Backpacking Gear Part 1: Backpack,Tent & Sleep Gear

In preparation for some longer backpacking trips, we spent some time over the winter and spring researching and selecting some new backpacking gear with a focus on ultralight gear. We recently tested our selections on an overnight in the Weminuche Wilderness of Colorado. Below is our backpack, tent and sleeping gear. We will cover cooking and food storage, water treatment and transportation, footwear and clothing; communications and way-finding gadgets and other miscellaneous items in other posts.

In making our selections, we read lots of reviews and websites. I want to thank Mac from Halfway Anywhere.com for his annual gear list surveys collected and compiled from thru-hikers of the long trails (Continental Divide and Pacific). This website is a great resource for finding what the thru-hikers are using and what they think of the gear.

Backpack

We both decided on the ULA Catalyst backpack which weighs in at 48 ounces, has a capacity of 75 liters and max load of 40 pounds. From ULA’s website: “A full featured, full suspension internal framed pack, the Catalyst remains the tried and true workhorse of the ULA pack line.” Catalyst packs are sewn with ULA 400 Robic fabric, the “toughest stuff ounce for ounce we’ve ever seen”. The pack has an internal frame with a twin stay framesheet, comfy padded hipbelt, and contoured shoulder straps for all day comfort. Front mesh pocket, dual hipbelt pockets, and Robic adjustable side pockets make it easy to stay organized. We each added an optional shoulder strap pocket and rain covers. You get to select your pack color. I opted for purple, while Mike chose gray.

Mike on the Weminuche Trail with his ULA Catalyst

ULA Catalyst the color of Karla’s

Another view of the Catalyst which has large side pockets

We narrowed it down to the Catalyst or the ULA Circuit which is slightly smaller and has a max load of 35 pounds and capacity of 68 liters. These packs are made in-house by a small company in Logan, Utah. While we want to be ultralight, Mike and I are not small people. The tent we selected and the size of our rain jackets, long underwear, etc… reflect that. We were concerned about space and weight in the pack once everything is loaded. For our trial overnight, the Catalyst was obviously overkill. They will be put to the test on our upcoming 9 day/8 night trip on Yellowstone’s Thorofare and South Boundary Trails. We were both pleased with our packs during our overnight trip. This pack is listed at $280. The shoulder strap pocket added $20 and rain cover $35 for a total of $335 each.

Tent

We selected the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3. Big Agnes is located in Steamboat Springs Colorado. We first tried the UL2 (Ultra Light 2 person) and really wanted it to work. While we both could technically lay down in it, we both were touching the exterior walls and had no room to move our arms, let alone change positions without waking the other person. We decided to get the roomier version. We had ample room in the UL3 when hanging out in the tent in the evening during a heavy down pour and to escape mosquitoes.

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Tent

The Copper Spur HV UL3 has a trail weight of 3 lbs, 8 oz (or 56 oz), whereas the 2 person weighs 43 oz. The width of the 3 person tent tapers from 70 inches (head end) down to 62 inches (feet). In the 2 person version, the width was 52 inches at the head tapering down to 42 inches (feet). The 3 person version costs $500 which is $50 more than the two person version.

Dimensions of the 3 person version

Instead of using the Big Agnes Footprint under the tent which weighs 8oz, we’re using a ground sheet made of Tyvek which weighs significantly less.

Sleeping Quilt

After a lot of research, we decided to transition to sleeping quilts, which weigh less than traditional sleeping bags because they work in tandem with a sleeping pad and have less material and filler. There are straps that work with your sleeping pad to hold everything together. We purchased Enlightened Equipment sleeping quilts, made in Winona, Minnesota. You custom order your quilt by selecting: length, width, down fill, temperature and color. Down fill options are 850 or 950. The 950 fill is a little more expensive but also slightly lighter.

I selected “The Revelation“, listed as their bestselling quilt and a favorite of long distance hikers. On warm nights, it can lay completely open like a blanket, allowing you the ability to kick out a leg or reposition or your arms. On cold nights, you can zip up the ¼ length zipper and use the drawcords to cinch close the footbox. This keeps out drafts, and ensures that your feet stay toasty warm! Comes in Down and Synthetic options. I ordered: regular length, wide width, with 950 down and rated to 10 degrees in Purple/Charcoal. As ordered mine cost $445 and weighs 25.05 oz. On my one overnight test, I really liked the sleeping quilt. I felt like I had more room to wiggle around, I could put a foot outside of the quilt, and when it was coldest I had no problems keep everything tucked in around me using the straps. The straps did travel up and down the pad which I will keep an eye on and then write a more thorough review once we have more nights of experience with the quilts.

Revelation Sleeping Quilt

Mike selected “The Enigma“, their lightest quilt. With a sewn closed footbox and no zippers, it’s minimalism meets ultralight warmth. The sewn closed footbox provides a bit more structure than the Revelation. Comes in Down and Synthetic options. Mike ordered: Long length, wide width, 950 down, 10 degrees in Navy/Burnt Orange. Mike’s quilt cost $465 and weighs 25.04 oz.

Enigma Sleeping quilt has a permanently sewn footbox

Sleeping Pad

For sleeping out in colder temperatures, the sleeping pad, which insulates you from the ground is key. I went for the highest rated R-value on the market, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Ultralight Backpacking Air Mattress with its R-value of 6.9 and weight at 15 oz. I am 5’6″ in height, so I fit on the regular length pad which is 20″ wide x 72″ long. I used this pad on our trial overnight which had a low temperature in the 30’s and had no problems with keeping warm. My only complaint about the pad is how noisy it is. It squeaks whenever you move.

Therm-a-rest X Therm pad

Mike is currently trying a Nemo Tensor Ultralight Sleeping Pad. He opted for the insulated version which costs $199, is rated to temperatures down to 10-20 degrees and weighs in at 1lb 3oz. It makes noticeably less noise than my X-Therm, though there is still some squeak.

The Nemo Tensor sleeping pad

Pillow

We both agree we need a pillow, which some long hikers consider a luxury item. We opted for the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow which you fill with air. These worked great on our trial trip.