Great choices, I love my Nemo Tensor. After several different sleeping pads I found it the most comfortable (thanks REI!) Took it to Alaska this last fall and with the temps down into the low 30s I was snug as a bug with my quilt. I’m pulling the trigger on the Durston Xmid pro 2+ with the DCF floor.
Another UGQ quilt. Thermarest Uberlite pad. Pack..I'm kind of in between on but the 40L Durston looks pretty solid and might be my next buy since the SMD Swift V didn't really work out for me.
Same bro! I wish I got the wide tensor lol- I’m really enjoying the OV Oblivion, only issue is they don’t have wide alone, it’s wide and long unfortunately. I absolutely love my Durston bro… however I couldn’t pull the trigger on the pro so I did the X-Mid Solid 2. I am a fan boy of OV Stormloft 15, and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I’m in Southern California but spend decent amount of time in cooler weather in the mountains. Glade I came across your channel…. Good stuff dude.
There's too much gear I'd love. Like it'd be awesome to get into bikepacking, packrafting, canoe trips, Winter hot tenting, etc.. and have the 'best' of the best for each activity. Even when it's accessible like hammock camping, it's just not the most practical like here on the West Coast. So for now, anything DCF is off my radar since I'm not a thru hiker and have a limited budget :D I'd love an Arc Haul and Tarptent Dipole Li though.. and some Tensa Trekking Treez.
Western Mountaineering Ultra Lite bag, Zpacks Offset Trio Tent, Superior Wilderness Designs Wolverine 70L pack. All made in US. Pad don't really care but I have a Big Agnes Q-Core that my kids bought me for Christmas. Total Weight around 7.5 pounds. I backpack with either my two sons, or 2-3 dogs, so I need a bigger tent.
I'm right there with you, brother. Shadowlight Ultralight 60L Pack + Mountain Hardware Aspect 2 Tent + Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt + Big Agnes Core X-Light Air Mattress = 6.4 pounds. Gotta have that air mattress - I'm 70 years old! LOL
Cool picks! I'd still have 2 different setups ... For the ground, tent - Double Rainbow LI; Sleeping pad - Nemo Tensor Extreme wide; Sleeping Bag - WM Alpinelite. For hammock ... Dream Hammock custom Darien; 20deg top & underquilt by Trailheadz 1000fp; 12' DCF tarp with doors. Pack ... Atom Packs - The Mo. Some stuff I already have (DR LI and Dream Hammock (but I have the sparrow - thought I'd take off the bugnet and never have - so if I had to do it again I'd just go with the Darien to save some extra weight). Current tarp is 11' and definitely would prefer a 12' tarp. And honestly, I love my REI Helix insulated pad ... but wish it had a bit higher r-value as it's more comfortable than the Tensor. Tent wise - I might would want the HMG Ultamid - it looks bomb proof!
Hiked the AT this year with a Durston Kakwa pack and the Durston Pro 2. Both were perfect. Wouldn’t change a thing. REI Magma 20 bag did well too and was popular on trail, but would consider a quilt to get lighter. Used a Nemo Tensor in summer and a new Thermarest with 7.3 R value for my winter start, both were great.
After many many years on trail, upgrading, upgrading, upgrading and upgrading, I have finally landed on my sweet spot. For the last several years, I ditched my tents, and only sleep with a tarp on the ground or in a hammock. But for the sake of comparison, considering my ground gear, I have landed on the following big 3 1 • hyperlite 8’x10’ flat tarp. 2 • Zpacks 20° Mummy Sleeping Bag 3 • Zpacks arc haul 60 Coming in at total of 3.5 lbs +/- it gets me through all weather conditions (I add a little additional insulation in the extreme cold temps).
I think that " buy once cry once" is a myth when it comes to hiking gear. In the three years I've been getting ready for my hike this year the only gear I still have from my first section hike is my quilt and trekking poles.
Solid choices. I like your way of thinking. Personally, I’m one who believes in good gear deals, however, being a senior and suffering a knee injury a few years back, I raised my budget quite a bit for lighter gear when I discovered UL gear is cheaper than paying medical bills. lol.
Durston Kakwa40 and xmid pro2 here for my ground dwelling trips even though I prefer hanging. I have a S2S etherlite womens pad, but I've been eyeing the new nemo tensor extreme as it wouldn't add any weight, but double the warmth. 🤔
In the senior category so those items mentioned would be on my list if I didn't have a TarpTent Moment, EE Enigma 30, EE Prodigy 50, L/W Neo Air and Osprey Hornet 46.
Just for me?!?! 😂 Honestly I couldn’t get a hold of my winner for mine so if you want the pillow it’s yours 😂😂😂 Solid picks, can’t go wrong, cept I have diff picks for errything except the pad! It’s a gear show down folks!
Durston (X-Mid) cloned this tent from the Sierra Designs - High Route 3000 1P 🙂 Sierra Designs - High Route Was realised in 2016 and Xmid came out 2018.
I've got a Sierra Designs Studio 3 tent and it's fine. Fairly light at 4 pounds, definitely tight for 3 people. Unfortunately they don't make that tent anymore.
With no budget, for me I’d pick a Katabatic quilt (EE are great but Katabatic are better), the Samaya Assault 2 Ultra tent (lightest freestanding tent you can buy as far as I’m aware), and I suppose I’d pick a custom pack from Atom packs.
Good Vid & topic Taylor.... I got to do this with my father-in-law a couple of years back. He said get me the lightest and best gear and I will write you a check. It was fun to throw my cheapness to the wind and purchase everything without restraints. It'll be a good campfire story when we get out on the trail together again. Gave you another sub (alternate work subscription email)! I sometimes have this YT account open, watching my fellow content creators. I'm a 2-for-1 deal kinda of guy...haha! JBENHIKES
Great choices, I love my Nemo Tensor. After several different sleeping pads I found it the most comfortable (thanks REI!) Took it to Alaska this last fall and with the temps down into the low 30s I was snug as a bug with my quilt. I’m pulling the trigger on the Durston Xmid pro 2+ with the DCF floor.
Love the Nemo! And do it!!!
Another UGQ quilt. Thermarest Uberlite pad. Pack..I'm kind of in between on but the 40L Durston looks pretty solid and might be my next buy since the SMD Swift V didn't really work out for me.
Appreciate the contribution Greg! I like that pack too! And I forgot to mention in the video UGQ would be a great alternate!
Same bro! I wish I got the wide tensor lol- I’m really enjoying the OV Oblivion, only issue is they don’t have wide alone, it’s wide and long unfortunately. I absolutely love my Durston bro… however I couldn’t pull the trigger on the pro so I did the X-Mid Solid 2. I am a fan boy of OV Stormloft 15, and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I’m in Southern California but spend decent amount of time in cooler weather in the mountains. Glade I came across your channel…. Good stuff dude.
Thanks for sharing man and glad to have you here! I for sure wish I had a wide Tensor! Haha
There's too much gear I'd love. Like it'd be awesome to get into bikepacking, packrafting, canoe trips, Winter hot tenting, etc.. and have the 'best' of the best for each activity. Even when it's accessible like hammock camping, it's just not the most practical like here on the West Coast. So for now, anything DCF is off my radar since I'm not a thru hiker and have a limited budget :D I'd love an Arc Haul and Tarptent Dipole Li though.. and some Tensa Trekking Treez.
It’s truly a struggle! Thanks for sharing!
Western Mountaineering Ultra Lite bag, Zpacks Offset Trio Tent, Superior Wilderness Designs Wolverine 70L pack. All made in US. Pad don't really care but I have a Big Agnes Q-Core that my kids bought me for Christmas. Total Weight around 7.5 pounds. I backpack with either my two sons, or 2-3 dogs, so I need a bigger tent.
Pad is key for me being a side sleeper! Thanks for sharing Steve!
I'm right there with you, brother. Shadowlight Ultralight 60L Pack + Mountain Hardware Aspect 2 Tent + Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt + Big Agnes Core X-Light Air Mattress = 6.4 pounds. Gotta have that air mattress - I'm 70 years old! LOL
Hahaha awesome setup Larry!
Lite AF Curve 40 FS pack, Durston XMid Pro 1 tent, ThermaRest XLite sleep pad, Katabatic Alsek 22° quilt, S2S Aeros pillow
Right on! Solid choices!!
Cool picks! I'd still have 2 different setups ... For the ground, tent - Double Rainbow LI; Sleeping pad - Nemo Tensor Extreme wide; Sleeping Bag - WM Alpinelite. For hammock ... Dream Hammock custom Darien; 20deg top & underquilt by Trailheadz 1000fp; 12' DCF tarp with doors. Pack ... Atom Packs - The Mo. Some stuff I already have (DR LI and Dream Hammock (but I have the sparrow - thought I'd take off the bugnet and never have - so if I had to do it again I'd just go with the Darien to save some extra weight). Current tarp is 11' and definitely would prefer a 12' tarp. And honestly, I love my REI Helix insulated pad ... but wish it had a bit higher r-value as it's more comfortable than the Tensor. Tent wise - I might would want the HMG Ultamid - it looks bomb proof!
Honestly a great selection! Thank you for sharing!!
Hiked the AT this year with a Durston Kakwa pack and the Durston Pro 2. Both were perfect. Wouldn’t change a thing. REI Magma 20 bag did well too and was popular on trail, but would consider a quilt to get lighter. Used a Nemo Tensor in summer and a new Thermarest with 7.3 R value for my winter start, both were great.
Awesome! I love that thermorest pad also. It’s so dang warm.
After many many years on trail, upgrading, upgrading, upgrading and upgrading, I have finally landed on my sweet spot. For the last several years, I ditched my tents, and only sleep with a tarp on the ground or in a hammock. But for the sake of comparison, considering my ground gear, I have landed on the following big 3
1 • hyperlite 8’x10’ flat tarp.
2 • Zpacks 20° Mummy Sleeping Bag
3 • Zpacks arc haul 60
Coming in at total of 3.5 lbs +/-
it gets me through all weather conditions
(I add a little additional insulation in the extreme cold temps).
Awesome! Appreciate all the detail and your input Mark!
I think that " buy once cry once" is a myth when it comes to hiking gear. In the three years I've been getting ready for my hike this year the only gear I still have from my first section hike is my quilt and trekking poles.
Can’t argue! Thanks for watching!
Solid choices. I like your way of thinking. Personally, I’m one who believes in good gear deals, however, being a senior and suffering a knee injury a few years back, I raised my budget quite a bit for lighter gear when I discovered UL gear is cheaper than paying medical bills. lol.
Hahaha can’t argue with that! Thanks for watching man!
Durston Kakwa40 and xmid pro2 here for my ground dwelling trips even though I prefer hanging. I have a S2S etherlite womens pad, but I've been eyeing the new nemo tensor extreme as it wouldn't add any weight, but double the warmth. 🤔
I’ve been eyeing that one too!! Thanks for sharing!
In the senior category so those items mentioned would be on my list if I didn't have a TarpTent Moment, EE Enigma 30, EE Prodigy 50, L/W Neo Air and Osprey Hornet 46.
Great stuff!! Thanks for sharing!!
LiteAF Curve 46 full suspension , ZPacks Altaplex Solo , and UGQ Bandit regular wide w/Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm regular wide sleep pad.
Nothing wrong with that! Love UGQ quilts too!!
Just for me?!?! 😂 Honestly I couldn’t get a hold of my winner for mine so if you want the pillow it’s yours 😂😂😂 Solid picks, can’t go wrong, cept I have diff picks for errything except the pad! It’s a gear show down folks!
😂😂😂 every time I think of that pillow now I think of you!!
@@SouthernHike 🤣
nemo Tensor all season is out. R5.4..
Durston (X-Mid) cloned this tent from the Sierra Designs - High Route 3000 1P 🙂 Sierra Designs - High Route Was realised in 2016 and Xmid came out 2018.
Nothing alike actually and Sierra tents are garbage. 🤦🏻
I've got a Sierra Designs Studio 3 tent and it's fine. Fairly light at 4 pounds, definitely tight for 3 people. Unfortunately they don't make that tent anymore.
Interesting
With no budget, for me I’d pick a Katabatic quilt (EE are great but Katabatic are better), the Samaya Assault 2 Ultra tent (lightest freestanding tent you can buy as far as I’m aware), and I suppose I’d pick a custom pack from Atom packs.
Awesome! Appreciate your input!
Zpacks 70l Arc Haul
Zpacks Plex Solo
Big Agnes Zoom UL
EE Revelation Quilt
Stakes & Ground sheet 5.3 lbs.
Good Vid & topic Taylor.... I got to do this with my father-in-law a couple of years back. He said get me the lightest and best gear and I will write you a check. It was fun to throw my cheapness to the wind and purchase everything without restraints. It'll be a good campfire story when we get out on the trail together again.
Gave you another sub (alternate work subscription email)! I sometimes have this YT account open, watching my fellow content creators. I'm a 2-for-1 deal kinda of guy...haha!
JBENHIKES
Hahaha thanks Jeff! And want an opportunity!! Looking forward to seeing you on trail! 🤙🏻
Yeah 😅 Do not do the ‘classic’ mistake of buying a packpack first. I got a 75L one! Using a 38L comfortably IRL.
Ouch 😂😂
Are you on a green screen?
Nope on the land I own.
You are missing the lightest / warmest sleep system in the world..... Used by so many MSD participants....... PhD sleeping systems and clothing
Haha apparently I am.
Hint* if you don’t want to have a budget, start a lucrative TH-cam channel on backpacking.
😂🤣 Genius!!