Lastcar
10-10-2016, 11:26 AM
Just back from a 5 day goat hunt in the Kootenays. Thought I would do a quick summary of the gear I packed and my thoughts.
Pack: Stone Glacier Sky Archer 6200 with lid and Access Bag. http://www.stoneglacier.com/hunting-packs/zt75cjc6uudujtuuac0mm18bahxoa5
After some help with fitting from SR80 before the trip, I am very pleased with it. Had some doubts last year, but knew I didn't have it fit properly.
Tons of room, lid holds a lot and can prove very handy but gets a little messy if you are not using something to keep loose ends organized.
First time with the Access bag attached to the back of the pack adding 900 cubic inches. Also handy for quick access to items like rain gear and layers.
Ditched the spotting scope pocket and likely won't go back. Was never a fan and the Approach bag has taken its spot. May try it on the side one day, though.
Had two medium hip pouches, one for snacks and one for gloves or beanies, etc.
I'd like to give the Talus bag a go, as I am not sure I'd ever need to strap a bow to the bag as the Archer allows easily. But I can't rule out a pack in archery trip in that first week of September one of these years.
Clothing:
Sitka Gear: Timberline Jacket & Pants, Merino zip tee, medium weight core zip tee, silk boxers, Dewpoint rain gear
Timberline pants continue to be the rock star pants. I love them, knee pads and suspenders are something I didn't care about. Until I had them. The rocky and rough terrain the knee pads came in handy when needing to be low to the ground. Having no belt under the pack and using suspenders makes for no fussing when lining up the hip belt on the pack. Perfect warmth for this trip. Lots of room to layer under for when you get into the below zero. Ample pockets including secure zipping ones for anything you certainly can't lose.
Timberline jacket saw minimal use; temps were higher than anticipated. So can't comment much. Seems good, though, but not very breathable. So not sure where I stand on it yet. Not quiet but not overly loud either. Needs more time in it to figure out where I stand. If you are thinking of buying one but cringe at a price, I would hold off. May not be what you expected. The thing is damn pricey.
Merino Zip Tee, the Sitka Merino has always been my favorite of the merino I have tried. I have it in the gray, so it is versatile for every day where too. Just does what it should and is comfortable.
Silk boxers, comfy and seem to hold things where they should. No idea if they are made of silk, or they are describing that the fabric is smooth and soft. Don't appear to get too stinky. In fact, on day five if I had been sniffing my underwear at the end of the trip (ok fine, I did) the odor wasn't too bad at all. My guess is Saxx are superior, but I have three pairs of these silks so it'll be awhile until I try them.
Took the Stormfront gloves, but they saw no use. Seem like they will be fantastic in temps well below freezing, high winds or rain. The liner is easily removed so you can layer a lot of other gloves under the shell, which comes way up your arm.
Merino beanie, as goofy as it looks it is often my go-to headwear when the temps or wind cross the line from the ball cap. Also just does what it should and is easy to layer under a ball cap or additional toque like pieces.
Jetstream Beanie, windproof and light insulation. Was dynamite for glass sessions.
Firstlite: Chame Hoody and Slate gloves.
Chama Hoody fell out of favor with me for a time this spring, but I was crazy to think I'd stop using it. Comfy, warm and a perfect layering piece or as a top layer. Will be with me for a long time and I highly recommend it.
Slate gloves, also a winner. Just the right amount of insulation and have leather (goat skin) is all the right places to make it a versatile and durable glove. Were on my hands the whole time.
KUIU: Zip off merino bottoms, down glassing mitts, gaiters
There zip off bottoms continue to amaze me that it isn't more common. Being up to layer up or down under your pants without taking them or your boots off is the best. I have looked around and haven't found other outdoor clothing companies doing this, but may be some. Not a huge fan of the merino blend as far as feel against the skin but seems to be fine as far as performance goes.
Down glassing mitts, not sure what to think. Didn't need them but tried them around camp one night. Didn't float my boat but can see why they may be dynamite when sitting on your butt glassing in crisp weather. But will need more time with them.
Gaiter, they just do what they should. Seem sturdy as heck and easy to deal with. But really, they are gaiters. With any kinds of effort, how could a company screw up gaiters, other than cheapening out on materials. 4oz lighter than Sitka but heavier than OR gaiters. Which seem to have a no questions asked warranty.
Darn Tough socks, tons of reviews out there and the best socks I have used yet. But with boots and socks, everyone is different. But worth a try if you are in the sock market.
Camp gear:
Shelter Seek Outside LBO Base-Tarp-Vestibule combo with 12" Ti wood stove. This thing continues to shine. A ton of room (almost ridiculous for two guys and gear), floorless, three entrances, the stove, is a beauty for warmth and to keep a guy entertained. All under 4lbs. Standard condensation with any single wall shelter, although I am going to try some pitching variations to allow more airflow.
Stove, MSR Winderburner, moved to his last year from the Jetboil. A few ounces heavier but more sturdy and seems to boild water faster. Primarily used in the tent, but if using outdoors in a breeze would certainly out perform the Jetboil. MSR knows what they are doing and tends to make good stuff. Jetboil was plenty ample too. So six of one, half-dozen of the other. But if in the market for a new stove, I'd take a good look at the Windburner.
Enlightened Equipment quilts, continue to be a fan. I can't stand turning into a sausage overnight. I use two, a 40 degree and 20 degrees. On colder trips I combo them up with the special straps they offer for this purpose. I wish I had gone 30 degrees and 10 degrees and will send them back to have more down added. First night temp was below zero, and I was sweating most of the night. Layered down for the rest of the trip at bedtime and was fine. And never once thought I got caught in Chinese finger trap. You have options to wrap it as snug as you like under your sleeping pad, just depending on how much you want to be able to vent during the night or keep all the heat in.
Thermarest X-Therm - all the crinkling it is known for is now broken in or more so out and it is a great pad. Warm as hell. Just does what it should and is plenty light. Highly recommend.
Luci Lantern - is a rechargeable solar "lantern." Can put off some pretty good light but nothing that you'd read by at any distance from. But it lights up the shelter enough to do basic tasks without a head lamp. But more importantly to me, it lights it up enough to make it feel a little homier and comfortable. Makes it feel just a little less that you are in a tent. And saves on batteries in your head lamp. Well worth the 2.5 oz.
Pack: Stone Glacier Sky Archer 6200 with lid and Access Bag. http://www.stoneglacier.com/hunting-packs/zt75cjc6uudujtuuac0mm18bahxoa5
After some help with fitting from SR80 before the trip, I am very pleased with it. Had some doubts last year, but knew I didn't have it fit properly.
Tons of room, lid holds a lot and can prove very handy but gets a little messy if you are not using something to keep loose ends organized.
First time with the Access bag attached to the back of the pack adding 900 cubic inches. Also handy for quick access to items like rain gear and layers.
Ditched the spotting scope pocket and likely won't go back. Was never a fan and the Approach bag has taken its spot. May try it on the side one day, though.
Had two medium hip pouches, one for snacks and one for gloves or beanies, etc.
I'd like to give the Talus bag a go, as I am not sure I'd ever need to strap a bow to the bag as the Archer allows easily. But I can't rule out a pack in archery trip in that first week of September one of these years.
Clothing:
Sitka Gear: Timberline Jacket & Pants, Merino zip tee, medium weight core zip tee, silk boxers, Dewpoint rain gear
Timberline pants continue to be the rock star pants. I love them, knee pads and suspenders are something I didn't care about. Until I had them. The rocky and rough terrain the knee pads came in handy when needing to be low to the ground. Having no belt under the pack and using suspenders makes for no fussing when lining up the hip belt on the pack. Perfect warmth for this trip. Lots of room to layer under for when you get into the below zero. Ample pockets including secure zipping ones for anything you certainly can't lose.
Timberline jacket saw minimal use; temps were higher than anticipated. So can't comment much. Seems good, though, but not very breathable. So not sure where I stand on it yet. Not quiet but not overly loud either. Needs more time in it to figure out where I stand. If you are thinking of buying one but cringe at a price, I would hold off. May not be what you expected. The thing is damn pricey.
Merino Zip Tee, the Sitka Merino has always been my favorite of the merino I have tried. I have it in the gray, so it is versatile for every day where too. Just does what it should and is comfortable.
Silk boxers, comfy and seem to hold things where they should. No idea if they are made of silk, or they are describing that the fabric is smooth and soft. Don't appear to get too stinky. In fact, on day five if I had been sniffing my underwear at the end of the trip (ok fine, I did) the odor wasn't too bad at all. My guess is Saxx are superior, but I have three pairs of these silks so it'll be awhile until I try them.
Took the Stormfront gloves, but they saw no use. Seem like they will be fantastic in temps well below freezing, high winds or rain. The liner is easily removed so you can layer a lot of other gloves under the shell, which comes way up your arm.
Merino beanie, as goofy as it looks it is often my go-to headwear when the temps or wind cross the line from the ball cap. Also just does what it should and is easy to layer under a ball cap or additional toque like pieces.
Jetstream Beanie, windproof and light insulation. Was dynamite for glass sessions.
Firstlite: Chame Hoody and Slate gloves.
Chama Hoody fell out of favor with me for a time this spring, but I was crazy to think I'd stop using it. Comfy, warm and a perfect layering piece or as a top layer. Will be with me for a long time and I highly recommend it.
Slate gloves, also a winner. Just the right amount of insulation and have leather (goat skin) is all the right places to make it a versatile and durable glove. Were on my hands the whole time.
KUIU: Zip off merino bottoms, down glassing mitts, gaiters
There zip off bottoms continue to amaze me that it isn't more common. Being up to layer up or down under your pants without taking them or your boots off is the best. I have looked around and haven't found other outdoor clothing companies doing this, but may be some. Not a huge fan of the merino blend as far as feel against the skin but seems to be fine as far as performance goes.
Down glassing mitts, not sure what to think. Didn't need them but tried them around camp one night. Didn't float my boat but can see why they may be dynamite when sitting on your butt glassing in crisp weather. But will need more time with them.
Gaiter, they just do what they should. Seem sturdy as heck and easy to deal with. But really, they are gaiters. With any kinds of effort, how could a company screw up gaiters, other than cheapening out on materials. 4oz lighter than Sitka but heavier than OR gaiters. Which seem to have a no questions asked warranty.
Darn Tough socks, tons of reviews out there and the best socks I have used yet. But with boots and socks, everyone is different. But worth a try if you are in the sock market.
Camp gear:
Shelter Seek Outside LBO Base-Tarp-Vestibule combo with 12" Ti wood stove. This thing continues to shine. A ton of room (almost ridiculous for two guys and gear), floorless, three entrances, the stove, is a beauty for warmth and to keep a guy entertained. All under 4lbs. Standard condensation with any single wall shelter, although I am going to try some pitching variations to allow more airflow.
Stove, MSR Winderburner, moved to his last year from the Jetboil. A few ounces heavier but more sturdy and seems to boild water faster. Primarily used in the tent, but if using outdoors in a breeze would certainly out perform the Jetboil. MSR knows what they are doing and tends to make good stuff. Jetboil was plenty ample too. So six of one, half-dozen of the other. But if in the market for a new stove, I'd take a good look at the Windburner.
Enlightened Equipment quilts, continue to be a fan. I can't stand turning into a sausage overnight. I use two, a 40 degree and 20 degrees. On colder trips I combo them up with the special straps they offer for this purpose. I wish I had gone 30 degrees and 10 degrees and will send them back to have more down added. First night temp was below zero, and I was sweating most of the night. Layered down for the rest of the trip at bedtime and was fine. And never once thought I got caught in Chinese finger trap. You have options to wrap it as snug as you like under your sleeping pad, just depending on how much you want to be able to vent during the night or keep all the heat in.
Thermarest X-Therm - all the crinkling it is known for is now broken in or more so out and it is a great pad. Warm as hell. Just does what it should and is plenty light. Highly recommend.
Luci Lantern - is a rechargeable solar "lantern." Can put off some pretty good light but nothing that you'd read by at any distance from. But it lights up the shelter enough to do basic tasks without a head lamp. But more importantly to me, it lights it up enough to make it feel a little homier and comfortable. Makes it feel just a little less that you are in a tent. And saves on batteries in your head lamp. Well worth the 2.5 oz.