View Full Version : Ray-Way
72jaybird
09-14-2010, 21:12
I'm just fishing for any info. Has anybody had any experience with Ray-Way products, read any of the books or used any of the equipment on a thru hike? Just looking for feedback before ordering any books, CD's or equipment.
an interesting perspective but goes a little to hardcore into his small inflexible idea of the "right" way. He had enough experience to write a more versatile/usefull less preachy guide for lite hiking, also by now much of the info is dated - dig around here on the light hiking threads and ask some ??
garlic08
09-14-2010, 21:48
I read "Beyond Backpacking" before my first thru hike of the PCT and for the most part I learned good stuff from it. I found it at the library. One exception: corn pasta. Yuck.
I read "Beyond Backpacking" before my first thru hike of the PCT and for the most part I learned good stuff from it. I found it at the library. One exception: corn pasta. Yuck.
I am not a thru-hiker. I have read this book and use it a lot for reference. I found it tremendously helpful in lightening my pack and the way I hike. He does not contend that his way is the only way or the right way, it is just HIS way. He even says take from the book what is useful and create your own way. And I have not tried corn pasta yet! I highly recommend getting it, it is a great value with a lot of color pics and useful info.
I liked Beyond Backpacking, Trail Life is BEAUTIFUL but yes, preachy. I've made a couple of his kits, and his materials are top-notch and the instructions are tried and true, and darn near idiot-proof. I've made a tarp and bug net, the hat, and I have a couple knives made from his kits. Haven't made the quilt yet, need more table space. Really haven't considered making his backpack yet, as Ray is more minimalist than I (or is that less?).
Ray believes in his products and his convictions - Gee, doesn't sound like anyone I know, right? Yes, he "could" have written a less opinionated book, but then it probably wouldn't have been Ray's, or perhaps Ray wouldn't have written it at all. Some writers provide data; Ray relays experiences. His retelling of experiences are colored by his personality and can come across as "his way", or, The Ray Way.
He is a resource, but certainly not the only one.
Ranc0r
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I read Trail Life and made the bomber hat and a stuff sack.
The book is worth reading if only for the section on campsite selection.
Wolf - 23000
09-15-2010, 02:39
I never found his way as helpful at all. When I hiked the PCT the first time in 1993, I end up carrying an extra gal of water because I couldn't figure out why an "ultra-light" hiker would carry so much extra weight. Even with his last book, "Beyond Backpacking" if you know anything about ultra-light hiking you can do better.
Wolf
I bought and made his quilt kit. Not only is it inexpensive, but it's an excellent quilt in its own right. One tip: I added 8 inches to the width, just for insurance. I wish I had stayed with his original dimensions.
chiefduffy
09-15-2010, 13:23
I like his books, videos, etc. I have made 2 quilts, 2 backpacks and many stuff bags from his kits and my wife and I use them all regularly. Kits are well thought out, and the gear is almost indestructable and very light.
i just finished converting a cheap umbrella into a ray way light weight version. turned out pretty well. now i just gotta' go outside and test it which shouldn't be too hard living here in washington.
I read Beyond Backpacking, and I think the only thing new I got from it was the umbrella, which I always carry now. The rest was interesting and fun enough to read, so it's worth a loaner from the library. Like everyone else's views on what to carry, it's his opinion and useful as such, but you still need to figure out what works best for you.
I have the PCT Hikers Handbook which I guess morphed into Beyond Backpacking. I found it very helpful. Yes, corn pasts is yucky. I don't feel that I ran out of energy because I didn't eat it. He is very opinionated but that's just his personality. His information is very useful and I found myself constantly saying to myself on the trail "Wow, that Ray Jardine is right about this."
I've made the bomber hat. I do not know how to sew and yet it came out great! It's pretty darn warm, too.
I met people who made the pack. The pack looked professional. I met someone who made the quilt. He was always too hot every night. I think he used down instead of polyester fill. I envied his quilt. It looked really toasty.
Not a thru hiker. I've made is packs, tarps, and quilts for my son and myself. love it. Read the tarp book, good stuff. Don't carry an umbrella, cause I don't like carrying stuff. As far as thru hikers using his gear, He and his wife did it.
I've made a few of his kits--quilts and the bomber hat. The quilts are cheap and easy to use. I've still prefer a high-quality down sleeping bag for cold-weather use, but if I were on a tight budget, I'd definitely prefer one of his quilt kits over a cheap sleeping bag.
Trailbender
09-17-2010, 08:04
I read it at the hostel in Andover on a zero. Pretty good information, but after my thru, I have started working on a "living" pack. This is the pack I would want if things happened and I ended up living on the trail. It is going to be heavier and bigger than my thru hiking pack, but I will be more comfortable. I am still taking all I have learned from lightening my pack and using it. My estimated weight will be around 35 lbs or so when I am done.
The economy seems to be getting a lot worse, this is a prudent idea. I am trying to find ways to replace all my "consumables" except food. An example was I got one of the shake flashlights, the original high quality ones, to replace my headlamp. It weighs 7 oz, but is almost as bright, waterproof, and never needs batteries. This is just one example of my new way of thinking.
I really like the tarp book, it includes lots of small projects that are pretty easy to do.
I'll also throw this out there: Seattle Fabrics is a great supplier of 'outdoor' fabrics (unless perhaps you have something local.)
Good read, Some of his ideas are a bit over the top but they're his ideas and I don't need to adopt them if I don't want to.
Siphon off the good useful stuff that works for you and file the rest for future reference.
dennis
Tenderheart
09-18-2010, 12:00
I got a lot of good ideas from his book. I can't remember if I read it before or after my hike. Someone I ran into saw him doing jumping jacks in a shelter in the Smokies to keep from freezing to death during his AT thru hike. Hey, he was already carrying his body, so why not use it to stay warm?
litefoot 2000
An example was I got one of the shake flashlights, the original high quality ones, to replace my headlamp. It weighs 7 oz, but is almost as bright, waterproof, and never needs batteries. This is just one example of my new way of thinking. I saw one of those this summer. They seem to have improved alot. They are lighter and hold charge longer and you can switch them off and on also. It had a trigger like flapper that spun a flywheel, easy to operate with one hand driving the flapper with your bottom three fingers while aiming with tht thumb and index. Way better than the old crank type. I thought it might have been lighter than 7oz but maybe.
For a lamp, canola oil with a jute twine wick works very well, although that is a consumable. Cozy though. Will work in a tealight candle lantern, with some practice. I like the idea of a vegetable oil lamp that also heats up tea and soup. Getting it placed so that you can read by it, and not spill hot tea, or much worse, hot oil all over you can get sketchy. Oil boils at 500F, and can get that hot if you let it.
Trailbender
09-18-2010, 16:45
I saw one of those this summer. They seem to have improved alot. They are lighter and hold charge longer and you can switch them off and on also. It had a trigger like flapper that spun a flywheel, easy to operate with one hand driving the flapper with your bottom three fingers while aiming with tht thumb and index. Way better than the old crank type. I thought it might have been lighter than 7oz but maybe.
For a lamp, canola oil with a jute twine wick works very well, although that is a consumable. Cozy though. Will work in a tealight candle lantern, with some practice. I like the idea of a vegetable oil lamp that also heats up tea and soup. Getting it placed so that you can read by it, and not spill hot tea, or much worse, hot oil all over you can get sketchy. Oil boils at 500F, and can get that hot if you let it.
I got it in today, it is 11 oz, but it is brighter than my headlamp on high setting. It is one of the ones you shake, a magnet passes through a coil of wire, generating electricity. If you get one, get the Nightstar 3, the rest are cheap copies. I prefer the shake ones, less stuff to break. It is also waterproof to 100 feet, I had a monster rainstorm at land between the lakes fry my headlamp before.
I read it at the hostel in Andover on a zero. Pretty good information, but after my thru, I have started working on a "living" pack. This is the pack I would want if things happened and I ended up living on the trail. It is going to be heavier and bigger than my thru hiking pack, but I will be more comfortable. I am still taking all I have learned from lightening my pack and using it. My estimated weight will be around 35 lbs or so when I am done.
That is a very interesting concept. Much to think about there.
Trailbender
09-19-2010, 10:22
That is a very interesting concept. Much to think about there.
Yeah, I was thinking, on the trail there is plenty of access to towns to try and find a job in. I have massive loans and am in college, or I might try it right now.
Yeah, I'm definitely taking my gear with me on "The Road" or after the big oil crash or whatever other calamity is coming.
I've started working on learning to make shoes, too.
"Obamanomics".......has a nice ring to it! :D
Take from the taxpayer and give to the rich............ sounds like a right wing concept. Hmmmmmmmmmm.
Yep. Hang onto your hiking gear and brush up on your survival skills........
Oh you mean "Obamunism"? The Reds coming back to bury us in debt this time?
I like Ray. He's one of the only authors that I think is being completely honest with us.
And his corn mean was intended to be used for breakfast, as I recall. We make it, and it is good. Add dried fruit.
One bit of best advice: make 10 before noon, another 10 by dinner, and you have time for another 10 after dinner. It works.
Maybe off subject a little, sorta kinda, but not really since the title is "Ray Way"... Anyway...
I just ordered my buddy one of the Ray Way Knife sets for Christmas. I am excited to get it in and it is not even for me... Haha...
Sly Reynard
12-12-2010, 21:46
Ray has a ton of good, useful information based on practical experience. He just takes some of it too far, and in a strange direction for most (myself included). Some of it is weird, and it's all a bit too preachy, but still he is a valuable resource I think.