I feel obliged to post this review. Earlier this year, I posted to this subreddit being very critical and apprehensive about Alton's R6 mat before purchasing (post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/OutdoorAus/comments/1svz4rb/is_alton_goods_a_scam/), but I eventually decided to pull the trigger on it. (will probably delete previous post in a week or so, as I feel bad for the unfounded slating that I gave them)

I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. I honestly thought that $200 AUD for a mat weighing 630g (650g packed) with an R-value of around 6 was a massive claim. Anyway, when it arrived I decided to weigh it, and it came in at bang on 600g fully packed, also packs pretty small.

The only thing I was still skeptical of was the R-value. I went to Kosciuszko three or so weeks ago in deep snow pack. Even though my sleeping bag only had a -3 limit, I managed to stay warm, and didnt feel any cold through the ground. so I can confidently say the R-value holds up to its listing. I've never really had an inflatable mat before, but it's very comfortable, even for side sleeping (just deflate it slightly).

Also feels very solid, doubt any rips or tears will form.

So to summarise: if you are in Australia (no duties) and are on a budget, this is a pretty solid mat that isa great balance between price, durability, performance, and comfort.

The inflation sack is a bit a of a balance as, its defintly not the lightest thing in the world (haven't been bothered to weigh it) but it doubles as a dry bag, so its not a storage bag pump sack, its dry bag pump sack. So if you already carry a drybag pretty useful to replace it.

I am aware of Altons slightly less than optimal repackaged products that they used to do, but looking now, all of their new products seem like a decent amount of thought has gone into them.

Cheers.

Just bought the Macpac Halo Down jacket, Is the stitch coming undone? How can I get it fixed? Thanks.

I’d like to try on a kakwa 55 in medium or large for sizing before ordering to save the hassle of selling and rebuying due to incorrect sizing.

I’ve contacted ultralight gear (only place that seems to stock it) and they’re out for a while. On the off chance anyone has one in Sydney (city or eastern suburb beaches would be good) I’d love to try.

I just got me a new montbell jacket, and want to look after it properly - what kind of approaches to people have to washing and proofing? As I understand, I should be washing often - is it worth getting expensive tech wash, or can a gentle detergent/soap work? How often to re-spray vs putting through the drier or ironing?

Looking at trying out a tarp poncho set up, tossing up between the one wind ultralight poncho tarp, and the extended version. Not planning on bringing it on any long trips or trips where weather will be bad, itll basically just be for short trips near home where it'll be light rain at most.

I'm leaning towards the extended poncho, just worried about how how close to the ground it'll be hanging when using it as a poncho. For reference I'm 5'11 68kg, and I'll have a 30L pack on. Just don't wanna be tripping on it, if anyones got an idea of how it might fit that'd be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

I am wanting to walk parts of the Larapinta with my husband in mid to late August. 

We our adventurous and fit and have traveled remote parts of Indonesia and hiked parts of Europe but not experienced as multi day hikers. We are organised. I am 54 and my husband is 59. the only thing I'm not great with are edges at great heights. 

We would like to see some of the beautiful areas of the Larapinta and thought a 5 night hike at a relaxed pace would be good. This would mean 4-5 hour hiking days at a medium pace with days in between where we can slow down and enjoy the immediate surrounds. If we are relying on x2 food drop offs is this realistic? 

We could split this into 2 shorter hikes, I am just concerned about the cost of an extra shuttle as they are costy! We do not drive so reliant on shuttle buses, our host driving us or taxi.

I would love to hear your thoughts and possibly, which parts of the trail to do. 

Thank you.

Everything I’ve read says this is prohibited/illegal in most states, yet I’ve seen a number of social media hiking accounts showing clear photos of people with camp set up on Bald Rock etc during day and night. My understanding is it’s official bush camps or nothing (which I am fine with - leave no trace etc).

When I was out at the South Bald Rock Bush Camp in Girraween the other week staying at my registered camp site I was surprised to see the remnants of a recent campfire in the camp site and one up on the South Bald Rock itself.

It’s frustrating seeing people who make out they’re bushwalking properly/promoting it as an activity and then blatantly don’t follow the rules that are in place for environmental and safety reasons. I feel like they’ll ruin it for everyone else one day. I’d obviously love to camp up there and see the stars/wake for sunrise etc but obviously wouldn’t given it’s not accepted and I’m good with that.

It’s equally frustrating seeing the regional tourism bodies commenting positively on their posts about it. If it’s staged (and I have my doubts) and they didn’t sleep there just say that, otherwise less informed people will copy it.

Is it just me? Am I missing something?

Old man rant over.

Have a few upcoming overnighters without camp water sources. Never settled on a really good way to carry big volumes of water when i need to carry an overnight supply. Normally i have 4L capacity between a 2L dirty bladder and 2x 1L bottles

What are your preferred methods for really big carries?

Hi, after a recent thorsborne walk where we had a few rainy spells keeping us in the tent I'm on the lookout for a lightweight tarp to add for walks where we are expecting a bit more rain.

I've read up on the benefits of silpoly vs silnylon but am wondering if silnylon might be better for us. Considering we would still have tent and this would just be to provide some additional shelter (tarp would only come with us on trips expecting some decent rain).

Does anyone have any recommendations in either silpoly or silnylon and also maybe some recommendations on sizing?

Thanks

I've managed to get my 5 year old into hiking and he's pretty keen to do some overnight trips. Nothing crazy, probably just some NSW south coast adventures. Does anybody know of any decent kids sleeping gear? I don't want to spend a crazy amount as he'll grow out of it, or may not even enjoy it. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

It’s down to these two, but I’m curious to what everyone is running?

I only occasionally bush bash - and not even in the proper sense.

Maybe the Prana then shorts in the summer? Then any bush bash situation is stuffed.

Also wouldn’t mind something that’s a loose fit.

What we think?

54g seat pad

Hi, I built this educational resource about the Australian Paralysis tick after being hit by multiple ticks in Nadgee National park. I hope this is useful to you, posted with admin's permission.

I have worked hard at refining my gear and I've taken a couple of trips now where my base weight has been 4.6kg excluding pack. I would love to give a frameless pack a try but they are a significant investment, particularly when shipping costs are taken into account.

Most user reviews I have found are by men. I would love to hear women’s experiences, particularly wrt strap comfort.

Have been fairly happy using my Patagonia Torrentshell over the last few years, however it's starting to show it's age with a hole or two poked in it after bush-bashing.

Starting to look for a new jacket, am moving over to the UK next year so doesn't need to be as hardy as the torrentshell, but I don't want to have to baby the jacket either. Will primarily be hiking through alps and UK highlands for the foreseeable years before returning back to Aus!

Must-haves are obviously pit zips, would also LOVE either proper pocket placement, and ideally an internal pocket?

Was looking at the macpac traverse but realised it has no pit zips, and a couple reviews question it's durability over more than 2 years.

Anyone got experience with outdoor research, rab, ? Keen to hear what people are using.

Hey guys, I'm currently in the market for some lightweight gtx hiking boots that are really comfortable so the more cushioning/plush the better. Will be doing some hikes in alpine environments where it could be raining/some ice/slush so would prefer gtx or some level of waterproofing.

A lot of the recommendations I've seen on Reddit that fit this i haven't found to be too readily available in Aus in my size or just completely out of stock (hoka speedgoat 5 mid, anacapa 2, merrell moab speed 2 to name a few) - they are older shoes tbf so fair that theyre not available anywhere, but open to any suggestions

I've tried the kaha 3 but it was quite tight around the toe box even going a half size up

Cheers!

Considering purchasing the Whippa overland 60 ultralight pack, but I'm a bit concerned the sidepockets may not hold a 1.5l nalgene bottle. I am aware they mention suitable for the 1l size. Is there a strap that could be tightened over the larger bottle to hold it in the sidepocket.

https://lighterpack.com/r/c8waik

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can make this lighter? Good weather/summer only for 2 nights.

Not sure what else to change other than just buying lighter stuff.

Hello - I just realised I have everything needed for a hiking outfit except an appropriate hiking bra! However wanted to ask all the girls in here what they use and wear (that’s also ultralight)

Ideally one that’s quick drying and has padding!
Thanks

So if my partner refused to upgrade some of his heavy gear before a 12 day hike am I ethical obligated after over two decades of marriage to carry more of the shared items to balance out pack weights? I’ve worked hard to get my baseweight down over the years. Given we will need to carry 4-5 L water each per day I’m kind of pissed it could add an extra 2 kg to mine. I’ve got my base weight down to 6790g if I just carry half of the shared stuff. For the record this is my significant birthday hike and im sorry to get hot flushes and peri-rage at this rate. I realise this is not UL but he wants to take our hellinox chairs so my baseweight was already kind f’ed

Hello long time lurker on this page but I’m likley gonna be doing the Snowies Alpine walk (54km) in December this year! I’m NOT having accommodation and will be wild camping on the track however I have never hiked on a track without dedicated camp sites or hiked a trail near Thredbo (I live in Sydney)- so if anyone has if you get let me know some tips and tricks about this walk that would be so helpful!

Stuff like temperature, water locations, what to wear ect would be great! Thanks again everyone

Hi everyone,

Probably should have posted a long time ago but heading to the Larapinta on Thursday!

Seems my weight has grown a decent amount since laying all my gear out and getting some warmer clothes.

Only thing I can think of is perhaps some lighter clothes or only taking one battery pack but there are only 3 reliable charging points along the trail and I have 16 days planned.

https://lighterpack.com/r/yd8na6

Thanks in advance!

I'm looking at getting a single person shelter for myself. Priority of attributes are as below:

1. Size - I want to take this multi-day off track hiking and often I won't know whether I can find somewhere to fit a full tent.
2. Durability - it'd be nice if its not a complete load of crap materials. There is possibility to pair it with a tarp or the like, and to begin with I'd be using it in sheltered location. But if I ever get into more alpine conditions it would be good if it could tolerate some snow or wind.
3. Cost - I can't lie, not looking to spend too much money. I do subscribe to the philosophy of buy well buy once though (and the n+1 rule...).
4. Weight - Ideally it'd be lighter than a regular tent, and I will be carrying it for multiple days.
5. Room - somewhere in between a bivy and a 1P tent? I don't need to be able to sit up and move around too much inside, its just for sleeping. Don't mind putting my pack outside in a 90L dry bag or something.

So far I have looked at:

• Mountain Designs Burrow Bivy - its super cheap but I'm not convinced of what the quality will be like.
• Rab Ridge Raider - seems more technical and suitable for snow and harsh conditions. expensive though, and might be a bit overkill
• OR Helium - honestly I've heard a lot of terrible things about this, but somehow it tops gearlab's rankings? not sure if it's because people hate bivys or because its a bad option.
• Hammock - I don't always know if there will be suitable trees so I don't think this is a good option
• Bug Bivy with tarp - It's versatile, which I like, but again not sure if there will always be suitable trees? I'm worried it won't provide enough protection as well
• Alton Swag - looks pretty good. is it capable in rough weather?
• 1P tent - worried this will take up too much space. really not expecting much space on the trip i'm planning

Thoughts would be much appeciated!! Very tempted to try the MD Bivy and partner it with a tarp for extra weather protection.

Was looking for recommendations for a sleeping bag that packs to 20x28xm max, can handle 0 to -5 degrees,

And under 300 hopefully with all the sales on rn. Was looking at this Katmandu one

https://www.kathmandu.com.au/products/ridge-down-s-bag-2-regl-pure-navy-light-navy

Not sure if it's crapmandu.

If anyone has other suggestions for ones that meet this criteria, please help.

Hey everyone!

Been hearing a lot of buzz over the new Kathmandu XT series here in NZ was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on their new line? Or useful insights on whether ultralight jackets are worth the penny?

Cheers