View Full Version : YOUR thoughts on MY new gear
David@whiteblaze
07-27-2009, 21:24
http://www.sunnysports.com/Image/Product/Full/NFCTBPB.jpg
Backpack Bivy:
http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=70209&storeId=207&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=11750&variationId=841
http://media.rei.com/media/xx/583b3b64-c437-4165-a3cd-d617fba9b0ae.jpg (http://www.rei.com/features/zoom.html?img440=/media/xx/583b3b64-c437-4165-a3cd-d617fba9b0ae%26style=784841%26sku=7848410010&imageServiceHost=http://www.rei.com/&productInfoServiceHost=http://www.rei.com/&TB_iframe=true&height=513&width=700)
Gregory Z55 Pack:
http://www.rei.com/product/784841?url=http://www.rei.com/product/784841&avad=1768_e32b323&cm_mmc=AL-_-1497-_-1768-_-Custom+Link
Tell Me what you think about the gear i just bought.
Gregory packs are very comfortable to hike in and are virtually bomb-proof. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
I'm interested to see how you like the bivy. I carry a homemade one for my emergency winter shelter.
I am thinking about giving up on my tarp, and tyvek ground sheet, and netting for this;
http://www.tarptent.com/products.html
Seems pretty popular, and has more room then a bivy. I think it may weigh less then my entire shelter "system" and simpler.
To each his own.
David@whiteblaze
07-27-2009, 21:49
I am thinking about giving up on my tarp, and tyvek ground sheet, and netting for this;
http://www.tarptent.com/products.html
Seems pretty popular, and has more room then a bivy. I think it may weigh less then my entire shelter "system" and simpler.
To each his own.
Looks great for warm weather hiking. Might i clarify that i ordered mine earlier tonite.
I am thinking about giving up on my tarp, and tyvek ground sheet, and netting for this;
http://www.tarptent.com/products.html
Seems pretty popular, and has more room then a bivy. I think it may weigh less then my entire shelter "system" and simpler.
To each his own.
Which one, you just linked to every tarptent Henry Shires makes :D
David@whiteblaze
07-27-2009, 21:54
Which one, you just linked to every tarptent Henry Shires makes :D
thats really funny, but i have to agree with him.
http://www.sunnysports.com/Image/Product/Full/NFCTBPB.jpg
Backpack Bivy:
http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=70209&storeId=207&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=11750&variationId=841
http://media.rei.com/media/xx/583b3b64-c437-4165-a3cd-d617fba9b0ae.jpg (http://www.rei.com/features/zoom.html?img440=/media/xx/583b3b64-c437-4165-a3cd-d617fba9b0ae%26style=784841%26sku=7848410010&imageServiceHost=http://www.rei.com/&productInfoServiceHost=http://www.rei.com/&TB_iframe=true&height=513&width=700)
Gregory Z55 Pack:
http://www.rei.com/product/784841?url=http://www.rei.com/product/784841&avad=1768_e32b323&cm_mmc=AL-_-1497-_-1768-_-Custom+Link
Tell Me what you think about the gear i just bought.
Do you have a tarp to go over part of the bivy for some living space in weather? or just the bivy?
David@whiteblaze
07-27-2009, 21:59
Do you have a tarp to go over part of the bivy for some living space in weather? or just the bivy?
just the bivy for now, i live in central fl, so winter hiking requires about a sleeveless shirt to keep from overheating.:rolleyes:
Which one, you just linked to every tarptent Henry Shires makes :D
oops, I was thinking about the contrail. ;)
Kerosene
07-27-2009, 22:06
Both pieces of equipment will do the job, but you could've gone lighter. The bivy is a nice waterproof-breathable fabric, but at only 18.5 sq ft it will feel pretty tight on a rainy day. Plus, there's no vestibule for your gear (or even your muddy boots!).
A lot of folks like the Z55, but for a thru-hike carrying less than 30 pounds I'd still probably pick the Granite Gear Vapor Trail, or one of the other GG packs. Then again, I'm pretty careful with my equipment.
Have a great hike!
Max2mus, asking a question like "how do you like my new gear?" on WB is a lot like asking men what kind of women they like.
cbost2678
07-27-2009, 22:27
I have the z 55 and really like it!
David@whiteblaze
07-27-2009, 22:28
i was sort of hoping for varied responses, also, if the a.t. was a mmorpg, everyone would say, "oh, look, there goes the greatest noob on the planet." all the while, i would be trying to figure out how to type anything in.
Lone Wolf
07-27-2009, 22:29
mmorpg?.....
David@whiteblaze
07-27-2009, 22:31
"massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game" like world of warcraft etc.
David@whiteblaze
07-27-2009, 22:33
everyone on those games spend at least 10 hours a day on the game, resulting in mass knowledge about the functions of the game, some of themeven know how to hack it to make thier game easier to play
I've seen folks use that pack and been really happy with it. IMO, if you're a newbie to backpacking, your pack should be one of the last gear purchases you make. It's best to accumulate all your gear first, then figure out what pack will not only work for you, but be big enough to haul all your gear around in.
Blissful
07-27-2009, 22:37
Go ahead and enjoy it!
I would try sleeping in that bivy right away, in your living room. Then think about a real rainy day. Would you want to be in that, enough room?
The design also looks like you could MYOG a vestibule out of some sil nylon pretty easily to make more room in front. That would solve some gear storage issues. To me, it just looks pretty small. Test it and see, send back if no like.
Jayboflavin04
07-28-2009, 09:40
I have a HS cloudburst. I like it so far. Enough room and it kept me and my friend comfortable at 20F. Havent slept in any heavy down pours yet.
Cabin Fever
07-28-2009, 12:11
I have a z55 and love it. Saw lots of thru hikers carrying it as well.
David@whiteblaze
07-28-2009, 12:33
that's good news, my dad said it was a good starters pack, (i still agree with him)(for now, at least) I have yet to recieve the pack, so im just hoping that i made a good choice, also, if anyone has it, can you list a few things about it, maybe some good pics or a link to pics, and does anyone know why it has been on closeout since last year?
David@whiteblaze
07-28-2009, 12:38
this is in response to my earlier comment:
does anyone know why it has been on closeout since last year?
it was actually last years model on closeout. (probably became outdated.)
Jayboflavin04
07-28-2009, 12:47
My buddy has the z55 and likes it. Has lots of airflow on the back.
Jack Tarlin
07-28-2009, 13:04
Max:
I think you'll be fine with your new backpack.
As others have pointed out, some folks find bivvies a bit too confining, and really, there's not a whole lot you can do in them except sleep. In tents or tarps, you can sit up, prepare a meal, repair some gear, and so on, plus you'd have room for your pack, which is a nice way to keep it dry and away from critters. I think the bivvy will do fine for now, but eventually I think you might want to consider something with a bit more space.
skinewmexico
07-28-2009, 13:13
that's good news, my dad said it was a good starters pack
Starter pack? Odd thing to say, what would be a good expert's pack? Anyway......packs get upgrades, or change colors all the time, not unusual to close out the old models. Enjoy the savings.
David@whiteblaze
07-28-2009, 13:23
Starter pack? Odd thing to say, what would be a good expert's pack? Anyway......packs get upgrades, or change colors all the time, not unusual to close out the old models. Enjoy the savings.
good point, although im not going to say my dad is an ultralight expert (other than ultralight planes.)
I have that bivy - plenty of room and only requires a minimum of 2 stakes. I'm not certain of the fabric differences between HYVent and EPIC, but I had no problem with this one, and it didn't 'mist' when raining. The foot hoop will be tough to put in its grommets the first 10 or so times you set it up but it will work (I think they made the pole a tad too long). I seam sealed mine before using it and was immediately caught in a 10 hour downpour. Stayed completely dry, not even much condensation.
Be aware that there is no bug netting, like the black diamond lightsabre bivy has. I solved this by bringing a section of netting and draping it over the unzippered opening. When it got cold I just zipped up and didn't care if the net fell off.
David@whiteblaze
07-28-2009, 15:39
I have changed my name from Max2mus to David@whiteblaze, so direct answers and PM's to me.
shelterbuilder
07-28-2009, 19:31
I've been an external-frame pack user forever, and I'm not knowledgable about the newer internals, so I'll refrain from making any dumb comments.
Bivys have always looked a bit small to me (I routinely carry an oversized tarp that gives me PLENTY of extra room in bad weather), but to each his own.
Play with your gear in the backyard until you're familiar with it and comfortable using it. After all, what's the sense in having toys if you can't play with them???:D
David@whiteblaze
07-28-2009, 20:09
haha, nice, as f ar as im concerned, in a few weeks im going camping, so it's two nights of experience, keep in mind that i live in central florida, so going outside at night during summer is like entering a sauna, in the daytime, a tanning booth.
David@whiteblaze
07-28-2009, 20:10
as f ar as im concerned,
as far as i'm concerned.:rolleyes:
David@WB,
Your pack's da bomb! Love Gregory packs. A little on the heavy side as packs go, but load ride and comfort make them worth it in my opinion.
As for the bivy, not my style. Might be fine for you . . . you're young and comfort may not be your primary concern . . . yet! :) I like a little "living room" especially in nasty weather. I prefer a light 2-person tent like the SD Lightning. Climbing in and out of a bivy gets to be a pain, especially in the rain.
Every bivy needs a tarp, or at least a poncho. It's nearly impossible to get into and out of one without getting soaked in a heavy rain. Your wet clothing will get your sleeping bag wet unless you have some way to get into/out of it outside of your bivy, hence the recommendation for some sort of overhead coverage.
Lots of folks seem to like your pack. I use a frameless pack.
brooklynkayak
07-29-2009, 09:05
Every bivy needs a tarp, or at least a poncho.
Yes, add a small silnylon tarp and you would have a bombproof palace without adding many ounces.
David@whiteblaze
08-02-2009, 21:54
Got my tent and MYOGed a tarp overhang, pics named (appropriately so) My MYOG Tarp Overhang.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/browseimages.php?c=511
A small tarp might do you good. I never keep my pack in my tent with me. I usually take my necessities inside and hang the smellies. The pack gets wrapped in the pack cover with shoes inside or underneath. Worked well for me.
David@whiteblaze
08-20-2009, 16:10
A small tarp might do you good. I never keep my pack in my tent with me. I usually take my necessities inside and hang the smellies. The pack gets wrapped in the pack cover with shoes inside or underneath. Worked well for me.
I finally field tested my equip. and realized that I don't need 5 feet of tarp w/ clearance of 2 1/2 ft. or less... If i got a tarp, what size would u suggestfor an overhang large enough to... cook in extreme weather, climb in and out of tent w/o a swimming pool in my tent, and just chill on a rainy eve? I love the tent and it has just enough room for me, the window is a bit ominous though. If i cant get an answer, i will just make a new thread.
The way I see it, you can buy a tarp and just use it by itself, or modify one to fit your bivy. Simple silnylon one like from campmor, smallest size would work, cheap and light. But I also see you have some monster you bought. If I had that one, I would plan on modifing it to fit with your bivy. Some sort of triangle that covers the opening of the bivy, not the whole thing, using both bivy poles as attachment points, and hiking poles if you use them for the front of the triangle, in front of the bivy. Or a stick, or buy a single pole. Hope that concept makes sense. If you don't sew, finding someone who can shouldn't be a problem. The issue is fit. I would buy some cheap plastic, and start cutting to make a prototype. Sounds like a good mental challenge to me.
good luck.
David@whiteblaze
08-21-2009, 10:30
The way I see it, you can buy a tarp and just use it by itself, or modify one to fit your bivy. Simple silnylon one like from campmor, smallest size would work, cheap and light. But I also see you have some monster you bought. If I had that one, I would plan on modifing it to fit with your bivy. Some sort of triangle that covers the opening of the bivy, not the whole thing, using both bivy poles as attachment points, and hiking poles if you use them for the front of the triangle, in front of the bivy. Or a stick, or buy a single pole. Hope that concept makes sense. If you don't sew, finding someone who can shouldn't be a problem. The issue is fit. I would buy some cheap plastic, and start cutting to make a prototype. Sounds like a good mental challenge to me.
good luck.
mental challenge:-?... some. Physical challenge:banana(he's doing jumping jacks)... no.(and yes, i realize that you didn't say physical challenge, just keep going...) Challenge of battling heat stroke:sun... definetely so, this pic: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=36006&c=721 shows what i got out of what u said. tell me wat u think.
David@whiteblaze
08-21-2009, 10:33
two more things: i still am only 14, so my mom obviously, for a sewer... and monster tarp = 15 buck walmart thing that i didn't even think about re-folding alone. package is so much smaller...
David@whiteblaze
08-21-2009, 10:34
"definetely *.* So"
I would make the high point the top of the bivy at both ends, and a pole the third point of the triangle out in front of the bivy entrance. Your drawing is like what I was thinking, except the high point would be the bivy top, but if that is too low, then they way you have it thought would likely be better.
David@whiteblaze
08-29-2009, 21:09
two more things: i still am only 14, so my mom obviously, for a *sewer*...
not a septic system, someone who sews.
David@whiteblaze
08-29-2009, 21:11
I would make the high point the top of the bivy at both ends, and a pole the third point of the triangle out in front of the bivy entrance. Your drawing is like what I was thinking, except the high point would be the bivy top, but if that is too low, then they way you have it thought would likely be better.
I was thinking that, since there is obviously no place to cook in the tent, if I had no instant consumables on hand, I could cook under the tarp.
Correct, if you do it well, you will have a lot more space to do stuff in, when the weather is crappy. Start tinkering around, with cheap painters plastic to size right.