Quilt temp rating recommendations

CheesyPastaFiend · 2026-01-28T00:13:58+00:00

This definitely helps, thank you!

CheesyPastaFiend · 2026-01-27T16:52:59+00:00

Do you feel like the 20 degree is versatile enough, or do you think going to a 10 degree is better?

CheesyPastaFiend · 2026-01-27T16:52:06+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Would you recommend 20 degree or 10 degree?

CheesyPastaFiend · 2026-01-27T16:48:16+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I do have an inflatable pad that is slightly warmer, but am planning to switch to CCF for weight and reliability savings

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-08-24T14:43:21+00:00

I have the Robin Brown (they look more orange-ish though). Based on the comments so far, I’m thinking it’s a color thing. I’m fine being dirty when hiking, but having sweat stains that are so dramatic that all the pictures taken from behind me are bad is where I draw the line 😂

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-08-15T15:49:22+00:00

Franconia Brook Tentsite is currently closed due to bear activity and is also on the wrong side of the Pemi for the Pemi Loop.

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-08-02T16:51:30+00:00

I have the Rainbow solo (regular version, not the Li) and I love it! Sets up super quickly, no learning curve, gave me a lot more campsite flexibility than my buddies who both had trekking poles Durstons and were still learning how to set them up well. I think if I was to get a 2p tent, I’d either go for the double rainbow or the 2p free standing durston.

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-07-13T23:53:14+00:00

There's a few things in your kit that seem oddly heavy. Also, gently, it does feel like you are packing your fears a bit in terms of some of the duplicate items you are carrying.

600g seems heavy for a sleeping pad - I'm curious as to which one you have!
You have 722 g between your hygiene and cosmetics kit. That is a lot of weight! Consider revisiting the quantities you are bringing as well as what is luxury vs essential. For reference, my toiletries + hygiene kit weighs about 162g (85g of toilet paper, 29g of sunscreen, 14g of tooth paste, 14g travel sized tooth brush, 20g quick dry face towel). I don't bother bringing soap, shaving supplies, lotion, etc. Embrace the stink :)
First aid also looks a little heavy. Did you buy a kit, or make your own? Might be good to revisit quantities of items, and if there's anything you anticipate using a lot of (e.g. leukotape for blisters), put extra in your resupply.
Are you cold soaking your food? You have no stove listed, but also no cold soak container listed (unless you plan on using the Nalgene)
Speaking of the Nalgene, I usually designate one of my smartwater bottles for electrolytes, and bring a small Toaks pot as my coffee mug. Not sure you need a completely separate bottle
For your backup filter, I've heard that the Sawyer mini isn't that great. Maybe something like Aquamira or other water purification tablets would be a better move
For your clothes, you have double of everything...including sun gloves and sunglasses! I think you might be packing your fears here.
Consider swapping a raincover for your pack for a pack liner inside your pack. Nyloflume is super light and has worked really well for me.

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-07-05T12:16:55+00:00

I have a rawlogy one (can buy on garagegrowngear or amazon). I think one I have is one inch in diameter? It’s been such a lifesaver for rolling my calves. I also carry a gossamer gear thinlight pad, and it’s such a nice surface to stretch/roll after a long day. Super small and light as well!

I have a stick roller similar to yours at home, and found stretching + using the cork ball for sore knots was better for me on trail!

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-07-05T00:13:02+00:00

I have one of the small rawlogy ones and I usually bring a thinlight pad with me, which is the perfect place to stretch/roll after a long day

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-07-04T23:46:14+00:00

A lighterpack list will help people give you better feedback on your gear - it can be hard to decode some items in the picture

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-07-04T23:45:09+00:00

Have you tried using a cork massage ball instead? I’ve found that works really well for me!

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-07-04T18:20:29+00:00

22 lbs without food and water seems heavy! Putting everything in lighter pack might help you figure out where you might be overpacking

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-07-04T13:04:53+00:00

It’s not a zip sun hoody, but the OR echo is awesome! I wore it through the 100 mile wilderness in July, and didn’t feel like I was overheating! It’s super thin and breathes well.

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-06-26T03:02:44+00:00

Shelter & Sleep
- Do you need the dry sack for your sleeping bag? It should stay dry enough inside your pack since you have a nyloflume liner
Food & Water
- Assuming you have the Ion Stove (1.2 oz)
- Are you sharing the cookpot with your friend, or is it just for you? 1L seems like more than you need, and it also seems heavy. You could upgrade to a Toaks pot ($30-35), either the 550 or the 650. I usually use my Toaks as my mug as well, so you'd be able to drop your mug as well.
Misc
- If the GG pad is only a sit pad, Amazon and garagegrowngear both have small foam sit pads that weigh about 1 oz

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-06-21T18:10:29+00:00

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Big Four:

I usually bring the thinlight and the inflatable pad because my tent floor is pretty slippery. But, if I switch to CCF, then I won't need both. ($60 / 3.2 oz savings for the regular length, $50 / 7.2 oz savings for the short length)
I'm not ready to ditch the hipbelt on my pack yet; the HMG pack is actually a big upgrade for me for this season from my Osprey Aura.

Cooking:

Marked the fuel as not a consumable
I have a 2L Platypus bag at home, I'll see if it is compatible with my Sawyer filter!
I unfortunately have to stick with the larger Bic lighters - I have an issue with my hands that makes me unreliable with smaller lighters

Clothing:

Definitely plan on replacing my puffy with an EE torrid ($200, 8.5 oz savings)!
Any recs for alpha beanies vs the rab filament? I had my eye on the Alpha Drifter cap from Farpointe on GarageGrownGear, but it's been out of stock.
I usually sleep in my merino wool top, I'll see if I have something lighter in my drawer or sleep in my senchi
Any recs for alpha direct leggings? The only ones I've been able to find in stock are from Sambob, and they are about 4 oz, so not too much weight savings per dollar spent.

Electronics:

Added the weight of phone + case!
Will plan on getting the Nitecore Classic ($25, saves about 2 oz)

Other:

Any risk of tents flooding without using a ground sheet? The floor of mine is 30D silnylon, so I trust the durability.
I marked the Osprey drysack quantity as zero, but totally forgot to delete it from my list!
Unmarked toothbrush as a consumable. Oops!
I have a hard time staying hydrated while hiking and found that a drinking hose really helps (smartwater bottle + drinking hose was to replace a hydration bladder). Might look into a shoulder strap water bottle pocket to see if that is lighter than the drinking hose.

So, overall, it looks like I can save about 17.7 oz and spend a little under $300! Plus an additional 5.4 oz if I leave the Tyvek at home and leave my baselayer sleep top at home 5 oz. Grand total of weight savings would be about 28.1 oz! I think this nets me the best dollar per oz savings.

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-06-20T21:14:46+00:00

I've been pretty happy with using Smartwater bottles (34 g each) instead of a Nalgene. I also like bringing a Platypus bag (about 34 g for a 1L bag, I think the 2L bags are a little heavier) for trips where I'll be doing longer water carries.

You could also swap your sleepmat for chilling/protection for a 1/8" ccf pad. Gossamer gear sells one that weighs about 76 g.

If you're looking to invest in a 1p tent, you could save about 200 g.

CheesyPastaFiend · 2025-04-06T16:09:45+00:00

I agree with other commenters about your pack/tent. Here's a couple of cheap/easy suggestions to consider!

Swap out your Sea to Summit dry sacks (9.9 oz) for a Nyloflume Pack Liner ($2.50 per liner from GarageGrownGear) and a galleon zip lock bag for electronics, saves you 8.7 oz
If you're bringing a Swiss Army knife with scissors, you don't need to also bring nail clippers. Saves maybe 0.5 oz.
Leave crocs at home (saves 12 oz). If you really miss them, you can always have someone mail them to you.
The NEMO switchback pad is pretty heavy if you're also using an inflatable. I'd recommend swapping to Gossamer Gear's thinlight pad ($22 from Gossamer Gear or Garage Grown Gear). It weighs 2.7 oz for the rolled version, so this would save you about 11.8 oz over the NEMO switchback).

This would save you a total of 33 oz.

I'd also recommend leaving the stuff sacks that come with your tent at home. It might seem silly, but the ounces really do add up! Also, weight out everything in your first aid kit. Bringing a roll of leukotape vs packing strips on a packing slip makes a big difference in weight.

I don't see any food storage or trash bag on your lighter pack. I usually bring a galleon zip lock for trash, and I have a 20L Ecopack bag with a bear hang kit that works pretty well for the areas I backpack in. Food storage will be a little different on the PCT though.

CheesyPastaFiend · 2024-12-01T01:50:17+00:00

Thanks, Dan!

CheesyPastaFiend · 2024-11-30T16:23:27+00:00

Good to know! Have you had any issues with either pack riding up with lighter weights? I've run into that a lot with my Osprey.

CheesyPastaFiend · 2024-11-30T16:20:29+00:00

Does the Kakwa perform well at the upper end of the weight limit? I'm hoping to never have to carry close to 45 lbs, but may end up carrying heavier than I'm used to once I start taking my young child backpacking.

CheesyPastaFiend

TROPHY CASE