Appalachian Gear Review

In my previous post about what I intended to bring to survive my 6 month hike on the Appalachian trail, I listed all the gear I felt I'd need come my big trip this spring. Since that post I put my gear to the test to ensure I'd made the right choices. I went ahead and picked a couple of the nastiest weathered weekends to hike one of the hardest trails here in my area known as; The Fiery Gizzard. Here is my review on the gear I had chosen. The things worked and how others failed and what they were replaced by. Along with some new items I added to the review for knowledge sake.

Tent

The Big Agnes Fly Creek U1-1person 3 season tent.

This was a great pick. I never tried setting it up before heading out and the first night I used the tent it was pretty dark by the time I was setting it up. Which is why I took these photos later on my deck.

1. Size wise, I'm 5'8" and laying down I have about a foot past my feet and above my head. Also, about 2 inches of clearance sitting straight up. Plenty of room for me, however I feel any man taller than me would feel like a burrito in this bad boy.
2. Weather wise, I didn't get a wet at all and it was POURING!! like buckets. Very happy with how it handles the rain.
3. Ground tarp. It did come with a rain fly however you'll definitely need to get a ground tarp. Although I feel like this is made extremely well, it still feels like tissue paper and I wouldn't trust it to the floor of the forest.
   
   
   

Backpack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 2400, waterproof backpack

I have to admit I thought this pack was going to do a little better then it did, yet I'm still going to stick with it. Here's what I found...

1. I'm not sure at what point but somehow some rain did make its way into the bottom of my bag, and my sleeping bag got wet. I'm going to take it out again the next good rain and confirm whether it was me or the bag. I was in an extreme storm but still, waterproof should mean waterproof.
2. The pockets on the waist belt are awkwardly too far to get into easily. I couldn't get into them without a struggle. The two mesh pockets on either side where I kept my water I also could hardly reach...and I have long arms. Very irritating. I don't want to use a bladder because I need all the extra space within the pack. SO, I've looked into these sweet little rubber ringed loops that connect to the top of a water bottle that I can attach to my shoulder straps.
3. Comfort. I have no complaints here, this bag fits me like a glove even with my left clavicle bone gone-yes, gone I was comfortable crawling over rock slides, under trees, and up and down the mountain sides.
   
   

Trekking poles

Kabuda Aluminum vs Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber

1. So I started out with the Kabuda's rubber grip, $25 adjustable, aluminum poles. I had a feeling I might regret cutting a corner here and I did. They were an absolute nightmare lol, hard to adjust, the handles put off a gasoline smell, the interchangeable feet wouldn't stay on. EPIC FAIL.
2. The $50 Cascade Mountain, cork grip, carbon fiber poles were a dream in comparison. Only complaint, is after one 2 day trip on a rough trail the set of feet I had took quite a beating and are shedding a thin outer ring of rubber.

Cascade Mountain poles below.

Clothes

Hiking clothes

My set up worked well.

1. Reebox wicking shorts; can't say I love the built in underwear but soft spandex like elastic-free waist was awesome!
2. 1 pair of holy Victoria undies...really wasn't any point to them with the built in set in the shorts but I have them for bed time on those fun weeks that happen once a month. (sorry guys-girl talk) Not trying to ruin my sleeping bag. I know some women scratch panties all together while on the AT, but I just can't help but feel like they help me stay cleaner, so I yeah.
3. Sports bra I picked up is also from Victoria Secrets. Again, some women scratch this articular altogether while on the AT but I'm what you'd consider well endowed and well it'd hurt to not have support. (sorry again guys) So, because I need one, I choose the one with the lowest center V to help air circulation...nothing worse then sweaty boobs.
4. The Tanks I picked up at Dick's sporting goods on sale! Are killer! At $16 each these mesh like tops compact so small and are so light I can have 2 to alternate between. The breeze can flow right threw.
   

Columbia puff coat

I hate being cold and these coats are worth every dime. Pack down to about a base ball in my compression sack (where I keep all my clothes) Doubles as a great pillow.

Sleepwear

Originally I had thought a onesie would be a great way to avoid a sleeping bag liner for my unique sleeping bag that allows you to pop your arms and legs out of while in it. But the idea fail. The onesie I had picked up was just too big to pack, and hot. lol So I just ordered some Patagonia Long underwear I tried on at REI. Light-weight, fast drying wicking base layer, ribbed strips of fleece inside Perfect for weather changes, and way more pack-able.

Rain gear

I went with a Frogg Toggs coat and pant set. In lighter showers this set up worked great. I stayed dry. However, in a downpour of fat rain I ended up wet :/ My plan is to hit these with an extra layer of waterproofing and give them another whirl before I switch to something else.

Hands and Feet -Waterproof, breathable Sealskinz

These are items I added in. Although they cost a pretty penny I figured if they worked it would be worth it.

1. The gloves are made for cold weather which is when you'd usually want gloves, I'll have these with me only during the beginning and end of my hike. When frost and the mountains of Maine start to freeze.
2. The knee high, cool weather socks kicked ass!! The only item I took that was supposedly waterproof that stood up to the nasty storm I headed into. My shoes were soaked but my feet stayed dry after hiking a whole day in a down pour!! So glad I tried these. They are now a staple in my gear. Highly recommended.
   
   Another item I added in. Some REI gaiters. I was happy with the fact that these kept a lot of debris out of my Salomon's...nothing worse then a pin needle stabbing you in the ankle or creepy crawlies hitching a ride. They didn't do much for the rain I was in but I could see them helping with dew and light rains. I've decided to keep them as well.
   
   

Sleeping gear

Cocoon hyperlite travel pillow vs Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow

Figured I'd try a couple pillows out even though I plan on just using my puff coat.

1. The Cocoon pillow is soooo soft and comfy on the outside, however when you open it up the inner bag is about as thin as a sandwich bag...the folding kind not zip lock. Theres no way this thing would last, I was scared just to put my head on it.
2. Aeros pillow, comfy but not Cocoon comfy. Made of a mix of what feels like an inner-tube and spandex. definitely would last, it's made very well.
   

Static V vs REI's Flash sleeping pads

Honestly, they both did the trick.

1. The Static is a bit heavier then the Flash but it's made to trap heat and man does it ever. I decided not to use my sleeping bag with this thing it worked so well.
2. The Flash longer and lighter, doesn't inflate as thick as the Static but worked great all the same.
   
   

Sierra Mobile Mummy 600 2-season vs Marmot synthetic 30 degree bag

Well, these are like night and day and it really just depends on which you prefer. I have nothing negative to say about either bag, both performed as advertised.

1. Mobile mummy of course allows you to be mobile while still in your bag, and conserving body heat during say night time potty outing's lol I have the down bag which you do not want to get wet and can be hard to wash (it does also come in synthetic) With a down bag it is say you should not over compress it, or it will damage the bag, yet down still compresses down way more then synthetic.
2. The Marmot is just as warm to me only you resemble a giant green inch worm once zipped inside, if your claustrophobic don't try it. lol Easy to wash and compress away.
   
   Marmot synthetic 30 degree bag
   

Electronics

I am still refining this department and this will be different for everyone based on what you want, not necessarily what you need. But I'm still going to share that I've committed to and am happy with the following items:

Goalzero Products, Nomad 7plus solar panels, and Flip10...with my Fitbit to help me keep track of my millage.

Samsung Pad with 160GB, for blogging.

Bug repellents

Deet, Peppermint oil, and Permetherin

So I went ahead and tried a couple different methods. I tried the not so familiar brand of deet Ben's, and peppermint oil another day, and I also treated all of my gear AFTER my first hike with Permetherin.

1. Deet, works great but obviously isn't something you should be putting on daily. This is a strong chemical and believe it or not isn't healthy when used frequently. Here and there not sure much can beat this stuff. Ben's brand seemed to work as good as any I've tried.
2. Peppermint. I really enjoyed this more then I expected. I'll admit in daily life I'm not a peppermint eater, and not huge on the smell but after a day in the woods with peppermint oil all over me I think I've changed my whistle. First off, it does smell better then most bug repellents. Secondly, wow does it feel good...like icy hot that works all day! Keeping bugs away and tending those sore muscles. The only down side I can see is the price. It'd be expensive to lather yourself in peppermint oil everyday.
3. Permetherin. Only to be applied to your clothes and gear...never to your skin. Last about 6 washing's not sure how well it works to be honest but I can admit I've not had any ticks or mosquito's bug me since I treated all my gear and clothes.
   
   
   

Water System

I went with the Sawyer mini. My only real complaint is about the bladder it comes with. It's WAY too small and hard to fill. The easy fix: use the filter instead on a Smartwater bottle.

Other stuff

Luci solar inflatable light

I grabbed this for fun, but it ended up earning a spot in my pack! Super impressed. clipped this little guy to my pack around mid day by evening when I climbed in my tent and clicked it on it lit up the place for well over 3 hours at which point I headed to sleep. Come morning, like 4:30 no sun rise yet morning it kept on glowing till 6!!

Waterproofing

Came across this brand figured I'd give it try on a pair of hiking boots...one was wet by the end of the day the other wasn't. So, I'm down the middle, and may have o give it another try.

I hope this helped some of you, thank you for your support.