Ultralight Down Jackets

Posted by rmorris on 7. February 2010 07:06

Hi, thanks for coming, you’re now here and may want to subscribe to my feed 

“Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake.”

- Pooh

For the past few winters I’ve been bring my Mountain Hardware Down Sub-Zero jacket with me on backpacking trips were I expected cold nights. I love the Sub-Zero jacket, it is super warm and it is build tough.  It can withstand quite a lot of abuse.  It’s 650 fill down in a z-rip fabric that is wind resistant.  Like every Mountain Hardware product I’ve tried, the quality is outstanding Link to Sub-Zero Jacket at Altrec.com . The down side (no pun intended) of the jacket is that it weighs 25 ounces.  I’ve been looking for a ultra-light jacket that would be just as warm and weigh under a pound. 

I almost bought a Montbell Permafrost Jacket Link to Permafrost Jacket on Campsaver.com but the $250 price tag caused be to procrastinate. The Permafrost is only 14 ounces with 800 fill down plus Gore Tex Windstopper.  This is definitely the warmest ultralight jacket on the market.  Plus it is cozy with a micro fleeced lined collar, zippered pockets with fleece lining and articulated elbows.

Just before almost deciding to buy the Montbell Permafrost I saw an ultralight jacket in the LL Bean catalog.  It is the “Ultralight 850” Jacket. It was ‘only’ $149 so I thought I would give it a try.  The medium jacket weighs just under 16 ounces.  It has 850 fill down insulation and compresses down in your pack (stuffs into it’s own pocket) to very small. It is made of a water resistant ripstop nylon with a drawstring waistband and elastic cuff. So far I’ve found it to be extremely comfortable to wear.  I’ve had it out in temperatures to the mid-teens and found it quite warm.

I thought I was set for a while, then I saw a blog post from the “Jolly Green Giant” (link to post) talking about the New Balance Fugu jacket.  New Balance has stopped making the this jacket it it is hard to find, but can be found on some close-out sites.  The Green Giant said there was some being sold a recreationoutlet.com so I surfed over there and purchased one for $119 (retail was $385).  The Fugu (Japanese for Blowfish) jacket is nearly if not just as warm as the Montbell Permafrost. It is under 14 ounces (for a medium-tall).  The 850 fill of this jacket is so warm I’ve had it out in 15 degree days with no laying under it and still felt comfortable. It has much more loft then the Bean Ultralight and has a radiant barrier liner laminated to the inside that adds 4 1/2 degrees of more warmth. It also has a super DWR exterior (that I have not yet tested in wet weather).  So far I’m loving it.

  Related Articles:

Review of Montbell Ultralight Down Inner Jacket

January Gear Sales

Posted by rmorris on 17. January 2010 08:36

Really good deals, This is a good time of the year to buy gear……..

Altrec:

Altrec Outlet: Mountain Hardwear Sale - Up to 60% off

Skies.com:

Free Shipping on orders over $99 at Skis.com

REI.com:

 REI January Clearance Sale! 1.8-18

Cabellas:

Patagonia 30% off through January 19th:

UltraPod Camera Tripod and Hiking Pole Mount

Posted by rmorris on 17. January 2010 08:04

From time to time I’ve been thinking about getting some type of camera tripod or mount to bring with me on hikes and backpacking trips.  I was thinking of getting a “Stick Pic” (Click for here for The Stick Pic web site) which is a tiny camera mount ring that fits on the end of your walking stick.  It weighs practically nothing and lets you steady the camera on your pole or hold the pole out and take a picture or yourself.  When I saw a recent post by pig-monkey.com reviewing the new versions of the Stick Pick (http://pig-monkey.com/2010/01/06/the-new-stickpic/) I almost purchased one ($11.99 +SH on there web site).  It looks like a great little gadget. 

But before I did, the very next day I happened to be at REI and I saw this little device – the “UltraPod” tripod.  This tiny tripod weighs about 2.6 oz. (6 x 1.25 inches). It has a Velcro strap built into it so that when the legs of the tripod are folded up, the thing can be strapped onto a hiking pole or a tree limb.  The camera mount is on a ball socket that lets the camera angle be easily adjusted any which way.  So far this little device is working out well. 

Watch this video of the UltraPod ….

Purchase the UltraPad at REI

By the way…..

Altrec.com is have a great sales – up to 50% off: 

http://backpackbasecamp.com

Scoutmaster's Corner added to BackpackBasecamp.com

Posted by rmorris on 29. May 2009 11:55

A new section of has been added to BackpackBasecamp.com; Scoutmaster's Corner is dedicated to the great tradition of Scouting. We are starting off this section with a set of gear checklist for various trips including hiking, backpacking,winter camping, and long bike rides.  These will soon be followed by articles about Scouting and the Scouts adventures.

Thanks to Forrest Jones for these gear checklists and the soon to follow posts.  Forrest is an Eagle Scout that grew up in the mountains of Montana and enjoys the outdoors.  He currently serves in the BSA Scouting Program as an Assistant District Commissioner, and as an Assistant Scoutmaster.  He has been a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster for over 15 years.  He is an Architect and currently lives near Seattle, Washington, with his wife and 2 daughters.

Checkout the new section at http://www.backpackbasecamp.com/scouting/scouting.html

Backpacker Magazine “Be a Gear Tester” Contest

Posted by rmorris on 8. May 2009 03:44

In April Backpacker magazine had a contest for readers to enter to become volunteer gear testers for the magazine.  Contestants had to write a sample gear review and create a YouTube video review.  A little less the two hundred people entered and the magazine has chosen 11 winners who will now be official gear tests. 

And the winners are…

Matthew Grey from Perkasie, PA
Matt Heselton from Boswell, PA
Joe Flowers from Raleigh, NC
Nelson Radmall from Draper, UT
Geoff Ward from Portsmouth NH
Bobby Trotter from Powell, TN
Joel Nyquist from South Riding, VA
Will Rochfort from San Diego, CA
Ryan Dax from Placerville, CA

Congratulations to the winners! And I wish them luck and hope they have fun testing the gear.I have received some negative feedback about the way Backpacker magazine conducted the contest, primarily the main complaint is that contestants were not given any feedback – not even an email acknowledging that Backpacker magazine received their sample reviews and looked at their videos.   The criteria for choosing the winners also appeared to be quite random and undefined.  That is a bit disappointing that the magazine would treat some of their most loyal readers with such disregard.  That said, I’ve looked at some of the videos of the winners and I’m sure they will do a great job.

http://www.backpacker.com/gear_tester_contest_winners/blogs/daily_dirt/1007

Bear Canister Comparision

Posted by rmorris on 4. May 2009 03:29

Normally I don’t post links to other Blogs, but I’ve found this one to be quite useful.  Rebecca at Calipidder.com recently posted an article on bear canisters that gives a good comparison between the main options, including Garcia Backpacker’s Cache, BearVault, Bearikade, Bare Boxer and the Ursack.  If you are considering purchasing a bear canister soon, check out this post.

http://calipidder.com/wp/2009/05/bear-canisters-the-pros-and-cons-of-different-designs/

Mont-Bell U.L. Down Inner Jacket

Posted by rmorris on 21. April 2009 14:59

I’m going through my gear, finally trying to organize it (no doubt I will stop before achieving this goal) and thought I would write a bit about my favorite jacket.  It is arguably the single best piece of ultra light backpacking gear available.  Weighs less than seven ounces (6.9 oz) and is smaller than a water bottle. 

The Mont-Bell U.L. Down “Inner”  Jacket.  This jacket is truly amazing.  When I first got it a year ago and was going out on an early March backpack I actually was afraid to only bring this jacket so I also took my Mountain Hardware Sub-Zero (also a great Jacket – weighs 3 times as much, but is much warmer).  Temperatures that night dropped to the low 30’s.  Long story short the Sub-Zero jacket makes a great pillow!  I was fine with the Mont-Bell U.L. , I also had to wear it into my sleeping bag that night and the silky Nylon and less bulk worked much better in the sleeping bag.

The jacket is 800 fill down in a simple 15-denier “Bellistic Airlight” nylon shell – very durable.  It is quite wind resistant, and has a DWR treatment – but is far from water proof.  I find it works very well under a rain shell, so long as you don’t sweat to much. Since I’m wearing only in camp, not hiking this is not a problem. If you are interested in getting one CampSaver.com has free shipping (link below).  

Article:

http://www.backpackbasecamp.com/Reviews/Reviews%20Clothes%20Jackets2.html