[Product Announcement] Pa’lante Packs: ‘Simple Pack’

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Greetings Adventurers!

It is always a great day when we get to announce a new cottage company and new cottage products!

Earlier today, October 27 2016, Andrew Bentz and John Zahorian released their first backpack, called the ‘Simple Pack‘, from their new cottage startup, Pa’lante Packs.

 

The ‘Simple Pack‘:

The ‘Simple Pack‘ is a pack for the hiker that has learned what they do *not* need to carry.

The ‘Simple Pack‘ is designed for those with a 5-8 pound base pack weight, and as such is a frameless pack.

The ‘Simple Pack‘ is offered in a 35l and a 40l volume pack.

The only option being offered is the ability to add on some lycra mesh shoulder straps. (unknown if an iphone ‘plus’ size fits)

One rather interesting feature is a stretch pocket on the bottom of the backpack – I wonder how well the Therm-a-Rest Z-Sit pad will slid into there!

There is no need to worry about hip belt sizes, as the Simple Pack does not having any – this is, after all, a sub 10 pound backpack and you just do not need a hip belt at those weights.

Continue reading “[Product Announcement] Pa’lante Packs: ‘Simple Pack’” →

Trail Designs “Caldera Cone” for the Vargo/Massdrop 700 BOT

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I just got an email from the guys at Trail Designs that they have released a Caldera Cone (both standard & classic ti-tri) for the Vargo Outdoors/Massdrop “BOT 700”.

As I have previously shared, Trail Designs cannot make a Sidewinder for the BOT 700 due to the design of the pot, so this is great news that there is now a Caldera Cone for it!

You can order the Standard Caldera Cone or the Classic Ti-Tri Caldera Cone directly from Trail Designs, just look for the “Vargo BOT (0.7 Liter)” pot size!

Patreon Weekly Updates – October 15, 2016

It has been an active week for me over on my patreon page, averaging one post every day, here are the links to the posts:

Montbell Goodies! – This includes a look at the Montbell Sun Umbrella, the brand new Climaplus Knit Parka, and the Tachyon Wind Pants, which is the #1 most requested product my followers have wanted me to start testing and know about.

[First Thoughts] Peak To Plateau ‘Base Camp Beanie’ – Some initial thoughts on a unique 50%yak/50%merino beanie.

Zpacks prototype backpack(??) – is this a prototype harness system from zpacks?

MSR ‘Pocket Rocket 2’ Slowmo video – a brief video of the 2017 pocket rocket 2, in slowmotion!

MSR Pocket Rocket 2, Impressive Total Boils Per Canister! – these days it is hard to find a stove that impresses me when it comes to fuel efficiency, and this one did!

Cottage Interviews Update – a quick update on how things are going with the cottage industry interviews.

[Non-successful] Lawson Beta Cordage – sometimes things work out, sometimes they do not. here is a video and backstory on one that did not.

extra:

I posted an update on my facebook page, located here, on this years ‘HikeLighter Christmas Gear Give Away’!

Solumbra / Sun Precautions BodyShade Workout Athletic T-Shirt + Active Pants

Solumbra / Sun Precautions 'BodyShade Workout Athletic T-Shirt' and 'Active Pants'

Greetings Adventurers!

Want to share my thoughts on the Solumbra ‘BodyShade Workout Athletic T-Shirt‘ and the Solumbra ‘Active Pants‘.

Earlier this year, after wearing them for 600+ days, I reviewed the Solumbra ‘Ultra Athlete Shirt and Pants‘ after having first talked about them back in 2013.

After my 600+ day review, the kind folks at Solumbra, who are a sponsor of mine, asked if I would want to try giving their BodyShade Workout Athletic T-Shirt a try. It was a garment I had seen on their website previously but had not yet purchased. The BodyShade Workout Athletic T-Shirt is a newer garment in the Solumbra lineup of products and they were wanted to know how it would handle day after day after day of use, such as how I tend to put garments to the test.

While I was placing the order for the TShirt I decided to also order up a pair of the Solumbra Active Pants, thinking it might match better with the TShirt than my Ultra Athlete Pants, and glad that I did.

The combination of the Solumbra ‘BodyShade Workout Athletic T-Shirt‘ and the Solumbra ‘Active Pants‘ have, like the Ultra Athlete garments, proven to me to be a rather exceptional couple pieces of garments.

I started off with a white color BodyShade Workout Athletic T-Shirt and here recently bought a sky blue color one. The white one was just getting too big for me, as I had ordered a large, and it was time to order a medium. Went with the sky blue in hopes of reducing the dirt factor that comes along with being an active hiker and trail runner.

Continue reading “Solumbra / Sun Precautions BodyShade Workout Athletic T-Shirt + Active Pants” →

Klymit ‘Hammock V’ Pad

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Hitting the scale at 765 grams, our good friends at Klymit have gotten their new ‘Hammock V Pad‘ up for sale.

Due to the ‘wings’ (shall I call them) the pad ends up being 47 inches (119cm) wide, which puts this pad into the realm of, well, wide.

MSRP for the ‘Hammock V Pad‘ is $139.95

The bottom side (underneath) of the pad appears to have two plugs, which is typical of pads this size. I wonder if these are one way plugs or if Klymit has leased the rights to use the S2S two-way air plugs (‘multi-functional valve’ I think they like to call them these days), which honestly, every company that makes air pads should just do, they really are nice.

Continue reading “Klymit ‘Hammock V’ Pad” →

[Video+Gearlist] Sept 2016 – Sub 4 BPW [e2b.88.4]

I have posted a sub 4 pound gear list + video from a hike I just finished over on my patreon website.

It includes a lighterpack gearlist showing a breakdown of every piece of gear. I think this might be my first sub-2268 gearlist that I have released in at least two years(??)

The video is ~11 minutes in length.

Available for all patrons (only costs a buck a month)

https://www.patreon.com/posts/video-sept-2016-6753908

Thanks everybody!
+John Abela
HikeLighter.Com

Updates from last week (September 06, 2016)

Hey Adventurers!

wow, it is already September… crazy!!

Here are five updates/posts/thoughts that I originally published on my Patreon page over the last week that I am making available.

Malachowski ‘Ultralight II 300 Sleeping Bag’ – https://www.patreon.com/posts/malachowski-ii-6637348

An impressive looking sleeping bag. By the numbers I think it has the potential to put the hurt on a number of the top cottage industry sleeping bags, and even the quilt sector.

ZPacks Product Updates (August 30, 2016) – https://www.patreon.com/posts/zpacks-product-6645439

^^^ All ZPacks users should read this post ^^^

ZPacks Tent Disclaimer Tag – https://www.patreon.com/posts/zpacks-tent-tag-6669590

Followup to the previous post about zpacks product updates.

Locus Gear offers a red colour for shelters! – https://www.patreon.com/posts/locus-gear-red-6623044

Our friends from Japan have introduced red cuben fiber shelters. Looking forward to seeing a production version outside!

Soylent ‘Coffiest’ – My thoughts – https://www.patreon.com/posts/soylent-coffiest-6620492

You all know I like my Soylent, so I decided to give the new coffee soylent a try. Interesting stuff.

If you find such updates helpful and have a buck to spare each month, please become a patron!