Outdoor Research completely redesigns its Transcendent Down Hoodie with 800-fill down, making it a warmer and lighter choice for cold-weather outdoor adventures.

Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoodie Specs

MSRP: $279
Fabric: 100 percent recycled 20D nylon shell and lining
Insulation: 800-fill responsibly sourced down
Weight: 13.3 ounces for a medium men’s coat; 11.6 ounces for a women’s medium

About the Transcendent Hoodie

The totally redesigned Transcendent Hoodie has 800-fill down and weighs 13.3 ounces, making it warmer and lighter than the old Hoodie and its 650-fill down and 16.2-ounce weight. The baffles are narrower to keep the down from shifting and the coat uses 100% recycled face and lining fabrics. It’s light and warm, but not stripped down. There are two outside zippered waist pockets, a zippered chest pocket and a deep stash pocket inside, and a hem drawcord. The collar is high on my neck for wind protection and the hood wraps comfortably around my head.

Transcendent Hoodie Features

Materials: Bluesign approved 100% recycled 20D nylon shell and lining.

Fit: The redesigned coat is slimmer than the old version, so take that into account when deciding on size. I’m 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weigh 160 pounds, and the medium size fits me. Because of the slim fit the coat is snug at the waist, so I recommend going with a large if you’re taller or heavier than me.

Wind Resistance: Good at handling light winds.

Water Resistance: Although water beads on the outer coat shell I wouldn’t wear it in the rain.

Warmth: The 800-fill down provides plenty of warmth for cold-weather adventures, with only a short-sleeved T underneath for temperatures above 30 and light to midweight base layers for lower temperatures.

Cuffs: The elastic cuffs are snug at my wrists, and expand enough to slip liner gloves underneath.

Zipper: The large main zipper is easy to pull without snagging, there’s a wind flap inside the coat that’s the length of the zipper, and a zipper garage at the hood.

High Collar: Zips over my chin, with a snug fit to keep out wind and cold air and a soft fabric strip that doesn’t scratch my chin and neck.

Waist Closure: A drawstring inside the coat draws the hem closer to my waist, sealing out wind and cold air.

The Hood: Wraps snugly around my head, with room for a hat underneath. But unlike the previous version there is no hood drawcord.

Two Side Pockets: The two side waist pockets are lined with tricot, a soft fabric that’s durable and moisture wicking. Both pockets have zippers and can hold gloves, a hat, or any other small gear I want quick access to.

Inside Pockets: OR moved the zippered chest pocket inside the coat and now there’s only one deep stash pocket. The coat has to be unzipped slightly to get at the chest pocket, so I don’t keep anything in it that I need to get to often. The pocket is more useful for keeping gear like a phone or satellite communicater safely enclosed inside the coat. The stash pocket, without a zipper, holds larger items such as liner gloves or snacks.

Stuff Pocket: The coat stuffs into the left pocket and has a cord to attach it to the outside of a pack.

Cleaning: Machine wash alone in cold water and tumble dry on low or line dry in the shade.

Transcendent Hoodie Pros

Lightweight: At 13.3 ounces, the coat is respectably lightweight.

Warmth: Good as an outer layer in subfreezing temperatures.

High Collar: Seals in the heat at my neck and keeps out the cold wind.

Pockets: The two outside and two inside pockets provide plenty of storage space.

Transcendent Hoodie Cons

No Hood Drawcord: The hood fits snugly around my head, but a drawcord would go a long way toward keeping out a strong wind.

Overall Value

The Transcendent Hoodie is a warm, lightweight coat that doesn’t doesn’t skimp on features. The coat’s four pockets—two inner and two outer– provide plenty of space for stashing small gear that I don’t want to keep taking my backpack off to get at. The collar zips up to fully cover my chin, although the hood would be better with a drawcord. The redesigned Transcendent Hoodie is more expensive–$279 compared with $225 for the older model—but packs more warmth and a lighter weight. And the price is a great deal compared with comparable coats, making the Transcendent a good choice for cold-weather adventures.

Similar Hoodies

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie
MSRP: $329
Insulation: 800-fill down

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody
MSRP: $360
Insulation: 800-fill down

Mammut Taiss IN Hooded Down Jacket
MSRP: $399
Insulatation: 850-fill down

This product was donated for purpose of review.

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The PAKA Mountain Crew is a comfortable midweight alpaca sweater that’s at home on and off the trail.

Mountain Crew Specs

MSRP: $145
Fabric: 60% baby alpaca, 15% fine Merino wool, 25% nylon
Weight: 12.3 ounces

About the Mountain Crew

The PAKA Mountain Crew is a midweight layer that’s good as an outer layer in the 50s and 60s and as an under layer when the temperature dips lower. The stretchy alapaca/Merino/nylon fabric is soft against my skin and blocks a light wind. And it’s comfortable and stylish enough for everyday use off the trail.

Mountain Crew Features

Materials: The Mountain Crew’s alpaca wool is good at wicking moisture and resisting moisture.

Comfort: The fabric keeps its shape while allowing easy movement. Flatlock seams rest comfortably against my skin, with no itch or chafe.

Moisture Management: Alpaca fiber is naturally water-resistant and highly breathable, but don’t expect to wear it in the rain.

Odor Resistance: Because of alpaca fiber’s breathability, sweat passes through the material and away from my body. I’ve worn it over and over for outdoor activities without washing and have yet to notice a dirtbag smell.

Warmth: I wear the Mountain Crew as an outer layer with a lightweight layer underneath when the temperature is in the 50s and above. If it’s colder than that I put on a layer over the Mountain Crew.

Collar: The crew neck collar is comfortably loose around my neck, but a high-collar outer layer is a good idea if the wind is cold and biting.

Pockets: None.

Fit: I’m 5 feet, 10 inches, 160ish, and a size medium is a good fit for me. PAKA has a fit guide to determine your size.

Cleaning: Paka says hand washing with cold water is best, but if washing in a machine set it at delicate with cold water. Lay the Mountain Crew flat to dry.

About PAKA:. The company sells a wide range of clothing made sustainably and ethically, woven by Peruvian artisans using Peruvian alpaca fur. 1% of sales supports regenerative agriculture and farming families and another 1% funds the education of young Peruvian women. Each woman signs the clothing she makes; my sweater was signed by Leonor P. Read more about Paka’s story here.

Mountain Crew Pros

Simple and Light: The Mountain Crew is a lightweight layer without frills.

Comfort: The lining is soft against my skin and doesn’t itch or chafe.

Warmth: Good for a base layer in low temperatures and as an outer layer when the temperature climbs.

Peruvian Sourced and Made: PAKA clothing is sourced and woven in Peru, and PAKA’s sales help support Peruvian families.

Mountain Crew Cons

Collar: The crew neck collar lets in cold air when it’s windy, making it necessary to put on a top layer with a high collar.

Durability: The Mountain Crew snagged on branches and pulled a thread when I was clearing a trail blowdown, so I’m sticking to clear trails when I wear it.

Overall Value

The Mountain Crew has become my layer of choice because of its soft feel, warmth, and versatility for a range of temperatures. It’s a quality sweater that’s good for everyday and on-trail wear. (My wife says it’s stylish enough that I should wear it only off-trail.) But the price is higher than comparable wool sweaters, so it may not be the best choice if you’re looking for the least-expensive wool sweater.

Similar Wool Layers

Smartwool Sparwood Crew Sweater
MSRP: $105
Material: Nylon, Merino wool mix

Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew
MSRP: $115
Material: Merino wool

Royal Robbins Westlands Crew
MSRP: $130
Material: Wool, polyester mix

This product was donated for purpose of review.

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Overview: Brooks Cascadia 18

About the Cascadia 18

The Cascadia 18 are a beast on trail, gripping rocks and mud while providing a stable cushion. The comfort where foot meets trail is superb, and the neutral support means my feet don’t rock and roll when landing. The 18s have been upgraded from the Cascadia 17 with softer midsole foam, improved outsole traction, and a reinforced upper for increased durability. I’ve worn the Cascadia 16 for years and am beyond happy to find that the 18s are just as comfortable and trail-worthy, and maybe a bit more durable.

Cascadia 18 Comfort

Fit: Comfortable out of the box, with no break-in needed. The Cascadia 18 come in medium and wide widths, and the size 12 medium width are a good fit for my slightly narrow size 12 feet.

Stack Height: 33mm at the heel, 25mm at the toes. Enough cushion to absorb the pounding of rocks under my feet, but not so much that I’m disconnected from the trail.

Foot Support: Neutral. My feet hit the ground with a stable stride.

Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm is a lot of drop in a world dominated by zero-drop shoes, but for someone like me with flat feet a higher drop with arch support is more comfortable. And the Cascadia 18 arch support is just right for me.

Cascadia18 Trail Performance

New Outsole: Brooks’ TrailTack Green outsole rubber grips the trail on mud, rock, and wet surfaces. I hiked through all those conditions without slipping or sliding.

More Durable Mesh Upper: Breathable and quick drying after hiking on wet trails. The mesh has been upgraded from the Cascadia 17 with overlays in high-wear areas, which is good to know because my 16s have a small hole in the mesh after years of use.

Updated Midsole: Brooks says its Trail Adapt System, with what it calls DNA LOFT v2 cushioning, combines a rock plate and strategic zonal pods to provide stability on uneven surfaces. That’s a lot to digest, but the result is a stable shoe on rocky trails.

Lugs: 4.5mm. Deep enough for a good grip on the trail.

Good to Know

GORE-TEX Lining: The Cascadia 18 GTX have a GORE-TEX lining with water resistant protection. The GTX are $170, $30 more than the basic Cascadia 18.

Gaiter Connection: Velcro strips at the back of the shoes to attach gaiters.

More Sustainable: The Cascadia 18 are made with recycled materials equivalent to 10 plastic water bottles. And Brooks says the PrintDyed uppers save 66 percent of the energy and 75 percent of the water required for the traditional dye process.

Cascadia 18 Pros

Grip: The Cascadia 18 perform well on wet rocks and through mud.

Stable: My feet stay balanced while on trail or striding from rock to rock.

Cushion: A moderate level of cushion, with 33mm under the heel and 25mm under the forefoot.

Foot Protection: A rock plate to buffer my feet from rock-pounding.

Arch Support: The right amount of support for my flat feet.

Cascadia 18 Cons

Durability: My Cascadia 16 have a small hole in the upper mesh after years of use, but Brooks says it strengthened the mesh in the 18s.

Overall Value

The Cascadia 16 were my go-to shoes for years, and I’m pleased that the updated Cascadia 18 don’t mess with the shoe’s comfort and on-trail stability. They shine for all trail conditions when I’m carrying a backpack. The shoes I tested aren’t water resistant, but I found that they dry quickly, and a GORE-TEX version is available. The shoes also comes in medium and wide widths. The price is comparable to similar trail runners.

Similar Hiking Shoes

Salomon Speedcross 6
MSRP: $145

Merrell Moab Speed 2
MSRP: $140

HOKA Speedgoat 6
MSRP: $155

This product was donated for purpose of review.

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The Osprey Exos Pro 55 combines superb comfort and a light weight that make it a solid choice for ultralight hikers.

^{The Osprey Exos Pro 55 with the top pouch removed and the top flap covering the pack opening.}

Overview: Osprey Exos Pro

MSRP: $290
Weight: 2.077 pounds for S/M; 2.165 pounds for L/XL.
Capacity: 55 liters for S/M; 58 liters for L/XL.

Fabric: The main compartment and bottom of the pack use Osprey’s proprietary NanoFly fabric and a mix of 100D nylon and 200d UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) ripstop. The fabric’s durable water repellent (DWR) treatment is made without environmentally harmful PFAS.

Note: The pack is also available as the women’s Eja Pro.

_{The Exos Pro has 5 ladder-style slots for moving the pack up or down on the frame, and the mesh panel is extremely comfortable.}

About the Osprey Exos Pro 55

Osprey makes a successful dive into the ultralight market with the Exos Pro 55, cutting nearly one pound off the trail-tested Exos 58 without sacrificing comfort. The ventilated AirSpeed back panel is comfortable and puts cooling air between the pack and my back, unlike most ultralight packs that rest against my back with little ventilation and can get hot.

Exos Pro 55 Carrying Capacity

Main Compartment: The top-loading main compartment holds all my gear for a five-day hike: tent, sleeping bag, clothes, accessories, and bear canister with food. The bear canister fits into the pack horizontally or vertically, or it can be strapped to the top underneath the floating top pouch.

Front Mesh Pocket: Smaller than mesh pockets in other packs in the Pro 55’s weight category, but it still has enough room for my water filter, lunch, and a lightweight rain coat. Overloading the main compartment, creating a bulge, cuts into the storage capacity of the mesh pocket.

Side Pockets: A mesh pocket on each side of the pack can each hold two narrow water bottles or tent poles. There’s a large gap in the side of the fabric where the pockets attach to the frame, and I worry that small gear like a water filter could slip out through the gap.

Two Hipbelt Pockets: One pocket with a zipper can hold small items, in my case two granola bars and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. The other pocket is open, and I take care that anything I put in it doesn’t fall out.

Top Pocket and Flap: The Pro 55 has two top closures: a floating pouch with a zipper and a flap under the pouch. The flap can be tucked into the pack if you’re using the top pouch, or the pouch can be removed and the flap becomes the top pack closure. I prefer to remove the top pouch, reducing carrying capacity by 9 liters and the weight by almost 3 ounces.

Water Bladder: A clip inside the pack marked H20 holds an internal hydration sleeve.

Bear Canister: My BearVault 450 fits horizontally or vertically inside the main body of the pack, or it can be strapped to the top of the pack, held in place by the top pocket. I found that putting the bear can horizontally on top of my tent at the bottom of the pack was the most comfortable spot.

_{The top pouch gives easy access to gear and adjusts to fit over a bear canister. It can be removed for a weight savings.}

Exos Pro 55 Comfort

Fit: The Pro 55 comes in two sizes: small/medium and large/extra large. The frame has five adjustment slots to move the pack up and down 4 inches to accommodate different heights, and the hipbelt adjusts for different waist sizes. I’m 5 feet, 10 inches tall and have my pack on the second slot from the top.

Suspension: Osprey’s AirSpeed suspension provides superb comfort and ventilation. The pack rides comfortably on my back without any pressure from gear stored inside.

Load Lifters: Consistent with Osprey’s effort to keep features included on mainstream packs, the Pro 55 has load lifters that keep the weight close to my back.

How Much Weight?: The Pro 55 is extremely comfortable at about 20 pounds, the weight that I usually carry. Osprey recommends a maximum weight of 30 pounds.

External Essentials

Floating Top Lid: This is the classic top lid on most mainstream backpacks, with a key clip inside and adjustable straps to fit a bear can on top of the pack. The lid can be removed to save a few ounces and the pack’s top can be closed with a fixed flap.

Side Compression Cords: These cords do double duty to compress the pack and hold equipment such as trekking poles to the side of the pack. The straps are long enough to lash bulky gear to the sides of the pack, and though the buckles are small and the straps thin, the buckles are easy to connect and disconnect, and the straps slide easily and don’t slip loose. The straps also slide through small loops on the sides of the pack so they aren’t flapping around.

Shoulder Straps: The Pro 55 does not come with shoulder strap pockets, though it does have loops to attach pockets. Because the hip belt pockets are not large enough to hold my phone, I bought a shoulder strap pocket to store it.

Emergency Whistle: The sternum-strap emergency whistle has become ubiquitous on most packs.

Water Bladder: A hydration bladder fits between the pack and the frame, hung from a fixed strap.

^{Trekking poles or tent poles can be lashed to the side of the pack.}

Pack Material

Fabric: The UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) is a high-abrasion, water-resistant and lightweight fabric, while the NanoFly fabric adds durability and water resistance. I’ve done some light bushwhacking in the Pro 55 and didn’t get any tears.

Rainy Days: The pack’s fabric has a durable water repellent treatment, but the extent of the water resistance is limited. My pack was soaked through after hiking an afternoon in the rain, although my gear stuffed into water resistant bags stayed dry inside.

My Take

Osprey’s AirSpeed suspension is the key to the Exos Pro 55, providing back comfort and ventilation. I can’t say it enough: This pack rides like a dream. The outside mesh pockets aren’t as large as those on some other packs in this class, but I wouldn’t call that a deal breaker. I would worry about rough off-trail use or butt-sliding down rocks because the pack’s fabric is thin.

Exos Pro 55 Pros

Lightweight: The Exos Pro 55 weighs about a pound less than the trail-proven Exos 58.
Comfort: The AirSpeed mesh back panel is comfortable and ventilated.
Easy to Adjust the Frame: The Pro 55 comes in two sizes (small/medium and large/extra large) and the frame is easy to adjust for a comfortable fit.
Warranty: Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee is legendary, and the company says it 100% covers accidental damage: Any Pack, Any Reason, Any Era.

Exos Pro 55 Cons

Durability: Osprey uses a thin fabric for the Exos Pro 55, but so far it is holding up.
Exterior Storage: The outer mesh pockets are small, and their carrying capacity shrinks if the pack is loaded to the bulging point.

Overall Value

Why would I recommend buying the Exos Pro 55? Comfort, comfort, comfort. At the end of the day my back felt just as good as it did when I put on the pack in the morning. And though the $290 price is a lot of money, it doesn’t come near the price of other ~2-pound packs that use Dyneema and Ultra fabrics. The Exos isn’t highly water resistant and its outside pockets are small, but for someone entering the ultralight market—or even someone already going ultralight—the Pro 55 is a solid buy.

Similar Backpacks

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50
MSRP: $275
Weight: 31.9 ounces (medium)
Capacity: 50 liters
Material: Robic

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction
MSRP: $379
Capacity: 55 liters
Weight: 31.2 ounces
Material: Dyneema

Six Moon Designs Swift V
MSRP: $275
Capacity: 50 liters
Weight: 2 pounds, 3 ounces
Material: Robic

This product was donated for purpose of review.

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The Therm-a-Rest Space Cowboy is an appropriately named synthetic insulation, fast-drying sleeping bag that’s good for cowboy camping under the stars in warm weather.

Therm-a-Rest Space Cowboy Specs

MSRP:

• Small: $199.95
• Regular: $209.95
• Long: $219.95

Weight:

• Small: 1 pound, 10 ounces
• Regular: 1 pound, 12 ounces
• Long: 1 pound, 14 ounces

Outer Shell: 100% recycled ripstop nylon with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating.

Lining: 100% recycled ripstop nylon.

Temperature Rating: Comfortable for sleeping to 52F; the lower limit is 45F; the extreme limit is 21F.

Insulation: The eraLoft polyester fibers are spun with a hollow channel at their core, trapping more heat than solid fibers and shedding weight.

About the Therm-a-Rest Space Cowboy

The Space Cowboy is the sleeping bag I want to take for warm summer backpacking trips when I can spread it out under the stars and enjoy the shimmering lights above. (Space Cowboy is also the name of a Steve Miller song, but that’s for another story.) The eraLoft hollow fiber insulation holds in my body heat even on dewy nights, and dries fast in the morning sun. And the Space Cowboy has Therm-a-Rest’s trademark SynergyLink Connectors that keep my sleeping bag from sliding off my air pad.

Space Cowboy Features

Shell: 100% recycled nylon ripstop with a durable water repellent coating. The lining is also recycled nylon but without the DWR coating.

Insulation: Therm-a-Rest’s eraLoft synthetic insulation uses hollow polyester fiber that retains heat even when wet and keeps the Space Cowboy lightweight. The bag is insulation heavy on the top and sides, with less insulation on the bottom. The idea is that less insulation is needed on the bag’s bottom if it’s strapped to an insulated sleeping pad, which I’ve found to be true in Therm-a-Rest 0F, 20F, and 45F sleeping bags.

Anti-Snag Zipper: The two-way, three-quarter length zipper has beefy anti-snag protection, and can open at the bottom for ventilation.

Draft Collar: A draft tube runs the length of the side zipper and around the hood.

Hood: Large enough to fit my inflatable pillow inside. A drawcord on the right side tightens the hood around my face and shoulders while a snap keeps the hood closed and the zipper from sliding down.

Warmth: I slept comfortably in the low 50s, which fits with the sleeping bag’s temperature rating.

SynergyLink Connectors: I am sold on these straps that hold the Space Cowboy flat to my air pad. And they are important to use because most of the Space Cowboy’s insulation is on the top and sides. Does this mean you have to be a back sleeper to use the Space Cowboy and the straps? Not in my experience. I still toss and turn inside the bag while the straps keep the bag stable and flat on my air pad. Therm-a-Rest says the straps work best with air pads that are at most 3 inches thick, which I’ve found to be accurate.

Stuff Pocket: There’s no pocket in the bag to hold a phone or other temperature-sensitive gear, but because I sleep within the bag’s comfort limit of 45F—well above freezing—I leave my phone, water filter, and satellite communicator outside the bag at night.

Color: True to its under-the-stars theme, the Space Cowboy comes in one color: celestial.

Storage Sack: The Space Cowboy comes with one stuff sack that doubles as a long-term storage bag and a backcountry compression bag.

Warranty: Therm-a-Rest will repair or replace gear found to be defective within the first two years of purchase.

Space Cowboy 20 Pros

Weight: 1 pound, 12 ounces for the regular length bag that I tested. Light, but not ultralight.

Warmth: I’m warm sleeping to about 50F in the Space Cowboy.

Zipper: The anti-snag zipper slides easily, although it is not entirely snag-free. The two-way zipper provides good ventilation on warm nights.

Sleeping Pad Straps: These are one of my favorite features of Therm-a-Rest sleeping bags. The straps connect the sleeping bag to the pad, ending my sometimes nightlong struggles to stay on the pad. Plus they keep the bottom of the bag, which has less insulation, flat against my insulated air pad.

Easy-to-Use Hood Drawcord: I like the single cord that draws the hood close to my head.

Space Cowboy Cons

Stuff Sack: It’s not a deal breaker, but the Space Cowboy comes with a combined storage/trail stuff sack that tries to do two things without either being satisfactory. I hang my bag for storage and use a water-resistant, compressible stuff sack on the trail.

Rough for Side Sleepers: Less insulation on the bottom of the Space Cowboy means that side sleepers expose their backs to cold air if they don’t use the Synergy Link Connectors. I attach the straps to my air pad and toss from side to side inside the bag while it stays flat on the pad.

Overall Value

At $209.95 for the regular size, the Space Cowboy’s price is on the high side for a warm weather, synthetic insulation sleeping bag. The same goes for the sleeping bag’s weight, which is slightly more than comparable ~45-degree synthetic bags. If the slightly higher price and weight aren’t deal-breakers, the the Space Cowboy is a good choice for summer nights under the stars.

Similar Warm Weather Sleeping Bags

Big Agnes V Notch UL 40F

MSRP: $199.95, regular

Insulation: Primaloft Hi-Loft Ultra Silver

Weight: 1 pound, 6 ounces

Marmot Nanowave 45F

MSRP: $89

Insulation: Synthetic SpiraFil High Loft

Weight: 2 pounds, 1.5 ounces

Rab Solar Eco 0 Sleeping Bag

MSRP: $160

Insulation: Stratus synthetic

Weight: 1 pounds, 2 ounces

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Therm-a-Rest Space Cowboy Sleeping Bag Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The Stash is Jetboil’s smallest and lightest cooking setup, making it a serious option for ultralight backpackers.

Jetboil Stash Specs

MSRP: $149.99

Weight: 7.1 ounces for the stove and pot; add 0.9 ounces for the stabilizer legs that attach to the bottom of the fuel canister

Boil Time: 2 minutes, 30 seconds for 16 ounces of water

Ignition: Lighter or match; no integral ignition

About the Jetboil Stash Cooking System

The Stash is a lightweight, easy-to-pack cooking system for one to two people. The collapsible stove, stabilizer legs, and a 100-gram fuel canister fit inside the 0.8 liter pot, held in place by a snap-on plastic cover. All but the fuel canister come with the Stash. The Stash’s light weight and fuel efficiency make it a strong competitor among ultralight canister stoves.

Cooking With the Stash

Strengths, and Weaknesses: The Stash’s strength is boiling water for coffee and dehydrated meals; its weakness is simmering food.

Boil Time: I recorded boil times of about 2.5 minutes for two cups of water, which is excellent for a cup of coffee and water for dehydrated meals.

Simmering: Getting the Stash to simmer is tricky, and there’s a lot of heat even at the lowest fuel output. The flame requires watching and continual adjustment to keep it going, and the slightest breeze can put out a simmering flame. Using a 100-gram fuel container, I boiled two cups of water 11 times, and simmered one meal at higher-than-optimal heat for 10 minutes, adding a little extra water to avoid burning the food in the pot.

Meals for Two: The 0.8-liter pot is big enough for boiling water for drinks and cooking meals for two.

Lighting the Stove: The Stash does not have a built-in fuel igniter, which saves weight. There is room to pack a cigarette-type lighter or matches inside the pot.

The Setup

Weight: Eight ounces; 7.1 ounces for the burner, storage sack, pot, and plastic pot cover, and 0.9 ounces for the stabilizer legs that attach to the bottom of the fuel canister. Add 7 ounces for a 100-gram fuel canister.

Burner: Titanium, with three arms that collapse flat, making the burner easy to pack. The arms are notched and keep the bottom lip of the pot centered and snugly in place. Although the burner is designed to hold the Stash’s pot, other pots can be used.

Pot: The aluminum 0.8-liter pot has Jetboil’s patented FluxRing heat exchanger, which directs heat from the flame to the bottom of the pot, rather than letting the heat flow up the sides of the pot. The result, says Jetboil, is more heat with less fuel. Indented markings on the pot designate cup, cup and a half, and two-cup levels.

Stabilizer Legs: Cooking with a canister stove requires setting up on an almost-perfectly flat surface. While that’s still true with the Stash, the stabilizer legs keep the stove balanced on rough surfaces. And the pot is top heavy when using a 100-gram fuel canister, making the stabilizer legs even more important.

Pot Handle: The rubber grip lets me grab the pot handle without burning my fingers on hot metal.

Plastic Cover: The cover snaps onto the pot, and has a center hole for letting steam escape when the water boils and a side pour spot. The spout can also act as a strainer for larger food such as noodles.

Fuel Canister: 7 ounces for a 100-gram canister, which is the size that fits inside the Stash’s pot and is good for about five days. The Stash can use a 230-gram canister, making the stove suitable for longer backcountry trips, but the larger canister does not fit into the pot.

Fuel Type: Jet Boil recommends its JetPower brand of fuel, and says that in a pinch MSR, Primus, and Snowpeak canisters have the same fuel mixture as JetPower and can be used. I found that MSR fuel worked fine for the Stash.

Packing the Stash

Easy to Pack: Illustrated instructions on fitting the burner, legs, canister, and lighter inside the pot, and snapping on the cover are printed on the side of the pot.

But Pay Attention: I tinkered with packing everything into the pot before getting it right, and advise paying careful attention to how the stove unpacks from the pot so that unlike me you remember how to put it together.

• Fold up the orange plastic legs and put them at the bottom of the pot.
• Put the burner in the stuff sack and stand it upright in the pot, on the opposite side of the handle.
• Turn the canister upside down, nest a lighter or matches in the concave bottom, snap the pot cover onto the top rim of the pot, and fold the handle over the cover to hold it in place.

Jetboil Extras

Grande Coffee Press: Works with Jetboil Stash, MiniMo, SUMO, and SUMO TI cooking systems, along with 1-liter short and 1.8-liter spare cups.

JetGauge: Determine how much fuel is in your canister with the JetGauge’s digital display.

Stash Pros

Compact and Light: The Stash packs compactly into the included 0.8 liter pot, for a total weight of 8 ounces. Add 7 ounces for a 100-gram canister, which also fits inside the stove, and I have a complete cooking system for less than a pound.

Fast Boil Times: The Stash boils 2 cups of water in 2 and a half minutes, although boil times approached 3 minutes as the fuel canister neared empty.

Easy to Use: Attach the stabilizer legs to the fuel canister, thread the burner onto the canister, and light the stove. I’ve always been able to light the burner with one match, and the pot’s bottom lip fit snugly onto the notched arms so I’m always ensured that the pot is centered on the burner and won’t slide off.

Stash Cons

Hard to Simmer: The burner creates so much heat that it’s difficult to get the flame small enough to simmer while cooking. I add extra water to prevent food from burning to the bottom of the pot, although that makes for a soupy meal.

Susceptible to Wind: The flame burns strong when on full, but a slight wind can put out a simmering flame.

Small Fuel Canister: The 100-gram canister is good for a five-day trip that involves mostly boiling water for meals. Cooking meals that require simmering means packing a 230-gram canister, which does not fit inside the Stash’s pot.

Overall Value

The Stash comes as a package: burner, pot, pot cover, and stabilizing legs, at a price of $149.99. That might seem like a lot for a stove and accessories, but consider this: I put together my own stove setup with an ultralight burner and titanium pot that together weigh 6.8 ounces, for a cost of about $119. But my current stove setup doesn’t have the good-to-have features of the Stash: stabilizer legs that to me are essential when using the smaller 100-gram canister, a fuel-saving design, a pot that nestles firmly on the burner arms, and a setup that packs small and light. Those features make the well-designed Stash a solid choice at its price.

Similar Cooking Systems

Primus Lite

MSRP: $109.95

Weight: 12 ounces

Included: Burner and igniter that pack into a 0.5 liter aluminum pot.

MSR Windburner Personal Stove System

MSRP: $189.95

Weight: 16 ounces

Included: Burner, fuel canister stabilizer legs, and 4-ounce fuel canister fit inside the 1-liter pot. A plastic cover snaps onto the top and a plastic bowl covers the bottom of the pot.

Camp Chef Stryker

MSRP: $149.95

Weight: 19.4 ounces

Included: Burner with igniter, folding canister stabilizer, and lid that pack into the pot, which all go into a mesh storage bag.

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Jetboil Stash Cooking System Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The updated Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 continues to be a solid, lightweight backpack that combines lots of space and plenty of features at an affordable price.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Specs

MSRP: $275

Weight: 31.9 ounces for a medium with a medium straight hipbelt

Capacity: 50 liters total; 32 liters for the main pack body, 18 liters for the outside pockets

Fabric: PFAS-free recycled Robic nylon

About the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50

The Gorilla 50 was already a standout among lightweight backpacks, and Gossamer Gear took that reputation further with a redesign focused on function, durability, and light weight. The Gorilla 50 frame has been redesigned and load lifters have been added to increase carrying comfort. The hipbelt comes straight or curved, and in multiple sizes. Through all the changes Gossamer Gear has stuck with one hallmark of its packs: strong Robic fabric that’s durable and much less expensive than the new ultralight fabrics that push backpack prices higher and higher.

Carrying Capacity

Main Compartment: The 32-liter, top-loading main compartment holds all my gear for a five-day hike: tent, sleeping bag, clothes, accessories, and bear canister with food. If I need more space the extension collar adds 2 to 3 liters more.

The external pockets add 18 liters of storage:

Front Mesh Pocket: This is a large pocket where I stash gear that I want to get at without digging through my pack. I put a rain jacket and rain pants in the expandable pocket, along with my water filter, lunch, extra warm clothes, and cat hole trowel. The pocket has a solid fabric bottom with a drain hole.

Side Pockets: One shallow, solid fabric pocket on each side of the pack, and each pocket is capable of carrying two one-liter Smartwater bottles or a Nalgene bottle. It’s also possible to put tent poles in the pockets and snug them against the pack with the side compression straps. These pockets also have drain holes for water.

Hipbelt Pockets: These pockets are big, and hold snacks, my phone, a small container of hand sanitizer, just about anything I want to get at quickly without taking off my pack. I like that the cords attached to the pockets’ zipper pulls let me me open or close the zippers while wearing gloves.

Top Flap: The over-the-top closure is a cross between a standard pack brain and a roll-top pack. It has a large side zipper that makes it easy to stuff maps, a phone, glasses, car key, and driver’s license inside the pouch. And there’s a small gap at the bottom of the pouch for a headphone cord to run from your phone inside the pouch to your ears.

The top flap snugs down with easy-to-connect green straps, making it simple to avoid trying to connect a green closure flap strap to one of the black compression straps. (Surely someone at Gossamer Gear has done they same thing as me on other packs: trying to connect a black side compression strap with a black top closure strap.) Gossamer Gear’s theme of different-colored straps shows me the company pays attention to small details.

Water Bladder: New in the redesign is a loop inside the pack’s main compartment that can hold a water bladder, replacing a bladder pouch. The bladder tube can run through the same hole in the top pouch that the headphone cord runs through. The tube and bite valve are held in place by cross-webbing on the strap, and an elastic part of the sternum strap can hold the bite valve.

Bear Canister: My BearVault 450 fits horizontally or vertically inside the main body of the pack, with clothing tucked between the canister and the frame pad for extra cushion against my back. A bear canister can also be strapped to the top of the pack.

Comfort

New PVT Frame: Gossamer Gear’s redesign includes the PVT (short for pivot) closed-loop frame that fits into a pocket on the hipbelt and pivots as you move. The new frame is comfortable and lightweight. The PVT frame and PVT hipbelt cannot be used on pre-redesign Gorilla 50 and Mariposa models that use a U-shaped frame. Gossamer Gear has a deeper dive into the pivot frame here.

Hipbelt: The hipbelt is available in straight or S-shaped configurations, depending on the pack’s size. The size small pack comes with a curved belt, and the medium and large packs have a straight belt. I have a straight hipbelt and it’s comfortable for my slim build. To get a different size hipbelt Gossamer Gear recommends including the belt you want in your order, swapping it out at home, and returning the belt that came with the pack for a $25 refund.

Shoulder Straps: The curved shoulder straps wrap around the chest and breasts, making them comfortable for men and women, unlike straight shoulder straps that are more comfortable for men with slim bodies.

Shoulder Strap Cords: Thumb loops at the end of the cords let you rest your arms with a bend at the elbows, avoiding so-called sausage fingers caused by arms hanging loose at your sides. The loops are new with the pack update and I’m not sold on them yet.

External Essentials

Side Compression Cords: These cords do double duty to compress the pack and hold equipment such as trekking poles to the side of the pack. The straps are long enough to lash bulky gear to the sides of the pack, and though the buckles are small and the straps thin, the buckles are easy to connect and disconnect, and the straps slide easily and don’t slip loose.

Shoulder Strap Rings: Two rings on each shoulder strap can hold Gossamer Gear accessories: a shoulder strap pocket, bottle holder, and umbrella clamp. The shoulder straps do not have daisy chains.

Emergency Whistle: The sternum-strap emergency whistle has become ubiquitous on most packs.

Additional Attachment Loops: Small loops on the sides and back of the pack can be used to add cords to hang gear. The loops are orange, making it easy to see them against my pack’s gray fabric. Gossamer Gear sells shock cords to attach to the loops.

Trekking Pole Cords: Slip the pole tips into a bungee cord—new with the redesign—at the bottom of the pack and tighten the cord to hold the poles in place.

Ice Axe Loop: Learn how to attach an ice axe to your pack here.

Other Features: Gossamer Gear has more information on the Gorilla 50’s other features here.

Weight and Fit

My Take: The Gorilla 50 rides comfortably on my hips, held securely by the straight hipbelt. The padded shoulder straps, with breathable mesh, hold the pack loosely to my back, and the back pad provides plenty of cushion. The load lifters keep the pack from pulling back on my shoulders.

Going Ultralight: The medium pack’s body weighs 16.3 ounces, and the frame (4.3 ounces) and back pad (2.3 ounces) can be removed to shed a few ounces. The medium pack and back pad, with the frame and hipbelt removed, weigh 18.6 ounces, compared with 31.9 ounces for the pack with frame, pad, and hipbelt. If you want a lighter hipbelt than the one that came with the pack, Gossamer Gear has a Fastbelt (3.3 ounces) that attaches to loops on each side of the pack’s bottom.

Removable Back Pad: The back pad can be removed to use as a sit pad during breaks.

How Much Weight: The Gorilla 50 is extremely comfortable at about 20 pounds, the weight that I usually carry. Gossamer Gear recommends a maximum load of 30 pounds, and 25 pounds for a comfort weight.

Fit: I’m 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weigh 160ish, and the medium Gorilla 50 is a good fit for me. Five feet, 10 inches tall is on the dividing line between wearing a medium or large pack for most brands, and it took wearing several large packs before realizing that a medium is a better fit for me. Gossamer Gear has a guide to finding the right size for you.

Pack Material

Fabric: Gossamer Gear uses recycled Robic nylon. The 70 denier main pack material and 100 denier bottom material are thick, and can be expected to handle heavy use.

Rainy Days: Robic nylon is not waterproof, but the DWR coating helps shed some moisture. Small holes in the bottom of the outside pockets let out water that might get inside and I line the main pack compartment with a trash bag.

Robic vs. Dyneema vs Ultra: Gossamer Gear stayed with Robic nylon for its updated backpacks because of its proven strength, weight, and cost. The Gorilla costs about $100 less than comparable backpacks made from Dyneema and Ultra.

Recycled Robic: The Gorilla 50 is made from recycled Robic nylon.

Pack Colors: Gray and yellow.

Warranty: Gossamer Gears warranties its gear to be free from manufacturing defects within one year of the purchase date, for the purchaser only.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Pros

Lightweight, But Not Skimpy: The Gorilla 50 rides lightly on my back but doesn’t scrimp on what I want: useful outer pockets, padded shoulder straps and hipbelt, and the right number of straps to hold it all together.

Comfort: The padded shoulder straps and hipbelt don’t bite into my shoulders and hips, while the cushioned back pad fits the contour of my back.

Pockets: Handy storage for lightweight gear I want easy access to.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Cons

Not Waterproof: If there’s one knock against the Gorilla 50 it’s that the Robic fabric isn’t waterproof. But spending pennies for a plastic trash bag to line the inside of the pack seems like a much better move than spending hundreds more for a pack with waterproof fabric.

Overall Value

The Gorilla 50 is an excellent value for a pack that’s comfortable and feature-rich, and won’t empty your bank account. I like Gossamer Gear’s attention to the small details: color-coded straps so I’m not trying to connect the wrong straps; orange cord loops that are easy to see; and a headphone cord portal in the back of the pack. And then there are the big details: comfortable S-curve shoulder straps; an improved pack frame; and lightweight and comfortable.

Similar Backpacks

Granite Gear Crown3 60

MSRP: $239.95

Weight: 2 pounds, 4 ounces for a regular size

Capacity: 60 liters

Material: Robic

Gregory Focal 48

MSRP: $229.95

Weight: 2.8 pounds

Capacity: 48 liters

Material: Nylon

REI Flash 55

MSRP: $199

Weight: 2 pounds, 13 ounces, medium

Capacity: 55 liters

Material: Robic

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Backpack Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

Jack Wolfskin’s Highest Peak 3L Jacket is a full-featured raincoat with pit zips, Velcro cuffs, a high collar, taped seams, and hood adjustments. And by using its proprietary fabric recycling process Jack Wolfskin has created a water resistant, windproof, and breathable coat made from 100% recycled and PFAS-free fabric.

Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak 3L Specs

MSRP: $239.95

Weight: 13 ounces for a women’s medium; 15 ounces for a men’s medium

Fabric: Texapore Ecosphere Pro Stretch 3L, Jack Wolfskin’s proprietary three-layer fabric that’s waterproof, windproof, and breathable.

About the Highest Peak 3L

The Highest Peak 3L jacket is a solid three-season rain and wind outer layer that doesn’t skimp on features. The two hip pockets are large enough to hold a phone and gloves, and have a solid inside lining. The hood has an easy-to-adjust tightening cord in the back of the hood, and two draw cords adjust the hood’s front opening. All the zippers have pull cords, making them easy to use while wearing lightweight gloves. The coat kept me dry and warm during hikes on several rainy, windy, and cold March hikes.

Highest Peak 3L Features

Weather Resistance: The Highest Peak 3L uses Jack Wolfskin’s Texapore technology to create a waterproof, windproof, and breathable rain jacket. All of the coat’s outer layer, membrane, and inner layer are made from recycled fabric without creating any waste, and are free from PFAS (so-called forever chemicals).

Why Three Layers?: Three-layer rain jackets provide the highest level of protection again rain and wind, and are more durable than two- or 2.5-layer coats. They also tend to be stiffer, heavier, and more expensive than two- and 2.5-layer coats.

Zippers: Robust zippers with pulls that can be grabbed while wearing lightweight gloves. The main zipper has an inner storm flop, and the pit zippers and outer pocket zippers have overlapping storm flaps.

Pit Zips: The 10-inch-long openings provide good ventilation, and the cord on the zipper pulls makes them easy to open and close.

Cuffs: A three-inch strip of Velcro gives the cuffs a wide range of adjustability.

Hem: Drawstrings inside the coat’s hem seal the bottom of the jacket against my hips.

Pockets: The two hip pockets are big enough to hold a phone, lightweight gloves, or trail snacks. The inside chest pocket can hold a car key, lip balm, or ID card, but not much else.

Hood: The cord at the back of the hood is easy to tighten and release, and when combined with the collar pull cords at the front of the coat, I can seal the hood around my head to keep out rain and wind.

Layers, Layers, Layers: What do the numbers used to designate coat layers mean?

• Two Layer: Typically an outer fabric that’s paired with an inner water resistant, breathable membrane. A hanging mesh liner is often added to protect the membrane against wear and tear. The two-layer design is mostly used for lower-priced coats, with limited water resistance and breathability.
• 2.5 Layer: Similar to two-layer coats, a water resistant, breathable membrane is bonded to the inside of the outer fabric. Then a printed or sprayed-on layer is applied over the membrane. These coats are lightweight, packable, and have a wide price range.
• Three Layer: Again, the membrane is attached to the inside of the coat’s face fabric. Then a full inside liner is attached to the membrane. Three-layer coats provide premium weather performance and durability, with a stiff feel.

Sustainability: Jack Wolfskin takes its commitment to the environment up a notch with the Highest Peaks 3L, the company’s first jacket sold in the U.S that is made from recycled fabrics.

Instead of recycling single-use plastics such as water bottles for fabric, Jack Wolfskin takes used polyester textiles and factory scraps, removes non-textile material such as zippers and Velcro, and spins the discarded textiles into new fabric.

The result is what Jack Wolfskin calls a Textile to Textile recycled jacket.

Warranty: Jack Wolfskin’s clothing comes with a limited lifetime warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship; equipment has a limited two-year guarantee; and footwear carries a limited, one-year guarantee.

Highest Peak 3L Pros

Weather Protection: The three-layer configuration of the Highest Peak 3L is top of the line for durability, and rain and wind protection.

Pit Zips: 10-inch-long ventilation zips that are easy to open and close.

Hood: The drawcord at the back of the hood is easy to grasp in order to tighten or loosen the hood.

Pockets: The two side pockets are deep and hold an array of gloves, snacks, or a phone.

Taped Seams: Extra protection against rain and snow.

Highest Peak 3L Cons

Inner Chest Pocket: Good size for a car key or ID card, but too small for gear accessories I would like to stow there. A larger inner pocket would make up for lack of an outside chest pocket.

Overall Value

The Highest Peaks 3L is a robust hardshell jacket for three-season use, possibly crossing over into winter adventures in moderate conditions. Everything about the coat speaks to its versatility, from rainy days to wind-swept summits. And the price is low compared with many similar coats.

Similar Rain Jackets

Arc’teryx Beta LT

MSRP: $450

Weight: 13.9 ounces

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

MSRP: $179

Weight: 12.4 ounces

Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell

MSRP: $449

Weight: 10.8 ounces

The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro

MSRP: $270

Weight: Not available

Mountain Research Premonition UL

MSRP: $430

Weight: 11.2 ounces

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak 3L Jacket Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The wood-fired Titan stove cooks hot backcountry meals for two to four people using thumb-sized wood collected at campsites.

Titan Stove Specs

MSRP:

• Just the Stove and Stuff Sack: $89.99 (on sale for $79.99)
• Stove, Cook Pot, Windscreen, and Tripod Kit: $194.99 (on sale for $179.99)

Weight: 16.5 ounces for the stove alone

Measurements: 5.1-inch diameter, 7.9 inches tall

Materials: Stainless steel

About the Titan Wood Stove

I tested the Titan Gear Kit, which includes the stove, cook pot, windscreen, and pot-hanging tripod. The windscreen and tripod are nice accessories, but not essential for cooking. Lighting the stove is easy using thumb-sized dry wood. I put finger-thick wood at the bottom of the fuel box, fire starter on top of that, and twigs on top. The fire starts quickly using dry wood and burns down to the thicker wood at the bottom, where it creates a bed of coals. I feed the stove as the flames lessen and have an 8-cup pot of water boiling in 9 minutes. I continue adding small amounts of fuel if I am simmering food that needs time to cook.

Titan Solo Stove Features

How It Works: The Titan and other Solo stoves are known as gasifier stoves because they have secondary combustion. The stoves’ base is a double-wall stainless steel cylinder with air holes around the botom and smaller holes at the top. Air sucked in through the bottom holes fuels the fire while heated air rising between the double walls causes a secondary combustion so the fire burns without smoke. Once a hot fire is going I see little smoke, but if the fire is struggling to burn wet wood there is a lot of smoke.

Two-Part Design: Build a fire in the base, then place the cooking ring on the lip of the base. The cook pot sits on top of the ring’s legs, and a gap in the legs allows wood to be fed into the fire. When I’m ready to pack up the ring flips over to fit into the stove base and they both fit into the pot.

Best Pot Size: The 1800 (1800ml/60 ounces) pot is plenty big enough to cook meals for two to four people. The pot can be purchased alone without having to buy the gear kit.

Storing the Titan: The stove and inverted cooking ring fit inside the 1800 pot, and together they fit inside the stuff sack that comes with the stove.

Best Use: Gathering wood and lighting the stove fire is easy in dry weather, a challenge when the woods are wet. This is definitely a stove for thick woods, not meadows or high elevations with scrub trees.

Stock Up on Wood: I collect enough dry wood to cook a meal before lighting the stove. That way I’m not searching for more wood while my meal cooks. And it’s a good idea to collect enough wood at night and store it in a dry spot so it’s ready for breakfast. Two to three handfuls of wood is enough for cooking.

Rainy Days: I spent about 30 minutes getting a fire going after a day of rain. Once I had a bed of coals built up the fire was easy to maintain.

Practice, Practice, Practice: It’s a good idea to light the stove before taking it into the backcountry. I lit the stove on a dry day and after a day of rain to hone my fire-lighting skills.

Fire Starters: A commercial or homemade fire starter makes lighting the wood much easier.

Cold Weather: I had a liter of water boiling in 9 minutes when the temperature was 34F.

Other Fuel: An alcohol burner is available for the Titan and Lite stoves.

Cleaning the Pot: I put the pot inside the stuff sack so soot doesn’t get on gear in my pack, and clean the pot when I get home.

Flexibility: The Solo stoves can be purchased as a kit with accessories included, or the stove alone with a pot, tripod, or windscreen added. Solo also sells fire starters, roasting sticks, a pellet adapter, and replacement parts.

Other Solo Stoves: The Lite weighs 9 ounces, fits in the 900 pot in the Lite Gear Kit ($154.99 MSRP), and is probably the best choice for backpacking. The Lite Gear Kit comes with a windscreen, an alcohol burner for an alternative fuel source, and a fire striker. The Campfire is more of a car camping stove, and weighs 2.2 pounds. The Campfire Gear Kit comes with 1.5 and 3 liter pots, and a tripod ($204.99 MSRP). Pots can be bought separately if you’re buying only the stove.

Windscreen: Because air drawn in through holes in the bottom of the stove feeds the flames, I wait until I’ve built a hot bed of coals before using the windscreen. The windscreen holds in the stove’s heat so if my bed of coals is large enough food in the pot continues cooking without having to add wood.

Environmental Considerations: Using a woodburning stove means no metal fuel tank that may or may not get recycled when it’s empty. Woodburning stoves are banned in some areas because of fire concerns, and campsites already stripped of wood can be harmed even more by collecting wood for the Titan.

Titan Pros

Easy to Use: Lighting the Titan and keeping the fire going require minimal attention as long as you have enough dry wood gathered.

Free Fuel: I live in the heavily forested Northeast and finding wood near my campsite is not a problem.

No Fuel Anxiety: I don’t worry whether my stove canister has enough fuel to cook supper, nor do I have to carry two partially filled canisters to ensure I have enough fuel.

Titan Cons

Weather Dependent: Finding dry wood in rain-drenched woods and starting the fire is difficult.

Limited to Forest Campsites: The Titan isn’t good at campsites with no trees or scrub trees. And some heavily used forest campsites may be stripped nearly bare of dead wood, making it difficult to find fuel for the Titan.

Overall Value

The Titan’s $89.99 price is on the high side when compared with other stoves, but it accommodates a pot that can cook meals for up to four people. The smaller Lite stove is a better choice for a backpacking trip with one or two people, and costs $69.99. Unlike folding stoves, the double-wall design in Solo Stoves is fuel efficient and good at keeping the fire and heat inside the stove, not spilling over onto the ground. And if the weather is wet the alcohol burner is a good option to ensure you’ll be able to cook a meal.

Other Woodburning Stoves

Toaks Titanium Stove

MSRP: $59.99

Material: Titanium

Vargo Hexagon Stove

MSRP: $59.99

Material: Available in titanium and steel

Emberlit Original Stove

MSRP: $44.99

Material: Stainless steel

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Titan Woodburning Solo Stove Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 hits a sweet spot for a three-season sleeping bag, combining a nearly unbeatable light weight with warm 900 fill down.

Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 Specs

MSRP:

• Small: $469.95
• Regular: $549.95
• Long: $579.95

Weight:

• Small: 1 pound, 3 ounces
• Regular: 1 pound, 4 ounces
• Long: 1 pound, 6 ounces

Shell: 10 denier nylon ripstop with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating.

Temperature Rating: Comfortable for sleeping to 32F; the lower limit is 20F; the extreme limit is -9F.

Insulation: The Hyperion is packed with 900 fill Nikwax hydrophobic goose down, water resistant down that follows the Responsible Down Standard certifying that waterfowl in the food supply chain are treated humanely.

About the Hyperion 20

The Hyperion 20 is a stripped down, ultralight sleeping bag good for three-season backpacking. Therm-a-Rest achieves ultralight status with the Hyperion by giving it high warmth-to-weight 900 fill down, a small half-zip, a slimmer width, and a small hood. Even with the smaller dimensions I find that the bag is comfortable. And the smaller size leaves less dead air to warm with body heat.

Hyperion 20 Features

Shell: Lightweight and thin 10-denier nylon ripstop with a durable water repellent coating. Ten denier is a thin fabric shell, but I have found that it holds up if given care and attention.

Insulation: The Hyperion uses 900 fill Nikwax hydrophobic goose down that Therm-a-Rest says dries three times faster than untreated down, absorbs 90% less water, and maintains loft 60 times longer than untreated down.

Box Baffles: The Hyperion uses box baffles—lightweight material placed between the shell and liner to form a box—that eliminate gaps that could create cold spots.

Draft Collar, Draft Tube: The draft collar snugged tight across my forehead and neck prevent cold air from getting inside the bag, and a draft tube runs the length of the side zipper.

Hood: Small. I can’t fit my inflatable pillow inside the hood, and use my backpack laid flat under the bag as a pillow. A drawcord on the right side (when lying on my back in the bag) tightens the hood around my face and shoulders. A snap keeps the hood closed and the zipper from sliding down.

Warmth: I slept comfortably while wearing lightweight thermal pants and shirt when the temperature was about 30, and began feeling the cold when the temperature dropped to 25F. Any lower and I would have put on a midweight shirt. That jibes with the Hyperion’s EN lower temperature limit of 20F, the temperature at which a warm sleeper (though not me) might still sleep comfortably. The comfort level is 32F, and the EN extreme limit is -9F.

SynergyLink Connectors: I am sold on these straps that hold the Hyperion flat to my air pad. And they are important to use because 70% of the Hyperion’s insulation is on the top and sides, while 30% is on the bottom. Does this mean you have to be a back sleeper to use the Hyperion and the straps? Not in my experience. I still toss and turn inside the Hyperion while the straps keep the bag stable and flat on my air pad.

Stuff Pocket: There’s no pocket in the bag to hold a phone or other temperature-sensitive gear, presumably to save weight. I put my phone and headlamp inside the bag when it’s cold at night.

Zipper: The half zip changes the way I get in and out of the bag. I slide in from the top, rather than rolling in as I do with a three-quarter-length zipper. The zipper is small and has inner and outer string pulls, and slides easily without snagging. The two-way zipper provides ventilation at the midpoint of the bag.

Fit: The unisex Hyperion cuts ounces with a slimmer profile, which also means there’s less empty space for your body to heat. I’m 5 feet, 10 inches, and weigh 160 pounds, and find that the 57-inch shoulder girth is good for me, but if you’re about my height and much heavier, you might consider a long bag with a wider 58-inch girth. The bag is very slim from the knees down, but with enough room that my legs and feet aren’t pinched. The Hyperion’s slim fit does not leave room for storing clothes inside at night.

Stuff Sacks: The storage stuff sack is large enough to hold the Hyperion without compressing it, and the bag has a hang loop, which is my preferred way of storing sleeping bags. The compression sack gets the Hyperion down to a small size.

Warranty: Therm-a-Rest will repair or replace gear found to be defective within the first two years of purchase. Sleeping bags are covered under the Better Sleep Guarantee, which means that if you are not completely satisfied with your bag, return it within three months with the original receipt of purchase for a full refund. No questions asked.

Hyperion 20 Pros

Weight: 1 pound, 4 ounces for a regular length. It’s hard to find another 20F down bag at this weight. The 900 fill down is warmer per square ounce than 800 or 700 down down fill, which is one of the factors in the Hyperion’s low weight.

Warmth: I’m warm sleeping to about 30F in the Hyperion, but begin to chill at 25F unless I put on extra clothing.

Zipper: Although the zipper is small, it slides easily without snagging.

Sleeping Pad Straps: I’m sold on the removable straps that connect the sleeping bag to the pad, ending my sometimes nightlong struggles to stay on the pad. Plus they keep the underside of the bag, which has less insulation, flat against my insulated air pad.

Easy Hood Drawcord: I like the single cord that draws the hood and neck draft tube close to my head, rather than struggling with one cord for the neck draft tube and another for the hood.

Hyperion 20 Cons

Small Hood: This is my biggest con. I can’t fit my inflatable pillow inside the hood, so I use my backpack as an outside pillow, stuffing my inflatable pillow inside the front mesh pocket.

No Stuff Pocket: I usually keep my phone within reach inside my sleeping bag, so the lack of a stuff pocket doesn’t bother me. But it’s a feature some people might miss.

Zipper: I’ve had to adjust to sliding in and out from the top of the bag because of the half zip, rather than rolling out with a three-quarter zip. But it’s an adjustment I’ve easily made.

Rough for Side Sleepers: Less insulation on the bottom of the Hyperion means that side sleepers expose their backs to cold air. I attach the Synergy Link Connectors to my air pad and toss from side to side inside the bag while it stays flat on the pad.

Overall Value

At $549.95 for the regular size, the Hyperion’s price is on the higher end for a three-season sleeping bag. It’s a comfortable, well-made sleeping bag that has ultralighters in mind: weight-saving 900 fill down, a slim cut, a half zip, and no stuff pocket. So if shedding weight without giving up comfort is your goal, the Hyperion is a good choice for a sleeping bag.

Similar 20F Sleeping Bags

Western Mountaineering AlpinLite

MSRP: $695, regular

Insulation: 850 fill down

Weight: 1 pound, 15 ounces

The North Face Trail Lite

MSRP: $250

Insulation: 600 fill down

Weight: 2 pounds, 4.2 ounces, regular

Big Agnes Torchlight 20F

MSRP: $329.95

Insulation: 600 fill down

Weight: 2 pounds, 11 ounces

Rab Neutrino 400 20F

MSRP: $435

Insulation: 800 fill down

Weight: 1 pound, 11 ounces

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 Sleeping Bag Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.