Gear Review- Frogg Toggs Dri Ducks

Well I got the Frogg Toggs rain gear in that I had ordered. They weight 10.5 oz for jacket and pants combined. I got the men's medium and the fit just fine they must run extremely large since I usually like my stuff to be large or XL.

These things are basically crap. I put them on to kayak in since it is getting cooler and I didn't want to get wet while I was out for a short paddle. When I got out of the kayak I snagged the pants on the dock somehow and tore a hole in them, I didn't even feel it. Then I squatted down to get something out of the kayak and yes I ripped the backside right out of them!!! Jeez, that was a quick loss of $20. I am going to see if I can get a refund but I'm not holding my breath.

So, the reviews were right on. Some folks loved them and said they held up well but the ones that didn't like them hit the nail on the head. All the negative reviews said you would rip your pants when you squatted and they tear very easily.

Obey the reviewers!!!

Tarptent Rainbow and Granite Gear Vapor Ki

Just got my new pack and tent in over the weekend.

The pack is a 2 lb. 2 oz. Granite Gear Vapor Ki which I purchased online from Prolite Gear for $104 including 3 day shipping, it carries up to 30lbs. and holds 3,500 cu. in.. It is lidless (not sure how I'll like this) but does have good suspension and is hydration bladder compatible. I'm saving right at 1 lb. over my Deuter Futura pack and gaining 1,000 cu. in. of space.

The tent is a Henry Shires Rainbow, 1-2 person, 3+ season, 2 lb. 1.7 oz. (on my scale), free standing optional, $225 from tarptent.com. It did not come with instructions. WTF? It has a ton of tabs and strings and zippers and flaps and the fabric is actually slippery; I just can't seem to figure it out. Maybe I've been using the simple Walmart tent for too long. Any how it is almost 2 lbs. lighter than my old tent so HOORAH!

With those two purchases I dropped three pounds off my base weight.

Hobbs Cabin Backpack

It was a really good trip. I got a bit cold. It was supposed to be 46 overnight but it was actually about 10 degrees cooler. We did 18 miles total with very little elevation change. The leaves were just beginning to change and we went past several beautiful overlooks.

The only new gear I had this time was the Big Agnes Cyclone chair kit, 6 oz., $39. It worked out just fine. I used an empty dog chow bag under it (free, after the dogs eat the food, 5 oz., water resistant) to offer a bit of protection as the instructions say to treat it gently.

The Montbell 30 degree bag is not warm enough for me but I like it so I'm goin to try to extend the rating by wearing a down jacket and pants to sleep in. I think the bag is fine but I personally must just not be as tolerant to the cold weather as I would like. I slept in the 30 degree bag plus synthetic long john tops and bottoms, synthetic t-shirt, smart wool socks, light fleece sweater and a windstopper hat. I had on my fleece gloves but pulled them off at some point. I woke up a couple of times shivering but it wasn't too bad. I wish I had brought the down jacket though.

My total skin out weight was right at 28 pounds. There was no water in the spring and we were advised to carry in all the water we would need. I took 4 liters and ended up using a little bit over 3 liters. So without the water I would have been around 22 pounds. Moving in the right direction!

Upcoming Backpack Oct 10 Savage Gulf

Coming up this weekend I'm hiking to Hobbs Cabin with the group.

A couple of additions this time. Got the Big Agnes UL chair kit, 6oz. from basegear.com $39 with free shipping. Also bought a Cocoon down camp pillow for $24, 10x15, 3oz. and packs down to the size of a baseball. This thing is crap! I got it today and it is going back tomorrow! Like putting your head on air, not a bit of support.

I saw a camp pillow at Walmart yesterday that i'm going to try. It felt pretty light I'd estimate about 8oz. it is memory foam on top of a blow up air pillow wrapped in a cozy fleece case. It doesn't stuff to baseball size but I'll bet I can get it down to softball size! It only costs $7 so I'm going to give it a go!

On order from thegearlessmachine.com is a set of Frogg Toggs Dri Ducks rain gear for $16 and free shipping. They weigh 15oz for the hooded jacket and pants both. They got a good review from backpackinglight.com but they are not extremely durable. For that price and weight I have to give them a try!

Labor Day backpack to Virgin Falls

I bought a new pack. A Deuter Futura SL Zero 40, 3lbs, 2450 cu in for $80 from rockymountaintrail.com

Also got a Big Agnes Insluated Aircore, 15 degree, 66", 22oz. sleeping pad from manventure.com for $40

The pack was a increase in weight but the pad weighs less. I did carry the rain jacket this time and swimwear. I didn't carry the chair kit (minus 16oz) as it doesn't fit the Big Agnes but I did pack a Campmor camp pillow 12oz. that didn't stuff down very small. Also added 50ft of rope, 3oz. I carried alot more water, the full 100oz. so I was right at 26 pounds.

Results- The pack was a dissapointment. It was not as comfortable as the Deuter daypack. The Big Agnes was great. I was much more comfortable but still didn't sleep great. The pillow helped but needs to be smaller/lighter. I missed the chair kit.

June 7 Backpack to Savage Gulf

Did a joint backpack and dayhike at South Cumberland State Natural Area with the group.

One week since my last backpack trip and my big change for this trip was that I made a alcohol stove. I made a Klasslite stove which is basically a tea light filled with alcohol. Bad description... video link at the bottom if you're interested.

Still around 20-22 pounds. The alcohol stove, fuel, Heineken Beer can as a cook pot all weighs in at 7oz.

Biggest goof...I left my rain fly out somehow. Yes, it did rain of course. Trash bag and duct tape to the rescue!

Results- Cooked food is good! Still not sleeping well. Love the new bag and the pack works but I need a bit more room. Left out the rain gear since it is so hot so I got drenched but it felt great!

http://www.backpackingvideos.com/tealightstoveupgrade.htm

Memorial Day weekend Virgin Falls Backpack

I would have loved to get out before this but it just didn't work out.

My big changes for this trip were a new Montbell 30 degree down bag 1lb 7oz, no stove on this trip, and I used a 1500 cu in Deuter daypack that weighed 2 pounds.

My total weight for the trip was right at 20 pounds.

The main weight savings was about 4 pounds combined on the bag and pack. I also packed food that could be eaten cold and of course much less clothing!

My big problems on this trip was not sleeping well and I hated eating my cold food.

New gear...

Montbell Super Stretch Ultralight 800 fill down 1lb 7oz for $196 on sale from $270 purchased online can't remember where.

Deuter AC lite 25 daypack on clearance from alltrec.com for $40.

Conclusions from Bearwaller Gap trip

Just about everything must go!

The tent was ok, no condensation issues but it's just a cheap little tent and probably wont stand up to many overnights. Walmart $20 about 8 years ago.

The bag was fine a bit bulky but not bad at all. I got it at campmor on clearance for $40 just before the trip. I'd like to try down at least for 3 season use.

Jetboil must go, too heavy and it got too cold and wouldn't relight after the first cup of cider I heated.

Backpack must go. There was no way to adjust much of anything and it just felt wrong.

Thermarest was fine as was the chair kit.

I balled up the down jacket to use as a pillow but might like to have one when it gets too warm to pack the jacket.

Clothes worked ok. I didn't use the sleep pants just wore the long johns. The main problem was getting too hot while hiking. I had on thick hiking pants plus long johns and a double thick base layer and fleece...way too much for me.

Gear list for Bearwaller Gap

My gear list for the Bearwaller Gap hike...

In pack-

15 year old Camp Trails Shasta internal frame pack about 4 pounds
15 year old Thermarest 60'' pad about 2 pounds
Thermarest chair kit about 1 pound
Coleman sleeping bag synthetic 20 degree 2lb 10oz
JetBoil 24oz
Light My Fire Spork 1oz
Wenzel 2 person Youth tent right at 4 pounds
Camelback 100oz water bladder (carried about 40oz of water)
Nalgene 24oz bottle
small stuff sack with contacts, glasses, solution, brush, tp, wipes, meds, etc probably 1 pound
ultralight compression sack (for clothing) 4oz.
food carried in to share for dinner and power bar for breakfast total 1 pound
double thick wicking base layer (walmart brand)
flannel sleep pants
extra socks and underwear total clothes 2 pounds
Nike Down Jacket 24oz


clothes worn-

gloves, hat, neck gaiter 16oz
Columbia Titanium pants
seal skinz long johns
double thick wicking base layer
Fleece sweater

My Journey....

This all started back in January when I went on an overnight backpack to Bearwaller Gap in Carthage, TN. It was my first backpack in about 15 years.

I was miserable! My pack was uncomfortable and at 35 lbs. way to heavy for my abilities. Granted that weight is not colossal but it was to me. So all of a sudden all that ultralight talk began to look a little better.

All I had to do was figure out how to lighten my load without ending up in the poor house.

So, my journey will be about the trials and errors of transitioning to ultralight while keeping an eye on the price tag and not giving up all comforts.

* The photo is of one of the other hikers...I'll bet he was carrying more than 35lbs.! BTW the huge pot is not a usual item for his pack; we were making a communal dinner and he volunteered to haul the soup pot!