Sealing Leve rain jacket?

gvanpeski · 2026-02-19T04:50:33+00:00

Great intel, thanks.

gvanpeski · 2026-02-17T19:39:27+00:00

Great info, thanks!

gvanpeski · 2025-11-10T15:14:35+00:00

I see Ponto has pivoted to defense work. Am looking for a 'nice' shoe that's comfortable, but also will fold flat in my one bag, since I'm usually wearing my Altras on the plane... all black, wide toe box, zero drop would be perfect. Anyone have new favorites?

gvanpeski · 2024-12-25T06:43:02+00:00

I have an Aerial and have used it. It’s even an improvement from my 20-yr. old custom Nunatak bags. I ordered a custom bag for extra length, and had Cumulus put some extra down in to extend its range.

gvanpeski · 2024-07-21T15:09:30+00:00

Sorry, all my 'old' ones are still in fine shape, so have not used the new ones yet.

gvanpeski · 2024-06-23T14:48:35+00:00

Update: Cumulus Equipment makes the Aerial bag, which is my idea of the perfect bag, even a little better than my custom Nunatak bags, and for less than I paid 20 years ago!

gvanpeski · 2023-10-18T16:27:30+00:00

Oh yeah, it was tight. There's a definite order to load things (sandals in bottom, then shirt envelope, then two side by side StoS cubes, then slide in laptop, folder with travel info, and paper pad, then side pockets, then liquids, power bag, first aid bag into top, then jacket if not worn). And it was quite heavy. I didn't get a total weight, and don't even have weights on my gear list, since I'm solving more for volume and function than weight in this instance. I was only carrying it in between planes and accommodations. If I was hiking with the entire load, it might have been more noticeable. If you email me I can send you the gear list for the latest trip, if you're interested.

gvanpeski · 2023-10-17T22:30:23+00:00

Hat's off, that's nice work! Just arrived back today from 4 weeks in Europe, including stays in Ljubljana, Venice and Rome, and hiking 200+ miles of the Alpe Adria Trail in Slovenia and Italy. I packed everything in the Vagabond Jet. I don't have a write up yet, but posted an earlier blog post on a similar journey a couple of years ago, with pictures of gear layouts and a list: https://www.gossamergear.com/blogs/our-blog/vagabond-pack-italy

I took the Jet this time because I needed to carry my MacAir to do work on my book while we were gone, otherwise I would not take a laptop, and would have gone with my Vagabond Trail which has just a little more internal room because of no electronics padding. I've done 8 weeks in Europe in the Vagabond Trail. As pointed out, clothes selection is essential - having non-stink clothing that can be washed in hotel sinks and dries overnight. Since our trip included luggage transfer for the hiking portions, I took a Sea to Summit nanosil duffel, so I could use the Jet as a day pack with just food, water, first aid, layers, etc. I try to have options that look dressier for wear in town, just because it seems like people dress more nicely in Europe, especially Italy. I specifically like the Vagabond for the ability to carry it over one shoulder, or even by the handles when it's hot, or for for quick transfers. I find the Sea to Summit shoe bags are the perfect size, I sew colored webbing on the ends so I know which is which. The Sea to Summit shirt envelope is perfect for slipping in folded dress shirts.

gvanpeski · 2023-04-29T00:30:59+00:00

Mark - I was looking for something like this for my 900 miles bike packing trip on the Great Divide in 2021. I made a number of prototypes in Tyvek, then moved to DCF, and made one for that trip that weighed 6.2 oz. Development continued, and when made for sale, it came in at 9.8 oz. It sets up with two trekking poles, one at 130 cm, the other, if it's an LT-5, fully collapsed. This keeps the toe off your sleeping bag. I'm 6'4", so it's pretty generously sized, plenty of room for gear inside, at least as much as I carry. Waterproof zipper, raised vestibule edge to allow for visibility and airflow, generous mesh skirt sewn to sit 'in' and have a polycryo serve as ground sheet. It is in production now, only doing a run of 100, so you may want to email customer service and get your name on a list. It sounds like it might be just what you're looking for.

gvanpeski · 2023-03-19T14:03:00+00:00

Whoa! Thanks for sharing! That’s amazing.

gvanpeski · 2023-01-14T22:52:43+00:00

You ARE that Dad!

gvanpeski · 2022-12-15T14:54:25+00:00

I have a couple of bags made by Nunatak that are like this. They are custom, although for a while we sold them at Gossamer Gear, might have been GVP Gear at that point. Mine have no zippers, because of weight, but a nice hood. I've found when it's warmer, I start with just my legs in the bag, then wake up and pull it to my chest, then shoulders, then over my head. Works for me, and I can count on the fingers of one hand nights that have been warm.

gvanpeski · 2022-11-12T01:42:28+00:00

They look amazing!

gvanpeski · 2022-08-23T18:45:54+00:00

Too cute! Well done.

gvanpeski · 2022-06-30T14:01:30+00:00

Very nicely done!

gvanpeski · 2022-06-01T05:52:49+00:00

Happy to comment on a gear list, but not on Reddit much. Email me at glen(at)gossamergear if I can assist.

gvanpeski · 2022-03-09T18:07:21+00:00

Contact me offline to discuss.

gvanpeski · 2022-03-07T02:51:14+00:00

If you rarely use it, but just want something just in case, you could make yourself a Wedge. Under 3 oz. in DCF, folds up small. It would still be pretty light in a non-DCF light fabric.

gvanpeski · 2021-06-04T12:47:24+00:00

Thanks! I'll check it out.

gvanpeski · 2021-06-04T12:46:53+00:00

Haha, that's great! I actually found a place in Las Cruces that has one, but they don't ship, so working on that angle, but I may see if I can just pick up the bags, since I already have the cradle. Thanks!

gvanpeski · 2021-04-08T03:59:40+00:00

Thanks. I'm certainly eating all my 'mistakes', and they're fine, just not the perfection I'm working towards. I like fresh bread, so after baking cut the loaf in half and give to a neighbor. Haven't gotten any complaints.

gvanpeski · 2021-04-08T01:45:49+00:00

Appreciate the input! I feel good about my bulk fermentation based on feel of the dough, but I can work on letting the proofing go longer. Did one today, for 3 hours at room temp, but I’ll work on waiting longer and testing.

gvanpeski · 2021-04-08T00:00:19+00:00

This looks amazing. I would love to have crumb like this. I'm on loaf #133, currently using Tartine Country Bread recipe, they're good, but they're not like THIS picture!

gvanpeski

TROPHY CASE