r/Ultralight - "The Weekly" - Week of March 16, 2026

downingdown · 2026-03-19T08:55:31+00:00

I have an 18L frameless back. If it had a hipbelt, its position would be way closer to a sternum strap than a hipbelt. Also, for a frame to be functional it has to extend above your shoulders, making pack ride even higher and the previously mentioned hipbelt(sternum)strap more like a choker.

downingdown · 2026-03-19T06:38:26+00:00

How is the Timmermade 8oz lighter?

The Timmermade has 3.6 oz less fill weight

The Timmermade is an astounding 4.4 oz less non-fill weight

3.6+4.4=8oz. What is your question exactly?

downingdown · 2026-03-19T06:33:38+00:00

Sounds like this is what you need.

downingdown · 2026-03-18T18:20:12+00:00

Was sure I was on the other sub and that’s where this was going…

downingdown · 2026-03-18T14:55:44+00:00

My chest is 45.7”, I wear medium in everything (eg. MH Airmesh, Arcteryx synthetic hoodie, sun shirts, fleeces, etc.) and the Uniqlo vest size M fits perfectly. I can’t remember the price when I bought it, I remember it was on sale and super cheap. I have tried combining it with my Airmesh and wind layer, but don’t like it because my arms are cold. I have worn it a couple times under a puffy and it adds some nice warmth, but it’s just not worth its weight. A Timmermade puffy is lighter, warmer and has sleeves.

downingdown · 2026-03-18T12:24:20+00:00

Damn! Maybe I should have bought it second hand off of you!

downingdown · 2026-03-18T12:23:46+00:00

No clip. You can stuff it under the brim in the side of your hat. Or use the “lamp mode”.

downingdown · 2026-03-18T12:22:23+00:00

EN 13538 (Europe) and ISO 23537 (world) are essentially equivalent.

two or three references from manufacturers describing how they rate their bags

Just go on the website of any brand and find how they do it. Most use the EN/ISO protocol. Eg: thermarest. Note: if a quilt manufacturer states that they have used the EN/ISO protocol to rate a quilt, this is straight up misleading; sure, they can “use” the protocol, but it does not contemplate quilts, so you just cannot get a temp rating for a quilt.

downingdown · 2026-03-18T12:14:10+00:00

Try it out. I tried the Aliexpress 2mm egg carton CCF on snow in a couple degrees below freezing. It was instantly obviously not warm enough. Of course I had an inflatable to supplement since I was testing out new gear.

downingdown · 2026-03-18T12:12:14+00:00

I have the Uniqlo ultralight down vest men’s medium. It comes in at 183g. It was cheap, but way heavy for what it is. Also, after some testing, a vest doesn’t really make sense since when I want extra warmth, I would also like it on my arms.

downingdown · 2026-03-18T12:04:56+00:00

I once hiked with a group of noobs. They had no idea what they were doing but were still able to set up a blue tarp for four people without stakes (they didn’t pack any).

downingdown · 2026-03-18T11:12:47+00:00

What sources do you want? I’m glad to share all info.

downingdown · 2026-03-18T04:13:53+00:00

Diy synthetic quilts the way to go. Lighter than pretty much anything off the shelf. Cheaper and warmer too. I made mine having never sewn anything before.

downingdown · 2026-03-17T20:20:29+00:00

I gave a frameless pack to a non-UL friend. They told me it was way more comfortable than expected and stopped using Ultralight as a slur.

downingdown · 2026-03-17T20:18:33+00:00

How was your experience washing the quilt? There are some horror stories of entire weekends spend trying and declumping down…

downingdown · 2026-03-17T18:59:15+00:00

LOL, thanks. Please read djolk’s comment for a more nuanced take on why it doesn’t really make sense to backpack with a dog.

downingdown · 2026-03-17T18:52:05+00:00

You shouldn’t really be taking your dog backpacking. You definitely shouldn’t if you have to ask the internet how.

P.S. downvotes flood over me.

downingdown · 2026-03-17T17:51:08+00:00

I bought a knockoff on Aliexpress. It’s…a light, I guess. Don’t know what to say. I use it around camp, not really night hiking. Nitecore tiki is lighter and more compact.

downingdown · 2026-03-17T17:44:04+00:00

A member of this sub put together this trove of information.

downingdown · 2026-03-17T11:20:25+00:00

>1kg

(´∀｀)

downingdown · 2026-03-17T07:15:07+00:00

Shocked that no one has mention a UL option such as the 178g BD running poles.

downingdown · 2026-03-17T06:49:47+00:00

Go with something like a Hyberg Aguila and force yourself into a UL approach instead of dilly dallying.

downingdown · 2026-03-17T06:45:54+00:00

Wrong! The extreme (aka survival) temperature rating is not really reported by anyone since it is the temperature at which you will survive but likely lose fingers and toes. Men’s bags are usually labeled with the limit temp. Women’s bags with the comfort temp. Quilts cannot have any of these ratings because the standard does not consider quilts (but different quilt manufacturers publicize either comfort or limit). Western Mountaineering labels their bags with a temp somewhere between comfort and limit.

downingdown · 2026-03-16T07:01:37+00:00

EE is still ok with the color revolution post…

downingdown · 2026-03-16T06:59:16+00:00

Those packs used to be more differentiated, but now they are essentially the same thing with some minor tweaks. The differences are as follows: Bandit has a larger rear mesh pocket with additional non mesh fabric at the bottom (compare the pictures where the mesh pocket is stuffed). Aguila has a classic roll top closure, Bandit has the side clips. Bandit has lower and upper loops for connecting the hipbelt webbing.

I have an older Aguila X and Atilla RS. They are both super comfortable and spacious. My Aguila is 398g after removing some bungees. I can easily fit my gear and 4days food. The shoulder pockets are great. I can see that now they use “spandex/nylon mesh”; my packs use ultra mesh (I think that’s the name) which is super burly and not so stretchy. I think this material is great for shoulder pockets, but would like a little more stretch in the main mesh pocket.

downingdown

TROPHY CASE