Theresa uses the womens version and is quite happy with them.
See my review on the mens pair for more details.
Salomon XA Comp 2 – Womens
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Category Archives: Backpacking
Leki Ultralight Trekking Poles
Not cheap, but cheaper than knee-replacement surgery.
We've recently been converted to hiking with poles. I love the sense of 4wd I get and it inspires me to keep barrelling up switchbacks without getting fatigued.
The are almost impossible to use at the same time as an umbrella, but so far I've been pretty happy with them.
They are quite an investment, so you may want to borrow/rent a pair first to see if you like them.
Petes Pole Page, has some good info on using poles including a little tutorial.
Available from REI available for a whopping $199!
Thermal Gloves
These work really well to defend against the cold. I find if my head and hands are warm, then my body stays pretty warm no matter what.
They are also thin enough to still retain some dexterity when fiddling with the stove or putting up the tent.
Available from REI for $9.
T-Shirt
Nothing too special here.
I like Nike Sphere Dry T-Shirts and they are very light, don't cling and dry out really fast.
I find that I don't usually get cold when hiking as I'm moving so much quicker with trekking poles, so the more breathable the better.
Available from Nike for $25.
Salomon XA Comp 2
This is perhaps my biggest reason of switching to Ultralight: I get to wear camp-shoes all day long 🙂
Once your pack weight is low, you no longer need big sturdy traditional boots. Trail runners are an excellent choice. Think of how much energy you expend over a 40 mile hike lifting a clunky 5lb pair of leather boots. With these 1.5 lbs shoes on, I feel like I just float over the trail, getting plenty of grip and stability on rocks
When it pours down, with my old nikwaxed leather boots, I found that after 3-4 hrs of rain, (no matter how great the "goretex lining") the things get miserably wet – either from water coming in the top or sweat build-up inside. With my trail shoes, my feet also get wet, but I'm quite happy trotting along with soggy feet – the mesh is super breathable so I don't experience much discomfort and after several hours of the rain stopping my shoes have dried out already. No building a big camp-fire to try and dry out my boots at the end of the day.
The stock insole that comes with these is pretty lame. I tried to put a super-feet in there, but it rode to high for me. I ended up using some insoles from an old pair of snowboarding boots with good arch support – they work great.
Oh – one more thing – I'm sure there are isolated cases, but in general, I beleive "ankle-support" to be a myth. Sure if you're carrying a 60lb pack, you might need it, but with small loads and trekking poles at hand to catch the odd slip, I have never been in need of anything more substantial.
Salomon Shoes from Amazon for $80.
Coolmesh Socks
And here's me thinking a sock was just a sock. Not so!
In the old days, I used to wear a big thick pair of wool socks with a thinner sock liner, stuffed into my big heavy leather boots. Death by blisters is not my chosen way to go.
This socks weigh only 1 oz., and are 'double layered' meaning they have a liner built in. They work great with my trail running shoes to keep me moving on the trail.
I have to take atleast 3 pairs, as I find my trail running shoes let in a lot of dust from being open-mesh. By the end of the day my toes are black from grime and the socks as a little worse for wear. Nothing a field-wash won't take care of, but I like to make sure I have a good day to get them dry again.
Cool Mesh Socks from REI for $8.50.
The Handkerchief
No self-respecting Brit would be caught in the wild without a Handkerchief or a bottle of gin.
I'm breaking the mold, and leaving the gin at home, but can't live without my hanky.
It's functional, and field-washable. Like most Americans Theresa was utterly disgusted at first, but now is a true convert and carries two in her pack also.
I buy my Handkerchiefs in England – import your own.
Patagonia Thermal Pants
Warm and functional at 5.1 oz. I often hike in these thermal pants under my shorts. They dry out really fast and do a great job at keeping me warm.
On really cold nights, I'll wear them in my sleeping bag also.
Thermal pants available from Patagonia for $36.
I wear the mid-weights, at 5.1 oz, Theresa takes the expedition-weight womens small at 5.9 oz.
Exoficio Zip-Off Legs
These legs are part of a pant-system and attach to a pair of shorts.
They come in useful as an extra leg-layer when things get cold, are great for wearing early morning if there is a lot of dew on the undergrowth – so I don't get soaked, and also come in handy at camp at night to keep the mozzies from munching on my legs.
Both the shorts and legs I treat at home with TX Direct, I've been using this stuff since the 90's and it's a miracle potion that causes your garments to bead water and stay waterproof.
Shorts and pant legs available from REI for $64.
Theresa wears a similar set for women – I think the REI brand ones for $55.
Exoficio Shorts
These shorts are part of a pant-system with zip-off legs.
For a 3+ day hike, I just take the one pair of shorts and wear them most of the time. If things get really wet, I will wear my thermal pants for a day while the shorts dry out. It's been working well for me.
OK… time for something personal. The shorts have an inner liner, so I find them comfortable enough to wear without underwear. No grundies, no extra ounces adding up. This little tip does not work for Theresa!
At 8 oz they aren't super-light, and I wonder if there is a better option, but the versatility of the pant legs, makes it worth it for me.
Shorts and pant legs available from REI for $64.
Theresa wears a similar set for women – I think the REI brand ones for $55.
Patagonia Thermal Shirt
Hard to beat a thermal base layer to keep the chills out.
I love this shirt, I've worn it to death. Mine is a patagonia mid-weight, looks like they no longer make that, so I linked to what I think the equivalent is – "Capilene 3". They have some nice wool shirts also and I wonder how they would be.
Available from Patagonia for $50.
North Face Fleece Pullover
Functional and light at 7 oz.
Not as light or warm as Theresas cool down vest, but I like to have my sleeves covered. Maybe I'll explore the vest some day once this is worn out.
At night, I make a pillow out of my sleeping bag sack stuffed with spare clothes and wrap this aound the outside of the stuff sack. Nice fleecy pillow… 🙂
REI has these for $55.
Small Items
It all adds up.
I usually carry my car keys, a credit card, my insurance card and some cash. I have no idea why as I have yet to encounter a bear who takes Visa.
Still, probably better than leaving it in the car at the trail head for someone to snag.
Lead Pencil
You never know when you need to write home to mum.
With a little broken-off pencil you can find yourself a carrier pigeon, write on the back of the map and send messages home.
Can be sharpend with the knife if you're writing a whole lot.
Chapstick
Handy for keeping your lips from chapping in cold weather
It's also SPF and you can smear it on your snout to keep the sun out.
Toothpaste
Keep your dentist happy.
We take a ¼ oz. container from REI and fill it with toothpaste. There's more than enough for two people on a 4-5 day trip.
Containers available from REI for 40•.
Spare Battery
Light weight and cheap insurance for your the Photon Freedoms. I never know when my juice is going to die, so having an extra on hand I never have to worry.
Available from pretty much anywhere for around $5.
Wet Ones
Ssshh… don't tell anyone else – this is our little secret.
Sometimes when you need to go in the wild, a few sheets of TP just won't cut it. That's when we reach for these little critters. Moist and antibacterial they take care of business.
Again… please remember not matter how gross it seems – pack out the used one with you, they'll take years to decompose.
Of course, taking this whole pack would blow our weight limits. So separate just a few and put them in a thin zip-lock sandwich bag. We figure about a sheet/day each.
I did read on a forum a recommendation to dehydrate the wet-ones for weight savings, and then add-water on the trail. What a brilliant idea. Haven't tried it yet.
You can get a big stash of them from Amazon for only a few bucks. Keep the lid on tight.
Toilet Paper
Yes it's toilet paper. What else can I say?
Last time I was at the trail head I saw a couple getting ready for their 4 day trip. They were packing in big loads. The conversation went like this:
Woman: "Honey, how much TP do you have"
Man: "I have tons of it."
Woman: "How much is tons?"
Man: "I have at least two full rolls."
Woman: "I'm bringing an extra."
I shudder to think what they did with 3 rolls of TP in the wilderness.
So here's my theory on TP – bring just what you need as you should be packing it all out with you. We figure about 10 sheets between us/day covers bathroom duties with some extras. We put it in a little zip-lock bag and bring an extra zip-lock for the 'dirties'.
We also carry a few wet ones for those days when it's bad enough that you might burn thro' too many sheets of TP.
I know what you're thinking – "Gee. Thanks for sharing.".
Available from your bathroom.
The Sawn-Off Toothbrush
Yes, I said it right – the "sawn-off" toothbrush
It's pretty simple – take your favourite (lightest) toothbrush, cut off the handle, smooth it down with sand-paper and drill a few holes in the plastic for extra savings.
What do you mean you have better things to do with your saturday afternoon?
Available from your basement.