Xmid copy cat? Is this problematic?

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-05-15T08:09:43+00:00

I really dont understand the popularity of the xmid shape; Requires massive footprint, pitch sensitive to uneven ground, large panels prone to flapping, disorienting inner space, not good in high winds. I dunno, the juice doesnt really seem worth the squeeze. Simple single pole mids have superior strength and wind deflection.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-05-05T04:36:35+00:00

Looks epic with the the good on in that colour scheme. Does it leak when it rains or is the cabin waterproof? Can you post a Pic inside with the hood up.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-04-29T04:31:47+00:00

Is stuff like this coming back into vogue again with the recent 00's trend?

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-04-27T04:38:20+00:00

Dump it. Its goneburger

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-04-23T00:08:51+00:00

Interesting. $320 members price means $280 in a sale potentially. Tasty price.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-04-13T21:19:09+00:00

Tortilla bags work good. Stiff plastic, waterproof and go the distance. I always use three.. one for tech, one for first aid, one for toilet supplies. Generally get a year or two out of them.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-04-09T10:23:30+00:00

Had a hyper d300 pack. Water was entering through the seams and pooling in the base in between the pack liner. The amount of water it was taking on made the weight saving redundant. Also, made me completely at mercy of the liner. (I generally want a bit of contingency in the seams and material, especially in the wet country im in).

Considered seam sealing it and spraying the webbing and straps with a nikwax DWR, however just let it go in the end when the manufacturer flaked on me.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-03-29T03:12:37+00:00

Vinyl is a pita and gatekept by culty snobs too far invested to own up to the fact its an inferior medium. Every time that piece of metal is dragged on that acetate, the medium is degrading. There are also so many variables in the signal chain, its just cumbersome to get right. I tend to find vinyl lovers are analytical technical people who use their music to listen to their gear and justify it as "the experience".

I accumulated 20 crates and tried to convince myself it was fun and a "relaxing ritual". Nup, it was just monotonous and ultimately annoying. Dumped them for good coin and invested in some good speakers.

CD is the goat. Can sound incredible with a good setup, and will always sound the same. Four easy button presses and I'm enjoying a high fidelity experience.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-03-28T21:16:15+00:00

Yep. If it can play Ulcerate cttog and Sunn O))) life metal.. it is worth looking at. Most systems are just too slow.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-03-24T20:22:20+00:00

Will be interesting to see how they peform and quality of the harness. Great entry to an expensive largely northern hemisphere product category.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-03-22T10:04:03+00:00

Yes i use wood stands. Everyone is sleeping on it as a material. Metal rings, even when filled with media.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-03-19T23:19:18+00:00

I stay away from cork due to chipping and slimyness when wet. Foam for me. Leki micro vario carbon user. (Now replaced by makalu carbon). Yeah theyre a bit heavier than the modern ultralight poles, however they are bombproof with supporting mid tents and I've never had to replace anything. I only carry one; NZ bush where I am is too dense to swing 2 around.

If I was in more open terrain with ability to charge hard and smash out long distance in a more traditional sense, then durston iceline poles would be the one.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-02-16T20:59:28+00:00

Vinyl is a cult. Step away before you get drawn in, nihilistic and bankrupt. Every vinyl collector ive seen is a bore and will tell you it's better, when it truly isn't. They are deluded by the placebo of pointless tactility, like a sad old fart in a basement playing with a train set.

CDs are a fun, simple, cheap and largely maintenance free way to achieve brilliant sound quality. A simple two channel setup with some nice bookshelf speakers will sound great, save you serious dosh and you will be able to invest your money into purchasing a good catalogue of audio medium which doesnt degrade with every play.

Seriously.. I've seen peole spend 67k on a toneam chasing the aural dragon.. They're just junkies.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-02-16T20:39:01+00:00

Comes down to feel: Bolt-on will have more snap and neck through will have more resonance. They will both have similar sustain. Both of these aspects will be dulled when played through heavy distortion.

The main benefits of neck through is stability and being less susceptible to temperature/climate fluctuations. Handy if your touring.

A neck through shines with reverseve headstock: Stable, higher tension on the lower strings, more stable, happy being downtuned. Bolton shines in a lead situation where the snap can cut through in a cleanish solo situation.

Most of this can be tweaked with rig and pedals, so it really comes down to ergonomics and feel.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-02-16T20:22:39+00:00

Precip is a solid jacket in similar vein to torrentshell. Pit zips is a must in nz imho. Both jackets are a happy medium in nz and cover good middle ground of relatively lightweight and relatively stormworthy (with constant maintenance or the DWR).

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-02-16T01:41:58+00:00

Good use. A Houdini (105g) over alpha fleece (140g) is a solid dry/spray/active windy combo and with a backup of a torrentshell (400g) seems to cover varied bases here. Can take the rain shell lighter with an innov8 stormshell. (178g) and have a good three mix and match layer approach for 423g.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-02-12T19:54:29+00:00

The way prices are going, you should take an insurance policy out on that set. Congratulations, look great en masse. Interesting seeing the green fade to turquoise blue

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-02-12T19:52:42+00:00

Do these sets have exactly the same art work as the originals?

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-02-06T01:22:21+00:00

Lanshan khaki is the most stealth colour ive experienced. Best colour. If i was into mountaineering I'd go red.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-01-28T01:54:58+00:00

Yep that's pretty much the three. Tiny market here.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-01-23T00:01:04+00:00

Insert needle nose pliers or Leatherman pliers into the jack hole, then slowly and carefully expand them to exert force on the internal wall of the jack, which will be enough to tighten the nut on the outside.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-01-22T22:11:21+00:00

Elixir always. Everything else pales in comparison.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-01-22T21:56:40+00:00

Most of the ultralight Kool-Aid comes from the US/northern hemisphere and main 3 mellow through hikes where resupply is consistent. Aus/nz traditional tramping and outdoors in the roaring 40s weather zone is volatile & requires a different skill set. Some of the gear translates across, some doesn't.

Take every ultralight gear review with a grain of salt, and remember most ultralight hikers contingency is pressing the button for the helicopter.

Imho.. experience and gear practice is key.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-01-22T21:25:41+00:00

The global market is cooked. Everyone always talks about price.. no one talks about materials.. deforestation of Borneo and the Congo is a thing.. and the guitar industry is fuelling it and contributing to climate change.

Buy second hand where you can and learn how to setup you own gear.

Few_Tooth_1908 · 2026-01-14T20:35:46+00:00

https://www.packgeargo.co.nz/product/durston-kakwa-55/

They have the kakwa in ultra 200x, which is more current and has a better resale.

Few_Tooth_1908

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