As many of you may know, or perhaps not. Probably, the majority of my hiking trips are in the winter. A combination of skis, snowmobile and snowshoes, I love being in the outdoors during the winter months. Especially once the shit parts of late October to January are over, and there is a nice layer of ice and snow covering everything. These are the months when the sun is out a little longer, and the beautiful landscapes of northern Sweden can be explored to their fullest. I have finally decided to sit down and start writing a series on ultralight winter hiking, or at least as light as one dares in -30 degree weather and still be alive and comfortable.
In this definitive 5-part blog series on ultralight winter camping, a time to explore the beauty and serenity of winter landscapes without being weighed down by excess gear. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker looking to refine your skills or a budding adventurer eager to experience the freedom of ultralight packing, this series is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and insights needed for a successful and safe expedition.
Releasing twice weekly, each installment will delve into critical aspects of ultralight winter camping, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials. We begin our journey focusing on Safety and Planning, covering the different components of trip preparation and risk management in harsh winter conditions. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for successfully exploring some of the world’s most magnificent snowscapes.
The series proceeds to tackle the necessities of Tents and Bivies, where you’ll learn how to choose the lightest, most effective shelter options to protect you from the elements while maximizing mobility. Following this, we’ll explore the complexities of Clothing Layering for Hiking and Camp, offering strategies to balance warmth, comfort, and weight efficiently.
In our fourth installment, attention turns to Sleeping Systems, where we’ll uncover the secrets of staying warm at night with minimal gear, examining the best sleeping bags, quilts, and mats for ultralight adventurers. Finally, we address an often underestimated aspect of outdoor survival: Nutrition on the Trail. You’ll discover how to fuel your body with high-energy, light, and effective nutrition.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey of discovery and practical know-how, empowering you to confidently venture into pristine winter wilderness with the assurance that comes from thorough preparation and smart strategies. Whether traversing familiar trails or pioneering new routes, our series has the insights you need to thrive in the cold while embracing the ethos of ultralight winter camping. Stay tuned, and get ready to unleash the explorer within!
Choosing the right backpack can make a significant difference on your outdoor adventures, especially when it comes to comfort, durability, and functionality. One of the standout options currently on the market is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Waypoint 35. Known for its minimalist design and robust performance, this pack is ideal for hikers, trekkers, and those who value efficiency and reliability in their gear.
Design and Build
The Waypoint 35 is a testament to Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s commitment to quality and innovation. Weighing in at approximately 666grams, this backpack is a featherweight contender among its peers, making it a favorite for minimalist backpackers who appreciate light loads without compromising on capacity and strength.
Constructed with Dyneema® Composite Fabrics, the Waypoint 35 is lightweight, highly durable, and weather-resistant. The choice of materials ensures that the pack can withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures, whether trekking through dense forests or hiking in unpredictable weather.
Comfort and Fit
One of the most commendable aspects of the Waypoint 35 is its exceptional fit. I trekked about 30 kilometers in this pack with about 10 kilos in and the hip belt is snug, offering excellent support for the lower back and evenly distributing the weight across my hips.
The backpack’s frame is another noteworthy feature contributing to its comfort. The solid frame effectively supports the pack’s weight, maintaining its shape and preventing sagging. This structural integrity is a good feature for maintaining good posture and reducing the risk of fatigue during extended periods of use.
Capacity and Storage
The Waypoint 35 offers ample space for various outdoor gear, with a total capacity of 35 liters. While it may appear minimalist, the pack is designed to maximize storage space cleverly. The main compartment is spacious enough to accommodate the bulk of your gear, while additional pockets and attachment points provide options for organizing smaller items or attaching additional equipment externally.
There’s a top-loading design which ensures quick and easy access to your gear, while the external lash points and compression straps allow for customization according to your specific needs. Whether you are heading out for a weekend trek or just a day hike, you will find the Waypoint 35 adaptable to different scenarios.
Features and Functionality
The Waypoint 35 is designed with versatility in mind. Here are a few key features that enhance its functionality:
Weather Resistance: Thanks to its Dyneema® fabric and water-tight design, the Waypoint 35 provides excellent protection against the elements, keeping your gear dry in wet conditions.
Accessibility: Easy-access pockets and compartments allow for convenient storage and retrieval of frequently used items, such as maps, snacks, or a camera.
Hydration Compatibility: The pack is hydration-compatible, with space and ports available for a hydration reservoir, which is a significant advantage for those undertaking long treks where staying hydrated is crucial.
Modular Design: The Waypoint 35’s design allows for personal customization, as the numerous clips and loops let you attach and expand with additional gear.
Potential Uses
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Waypoint 35 is exceptionally versatile, catering to a wide range of outdoor activities:
Day Hikes: Its lightweight and compact design make it ideal for day hikes, providing enough space for essentials without burdening you with unnecessary weight.
Overnight Trips: With careful packing, the Waypoint 35 can also accommodate gear necessary for overnight excursions, especially in milder climates where bulky clothing is unnecessary.
Climbing and Mountaineering: Thanks to its robust frame and weather-resistant materials, the Waypoint 35 is also suitable for more technical pursuits like climbing and mountaineering, where the reliability of gear is of utmost importance.
Travel: Beyond outdoor adventure, the pack’s size and functionality make it an excellent companion for travel, offering the ruggedness needed for off-the-beaten-path journeys and the convenience desired for more routine travels.
Aesthetic and Visual Appeal
While functionality is great, the aesthetic appeal of this pack is, like all HMG packs, probably the sexiest 35L pack on the market. The Waypoint 35 scores well in this category with its sleek, streamlined design. Its minimalist and modern look makes it a stylish choice that doesn’t sacrifice performance for appearance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Waypoint 35 is a remarkable backpack that stands out due to its lightweight yet durable construction, comfortable fit, and versatile functionality. Whether you’re an avid hiker seeking a reliable pack for day trips or a more serious adventurer looking for gear to support longer treks, the Waypoint 35 offers an excellent balance of comfort, utility,
The last couple of years I have been combining my love of hiking with my love for riding motorcycles (or snowmobiles for that matter). I find the combination of UL gear with a motorcycle is the perfect combination. If I know I will be doing a lot of hiking, than I will pack everything into a backpack and strap the backpack onto my motorcycle. If, however, I will be traveling long distance (through europe as example) than I use motorcycle saddlebags. I this article I will discuss some of the basics if you yourself are looking at combining these two great hobbies to maximize your enjoyment!
Motorcycle camping is a unique way to explore the great outdoors, combining the exhilaration of motorcycle touring with the adventure of camping. One of the appeals of motorcycle camping is the need to carefully choose and pack gear due to limited space, which naturally leads to a minimalist, ultralight approach. This article explores the benefits of keeping your gear light and compact, and provides suggestions for essential equipment such as tents, saddlebags, sleeping mats, and sleeping quilts.
The Mosko moto packs are great quality, but bad design in my opionon. Or atleast could be better design on the two side pockets. These are very small meaning you will find yourself having to stuff everything really hard to get them in.
Benefits of Ultralight Motorcycle Camping
Enhanced Handling and Safety: Carrying less weight on your motorcycle improves its handling, making your ride more enjoyable and safer. A lighter load reduces wear and strain on the motorcycle, particularly when navigating steep or winding roads.
Increased Fuel Efficiency: Less weight requires less energy to move, allowing you to go further on a tank of gas. This can be particularly beneficial on long trips where fuel stops may be infrequent.
Ease of Setup and Teardown: With ultralight gear, setting up and packing your campsite is quicker and less labor-intensive. This leaves more time for exploring or simply relaxing at your destination.
Flexibility and Mobility: Reducing the volume of your gear allows you to organize and access your belongings more easily, enhancing your overall travel experience. Being nimble means you can adapt to changing conditions and make spontaneous decisions to changes in your itinerary.
Essential Ultralight Gear
Tents
When selecting a tent for ultralight motorcycle camping, prioritize weight, durability, and ease of setup. Here are a few options:
Bivouac Sacks (Bivy Sacks): These are compact, waterproof enclosures just big enough for a sleeping bag. They’re extremely lightweight and pack down very small, making them ideal for minimalist campers.
One-person Tents: These offer a balance between comfort and weight. Look for models made from modern lightweight materials like Dyneema, which provide excellent durability and weather resistance.
Hammock Tents: If your camping spots often include trees, a hammock tent can be a comfortable and compact option. They keep you off the ground, providing a good solution in wet or uneven terrain.
I prefer the Skalmo Mid 1 with solid Half-inner tent. Ultralight light, roomy and with the Camouflage, it’s easy to do proper stealth camping.
Saddlebags
Saddlebag choice is critical, as it dictates how you’ll carry and organize your gear. Consider these options:
Soft Saddlebags: Made from flexible materials, these are often lighter and can be easier to pack since their shape can adapt to the contents. Look for those with waterproof features to protect your gear from the elements.
Hard Saddlebags: These offer more protection and can be locked for security, but they are heavier. Opt for models that utilize lightweight materials like aluminum to maintain durability without excessive weight.
Modular Luggage Systems: Allow for expansion or contraction based on the amount of gear you carry. This flexibility can be useful for adjusting to different trip lengths or conditions.
For a pair of solid, roomy saddle bags I really like the 21brothers pockets. These are excellent size and form for 25L saddle bags (25L on each side, 50L total). Only downside is the inner pockets can’t be removed separately from the harness itself. This is however easily solved with a waterproof roll-top bag on inside.
Sleeping Mats
A good night’s sleep is essential, even when camping. An ultralight sleeping mat can provide comfort without taking up much space:
Inflatable Pads: These are compact when deflated and offer good insulation from the ground. Look for designs that are well-constructed to prevent leaks and offer high R-values for warmth.
Closed-cell Foam Pads: These are durable and inexpensive, with decent insulation. While they don’t pack down as small, they can be strapped to the outside of your luggage or motorcycle.
Sleeping Quilts
A quilt can be a versatile and weight-saving option over a traditional sleeping bag:
Down Quilts: These offer excellent warmth-to-weight ratios. Look for responsibly sourced down, with high fill power, to ensure maximum insulation and compressibility.
Synthetic Quilts: While a bit heavier than down, synthetic options perform better in wet conditions and can be a cost-effective alternative.
Convertible Quilts: These offer versatility, allowing them to be used as both a quilt and a bag, adapting to varying climates and personal preferences for sleeping arrangements.
Packing Strategies
Efficient packing is key for ultralight motorcycle camping. Distribute weight evenly to maintain bike balance, and place heavy items low and forward. Utilize compression bags to minimize volume and keep items like sleeping bags and clothes compact. Organize small essentials in easily accessible places, so they can be found quickly without unpacking larger items.
Conclusion
Ultralight motorcycle camping offers a unique blend of adventure, flexibility, and simplicity. By investing in lightweight, compact gear, you can enhance your travel experience significantly. Remember that the core of this endeavor is to enjoy the journey as much as the destination, immersing yourself fully in the environments you visit on your motorcycle camping adventures. With the right setup, you’ll enjoy the freedom of the open road and the beauty of the natural world without being weighed down by unnecessary baggage.
I finally found the original manuscript of the book I wrote in 2015 and released it on Amazon. My original goal was to do yearly book updates, but I found it wasn’t really necessary. So I never did; with that, the manuscript got lost in the endless depths of my hard drive. Well, I did the unimaginable and searched in my Google Docs for it, and voila, here we are.
After finding the manuscript, I reviewed the original Amazon reviews. There were very few complaints about the book, but the complaints that did come were about grammar and spelling; a few people thought it needed more vinegar. In any case, I updated the book with a few more chapters, rewrote big portions of the book for clarity, and even took Ultralight Hiking into the future with the use of an AI assistant bot; that really doesn’t help at all.
This newly re-released book is also now available for Paperback as well!
Here is a sales pitch excerpt from our AI-Asshole bot:
THE AI REVOLUTION
Preface and sales pitch by AI
Introduction to “Ultralight and Comfortable: A no bullshit guide to ultralight hiking.
Welcome, fellow adventurers! Are you tired of those impossibly fit, perpetually chipper ultralight hikers flaunting their fancy gear and chiseled abs? Well, grab a snack (or three) and settle in because this book will flip that narrative on its head! Meet Ken: an adventurous soul who’s slightly overweight, proudly middle-aged, and has mastered the art of hiking while carrying the emotional baggage of every failed venture imaginable. With decades of hiking experience under his slightly sagging belt, Ken is ready to lead you on a comically bumpy journey to discover just how much “light” really means—and why it might not be for you.
Sales Pitch
Are you ready to venture into the great outdoors, only to find that your motivation is the only thing lighter than your gear? Join Ken as he guides you through the wild world of ultralight hiking with his unique blend of sarcasm, self-deprecation, and gentle mockery of those who genuinely know what they’re doing. You’ll learn how to pack your entire kitchen—yes, including that spork you never use!—and lug it up a mountain while questioning your life choices.
“Ultralight and Comfortable” isn’t just a hiking guide; it’s a love letter to anyone who’s ever looked at a trail map and promptly decided that jerking off was a better option. With Ken’s wisdom (and questionable choices), you’ll discover the joys of hiking with a slightly lighter load than necessary, a few too many snacks, and the unmistakable sound of your knees creaking.
So, if you’re ready to embrace your inner couch potato in the great outdoors, put down that fitness magazine, grab this book, and let Ken remind you that life’s too short to take yourself too seriously. After all, what’s the point of being light on your feet if you can’t enjoy a big meal afterward?
Then because this practice was so successful, I asked the AI Bot asshole to make me a cool cover art for my new would-be best-seller. I told the asshole it had to be cool and show the joys of hiking as this is what the little bitch gave me.
My thoughts I have been using the Soto Windmaster almost exclusively for over 2 years. Through Sarek, Padjelantaleden, Kungsleden, Island, Scotland and more. I have never needed a windshield and the Windmaster has never failed me. I have used it with dozens of different pots and pans without fail. Simply put, in my opinion the Soto windmaster is the single best stove on the market for pretty much any boil water and simple cooking needs. It is fast, efficient, lightweight and dependable. Even in high winds it is effecient and fast, rarely losing any of it’s performance. If there is one thing I think is a negative it’s that when I bought my Windmaster the tri-flex was included as well as the 4-flex. However, they have opted to sell those seperately now, which means that if you want the lightest most compact solution – the 3-flex. That must be purchased seperately. With that said, the 4-flex is an excellent, robust pot holder. I just prefer the tri-flex.
Sizing I am not too interested in physical diameter and height and so on. Instead I am interested if it fits in a single pot with gas tube. The soto windmaster fits nicely in pretty much all pots 600ml and more (with gas tube). This was always what was so convenient with the Jetboil kits – everything fit nicely in one pot. The difference between this and a jetboil are considerable – the Jetboil is not great in high winds, locked to one pot and in general considerably heavier than the Windmaster.
Weight With the included 4-flex pot holder, the Windmaster weighs about 80 grams in total. Keep in mind, this is with a pezo lighter and no need for a windshield. So by any standards: Light.
Performance This is where the Soto windmaster really stands out. For a long-time the Windmaster stood alone on it’s peak as the best performing stove on the market. Now it can be argued that the MSR Pocket rocket DLX shares the title. In anycase, whether it’s cold, windy or sunny: The Windmaster performaces with excellence. To show off to my friends on hiking trips it’s not usual for me to setup and cook my food in hard blowing winds while they all stand hovered around rocks and backpacks trying to cook their own food – only for the windmaster to be faster and more efficient. It really is remarkable. This of course also means that a can of Butane is going to last much longer with the Windmaster than pretty much anything else.
Conclusion The Windmaster is my favorite stove. Nothing really compares. There are lighter and smaller stoves – but once you add in the fact that you have to have both a windscreen and lighter, the Windmaster usually wins the weight war as well. The Windmaster is the “Ron Swanson” of stoves. Simple, effective and very high quality.
Big agnes Copper spur HV ul 2 – There is a reason the Copper Spur hv ul2 is one of the most popular tents in history. This tent is a fantastic balance of weight, stability and living comfort. At just 1220 grams and freestanding, the Copper spur can more or less put up with anything the mountains can throw at it. Granted, my size at 190cm, I would rather pick up the HV UL 3 version instead if I’m sharing the tent. But I can say that with just about any two man tent.
Positives:
Fast and easy setup
Ultralight two man tent
Stable enough for most conditions
Great ventilation
Love the new awnings
Double entry and exits
Freestanding
Negatives:
Can be small for two people
There are lighter solutions – but not many
Outer tent and inner are pitched separately
Hilleberg Anaris – A proper two man trekking pole tent from Hilleberg that can withstand anything the mountains throw at it. Fast and easy to pitch, this is a great two man tent for most people not looking for the lightest solution, but a long term solution that will last a lifetime and a great weight for two people at around 1309 grams ex tent pegs. The Anaris is also a very flexible tent which is why it kicks out several other similar solutions that might weigh less. Can be used as a simple tarp, or if you just want to pitch the inner, or half and half. Hilleberg is one of the originators of the trekking pole tent, in fact the design of the Anaris was more or less stolen from a tent they introduced in the early 70’s. Generous sizing and vestibules make the Anaris an excellent purchase.
Positives:
Generous sizing – a proper comfortable two man tent
Great weight for two man tent
Very flexible solution
Easy to pitch
Can withstand the mountains
Will last a lifetime
Negatives:
There are lighter solutions
When pitched in “shit weather mode” the ends can be a little low
Would like to see a single man version of the Anaris
I hate the tent pegs. The three star top always cuts my hands when I have to use force
Luxe outdoor sil Hexpeak f6a – Big, light and cheap. A great combination! Granted, outer and inner together make this the heaviest combination of my recommendations. But a Tipi this size normally doesn’t need an inner tent. Pitch it close to the ground and you’re not going to be bothered with bugs. The Hexpeak 6a in a generous sized two man tent that comes complete with inner tent and tent pegs. I have used mine in some seriously bad weather above treeline on a few occasions with zero issues. If you’re looking for a great Tipi solution for two people or one big and a bunch of kids, the Hexpeak might be the perfect tent for you.
Not a pic of the f6 – this is the Hexpeak v8.. Similar but not the same. This is also the winter version with stove jack. I couldn’t find my pics of the V6
Positives:
Comes complete with everything that is needed
Generous sized two man tent
Robust material will hold a long time
Great price
Negatives:
Heavy compared to the other tents on my list (if bringing inner tent)
Massive footprint. You need to find a camp spot big enough
Needs to be seam sealed
Tarptent Stratospire 2 – A massive two man tent that can withstand anything, more or less. If you want lots of room, the stratospire 2 is hard to beat. Many of the reasons I loved the Stratospire 1 apply for the Stratospire 2. My only complaint? Its really big. This size has a cost when trying to find a good flat surface to pitch your tent on.
The Tarptent Stratospire Li – DCF dyneema tent. Weighs just 750 grams with tent pegs
Positives:
Big and light
Stabile in most three season weather
Massive vestibules
Negatives:
Requires a lot of space to pitch
Needs to be seam sealed
Alternatively you can get the Stratospires LI DCF version of the Stratospire at just 750 grams!
Hyperlite mountain gear Ultamid 2 – 471 gram alpine tent. I have used the Ultamid 2 and it’s bigger brother the Ultamid 4 year round above treeline. To say the Ultamid 2 is a competent tent in any conditions is an understatement. From being snowed in late April, to sunny hikes in Sarek the Ultamid 2 has never let me down. Now that 471g is the weight of the outer only, so if you need an inner add another 500 grams or so. The Ultamid 2 also makes for a great solo tent. If you are looking for the perfect solo tent that even works as an excellent 2 man tent, look no further than the Hyperlite mountain gear Ultamid 2.
Positives:
Ultralight
True all season tent
Big
Takes little room in pack
Fast and easy to setup
Easy to repair
Negatives:
Inner tent isn’t included in sale price
Single walled tents = Condensation is more obvious
Tent pegs and Trekking pole extender not included
Bonus Tent:
The Vargo No-Fly 2 man tent – I couldn’t possibly leave the Vargo No-fly out here, so I am cheating on my own list. Anyway, the no-fly 2 probably has the biggest living area of any of the aforementioned tents as the sides are steep, so you don’t lose any length or width because of hard sloping sides like you get in a pyramid tent. The No-fly is also for the most part freestanding, and I have pitched it on tiny broken sidewalks on the edge of a river with no pegs. Two big vestibules, extremely easy to pitch, great ventilation and a lightweight at just 1195 grams. Did I mention everything you need is included in the package? Seam sealed, tent pegs and carbon fiber tent poles. Excellent creation from the Vargo team.
Positives:
Fast and easy to pitch
Freestanding
Great ventilation
Complete tent
Lightweight
Negatives:
I would have liked to see a bigger side opening with the vestibules. Demands a bit of trickery to open up completely on sunny days
Included is 4 vargo ti pegs, I think 6 would have been better as it requires 6-8 if you want it completely pitched.
Runner up: Zpacks duplex,
Zpacks Duplex: I felt a lot of internal pressure to include the Zpacks Duplex here. But for me personally the tent doesn’t work. My head and feet push hard on the outer tent, meaning I get wet. Wind blows through it, so on top of being wet I also get cold. The tent also loves condensation, so morning rain showers are common. However, if I were to hike warmer climates, summertime, then I would definitely look hard at bringing the zpacks Duplex with me. However for me, in the swedish mountains in most of the conditions I find myself in, the Duplex simply is a no go.
I follow a lot of different groups on facebook, and one comment I am always surprised to read is when someone of say 180cm or less is saying a tent that I personally use and think works just fine is “Too small”. An example of this is a comment I recently received on my article “My favorite solo tents” about the Hilleberg Enan. I was a bit surprised when the comment was basically “I’m 170cm and i think the Enan is too small”. So this led me to start thinking about the concept of tent comfort.
How can someone like myself at 190cm think the Enan is just fine and actually rather comfortable, while somebody at 170cm think it’s too small. I have a lot of theories on this, but I have kind of landed on one in particular: Tall people in general have to learn to like smaller tents. A tall person knows and in some cases actually likes their body squeezing against the inner tent. I know for example on the Enan I really like that I can mush my pillow into one side and kind of squeeze my head in there between the inner and pillow. I like it because it holds my pillow in place allowing me to fold the pillow a few times, to create height for my head for when I sleep. This means that I don’t get back pain while I sleep on my side as my head is elevated.
I also know that having your bag mush on an inner tent is no issue at all, it doesn’t cause you to get wet from condensation, or your bag to get wet, or from some kind of chain reaction that will result in death. The bigger issue is if you are mushing against the outer tent – that should be avoided. In the Enan my head, squeezed against the inner tent, does of course touch the inner tent, but not the outer. No part of my body is even close to the outer. Which means I don’t have any issues with condensation showers. However in some single walled tents, like most zpacks tents, my feet or head, or both are mushed against the outer, leading always to a very uncomfortable and wet night.
Shorter people on the other hand never have to deal with issues of touching inner and outer tents. So the idea that a strand of hair is touching the inner tent will lead to one feeling that a tent is “too small”. We can make arguments that a tent is not as big as another tent, or that you feel a tent is small. But just because one can’t set up a lawn chair and do jumping jacks in a tent doesn’t mean a tent is “too small”. It just means you prefer a larger tent.
I think this is an important factor to take into consideration when buying a tent. At no time should you be terrified if some part of your body is touching the inner (there are exceptions to this – such as with the Nordisk tents where the inner is literally touching the outer). More important factors to take into consideration are: is my body touching the outer, is the tent big enough for what I want, is the tent too big where I can’t find anywhere to pitch, is the tent easy or hard to pitch, Trekking poles or not and so on.
Anyway, just a quick thought on tent sizing and how to think about it!
In leu of finding someone to work with here in my studio in Umeå (northern Sweden) – basically a partner to design and develop outdoor gear. I have taken it upon myself to at least learn the trade and what is needed. I am certainly no expert and my sewing skills are absolutely minimal. But I am enjoying the process and certainly learning a lot along the way. This is my philosophy in life to be honest: Do something new – try something you will suck at. That’s me, at this moment and I’m happy as a clam!
So, like I always do, it’s just my own method of working, I buy minimal gear. Or rather what I think I might need, use it, and add more. Now my economy means I can’t buy the best, but I certainly don’t have to use garbage. I started by borrowing a simple Durkopp 211-5 straight seam sewing machine that I oiled up and repaired. Total cost about 30USD.
The Durkopp 211-5 single needle straight seam machine.
Then I bought a Pfaff 142 two needle sewing machine. Which I knew I would need for studier stitching, fell seams and so on. (Can be done on a single needle machine, but I love the look of the double needle stitch). Total cost 650usd. Borrowed a Bernina 1008 home sewing machine from my wife. Total cost 0usd. And built a proper cutting table that is about 250cm long by 160cm wide – supported by 3 Ikea Kallax bookcases – Total cost: 140USD.
My two needle Pfaff 142 sewing machine. A great little machine with lots of functions.
Then I started to use everything and realized real quick that cutting lightweight material is a bitch. I started with a high quality roller cutter. Works nice until it doesn’t – it’s easy to cut the material wrong. Or the roller to kind of do it’s own thing if not fully focused. Then I tried scissors and an electric knife. All of these sucked. I read a post online from a guy who suggested a hot knife. I don’t have a hot knife and was too eager to get started to wait a month to get one from China. So I bought a soldering gun instead – works amazing! I don’t have to use pressure on the material which means my cuts are nearly perfect every time! Cost of soldering iron: 15USD.
Soldering iron I bought at Jula here in sweden. best cutting tool available for outdoor textiles.
Of course I need other materials and so on, rulers, scissors, oil, etc.. all in all about 120usd for this. All in all my little sewing studio here minus sewing textiles and materials is around 955usd. Which considering that is three sewing machines, all cutting tools, a nice sized cutting table and all in all a very comfortable working environment: I can deal with the outlay.
Up close of the cutting board. You can see I use it as a photo studio as well when I need to take product photos for Backpackinglight.se. My little office in the corner there by the window
I like having a working environment where I can go from one task to another without having to stop because I am missing something, or I have to rearrange one thing or another. I like getting into the flow of a process and this studio allows that for me. And within a few days I am starting to produce gear that I find useful and is fun to make. Along the way I am changing how the room is organized, I am moving furniture around and re-thinking certain areas. But that is the whole point: A rough draft studio that I can work in and change depending on efficiencies and knowledge. I won’t know everything I need from the very beginning without ever sewing so much as a ditty bag. So I keep things to a minimum and improve or upgrade as my skill and knowledge increases.
The sewing studio in it’s entirety.. I use the Cutting board as photostudio when I need to take product photos and so on. A bit messy at the moment, but I’m ok with that.
My guess is that when I find someone that wants to come here and sew stuff, they will want to change the room around completely. Which is what I expect. Anyway, this was just a little intro into my MYOG studio here in Umeå, my next posts will be regarding the stuff I am actually sewing!
The Vesper quilt is a new line of quilts released in 2019 by Thermarest. They are Ultralight by all means using some of the lightest materials on the market to achieve an excellent weight to warmth ratio. using high quality down 900 hydrophobic treated to help protect against moisture and using small lightweight straps to tie down to your sleeping pad.
Full video review:
Weight:
The larger wide version of the Vesper quilt 32 comes in at just 489grams and has a warmth rating of around 32 degrees. Now like all companies do, they market the limit ratio instead of comfort. Comfort on this bag is around 37-38 degree F or 5 degrees Celsius. The medium or standard length of the Vesper quilt weighs under 450grams.
Warmth:
In my opinion any bag that markets itself as a 32 F bag and you freeze at the temp, just isn’t worth the money. Luckily, the Vesper quilt does a good job at keeping to it’s comfort temp and limit. I would say the comfort temp is around 37-38 F or 5 degrees Celsius. Limit is 32. Though I would say there are warmer 32 degree bags, but certainly not as light or packable.
Comfort:
The Vesper quilt is designed for being light over everything else. This is a simple quilt. Period. Two straps and, a clip around your neck and a foot box. That’s it. I find the large big enough for me who comes in at 190cm and 92 kilos, or 6’3″ and 210lbs. I can move around nicely and it keeps me warm down to about 5 Celsius.
Versatility:
It can be used as a summer and three season quilt. That’s about it. I wouldn’t use it as an extra quilt for warmth in the winter as it might be too tight for that function.
Overall:
I find that since I started using the Vesper quilt it has become one of my go to quilts as it does what it’s suppose to do. It keeps me warm, it packs down really small and is one of the lightest 32 degree quilts on the market. What more could I ask for?
Plus:
Ultralight
Well rated
Comfortable
Sidelong baffles means it keeps the down in place and minimizes weight
Keeping warm is essential to sleeping good. Hypothermia and freezing to death is not a fun past time. In the summer it’s easier to get along with Ultralight gear and probably survive.. Chances are good… In the winter however, things are different. Especially in areas like northern Sweden where I live – here the temperatures can easily drop to -30c in the winter. It’s important to be prepared and have a relatively good idea of what your doing. Here I will go over some of the details that helps keep me warm and comfortable during the winter months on longer treks:
Sleep system
Shelter
Clothing
Food before bed
Run around for warmth
Pee bottle
Extra bottles for foot warmer in the morning
A also made a video of this article that you can watch below:
Sleep system:
First on my list is the sleep system – this is by far the most important aspect of sleeping warm and safe in the winter. All parts of the sleep system must work in order for the whole to work. With a sleep system I mean of course the Sleeping mat and Sleeping bag.
My system for winter hiking looks something like this with an example of a week long unsupported trip in minus 20 to 40 degrees:
Thick evazote mat – 14mm – this I usually have directly on the ground as I use floorless shelters most of the time. I can also use a double wide evazote mat which can also work as a nice wide ground sheet as well.
Thermarest xTherm sleeping pad – added warmth and comfort. The xTherm isn’t really necessary when using a thick 14mm evazote mat, in fact I know a few people who use their summer pads or xLite in the deep winter without any problems. The 14mm evazote is warm enough on it’s own. The blow up pad is an extra comfort. Don’t skimp on the sleeping mat – it’s just as if not more important than a proper sleeping bag.
I have three bags in total – known of them are meant for extreme weather. So I stack them. I have a Sierra designs cloud 800 0c degree bag, an As Tucas sestrals synthetic quilt – rated at about 0c as well, and a Sierra designs nitro 0F (-18c). In Sweden, anything warmer than a 0c bag has very little use except for in the warmest two weeks of the year unless summer is just extreme. With the Cloud 800 and As Tucas Sestrals, these bags are fantastic for the Swedish climate. In anycase, if I know I will be in – 30c or colder for extended periods than I stack my Nitro and as tucas quilt giving me a warmth that stretches down to about -35.
This is in Farenheit, for our purposes it works – just keep in mind that Celcius and Farenheit meet at -40, 0 Fahrenheit is equal to -18 Celcius. 32 Fahrenheit is equal to 0 celcius.
I rarely use my Sierra designs nitro -18c bag – I prefer to stack as it’s usually a warmer option in almost every situation.
For temperatures between 0c and -20 I usually go with my two summer quilts – Cloud 800 and As tucas sestrals.
xTherm on the bottom, Sierra designs cloud 800 35 in middle and as tucas sestrals apex 167 quilt on top. A great winter layering system
No matter which solution I choose – I always have the synthetic quilt on top of the down bag as synthetic handles the extra moisture much better than down does.
Shelter:
Picture stolen from the interwebs – Hyperlite mountain gear Ultamid 2
Shelter systems in the winter, much like summer can vary – my main recommendation is to find a tent that can handle everything. Wind, rain, snow – and is relatively easy to set up. I prefer the Hyperlite mountain gear Ultamid 2 or 4 for winter use. It’s the most solid winter tent I’ve ever used and gives me a lot of space to really live like a king. I know a few people such as Jörgen Johansson over at Fjäderlätt who likes his Black diamond Firstlight – even though it’s a tad small for him. I also like the Firstlight, but I don’t like how my head and feet mush the sides creating a lot of extra wetness on my bag and clothing. There are of course advantages to a free standing tent in the winter. If you don’t care too much about weight than there are tons of solutions out there with Hilleberg Suolo coming to mind among others.
In anycase, while a shelter is certainly important with a winter system, you could just as well bring a shovel and build a snow cave, or find a large pine and sleep under the snow drift. I prefer even the beauty of sleeping under the stars if weather permits.
Clothing:
If planned properly, your winter clothing can easily be a big part of your sleeping system – allowing you to leave one of your sleeping bags or quilts at home. This is a great solution for shorter trips where condensation is not going to be as big of a problem. If I’m leaving a quilt at home, which I can normally do in temperatures down to -10c. Than my winter sleep gear might comprise of the following:
Wool long johns and long arm shirt
Thick wool socks
Fleece or wool sweater
Down puffy jacket – something like the Cumulus incredilte – a great lightweight down puffy
This layering system gives me a lot of flexibility and warmth in camp – sometimes I even have two puffy down jackets with me depending on how low temperatures are expected to drop. This setup easily keeps me warm and comfortable walking around camp, as well as being part of my sleep system at night.
Food before bed
In the winter, keeping food and water in your system before going to bed is vital. Keeps the furnace burning hot for many hours. I try to load up on carbohydrates before bed, usually while lying in bed getting ready to sleep. This is usually in the form of pasta.
Run around
The way insulation in your sleep system works is that it keeps the warmth in. The more insulation the more warmth the sleep system is able to keep. The system itself does not create any warmth on it’s own. There is no heating element in your sleeping bag. This means that if you go to bed frozen, chances are the insulation will work more like refrigerator, keeping you nice and cold. This is why it’s important to get out and run a bit, or do jumping jacks, create a lot of internal heat before climbing into bed. Not so much that you are sweating, as the moisture will have an opposite effect.
This also falls in line with make sure you are ready for bed, before you actually climb in. Once you are in your sleeping bag or bags, body is warm, belly is full – make sure you stay in your bag. I have made the mistake a few times of being way too warm in my bag, got panicked and opened up the bag only to start freezing again.
Pee bottle
Staying tight in your sleep system is vital for overall comfort and warmth. This is also why a pee bottle is essential. Make sure you get a wide mouth bottle as this will help take away the guesswork and leave less room for error. The important aspect is to not open up your bag and climb out in order to go out and pee. Also, remember to keep a large volume bottle for this purpose as bodily fluids coming out in the winter are usually much more than at other times. It’s not unusual to pee close to a liters worth of fluid in the winter.
Extra bottles
In the winter, one of the biggest problems facing all hikers is keeping our feet and shoes warm. Some people place their shoes in the sleeping bag with them, others not so much. I fall into the category of “not so much”. I don’t want any moisture coming along with me into my sleeping bag. Not to mention, the wettest part of my entire system – my shoes. It is possible to keep your shoes in a water tight bag and put them in your sleeping bag with you. But then they are still wet in the morning. What works for me is a rather simple system: In the morning when I wake up, still tucked nice and warm in my sleeping bag, I cook water for my early morning coffee and breakfast and with that I cook extra water for two small water bottles. After I shake out as much of the frozen moisture as possible from my shoes, I then place the hot water bottles, one each, into each of my shoes. While I am eating breakfast, my shoes are getting nice and toasty – when I put my shoes on, my feet are encompassed with a warm and lovely feeling. Later on I have the added benefit of having two extra filled water bottles that I can drink while hiking.
Small bottles are filled with warm water in the morning and used as feet warmers while I break down camp and eat breakfast. The bottles are then just regular water bottles during the day. Picture stolen from http://www.fjaderlatt.se
Practice
Before heading out on your trek across antarctica, it’s important to practice first, find what works for you and get comfortable with all the nuances of winter camping. Winter camping is both hell and joy at the sametime. Dangerous and fulfilling. Be smart and don’t take anything for granted. Just because you have this checklist doesn’t mean you are an expert – Theory and practice are two completely different things. This list will help you maximize your chances of success – but this is only a guide and not a guarantee. What works for me might not work for you.
A good place to practice is your backyard och nearby forest. Car camping is also a great starting place or in wind shelters. I spent a season or two just camping around in my local forest. My first backpacking trip in the winter once I was comfortable with my gear was a fairly popular mountain trail and I setup my tent about 50 meters from the different cottages. This way I could practice without putting myself in any major danger.
