Gear review

[Gutpile]

So I just got back from a DIY solo goat archery hunt here in Colorado -and tried some new gear out so here's what I thought.

I'm not claustrophobic, but a bivy just doesn't appeal. I tried the 1man MSR Hubba nx. I can sit up in this tent and it's long enough for guys up to 6' 4 " . It's 30" wide and 85" long. The wide bigger guys will find it tight but I fit in there well. It has a pretty nice vestibule, I could fit boots, water, stove, easily and my pack would fit but it would cramp the space. Hung my pack with rain cover on a tree so no biggie there. This is a minimalist tent but still a tent. Condensation was not a problem -airflow was good but it's not the warmest tent out there. I think with a good sleeping bag -I cld make this work as a spike tent down to 10 degrees F or so. under three pounds - you barely know it's in the pack. One tent pole and integrated crossbar pole is as easy a pitch I know. Seam sealed the fly and it feels tight and waterproof. Under300bucks- Dug this tent.

Exped UL7 synmat insulated pad. They have a down one too but I went with synthetic fill. You can feel the warmth just sitting on it. My thermarest has gone to the back of the shelf. I was as comfortable out in the upper 20s to low 30s as I've ever been. It's quite abit taller than my old thermarest. It comes in multiple sizes. I got a medium 72" long that weighed 1pound and fits in the pack just like a folded up shirt. Easy inflate/deflate, small, pretty light. I bet their ul9 down mat is a toaster. Not the cheapest but worth it. Tiered pricing with several sizes to pick from.

Sitka timberline pants. I'm not wowed by the price or these pants but the stretch fabric is good and they form fit well. Tight zippers but buttons weakly close though they are quiet. A strip of rubber isn't much of a knee pad but it did take the bruise out of crawling around in rocky 13k+ foot terrain after goats. They have a sticky rubber strip around the waist I liked and didn't need the suspenders they come with. Waterproof seat is my favorite part of these pants. I haven't tested their warmth seriously yet so we'll see how they handle cold temps.

Those were the main new things I tried. I used an old north face pack and my favorite piece of gear, a marmot couloir down mummy bag rated at 0 degrees F that I've had for years. Never skimp on sleeping gear period. Oh ya -first lite Chama base layer pretty nice -really held smell down. Slick trick standard 125s - sharp, accurate, and strong -shattered the humerus on a second shot after a good first double lung hit.

Keep huntin.....

[Indian Summer]

Excellent review Gutpile.

I hate tiny tents and mummy bags. I'll run myself ragged packing roomier accommodations.

I LOVE my Xped Downmat. If anything ever happens to it I'd shell out the money for a new one for sure. I have the accessory that makes it into a seat with a backrest as well. I have a bad back and at the end of the day nothing beats having a backrest while I'm cooking/eating etc.

Interesting you mention the rubber strip inside the waist of the Sitka Timberline pans. it's one of those small things that makes or breaks a product. I really like that thing. The pants are another item I'd replace in a heartbeat if I had to. They aren't just pants... they are hunting gear!

Thanks for taking the time to put this thread together. Hope your hunt was enjoyable.

[Gutpile]

Thanks IS - i had a great hunt. Maybe i'll get some pics together for the meat pole, but i don't see non deer/elk stuff there so just haven't really bothered. I took my third big game animal with a bow - a respectable Billy that makes the Pope n Young book. Elk/deer hunts are coming up in a month - plenty of motivation looking at everyone's successes.