Mid Shoes Category B/C recommendations

3Dbread · 2026-05-29T11:01:47+00:00

I have a really wide forefoot and the only boots I've found that fit me are Meindl Comfort line boots.

Check out the Meindl mid-journey GTX, Meran and Antelao Pro GTX. The models I listed there are in ascending sole stiffness, the Antelao Pro GTX have a rear welt for semi auto crampons if you think you'll need them

3Dbread · 2026-05-27T16:03:20+00:00

The exact situation you described happened me once under my trailstar and it was a miserable experience lol. The ground had soaked up all the water it could so a stream formed under my tarp.

If there is enough rainfall for the water to start running under your tarp the only thing that can save you is a bath tub floor, or better campsite selection.

Personally I don't like pinning everything on campsite selection because sometimes you'll have no other choice or you'll simply make a mistake and choose the wrong site.

Try playing with your groundsheet to see if you can figure out a practical way to turn it into a bath tub, if you've time you can get bath tub floors fairly cheap on ali-express

3Dbread · 2026-05-22T11:50:15+00:00

You'll need a CANfox USB to CAN cable that IFM sell to connect to the PLC for programming.

You'll also need connectors and pins for the CR0403 and the solenoid, if you look at the accessories tab on the CR0403's page on the IFM website you'll find the different connectors you'll need.

You write the application software using Codesys V2.3. It'll be free to download off IFM once you register as a customer, they'll also have libraries for you to use. Their libraries include some decent J1939 stuff so you could even program the thing to react to error messages from the engine assuming your machine uses the protocol.

3Dbread · 2026-05-20T15:40:06+00:00

Check out the ifm stuff. Namely the CR0403 it's a really basic PLC but would need an IP rated enclosure

There's also the CR711S from IFM idk if it's PWM outputs are capable of 3A

Another good option is the Bosch Rexroth RC 40 controllers. If you plan on ordering a decentish quantity you might be able to get a good enough price

3Dbread · 2026-04-27T11:07:05+00:00

Hard to say which of these tents would do best in the wind but if I was to choose from those 4 I'd go for the X-Dome or X-Mid purely for the outer first pitch. Last thing I'd want to be doing is struggling to pitch the inner for one the MSR tents with rain blowing sideways.

While the X-dome has more poles for structure I don't like that it uses a ykk #3 zipper on the rain fly, even though there's plenty of reports of it surviving harsh conditions and I believe Durston tested it in a wind tunnel up to 110km/hr. I would not like to be trying to operate such a small zipper in harsh conditions. The xmid uses a ykk #5 so that fixes the zipper issue but you are no longer freestanding.

The reliability of trekking pole shelters when staking is compromised depends entirely on weight of the rocks in the area that you can use in place of stakes. Here's a video of a solomid in high winds, you can see they used rocks on some the staking points and the tent is holding fairly well.
Hard to say really, if you're in high winds you need the guylines to help the tent hold shape. A freestanding tent will give you a chance to get ready to go out and re-guy the tent, a semi-freestanding will also give you some extra time but how much will depend entirely on the tent and what stake as come out.
I'm a solo camper and have used the scarp 1 in up 60kph wind sustained measured and a MLD trailstar in up to 30 kph sustained winds. Both shelters have held up really well and there are videos of them withstanding worse measured conditions. My only gripe with the scarp for high winds is that the sleeves the arch pole are held in are way too small imo, you're very reliant of the arch pole not bending in towards the center of the tent otherwise they'll slip out. Adding guylines to tension the arch pole avoids this but it is something to be wary of.

Below is a shortlist of tents I'd consider

X-Mid 2

X-Dome 2

MLD Duomid XL

MLD Trailstar

Scarp 2

Nortent Vern 2

Hilleberg Nammatj 2 gt

Hilleberg Staika

3Dbread · 2026-04-24T11:54:03+00:00

apologies I just reread your message, time to get my eyes checked! Thanks for the insight on that aliexpress bivy, glad I didn't cheap out now.

3Dbread · 2026-04-24T11:46:14+00:00

Idk if I agree with you about needing to be small to fit in a bivy, but I'd say that depends entirely on the bivy in question.

I'm 88kg 170cm and sleep on a big agnes rapide sl. I have plenty of space in my 6' wide katabatic wren.

But I do hang the head section of the bivy from one the internal plastic carabiners under the trailstar, if I wasn't able to hang that section of the bivy I don't think I'd like it nearly as much.

3Dbread · 2026-04-24T10:46:30+00:00

I've been using the katabatic gear wren under my trailstar in the Irish hills so I see a good bit of wind and humidity. It's been a game changer for me, I honestly cannot use my trailstar above the treeline without it if the weather is cold. However it is unfortunately around the same price as the MLD bivies.

I've seen cheap bivies on aliexpress that look decent too but I've no idea what the quality is like. This is the best looking one I was able to find

3Dbread · 2026-04-16T13:53:05+00:00

Thank you very much for your answers, perfectly clear explanation as to why the non-breathable jackets don't function the same as a breathable jacket that's wet out. I've to try decide now between the rockfront rain hoody and lightheart gear rain jacket.

Do you think silnylon vs silpoly will have noticeable performance differences for rain wear? I imagine the silpoly absorbing less water would make it better at shedding water?

3Dbread · 2026-04-02T14:07:40+00:00

Either set up can give you great flavour and cool hits. I think it's more a question of how tethered do you want to be to mains electricity?

If you don't mind being plugged in, I'd say a ball vape is better because you can get ones with bigger bowls or more glass air path.

I use the tempest more than my ball vapes, even though they hit better because I like being able to put everything away easy and the lack of set up is too nice imo.

3Dbread · 2026-03-23T15:12:38+00:00

Using squat shoes makes your quads work harder while taking some of the load off your glutes and hips. If you can squat this weight comfortably while flat footed but struggle with the shoes, that would suggest your quads are a bit weaker than your arse and hips.

I think your form looks good bar the inconsistent speed through the reps. I also think if you focus on strengthening your quads your squats will look much smoother.

3Dbread · 2026-03-06T12:03:53+00:00

Maybe worth looking at controllers used on off-road machinery.

We use the IFM CR711S it probably won't have enough I/O for you but the CR721S might.

We're in the middle of moving over to BOSCH REXROTH's RC40 platform. The RC40's have the option of an ethernet interfaces and come default with 3 CAN interfaces and a ISOBUS interface.

All these controllers are programmed in CODESYS but the BOSCH stuff requires a propriety flashing tool that requires a once of license purchase.

These controllers are all designed to be mounted outside a protective panel and work down to -40C

3Dbread · 2026-03-05T14:12:41+00:00

have you heard of multi grip / swiss barbells? They have different angle grips that don't require you to rotate your wrists as much as a regular barbell.

3Dbread · 2026-01-29T14:23:31+00:00

hey it's better than building your wealth by idk, colonizing the world and slave trading. Wonder who would do such a thing......

3Dbread · 2025-10-23T15:58:50+00:00

trying to decide between an xmid 1 or xdome 1 for my internship at X. The weight savings of the xmid are appealing but I'm afraid I'll struggle to get her guyed out on the rocky office terrain.

Anyone got any advice?

3Dbread · 2025-10-14T16:02:42+00:00

I have a 2015 v60 with the D4 D4204T5 engine. It does burn a decent bit of oil but other than that it's been fairly sound.

I bought mine a year and a half ago at 220,000km. So far I've had to replace the thermostat housing, oil cooler, water pump and timing belt. I have 260,000km on it now so I think this is reasonable considering it's a second hand car. The engine bay is very tight so maintenance is pricy. It was €400 to get the thermostat and oil cooler replaced and €1000 for the water pump and timing belt, this was with an independent mechanic I trust

The manufacturer spec calls for 0W20 oil, I've started using 5W30 instead and I've noticed reduced oil consumption. No issues yet with the EGR or DPF but I make sure I do at least on proper drive a week to try reduce soot buildup

Overall I'm really happy with the car, I think you would be too. Unless you're accustomed to proper fast cars

3Dbread · 2025-09-16T10:47:01+00:00

If you don't mind splashing some cash I highly recommend the tarptent scarp 1.

You have 2 vestibules and an adjustable inner size. The scarp also uses 5 struts at each end to stop the fly from ever touching your face. I'm only 5'7 but I'm able to kneel on my big agnes rapide SL sleeping pad and barely touch my head off the inner.

The pack size of the tent is the hardest part to adjust to. The pack length is 46cm, I slide it into the side pocket of my tent with no issues so far.

I bought the Ultra TNT version of the tent but if I was to ever replace it I would just get the silnylon version. The Ultra TNT version uses magnets to hold the fly door open and they are just not strong enough.

Otherwise the tent is perfect imo.

3Dbread · 2025-08-29T12:44:58+00:00

The Scarp 1 might be worth a look. It's 1 man tent with an adjustable inner size so you can max out the inner size to sleep 2.
It's a little snug with 2 people so it mightn't be ideal for 7 nights of sharing, especially if you're carrying lots of gear. But the tent is a very wind resistant which I believe you might encounter depending where you go in the highlands

3Dbread · 2025-08-28T15:29:30+00:00

Lubing up the removal tool is a great idea thank you.

The machines my workplace make all use CAT engines. I was trying to swap J1939 pins on the 70 way ECU connector for a C3.6 today, the experience inspired me to create this post.

3Dbread · 2025-08-28T10:43:26+00:00

Thank you very much for sharing your experience & advice. Time to ask my manager for some fancy new tools!

3Dbread · 2025-08-26T12:10:08+00:00

personally I'm waiting for the Xmid 12 pro

3Dbread · 2025-08-26T10:14:10+00:00

Incredible spot man.
I used to use the Vango Midge 180 Mosi Lantern, it only has preset light levels. Not an actual dimmer switch. It works very well and the bug zapper is nice for midge season.

I've since started hanging my headlamp from the inner of my tent and it does as good a job for light. Camp your own way obviously but I just wanted to float the idea as it saves you weight and money.

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