I loooove all the custom options. I’m likely going to be ordering some custom bags for my two daughters who have out grown their UGQ Youth Bandit quilts.
I upgraded to a NEMO Tensor insulated pad (torch/yellow color). It's really comfy and kept me warm down to 15°F, when I paired it with an Outdoor Vitals quilt (that I got this year too... love it too). I got the sleeping pad through the NEMO lifetime guarantee, where I exchanged it for an old NEMO Tensor Field insulated pad that kept getting new leaks... you can't beat the guarantee!
I've been wearing La Sportiva Ultra Raptors for awhile now because they fit my low volume foot. However when the new version 2 came out they seemed to have gotten a little roomier. Nice to know the Danner's might be an option too. Thanks for the tip. I also bought a dipole li one person for this year section hiking the PCT. Can't wait to try it in the wild! 🌻
Hi Devin. I might wanna add that the Cumulus Tenequa 850fp down is EUROPE standard which equals to 900fp down US standard . As always , love ur content . Saga_hikes
Man, you aren't wrong. The dipole DW is a beast of a shelter, and my favorite. Im looking to plan a trip where i take just the fly soon. Thanks for the video.
i god damn love the big agnes q core insulated, i got the regular wide, its amazing, only issue, i wish they would make an oval version, tu cut some bulk and weight
Just got a Tensor for lightweight. I have some older Big Agnes air pads that are comfortable but heavy. Got the Insulated Tensor for $99. Tested out last night at home. Slept through the night no issues. Looking forward to your review on the UGQ Quillow.
Great video! I wish I could fit into Danner's trail shoes. They are too slim for my wide feet, but I have been rocking their steel-toed work boots and they are so comfy. Love the channel, keep up the great work!
Yes they are a little more narrow than other brands. As I mentioned I’ve got narrow feet so they work really well for me. I’d check to see what might come in a wide and give em a try.
I always worry about a two trekking pole set up while hiking alone in case one pole breaks though yeah, one can possibly find a branch, tape the pole, etc. but really like the look of the Dipole 1. Like the Zoleo a lot to replace my inReach mini 2 and hopefully, Zoleo will be able to minimize the size a bit.
Have been looking at Cumulus also-----both this bag and the Panjam with a bit of extra fill---(for sierra hiking---have been cold in my Feathered Friends Swallow soam a pretty cold sleeper)---I am a side sleeper and wonder how snug the lower leg/foot box is----thoughts?
I just got a Swallow to check out for the spring. I’ll keep that in mind cause I sleep a little cold too. The Teneqa could be overkill as a 3-season bag, but would definitely work. I haven’t used the Panyam, but do have the Lite Line 400 and it hasn’t been quite warm enough. So the Panyam I think would be a solid choice. Add the full amount of extra down and keep it at the 55/45 split. I’d bet it’d be a solid solid option. But the Teneqa also is solid. The space to move around is great but doesn’t feel like you’re wasting space you have to keep warm. Plenty of space in the legs/foot.
Zoleo is perfect for me. I send it with my wife when she makes solo drives. Still love my inflatable light. Komperdell camara staff with cork ball top and last but not least my "vintage" Mightymo. Very rarely are my favorites very expensive or HighTech. Maybe that's why they make me happy. Thanks for the video and the work that goes into making it. 👴
Great selection! I’ve thought about switching to the zoleo from the inreach but haven’t been able to justify it yet haha. I am definitely interested in the dipole tent as well for a smaller footprint option.
Thnx for the review. Could you compare Doublerainbow Li versus Dipole Li as i believe you tried both. Can you comment on weather protection and ease of pitch/footprint between the two. Rainbow can be freestanding, i know
I can add something like that to the list. But a quick answer is I have not used the Dipole 2 Li, only the 1 person Li. I love the versatility of the Double Rainbow and option to be free standing if needed. It's an incredible option. The Dipole is harder to pitch because it's non-freestanding.
What sleeping pad were you using and what were the temperatures/conditions like? Were you cold on your back laying on your back or on your side? I don’t know that adding more down to the back will completely solve that. I’d start with your sleeping pad. But that’s just going off what you shared so far.
@@BackcountryExposure xTherm. I was fine on my back just when I laid on my side and turned the bag with me. Wasn’t a massive deal added an extra layer and all ok but was surprised to feel anything at that temp.
Interesting. Your reply & the subsequent replies. I, too, carry/use/rely on my XTherm. I also have a Thermarest Trekker Chair wrapped around/attached to my XTherm for when I want "insulated" back , butt, leg support while inside my tent. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
There’s so much down compression under you, especially with high fill power down like 850, that your ROI from adding more down is lower than cranking up your pad investment in my experience. I’m a side sleeper and as my hip and shoulder press through the pad they (and I) get cold). Pad thickness is important for me, 3.5” minimum. I know it’s massive but the Exped 7R has worked for me.
@@BrianEllefritz sorry maybe i wasn’t clear in the replies, sleeping on my back was toasty, I only experienced some coldness on my back while on my side.
Great picks for this year! I currently have the InReach Mini. I do love it but the battery isn’t lasting nearly long enough after years of use. So I’m looking to replace it. I’ll check out the Zoleo. The medical thing looks really nice. Loved the video! 👍
I traded my REI Helix sleeping pad for the Tensor Extreme this winter in Alaska where I live. Considering where I live, you think I could get by with this pad all year, or would it be too hot? I know they don’t generate heat, only reflects back, but still
Another backpacking gear 2023 review named the Motorola Defy as the best SOS device. I hadn't heard of this before. Have you had any experience with it? Seems to tick all the boxes, especially cost.
Sorry, I haven’t had a chance to test/use the Defy yet, so I can’t speak to it. I’d like to try it so I can compare against the Garmin Messenger and Zoleo.
Ive been looking at the Motorola Defy as well. Price point and plans are much more affordable. My understanding is that it doesn’t have GPS breadcrumbs and is only good for texting and SOS (which is fine by me). The main complaint i see most common and getting a reliable satellite connection. It all depends on your area. I plan on buying it from REI when they go on sale during backpacking season so i can test it out within their 90 day return window if it doesnt work.
Nemo Tensor R 8.5 value for a sleeping bag is as high a rating as I've ever heard about. I guess we'll all hear/see more about this air mattress come Spring 2024. I hope it has a bulletproof 70D underside material, you made no mention of it in this video. A 30D underside material or less will be a dealbreaker for MEeee. I like the 70D underside material of my MSR XTherm. A high R value is worthless if the underside material is thin & prone to leaking/punctures. You covered the basics - Shelter & Sleep System. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
Zoleo seems to buy people to promote their device because it is not only a very unreliable device but also a horrible company. They have some of the worst customer service I've ever dealt with. I truly think that person getting paid to promote a product should not be allowed to give reviews as they are always untrustworthy. Zoleo is a horrible company.
I'm sorry you have had a less than ideal experience with the device and company. To be honest, it's really really far from my personal experience, but also from the dozen or so people I know who also use Zoleo. From a reliability standpoint, my experience of 4 years of consistent use has been very positive and 100% trusting in the device. A friend uses his device last year to call SOS without issue and left with a positive experience. It's impossible for a company to be 100% with every single customer they work with. So im sorry you're in that ballpark. But I really feel your experience is not the norm.
half the price of a in reach mini 2 but no maps or compass function. zoleo's subscription made it a better deal especially if you do not need the navigation but their new subscription plans are similar to the Garmin plans. I'll be keeping my in reach mini 2
