Notes from a Crazy Gearhead...

Is lightweight gear more expensive than regular gear? Is it cheaper? Is it of better quality? These questions are often the subject of much debate on hiking forums. The truth is that the cost of lightweight gear is no different than anything else. It all boils down to personal choices in selection. There is expensive and cheap lightweight gear. The cost of quality equipment is usually more expensive but this is not exclusive to lightweight gear.

What about the quality of lightweight gear? Many people think that if something weighs significantly less than traditional equipment, it must be inferior in quality. Once again the answer is the same as it is with cost. In most cases there is no difference. The exception to this is that lightweight gear is occasionally more fragile than heavier gear. This means that it must be handled more carefully however I often find that cheaper heavy equipment is unnecessarily over-engineered. Aside from a friend who makes a bad habit of chucking his full pack down thousand foot drops, I often wonder just what people do to their gear when they voice concern over the durability.

Ultimately, when you do find something inexpensive, lightweight, and good quality, it is a treasure worth sharing.

Stephen Sharp
hb@clubtread.com

Frameless Rucksacks

When I was a boy, there were three choices in packs available; external frame backpacks, frameless daypacks (knapsacks), and frameless canvas rucksacks. We didn't really do much to make those frameless packs more comfortable to shoulder the loads. I can remember rock hammers and hunting supplies poking into my back on numerous occasions. Perhaps we were not as inventive or just tougher.

Ray Jardine, ultralite gear guru, can be credited for the re-appearance and increased popularity of the frameless rucksack amongst lightweight backpackers. Since he wrote instructions on how to construct and use a simple lightweight frameless rucksack in his book, "Beyond Backpacking", patterns for sewing simple and inexpensive models can be found on several internet sites. Prices for materials run around $50 Can. depending on the quality. There are now many cottage industry gear manufacturers and a few big name companies who make these rucksacks. Prices can vary from $75-$200 Can.

Being a person with no sewing abilities, I ordered my 18 oz (511g) Van Peski (GVP) style frameless pack from a contact in the Philippines several years ago. It was customized for my physical measurements and extra options were added onto it by request such as padded shoulder straps, ice axe loops, and more durable crosshatch patterned ripstop nylon fabrics. My pack cost $30 Can plus shipping.

Backpacking equipment is much lighter now so the need for robust suspension systems to support heavy loads is not as necessary. These rucksacks can support 20lbs easily and with a sleeping pad wrapped around the inside if the gear compartment, the lack of padding on the back is not as noticeable.

In the field I have found my pack to be functional and comfortable when I am carrying light gear. Having nothing between my back and the pack has led to ventilation issues but I have experienced similar problems with other packs. I like the fact that my rucksack is lightweight and collapsible enough that I can actually carry it in another pack and use it as a daypack when I am base-camping. This is the type of equipment that one can use which will not break the bank and still get you out enjoying the outdoors.

A Pot of Gold Under the Double Rainbow

Following the footsteps of it's successful solo tent cousin, Henry Shires has just released the two-person Double Rainbow tarptent. If the demand for it is any indication, this tent is going to be a hit! I was lucky enough to get myself on Henry's short list for early delivery and I was very happy with his prompt shipping.

The Double Rainbow is a 2.5lb (1159g) single-wall monopole silnylon shelter. It has two doors and two vestibules. These tents are not available for sale by any retailers in Canada. If you are interested, you can either order one directly from Henry Shires or there are a few other online websites who sell his tarptents. The Double Rainbow costs $282 Can plus $46 in shipping and tax etc.

I am very impressed with this tent so far. The different setup combinations are mind-boggling! It can be free standing by using trekking poles at each end, however I find the tent sets up more taught by pegging the guy-outs without the poles.

With lots of headroom and plenty of length, this is the first tent in a long time that I have used which is roomy enough for me to feel comfortable spending any time beyond sleeping in it. However, as a big guy I would feel awkward sharing the Double Rainbow with anyone other than my wife because I find it is still a little narrow for two. You had better like each other!

Condensation has always been a major concern with single-wall tents, especially silnylon ones. A lot of thought has been given to the different options to ventilate the Double Rainbow from double rooftop vents to adjustable vestibule configurations. My wife and I spent a very rainy and windy night in the tent with the vestibules setup in two different layouts and there were absolutely no signs of condensation inside the tent or any signs of rain getting in. In short, we stayed happily dry.

The Double Rainbow is competitive price-wise and delivers more options for its weight than any other shelter out there. It definitely has found a home with my family trips and I can see myself using it on most of my three-season solo hiking adventures as well.