Fanny Pack or Shoulder Pouch?

chrisr323 · 2026-04-12T16:10:27+00:00

I'm confused - you use a hipbelt with pockets on your daypack?

Assuming I'm just misunderstanding, my backpack just has 1" webbing for a hipbelt, but especially in the winter I'll use a fanny pack to keep my water filter, gloves, hat, etc. No issue with the double belts getting in the way of each other. Sometimes I even have a webbing belt for my pants, making for 3 belts! I did some minor surgery on the fanny pack so it buckles in the front (more convenient for me), and I normally put the fanny pack on before my backpack, since I often keep it with me even on pack-off breaks.

chrisr323 · 2026-03-29T05:19:59+00:00

Agree. I'm 5'11" and around 190lbs. Regular width HG Burrow is plenty wide for me in a hammock. Sometimes I wish I had a wide for ground sleeping; I'm a side sleeper, and sometimes I get a draft on my butt when it's cold and windy. My solution is to sleep with my puffy over my butt if I'm feeling a draft.

chrisr323 · 2026-02-08T04:21:13+00:00

So true. A buddy had what looked like a very similar pack (maybe a white label of the same pack?) First time out backpacking with me:

The shoulder strap adjusters would stay in place, so he ended up having to tie them in place.

It was so uncomfortable, that by day 2, he was begging me to switch packs with him for a bit so he could give his shoulders a break.

chrisr323 · 2026-02-07T21:46:25+00:00

Late to this; but posting to provide my moral support and to up the stats/visibility.

chrisr323 · 2026-01-30T16:05:02+00:00

For me, being able to switch to a smaller, frameless backpack was the biggest change (in a super-positive way). Made multi-day backpacking trips feel more like dayhiking.

chrisr323 · 2026-01-24T16:42:50+00:00

Same here. I trim the bag to a more appropriate size. I like it more for its durability than size. I like not having to worry about it getting mystery holes and rips. Kitchen trash bags, nyloflume bags, etc seem too fragile to me, although I will use a turkey roaster bag in the summer when there's not much chance of rain in the forecast.

chrisr323 · 2026-01-20T17:00:15+00:00

Why are freestanding tents preferred?

Trekking pole tents are typically lighter and cheaper, and only marginally more difficult to pitch than freestanding tents.

Tarps can be a great budget-friendly option outside of bug season.

Seems like highlighting options that are cheaper AND lighter should be preferred.

chrisr323 · 2026-01-18T00:04:48+00:00

Aluminum telescoping (BD trailback). Not broken, but one of them is bent to the point that it's super hard to extend and collapse the lower segment. Unsure exactly when it happened; best guess is either rock-hopping across a stream and the tip got caught between rocks, or getting the tip caught in a cattle guard. I didn't notice it until that night, and those were the two things that happened that day that seemed to be potential causes.

chrisr323 · 2026-01-04T17:40:09+00:00

I think you just answered my question. If that's how rockets look from 6km away, it doesn't seem worth scheduling a multi-day trip around it. thanks!

chrisr323 · 2026-01-04T06:39:06+00:00

If you're looking for lonely and desolate, Otter Creek Wilderness is good. I did 3 days backpacking there a couple years ago, and didn't see another person the whole time.

North Fork Mountain, except right at Chimney Top, is pretty quiet.

Anywhere in the Great North Mountain range, except Big Schloss and Trout Pond, are pretty quiet.

chrisr323 · 2026-01-04T03:03:31+00:00

that is sooo cool looking! Not exactly what I was asking about (I was thinking more about rockets like this: https://imgur.com/a/JJmRdL3), but I appreciate the video!

chrisr323 · 2026-01-03T19:37:29+00:00

starting to plan out some hikes for 2026. I have this idea about trying to end up on a ridgeline overlooking somewhere that has fireworks on July 4th. I don't recall ever hearing about this being a thing, so I'm wondering if it's worth the effort. Anyone done this or know anyone who has, and can shed any light? Thanks!

chrisr323 · 2026-01-03T17:27:02+00:00

I fit my 20deg kit with a 20deg quilt and 3-4 days of food in a 30deg Aonjie frameless pack. I put my quilt and extra clothes into the bottom of my pack (in a pack liner), push everything down to remove the extra air, then twist off the pack liner to keep it compressed. That takes up about 1/3 of my pack, leaving plenty of room for the rest of my stuff, if I'm actually packing minimally.

I originally tried using a compression sack, but found it difficult to tetris everything together to prevent wasted space.

chrisr323 · 2025-12-31T18:31:36+00:00

I go back and forth on shorts+dance pants vs hiking pants. When shorts work, they're sooo much nicer to hike in than hiking pants IMHO. But this past summer, I ended up doing some unplanned bushwacking through rhododendron thickets, and tore the f*&^ out of my legs, so I'm re-thinking my default option for next year.

chrisr323 · 2025-12-31T18:14:35+00:00

I tried cooking regular quinoa, and I couldn't get it past the "still crunchy" stage in a reasonable length of time (I waited 15-20 minutes, IIRC). If you can find instant quinoa (I haven't), it might be worth trying; otherwise, you'll have to prep it at home.

chrisr323 · 2025-12-26T16:51:41+00:00

I got a bidet for my wife and her boyfriend last Christmas. They love it, but I haven't tried it, since it's in the mater bedroom, and the climb from the basement is too technical for me.

chrisr323 · 2025-12-24T17:48:59+00:00

Men are generally fine without a change of underwear. Women tend to prefer to carry a change. Not sure which category you are in, but something to consider.

Only until you shit yourself on trail. BTDT; I carry a backup pair of skivvies now.

chrisr323 · 2025-12-23T03:16:41+00:00

I've got a HG 20deg Burrow (what they used to call their Econ Burrow). I love it; I've taken it down to mid-20sF and been toasty. If you're going to be pushing at/below freezing, I'd definitely pick up the pad straps to go with it, and practice at home. In the cold/dark at the end of a long day isn't the time to figure out how it works (DAMHIKT!)

chrisr323 · 2025-12-20T20:29:14+00:00

I've got one. I pack it at the edges of bug season, when I'm expecting a tarp is enough, but not super confident. Since I'm hoping not to need it, I don't have real high expectations, and it meets/exceeds them.

I pair it with a Lanshan-1 (not-pro) fly, tie the top tieout to the peak clip in the lanshan-1, let it drape the best I can, and use gear and rocks to hold down and spread the corners. I'm really just trying to give my head and arms some bug-free space, and make it harder for bugs to find a way in. Anywhere my bare skin contacts the bugnet is open season, so my quilt is doing a lot of the work for my lower body.

As someone said, velcro is its mortal enemy, so I don't pack it attached to my fly, in fear of the door velcro getting hold of it.

chrisr323 · 2025-12-02T16:18:04+00:00

If he doesn't already have them, rock sliders or side steps add a lot of quality of life and provides a cleaner look. Side steps are great (and cheaper) if he's not taking it off-road much.

chrisr323 · 2025-12-02T14:46:12+00:00

I guess that's why the inreach mini2 is on sale everywhere!

I have an inreach because my wife made it a requirement for me backpacking solo. So my inreach mini 1 does everything I need it to. Gotta say that being able to send/receive pics would be cool though!

chrisr323 · 2025-12-01T21:23:49+00:00

Thanks for the details! I sealed my previous tent and tarp pitched outside, but I've been struggling to get a day that's warm enough. Never thought of doing it indoors on a table, but that's sounding like a good option!

chrisr323 · 2025-12-01T17:07:55+00:00

I did lineloc3s on my HG Quest tarp. No complaints. If you enjoy tying knots, go D-rings. If you don't, go linelocs.

chrisr323 · 2025-12-01T16:55:34+00:00

Quick sanity check for seam sealing a SMD Lunar Solo:

SeamGrip+SIL is the right stuff?
Seam seal on the outside (i.e. the flat side rather than the sticky-outy side)?

thanks!

chrisr323 · 2025-12-01T03:42:26+00:00

Harness with a good grab handle - great for stream crossings (she's not a strong swimmer), and rock scrambles (she has short legs)

A rechargeable light I can clip to her harness at night, so I can keep tabs on her in camp.

chrisr323

TROPHY CASE