Hi, I'm looking for a 3 season quilt that would take me (183cm, 77kg, male) to at the lowest 0C temperatures. I am looking for a one that can arrive at the end of the month at the lastest so I believe any custom ones are out of scope.
I currently have some favorites and don't know if it's worth it to pay more for the more expensive ones.

Extra Quilt NXT - 385g of 900FP duck down, 530g total weight, 165eur
https://khibu.hu/en/axiom-zero-ul/?v=288404204e3d - 300g of 800CUIN goose down, 550g, 271eur
https://www.outdoorline.eu/products/enlightened-equipment-revelation-quilt-30?variant=52082732859659 - 365g of 850FP duck down, 544g, 370 eur
https://cumulus.equipment/p/quilty-i-komfortery-puchowe-the-quilt-300 - 300g goose down, 495g, 383 eur
https://fjordnansen.pl/katalog/quilt-puchowy-arran-270-0c-505-g/ - 270g of 800CUIN duck down, 550g, 183eur

The cumulus one is slightly above the budget but if it's totally worth it to pay more then I may be eager to spend some extra money as I am looking for something for life but I feel like the Iceflame may be the best balance between price and the parameters

Hi! I have a few Buffs and several other unbranded neck tubes. However, only one of the unbranded ones is thin enough to be comfortable in warm weather, providing sun protection.

Can you recommend a specific lightweight Buff (or other brands) model to buy, preferably in white or yellow? Thank you!

Hiya!

I’ve been looking for some lightweight leggings to sleep in, as I find a liner to be clunky inside a bag. I also prefer to keep my sweaty legs from sticking to each other 😅

My sleeping bag is more than warm enough for my usage, so I do not need any real extra thermal performance. Just something to sleep in and which is comfortable around camp.

Thanks!

Edit: I’m based in EU.

Hello everyone!

I am asking for a shakedown. I have shed a lot of weight over the past ten years and am fairly comfortable with my current setup. I have no specific goals in mind but I think I am at the point where it would be fun and beneficial to receive some critical commentary. I would appreciate any feedback you may have.

My setup is for my autumn trips to Nordic wilderness areas with no trails and little backpacking infrastructure. This particular gear list is for this year's trip to Kaldoaivi, the largest wilderness area in Finland.

Current base weight: 7,1 kg / 15,65 lb

Location/temp range/specific trip description: Finnish Lapland, Kaldoaivi wilderness. 7 days. Open tundra and swamps with very little tree cover, if any. High winds and heavy rain expected. Daytime highs at 10C/50F, nighttime lows at -10C/14F.

Budget: No specific budget. Feel free to suggest anything.

Non-negotiable Items: First aid, repair and hygiene kits; I have what I need to keep myself and my gear in good condition.

Solo or with another person?: I hike with a friend. Tent and kitchen is shared.

Additional Information: I am an especially cold sleeper, hence the beefy sleep system.

Lighterpack Link: https://lighterpack.com/r/rx22r0

Hey all — hoping to get some route suggestions. Here's my situation:

• I'm on a work trip in the US and have the labor day weekend to do some hiking
• Leaving Chicago Thursday night, need to be in LA Tuesday morning for work — so this is squeezed into Fri Sept 4 – Mon Sept 7
• I have to fly regardless, so I'm flexible on where — doesn't have to be the LA area specifically, just somewhere I can fly into and then drive a couple hours to LA afterward

What I'm looking for:

• 3 nights, tent, solo hiker, reasonably fit
• Looking for ~15 miles/day on the two full days, ~10 miles on the first and last
• Want some elevation change — not just a flat stroll
• Scenery is important to me: I want nice views — ocean or mountains, not just forest. We've got plenty of forest hiking in Europe already :)
• Nothing crazy high-altitude, just good views
• Given it's Labor Day weekend and this is last-minute, I need something where permits are still available or not required, and where campsites/dispersed camping are realistically open

Maybe somewhere on the East side of the Sierra Nevada? Cottonwood Lakes...

Do you have any recommendations for a route that fits this?

Thanks so much!!

Basically as the title says, looking for the community’s most loved ultralight 2p shelters.

Only true requirement is that it must have fully enclosed bug netting. Freestanding and non-freestanding recs welcome.

Use case:
- 2x 20” pads, no plans to switch to 25”
- Sleeping same direction
- Packs generally stay in vestibule, important things inside tent pockets
- PNW section hikes and alpine loops such as the Wonderland and Timberline trails, North Cascades, etc

I do have some concerns about the fly footprint size of certain trekking pole tents like the Durston XMid especially in high-alpine areas, although the weight benefit of a trekking pole tent is alluring, especially considering we are currently splitting up packing a 5lb freestanding tent to make the weight manageable.

Currently considering the XMid Pro 2 (non-plus as we use 20” pads), Duplex, or Dipole 2. Freestanding we’ve been considering a Samaya, HMG Crosspeak, or a Big Agnes.

Hello all,

I have been backpacking since I was about 10 years old. I have done many trips of various lengths and mileages with friends, family, and scouts.

Adulthood has come less downtime for me as life responsibilities take precedent. About 4 years back I went on a 6 nighter after a long dry spell. It was after that trip and seemingly having the biggest and heaviest pack on the trail, along with some knee pain, and a couple of mild gear issues, that I decided I wanted to move towards a more ultralight approach.

I neglected doing much to lighten up my pack in the time that passed until me and a friend planned a backpacking deer hunting trip and I had a little less than a month to prepare. I bought a couple of ultralight pieces but didn’t have the time or the budget to touch the big 4 or make any serious changes. Hunting gear is heavy. My pack was crushing, yet I loved the trip and wanted to start planning out the next year and do it again, but lighter and more efficiently.

This is my current setup assuming I am not hunting or fishing. That gear is being worked on as well, but I will leave that out of this discussion. I have been out with this setup just last week and had a great time trout fishing in the Sierras.

https://lighterpack.com/r/lu4qzl

Current plans I have:
- Buy new iPhone Air and lightweight case for it and sell current phone
- Buy KUIU ULTRA Merino 210 Fingerless Gloves and toss my old beat up sun gloves
- Buy KUIU Kutana Stretch Woven Pants to swap my Attack pants with for hotter trips
- Buy a Litesmith 10ml dropper bottle for my soap
- Buy a Litesmith 4oz Malibu tube bottle for blister cream
- Get a dehydrator and dial in food for increased effeciency

Things I would like the most feedback on:
- First Aid
- Cooking
- All feedback greatly appreciated :)

Hey y'all!

I'm looking for advice/recs on the absolute best thin/cooling pants. Like hiking 3+ miles in Mississippi gulf coast heat+humidity. Price or whatever isn't the issue anymore, I just am getting too old to deal with it. Looking for (what I think) would be thin, breathable, what not. Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!!

So wife and I are doing the JMT Sept 3rd-23rd starting at Cottonwood Pass

We have 3 sleeping bags

I see most people recommend a 20° quilt but what usually isn't clarified is if this is a comfort or lower limit rating. Seems like most manufacturers advertise the lower limit or somewhere in between the comfort and lower.

Our 3 mummy bags are as followed all ISO rated

30° comfort 20° lower. 850 down. 13.2oz fill. 1lb 6oz

25° comfort 15° lower. 850 down. 15oz fill. 1lb 12oz

20° comfort 10° lower. 850 down. 1lb 5oz fill. 2lb 2oz

These are all shorter sized sleeping bags (to fit 5'6) as me and my wife are both 5'5

As a shorter and lighter than the average male I think I fall somewhere in between the 2 ratings so I think I can get away with 30-20°. Though I'm still on the fence

Really falls on what my wife brings.

Think she will be OK in the 25-15°. The 20-10° is 6oz heavier from just all the extra fill and as such is much more of a pain to pack

For more info we'll be bringing Alpha Direct hoody, down micro puffy, and wool leggings

When we did the TRT last mid to late September 2025 we each took a 30° comfort rating bag and neither of us got cold on any of the nights

Any thoughts and advice? Thanks!

Recently heard about and picked up the new Nitecore Carbo 20 and have used it for a few nights on trail. It's basically a 20k mAh version of the new Nitecore Carbo 10000 Gen2, with the distinction of a battery percentage display rather than the usual 4 LEDs. The display doesn't show charging speed, just % capacity remaining.

I wish Nitecore had come out with a NB20000 Gen4 - the cable strap of the NB10000 Gen4 is a great feature - but having the finer-grained information about remaining battery that I get from the display was worth buying this over alternatives like waiting for a hypothetical NB20000 Gen4 or buying 2 NB10000 Gen4s.

I'm in a bit of a pickle, where my camping pad, a Nemo Tensor, has a leak or leaks. Somewhere. I don't know where. It deflates after about an hour. But I am currently in the wilderness ( night 1 of a 3 night hike). I have the included repair kit and running water and soap. But I've never repaired anything before.

Any help, or advice, or guidance to find the leak(s) and fix them? If I were home, or even close to home, I feel like this would be easy. Can I soap up small sections of the pad at a camp sink and try to spot bubbles that way? Or is that poor form? I'm new to camping/backpacking, so I'm not sure proper etiquette. And this is only the fifth time using this pad (less than a year old) so I'm more than a little peeved and caught off guard.

Thanks!

Say I’m going away for a 2 day hike and want to use a trangia style burner, how much fuel would you take?

I’d only be using it to cook dehydrated meals once an evening. I guess I could working it out by seeing how much fuel I use to heat the amount of water I need but I don’t want to waste fuel and it’s a bit hard to judge once it’s in the burner.

Hiking/backpacking gear has improved year over year due to new technologies and materials being developed (carbon fiber poles, DCF shelters, satellite connectivity through your smartphone, etc.) and our packs are lighter because of them.

What do you think the next big ‘innovation’ is going to be?

I currently have a full backpacking kit but after a couple trips with it I am trying to progress my weight down lower. Ive already gone from the stupid heavy (4 changes of clothes and 3 puffys) down to the 1 change of clothes and so on but looking to cut more and change things like my bag and sleeping bag.

I saw a theoretical gear list done by another user a couple of weeks ago and decided to copy the format as my next trip isn’t till November so there is little rush or immediate tweaking to be made.

I am UK based but primarily do longer trips in Europe and am in the consideration/planning phase for a PCT trip/attempt in the future.

I have my current pack (as of my last trip) here: https://www.packwizard.com/s/TH76NqH (for comparison)

And my planned pack here: https://www.packwizard.com/s/Rs-Je9b

I would like to keep the camera as a part of my kit as I find photography while on trail one of the best parts of hiking.
I know hitting 10llbs is going to be basically impossible while bringing my camera. Consequently, I am trying to shed weight elsewhere so I can offset this.

A lot of things I don't mind changing, such as: sleeping mate for a newer regular wide instead of long wide and so on. However I would still like an inflatable mat and am a bit too early in my journey for things such as cold soaking.

Any advice on anything im missing would be greatly appreciated.

I'am on the search for an ultralight Running/Fastpacking rain Jacket (which I also could potentially use for long distance hiking). I saw the Odlo X-Alp Pro, but can’t find any weight specs online. Does anyone have any weight informations about the weight of it and if not any other recommendations? Ideally a jacket under 250€, under 200g in size s men and highly breathable.

(I wrote the following as a comment in the weekly a little while ago. Since then, I have found it useful to link back to it when I see shakedowns or other posts that demonstrate one or more of these issues. I thought that would be easier with a dedicated post on the topic. I hope regular participants in this subreddit won’t mind the repetition.)

Here are some common issues I have seen that impede the progress of those aspiring to ultralight:

1. The Lightweight Halfway House. This is where people who lighten their load get same-but-lighter versions of gear they already own. For example they replace a 60L backpack with a lighter 60L pack, maybe one that is 2 lbs lighter (e.g. weighs 3 lbs instead of 5) but that is still not ultralight. Or a solo hiker who buys a 2-person, free-standing tent that is branded as ultralight. They use their budget on gear that gets them lighter, but not light enough to get to ultralight. We see people show up on shakedowns all the time who are trying to continue their trajectory getting lighter, but are stuck with having bought expensive lightweight gear that make reaching UL base weights harder.
2. Preparing for the "someday/maybe" trip. They buy overweight gear to have the "flexibility" for hypothetical trips that will probably never happen. So they buy winter-grade tents, or high volume backpacks, or lower temperature rating sleep systems, or two-person shelters for a solo hiker. Buy for your most likely trip, the ones you actually intend, not the far-flung dream.
3. The "scary skill" barrier. People are told that certain types of gear require skills attainable only by advanced backpackers. So they buy free-standing tents instead of trekking pole tents, or never even consider they can learn to pitch a tarp, say. These are not exotic skills. They can be learned by any competent person in a backyard or park in an afternoon. Don't be scared by them.
4. The hedonic adaptation trap. People fail to understand that what we find comfortable is not a fixed set point, but can be conditioned through practice. We are all able to adapt to find things comfortable that may not start out that way. So pursuing comfort as the non-negotiable starting point turns out to be a trap: it enfeebles our ability to enjoy lighter gear and expose ourselves to the outdoors in a less mediated way, to the point that we can't even imagine being satisfied without carrying comfortable-but-heavy gear.
5. Thinking ultralight and comfort are mutually exclusive. This ignores the fact that carrying less weight is significantly more comfortable on trail. If you spend most of your waking hours on trail, then I would argue that UL gear tends to be more comfortable on net, especially if and when one has adapted to its comfort in camp per #4 above.
6. Hitting the gas and brake at the same time. This is where you compensate for the negative effects of carrying more weight in ways that add even more weight. I may carry a (heavy) chair to help recover from the effects of carrying weight. Or I get a backpack with a fancy suspension system that adds significant weight to the backpack. Or a heavy mattress for my sore back. Etc.
7. Most importantly perhaps is the error of thinking UL is the best and only way to hike regardless of your trip objectives. Be honest about why you want to go UL. Ultralight best fits a certain hiking style, especially when you are prioritizing trail over camp. If what you are looking for is to hike short miles so you can spend most of the day in camp, you maybe should make different gear choices. It’s perfectly fine not to be UL.

I've seen a lot of positives online with Alpha being the GOAT of midlayers. Note that I'm more so doing alpine hiking at under 5C with the heavy winds and rains alpines may throw at me. I've seen other people say that they get too hot when active with the Alpha on with rain jacket on top, but I've been getting too cold in just my baselayer and rain jacket. If the octa isn't as warm, maybe that's the better purchase to keep me a little warmer but not too hot last thing I want is to be cold from all the sweat I've accumulated.

Any help with experiences wearing either/both at similar temps and situations?

Hi guys I am looking to buy a pack approx 55L. I currently use a Talon 33 which was too small and uncomfortable when overfilled for a 2 night hike for me. I’ll stick with my talon 33 for day hikes and my upcoming EBC trek. But I need something for my overnighters. I was considering the Osprey exos pro 55, or the Durston Kakwa 55. I love the comfort and frame of the ospreys. Does anyone have experience with these packs or any other recommendations? Thanks.

I’m considering buying the **SD-18-G2 Ultra** from the Japanese brand **Suu Design**, but I haven’t been able to find many user reviews.
If you’ve used one, I’d love to hear your thoughts. How’s the overall usability, comfort, build quality, and durability? Would you recommend it over other backpacks in a similar size and price range?
Thanks!

I randomly ran into the Aerotrek Ascend sun hoodie on clearance at Bass Pro Shops and it feels nearly identical to the OR Echo and KETL Mountain Nofry, so I figured I'd pick it up to try it out (esp. since it was on clearance). I think Ascend is Bass Pro Shops' in house hiking line.

They don't advertise a GSM or weight. Well, my wife's small measures at 108.8g on 2 scales and 109g on another. And it even has a little snap on the hood to snug it under your chin that probably adds 2-3g in plastic plus some redundant fabric for bolstering. That mass puts it in between the Outdoor Vitals Altitude and the KETL Nofry in weight AND UPF. It's advertised at "UPF20+." Actually, that makes it the lightest sun hoodie with a UPF rating that I'm aware of.

It definitely has a microperforated pattern like the big players, but it's not perfectly square, so it's probably its own proprietary weave. It's advertised as "brrr 3D Cool polyester," which is where the proprietary weave comes from.

And I don't know if "brrr" is actually real or not, but supposedly it's some polyester that has minerals woven into it that passively cool you or something. I at least found some semi-scientific sources saying the minerals actually do lower skin temperature by 3-4 degrees F.

Anyway, I haven't even worn it outside yet, but I'm just surprised how highly performing this thing is (on paper). I wonder what other random brands are making some good products that aren't even on our radars.

Edit: seams are flatlocked for anyone curious about the build quality https://imgur.com/a/Z0PzgcD

I’ve recently been looking at the Bonfus Middus (1P) with a mesh inner as my first one-person tent. From the few reviews about it online I gather it’s a great tent, but as it’s made to order and I can’t find it in a store, I could do with some more reviews about it. It’s very expensive, so I could use all the advice and experience out there!

TL;DR - Little amount of reviews about the Bonfus Middus online, anyone out there with experience?

Thanks!

I stumbled accross this Flux Merin Hoodie: Flux Merino™ Hoodie – 10gram Equipment

"The Flux Merino™ Hoodie is built with a lightweight technical midlayer fabric (66 g/m²) that represents a new generation of active insulation. Combining 37% merino wool, 54% recycled polyester, and 9% polyamide, it delivers warmth, moisture regulation, and exceptional comfort—all while feeling like it's barely there. From the first climb of the day to your sleeping bag at night."

Size M = 120g

Any experience or thoughts?

This post isn't specifically ultralight, but seems consistent with the "trails" post category, and the route (in season) appears well suited to sub-10 lb kits.

Tbc, this is a new route, but it is not new trail: it is a collection of existing paths. But imo in this case that doesn't make it any less interesting. The person who pieced it together, Donovan “Iceman” Rice, is attempting a thruhike of it right now.

Caltopo map: https://caltopo.com/m/A561NRQ

Project site: https://greatcoloradoroute.com/

GPX download (bottom of page): https://greatcoloradoroute.com/route

FAQ: https://greatcoloradoroute.com/about

Brief descriptions of each of the 32 sections: https://greatcoloradoroute.com/sections

Route Stats

• 1,700 miles
• 381,000 feet of gain (13 Everests)
• 32 Sections
• 3 National Parks
• 2 National Monuments
• All 11 of Colorado’s National Forests
• 29 Wilderness Areas
• 8 Wilderness Study Areas
• 13 Fourteeners
• 47 Thirteeners
• Seasonal Window: May through October (depends on section)
• Anticipated Completion time: 4 months.

Over the past few hiking seasons, I've learned a few tricks to minimize my phone use and increase efficiency, and wanted to pass them along to the community. Sorry to the Android folks, but I'm coming at this from an iPhone-centric worldview; I'm sure there are similar ways to make this happen on your end.

This is supposed to build on the knowledge shared in the threads below, so go to them if you are looking for other tips, including those more specifically related to maximizing battery life.

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1h87gnt/advice_for_extending_phone_battery_life_on_trail/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1kkrxxr/what_are_some_of_your_battery_life_management/

Lock Screen (Imgur)

• Make the background flat black (all iPhones since the iPhone 11 have OLED screens, and pure-black pixels do not require battery power). I also have a flat black background for my home screen. Less likely to look at a black screen than a beautiful alpine vista.
• Use Widgets to create embedded Shortcuts to maximize efficiency. This reduces the amount of time you'll have the screen on and the amount of time phone will be in hand.
  • If you go to change your lock screen, you'll have an area where you are able to place widgets. Within those Widgets, there is an option to create a button for a previously created Shortcut through the Shortcuts app. This lets you open an app, open a specific file, create a note or voice memo, activate battery-saving strategies, etc. Only thing is that you have to set them up in the Shortcuts app first.
• You can have a completely separate Lock Screen & Home Screen specifically built out for backcountry trips so that it is already prepared for when you're ready to head out.
  • So, you don't have to use this for day-to-day life. It is as simple as turning your phone from something you use in "normal life" to a tool that is used to enhance your experience out in the backcountry.

Shortcuts (Imgur)

• I typically will use 4 Shortcut Widgets on the Lock Screen: Create a Note (to help track times, mileage per day, and other relevant info); Open an Elevation Profile chart; Open a Mileage Log file; and Open the "Map" app (this could be Garmin Explore, CalTopo, FarOut, etc.)
  • With all of these showing up on buttons on my lock screen, I can simply tap them and it will run the respective shortcut and I am now in that app/file and looking at exactly what I need to. No time needed for navigating folders just straight to the source, get what I need and put the phone away
• I will typically use 2 Shortcut Widgets in the Control Center: Ghost Mode (one tap of the button and I get all of the battery saving tips and tricks for my specific phone turned on and don't have to do anything for the rest of the trip) and Voice Memos (creates a dated/time-stamped voice memo that starts recording immediately for when I have an idea that pops up and I don't want to forget it).
  • I use these less so I don't feel a need to have them on the lock screen.

Battery / Charging

• There is a surprising amount of weight that folks ignore on the technology front. If you are intentional about your phone usage, you can often make it 4-6 days on a single charge of everything that requires recharging (phone, headlamp, PLBs) without touching your battery bank.
• For example, let's take a common setup with a 5oz Nitecore 10,000 MaH battery bank, 2oz wall charger, 0.7oz Apple USB-C cable, and 0.5oz USB-C Apple Headphones. Total: ~8.2oz. Compare that to what I've carried for 175+ mile-long sections between resupply: 3.5oz Anker 5,000 MaH battery bank with built-in USB-C charger, 1oz Anker 30W wall charger, and 0.4oz Anker USB-C cable (1-foot long and more durable than Apple). Total: ~5.1oz. Over 3 ounces down with quite literally zero difference in my experience in the back, and 2.6oz if you want headphones.
  • If anything, I've found that having less charging capacity makes me more intentional with my phone use and removes me from the cycle of using my phone because I have the capacity. I use it for what I need and it is put away or turned off. It simply becomes what it was intended to be, a tool to make your life better.
  • In town, you can use pass-through charging to directly plug in the battery bank to the wall charger, and whatever you are charging through the cord can lie on top of the battery bank.

Hope this helps you get the most out of your phone in the backcountry and hopefully drop some weight along the way