Nemo Meta 2P | Overpriced and Underrated

Every gear review I've read about the Nemo Meta 2P has been a 5-star bonzai. People are generally stoked about it's weight-to-comfort ratio and it's novel design. The only detractions I've read have been related to ventilation, which of course is a serious concern.

When I tested the tent, I was pretty underwhelmed. Rated at between 2lbs 14oz and 3lbs 5oz, the tent in reality came in at closer to 4lbs. It didn't just breathe poorly, it practically rained from the inside-out. Because the single-wall design is intended to shed weight, it tended to lose loft as more moisture accumulated on the wall. I attribute this partially to a design flaw related to the trekking-pole lofting system, but mostly to the poor guy-wiring design. Both my tent-mate and I awoke with soaked melons and feet and got wet leaving the tent as dew dropped off the nylon. If you look at how the tent tapers, you'll see that moisture can easily accumulate and pool at the bottom. Despite how roomy it looks from the outside, two people get super cozy and cramped, especially as moisture weighs down the walls.

Overall for a $400 tent, I was pretty disappointed. The trekking pole design is novel, but doesn't save weight compared to the Big Agnes UL2 which comes in at a whole 2 pounds lighter. For the price tag, I say stay with BA and wait for Nemo to fix its flaws.

Exped SynMat UL 7 Air Pad

I grew up on closed cell foam pads and thought I had reached the ultimate when I got my first self inflating Thermarest pad -- I have three, the ultraight 3/4, a full length, and an extra thick pad, and would select which pad I would use, based on how far and how long.

The Exped SynMat UL7 is the one pad to rule them all. It's lighter and smaller than my Thermarest ultralight, and it's more comfortable than my extra thick pad. So, the Thermarests have been idle since I got this one.

The pad has good insulation with an R value of 3.1, and properly inflated feels like you are sleeping on a mattress at home. I do suggest the EXPED Schnozzel PumpBag, which doubles as a dry bag, and is great for packing clothes, for example, but will keep your moist breath from filling the pad with water vapor, which can foul the insulation.

The pad takes a little more effort to deflate than a Thremarest, partly because the deflation port includes a check valve that keeps the pad from re-inflating, i.e., inhaling, if you let go of it during deflation.

The pad rolls up to smaller than a watter bottle and weighs in 15.2 oz.

I give it is 9 out of 10 only because I worry about it puncturing, and don't have a sense for how readily that will happen -- it does come with a repair kit -- and because it is not self inflating, so it is a little more fussy to set up and take down than a Thremarest.

Mountain Hardwear MTN Speed 32 Degree Sleeping Bag - State Orange Regular

Bought this new bag, and have been very impressed. It stuffs down to about the size of a 1 liter water bottle, and weights in at 15.5 oz. At 32 degrees, it's toasty warm for three season camping, and with a liner, which I always use, it's almost too warm for summer use.

The zipper is a half zipper -- this reduces weight, and increases warmth, but it does mean that you cannot vent your feet.

It's about 4 inches smaller at the shoulder than some of it's competitors. This could be an issue for some larger folks, but I quickly got used it the more confined feel. This again helps to reduce weight.

The zipper has small teeth, and again, is light weight, which can make it more difficult to operate than a beefier zipper. But, again, it's a weight trade off.

In all, I love this bag. The weight is incredible, and the small size means I can keep a LOT of gear in the lower pocket of my backpack, which has historically been filled with just a sleeping bag -- and will when I use my winter bag

The bag is down, and I do not recommend down for users who are not experiences with how to stay dry -- down does not insulate when it is wet. So, if you are not confident that you can keep dry in a sustained wet weather camping/backpacking situation, down is not for you.

But, if you have good wet weather skills, and a proper tent or bivy that will keep your gear dry, this this is an amazing bag.

I give it a 9 our of 10, only because ideally I would have the ability to vent the bag at my feet, have a more robust zipper, and more shoulder width. But, this bag is an incredible ultralight solution. I would buy it again given the choice.

Big Agnes ul1 Tent Review

Last weekend Doc gave me the Big Agnes one man tent to demo for the weekend. I have never used a one-man tent before while backpacking because I'm either sharing a tent with someone or I'm sleeping under the stars. My mind was blown by how lightweight this tent was. The material of the tent is very thin, but very durable and water resistant as well. The setup for the tent can be kind of confusing the first time (if you don't read the instructions like me that is) because the tent is a little weird. Once you properly get the tent up and open it up you have the tent zipper and the rain fly zipper. The rain fly stakes farther out in front so you can store your shoes or day pack safely out of sight. Again since this was my first time using a one man tent, the first night I slept in it backwards, so my head was where my feet should've been and vise versa. I didn't seem to mind it though. I still had enough room to turn at night and I stayed very toasty as well. The next night though after I corrected myself it was much better. I had room to sit up and I had a steady breeze coming through my tent (I had my rain fly open to let more air in, it gets hot if you don't) and I could get to my water or flashlight easier too. Packing the tent is extremely easy. The size of the tent when packed away is about half the size of my sleeping bag (which isn't big either) and it could easily fit at the bottom of your pack with your sleeping bag. Overall on a scale of 1-10  I would give it a 8.5. The things it was missing for me is better ventilation and if it was a little longer in length. Other than that it is a fantastic tent and I definitely recommend that you go out and  buy this tent or go out and try it! link for the tent is below.

Clint Doucette



http://www.rei.com/product/779612/big-agnes-fly-creek-ul1-tent