To avoid a slippery floor you can simply get a silicone tube Caulking and squirt little dots every few inches. I got that tip from another RU-vidr who does the same thing, as I do now, to inflatable pads. It will not damage plastic, it will be fairly permanent, it will be crystal clear, and it will give you the gift of friction for almost no weight.
thanks for a great review! The purple quilt looks absolutely bonkers. I have a Cumulus 350 Custom and I love it. If I will be getting another one, it is definitely going to be purple.
Dyneema is 100% waterproof. In Summer - warm and hot days, your back will be a puddle of sweat. I warned a runner not to wear his Dyneema rain jacket during a contest. He quit the contest while wearing his jacket. I make Dyneema floorless one person tents weighing 4.05 oz and 4.7 oz in weight. My two person Dyneema floorless two person tent not yet put together should weight about 6.24 oz, all glue construction. The glue I use is a combination of glues and acetone for my preferred viscosity, a far stronger solution than using the tape with it having four major problems during usage. If you're interested, let me know and I'll describe the problems to you.
The downside to this tarp for through hikers is it needs a huge space to pitch, which you don’t often have the luxury of. For storms don’t you just peg down everywhere and forget the door?
You can join two bottom guy line staking points together and fold the excess tent material over and stake it down along side the bottom of the tarp shelter creating a four sided pyramid which will create a smaller footprint. You have to do a little effort getting in and out but it's worth the trouble..
The set before last is awesome, and I’m definitely going to be making something like that for myself! I saw an alcohol burner made simply out of a soup can, thst served as pot stand and burner, all in one, so that saves weight. Then an aluminum windscreen on top, and we’re good to go. Though the stake as a pot stand is nice, it’s not feasible for heavier or larger pots, as the windscreen would likely collapse. Thanks for the ideas mate!!
bit late to the party, but how do you feel about using a 20D silpoly instead of silnylon for this design? since you don't really have curves, it shouldn't be that problematic.
Follow-up to earlier post. I made one using Challenge RBC400™, 400den Recycled-Polyester, PU-coated, 178g/sqm, but mine has a slightly bigger footprint 19x33 cm rather than the 17x28 cm in design drawings. Worked really well with up to about 15 kg. I had added a couple of straps round the body to have more 'line' to hang things on to dry or to compress the bag. The big wrap around bag is genius as it seems to hold unfathomable amounts of stuff. My main problem with the bag is that i couldn't find a use for the bottom pocket. a) the elastic fabric (Bike-Jersey, wicking, highly elastic, 180g/sqm) is a magnet for sweat and as it comes up at bit on the back panel it takes it off your back and distributes over the entire bottom area, and at least my fabric did not try fast so after a break you put the backpack back on and while you shirt might have dried, it gets immediately soaked by transfer from the bottom pocket. b) I also had nothing really to put into it because of the wetness and because as soon as you put the backpack down you basically crush what is in the pocket. c) at least the fabric i used apparently was great in terms of capillary distribution of water, which also means that sweat or rain moves through the bottom seam into backpack (granted, my seam sealing left something to be desired). After a couple of weeks I cut the pocket fabric off and for next year will open the bottom seam and take out the remainder of the fabric. For the bottle pockets the material was great. For the shoulder straps I made paper templates and put them on because depending on how straight or sloping your shoulders are, the attachment angle needs some customisation. Finally, because I still had some blue edge insulation roll from a building project, i put that in the straps which worked well for about 10 days but then the bubbles deflated and the padding became less effective; I'll splash out on some EVA for next year as well. Overall, brilliant videos for a really useful back pack (mine turned out to be 500 g). Thanks!
Thank you for this video! It was really well made, the pack as well. I followed your design with some small exceptions. Took also some ideas from Skalmo Ilforsen pack. Made mine from LS07 and polyester net without the seam taping. Really happy with my first real myog backpack. Wouldn't be the same without your instructions. Cheers!
You do know about Convoy caterpillars dont you ? If they crawl over your clothes you will be itching for weeks and they can kill dogs who inhale the tiny hairs...they look like a snake but the reason they are called Caonvoy caterpillars is because they for a chain that can be from a few to dozens. They are in the Pyrenees and for that reason i would never use a Tarp on its own. Great review though and as far as Tarps go and for UL hiking that looks really good.
All thermarest airmats doesnt last and they are too expensive.After less than one year baffles split or leaking from split baffles.There are many microscopic holesand you can't find them.Will never buy them again!!!!!
Hey I just made your latest backpack design with materials that I had, but I find the straps sit awkward. It feels like they want to slide of off my shoulders. Now I was thinking about putting in an extra sternum strap a bit higher to narrow the width a bit. I just saw this video, did you do the same as well? Was it because of the same reason? :)
I have two fairly thick expad foam mats and carry both of them for myself, this allows me to put them side by side when I want more room (I'm both tall and roll around in my sleep), or if its colder or harder ground I stack them to get more r value or more padding. I just use webbing keep them connected and it works well. While it is heavier than other options having a good nights sleep and enjoying myself more because of it feels like a great trade for a few 100g. Also being able to have a backup for someone else is really nice, either for sleeping mat or just a seat. I have tried the NeoAir Xlite but I just can't relax as much knowing if it fails I've got a big problem.
Prefer the foam pad. It’s all we had growing up in the 60s and 70s - those thin foam rolls! The Z Lite is real luxury. Imparted to the roll up pads. Is it comfortable? Yes, if you stick with it, you can get used to anything. Big plus is - it will never let you down. Thank you for sharing your views - good video! 🙂👍🏻
Excellent videos which lead to some questions: How does the size (height) fit with how tall you are? How many litres is your pack and would you have any worries (in terms of strain on shoulder straps, weight on shoulders) if one where to make the back say a 20 cm taller? You have no hip belt; at what point in terms of weight/carry comfort would you add one? That is, if I can only optimise part of my gear i end up with more volume and weight than you use. Many thanks, Uwe
I've only watched your superb GR5 series prior to this, during which I had grown customed to your matching outfits. I do hope that some additional quality content and a pint or two will help me adjust to this sartorial anomaly.
So my little 9 year old niece loves to hike with me and we're watching this together. I wish you could have seen the look on her face when you suggested eating the lambs! 🤣
Well done, nice videos as usual. Good memories of doing the GR20 in 2013. Would be keen to hear your reflections/comparison CJ on doing a refuge hike rather than tenting this time (drawbacks, appeals), whether there are other refuge hikes you’d consider etc.
