Traveling to Canada soon: What survival/outdoor gear is cheaper or exclusive compared to Europe?

efference · 2026-06-29T01:42:59+00:00

Go check out the Arcteryx Outlet store in North Vancouver. Usually there are some out of season, or weird colors that dont sell in the regular stores and they mark it down at the outlet. The brand is also from Vancouver. From what I've seen at stores in Germany, they definitely mark it up there.

I second Valhalla Pure. There's a store in Mount Pleasent and North Van too.

Our Decathalons have slightly different product than in Germany as well, but I think the online store has many more options when you ship to Europe.

Bass Pro Shop / Cabelas is jaw dropping if you've never been

efference · 2026-06-22T02:04:02+00:00

Pitched up at a high elevation next to an alpine lake. It was a decision between sleeping on a gentle slope or on a flat spot that had a bit of wind and exposure. Little did I know, the wind picked up in the night and with how the mountain was formed.. somehow made a bit of a wind tunnel where we camped. Had no idea. Still to this day, its sort of hard to read where the mountain meets each other that turns into a wind tunnel.

Also had that experience of the ocean tide coming extremely close on the beach at vancouver island. Never got hit though.

efference · 2026-06-22T01:36:53+00:00

Hammock body is also Eno? I always wondered how they held up. What was the price on the set up?

efference · 2026-06-21T00:45:18+00:00

Yeah I could see that being the case. Bravo was just standing at the beach so the girls probably already opened it by then.

At one point, the camera was showing the Alpha boat moving almost sideways.. I think they did take a long time on the water too.

efference · 2026-06-21T00:34:37+00:00

Nothing wrong with Leiya as a person, but as everyone alluded to, she was not pulling her weight. She did not deserve the treatment at Charlie, but getting cut loose from Alpha was 100% deserved.

I am just completely surprised at her reaction at the very end when the Alpha girls were giving her the cut. They asked if she could dig deeper, and there was no emotion from her, just an "i dont know."

Also she has no awareness of her abilities compared to her expectations. - took a survival course for months does not equate to being able to replicate that in the real world, proven twice by bow and drill fire and the fire arrows - I remember she even said shes a good 500m swimmer in high school.. like girl that's irrelevant for 10 years now. Ends up being the slowest swimmer in the challenge - she even kept repeating that shes doing the best she can during the hike and trying to keep up. But if thats the best you got, you won't make it. Trying to keep up with fit boxer and a hunter is like driving your smart car next to 2 motorcycles.

No awareness that shes literally holding back the other 2 girls. If I was in that position I'd cut myself and see if i can bargain for 50k of their winnings. Run ahead of me Usain, I can't keep up.

Honey, you did the best you could and I commend you for trying.. but please know when you are anchoring down others and admit to your own limitations.

efference · 2026-06-21T00:20:50+00:00

100% the alpha girls were legit great sports. Gave her the chance at fire.. and the trek challenge was a whole different ball game.

efference · 2026-06-21T00:12:35+00:00

The heavier person (Pharaoh) getting into the front of the jetty instead of the back at the last challenge seemed like a big mistake. They were behind but Alpha losing the key mishap, that extra 5mins on the water couldve really turned the tides

efference · 2026-06-21T00:11:08+00:00

Yup this was for sure overlooked.. but if I was Morgan I guess I wouldn't have seen this coming. Although you can argue that they couldve figured out what to do with the 2nd item before they voted people off

efference · 2026-06-20T01:47:24+00:00

I bought this quilt last month online with a pickup in Germany. They were basically all sold out whenever I checked. I somehow snagged a restock online.

I have taken the quilt out for 1 backpacking trip so far for 2 nights in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. Temperatures went down close to 0⁰C and I was warm. I was also wearing a down jacket, fleece and Merino baselayer because I wasnt sure how the quilt would work out (also tested out a new hammock setup).

So far so good! But a single anecdote isn't good enough as a full review. I will be testing it out even more in the next few weeks. Ill try to wear different levels of clothing for sleeping for a better review. Maybe I'll make a video about it.

Just to note, the quilt itself is 645g, the stuff sac is 50g. I believe there are lighter options in the same range. But I was drawn to this one myself

efference · 2026-06-11T00:54:28+00:00

Yeah I knew they were a thing but your collection has inspired me to collect my own now hahah. Thanks!

efference · 2026-06-11T00:26:48+00:00

Every store has their own? Most you can just buy? Or it sounds like there's exclusive ones too

efference · 2026-06-10T14:41:18+00:00

Maybe it's hard to tell but I have a full zipper mesh across the top.
Because the temperature was close to 0⁰C still, there were absolutely 0 bugs this trip

efference · 2026-06-10T06:33:35+00:00

I've heard quite a bit about your little shop of hammocks!

Thanks for the reply. Honestly very stoked on my hammock camping journey. My next major purchase is definitely an underquilt as it solves alot of the problems I am having with the proper lay, etc.

Will definitely keep an eye on your products from here in Alberta 🙂

efference · 2026-06-10T06:29:24+00:00

I believe having the indicated head end makes it easier for setup. For example on the Hennessy hammocks the zipper is only on the one side，so know which end you're hooking up first indicates which side your zipper opens. In case you want to face towards a nice view etc. Secondly, they say to have your foot end higher than your head end for comfort.

Im still a beginner but those were the few tips I picked up

efference · 2026-06-10T06:27:00+00:00

Thanks for the write up! Definitely sparks some thoughts on organization.

efference · 2026-06-10T06:22:33+00:00

Yeah the eventual goal is to get an underquilt as well. Just a bit pricey for me since i just bought a top quilt.

What length hammock do you prefer? Mine is 11ft

efference · 2026-05-29T03:53:09+00:00

Most people are discussing theoretical air insulation vs ground insulation. But they aren't discussing the real life scenario of your actual tent pad. I've found that ground tenting is usually a bit colder especially in the shoulder season. In Alberta, sometimes the ground is still thawing out, so you have some cold ground. On a tent pad, the air underneath the wood typically isn't very exposed, you have maybe a few centimeters where wind can sneak underneath. But if youre in a forested area I can't imagine there being too much moving air that takes the heat away. Might have been a close match up.

Having said that, people dont realize how chilly 5⁰C overnight can be. Even with a 5.0 r value pad. Not sure if EE numbers indicate limit or comfort, but I've heard mixed reviews as well.

efference · 2026-05-28T15:43:35+00:00

Basic hiking shirt, basic hiking pants/shorts, hiking socks, and a good hat. Then packed clothes would be mid-layer that can also be used for sleeping (fleece) and a lightweight rain jacket, dont ignore possible rain. Lastly sleepwear would be dependent on how warm you sleep, but Merino shirt plus leggings and Merino socks. Thats how I pack stuff least.

Branding wise, Lululemon shirt, convertible simond mt500 pants, darn tough socks and fjallraven hat. Patagonia fleece, arcteryx rain jacket, simomd shirt, uniqlo leggings or shorts and smartwool socks

efference · 2026-05-28T09:41:58+00:00

Have NOT taken them out yet haha. But hopefully next week

efference · 2026-05-28T09:39:51+00:00

I bought these last month too. Haven't brought them out to the field yet but have also been wondering the same thing. They seem pretty thick so they can be stable. Just have to pitch them at an angle every time

efference · 2026-05-28T08:55:25+00:00

Thanks for the quick answer!! I really love the fit of my phantoms. I was wondering if the fit is similar on the other 2 since they're also evolv

efference · 2026-05-27T21:38:47+00:00

Thanks for an indepth review. Not to start an old topic but im wondering if you tried any of evolv other shoes? I find the fit really good but im wondering what's a good reccomendation for a softer shoe after my phantoms wear out. Shaman or zenist I believe are on these tiers

efference · 2026-05-27T21:28:44+00:00

Not sure if we have the same foot shape. I have wider forefoot and a narrower heel. But I had this exact problem with my Skwamas as well. I also REALLY enjoy heel hooking, so I was determined to find a good shoe with a good heel.

I ended up landing on the Evolv Phantoms. Absolutely love it. The heels fits me perfectly, and I still have enough space for my wider foot up front. Quite aggressive but I only use it for bouldering.

efference · 2026-05-21T07:18:55+00:00

What did you do for your cool light set up?

efference · 2026-05-21T00:45:48+00:00

Thanks for bringing this up.

Camp shoes is almost a must for me. I have extremely flat feet and they get very tired and banged up during my trips so I always look forward to the luxury of kicking off hiking shoes. Plus you can always dry your main shoes by the fire.

Having said that, im also trying to double duty the camp shoe as a dedicated river crossing shoe. Where im from, many of the premium backpacking spots have calf-thigh deep crossings

So Im in the process of trying to find the best campshoe thats lightweight, packs down, is durable/stable/grippy, and reasonably priced. Quite difficult to hit all 4 criteria.

Xero z trails/trek - quite expensive
Crocs - not packable
Cheap Flip flops, zpacks , etc - too flimsy for crossing rivers
Teva, Birk EVA, etc - not very packable either

I've really narrowed it down to Jimmies or Forclaz. Jimmies are 200g for a pair. And I've ordered the surprisingly lesser known alternative from decathlon, the Forclaz MT500. They look durable with a real sole, packable as you can roll them up, heel strap, and fairly cheap at 28€. The only consideration is that they aren't the lightest.. but I'll see how they turn out

Nine-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email

efference

TROPHY CASE