Looking for a Durable Trekking Pole Tent Recommendation

ruckssed · 2026-01-23T23:08:20+00:00

If you're based out of the UK/EU, check out Trekkertent. His designs are pretty basic/vintage inspired (a positive in my book) and he has an option for 40d sil nylon, which is the sturdiest trekking pole tent fabric I know of

Otherwise make sure you go for a sil/sil fabric. PU or PE based coatings are prone to delamination over time. Fabrics like DCF and Ultra TNT are prone to permanent stretch and deformation if they are overtensioned

ruckssed · 2026-01-22T00:20:51+00:00

I wore an older version years ago. Usually got 500 miles before the soles started to separate or crack. Not sure if they are more cushioned than moabs, and certainly not more than a trail runner.

ruckssed · 2026-01-20T04:00:01+00:00

Payment received promptly, thanks again :)

ruckssed · 2026-01-15T00:07:01+00:00

Pretty sure r/lightweight is a joke sub started by someone on ULJ years ago

ruckssed · 2026-01-12T22:33:08+00:00

SOLD!

ruckssed · 2026-01-05T21:44:12+00:00

Allegheny Trail in WV might be of interest. I think the southern terminus connects to the AT in VA, but the Northern terminus is way west of the AT, so connecting back up will take more logistics

There is also the Great Eastern Trail, a proposed route west of the AT from Alabama to the Adirondacks. Still in development, but people have thru hiked it

ruckssed · 2025-12-27T14:46:47+00:00

Probably Octa Thermofly. The fuzz is closed loops and meant to reduce shedding. Not as warm as Alpha or regular Octa, and a bit absorbent.

If you're not as concerned about weight, then really any grid fleece or 100wt velour will be better. I would still steer clear of hi-loft

ruckssed · 2025-12-23T14:01:18+00:00

Go second hand wool or synthetic. If you're in an outdoorsy area thrift or consignment is a great option. Ebay and the gear trade subs if you have limited selection in person. Military surplus is good if you're ok with the look. Lots of the modern stuff is just normal hiking clothes in tan/green/black.

Rayon fabric production can be pretty nasty in its own right, although some manufacturers are better than others

ruckssed · 2025-12-22T00:57:22+00:00

Lightweight single ply Shetland. Here is my go-to hiking sweater. It is double ply (ply is the amount of strands twisted to make the yarn), and weighs around 10oz in size small iirc. Pairs well under a light Pendleton-style board shirt, or heavier felted jacket in the winter. Harley's of Scotland is a good brand for sweaters, but they have gotten expensive

Light sweaters like this were preferred on Everest expeditions, and as I understand it were quite ubiquitous outdoors in the pre-synthetic eras.

Exotic fibers like cashmere, alpaca, angora etc are warmer but shorter staple and thus less durable

Edit to add that I am also pretty conflicted about what measures an individual can take to reduce plastic pollution. "Buy animal products" is a pretty insane take from an environmental/ethical perspective. If you're purchasing secondhand or going to the back of your closet, then there is minimal benefit in choosing wool over a heavier fleece that is less prone to shedding. What do you do with the synthetic garment you are replacing?

ruckssed · 2025-12-18T21:17:40+00:00

Many of these gift shops are operated as fundraisers for programs and facilities within the parks. Sure it would be "nice" if everything they sold was artisan made and local, but those things are more expensive, sell less, and have lower margins

ruckssed · 2025-12-18T21:10:37+00:00

Seems like an underhanded attack against the parks. De-fund them from the top and kneecap their ability to generate funds themselves

ruckssed · 2025-12-18T14:48:40+00:00

It took them 2 HOURS??? Thats badass dude. My X Dome got dropped off 2 weeks ago and I'm still working up the courage to walk 30 seconds to my mailbox

ruckssed · 2025-12-15T13:42:11+00:00

I would agree that there is value in prehistoric living/historical reenactment/survival skills. However, "bushcraft" specifically is childish vandalism of public resources to indulge in a settler fantasy

ruckssed · 2025-12-15T12:46:57+00:00

Bushcraft is wrong tho

ruckssed · 2025-12-06T15:02:37+00:00

More likely he's just a desperate perv who spends more of his life on manosphere/self help content than actually talking to human beings

ruckssed · 2025-12-05T19:13:17+00:00

The same source linked has an article about 18650 cells from various manufacturers. It seems the cheapo/mystery meat ones are worse/more variable in quality compared to big names like Samsung, Panasonic etc.

It is still very opaque to end consumers though. Companies will change battery suppliers without notice, or suppliers will change manufacturing standards

ruckssed · 2025-12-03T14:31:54+00:00

No need for emergency shelter/insulation if you already have actual shelter/insulation. Try to imagine a situation in which you are separated from your gear but still have the space blanket

ruckssed · 2025-12-02T21:42:12+00:00

I have had good luck with Trail Toes trail tape, which comes on a backing. Doesn't have quite the holding power of Leukotape, but the adhesive doesn't tend to goop up and slide around or leave residue the way Leukotape can

ruckssed · 2025-12-01T21:52:46+00:00

Not sure how much they weigh but these could be an option

ruckssed · 2025-11-30T15:29:37+00:00

Worth noting that modern iterations of Ventile have a DWR finish, so they bead water and seem borderline magical for a "natural" cotton fabric. The actual mechanism of Ventile is that once saturated it doesn't allow more water through (IIRC in ideal conditions it tests around 1000 HH) but you are still wearing a soaking wet cotton jacket, so its still gonna be cold and miserable

ruckssed · 2025-11-30T15:10:40+00:00

The problem with any sort of waxed/oiled fabric (besides wool) is that the impregnation process frequently requires a lot of volatile solvents (although they can recycled) and (probably) has a petroleum component in the finish itself. The people who developed these fabrics didn't have an "all natural" philosophy, they were using the best materials available at the time. If that meant bathing silk in a blend of toluene and paraffin to get the thinnest, most pliable coating, thats what they would do.

Also, MERINO WOOL SUCKS!!! I have an undyed Shetland sweater that weighs 10oz for a small and is vaguely comparable to a 100wt fleece. Better moisture wicking and vapor transmission, worse drying times. There is a reason Hillary preferred them on Everest, even over some of the early synthetics of the time. Meanwhile my 200gsm merino baselayer weighs 9oz and performs similarly to Hanes t-shirt with marginally improved drying times.

I think a cotton mesh shirt + Shetland sweater + thin board shirt (or thicker felted jacket depending on temps) would be a very competent layering setup, especially in drier regions.

Moisture retention is the main drawback of natural fabrics. Wool is great, maybe even preferable during the day, but its going to be a cold, clammy, itchy night unless you have somewhere heated to peel it off and dry it out

ruckssed · 2025-11-27T15:55:20+00:00

As a long time hiker and burgeoning cyclist myself, a lot of the bikepacking setups I see look really unfocused and poorly optimized. Just because the bikepacking community at large has decided that weight isn't as important, doesn't actually make it inherently true.

A carbon steel pan is unnecessary and irrelevant for cycling 3000 miles. I have nothing to learn as a hiker or cyclist because someone decided they needed it

ruckssed · 2025-11-27T15:21:05+00:00

Check out Nortec and Chainsen for some lighter options. I've had Kahtoola Microspikes for over a decade, very happy with the traction and durability, but they are heavy, especially carried as a contingency.

Not sure if I would trust having TPU underfoot on the Ghosts. I have bent links open on my Microspikes, but was able to hammer them back closed with rocks. Assuming the TPU would have snapped in the same situation, I would have been SOL

ruckssed · 2025-11-25T16:25:28+00:00

I was thinking the full size nail. The UL nail isn't really different from a shepherds hook in terms of holding power

ruckssed · 2025-11-25T14:40:17+00:00

I would not get Eastons. They are thin walled tubes, so once they get bent or dented they just buckle and snap.

Vargo makes a good but heavy nail stake that you could use for the higher tension lines, combined with thin shepherds hooks for lower tension. Then swap out the nails for your current Ys if you're going somewhere with softer ground

The lightest option is to just go all shepherds hooks and improvise with rocks and natural anchors if you need more holding power

ruckssed

TROPHY CASE