15 sleeping bag) - as there’s a fantastic pillow barn that keeps a pillow perfectly in place, and the sleeping bag / quilt hybrid fits over the pad like a sock.
I’m still unsure about the pee funnel situation as well. I totally get the appeal, but I’m just more comfortable squatting. I have heard that it comes in super handy for not having to leave your tent if you have to pee at night. You have to carry an extra bottle to pee into, but I can imagine if it is super rainy or cold, that would be worth it.
Yeah, I think I mostly end up using it when I’m in an area where squatting is ROUGH. Like really high or pokey grass, no privacy, or an exposed trail where I can’t step off the side to pee without stepping into utter cliff side oblivion. But I’m with you for sure - it’s one of those, “IDK if I love this yet, but it’s been useful so we’ll keep it” things for me.
I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to use a pee funnel into a bottle from inside my tent. Too afraid that I'm going become a pressure washer and pee all over my tent!
Regarding using a urination device, practice in the shower peeing both freely and into an empty bottle. You can also practice into the toilet (I now carry one with me in my daily life as many public restrooms are just nasty and I’m not sitting even with paper down). In a tent I kneel. When hiking I either pull running shorts with built in briefs aside or if in winter just open the front just enough to slide in the pStyle. It’s been a total game changer 👍
l've got the Revelation 20 degree and yes, in WA, you can get a very solid 3 seasons out of it by just dressing appropriately underneath it. For winter, I have the -10 degree Convert, which is basically the Revelation with a full length zipper so you can zip it into a mummy bag if you really need to. I wouldn't use it for winter in Minnesota or North Dakota, but I've slept in it and been very comfy at near 0 degrees F which works even in the mountains in most places.
Hey Miranda, I love your videos! Do you have a video of what is in your first aid kit? I would love to see what you have and how much of each item you pack.
Great video, thanks. For a good pillow try the new Outdoor Vitals non-slip pillow with pad strap connections. Inflate it 85%-ish, wrap your buff around it...bliss comfort. And it’s SUPER light, plus packs down to nothing.
Always helpful. I realize it’s a different sort of pillow inflatable has a different feel than your Fillow Elite, but I’ve really liked the Trekology pillow. Its latest version comes with a strap to wrap around your sleeping pad so the pillow won’t move.
I would like to point out that for the one billionth time Miranda forgot her spork in this video. 😂 It’s the Sea to Summit Alpha Long Spork, if anyone is wondering.
OMG SPORKY I’M SO SORRY
@@MirandaGoesOutside If Charles Dickens were alive today he’d write about your forgotten spork.
Gosh Darn! Lol
Btw… I won the prize giveaway from her live show and haven’t heard from you. I sent an email and responded to the announcement of the two winners, but haven’t had a response yet. Maybe you didn’t get my email? Thanks so much!
💙🐦
@@AT-Bluebird oh shoot!! I'm emailing you now - thanks for following up!!
I’m beginning to believe she doesn’t use a spork at all. In her new quest for ultra light, perhaps she’s using twigs and clam shells….
I want to thank you guys for not putting constant music behind your video's. As a neurodivergent person, it's often hard for me to watch video's with constant music in the background. It makes it hard to follow what someone is saying as it can be very distracting for us. I know this is also the case for some people with hearing difficulties. So thanks for not falling into the trend of always needing music. You guys are awesome.
💚💚💚 thank you 🙏 and you’re welcome!!
Yess
Just a shout out- you don’t need an apostrophe when you use plural. If you are doing plural possessive then you might. Videos = plural. Video’s = singular possessive: video’s creator. Videos’ = plural possessive. The 3 videos’ launch date will be simultaneous.
@lisaphares2286 seriously?
Please no apostrophes in simple plurals.
Pillow Tip: The Filo Has a loop on each side. Buy some small bungee cord 1/16 inch and tie a portion on each loop and then loop it over your sleeping pad. This is what I do and my pillow never moves.
I came here to say this same thing! Rig up a bungee cord to the fillo 🎉
Why not just put the buff around the pillow?
Same
I found that a t-shirt or even a tank slipped over the top of my pad will hold any camp pillow in place.
FWIW Garage Grown Gear has a pillow strap that attaches to your sleeping pad to prevent the pillow from shooting out from under your head at 3am
Nothing helps me feel more refreshed than just washing grime and sweat and dirt off my face, its such a quick easy way to re-energize you when you can't take a full shower or nap, so I absolutely don't question a good washcloth and soap or wipe in the pack.
I feel the same. Usually I just dunk my head!😊
Me too. Face and hands must be clean. I also carry a tiny nail brush that weighs only 5.4g, and a folding comb/hair brush that weighs 13.6g. Makes me feel civilised! 😄
I'm impressed at how much the weight of backpacking gear has come down in the couple decades I've been away from the hobby. That 17-18lb dry weight would've been doubled in the late 90s to early 2000s. Technology and innovation have been truly kind to us.
Great video, you've got great camera presence and a nice way to present your stuff. Glad I found the channel. 👍
Definitely - I remember when a "lightweight" pack was about 40 pounds. It's come a very long way.
Cool to see you're giving the X-Mid a try! I hope it works well. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I also have a new pitching video on my RUclips channel that has a lot of good tips on getting it set up.
- Dan
Sweeet thank you Dan!! I’m stoked to try it!
Took my X-Mid 1 out this summer for the first time and it was the best! My mom’s Big Agnes blew over in the wind and was soaked the next morning. Mine was dry and no wind issues even though our tents were less than 3 ft apart. Great tent and plenty of space. Even fit my REI chair with my pack on it in the vestibule.
@@karistsolomitis3398 Awesome. Glad to hear it's working well.
This tent has made its way over the pond to the UK. The one thing that has stopped me buying it has been the pitching (from what Ive seen on YT) so I will now have a look at the new video. Many thanks for putting it together.
@@suewheeler5795 Thanks for giving it a look Sue :)
- Dan
Love that little toiletry bag! I’ve been trying to figure out ways to make toiletry-ing easier at camp. I wonder if thats a video you would consider doing? Like, when you use your soap, how how do you pack it back up after, how far from the tent do you do it, etc. If anyone on the crew uses contacts, what is their system for carrying in the solution and glasses, how do they clean their hands before taking them out, etc. Maybe just me but contacts are one of the most stressful things for me at camp 😂
Yes! Contacts and glasses are totally stressing me out. I'm going to try asking the eye doctor for ones I can wear on a 3-day trip. Usually, I take them out every night, but figuring out how to have really clean hands while camping is a problem.
I came here to say that Durston gear is loved by so many for a reason and that Dan is great about answering questions. I also saw that he has already commented on this video. The man must never sleep.
50 yr old with decades of hiking under my boots. Made the switch to a quilt this year(ZenBivy) mostly due to Miranda and a few of the other other YT folks. That plus the tensor, saves so much weight and was insanely comfy on a late Sept. Yosemite trip. If you are a restless side sleeper, this is your jam.
durston devotée here! i’ve been using and loving it for years! i hope you enjoy it! but if there’s anything you’d like to changed, dan is incredibly open to feedback. happy hiking!
So with your pillow, put it on your sleeping pad and the put a shirt over the pad and pillow like a hat! The pillow stays in place, doesn’t fly off when your on the top bunk in shelters haha…and it then feels like it has a pillow case on it! Soooo comfy 😊
I noticed that you had outer layers for inclement weather, but no change of clothes, even socks and undies. Some people wear the same clothes multiple days when backpacking, while others change every day. You must also be prepared for falling in a stream, etc. What is your recommendation on clothing? Also, do you use booties/sandals while at camp?
In my experience a base layer dedicated for sleep is the only change of clothes most weight conscience hikers bring. Maybe an extra pair of socks or 2.
I was curious about a change of clothes also. It is refreshing (though perhaps a luxury) to put on a fresh pair of unders or socks in the morning.
She uses sandals while camping, but didn't show them. A second or even third pair of socks and underwear is advisable
I watched the "how to pack your backpack" video before my first backpacking trip 7 years ago! Over the years I evolved from a traditional backpacker to a hybrid backpacker (half ultralight gear half traditional backpacking gear!). It's so fun to see you going through the same process over the past few months 😊 thank you for the videos and for making everyone feel comfortable in the outdoors 😊
P Style + Kula Cloth on a retractable badge clip has been a HUGE game changer on the trail, especially when it’s cold out or there are lots of bugs out where I don’t want to pull my pants down
I hike and backpack with a gal who swears by her pStyle.
Here in western Europe there's a nice gadget called Uribag, available for both men and women. Foldable and reusable container with spout and cap. Stands on its own when filled. So really useful inside a tent (or car)
@@e.k.4508 How does it stack up against regular female urinal devices, such as the one she showed in this video? I have tried a few and they didn't work for me, despite trying repeatedly, but always willing to give a new device a try in the hope that it works. It would be so convenient when hiking or backpacking.
@@Ekinnajay I can't compare. But the Uribag seems fine, although I'm worried about the materials of the cap. It already has a crack in the cap after two uses so I doubt the durability. It can also not stand on its own ... What I like though is the all-in-one system
I am a big Durston fan, that tent is awesome. You should try the Kakwa 55 pack. I feel flash 55 folks get too attached to their pack. :)
- A Zpacks summer quilt in conjunction with that EE quilt will make your setup 4 seasons without a bunch of extra OZs
- I use an OV extended head pillow, with a exped mega pillow for a body pillow and a mesh bag of extra clothing between my knees
- I really like the rei helix wide pad (I think it is super comfy) - I will spend OZ on a good night sleep
- I use Colman soap sheets, I like they are single use vs a multi use bar that you have to store
- my daughters use the pee funnel and it works great vs squatting
Good luck on the tents virgin voyage.
There's a reason Flash fans get attached!! It's a great pack, especially for the price. 😀 Love my X-Mids, though! #notacult
I love how much you love the ultra-light puffy jacket. I get second-hand excitement from your enthusiasm.
To stretch the temperature rating of my 20deg quilt, I also got a fairly inexpensive 50deg synthetic, wide over quilt. Layering these two allows the temp rating to be extra 10deg lower, ie becomes 10deg quilt. Perfect for winter camping!
Ooo what a great idea!!
Thanks!
Okay Im in PDX and just need you to hold a beginner hike and camp trip.. YES and THANK YOU :) I binge your videos but none of my friends hike and camp ...soosooo ready! Thank you for the content!
Would love to see a video of you explaining what to look for in a new set of trekking poles! What height you need, folding vs extending (are folding ones just one height?!), weight, grip material, etc. I cant tell if theyre all just so similar it doesnt really matter, or if there are red flags to avoid. It's all so overwhelming!
Get ones with cork grips. Nothing beats them in the summer when you sweat, and they aren’t as cold in the winter as other materials.
Folding trekking poles generally have fixed sized bottom segments but there's a section at the top (once everything is screwed/attached together) that is adjustable. So, still adjustable, but possibly not as much as some extending trekking poles.
The advantage is that when folded up, they are usually shorter than extending trekking poles, so can fit inside a pack more easily. (As demonstrated by how Miranda was not able to use the standard trekking pole holder on her pack and just put them in the side pocket.) Like you could fit it inside a day hiking pack so that there's fewer things on the outside that could catch on stuff, but still have the poles with you if you end up wanting to use them.
I feel like the channel is seriously hitting a stride! There’s a acquired confidence and familiarity im picking up from you. It’s like you know who you are, and who the channel is and that’s exactly what you’re providing. Well done!
I saw a few other people mention it but wanted to add my support for the Zen Bivvy fast sheet to stop your pillow sliding off the matress, absolute game changer and only adds 80 -110g depending on the size you use. The fabric also feels way nicer to sleep on than being straight on the matress!
What clothes do you pack? How many extra under garments, socks, and layers? Thanks for sharing, Miranda… even though you forgot your spork. 😜 Rainer’s earning his money over there. 😅
Trash compactor bags are great as an inexpensive dry bag. We've used them on youth canoe-camping trips, combined with 5-gallon buckets. The trash compactor bags keep gear dry, and the 5-gallon buckets provide physical protection for the trash compactor bags.
I use the fillo pillow and bring a cut out of an anti slip mat about the same size as the pillow! I just roll it up with my sleeping pad to store. It's inexpensive, light, and works fairly well for me :)
I love your interactions with Rainer so much lol
!! This is SO smart!
Hi Miranda, an easy solution to your pillow situation would be to inflate your fillo pillow, put your buff around it and then thread a pad strap through the underside of your pillow and between the buff and strap it down. I've done this a couple times now and it's worked for me.
Use some shockcord through the loops and strap to your pad 🤷🏿♂️
Fillo Pillows have a loop on one end, and a tag on the other end that’s essentially a second loop. Get a couple feet of shock cord and tie it to both ends to make a pad strap for a couple bucks.
As a former AT hiker, I don't recommend battery powered headlamps. Lithium AAA batteries are expensive, and the other kinds burn out too quickly. You also need to charge everything else between stops, namely your phone, so more clutch is having a wall charger with enough slots than to have things that are battery powered.
I took the Nitecore 25 and it was one of my favorite pieces of gear. I prefer to Hike at night (insomnia / it's cooler) and that little guy did some heavy lifting.
BTW, your setup is awesome. You could definately thru hike with it, even though that isn't your goal. I'm always learning from your channel!
Going to second the Nitecore25 headlamp, it’s awesome! For longer trips a good battery bank (Nitecore makes one) and cables along with wall charger to recharge when possible, especially if thru hiking, as you’ll need it for recharging devices (phone, satellite communicator, watch, headlamp, etc.).
_" I don't recommend battery powered headlamps."_
Got it... I'll start searching antique shops for a carbide lamp.
We use the zenbivy sheet with the pillow garage at the top to keep our pillows in place. I suppose it is added weight, but my husband and I are very pleased with the whole quilt/sheet system.
I was looking at the zenbivy quilts. Can’t figure out which one to pick.
@@OlgaWB I think that depends on the temperatures you will experience. We camp early in spring and late into fall. We used to pile on clothing to wear to make up the difference if it got too cold but having bags rated to the temperatures we were out in is a difference maker.
We have lighter down bags we have had for years that we use in warmer weather. They are designed to unzip and lay flat like a quilt. I ordered the extra stick-on clips from zenbivy and laid one of the down bags on top of the system, the pads and sheet in place. Then I placed the clips to the correct locations and now we have a 20 degree system and a more summertime arrangement.
If you are talking about down vs a synthetic fill, well, it’s about weight and if you think you will be in conditions so wet your sleep system will get wet. Wet down is a nightmare. I will say we have never, ever had our bags get wetted through in 40 years of backpacking. Not that it won’t happen. But we are really careful about where we camp and we have a good tent.
I switched to a quilt, and I've always struggled with inflatable pillows. I ended up switching to the Zpacks Ultralight Medium-Plus Pillow. It's basically a dry bag with a layer of super soft fleece on it. You put clothes in it to pad it, and it's big enough that it doesn't really move around.
Hello Miranda. As a quilt user too, I made a "pillow pocket" for my Fillo with attached straps for my pad. Weighs 66g but, it will not move around and as a tummy sleeper I can put my arm under it too. The top fabric is very much like the Fillos and bottom fabric is ripstop. Stap are webbing and use the same buckles at most pad straps. Let me know if you want the pattern.
You can still use the nemo fillo elite pillow, just tie some shock cord to the nemo tag on one side to the small loop on the other side.
!!!!! THANK YOU!! This is the easy hack I was hoping for!
This is exactly what I do!
Some awesome new changes to your backpacking setup there Miranda 👍 And ya definitely can't beat that base weight. Well done my friend 👍
Your transition into the sponsorship was so good lol. Thanks for the pack update!! You help me figure my stuff out without feeling overwhelmed!! ❤
🎉🎉🎉 what great timing! Can add these to my holiday wishlist.
Oh heck yeah!! Let me know what’s top of the list 😁
Looking forward to your review of the Durston tent! The design looks awesome and I've been eyeing it for a while. Curious to see how it works for you.
Quilt user here 🙋🏻♀️ I use the flextail B-shaped pillow and it came with a strap on the back of it. I use a wide pad to keep my elbows off the ground and modified the strap to fit a wide pad. You could sew a strap to the Nemo Fillo to hold it in place on the pad. Or try the Zenbivy Fast sheet. I got one by need to sew a seam on each side to make the pouch smaller.
I have the PStyle urinary device and like it so much that I sometimes use it at home. I think I need to keep it and a kula cloth in my bathroom all the time.
Also a fan of the Flextail pillow, the only inflatable that works for me
You should try a Zenbivy fast sheet to contain your pillow and help with drafts. It weighs ~3 ounces. I modified my hammock gear quilt by adding the connection loops and it works great.
Probably my best investment in gear are my Hammock Gear quilts. Haven't gone to ground with the top quilt yet, but really digging the adjustability of the underquilt. Used my 0deg quilt on a high-30s night without being too hot.
Here in the PNW I layer a 40° EE Apex Convert quilt over my EE down 20° Enigma. This combo manages moisture very well and keeps the down quilt fluffy. I’ve had this to 15° and felt very warm. I imagine I could take it to 0°. I wear EE synthetic booties, EE synthetic pants, a 150 gsm alpha direct hoody, merino wool gloves, and merino wool beanie.
For the pillow situation, I slide my pillow into a neck buff/gaiter then I use a elastic pad strap from enlightenedequipment sliding through the buff behind the pillow. Strapping this around my sleeping pad to be secured. Another alternative is velcro but that will require you to stick the velcro onto the sleeping pad and pillow.
You can get the bottom portion of a zen bivy to keep the pillow in place
For the pillow: I haven't seen many other comments suggesting this, but you can add velcro to the pillow and the mat. Sea to Summit even have a special type of velcro that they include with their mats and pillows (I haven't actually tried it but it seems great). If the pillow strap is still a bit slippy or you're someone who really tosses and turns this could be an extra step more secure.
17:05 The loop at the bottom of the bag is for an ice ax..
The rain interlude though
Another easy pillow fix is either use your buff (if it's stretchy enough) to slip around the top of your pad like a sleeve, then put your pillow under that, or you can do similar with a zipped up jacket/shirt. Keeps the pillow from sliding off edges and doesn't require any extra gear.
Pillow: I’ve found putting my buff over the pillow and using a connector attachment through the buff and under the mat it stays in place for the most part. I actually use the clip attachment from my quilt that I don’t use with the quilt.
I like to bring the Nalgene when it gets cold too. After you fill it with hot water you can wrap your wet socks around it to help dry. I bring the old school HDPE version. It's softer but lighter and you can still fill it with hot water.
Trekology 2.0 inflatable pillow. It comes with a pad strap so you don't lose it. It can be cold in winter though because the air in it gets cold, but if you wrap your hoodie or puffy around it, it works great. I've had mine for several years now.
I hope you practiced setting up the X-Mid before youre out in the backcountry! It can be a tricky tent. Ive had a 1P for a couple of years, and hust got a 2P this year. I have a love/hate thing for that tent 😂 I think it's because I failed geometry in school. 😉
Trekology makes a great pillow - I've been using them for a few years and been very happy with them. The valve design is a lot better than other brands I tried out.
Also use the Trekology pillow. When it’s cold I’ll stuff my puffy into a stuff sack as a insulated layer on top of the pillow.
I have seen some hikers stuff their Nemo Fillo pillow inside their buff and then run a thin line through the buff and around the sleeping pad to hold it in place. This allows you to use your favorite pillow and hold it in place with a quilt. You are already packing the buff and the line weighs only a few grams.
Interested to see more on the durston! I know there's endless content on it already, but a little more never hurts 😅 I'm considering getting one to cut down on weight and still have a 2 door option. I love the look of it, and even if I were out alone, being able to wake up, open both sides to see out and around camp or overlook, and still be protected from the bugs is what I'm interested most in for a solo person tent. Also the extra stargazer setup, to pitch only the net in nicer weather, sounds like something I'd enjoy and still be well under half the weight of my current setup.
I’ve been happy with the 1p xmid - spacious for a 1p, and still has 2 doors/vestibules.
I just got and used the Zenbivy sleep system (sheet and quilt) and the hood on the sheet does a great job of holding my Fillo in place and doubles as extra warmth for my head if needed.
I was scrolling comments to see if anyone else said Zenbivy. I love mine! I have the light system and it's so handy for not having to chase down my pillow.
@@bleheckman I've been curious about the item, too, since ads for it are all over my FB and IG feeds these days. I keep finding good reviews for ZenBivy, but it's a major investment, so I'm still cautious.....
I love mine too! I usually keep my electronics, sawyer up there too so they stay warm too!
Great review of your cold weather gear, and yes, I saw your Garmin InReach mini too. I am curious about your new tent as well. I did watch the video of the Durston Tent and was really impressed with the ease of set-up, 2-person capacity, and how snow and wind weatherproof it is supposed to be. I saw only one complaint and Dan recommended closely following the new pitching guide video with the link provided which is very detailed and shows how to trouble shoot and do variations to the tent as well, and it is about 18-minutes. I have always been a 4-season tent hiker, so was never real concerned about weight, but for just a little over 2-pounds, I can be flexible. But before I buy, I will wait to see how you like it. But another "but" Miranda, I would highly recommend watching the video and practice set-up prior to going out.
I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate your approach to choosing gear: it's a stark contrast to the elitist UL rhetoric most hiking channels preach. Thank you for not weight or gear shaming! I'm just getting into backpacking and found UL gram counting to be very discouraging. Sure, there's always lighter, more expensive, hip gear out there, but I don't see the benefit of constantly comparing pack size. Even with tons of research, I barely managed to piece together a 10kg, 1500€, down-free, 3-season kit.
Sidenote: enlightened equipment seems to be amazing for synthetic quilts. Unfortunately, as most companies backpacking youtubers push, they don't have a feasible international distribution system. Getting a quilt shipped halfway across the world is not the environmentally friendly business strategy I imagine the hiker crowd wishes for. Same with garage-grown gear.
@Justin Outdoors has some good recommendations on pillows that work well with the quilt that stay place with pad straps, haven’t actually tested any myself yet!
Fun fact: I as a man lost a "how far can you pee contest" to a woman using a similar pee device when at a Techno Festival in Germany (Fusion)
We are still friends this day
I sewed a fitted sheet (very light wt material) with a sewn in flap for my pillow so it doesnt fall of the end of my sleeping matt...it works great, means i dont need a liner for my quilt as well
P-style, Gnara pants (changes everything!), tushy travel bidet (5.3 oz wt) for your poop kit consideration. Gnara pants, are well made, and they unzip from stem to stern-you never have to squat to pee again, the p-style really isn't necessary after you get the hang of it either-that much less weight! Another excellent addition to poop kit is BORSALI Paper Soap Sheets. To clean your hands after and before food prep. They are super light sheets that dissolve with a tiny amount of water.
My pillow is a simple inflatable pillow placed inside a queen sized pillowcase. I put in in (inflated) across the sewn end then the rest of the case goes under my torso so it doesn't travel. I use the pillow case for a number of other things as well. Pre filter for muddy water before filtering, laundry bag for my fine washables and so on.
A note about the lightload towel, I would recommend unpackaging it (you'll need to use a little bit of water to unravel it) and then sending it through the wash at least once. It will be kind of stiff and awkward the first time you use it. It won't be unusable, but a little less effective because of the water you'll have to use to unspool it.
I am so in love with lightload towels that at home I have replaced my cotton towels with their full size ones because they are so much more absorbant. Especially great as a hair towel because it isn't as bulky as cotton and does a way better job. Also, it is the GOAT gym towel!
I also love the zenbivy sheets for pillow control. Would love to see what you think about their entire system in a future video!
I’m super curious about the redesigned flash 55. I have used the old version for 4 years now. Every once in a while I will trade packs while hiking with friends. Every time they don’t want to give it back even though most of them have lighter packs than I do.
Thanks for all of the tips. I’m a new Outback owner and wondered why i seemed to have trouble with opening & closing the lift gate. This video answered that question and more.
Thanks for another great video, Alex!
I added a bungee strap to my fillo pillow to wrap around my sleeping pad and hold it in place.
I had a liner with a hood at the top that was big enough to flip over my fillo and the top of my nemo tensor. It kept it in place pretty well and if you have an extra quilt strap it'd keep it pretty snug. Bonus bit is that the liner would keep the pillow clean from my dirty self lol.
That’s ok I recently changed out a lot of gear I’ve been using since the 70’s. A thirty to forty pound pack I was lugging around went down to just over 20 pounds but that’s with a lot of stuff I don’t always bring. I was amazed at the lightness of everything. My 7 pound tent went to just over 2 pounds. My tired “self inflating” OG thermarest I finally put to rest with a Big Agnus again like 1/2 the weight. I don’t care if I’ve got the lightest stuff or not, I’ve cut so much weight off from what I had that my whole body sings for joy when I put my new pack on.
I put my pillow into a buff and use a cord to weave thru the buff and underneath my pad. I use the zpacks pillow attachment cord, but any bungee string should work.
I use the Nemo Fillo with a quilt as well. I added a piece of shock cord to the loop on one side and the label on the other so it stopped falling off the sleeping pad at night.
My trick with the pillow situation is to get a pillow that allows for a strap which goes around the pad. I use the exped megapillow, but adding your own pad strap loops to pillows is easy too.
I use this too:)
I like the idea of sewing on a strap to my fav pillow.
Sea to summit pad/pillow lock system is what I use.
Lately, I’ve been using the new Outdoor Vitals pillow and I attach a line lock that wraps around a sleeping pad and the pillow is nonslip. It’s been great.
Big sky inflatable pillow inside buff. Can use the top strap from quilt in loop through buff to hold pillow to pad if desired.
Just got my Xmid pro 2+ 👍
Hey! I use an Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20F as well (950/10/10), and got my NEMO Tensor EC a week ago. I coupled them both for an overnighter where it got down to 20F here in CO. The pad was a hint less comfortable than my EXPED 7R (which I had next to me in my Durston X-Mid2, wrapped in my Zenbivy 10 Quilt and Sheet) but it was WARMER. The ZB was a bit warmer than my EE20 as is to be expected since it has a lower limit rating, but the EE overperformed with the pad and I was plenty warm... And I hate to admit that I'm a bit of a pansy about being cold when sleeping, AND I'm a cold sleeper, so... I bet I could have dropped another 5F before I really got uncomfortable. Also, if this was in my Durston X-Mid1 I would have been even warmer.
YOU were the reason I went to a NEMO Fillo, but tried a Trekology pillow and... It's GREAT! And I've tried similar pillows and didn't like them but these are really good, and rather cheap. They have a strap so they stay put. BUT, you can use a Zenbivy sheet, which has a hood (this is magic... Seriously) and keeps your NEMO in place. I will be using my EE Revelation with my Zenbivy sheet. Try it if you have a chance. Also, it is easy to modify the quilt to work just like a Zenbivy with the sheet, and that's a very good thing.
I carry a fleece for warmth (don't have a puffy) and I use it to wrap my pillow. But sure that approach would work for you, but I don't find it slipping and I prefer the surface to the pillow surface. 🤷♂️
I love the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight pillow because it is so comfortable and yet packs down absolutely tiny. Sea to Summit includes "hook-and-loop patches" with their pads but I have good luck using adhesive velcro patches to hold the pillow in place. Outdoor Vitals just released a cheaper pillow that still packs down very small, the Ultralight Non-Slip Stretch Pillow. I got one recently when they were on sale just after release and it seems like a very good product. They have a flap on each side of the pillow with a grommet in each flap so you can use cord to attach the pillow to your pad. On the back of the pillow there is a grid of non slip rubber dots which seems to do a pretty good job of keeping it from slipping without attaching anything. I have not tested this one yet but am looking forward to it. Still, I just love the Aeros Ultralight so much that I will probably usually stick with it.
I'd love to see you try out the Amok Dramur Hammock. I just used it at 30 degrees with their winterlight pad (R5 insulation) and was perfectly warm. Hammocks changed my love of hiking as I'd always wake up in pain in a tent, but I sleep comfortably in the Dramur and sleep reasonably flat and on my side all night. Game changer for me. I'd love to see more people use it!
Enjoy your gear :) Enjoy your X-Mid. I have a couple of the tents and the 55L Kakwa. It’s the first pack that actually feels comfortable.
The "Bearflix and Chill" and rain scenes made me giggle. Fabulous video as always
PILLOW RECOMMENDATION: Use a good quality blow up pillow WITH strap to attach to sleeping pad. Place it inside your buff, blow it up only partially then slide coat or some other clothing inside the buff on top of the blow up pillow. I actually use a "My Pillow" on top of the blow up pillow, all inside the buff, and strap it down to the sleeping pad. Viola! Perfect, fully adjustable comfortable pillow that never gets away from you during the night.
17lbs is a great weight.
Anything between 15-20lbs is REASONABLE for a 3 season loadout that's not going to fall apart after a few trips. I wish folks would get off that sub-10lb target for ultralighting. I think they make too many compromises in durability, comfort and safety for some arbitrary number goal. My 3 season loadout is 18lbs and that's with a Mystery Ranch Coulee 40. That includes everything in the video + a powerbank, compass, mapcase, map, knife, knife sharpener, ferro rod, Bic, natural tinder (aka firestarters), a repair kit (sewing kit, Gorilla tape, emergency poncho, wire, zip ties, etc...), spare batteries, an air mat inflator/camp light and bug repellant with a face net.
There are zero compromises in that kit. I could do the winter in it if I just added an axe & folding saw to top out at 20lbs for building fires.
My winter loadout is a Mystery Ranch Bridger 65 that comes in at 25lbs with a more substantial sleep system for sub-zero conditions, a camp chair and extra clothing layers.
My hunting loadout is in the low-30lb range. My chair (8.5lbs) & pack (6.5lbs) alone weight 15lbs. The rest is technical gear for the most part (ammo, camera tripod, camera kit, binoculars, field dress kit...all that jazz).
Another trick for a pillow is find a shirt or something that fits snug or the pad and slide the pillow inside that too keep it in place
Always rad to see the current pack and how it evolves
I use the ZenBivy Light Bed. All the benefits of a quilt and a sleeping bag together, including a hood for my pillow, which is the Thermarest compressible size regular.
Use the hest or the thermorest hest is by far my favorite
Ok, hear me out.. it’s a luxury item, but I love the crazy creek camp chair- hex 2 - it’s great to sit with a backrest, and it doubles as a sleep pad(?) but I like the long one to fold out as my picnic spot. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Put the Buff over your pillow of choice (mine is the Big Sky DreamSleeper, weighs under 2oz) and then use some shock cord to tie it to your sleeping pad. Alternatively, you can zip up your jacket around your sleeping pad with your pillow inside it.
Two questions / 1 comment - 1) why do you put your bear can & tent inside your liner? I thought liners were only to keep the items you don't want wet dry? 2) did you forget your sleep clothes too? lol. Comment -- If you look into the Zenbvy pad liner, it has a downfilled head cover. you could use that with your quilt so you are laying directly on your pad and then your favorite pillow can tuck into the head cover. I have the liner and my pillow never falls off. Plus I keep my electronics and items that need to stay warm up there too.
Pillow solutions? I’m loving my Big Agnes sleep system (Rapide SL pad and Anvil Horn 15 sleeping bag) - as there’s a fantastic pillow barn that keeps a pillow perfectly in place, and the sleeping bag / quilt hybrid fits over the pad like a sock.
For a pillow trick if it doesnt have loops for a pad strap use patch tape and shock cord too make one.
Use elastic cord on your Nemo Fillo everyone does or a Zen bivy pillow barn for the Fillo
I’m still unsure about the pee funnel situation as well. I totally get the appeal, but I’m just more comfortable squatting. I have heard that it comes in super handy for not having to leave your tent if you have to pee at night. You have to carry an extra bottle to pee into, but I can imagine if it is super rainy or cold, that would be worth it.
Yeah, I think I mostly end up using it when I’m in an area where squatting is ROUGH. Like really high or pokey grass, no privacy, or an exposed trail where I can’t step off the side to pee without stepping into utter cliff side oblivion. But I’m with you for sure - it’s one of those, “IDK if I love this yet, but it’s been useful so we’ll keep it” things for me.
I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to use a pee funnel into a bottle from inside my tent. Too afraid that I'm going become a pressure washer and pee all over my tent!
@@rachelpoulos I haven’t tried it yet, for that same reason. I’ve been told that there is a learning curve 😬
I thought it was weird at first but after using it for over a year -- I couldn't imagine squatting anymore. lol
Regarding using a urination device, practice in the shower peeing both freely and into an empty bottle. You can also practice into the toilet (I now carry one with me in my daily life as many public restrooms are just nasty and I’m not sitting even with paper down). In a tent I kneel. When hiking I either pull running shorts with built in briefs aside or if in winter just open the front just enough to slide in the pStyle. It’s been a total game changer 👍
l've got the Revelation 20 degree and yes, in WA, you can get a very solid 3 seasons out of it by just dressing appropriately underneath it. For winter, I have the -10 degree Convert, which is basically the Revelation with a full length zipper so you can zip it into a mummy bag if you really need to. I wouldn't use it for winter in Minnesota or North Dakota, but I've slept in it and been very comfy at near 0 degrees F which works even in the mountains in most places.
Love my Xmid 2! Can't wait to see your impressions of it.
Hey Miranda, I love your videos! Do you have a video of what is in your first aid kit? I would love to see what you have and how much of each item you pack.
I really like the PStyle, it's a trough instead of a funnel. It works really well,.
Excellent tent.
For the pillow I have seen people use tent repair patches to attach bungie cord to any pillow to wrap around the sleeping pad to keep it in place!
Great video, thanks. For a good pillow try the new Outdoor Vitals non-slip pillow with pad strap connections. Inflate it 85%-ish, wrap your buff around it...bliss comfort. And it’s SUPER light, plus packs down to nothing.
Alton sleeping pad sheet as holds pillow in place.
Trekkology pillow in the three seasons, Hikenture pillow in the winter. Both come with pad straps.
What Trekking poles did you help your friend Pam get?
I’d like supportive for plus size & not heavy.
Always helpful. I realize it’s a different sort of pillow inflatable has a different feel than your Fillow Elite, but I’ve really liked the Trekology pillow. Its latest version comes with a strap to wrap around your sleeping pad so the pillow won’t move.
Just in time for dinner with Miranda. Thanks for the awesome video!
Thank you for watching!!