Going Lighter
Posted: Mon 27 Feb, 2017 3:26 pm
Hi, been looking at this forum for a bit, but only just registered, looks like there are lots of experienced people on here who can give good advice!
I just returned from doing the Te Araroa Trail in the North Island of NZ, from Cape Reinga to Wellington. This trip made me realise the benefits of having a lighter pack, and now I'm back in AUS I'm keen to invest in some lighter major items. The main two I am looking at right now are tent and backpack.
Tent: I am looking for a lightweight one person tent, which will still hold up in fairly bad weather. I'm liking the look of the Tarptent Moment DW, it seems like a good blend of lightweight and weather resistance, at a fair price. My only question is: the Hilleberg Enan looks like a very similar design, however it has poorer ventilation, is slightly heavier and more expensive. Is there a significant quality difference between these two tents? Or are you simply paying for the name in the Hilleberg? Are there better options out there than the Tarptent Moment DW?
Backpack: I want a pack that is quite lightweight, and carries light to medium loads comfortably. My previous pack was the Tatonka Bison 75, which weighs 3kg, and designed to carry 25+kg, so basically overkill for everything but the heaviest of loads. I intend to keep it for long expeditions, but want to get something lighter for weekend trips. The pack that a lot of online sources seem to say is the best is the Gossamer Gear Gorilla. The problem I see is that there is no way of trying it on before buying. Does anyone have experience with this pack? Is it really the best lightweight pack, or are there better options? I live in Sydney, so I could just try walking down Kent St (the street with all the outdoor stores) and look for a pack until I find one I like. Is it better to try a limited variety of packs available in stores, or buy a pack based on online reviews?
Any experiences or opinions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a lot,
Rasmus
I just returned from doing the Te Araroa Trail in the North Island of NZ, from Cape Reinga to Wellington. This trip made me realise the benefits of having a lighter pack, and now I'm back in AUS I'm keen to invest in some lighter major items. The main two I am looking at right now are tent and backpack.
Tent: I am looking for a lightweight one person tent, which will still hold up in fairly bad weather. I'm liking the look of the Tarptent Moment DW, it seems like a good blend of lightweight and weather resistance, at a fair price. My only question is: the Hilleberg Enan looks like a very similar design, however it has poorer ventilation, is slightly heavier and more expensive. Is there a significant quality difference between these two tents? Or are you simply paying for the name in the Hilleberg? Are there better options out there than the Tarptent Moment DW?
Backpack: I want a pack that is quite lightweight, and carries light to medium loads comfortably. My previous pack was the Tatonka Bison 75, which weighs 3kg, and designed to carry 25+kg, so basically overkill for everything but the heaviest of loads. I intend to keep it for long expeditions, but want to get something lighter for weekend trips. The pack that a lot of online sources seem to say is the best is the Gossamer Gear Gorilla. The problem I see is that there is no way of trying it on before buying. Does anyone have experience with this pack? Is it really the best lightweight pack, or are there better options? I live in Sydney, so I could just try walking down Kent St (the street with all the outdoor stores) and look for a pack until I find one I like. Is it better to try a limited variety of packs available in stores, or buy a pack based on online reviews?
Any experiences or opinions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a lot,
Rasmus