Slightly off topic, but IMO a valuable tip ,particulary for down sleeping bags. When you first wake up, the warm air inside the down is very humid. When you get up,that air temp,and the dew point drops rapidly. The result is condensation in the down. Cold enough,it goes to frost. Yes,we air our bags in the sun when possible! But a good maintnance tip to sustain the dryness of your bag is to stuff it while its still warm. Squeeze the warm,humid air out of it before the condensation. Then you can immediately unstuff it to let it air while you have coffee. You have replaced warm humid air with cold dry air.
Some people may also choose to go synthetic for ethical reasons (I heard it reduces the number of naked geese running around). An added bonus is because synthetic is easier to wash, you might wash it more often, hiker funk and the scent of doggo wanting a late night cuddle can be taken care of more easily. I will probably go with down for a long distance hike, but the ease of washing and drying a synthetic quilt in town during a zero is pretty darn attractive. God bless.
Absolutely true. Maintaining synthetic bags is simple and requires little energy. I don’t buy my sons expensive down bags because they always come home wet and muddy. Toss their bags in the wash and they dry in 20 minutes. My down bags take 6 hrs. But anything below a 20* F bag is much too bulky to pack. I have 2 old down bags that I have refilled with synthetic. They work nice but are huge and too tough to pack for bike packing trips. I don’t care about the extra 6 ozs., I just can’t handle a 4 gal stuff size. UP synthetic says 30% more UP over 800 down. That seems about right.
Just a quick note about sleeping bags. For winter camping I use a WIGGY"S bag with a mil spec waterproof bivy. A zero degree bag weighs about 4lbs. It might be a little heavy for your type of use. But WIGGY'S is 100% quality. I can sleep in boxer shorts and a tee shirt in 10 degree temps and be perfectly warm. I have 2 of them both are SUPER LIGHT BOAT FOOT MUMMY STYLE . I always bring an extra bag on camping trips , you know in case one gets wet. Thes aren't hiking trips. With the over bag system I could get down to 40 below . This company also make a minus 60 degree bag . I see you are wearing a black coat , wise choice as it absorbs the sun lights heat. The bag you showed seems like a nice bag and I consider it a wise choice too. Synthetics also dry quicker when wet. About 50 years ago I learned the hard way about goose down. Well young lady, I hope you get your allergies under control. Did you doctor give you an EPIPEN? I'm an ex medic . Swelling / edema can be serious, serious enough to close your airway. Please take all precautions and carry some Benadryl tabs. I would hate to see you stuck out in the middle of nowhere with no help. The sun has set on my hiking days but I'm still outdoors as much as possible. My doctor said I might be nuts to try a long term hike. I don't believe her lol . I'm thinking the Appalachain in sections before he sun sets. HAPPY TRAILS . Hand salute from a vet
As a fellow vet, let me encourage you to be a little nuts! Doctors don't know everything. That's why they call it "PRACTICING" medicine. 😁 Nimblewill Nomad just went into the AT record book at age 83, so it *CAN* be done!
@@project1003 I AGREE ,,, THE MED WORLD IS EVOLVING , BUT I HAVE DISABILIIES THAT MAY HINDER MY HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE. I'M AN EX FIREFIGHTER EMTP WITH FIRE RESCUE . UNDERSTAND NOW. I'M ALSO A MIL VET OF 10 YEARS,
@@randyholloway920 SCREAMING ? NO ONE IS SCREAMING. DO YOU SEE ----> !!!!!!!!!! ? i ALWAYS TYPE IN CAPS. HERE'S WHY, IT HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF MY LIFE AND IT'S EASIER TO READ FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, LIKE ME. MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS, MILITARY REPORTS LOGS, PLACING ORDERS AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE THINGS, WRITING PROTOCOLS, PROCEDURE AND INSTRUCTION MANUALS, POLICE REPORTS AND LOGS, FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND LOGS., EMERGENCY MEDICAL REPORTS AND LOGS, SECURITY REPORTS AND LOGS, DRAFTING AND DRAWING BLUEPRINTS, SIGN PAINTING AND LETTERING, TAKING NOTES, WRITTING LEGAL STATEMENTS, WRITTING WITNESS STATEMENTS WHICH OFTEN AVOIDS AMBIGUITY. I AM IMMUNE TO NETETIQUETTE AND THE FEELINGS OF THE SNOWFLAKE SOY BABY GENERATIONS. . . . . I INTERPET BASED ON PUNCTUATION MARKS. . . . LOWER CASE LETTERING IS BLURRY AND HARD TO READ DUE TO MY VISUAL IMPAIRMENT. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHY ARE YOU HARASSING THE VISULY IMPAIRED? DID YOU EVEN STOP TO THINK WHY OR ARE YOU A SURFACE DWELLER. IF THIS IS YELLING YOU NEED TO KNOW YOU CANNOT HEAR WITH YOUR EYES UNLESS YOU'RE SOME KIND OF MEDICAL MIRACLE. TRY SQUINTING AND READING AND YOU'LL SEE GLASSES DO NOT HELP.
I think your videos are the reason I’m going to go through with hiking the PCT. I’ve wanted to since I was 13 but wasn’t sure if I could. I’m now determined to do it the year after I graduate, so thank you.
I've got awful allergies to just about everything that sheds any dust, dander, or pollen...takes a couple allergy pills and singulair for my asthma/allergies, but no more raccoon eyes! I hope that your trip through allergy hell doesn't take very long, and that you get it figured out quicklike ❤ Glad that the synthetic bag and coat are working more or less well for ya!
I’m just astounded. How can someone who is so fond of the outdoors be allergic to it? You have been such a strong, articulate leader to the outdoors. I hope you will keep experimenting with good things to help you enjoy the outdoors. Here again, you are providing smart, strong leadership, helping others, with allergies, to get out there. You’re making it good, Dixie. Way to go!!! Texas
Well done. I have long been a fan of synthetic insulated puffs and vests for three season Rockies ((US) hiking. Biggest reason is having more than occasionally in the rain/freezing rain under my rain jacket. The reason the UP insulation is heavier in finished products is it need baffles just like down where like you mentioned the insulation in the EE products is in continuous fiber sheets. I LOVE my down bags and jackets when the environment is appropriate. BTW allergies and sensitives can often be mitigated through good med care like you are doing. And have a lifetime of hiking yet to come.
Quilts are just a fad for tent camping. I have EE down quilt and under quilt which I use for hammock camping. There they make sense. But on a sleeping mat, every time you move you "expel" warm air and suck in cold air; regardless of how well its strapped to the mat. To overcome this you need a higher rated fill. That more than negates the supposed weight saving of a quilt. A sleeping bag with the zipper open does everything a quilt does and gives you a much greater range of temperatures.
I’ve been using the men’s Torrid for a year now and absolutely love it. It feels fragile but it’s absolutely not, it’s warm and very well made. At first that tiny zipper worried me but it’s proven to be as reliable as thicker, beefier zippers. And the jacket squishes down to a tiny size then lofts right back up, so it’s perfect for backpacking. The Torrid is an excellent piece of kit. Thank you for sharing Dixie 👣
What are temps would you use the Torrid while hiking (not when less active at camp). I am actually concerned about this awesome jacket being too warm for me. Thanks!
I appreciate your thoroughness. I’m happy to hear you are looking at your allergies from many different angles. I guess that is the engineer side of you. I’m hoping for a good outcome. I liked the backdrop you chose for this video. Loved seeing Fancy.
The plus side for a cottage company like Enlightened equipment is keeping the work here. The ghost whisperer and Mont Bell are both made over seas in factory cities
Highly recommend allergy injections (immune therapy). I did it over 6-12 months (once a week at first, then once a month) and it cleared up my reactions (Hurrah!) and I did not need to take allergy meds anymore either. However, it is species-specific, so travel to Germany, for example, their grass is different from US grass and my reaction came back, but I only had to take a prescription non-drowsy allergy med every day here in Germany and it eliminated my allergy reactions once again. I am allergic to dust (mite shite), grass, weeds. The bottom line is that you can't always eliminate exposure to most things and this offers a real solution.
I like her content and her explanations. She is a very articulate young lady. Dixie, you noted that you were a three-season hiker. I truly would like to see your picks and tests of gear for a hike of the Long Trail in Vermont in the winter. You tend to think things through very thoroughly and carefully. What a blessing you are to the community.
I wear only synthetics too when I hike because I'm an ethical vegan, I sweat like a waterfall and I live in Scandinavia. I too have tried various blends of bamboo, cotton and synthetics but never liked the options and went syntetics only instead.
Being allergic to everything you love is heartbreaking 💔. Sorry to hear that and hopefully synthetics/meds will allow you to continue what you love. I'm an avid follower and continue to be. This 50-year old vet would have never gotten out there w/out the inspiration I've gotten from you and others (mostly you)... Thx Dixie and best wishes.
Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and any of the other NSAIDs cause me to wake up with puffy eyes and a swollen face. I didn't develop this allergy until I was well into my adult years. Just putting that out there in case it turns out to be one of the culprits in your case. Thanks for all the informative, entertaining, and classy videos you have posted over the years. -20
I’m glad you found some good down alternative gear. I have a Patagonia vest that I love that is the faux down vest. It’s very warm and is my go to for most of my hikes snd other chilly weather activities. I have a north face poly fill hooded jacket that is nice but doesn’t pack down as small as my Patagonia vest does but I don’t need it very often so I’m good for now. Usually a smart wool shirt and vest are all I need. Unless it’s raining. Then I just put my Columbia windbreaker or a rain poncho over me snd I’m fine. I have a zero degree poly fill mummy bag and it’s way warmer than my 20 degree down quilt. It def gets the job done in icy cold weather. But it’s not something I was using most of the time cuz I was getting too hot in it. If I got another poly fill, I’d totally go with a quilt. Thanks for your recommendation. I will check it out. Hope you figure out what’s going on. When I was your age I was dealing with bad allergies like you are. I still have it somewhat but it’s a lot better now. I use infrared heat that seems to keep my lymphatic system working to eliminate junk properly so that’s helped a lot. I have a membership to a local sauna and I have a jade stone infrared heating pad. Between the two snd avoiding foods and skin care products I’m allergic to and getting regular massage it has helped me a lot. Hope you figure out yours too. Try out an infrared sauna snd see if you notice a difference or not. And drink lots of water. If it does or doesn’t help, you’ll know in a couple weeks if it has helped. I saw a difference in a couple of days for me. But that’s cuz my lymphatic are sluggish due to a childhood illness. I got mumps a couple weeks before my appointment to get the vaccine. Back then they gave it to you in elementary school. Wishing you all the best. Really enjoy your channel
Thanks for the review. I've been eyeballing the men's Torrid Jacket for a trip (bikepacking) including Iceland, Farrio Islands, and Scotland, all of which could be very damp so want the warmth of synthetic when wet. I went with the UGQ Bandit Quilt. Their Dynamic Tensioning feature that helps tuck your quilt under you when tightened is amazing at cutting out drafts.
I use a sleeping bag liner, blanket, and (on really cold trips) a SOL escape bivy. All are pretty light. I hate to hear that you’ve developed allergies but I’m glad that you were able to work your way around it! Wander on!!!
Have you tried cutting out dairy? It worked for me! I am not nearly as sensitive to animals, mold, and dust as I was. (But it took almost 2 years for my system to purge.)
I agree, mine went away completely when I cut out all dairy. I was already vegetarian, and allergies were still hell. So it had to be the dairy at work. Feels so good to not be congested and get infections!
My allergies & asthma are way worse since reincorporating dairy. I started with cheese, then yogurt, now half & half for coffee. Each step it got a bit worse.
Another great insightful film. I have a number of allergies too including dust mite. It really affects my breathing and can be quite debilitating. Also I have had problems with down in damp conditions (I live in the UK!) and use synthetic unless weight is an absolute premium. I consistently enjoy your channel and advice. Atb, Andy
Agreed, I used to get shots for like 5 years, sucks getting to the drs each week/biweekly but work like a charm. Weirdly, my allergies stopped eventually.
I've made two quilts, both very economically. The first one was a synthetic made with Apex Climashield 5oz. Weighs 26.6 oz. Looks like it would be equivalent to a EE 30 degree. The second one was down with 16 oz of 800 fp (would get 850 if I did it over). Weighs 21.7 oz. Approx. equivalent to 20 degree.
I live in Oregon and use a synthetic puffy because when it gets wet it’s still warm and it’s super easy to wash but this opened by eyes to synthetic quilts! During the super wet months I like the added protection of synthetic. Great insight into this!
Beautiful waterfall at the end of this video. - - - I am sorry to hear about your allergies. Talk about a bummer ...... I hope they can get your allergies straightened out. Best wishes and happy holidays. Stay safe.
Hey Dixie, coming from the outdoor industry as someone who sold a lot of sleeping bags I wanted to let you know that it isn't just you sleeping ten degrees colder. All women are like this, and it is because ladies have an entirely different cold response then men. When it gets cold men's bodies don't really change (apart from their junk,) but in ladies our circulation to our limbs is immediately restricted, therefore keeping most of our blood supply in our vitals, keeping our uteruses warm. Basically, the analogy we always used was that evolution expects women to be warm at home while the men are out hunting mammoths, which is why they are generally so much warmer in the cold than we are. Also, evolution doesn't give a damn about us and always favours the next generation. XD And, of course there are exceptions to this - illness and autoimmune disorders of course can have a huge effect on how warm a person is regardless of gender. Also, sleep; I personally have a far harder time staying warm when I am overtired than when I have had a proper amount of rest. But, as a rule women in general should always shoot for a sleeping bag or quilt which is rated at least ten degrees colder than the coldest weather that they expect to encounter. And thank you for sharing that shot of your Enigma Apex in its bag! I was seriously considering one but now I am not so sure, it looks freakin' huge and I need to be able to carry ten days worth of chow for the next big hike that I am doing. Thank you also for always having such stupendous videos!
Just a suggestion to consider. If you evaluate/analyze nutrition as a potential factor for your (likely?) auto immune isuue, you are or will presumably be trying elimination diets, (i.e. eliminating food categories for 3 wks or so at a time to see if problems disapear - (meats, carbs, nuts, dairy, gluten, fats, etc.). This may still miss a food issue, since foods interact in some cases - the one I discovered being Omega 3 fats/omega 6 fats. For my auto immune issue of extreme psoriasis (skin rash), that particular food combo issue was key, and my first pass at eliminating everything individually missed it. I had to not only eliminate Omega 6 for several weeks, I also had to increase Omega 3, because Omega 6 inactivates Omega 3. In my case as a hiker, a consistent daily intake of nuts (high omega 6) probably blocked any omega 3 intake (low for most of us Americans anyway). My results were pretty dramatic and clear for me, but it also seems clear that nutrition problems/solutions are extremely different between individuals. This is just one easy to miss possibility to consider/test/be aware of. You should be able to get good info googling. Good Luck! I enjoy your videos!
Late to this video, but I wanted to offer a suggestion/idea and I’m not in anyway a medical professional. After suffering severe allergies for decades, by my fifties, things had gotten much worse. Regular allergy meds hardly made a dent. Benadryl was the only thing that gave some relief. I went on a gluten-free diet for other reasons one winter and come spring - no severe seasonal allergies. Found out after noticing this dramatic change that I was gluten sensitive. Now, a decade later, I am still benefiting. The more I avoid gluten, the better all my many allergies. Seems that gluten was a foundational allergy for me. Always recommend a try for fellow sufferers. May not be your solution, but might be worth a try.
Climashield is a great material for insulation. It’s a budget version of Lamilite. It should be a synthetic fiber that’s coated in silicon. Meaning it will not be affected by moisture. Wiggys makes garments and sleeping bags using Lamilite. Same concept. You do not need a tent with their sleeping bags, the insulation is completely impervious to moisture. I’ve also worn the clothing down to -20. It’s amazing to be sweating like a pig and still be warm at -20 because the insulation isn’t affected by the moisture.
You saved a few duck bums from being plucked! Lol I am glad you found the source of your allergy before you had a worse reaction. I seen my cousin go in full anaphylaxis to a unknown allergy at the time. Thankfully a women walked by who happened to have an epi pen. She had some of your symptoms until one day it closed off her airway. It was the jasmine in a perfume that slowly built up worse reaction with more exposure. I find I like the low maintenance of synthetic and most the time the price is a bit kinder to us hiker trash! Lol I am definitely not an gram counter so the weight difference isn’t a big deal for me. I love your honest approach to the gear you use and the reasons behind it. Great information!
Glad you are starting to get some answers and that you are being proactive about your health! Your reviews were excellent! I really appreciate the details. I EE's Winona shop last year, trying on both the Visp and Torrid. If it had been possible, I likely would have walked out purchasing both. However, they do an awesome thing to meet more customer needs... They keep sizes in stock simply to allow people to try them on. Otherwise, of course, they be out of stock and we couldn't try them on. Trying on the Torrid indoors in summer was not optimal. However, it seemed to be a very, very warm jacket. Unlike you, I get warm easily and am hesitant to buy the Torrid because of concerns that I would get way too warm when hiking. Do you have any personal thoughts of temperature range this jacket would be good in? As an aside, I decided - despite NOT currently having custom colors 😢 available - to buy the Visp. I am looking forward to picking it up tonight at a friend's house.
Snugpak sortie jacket. -5C comfort and -10 'survivable'. Water resistant and warm as heck! Although you may struggle to find them in the US as they are a British company that supplies a lot of stuff to the British military.
EE Torrid sizing for women is notoriously off, especially for women who are not tall, slender and smaller in the chest. Glad your fits well. If you read the comments on EE site, you’ll see more than half the women purchasers are dissatisfied with the fit. So buyer beware! If you really want to try the Torrid, go with the stock, not the custom because you can return the stock jacket without incurring the 20% return cost as wit the custom.
Hi Dixie, thanks for the review! Been wanting an Apex quilt for ethical reasons and because my down sleeping bag I've had 12 years is like 1.5kg. Also live in nz with lots of humidity and thought synthetic would be nice and easy to wash too. I'm a cold sleeper like you and similar size so giving those details was really helpful. Are you still happy with having a slim one? Originally i was thinking wide, then regular, now you got me thinking! I never had a quilt but love my spacious sleepingbag being a side sleeper. Also concerned about how much space the apex takes up. Have you tried putting it in a compression bag? Also good to see the jacket review as am interested in that jacket too and wasn't sure about warmth. 20% off at the moment, but only for what's in stock, not the cool custom green color :( Hope you could sort your allergy issue! Will check out more of your videos as this was my first one. Oh and you have a dog, so hoping to find some dog gear videos and see more of your gorgeous woofer as I foster dogs sometimes and want to take them hiking 😍 Thanks again 🙏
Honestly, I just use synth because it's more economical. And w. a compression bag, mine packs down to a tight wad about the size of my head just fine. It's about 600g or so, so not even that heavy for a roomy, envelope-style bag that's good down to about 5dC/41dF, & lower w. my fleece liner +/or Horizon Hound down blanket. But then, I'm not a thru-hiker who needs to justify every single cm + gram. If I were, I imagine I might feel differently, & spend the extra for a beautifully fluffy down mummy-bag. I do like to think I'm saving a few innocent Anatids w. my choices, tho.
After I read the title, before watching video, I got all contrary and argumentative inside, listing reasons down is better. Then seconds into the video… “oh, well, I guess if you’re allergic, synthetic is great.” Also, I rock an EE Torrid. But my down quilts: probably worth more than their weight in gold.
I've kinda chosen synthetic for two reasons: price and because i live in a place with average >70% humidity. Weight is not my main concern with them, space is, that's the problem for bike travelling, they take up quite a lot of space, but well, i can live with that
Glad to see you are tackling your allergy issues. It might take some time and multiple iterations to find the best solution, but stick with it. I’m sure you will inspire other people to get tested, make a switch, and find relief.
The sleeves on the Torrid look very tight. I prefer something with a wider cuff so you can pull it up and get some more cooling. Makes it a more flexible piece.
Alternative is Outdoor Vitals. Look at their options for synthetic insulation jackets. You can’t do custom, but their jackets are great. Also look at Senchi micro grid and other fleece options. Cheers!
I have allergies mostly considered the indoor type but dust mites are everywhere we have soft surfaces. I take zyrtec every single day and allergen reducing sprays like febreze have helped some when I travel. I use a down sleeping bag and I wash it and dry it in the dryer more often than recommended but it has held up like a champ for me.
Fancy she might have allergies ! So cute love you. Beginning my journey's has taken years to collect my gear. Tuned it in going with the Hammock instead of tent. Just find the Hammock much lighter and the comfort is amazing. I saw all that condensation in your video. Just not worth the weight and time spent drying off. Yes, doing my homework. Take care hope we meet one day. 💓 happy trails. My dogs say hello. Bonnie and Daisy.
You are so thoughtful! I know you can take the girl out of Alabama but you can’t take the Alabama out of the girl…You crack me up! Having to put an * for “side-note” so that people didn’t think you said “sad note”! 😂 that and I haven’t heard “fellas“ in a long time! Love your videos!
Hi Dixie, thanks for posting. I have many allergies & undiagnosed auto issues - it's a process for sure! I'll be looking into your synthetic recommendation. Diet wise, I discovered the Autoimmune protocol diet (AIP) a few years ago and while I only do it intermittently, it truly works wonders. I hope you can take a look into it because it is very helpful diet-wise and can possibly cut down on some of the symptoms you have.
Your not alone, sister. When out in the backcountry I err on the side of caution when it comes to things that may trigger my allergies. Potential swelling and breathing issues with true down allergies are real.
Hi, thanks for the review! I have had some allergy problems myself also. Have you considered chemical sensitivity or mast cell activation syndrome? They are allergy type conditions that are still not very well known even by doctors. Specifically related to backpacking, many products use PFAS chemicals (even so called PFC free DWR can contain some of them) wich some studies have shown can cause immune system problems. Mast cell activation syndrome on the other hand, if I have understood it correctly, is a condition that may lead to having recurring severe allergic reactions and other immunological problems, sometimes without any obvious cause. I myself have also got allergic reactions from wool, water purifying chemicals and even grass if I sit on it while outdoors. Might be a good idea to try avoiding them and maybe other animal based materials and chemicals in general. Its unfortunate to have to get heavier gear because of these things but I agree its better than being sick. I got an synthetic sleeping bag also and some water filters even though they weigh much more than water purigying tabs. Hope you will find something that works for you!
Dear Dixie, I have allergies too and I take meds to help me with them when they get bad. Zyrtek tablets and Flonase nasal sprays help me so much and they are over the counter meds. I hope maybe they can help you too Sweetie 😊
"DWR" always sounded like ScotchGuard to me. Coupla good coatings of that over a freshly cleaned fabric does wonders. Your switch from down certainly seems reasonable, but I'd still wonder if you switched to high quality 100% down, no feathers, and kept it regularly washed, would accomplish the same thing. Faster & cheaper to go synthetic though, synthetics have gotten way better, and water is so much less a problem.
Really sorry to hear that you suffer from allergies so badly. I had allergies long ago that just went away after I turned 40. Wishing you success and wellness.
Dear Dixie, I wrote you a coupla times about this, but didn't know if you saw it, so trying again. Your facial swelling might be due to two other things: extreme amounts of salt in trail food, and Ibuprofen, or NSAIDs. Both of these cause me facial swelling, especially if I take Tyelenol PM to sleep, cuz arthritis in my feet and knees at night is a bummer. Check it out.
I just got an EE Revelation APEX (30deg, my first quilt). I'm really curious how you arrange the straps to best prevent drafts? I know there's going to be some learning on my end because I'm so used to a "regular" sleeping bag. The biggest thing I'm trying to figure out is a good way to keep the drafts out. I'd love to hear how you have yours set up! I'm a super cold sleeper as well and not too sure how I feel about this whole quilt thing yet...
I have a Revelation Down 20. I typically sleep on my back. I just cinch those straps down tight and make sure the buckles meet inside the quilt but not directly under my body. This draws the edges in nice and close, and I do have a bit of over lap where the fringes of the quilt are underneath me.
@@johnnelson4880 any advice for a side sleeper? I toss and turn a lot. I've been testing out some strap arrangements in my living room and I'm having a hard time getting it situated where the sides (near my shoulders) don't come up when I roll over.
@@Drew_Pearson I'm not an expert on this but it sounds like you need a wider quilt.... Which is a huge bummer if you just bought a custom #havetowaitforever quilt. I too am a side sleeper and I "practiced" using one of my regular sleeping bags as a quilt (zipper open) before ordering my EE quilt and decided for my sleeping style wider, even though I'm small and yes you have to heat more space, was what was going to keep me covered while flip flopping around. I just cinch it as tight as possible to decrease the have to heat space but it still has the overlap to "expand" when I turn over and keep me shoulders and hip covered without gaps. Hope that helps with if not the wallet at least the comfort. ;)
@@ArmyLPNurse1 that's super helpful and I think you are correct - I got the Long/Wide from EE but I think I should have gone with the Extra Wide. For now - I've rigged up the "straight" strap that comes with the quilt (the one that does not loop around the pad) to be more like the loop strap..so it now goes around the pad and then clips to the quilt like the other loop strap. I basically just tied the ends together and it works the same as the loop strap now (am I making ANY sense? hahaha). This seems to have helped because now the edges of the quilt are held down pretty well...but I worry the quilt may still not be wide enough. Going to test it out tonight and find out!
It took me not much time on the sphere to realize I was allergic to feathers also but it took me twenty two years to figure out that I was allergic to wool. I wish it wasn't so but it is and other things too. Are humans really from this planet? I have my doubts. Thanks for the pointers Dixie.
Just to let you know, diet is huge for autoimmune problems. My allergies went completely away, working on my autoimmune disease. Please fix it before it becomes permanent. No seed oils, no gluten, no processed food (backpackers food). Your body will thank you. But it adds a challenge to backpacking. If you’d like support for the Superior Hiking trail I have you covered 8n Minnesota.
No more puffy eyes from puffy down! I'm glad for you that you found something to work for you. My Enigma jacket is on the way! Btw, I think that Up is word, a play on the fact that it's not "down". 🙂
Good thing you’re an engineer. You’ll figure out the puffiness eventually. I have the Torrid coat and looking forward to using it next summer on the JMT
I go synthetic for a few reasons including avoiding down because of the animal exploitation. Of course most products have one ethical issue or another but I’ll take EE’s supply chain over similar supply chains that also include millions of birds. If winter camping, the weight difference is noticeable but no problem. If anyone has good links to the farms where the birds are raised I’d be interested in learning more about what they go through. Thanks!
Dixie..You are the Best!..I love your video’s and have taken your recommendations on Altra and Topo shoes..I want to buy a light weight fleece jacket (mens) for a mid layer application..What do you think?..Thanks and keep up the great videos
my daughter bought a synthetic jacket for alpine stuff. Found she would "protect" her down jacket rather than wear it in many cases. With the synthetic, not worrying nearly so much...
I saw the thumbnail and i though it was a coincidence because i started with a knee pain since Nov. 16th but only when up and down stairs. I'm waiting for an orthopedist to see me. With that being said i finish my gear list with so much EFFORD. My hike starts on December 23rd but i have to cancel the bus tickets and if things doesn't go good i'll probably be miserable and sad among other things because hike is the only thing i enjoy. I don't do gymnastics, or football, heavylift, crossfit or i'm not heavy weight so i don't know why the pain. Some people told me like "when a door closes, another opens" and i don't think so. First of all, if the problem is serious i'm SCREWED. I'll probably going to spend the time watching movies and eating junk food, second, if i can't hike; it feels like i don't have a purpose in my life because i don't enjoy anything else than walk and enjoy the landscape.
Keep the down, it might be your night routine! At home you may use baby wipes, but you use lots of water to wash off the residue. Try doing a camp night routine while at home with the same camping soaps you would use on trail. Use as little water as you would on trail too. It may be that you are sleeping with soap or cleaning residues all night in the tent. I had this happen to me too and it wasn't until I recreated the reaction at home with soap that I could eliminate it from my pack and 'boom' problem solved!!!!
Good luck continuing to address your allergy issues. I hope that you can get to a point where you can do what you love so much, without suffering from allergies.
Puffiness could be due to water retention. Also, some of us just start to get puffy as we age. Dealing with the allergies is important, but some of it could just be changes we experience as we get older. (Also, check to see if your thyroid is functioning properly.)
