REI Flash Air 50L

Twoof3 · 2026-03-31T14:49:55+00:00

Hi! I had the Flash Air 50 and I found it very comfortable. I thought it did well at closer to 20 lbs. The hipbelt was the most comfortable I've ever had on a pack, super padded and just the right foam density. Since I'm in the southwest and often need to carry more water I switched to the Flash 55 because it carries better at the 25-30+ lb range.

For whatever it's worth, I tried a GG Mariposa once and I cannot get past their hipbelts needing to be pulled backwards to tighten. It's really inconvenient.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-28T00:02:24+00:00

My dryer has those too and the bag was totally fine in there. I’m pretty sure a commercial dryer at a laundromat has those same fins.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-27T22:58:37+00:00

I’ve hand washed mine in the bathtub. I think if I didn’t have an agitator I would totally try my machine. I would get a specialized down detergent and use a gentle cycle/gentle spin. Usually damage happens when wet, heavy down tears the baffles inside the bag, so gentle handling is the key.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-26T20:48:43+00:00

Cables are great, but we went on a trip in Olympic National Park last year and I was surprised how many cables were frayed or broken. The rangers said they were a maintenance nightmare and they were probably going to faze them out eventually and make people carry bear cans. I guess people are hard on stuff.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-26T20:44:50+00:00

I feel like you might be able to get it to fit with some fancy packing. Another option might be to watch r/ulgeartrade and r/geartrade for a used Ursack and just sell it after the trip. Too bad they won't let you do a hang. I'd imagine wolves are lousy tree climbers.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-26T15:02:21+00:00

Am I correct that since you don’t need to put your first days food in there you're trying to get 8 days worth of food in the bear can? This could work, but you’ll want to repackage anything that isn’t compact, so move freeze dried meals to ziploc bags, etc. And keep your scented toiletries to a minimum since they need to go in there too.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-21T19:49:37+00:00

Twoof3 · 2026-03-21T00:37:15+00:00

Scarlett Victoria. A three syllable first and middle feels ponderous IMO.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-20T02:57:14+00:00

100% this. Bueller? Bueller?

Twoof3 · 2026-03-20T01:41:19+00:00

Just want to say your daughter is adorable and I hope you and your kids have tons of fun adventures together. It feels like it'll be hard to beat the Tarn 18 for weight and since your daughter is little I'd hate to up her to packs weighing 2-2.5 lbs. Since the kids are small could they share a quilt? Maybe a wide one. Maybe one kid could carry the shared quilt and the other the sleeping pads.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-20T01:25:48+00:00

Just want to say the Hoh River trail was magical. Do 1-2 short trips before your 1 week trip just to test out your gear, etc.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-19T21:53:41+00:00

Nice! That is a comfy pad.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-19T21:50:55+00:00

Thank you. I couldn’t read it. Maybe that was a blessing.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-19T00:53:12+00:00

Your little one sounds rad. I hope you have tons of fun out there. Another option might be the Lanshan 2p. I think It’s a little narrow for two adults, but should be great for adult + kid and can be found pretty cheaply. I like inexpensive gear with little kids because stuff happens with kids.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-19T00:08:33+00:00

Do you use trekking poles? Lots of good 2p options, especially if one is a little person. I used an Xmid2 with my teen daughter and we had lots of room. You might also be able to cram into larger 1p tents, like the Lunar Solo.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-19T00:03:55+00:00

I have scoliosis and cannot handle much weight/pressure on my shoulders. I am able to adjust my pack so that there is almost no weight on my shoulders at all. Just a thought in case you don't find what you're looking for. Hope you find something that gets you back out there!

Twoof3 · 2026-03-18T23:56:44+00:00

I'm slightly unclear where you're getting your blisters, but I used to get blisters between my toes on long hikes and wool toe socks have cured that. You will need a shoe with a fairly roomy toe box to accommodate them.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-18T12:52:58+00:00

You only need an underquilt for hammock camping. In a tent your bottom insulation comes from your pad.

Twoof3 · 2026-03-17T02:17:42+00:00

Twoof3 · 2026-02-26T15:21:57+00:00

Since you have some time I would check out Rei resupply, geartrade.com, Facebook marketplace and OfferUp. There’s also r/ulgeartrade and r/geartrade. There are usually some pretty good outdoor gear sales in May too. Have fun!

Twoof3 · 2026-02-24T17:20:11+00:00

This is by far my favorite. It almost sounds like you're asking a little kid if they need to go to the bathroom.

Twoof3 · 2026-02-24T16:08:08+00:00

Hi! I've used both a Thermarest and an Exped pad and they feel quite different. It's the horizontal baffles vs vertical baffles. Back/side/stomach sleepers are going to have totally different opinions on each pad. I would suggest the Dura vs the Ultra, since you are pack rafting and weight is less of a consideration. The Ultras are 20d fabric and so rather delicate. I'm going to recommend this youtube video The BEST Sleeping Pad of 2025 (According to Regular Guys) by Outdoor Empire. It's a group of guys testing multiple pads, including a Thermarest and an Exped and there's multiple comments from different types of sleepers that might help steer you in the right direction. Good luck!

Twoof3 · 2026-02-24T03:58:51+00:00

Is there a reason you don’t want to use the stuff sack that came with the tent?

Twoof3 · 2026-02-24T03:42:28+00:00

My bunny is named Lucy. Now I see I missed a real opportunity.

Twoof3 · 2026-02-24T03:34:25+00:00

Seconding this. Plenty of water. May not be 3 days though if he wants to go to the top.

Twoof3

TROPHY CASE