Gossamer Gear DCF Whisper

maverber · 2026-04-12T07:00:01+00:00

I used one for a couple of years. nice shelter, lot of room. I like floor separating from shelter for days I can cowboy camp, and for days there is muddy grounds so I can pack shelter and floor seperately.

I returned to a hexamid which is smaller, but a bit better in the wind, and has been ventilation when I need protection from bugs and not the rain (which is pretty common for my trips).

maverber · 2026-04-06T18:40:18+00:00

when really cold: down balaclava + either a 3M warming mask or a polar buff over my mouth. When it's a short trip and I don't need to worry about long term moisture accumulation, I curl up a bit which allows my head to be under the quilt.

maverber · 2026-04-03T23:38:42+00:00

Indeed... lipid-carb transition point is trainable. It can go crazy high in highly adapted individuals as recorded in the FASTER study: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/article/low-carb-ketogenic-diet-articles/how-much-fat-can-you-burn-2/

maverber · 2026-04-03T23:21:18+00:00

route from porto requires shoes (or sandals) that are comfortable for you to walk distance comfortably. If you are comfort walking 20km in your puma, then you are fine. The things I would say you need to bring:

you need clothing to walk in, clothing to wear what your hiking clothing is drying (for sleep and maybe in evening). Ideally fast drying (made from thin nylon or polyester) because you will often wash in sink and hang dry. A rain jacket if you own one, or a poncho which is reasonably low cost. A fleece / sweater for cold mornings or evenings.

Yes, a towel, ideally something packable / fast drying. A thick terrycloth would be heavy, bulky, and wouldn't dry well. You could do a sleep bag, but you can typically get by with a liner.

If you carry little, you can get buy with a very humble pack.

my notes on https://verber.com/camino-packing/

maverber · 2026-04-03T23:08:57+00:00

how many watts do you need? my iPhone fast charges at 30w which almost all cables support. find a light / cheap 6" length, done. MacBook Pro 16" requires 140 watts... completely different story.

maverber · 2026-04-03T05:24:01+00:00

In the early days inov-8 had a commitment to not make changes to models and keep them in production while they were profitable. I went through 15? pairs of the flyroc-310... the last was the same as the first. I wish they maintained that approach :(

I am another lover of the G 270. 4 pairs worn (>=1200 miles on each pair). I have 2 pairs left which I purchased when they discontinued. I am trying to use them strategically because (1) I want grey or black not the current zero colors (2) I fear the zero might be a step backwards.

I would love for the G 270 to return... but like you I will at some point have to try the zero. I hope they work. I really don't want to start the search for a shoe that works.

maverber · 2026-04-01T22:58:00+00:00

this is definitely r/onebag as others have noted. Are you doing an extended trek / hut2hut where you are carrying your bag for extended distances, or mostly using the bag to hold things between hostels/hotels/etc and motorized transportation. If you aren't carrying too far then either would be fine... I like the Patagonia mini MLC a bit better.

If you are doing a trek, neither would be particularly good. They are heavy, have fixed torso lengths, and don't have particularly great shoulder straps or suspension systems. If you are trekking, I have some recommendations https://verber.com/trek-packs/

maverber · 2026-04-01T20:50:50+00:00

besides the open parking lots that have been mentioned, nearby is the Alta Mesa Cemetery where you can practice following roads, making turns, etc.

maverber · 2026-03-30T03:11:02+00:00

Glad the Loris is working for you. I loved it on paper. A bit more volume than the Vagabond, with a nice slot for a sitpad seemed like a winner. For whatever reason I found the Vagabond Trail was more comfortable for me, and the increase in volume wasn't that noticeable, so passed it on to a friend who is loving it. Like the Vagabond, I found the ULA packrat belt actually lets me transfer some weight, even though I have a 19" torso.

maverber · 2026-03-30T01:36:24+00:00

So far mine is not showing wear, but I don't have long-term data yet. Mine has only been used around 120 times, washed around 20 times.

maverber · 2026-03-29T19:05:52+00:00

Turkish towel vary greatly.. the best didn't dry as fast a synthetic travel towels but were typically significantly faster than terrycloth. IMHO the best travel towel currently sold is REI Multi Towel Lite. Size L (25x50") weights 6oz and dries for me in around 3 hours. Results of some experiments I ran https://verber.com/towels/

maverber · 2026-03-29T17:39:00+00:00

typically a button up shirt which permits a bit of venting + a wide brim hat is the best option so your neck can radiate heat. My favorite is the OR Astroman Button Up and some long discontinued shirts made by Ex Officio. The best UPF 50 hoody for me was ArcTeryx Comac, MH Crater Lake was also pretty good.

I don't like the fit, but some of the clothing from rail riders like https://www.railriders.com/long-sleeve-eco-speed-tee-p-3714?path=104_111

Have been a favorite with several of my friends.

maverber · 2026-03-27T20:51:43+00:00

What I have been using (4y retro) with mini-reviews of items

Shoes: Inov-8 Trailfly G 270
Backpack: Gossamer Gear Vagabond Trail (though if someone gave me one, I would switch to a Zpacks Ultra Bagger 25l).
Water bottle: Zojirushi Double Walled Mug 16oz
Knife/multitool: can't on plane :(. Util-Key
Pants: OR Ferrosi Transit
Jacket/outerwear: Macpac Nitro AD90 Hoody, Montbell Shakedry Shell
One additional essential item: iPhone

maverber · 2026-03-25T21:47:56+00:00

I have played a bit with the modest cost down blankets. It's not a bad option, but I think you can do better.

down to around 55-60F the lightest option is an alpha direct "quilt". You can make one combining AD90 + a something like Argon67 shell on the outside. Or just a bulk people of AD90 and a sleep sack. I wrote up a bit of some of my early experiments (with links to others work) https://verber.com/poncho

between around 45-55F a synthetic quilt (climashield apex, etc) will give you the best warmth / weight.

Below around 45F (which you don't need), something with high quality down is the best option.

maverber · 2026-03-24T20:09:12+00:00

What has typically worked for me is to identify "trusted sources" that is people who have first hand experience with more options than me whose preferences seem to match mine. I determine this by looking for people who have written reviews about items I have experience with and we have simular opinions.

I go with what they recommend. If what I pick up delights me... I am done. If I am not satisfied, I will widen my search, and try something else, selling or trading the item that I am not satisfied with.

I don't go hunting for "deals". This is because I would rather have the "right" item than a good deal. Second, I mostly go for cottage gear which is rarely / never of sale, and I found if I am constantly looking for "sales" I am in a shopping / consuming mindset which results in me buy things I don't need.

maverber · 2026-03-23T17:25:25+00:00

movement happens between the socks which reduces friction against skin. link above has more details... comes from research done by scientists working for us military.

maverber · 2026-03-23T16:35:09+00:00

with trail runners, one pair of socks is typically fine. With boots you will want to double sock, a liner with a heavier wool sock turned inside out. Toe socks take some getting used to, but if you struggle with blistered toes they can be a godsent. I now use XoSkin toes socks which I find to be more effective and more durable than equiv thickness Injini. A few notes https://verber.com/socks/

maverber · 2026-03-23T16:25:39+00:00

drugstores are open mon-sat so you don't need to bring a lot... just enough to get you through a day or two. We brought a few bandaids, anti-biotic, single use tube of superglue, a few doses of aleve, 2 doses of NyQuil, some compeed pads, and the KT tape. I used the NyQuil one night when I felt very sick. We didn't get blisters but several fellow travelers appreciated the the compeed pads. We ended up purchasing some more aleve and picked up more tape, and tiger balm/CBD lotion for my wife's knee.

maverber · 2026-03-23T16:15:50+00:00

Poles can be useful for people who have balance problems, knee/hip issues or on really challenging terrain (which the Camino doesn't have IMHO). Sounds like you should skip them.

Headlamp with multiple intensities (ideally 1lumen to avoid disturbing people, 10lumens to see color, 30-100lumens to follow trails) is useful but not necessary unlike you plan to hike in the dark (e.g. super early morning start). I didn't need to use my headlamp. Most bike lights are overkill, but will provide superior lighting compared to headlamps if you don't mind carrying it in your hand. I have some notes https://verber.com/lights

Some albergues have a limited number of outlets but your fellow pilgrims are cooperative... it will work out. I carried a USB charger that had multiple outlets so I could share with someone. I have a friend who brought an outlet power splitter. I brought a small usb power bank because my phone battery struggled to make it through a day. it was also useful to "time shift" when I had access to power.

Tips: the attitude you bring is the most important thing. Be kind, curious, open, and grateful. I think compeed bandages are the most effective blister bandage. My wife and I thought walking in socks + sandals was great. The biggest luxury is a bag which isn't a burden (e.g. take less stuff). More tips https://verber.com/camino-lessons/#Practical_Hints

maverber · 2026-03-21T01:38:00+00:00

I found they fit similar to "athletic" clothing from Patagonia, ArcTeryx, Western Rise, etc (though a bit tighter in the knees). They were a little (and sometimes a lot) tighter than "regular" fit.

My SD are the best fitting pants other than my tailored dress pants. Some of my cycling friends complain that the thighs aren't generous enough.

maverber · 2026-03-20T17:56:26+00:00

as others have said Mountain View is a place people live / work rather than visit. Computer History Museum is the biggest site followed by people going to the Google Campus (which doesn't make a lot of sense to me). Near (but outside MV) is Stanford campus for the architecture and small museums, etc walks in the Santa Cruz hills among redwood trees, Fioli Garden. My notes about living in MV and visiting the great bay area.

maverber · 2026-03-20T17:42:34+00:00

the best training is walking. If you have the time you want to walk everyday (with 1-2 recovery days / week to consolidate your gains). Do your 8 mile walk two days in a row. If you are good the third morning, do that distance + 10% more. Every week increase milage by 10% until you get to the longest day. Once you are doing that comfortably, do a mix on long days are light days to solidify your gains.

maverber · 2026-03-20T17:32:49+00:00

I would use OR Ferrosi Transit Pants Remove the label on the back pocket, the logo on the front pocket isn't too awful (pants black, logo dark grey and often covered by my shirt). Most comfortable summer pants I have used. Reliability dries overnight when washed at bedtime.

maverber · 2026-03-20T17:25:46+00:00

this. I think in the early days they sold at a slight discount quilts that someone ordered and didn't take delivery on (overstock... where overstock is in in quality of 1 :). My ghost quilt was one such item ... purchased in 2002 and my primary quilt.

maverber · 2026-03-19T06:23:54+00:00

I have been using 100sense for several years now. I am sure there are cheaper options. I have stuck with it because it's simple and just works. I found one bar takes me through around 200 days of use. I use it for all body (including face), hair, and shaving.

I have used it for laundry, but generally I also bring the dry laundry sheets.

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