I’ve got a 20 degree and 50 degree quilt and kinda regret getting the 50. I just don’t use it enough.
What do you not like about the 50? I have an EE 20 and I really like it, but thought I could get more use out of a 50 being in south Louisiana.
I’ve got a 20 degree and 50 degree quilt and kinda regret getting the 50. I just don’t use it enough.
Yeah, I think I'm in the same boat. Most of my hikes are in northern Arkansas...or we travel to different parts of the US. I much prefer to hike in mountains than the South.I just don’t feel like I get to use out of it like I thought that I would.
I think of 40 would’ve been the better choice.
Foam pads are decent for car camping and short hikes, but they don't excel very well in cold. The best Thermarest foam pad has an r-value of 2, which is great for summer camping, but very poor for cold weather camping. Most people don't know it, but sleeping pads are as important as, if not more important than your cover (sleeping bag or quilt).I had a z-fold thermarest strapped to the outside/bottom of my pack and the bottom compartment of my pack was where I stowed my ultralight sleeping bag, air mattress, blanket and pillow. The central compartment had 2 extra Nalgene bottles at the bottom, followed by tent, clothes bag, smellable bag, rain suit, and first aid kit at the top.
I’ve gone stuff sack free and find my pack packs better.You need to get a few dry bags and compression sacks for your gear.
Foam pads are decent for car camping and short hikes, but they don't excel very well in cold. The best Thermarest foam pad has an r-value of 2, which is great for summer camping, but very poor for cold weather camping. Most people don't know it, but sleeping pads are as important as, if not more important than your cover (sleeping bag or quilt).
Why so many Nalgene bottles?
After years of aluminum frame packs I consented to being fit for the osprey. This is my second one in maybe 6-8 years and it’s my all time favorite. The way the frame is contoured to fit your shoulders and spine is a good connection for carrying a load. People undersell comfort when they look for a pack. You struggle to an extent with a poor fit or bad balance and that little bit over a day’s hike can wear you down and beat you up. I watched a guy lose his footing and fall/slide about 30 foot down a steep grade because he was getting slung around by a poor fitting pack. We rearranged his gear and adjusted his straps and listened to him thank us the rest of the day, lol, but we were thankful he was ok.Osprey makes quality gear. I am a very big fan of their "Anti-gravity" frame system. It's easily worth the two pounds I could save by going with a frameless pack.
I have the exact same pack as you and love it. I absolutely wouldn't give up the comfort of it just to save a few pounds...especially when I can just shave a few pounds off of me the weeks before the hike!After years of aluminum frame packs I consented to being fit for the osprey. This is my second one in maybe 6-8 years and it’s my all time favorite. The way the frame is contoured to fit your shoulders and spine is a good connection for carrying a load. People undersell comfort when they look for a pack. You struggle to an extent with a poor fit or bad balance and that little bit over a day’s hike can wear you down and beat you up. I watched a guy lose his footing and fall/slide about 30 foot down a steep grade because he was getting slung around by a poor fitting pack. We rearranged his gear and adjusted his straps and listened to him thank us the rest of the day, lol, but we were thankful he was ok.
Dude you should check out the quilts made by Enlightened Equipment. I've yet to find anything that can compete with them.I’m a minimalist on a hike, (unlike my campouts!) so a simple lightweight fly and some cordage will do for shelter and I have a couple of mummy type ultralight down bags that I like. One is laced with thinsulate and reflective material that I’ve used in the teens with a couple of hand warmers thrown in. I’m a big fan of lightweight hammocks and ridge line shelter during moderate to warm weather hikes. That’s something you can tie up in 2 minutes if you want to park real quick and sit out a rainstorm. As said, the flat blow up sleeping pads are super, some self inflate when you open the vent. Anyway, all this was geared to the OP. Get out there and enjoy the seldom seen wonders and see what works best for you.