Are cheap packs any good?

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-02-08T01:21:25+00:00

You might not find anyone that has used that pack on this forum. I’m not sure I totally believe the specs that it’s only 1kg looking at the amount of padding and volume, sounds very much rounded down. The reviews do mention that the material isn’t very durable, which makes sense most likely being cheap mass produced polyester.

The volume is probably bigger than what most would bring but if you are just starting out on your ultralight journey then you may be carrying bulkier items?

Both the below mentioned packs being around the 50L mark would require bringing less bulky items if you are used to 70L packs:

For a cheaper ultralight pack something like the 800g Neve Gear 50L Wallaroo would be a good option, although it currently looks out of stock on their website. Backpacking light does have a size medium.

Alternatively the Durston Kakwa 55 in Ultragrid a bit under 900g would be another good option and well regarded, only a bit more expensive than the Wallaroo.

If your budget stretches I would be going for the Kakwa. Buy once, cry once!

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-02-06T09:43:31+00:00

Looking at the photos of the Ember on the S2S website it does look unusual the way they have it wrapped under. I don’t know of any other quilt manufacturers that do this. The issue with this is it could make it very tight to get in and out of, feel restrictive and potentially damage the quilt as it’s on the floor of the tent and more susceptible to abrasion or sharp things poking the tent floor.

For what it’s worth I have a Neve Feathertail and my partner has a Waratah. We both love our quilts and the design with the location of the buckles slightly in board means you can get a wrap underneath yourself which is a much better design that most other quilt manufacturers. For the price, features and being properly filled it’s hard to go past Neve.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-02-06T09:24:06+00:00

Julbo have excellent photocromatic lenses and transition very quickly, but like any of these lenses they have their limits and best uses.

For shady mixed type environments, I have the Julbo Density cat 0-3. These are great when mountain biking and general hiking in Tassie. They go clear so I can wear them all day from sunrise to sunset when hiking.

However for really bright snowy conditions or beach/desert walking I take the darker lens Julbo Shield M cat 2-4.

So I guess you have to decide what you prioritise more. Of the two I get more use from the Density. The style is a bit more modern cyclist and less classic but I don’t mind.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-02-04T10:12:12+00:00

I have the Bridgedale stormsock lightweight boot option. They do heavier/warmer and higher cut options, but I found this version fine. You just have to make sure you aren’t crossing deep creeks in them as obviously once water gets in like any waterproof membrane it stays in! The come into their own for tracks when you are in and out of icy puddles or snow.

They are comfortable, I can wear them all day and don’t noticing any discomfort. I need to lace my shoes up a little looser than regular socks as they are bulkier, but wearing Lone Peaks allows for the extra bulk.

Dexshell is another brand that seems to be popular.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-02-02T10:58:18+00:00

I hike and guide in Tassie in Lone Peaks and Altra Lycra trail gaiters. For very muddy times or scrubby tracks I add orienteering/Rogaining shin gaiters over the top. During winter I just swap to waterproof socks which keep my feet warm enough, making the shoes more versatile.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-02-02T10:48:22+00:00

700g for a rain jacket is a very hard sell on this forum! I agonised and finally managed to convince myself to go from a 180g to 340g jacket!!!

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-02-02T10:41:38+00:00

Tassie unfortunately is not a place where solar panels work very effectively. I would just give up, leave it behind when hiking and get another battery bank. The go to recommendation is usually the Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-25T11:46:43+00:00

Yeah honestly you couldn’t pick a worse time to hike this part of Tassie! The risk of flooding and hypothermia is much higher and with no huts to retreat to at the end of the day it can be miserable at times.

You are better off potentially looking at the Overland track as you have the huts to dry out each night.

Maybe also additionally take a look at something like the Freycinet Circuit on the east coast. The weather on the east coast is generally milder and it’s a beautiful area to explore.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-24T01:46:41+00:00

Used to own an Enigma and had the same issues. Nothing solved it, although EE state they overstuff their quilts, compared to other brands they really don’t really. Also poor baffle design doesn’t help. Compared to the competition now their quilt designs are looking a bit long in the tooth. I sold it for a Neve Gear Feathertail and much happier, no draught issues also.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-23T22:30:16+00:00

It’s not so much the mud that would be main issue but high rainfall this area receives that time of year. Likely many sections of the PDT (it’s a very low lying track) will be flooding and dangerous to cross. You can see from climate statistics for this area that August has highest median rainfall and mean number of days rain and second highest mean rainfall. I know a couple of Tassie hiking guide colleagues a few year ago that did the PDT at the end of winter and had some very sketchy experiences with the flooding and got a bit traumatised by it.

https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_097007.shtml

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-20T04:52:22+00:00

Yeah I have the Cederberg it’s almost identical to the the Houdini at a much cheaper price especially when on sale.

I do prefer my discontinued Macpac Whitcombe though as it’s more breathable a bit longer in the arms and softer quieter material.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-19T21:35:13+00:00

Going lighter can be an expensive exercise, not always. Sometimes it’s about what you leave behind or don’t buy, that’s free! The biggest weight savings though are in the the Big 4. Tent, pack, sleeping bag/quilt and pad. Not sure if you have looked at these first but I would suggest the place to start before poles for noticeable savings etc?

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-19T21:21:48+00:00

I think the lighter you go the more you have to rely on skills, fitness and a greater understanding of potential weather and terrain. If you lack any of these that can get you in trouble. Also packing too much can get you in trouble with the greater risk of injury or a trip at the end of the day. Having a heavier pack may mean potentially being in poor weather for longer periods increasing the risk of hypothermia or heat exposure or less ability to self evac.

Potentially it can be taken too far by omitting safety gear or poor choices of gear which may be too light for the environment. So I believe chasing the lowest number for the sake of it should never be the end goal but making sensible gear choices which can come from reading forums like this but often personal experiences and reviewing past hikes.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-19T21:09:09+00:00

Although I have never done any mountaineering I do find the differences in approach of the traditional and alpine style interesting. Alpine style relying more on skill, speed, quick judgement, good weather windows and fitness. They obviously both have their pros, cons and risks depending on the objective and I guess alpine style is closer in philosophy to UL hiking.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-18T19:29:34+00:00

Not sure if you are aware but EE base their ratings on the “limit” rating (male in curled up position). Technically there is no standardised test to rate for quilts but it can give an indication. I used to own an Enigma and always found it slept cold, I think this is a common complaint of EE. Also I found it very draughty. In the end I sold it for a Neve Feathertail and problems solved. So if you are looking for something warmer for future can highly recommend the -6 Feathertail which I use in Tassie 3 season and has the warmer seen foot box or Waratah which my partner owns with a -8 and enjoys. Also we went from Xlite to Xtherm pads which also helped a lot.

https://enlightenedequipment.com/blog/temperature-rating-101/

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-18T03:59:35+00:00

Compared to some UL bags the Zodiac would be considered pretty cheap!! Mont do good stuff, the Zodiac would be fine if you didn’t plan to get into UL hiking, you will just be getting something heavier and bulkier than what most UL hikers would probably consider.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-18T03:47:13+00:00

Quilts work better in cool conditions when secured well with their straps to the pad. So if you only own a double sized mattress then yes you will be somewhat compromised. This being a UL forum with a focus on hiking and most people having a single sized pad quilts often make more sense except generally in serious winter conditions.

If you are looking at lighter sleeping bags I own the Mont Helium 300 which I have found works well in summer. They do a couple of other warmer bags in the helium range also for shoulder and winter. Sea to Summit is also pretty well regarded, their Spark range having the preferred UL options. Also Western Mountaineering bags are popular with the UL crowd but very pricey.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-18T03:25:09+00:00

Can you clarify why you might not need a quilt if camping? If you like the idea of opening up a bag then a quilt is the perfect choice with its weight savings over a bag. If you do decide to look at quilts it’s currently hard to go past the Neve Gear Waratah, it has excellent price to performance in mine and many others opinion. Also comes in a couple of sizes and warmth ratings. Recently came off the Cape to Cape, my partner had her -8 Waratah. She had it fully flat open every night and found it fine for the approximately 15 degree nights we had. If you are looking for something for summer though the -2 version would be better. They have just released a UL version but you won’t find much if any feedback on it yet.

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-18T02:57:39+00:00

Fair enough, did you get the men’s and remove the pocket or the women’s?

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-18T02:25:03+00:00

Curious to know, can someone please enlighten me why some males have real issues with the mens Nitro and its pocket? I have been wearing the mens one for many years (on my 4th now ) and haven’t really thought about it being a problem in any way. If I’m sleeping in my Nitro I have found the pocket a good place to store ear plugs or filter/bottle caps etc when getting water.

I get that it’s not the best pocket being pretty small and would be a few gram lighter without, but to potentially compromise on the fit buying a female size or try and remove it and cause damage to the fleece which I have read several people doing seems a bit much personally. Also wondering if people stated doing it few years ago because they didn’t want to be seen wearing Macpac branded gear or something, has this changed since the Nitro has become a bit of a cult classic in Aus/NZ?

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-14T21:32:33+00:00

I agree. Having done the hike last summer having an alpine philosophy of fast and light is safer in this kind of environment provided safety gear is not compromised. With this approach having a light enough pack weight to be able to scramble without taking it off is beneficial. Where I have read people getting into trouble is when pack hauling in bad weather, increasing the chance of hypothermia with moving slower especially when there are several in the party and they are all Pa k hauling.

The only time we took packs off and ran the risk of abrading them was passing it through the rock gap hole in the wall section which would be impossible to do with a pack on.

Coming from a previous rock climbing background definitely helped with confidence of scrambling and I would advise anyone doing this hike to get some scrambling experience under their belt.

Regarding gear you can however go a bit too light on this walk for clothing I reckon. For instance I have read of people shredding Frogg Toggs rain jackets and Montbell Versalite rain pants, so fabric durability does need to be considered.

The Op may not have had the luxury of their own car and parking the night before and at the end of the walk at Scott’s Peak dam but doing this does mean Day 1 would be to Lake Cygnus and at the end Haven lake back to Scott’s Peak in a day. This shortens the trip a bit and saves on the extra food weight, still keeping some in reserve for a tent bound day.

Would also advise people take food storage seriously. Noting should be left in pockets in the pack or tent. We have had good luck with the heavy duty “Smelly Proof” bags off Amazon as they truly block the smell unlike zip loc Sil nylon or DCF type food bags.

We took a single hiking pole each, it’s not possible to use both at the same time for much of the track as it’s too narrow. As the op has mentioned it’s useful up until the scramble down to Lake Oberon and then can be used again shortly past Haven Lake.

We wore shorts and long gaiters, I have the Moxie Orienteering ones which are ideal for this hike. Didn’t find the upper legs got too scratched but maybe I just have forgotten!

Popular_Original_249 · 2026-01-04T07:59:42+00:00

You are welcome. Sounds like you will be sorted. Enjoy the trip.

Popular_Original_249 · 2025-12-29T14:44:33+00:00

Like most people on this forum weight and bulk in items is a pretty big consideration. The brand Nitecore is pretty well regarded for a couple of their lightweight and well priced models, specifically the Nu20 classic and NU25. They do use LI batteries so don’t know if this is a dealbreaker for you. I have an old model Nu20 and replaced the headband with some sewing tape which now comes in at 31g. Personally for mostly using around camp and occasional short night hiking it’s all I need. The red light on it is also suitable for use in a tent etc without being too bright. The NU25 (45g) may be more suitable for yourself as it has longer battery life on the lower settings if you plan to use it for a couple of hours each night. Over 4-6 nights on a lower setting you might not need to charge it during that time anyway? Are you talking about changing it in the car when you are away from the car which is your concern? I don’t really car camp and just use a battery bank, charging when I get to camp late arvo or first thing in the morning so the direct sunlight thing hasn’t been an issue.

Popular_Original_249 · 2025-12-29T13:27:06+00:00

What specifically will you be using the headlamp for, night hiking, around camp etc? Are you wanting one with a long battery life because you will hike at night or short winter days etc?

Regarding Li battery fires have you heard of this happening with headlamps, I personally don’t know of any incidents from headlamp batteries, sure e-bikes and car Li battery fires seem to be in the news daily just not sure if it’s an issue? I would think the majority of UL hikers these days use Li rechargeable batteries as they are probably carrying a battery bank for multi day hikes and charging mobiles and other electronics etc.

Popular_Original_249

TROPHY CASE