I'd love to see a quick tutorial on the nylofume pump sack. I've been using the Nine Trails shorts for a couple of decades I think but for running. Never occurred to me to use them for hiking!
I actually have a video showing how to make one from start to finish on my channel. m.ruclips.net/video/vYu1bGit24o/видео.html&pp=ygUaTWFrZSB5b3VyIG93biBwYWQgaW5mbGF0b3I%3D
Thanks for the gear review, I'm interested in knowing how to modify your blow up inflater bag connection. maybe sometime you could show how you made the modifications. thanks
Ok good to hear. I'll try to keep that in mind and put together some footage of me making 1 for the standard "old" thermarest valve as well as one for the new wing lock one.
Awesome videos! What made you switch from the Timmermade Serpentes to the Wren? I apologize if I missed it, but what did you think about your sun umbrella?
There are a few things. Firstly, I still plan on using the Serpentes as my primary 3 season sleeping bag. It's packable size and extremely low weight are amazing. I did personally find the 20 degree temperature rating to be a bit optimistic though. I found I needed to sleep in base layers (which I usually highly prefer not to have to do) if it was mid 30's or colder. I decided to add a Wren 10 to my collection to have something very light and more packable than the Western Mountaineering 20F and MHW 3F I used on the CDT. I think I chose a size larger on the Serpentes when I had it made for me than I should have. I can slide the bag on and off even with the neck snaps closed, which I would assume would be that it's a bit too big around the neck for my body. I also went with the "bent knee fetal" style bag option Timmermade has. This has it's pros, but in the end there is a lot more room inside the bag and its not as thermally efficient as the down living closer to your body when you aren't sleeping in the fetal position. The Wren has a full neck down collar to help stay warm, more down in it for it's temperature rating, and a pad strap to help keep the bag from rotating and exposing the false bottom panel to create a cold spot. The Wren I ordered is with snugger measurements, 1,000 fill power down, has a pad strap, and is using Timmermade's more conservative temperature rating. I'm very excited to have the Serpentes 20, Wren 10, .75 SDUL down sweater, 1.5 SDUL down sweater, and lastly the 2 warmth levels of balaclavas. I think this will be the ultimate swapable down warmth system that you can adapt to almost any nonwinter backpacking setting. I'll be sure to review this set up once I have it. My order is due to be fulfilled in March and I plan to try out mixing and matching for my upcoming PCT through hike attempt this 2024.
Thanks for checking out my review. The rain mitts were made and sold by another CDT hiker but she said she isn't making them anymore. I imagine they're closest to the Zpacks mitts though.
Is it actually the montbell versalite? Looks like the montbell torrent flier with just one front pocket? Maybe they have changed it. Would like to get a versalite with just the one front pocket but all I can find have two. 😅
It is. It's last year's model when they still used Goretex instead of the new ones that use Gore Windstopper. I do really like the jacket though. It was the lighest rain jacket that I could find with a chest pocket, goretex, wrist cuffs, and full sized pit zippers.
I have used Anchor in the past with some of their 10k banks and had zero issues. They currently don't make a lightweight model with sub 3 hour charging. The ability to top off a battery bank at a restaurant or while resuppying vs charging it overnight has really made me focus of 40w+ charging speeds. If/when they offer a 20k bank that can charge in 3 or less hours, that weighs less than 14oz or less I'd jump on it. There are some exciting graphene banks starting to come out that have the potential to go from dead to full in around 1.5 hours and be lighter than lithium. The prices are much higher but im ok with that. The first generation models have extra weight features I don't need like wireless charging pads.
Good question, and I forgot to show it in the "snow gear." I did switch to some medium thickness Patagonia zip off pants from Chaman NM to Steamboat Springs CO. I also switched to warmer softshell gloves which I forgot to include in the video too. Most days, even in snowy CO at 12,000 feet I still would zip off the pants mid-day. The mornings were the coldest and the only real time I'd zip the pants sleeves on. I never walked in baselayer bottoms.
That pump sack is genius! Congratulations on finishing the CDT 🤙
Wow... really excellent insights. Thank you for sharing all this.
I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks for taking the time to check it out!
Love the breakdown and showing how the gear held up.
I'd love to see a quick tutorial on the nylofume pump sack. I've been using the Nine Trails shorts for a couple of decades I think but for running. Never occurred to me to use them for hiking!
I actually have a video showing how to make one from start to finish on my channel. m.ruclips.net/video/vYu1bGit24o/видео.html&pp=ygUaTWFrZSB5b3VyIG93biBwYWQgaW5mbGF0b3I%3D
Super, thanks.
Thanks for the gear review, I'm interested in knowing how to modify your blow up inflater bag connection. maybe sometime you could show how you made the modifications. thanks
Ok good to hear. I'll try to keep that in mind and put together some footage of me making 1 for the standard "old" thermarest valve as well as one for the new wing lock one.
Another great breakdown vid. Id be keen to see an in-depth one just on the SWD Long Haul!
It deserves one. I really liked the pack. I think it'll likely be one of my next videos.
@@lynxoutdoors8192 I would love to see an in depth video on that pack as well.
Another great in-depth and informative video. Very thorough.
Glad you liked it!
Awesome videos! What made you switch from the Timmermade Serpentes to the Wren? I apologize if I missed it, but what did you think about your sun umbrella?
There are a few things. Firstly, I still plan on using the Serpentes as my primary 3 season sleeping bag. It's packable size and extremely low weight are amazing. I did personally find the 20 degree temperature rating to be a bit optimistic though. I found I needed to sleep in base layers (which I usually highly prefer not to have to do) if it was mid 30's or colder. I decided to add a Wren 10 to my collection to have something very light and more packable than the Western Mountaineering 20F and MHW 3F I used on the CDT. I think I chose a size larger on the Serpentes when I had it made for me than I should have. I can slide the bag on and off even with the neck snaps closed, which I would assume would be that it's a bit too big around the neck for my body. I also went with the "bent knee fetal" style bag option Timmermade has. This has it's pros, but in the end there is a lot more room inside the bag and its not as thermally efficient as the down living closer to your body when you aren't sleeping in the fetal position. The Wren has a full neck down collar to help stay warm, more down in it for it's temperature rating, and a pad strap to help keep the bag from rotating and exposing the false bottom panel to create a cold spot. The Wren I ordered is with snugger measurements, 1,000 fill power down, has a pad strap, and is using Timmermade's more conservative temperature rating. I'm very excited to have the Serpentes 20, Wren 10, .75 SDUL down sweater, 1.5 SDUL down sweater, and lastly the 2 warmth levels of balaclavas. I think this will be the ultimate swapable down warmth system that you can adapt to almost any nonwinter backpacking setting. I'll be sure to review this set up once I have it. My order is due to be fulfilled in March and I plan to try out mixing and matching for my upcoming PCT through hike attempt this 2024.
Thanks for you gear review, what is the brand of rain mitts that you used? thanks and look froward to your next video.
Thanks for checking out my review. The rain mitts were made and sold by another CDT hiker but she said she isn't making them anymore. I imagine they're closest to the Zpacks mitts though.
Is it actually the montbell versalite? Looks like the montbell torrent flier with just one front pocket? Maybe they have changed it. Would like to get a versalite with just the one front pocket but all I can find have two. 😅
It is. It's last year's model when they still used Goretex instead of the new ones that use Gore Windstopper. I do really like the jacket though. It was the lighest rain jacket that I could find with a chest pocket, goretex, wrist cuffs, and full sized pit zippers.
Why not try anker? I have 3 anker banks never had any issues.
I have used Anchor in the past with some of their 10k banks and had zero issues. They currently don't make a lightweight model with sub 3 hour charging. The ability to top off a battery bank at a restaurant or while resuppying vs charging it overnight has really made me focus of 40w+ charging speeds. If/when they offer a 20k bank that can charge in 3 or less hours, that weighs less than 14oz or less I'd jump on it. There are some exciting graphene banks starting to come out that have the potential to go from dead to full in around 1.5 hours and be lighter than lithium. The prices are much higher but im ok with that. The first generation models have extra weight features I don't need like wireless charging pads.
What did you wear instead of shorts when it was too cold for shorts?
Good question, and I forgot to show it in the "snow gear." I did switch to some medium thickness Patagonia zip off pants from Chaman NM to Steamboat Springs CO. I also switched to warmer softshell gloves which I forgot to include in the video too. Most days, even in snowy CO at 12,000 feet I still would zip off the pants mid-day. The mornings were the coldest and the only real time I'd zip the pants sleeves on. I never walked in baselayer bottoms.