👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇 MT900 Down Jacket: geni.us/Trek900DownJacketM Light Tour Pad: geni.us/LightTour7-5 Naturehike Pad: geni.us/Naturehike8-8 Hikenture Pad: geni.us/HikenturePad Tomshoo 2L Ti Pot: geni.us/Tomshoo2LPot
Thank you for putting these products to the test! "Affordable products" are only genuinely affordable if they don't need to be replaced by other, more effective gear.
I have a bigger version of the Light Tour pad (but the older 5.8R version) and have used it for about a year and a half now (probably 15 trips with that specific pad): First thing, read the dimensions when buying - it's the LW version, but is only like 23 inches wide compared to many common pad brands that run 25 inches wide. I've only used it down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, usually with a 30 degree quilt and a coat, and have never once been cold. I weigh 230lbs (103ish KG) and sleep both on my back and side, and I don't bottom out if the pad is moderately well filled. I don't baby it at all, and it hasn't shown any signs of wear after probably 30-40 nights of use. The valve seems high quality, and hasn't shown any sign of delamination at all. Dump valve also works. The carry sack works as a dry bag, and fills the pad in about 5-6 fills (or you can of course just blow it up and save the weight). Overall, for the price (I think I paid about 100USD for the LW version at the time), it's great. Plus, through aliexpress, you often get free 90 day returns that cover breakage, so if it breaks right away, you'd likely be covered.
Good to hear your thoughts on the Light Tour 7.5R. while I don't have the exact version you tested, I do have the slightly larger rectangular version. One test I always conduct on insulated mats is to hold them up to a window in a room with contrast to see where the actual insulation is situated. I found that my pad lacked any visible insulation at least 5cm for the edge all around the mat. I'm assuming my pad isn't defective but I have reached out to the manufacturer to get their view. I should add that I have not taken it out yet to test it in the field as a result. The lack of insulation around the sides and even a few cms in from the edge of the pad is a concern that cold spots will develop.. I also noted that the pad was tested here n the UK in much less cold conditions by a fellow TH-camr and was found to have 'cold spots' in conditions around 0c, much warmer than the conditions you tested the pad in (I should also add that the pad tested was the rectangular one similar to mine and not your mummy shaped pad). My overall takeaway is that I think Light Tour are on the right track with this pad but it's at least one iteration or maybe two from being a pad I would be confident in using as my winter pad in Scotland on mountain summits and elsewhere. I am impressed you survived down to -10c, which maybe indicates the insulation quality is quite possibly variable and your pad might be better insulated than mine or the other tester from the UK. Good effort as always!
Thanks for updating the MT900 review. Kinda shocked that it is sewn through... Decathlon makes a big deal that the new version has "H baffles", which I thought was Canadian for "box baffles". No? I've been trying to choose between MT500 and MT900 -- looking for good warmth:weight ratio with more down than other jackets in that price range. It does look nice and puffy compared to MT500.
For additional reference, I have the the hikenture R6.2 pad and I have used it down to -20C combined with a closed cell foam off brand folding sleeping pad and didn’t find it was cold at those temperatures. However, on a cold weather -15C to -20C ish trip. I found it had developed a slow leak leaving me only with my foam pad.
@@SebastienLee-Hamel-p4r I did have a patch kit but I was unable to find the slow leak. I found it manageable enough to just re inflate it a couple times through the night as I would wake up when it deflated
Was hoping for better results our of the hikenture but really appreciate you taking the time to test gear thats more accessible in terms of price. Your honesty is great and hopefully will keep some people safe as well!
Love the honesty and being straightforward!!!! If you are looking for a headlamp which might outperform the Nitecore, look for Fenix HM23 V2.0! You will be amazed!
Thanks for showing us some new stuff even if they didn't pan out as good as you had hoped. The Naturehike very comfortable even if it isn't warm enough for winter camping.
This is a great reminder, in general, to take your winter gear on a no-pressure shakedown trip, or even a night in the back yard. When temps drop below freezing, there really isn't much margin for error.
The Lite Tour is really popular here in the UK. It only gets to -10c on rare occasions so it’s a 4 season pad for £100. I personally would rather a comfier pad for 3 seasons & add a foam pad underneath for winter camping. Loved this video btw ❤
I found them to be pretty bad. I expected a lot more loft from them. I upgraded to the Mountain Equipment Kryos pants. They are maybe 3 times as lofty, but also costs 3 times as much. I would honestly buy a pair of synthetic insulated pants over the Naturehike ones.
@@wolfeadventures Yes. I need pants that keep me toasty at -20C and warm enough at -25-30C when sitting around melting snow in my tent. It's not as puffy as the product photos. It's about as puffy as a pair of pants with synthetic insulation. I have a feeling the EE torrid pants are equally warm, if not warmer. It will certainly be better in wind because of it not having sewn through stitching like the nature hike pants.
The general feeling here in the UK from people who have used the Nature hike 8.8 is as you stated it's not that great, no doubt due to the thickness. The Naturehike R5.8 which is about 3" thick works really well. Overall from testing in the UK the Lightours (probably made in the same factory) is the perfect sweet spot on thickness and temperature for a budget pad. Great video, cheers. Ps, remember there's lots more to test re budget gear from China like the Naturehike Rock 60+5 backpack and the Asta Gear Yun. Chuan tent and best of all the Asta Gear down quilt in either the summer 260g version or the shoulder season 500g version.
Nobody talk's about it but Ultra Flame is 100% propane, EN417 and ultralight...it's expensive tho, 19$CA for 8 onzes at Canadian Tires in Canada. I keep it as a safety if my stove won't work with the water bowl trick or if i fell rich and don't want to bother ! Unless you are doing an expedition or 8000m i think that for most peoples and most situations in winter that it is what we were all waiting for ! You are a couragous man Justin, the Great Divide Trail solo, that was fire !
4 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา
"… and there’s a change I might catch on fire, again” Taking one for the team.
Thanks for testing these out and having a miserable night for us. At least for those that do their research and due diligence, they should hopefully come across this review and be prepared to buy either of these products in the knowledge that they are unlikely to perform as specified or to steer clear and look at other more reliable alternatives.
Yessssss!!!! I've been wanting these mats tested for ages now. I love how the price value means that even though the mats were ultimately disappointing they still are potentially excellent mats for warmer weather. I'm disappointed about the comfort of the light tour though. How noisy were they? Since you didn't mention it I assume they weren't significant, but I've always wondered if they were like the first reflective thermarests when the neoairs first came out.
The 900 jackets are interesting and I have a silly question. It weighs twice as much as the 100 and cost twice as much. How does this compare to layering 2 of the mt100 jackets? One could be a collar and one a hood. Most people already have a 100 for less cold weather. If you throw another down jacket under yours, how does that compare?
"Supposably" (as Joey on Friends says) you should not cook either the stove ABOVE you for safety reasons. Yeah, I ignore that too but I sit to one side of the stove and hot water.
Im going to test my hikenture 6.2 on friday. Z-lite under it and a decent -20c bag hoping it's alright for -10c. I got a boxing day deal, so only 60$ canadian, but still 😬
Yet another brilliant video! Super informative, great theme, perfect pace. Question: how would you compare the comfort and the warmth of the Naturehike pad with the Thermarest Neoloft that you tested in your last video? (Ignoring the difference in cost, and labeled r-value.) I realize the testing conditions were quite different, but caveated speculation would be welcome.
I recently compared two 3-season sleeping pads side-by-side and noticed you can feel cold spots a lot more when laying on your side versus on your back or stomach.
Ya! Usually that is because you are concentrating your weight on a smaller surface area of the pad, reducing the thickness of the pad in those spots (which reduces the insulating properties), and leading to cold spots.
Kinda on topic.. so I have the thermarest nxt large mummy pad. I hate my feet getting dragging off by a water bottle in the night or when rolling over... Did you notice any difference in warmth in mummy vs rectangle in the NXT?
Its interesting to me that even in a bag that is comfort rated to -12c -4f but you still felt the cold.. seems like a decent buffer in bag rating Tring to figure out a system to be tosty in these tems as a person thats always seemingly cold
Light Tour is a great pad and ASTM rated tbh maybe the 5.8R version is more accurate on R value but either are a great budget option which in the current climate is great , maybe try the Flextail 5.6 R ? And there’s a new one on the way from them soon …….
Could you please test the 5.8 version of this nature hike pad it is honestly a lot lot better and I believe many people agree. It's a bit thinner and smaller than the one you're using but a lot better at its job, but not sure of it's limits We don't have your epic environment here in the UK to test it too haha
@JustinOutdoors I reckon it would out perform the thicker pad in the exact same weather haha not heard good things about this thicker one since it's release. Keep up the good work mate always great info 👍
*let me just add I have nowhere near the level of the experience you have sleeping in the snow so I definitely regard your opinion highly. Also there's not really any videos of people cutting them open to see the actual goods I've noticed........got any old ones kicking about hahah
@@JustinOutdoorsI have to agree, I have the 5.8 and it feels warmer than my helinox. Might not be enough for your temps though. I was hoping the bigger one would be better, I seem to bottom out all these pads. I’m not even that heavy.
It'd be nice to see a winter test of the Paria Thermodown 0F. I was doing some loft calculations and the Paria has very similar loft volume (cubic-inches) comparred to the Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass 0F and Marmot Never Summer. It is however "budget" gear, so it'd not something i'm comfortable recommending to people looking for a winter bag without trustworthy reviews.
I will champion a bunch of Chinese gear brands from Nitecore to BRS to Aegismax to LanShan. But I met some avid chinese backpackers and talking to them, even they don't use their sleeping pads; they import thermarest because 1) they know the R ratings on chinese brands are bogus and 2) a pad failure in winter conditions can be a dangerous situation. And while thermarests will have failures, the chinese offerings are that much more unreliable.
Are you going to review your Harvest Right freeze dryer? I'm considering one but have heard that they are prone to poor quality control in manufacturing. I'd love to hear your review.
I want to put a few more batches through it. Thanks for the heads up on QC. I'll take a look at that too. I've been a fan. I've saved a few hundred dollars so far on freeze dried meals.
У меня печальный опыт использования ковра naturehike. После 5 ночей он стал не пригоден. Утечка из клапана и также воздух уходит через поверхность материала. Кроме того он начал разрываться внутри. Очень много брака. Не стоит своих денег.
"wahhh why don't you test cheap pads I bought a cheap pad and it's probably better than every thermarest" Cheap pads just aren't even worth it and they're just dangerous for actual cold weather use. Just using an air mattress in the winter makes me nervous even if it's from a reputable brand.
👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇
MT900 Down Jacket: geni.us/Trek900DownJacketM
Light Tour Pad: geni.us/LightTour7-5
Naturehike Pad: geni.us/Naturehike8-8
Hikenture Pad: geni.us/HikenturePad
Tomshoo 2L Ti Pot: geni.us/Tomshoo2LPot
Thank you for putting these products to the test! "Affordable products" are only genuinely affordable if they don't need to be replaced by other, more effective gear.
You are one of the only reviewers of backpack gear that I trust. You give props where they are deserved, but call hot garbage exactly what it is.
I have a bigger version of the Light Tour pad (but the older 5.8R version) and have used it for about a year and a half now (probably 15 trips with that specific pad): First thing, read the dimensions when buying - it's the LW version, but is only like 23 inches wide compared to many common pad brands that run 25 inches wide. I've only used it down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, usually with a 30 degree quilt and a coat, and have never once been cold. I weigh 230lbs (103ish KG) and sleep both on my back and side, and I don't bottom out if the pad is moderately well filled. I don't baby it at all, and it hasn't shown any signs of wear after probably 30-40 nights of use. The valve seems high quality, and hasn't shown any sign of delamination at all. Dump valve also works. The carry sack works as a dry bag, and fills the pad in about 5-6 fills (or you can of course just blow it up and save the weight). Overall, for the price (I think I paid about 100USD for the LW version at the time), it's great. Plus, through aliexpress, you often get free 90 day returns that cover breakage, so if it breaks right away, you'd likely be covered.
Good to hear your thoughts on the Light Tour 7.5R. while I don't have the exact version you tested, I do have the slightly larger rectangular version. One test I always conduct on insulated mats is to hold them up to a window in a room with contrast to see where the actual insulation is situated. I found that my pad lacked any visible insulation at least 5cm for the edge all around the mat. I'm assuming my pad isn't defective but I have reached out to the manufacturer to get their view. I should add that I have not taken it out yet to test it in the field as a result.
The lack of insulation around the sides and even a few cms in from the edge of the pad is a concern that cold spots will develop.. I also noted that the pad was tested here n the UK in much less cold conditions by a fellow TH-camr and was found to have 'cold spots' in conditions around 0c, much warmer than the conditions you tested the pad in (I should also add that the pad tested was the rectangular one similar to mine and not your mummy shaped pad).
My overall takeaway is that I think Light Tour are on the right track with this pad but it's at least one iteration or maybe two from being a pad I would be confident in using as my winter pad in Scotland on mountain summits and elsewhere. I am impressed you survived down to -10c, which maybe indicates the insulation quality is quite possibly variable and your pad might be better insulated than mine or the other tester from the UK. Good effort as always!
Thanks for updating the MT900 review.
Kinda shocked that it is sewn through... Decathlon makes a big deal that the new version has "H baffles", which I thought was Canadian for "box baffles". No?
I've been trying to choose between MT500 and MT900 -- looking for good warmth:weight ratio with more down than other jackets in that price range. It does look nice and puffy compared to MT500.
For additional reference, I have the the hikenture R6.2 pad and I have used it down to -20C combined with a closed cell foam off brand folding sleeping pad and didn’t find it was cold at those temperatures. However, on a cold weather -15C to -20C ish trip. I found it had developed a slow leak leaving me only with my foam pad.
You dont carry tape? Or a patch?
@@SebastienLee-Hamel-p4r I did have a patch kit but I was unable to find the slow leak. I found it manageable enough to just re inflate it a couple times through the night as I would wake up when it deflated
@brosoutdoorsofficial sweet. Subbed. I will keep that in mind
Was hoping for better results our of the hikenture but really appreciate you taking the time to test gear thats more accessible in terms of price. Your honesty is great and hopefully will keep some people safe as well!
Love the honesty and being straightforward!!!!
If you are looking for a headlamp which might outperform the Nitecore, look for Fenix HM23 V2.0! You will be amazed!
Great review! Thanks for that! I was looking at buying the Naturehike as the R value seemed very good and the price is great.
Thanks for showing us some new stuff even if they didn't pan out as good as you had hoped. The Naturehike very comfortable even if it isn't warm enough for winter camping.
This is a great reminder, in general, to take your winter gear on a no-pressure shakedown trip, or even a night in the back yard. When temps drop below freezing, there really isn't much margin for error.
The Lite Tour is really popular here in the UK. It only gets to -10c on rare occasions so it’s a 4 season pad for £100. I personally would rather a comfier pad for 3 seasons & add a foam pad underneath for winter camping. Loved this video btw ❤
Thanks for these tests! I don't think id trust these for winter but might keep the wife warmer in the shoulder seasons.
I love Naturehikes down pants.
I found them to be pretty bad. I expected a lot more loft from them. I upgraded to the Mountain Equipment Kryos pants. They are maybe 3 times as lofty, but also costs 3 times as much. I would honestly buy a pair of synthetic insulated pants over the Naturehike ones.
We have a pair and love them
@@putrid_swamp_juice in which regard? Just not warm?
@@wolfeadventures Yes. I need pants that keep me toasty at -20C and warm enough at -25-30C when sitting around melting snow in my tent. It's not as puffy as the product photos. It's about as puffy as a pair of pants with synthetic insulation. I have a feeling the EE torrid pants are equally warm, if not warmer. It will certainly be better in wind because of it not having sewn through stitching like the nature hike pants.
The general feeling here in the UK from people who have used the Nature hike 8.8 is as you stated it's not that great, no doubt due to the thickness. The Naturehike R5.8 which is about 3" thick works really well.
Overall from testing in the UK the Lightours (probably made in the same factory) is the perfect sweet spot on thickness and temperature for a budget pad.
Great video, cheers.
Ps, remember there's lots more to test re budget gear from China like the Naturehike Rock 60+5 backpack and the Asta Gear Yun. Chuan tent and best of all the Asta Gear down quilt in either the summer 260g version or the shoulder season 500g version.
Not surprised the hikenture was colder, you said in a previous video last year it felt like R-4 value.
Nobody talk's about it but Ultra Flame is 100% propane, EN417 and ultralight...it's expensive tho, 19$CA for 8 onzes at Canadian Tires in Canada. I keep it as a safety if my stove won't work with the water bowl trick or if i fell rich and don't want to bother ! Unless you are doing an expedition or 8000m i think that for most peoples and most situations in winter that it is what we were all waiting for ! You are a couragous man Justin, the Great Divide Trail solo, that was fire !
"… and there’s a change I might catch on fire, again” Taking one for the team.
Thanks for testing these out and having a miserable night for us. At least for those that do their research and due diligence, they should hopefully come across this review and be prepared to buy either of these products in the knowledge that they are unlikely to perform as specified or to steer clear and look at other more reliable alternatives.
Yessssss!!!! I've been wanting these mats tested for ages now. I love how the price value means that even though the mats were ultimately disappointing they still are potentially excellent mats for warmer weather. I'm disappointed about the comfort of the light tour though. How noisy were they? Since you didn't mention it I assume they weren't significant, but I've always wondered if they were like the first reflective thermarests when the neoairs first came out.
The 900 jackets are interesting and I have a silly question. It weighs twice as much as the 100 and cost twice as much. How does this compare to layering 2 of the mt100 jackets? One could be a collar and one a hood. Most people already have a 100 for less cold weather. If you throw another down jacket under yours, how does that compare?
I was wondering this aswell
Nice. Was looking forward to this after seeing your reddit post.
"Supposably" (as Joey on Friends says) you should not cook either the stove ABOVE you for safety reasons. Yeah, I ignore that too but I sit to one side of the stove and hot water.
Im going to test my hikenture 6.2 on friday. Z-lite under it and a decent -20c bag hoping it's alright for -10c. I got a boxing day deal, so only 60$ canadian, but still 😬
I've tested it under similar if less favourable conditions and slept warm.
Good episode. Thx
I would like to know if using a quilt and tucking it around the sides of the pad using pad straps would make a difference in the pad’s warmth
May be it's a good idea
Yet another brilliant video! Super informative, great theme, perfect pace. Question: how would you compare the comfort and the warmth of the Naturehike pad with the Thermarest Neoloft that you tested in your last video? (Ignoring the difference in cost, and labeled r-value.) I realize the testing conditions were quite different, but caveated speculation would be welcome.
I recently compared two 3-season sleeping pads side-by-side and noticed you can feel cold spots a lot more when laying on your side versus on your back or stomach.
Ya! Usually that is because you are concentrating your weight on a smaller surface area of the pad, reducing the thickness of the pad in those spots (which reduces the insulating properties), and leading to cold spots.
Kinda on topic.. so I have the thermarest nxt large mummy pad. I hate my feet getting dragging off by a water bottle in the night or when rolling over... Did you notice any difference in warmth in mummy vs rectangle in the NXT?
Thanks for doing this
Its interesting to me that even in a bag that is comfort rated to -12c -4f but you still felt the cold.. seems like a decent buffer in bag rating
Tring to figure out a system to be tosty in these tems as a person thats always seemingly cold
What boots you rocking around camp?
Light Tour is a great pad and ASTM rated tbh maybe the 5.8R version is more accurate on R value but either are a great budget option which in the current climate is great , maybe try the Flextail 5.6 R ? And there’s a new one on the way from them soon …….
really?looking forward to it😍
I’d love you to have a look at the makalu down jacket by decathlon!
Could you please test the 5.8 version of this nature hike pad it is honestly a lot lot better and I believe many people agree. It's a bit thinner and smaller than the one you're using but a lot better at its job, but not sure of it's limits We don't have your epic environment here in the UK to test it too haha
I have the 5.8 but will need to wait until spring to test it.
@JustinOutdoors I reckon it would out perform the thicker pad in the exact same weather haha not heard good things about this thicker one since it's release. Keep up the good work mate always great info 👍
*let me just add I have nowhere near the level of the experience you have sleeping in the snow so I definitely regard your opinion highly. Also there's not really any videos of people cutting them open to see the actual goods I've noticed........got any old ones kicking about hahah
Ive the 5.8... and after 3 nights it's leaking and I can't find the role... I've read it has a reputation for having micro cracks on it :(
@@JustinOutdoorsI have to agree, I have the 5.8 and it feels warmer than my helinox. Might not be enough for your temps though. I was hoping the bigger one would be better, I seem to bottom out all these pads. I’m not even that heavy.
It'd be nice to see a winter test of the Paria Thermodown 0F. I was doing some loft calculations and the Paria has very similar loft volume (cubic-inches) comparred to the Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass 0F and Marmot Never Summer. It is however "budget" gear, so it'd not something i'm comfortable recommending to people looking for a winter bag without trustworthy reviews.
I’d like to see all the Paria gear in action
I recently took the Paria 15F quilt hammock camping with the Eno Vulcan underquilt (30-50F) down to mid to low 20s with 10-20mph winds and was warm
What kind of pillow was that blue one?
finally! 😂❤
I will champion a bunch of Chinese gear brands from Nitecore to BRS to Aegismax to LanShan. But I met some avid chinese backpackers and talking to them, even they don't use their sleeping pads; they import thermarest because 1) they know the R ratings on chinese brands are bogus and 2) a pad failure in winter conditions can be a dangerous situation. And while thermarests will have failures, the chinese offerings are that much more unreliable.
Are you going to review your Harvest Right freeze dryer? I'm considering one but have heard that they are prone to poor quality control in manufacturing. I'd love to hear your review.
I want to put a few more batches through it. Thanks for the heads up on QC. I'll take a look at that too.
I've been a fan. I've saved a few hundred dollars so far on freeze dried meals.
That naturehike pad is produced by light tour.
Is the x dome worth the money or are there any similar alternatives?
Pretty sure that's a Tarptent ArcDome 2 Ultra
X-dome 2 is in development though if you want to wait and see
Thx Justin
Try the titanium blade stove from fire maple
I have! Several video with it in my more "UL" focused winter camping videos.
I bet you the Naturehike is just a Kilos Gear UL with extra foil.
Ill stick with the much cheaper windshield reflector made out of mylar thanks..
gear links dont seem to be working for me. anyone else?
Weird glitch happening, the ones there now should work
Good sh!t, thanks a tonne.
I see why you don't test budget gear that often.
Told you the NatureHike pad was poop 😆
I never doubted you for a second!
@ 🤣
10:28 again??
Xtherm will not be dethroned.
У меня печальный опыт использования ковра naturehike. После 5 ночей он стал не пригоден. Утечка из клапана и также воздух уходит через поверхность материала. Кроме того он начал разрываться внутри. Очень много брака. Не стоит своих денег.
Great American Video Freedom
Anyone else watching the background waiting for aliens or an ax murderer to jump scare us?
Very bad QC. Do not recommend this brand.
"wahhh why don't you test cheap pads I bought a cheap pad and it's probably better than every thermarest"
Cheap pads just aren't even worth it and they're just dangerous for actual cold weather use. Just using an air mattress in the winter makes me nervous even if it's from a reputable brand.