Date: 2015-10-01
To: Gear Review
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Die deutsche Fassung findet sich unter dem Datum von gestern.¢¢        Tent - Tarptent Rainbow (1011g)After the first 500 miles there are only three brands of tents on the trail: Tarptents, Big Agnes and Zpacks. I was very happy with my Rainbow, because the set-up is easy and the inside does not get wet setting it up when it rains. It is roomy enough for all my stuff including my pack and when it rains I can pack up everything inside. Of course condensation is a problem as with all single wall tents. The liner however is not necessary since it reduces the air circulation further. If it is really wet, just wipe the walls before you get up. After some time on the trail you learn to handle this problem like many others.I did like my groundcloth, because somehow it makes it easier to find an even spot for the tent and the floor did not get so muddy under wet conditions. But still I felt that 100g are not worth these advantages.¢¢        Sleeping system ¢ WM Alpine Lite (971g), WM Whisper Bag Liner (131g), NeoAir Xlite (375g), Exped Air Pillow UL (50g) I hate narrow mummy bags, since they make me feel like a sausage. So my bag is the super large version even though it is a bit heavier. The current NeoAir is comfortable and less noisy than the first model. The liner keeps my bag clean and insulates a bit as well. The pillow fits in the hood and adds only 50g. This whole set-up is 1527g or 53oz. If it is cold, I wear an Extremities Power Dry Beanie (25g) and liner socks (37g). That kept me comfortable until freezing point temperatures. During summer (after June) this is too warm and too heavy. I got an North Face Ocelot Overbag for 109 dollars, which saves 232g. There are lighter alternatives but not for that price.Inside my bag I wear shorts or long sleeve merino underwear.¢¢        Pack ¢ Ligthwave Ultrahike 60 (1250g) / Gossamer Gear Blaze 60 (1360g)I was not happy with the Ultrahike. Somehow the hipbelt did not stay in place, so I carried the weight with my sholders causing other problems. Even though several outfitters really took time to solve this problem, it did not work and I got the Blaze after two weeks. The Ultrahike also was not waterproof as promised, so I needed a rain cover anyway. For me weight is the deciding factor. With water and food for 5 days 15kg (33lbs) is the absolute limit. Other popular and slightly ligther bags I would consider are the Osprey Exos58 and the ULA Circuit.¢¢        Trekking poles ¢ Helinox passport (344g)These poles are really light and flexible, but not adjustable. I broke one when I fell, but Big Agnes replaced it. However things like that are a nuisance, because contacting manufacturers from the trail is not easy. But you should unfold the poles every few days otherwise the sweat and the dirt cause corrosion. Even though I cannot fold my poles anymore I would probably buy them again.¢¢        Camp shoes ¢ Vivobarefoot Ultra Pure (249g)These shoes are really flashy, they are a bit lighter than Crocs and have laces.¢¢        Rain jacket ¢ Marmot Super Mica (306g)A 2.5 layer jacket with reinforcements at hip and shoulders. May be it is not 100% waterproof, but you sweat so that does not matter. This was a good choice. You need a down jacket to put on in camp anyway.¢¢        Rain pants ¢ Rab Kinetic Pants (196g)Despite the controversial discussion about rain pants, I won¢t go without it. When it is cold and raining, it keeps me warm and you don¢t look like a pig in the evening. Wearing just underwear reduces sweating. And you have something to wear when you do your laundry.¢¢        Down jacket ¢ Mountain Hardwear Ghostwhisperer (212g)I could not believe how warm this flimsy jacket kept me. ¢¢        Cooking system ¢ EOE Titanium (50g), Snow Peak Mini Solo (166g), Trail designs Windscreen (25g)The stove is really light, but you need an extra windscreen. The pot holds 830ml which is big enough for most food. The small cup is practical for measuring. But next time I would go for a jetboil, despite the extra weigth. Their system is faster and more efficient, so the cannister lasts much longer. For cutlery just bring a long handle spoon (13g) and a small Swiss Army Knife (55g). You can spread PB easily with a spoon on your tortilla.¢¢        Water treatment ¢ Steripen opti (128g)After I really understood how it works, I was very happy with it, even though most carry a Sawyer. Spare batteries can be found in any larger supermarket and weigh only 35g. I also enjoyed the disco effects at night and the Sawyers tend to clog. For many watersources the collapsible STS X-Cup 250ml (43g) was very useful to scoop water into my Gatorade bottle.¢¢        Gaitors ¢ OR Sparkplug (35g)I would always bring them along. They are light and prevent dirt to get in your boots. You sweat too much in waterproof models.¢¢        Hat ¢ OR SunShower Sombrero (106g)My favorite piece of equipment! It protects me and my bald head from sun, rain, sweat and cold. The brim also keeps bugs away. ¢¢        Scarf - Buff Insect Shield (39g)It keeps warm especially in the beginning, when the mornings are really cold. Together with my hat I feel it keeps the bugs at bay. If necessary, it can be used as a filter.¢¢        ElectronicsMy CAT B15Q (172g) smartphone and my Lumix FT5 (218g) camera were sturdy outdoor models, that could handle falls and humidity. They are heavier and technically not as good as regular models. But I met a few people that had to replace theirs, which is troublesome and expensive. Regular zip locks don¢t last and there are no really waterproof hip pockets, because water always gets in at the zipper. I would go for the outdoor electronics again, so I can take pictures in the rain and use my phone in a downpour without worrying.My Xtorm Power Bank Air 6000 (147g) could recharge my phone three times. If my camera and my headlight could be charged via USB as well, I could have saved some extra weight.