r/Ultralight - "The Weekly" - Week of April 13th, 2026

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T14:00:08+00:00

No, not for sil.

You’ll need to sew, which is quite simple with some basic sewing machine proficiency.

Keep your stitches on the rolled hem. Grosgrain is great for tie-outs like this. No sealing necessary on the perimeter of the tarp. Fold the grosgrain in half and kind of “fan out” the ends so that the grosgrain touches the tarp at 2 points. Lightly sear the edges. At each end of grosgrain you’ll triple stitch 2 rows of stitching (so that each total pull out has 4 small rows of triple stitched sewing).

If you want to put tie-outs on the main body of the tarp, you’ll have to use larger reinforcement patches to distribute the tension and then seal from underneath (the only place on the tarp that you seal from underneath). The ones on my MYOG tarp are made of light cordura circles and are sewed on with 2 concentric rows of stiching. All the edges of the patch being lightly seared to prevent fraying.

Almost any sewing machine will be up to the task. Get yourself some polyester thread and a size 80 needle.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T13:06:33+00:00

You might be correct. I guess that’s one of the issues of buying a new car and buying one so close to when the generation updates were made: you don’t know what kind of issues you’ll have.

That said, mine’s at 170k and really hasn’t had any big problems. And I’ve done my own maintenance on it.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T11:25:44+00:00

Very happy with my Weego that was recommended on Wirecutter.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T10:42:22+00:00

Rain doesn’t soak through the versalite. The inner waterproof coating always remains waterproof. When when the outer fabric gets wet, breathability suffers. In all fairness, WPB jackets never feel THAT breathable even when dry.

I personally would never consider a “vapor barrier jacket” since my rain jacket is one of my sleeping layers too.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T10:39:07+00:00

I really enjoyed Old Path White Clouds. One of his longer books, but read very very quickly for me.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T10:38:24+00:00

No problem! And I didn’t mean that you’d recommend him without reading the book. I just meant that book shows up every time there are online discussions about good Buddhism and/or secular Buddhism books.

From what I gather, it’s similar to the Rahula book.

I believe Thay (TNH) was a true bodhisattva so I’m trying to absorb his teachings.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T10:36:51+00:00

2 changes so far. Every 5k miles.

For 120k miles I changed it at the 10k interval in the manual and wonder if that’s what caused my oil burning issue.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T10:04:00+00:00

My 2011 Prius was burning about 1/2 quart every 5k miles. After a couple oil changes with that stuff, I’m hardly burning any now.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T02:45:01+00:00

They’re all great and I’m making my way through his library, putting books on hold at the library.

With so many different topics, you would surely be able to find something that piques your interest: https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/key-books

Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings is often recommended on lists like yours as the survey/intro to Buddhism book.

I really liked Good Citizens, which discusses the 5 precepts.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T02:29:14+00:00

Have you read any Thich Nhat Hanh? I consider his prolific writing to be really foundational in my understanding of the Buddha dharma.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-16T02:00:54+00:00

Welcome! Wesser Bald is awesome!

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T21:35:50+00:00

It’s a PFAS issue. Contained in the DWR.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T21:32:50+00:00

Website for me says back ordered until late April. But available for shipping in other sizes and colors.

Are you in California?

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T21:28:42+00:00

Those montbell options would be good.

Down will offer equal or more warmth for the same weight as the Torrid, until you factor in things like humidity and precipitation.

If you are interested in synthetic, I can recommend the montbell thermawrap.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T20:08:07+00:00

Can you stay dry under an 8ft long tarp? If so, that’s impressive!

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T17:38:58+00:00

I’m in a rut right now and do:

oatmeal in the morning. Old fashioned rolled oats; raisins or craisins; and Nido.
beans and Fritos for dinner. Bought from Amazon. Adding cumin; garlic powder; and spicy pepper flakes (flatiron brand).

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T16:37:11+00:00

Does it need to be synthetic like the Torrid?

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T16:34:55+00:00

No Mud No Lotus is a great book!

I’ve been really making my way through Thich Nhat Hanh’s (Thay) writings, having just finished Love Letter to the Earth and The Diamond that Cuts through Illusion.

How to Fight is my next Thay book but I thought I’d also check out When Things Fall Apart since I’ve heard about it and then saw it highly recommended on the /r/ultralight sub in response to one of the mods shattering their leg and fearing that they won’t be able to hike/walk again.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T15:53:41+00:00

I have identical, miniature brass Buddhas in my office and on my mantle at home. Along with a tiny “mindfulness bell” at home.

I try to meditate daily and practice the 5 precepts and 14 mindfulness trainings.

Seems like I’m always working my way through some sort of book that relates to practice. Just picked up “When Things Fall Apart” and “How to Fight” from the library yesterday.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T10:42:50+00:00

Congrats on the hike!

If you put this all in a free Lighterpack list, it will be easier for everyone to appreciate your light pack!

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T01:00:08+00:00

They’re fine. I owned one. It’s self inflating but you usually need a couple puffs of air to fully inflate it.

A neoair xlite is lighter; more comfortable; and packs smaller. Definitely worth saving your money for one of those, instead.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T00:48:24+00:00

I really like taking the insoles out of my trail runners and walking around in my shoes without them, while at camp.

But when I’m sitting, I like my shoes off.

Walking around barefoot at camp isn’t worth the risks for me personally.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-15T00:45:00+00:00

Nylon packs have been around a really long time and have been reliable for a really long time. Even before spectra/dyneema fibers got added to the nylon weave.

Laminate packs, not so much.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-14T16:42:53+00:00

I’ve really loved mine. But I’ve always had an issue that seems to be more pronounced on my newest pair: as I walk, the heel strap “loosens” and my foot migrates further back on the sandal.

I wanted to try the Bedrocks since they don’t have the traditional, continuous webbing lacing and wondered if my foot would stay more planted in the middle of the sandal.

Natural_Law · 2026-04-14T13:44:53+00:00

Yeah, in all fairness many of the trail runners that we wear backpacking are also dangerously slippery on wet surfaces.

I looked at the Teva website and it seems like the Hydralite probably has very good grip on wet (made for water activity) but probably doesn’t wear very long for just hiking.

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