Engine
11-21-2016, 14:20
Since it finally got cold enough this weekend to test some new gear we got for our 2017 thru-hike attempt, I though I would share some thoughts regarding what was good and what wasn't.
Conditions - 32* with dew point of 32 and calm wind.
The Good:
Me (6'0", 200 pounds) -
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20* quilt: Very warm wearing lightweight Patagonia top & bottom base layer and socks with a thin DIY fleece liner. I felt I could have slept another 5* colder without adding any more clothes and maybe 15-20* colder with a stocking cap, fleece pullover, and down vest.
Granite Gear 1/8" foam pad: Used this under my Themarest Neoair Xlite short pad. It kept the pad from moving and with my legs hanging off the short pad, my feet and lower legs were still comfortable at less than 35*. I do realize that it had been over 60* most of the day and the ground was not the hard frigid slab I might experience on the trail.
My wife (5'2", 108 pounds) -
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10* quilt: She is normally a COLD sleeper who almost never says she's warm enough, but she was able to stay comfortable with a thin base layer, socks, down puffy and stocking cap. She stated this morning she felt like she could have slept in the low 20* range and stayed comfortable. So, her quilt is probably rated 10* too warm for her real world temps, but that's typical for many women.
She used the same Granite Gear pad I did under her Thermarest Women's Neoair Xlite and she said she loved it.
The Bad:
One of the snaps on my brand new EE quilt failed 10 minutes after being fastened. I do not blame EE for this as I realize probably I should have ordered the wide instead of the regular, since when I rolled over my shoulders put too much strain on the snap. I was a bit annoyed the product failed instead of just unfastening, but a quick phone call to EE customer service today and they are sending 4-5 snaps and the tool to install them. So I can say their customer service was outstanding.
I'm not 25 anymore and more comfort is required than I can achieve from a short Neoair with my legs hanging off. That and the fact the thing seems closer to 16" wide than 20" when inflated...I must have rolled off it a dozen times last night. I ordered a new Nemo Insulated Mummy Tensor this morning. Anyone want a short Neoair with only 7 hours of use?
Tarptent Motrail: Okay, I REALLY wanted to like this tent. I bought the Motrail after seriously considering a Zpacks tent and deciding to give Tarptent one more shot after we sold our Double Rainbow because the "bathtub" floor would occasionally let in more rain splash than we wanted to tolerate. Otherwise, I liked the DR, so we tried the Motrail with a better bathtub floor and similar interior dimensions. Last night I remembered what a pain it was to enter and exit through a small front opening...like our old Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. Also, I know what the numbers say, but the interior of the Motrail feels much smaller than the DR did and there is NO room for gear. So, I took advantage of the current Zpacks sale and ordered the Triplex...The Motrail will make someone a really nice and roomy 1 person shelter...but too snug for 2 people in our opinion.
BTW, the DIY fleece bag liners made from 100% poly fleece throws which were $2.50 in the sale bin at Walmart were a huge surprise. They added a bunch of warmth and comfort while weighing only 9 ounces.
Conditions - 32* with dew point of 32 and calm wind.
The Good:
Me (6'0", 200 pounds) -
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20* quilt: Very warm wearing lightweight Patagonia top & bottom base layer and socks with a thin DIY fleece liner. I felt I could have slept another 5* colder without adding any more clothes and maybe 15-20* colder with a stocking cap, fleece pullover, and down vest.
Granite Gear 1/8" foam pad: Used this under my Themarest Neoair Xlite short pad. It kept the pad from moving and with my legs hanging off the short pad, my feet and lower legs were still comfortable at less than 35*. I do realize that it had been over 60* most of the day and the ground was not the hard frigid slab I might experience on the trail.
My wife (5'2", 108 pounds) -
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10* quilt: She is normally a COLD sleeper who almost never says she's warm enough, but she was able to stay comfortable with a thin base layer, socks, down puffy and stocking cap. She stated this morning she felt like she could have slept in the low 20* range and stayed comfortable. So, her quilt is probably rated 10* too warm for her real world temps, but that's typical for many women.
She used the same Granite Gear pad I did under her Thermarest Women's Neoair Xlite and she said she loved it.
The Bad:
One of the snaps on my brand new EE quilt failed 10 minutes after being fastened. I do not blame EE for this as I realize probably I should have ordered the wide instead of the regular, since when I rolled over my shoulders put too much strain on the snap. I was a bit annoyed the product failed instead of just unfastening, but a quick phone call to EE customer service today and they are sending 4-5 snaps and the tool to install them. So I can say their customer service was outstanding.
I'm not 25 anymore and more comfort is required than I can achieve from a short Neoair with my legs hanging off. That and the fact the thing seems closer to 16" wide than 20" when inflated...I must have rolled off it a dozen times last night. I ordered a new Nemo Insulated Mummy Tensor this morning. Anyone want a short Neoair with only 7 hours of use?
Tarptent Motrail: Okay, I REALLY wanted to like this tent. I bought the Motrail after seriously considering a Zpacks tent and deciding to give Tarptent one more shot after we sold our Double Rainbow because the "bathtub" floor would occasionally let in more rain splash than we wanted to tolerate. Otherwise, I liked the DR, so we tried the Motrail with a better bathtub floor and similar interior dimensions. Last night I remembered what a pain it was to enter and exit through a small front opening...like our old Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. Also, I know what the numbers say, but the interior of the Motrail feels much smaller than the DR did and there is NO room for gear. So, I took advantage of the current Zpacks sale and ordered the Triplex...The Motrail will make someone a really nice and roomy 1 person shelter...but too snug for 2 people in our opinion.
BTW, the DIY fleece bag liners made from 100% poly fleece throws which were $2.50 in the sale bin at Walmart were a huge surprise. They added a bunch of warmth and comfort while weighing only 9 ounces.