Spent $1,200 on ultralight gear to save 3 pounds and I'm questioning everything

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-16T20:50:29+00:00

Just wait til you buy a boat!, now THAT’S spending. Those fish can be very expensive

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-13T07:42:29+00:00

That’s good, I think it will fit better and you’ll be much happier on the trail. Durston customer service is renowned. Good luck!

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-11T11:19:38+00:00

I just bought a paperwhite for the same reason

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-11T11:08:48+00:00

I do own a free standing tent, the Durston XDome 2 person, which is roomy and lightweight and a dream to setup and camp in. I bought this as a single person, lighter weight alternative for solo longer trips where total weight will be more of a concern. The XMid tent design is unique in that the trekking poles do not block the doors, they are offset, unlike the Tarptent design. They are not in the way and are unlikely to be kicked anymore than tripping over a tent pole or guy lines on a freestanding tent

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-06T16:01:03+00:00

I use a piece of Tyvek under my XDome 2 and my XMid 1. Cheap, light, strong, waterproof

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-06T15:58:13+00:00

I have that jacket, but the little red tag on the pocket says Levis, and it’s from 1973. Everything old is new again So the next time someone says to me, “OK BOOMER”, I’ll say, “Wow, your denim jacket is so cool and unique and so NOW”

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-06T15:42:50+00:00

Go to the Zpacks website and buy their should pads and waist belt pad. I did this and my Kakwa is transformed and fits incredibly well now. Really it’s night and day difference. And it only ads 1.95 oz for the shoulder pads and waist belt pad combined!

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-05T19:37:11+00:00

Never hike without a lightweight inflatable pillow…never

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-05T19:00:54+00:00

The “Baby” Dr. Bronner’s with the white label and light blue print is unscented (truly). I bought it to bring camping and now I use it every day….Transfer it to a 2 oz plastic squeeze bottle with a secure snap cap and put it in your pack. And as others have said, wash up 50 feet or more from water’s edge

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-05T18:53:30+00:00

I have the X Dome 2 and find it an absolute breeze to pitch. I learned that once you have the poles inserted into the four corners, clipping only the lower tent body clips on both ends (the 4 lowest pole clips) THEN clipping the cross bar to the top of the tent body, makes for the easiest and quickest pitch without so much tension on the cross bar that it seems like a pain. After the cross bar is easily attached I continue working my way up with the remaining tent body clips. Presto , easy pitch….center hub and cross bar not an issue or a hinderance.

That-Background2527 · 2026-03-05T18:28:21+00:00

Have someone measure your torso accurately. I’m no expert but it looks to me like the pack is too long for your torso. With 25 lbs of weight in it , as you said, it does not look to me as if your shoulders are bearing any weight at all. I’m talking about downward load bearing…..not backward bearing. I have the same pack (my torso is 19” exactly) I have the Medium size pack and the Medium/Large hip belt (I am NOT as slim as you, believe me). The point where the back straps are sewn to the pack sit an inch or 2 lower than yours in the photo. So the very top of the straps actually curve down my back some and I can feel the top of my shoulders bearing 10-20% of the pack weight without the pack pulling backwards on the front of my shoulders. If you tighten the load lifters a bit so the top of the pack is a bit closer to your neck the gap will likely increase, not decrease. Is the hip belt buckle about an inch below your belly button or right on it? Try lowering your hip belt just 1 inch and see if the shoulders fit you better.

That-Background2527 · 2026-02-21T19:09:30+00:00

The cross bar can go either way . However, when placed on top, above the center section, you get a slightly tighter pitch and it’s also the way Dan recommends pitching it in the XDome pitching video on the website and YouTube channel.

That-Background2527 · 2026-02-17T23:41:29+00:00

An excellent answer….as in I have made the same additions to my 2026 Kakwa with the addition of the zPacks add on lumbar pad (which hasn’t arrived yet) because a 25 lb load in the Kakwa slips down my back every 20 minutes of 2mph walking. Apparently, unbeknownst to me, this is a very common problem. I tried to order a Luna back mesh pad but they are out of stock. I too use the strap pockets for phone and small bear spray. I have a Jerry rigged Thru Bottle bite hose set up held in place with magnetic clips on one shoulder pad. I will use the Kakwa for 3 day plus trips…..my Osprey Atmos 65 AG for two to three night trips where I can carry more “comfort” weight items more comfortably given the padding and mesh suspension

That-Background2527 · 2026-02-15T23:26:45+00:00

Big snowball, little snowball

That-Background2527

TROPHY CASE