Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2017: Gear for Ultralight Backpacking

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

Not all ultralight backpacking gear comes from small online manufacturers; the larger companies are providing a lot as well. In fact, there are 238 companies that manufacture ultralight gear, according to Alex Beale at 99Boulders.com. His list is searchable, so you can quickly find a source for anything you need. Thanks Alex!

And nowadays, ultralight gear is not just for backpacking – think bikepacking, UL mountaineering, canoep acking, kayak packing, motorcycle travel, and UL adventure travel. Whatever your endeavor, who’s not to like lightweight/ultralight compact versions of every component needed for camping. A lighter load is much easier on the body and enhances the enjoyment of what we do.

Ultralight backpacking is defined as a base pack weight under 10 pounds, which is all of your gear exclusive of consumables like food, water, and fuel, which vary by trip length. With today’s gear options it’s easy to get your pack weight under 10 pounds; all you have to do is spend a little time to find the lighter stuff.

All items will be available in spring 2018, unless stated otherwise. Weights are for a men’s size Medium.

Raidlight Trekking Poles.  Raidlight is a French company that was recently purchased by Rossignol, and is now distributed in the US. The company’s main focus is equipment for trail running. Their Composite Carbon Collapsible Pole (photo) is available in 110 and 123 cm fixed lengths and weighs 6.4 ounces/pole, $150. They also have the Vertical Carbon 3 Pole which weigh 5.6 ounces/pole, adjust from 105 cm to 130 cm, and cost $120. Available now.

Raidlight Ultralight Rain Jacket. Also available now from Raidlight is this 6-ounce WP/B rain jacket for $199. But their bigger news is next year they will have a 3.2 ounce WP/B jacket that is expected to sell for $265, which is a bit expensive.

Toaks Ultralight Titanium Cooking Systems. We have covered Toaks titanium cookwear before; it’s very lightweight and reasonably priced. At this OR we noticed that their pots are getting thinner and lighter, which is good, and we spied their new cooking systems for alcohol, fuel tabs, and wood fuels. Their Alcohol Fuel Cooking System consists of a burner, pot stand, and 900 ml pot,  (6 ounces/$90); their Fuel Tab Cooking System includes a fuel holder/potstand, 550 ml pot, foil windscreen, and spork (3.3 ounces/$58); their Small Wood Fuel Cooking System has a 750 ml pot (5 ounces/$45); and their Large Wood Fuel Cooking System has a 1100 ml pot (8 ounces/$60. In each system all of the components nest inside the cook pot, and a super light carry bag is included to hold it all together for packing.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Sleeping Bags.  Following on their successful line of Ghost Whisperer down jackets and windshirts, Mountain Hardwear is introducing new sleeping bags with the same 10x10 denier fabric and 900 fill-power goose down insulation. Two versions will be offered with 40F and 20F temperature ratings. The 40F version will weigh 17 ounces and sell for $400, and the 20F version will be 29 ounces and $580. Expensive, but those are typical prices for a premium ultralight down sleeping bag. 

A cautionary note on shoulder girth of sleeping bags – This is a good time to mention the sleeping bag shoulder girth issue, and that applies to all mummy style sleeping bags. To make a bag lighter and warmer, manufacturers will often shrink the size of the sleeping bag, reducing the shoulder girth to the 58-59 inch range. The fact that many fabrics come in a 60-inch width may also affect that decision. That shoulder girth is fine for small people, but if you are an average or larger size person, that dimension is simply too tight, because it is very difficult to get the zipper closed or open. Wearing camp clothing inside the bag worsens the issue. Being locked in can get scary in the middle of the night, if you know what I mean! So here’s my words of advice when purchasing a sleeping bag: be sure to determine the shoulder girth of the bag; for an average or larger person, especially if you wear insulated clothing inside the bag, be sure the shoulder girth is 62 inches or more. A 61-inch girth may suffice, but know what you are getting into, so to speak.
Update: I requested the shoulder girth specification for three manufacturer's bags featured in this summer's coverage, and none of them was able to provide it. So, unfortunately, it buyer beware. Many manufacturers do provide that important information, which we appreciate, but many do not. Bottom line, do every thing you can to know the shoulder girth of a bag before you buy it, so you don't make an expensive mistake.

Columbia OutDry Extreme Caldorado Shell. By now you are probably familiar with Columbia’s OutDry Extreme fabric, which is the OutDry membrane used in their footwear adapted to create hardshell jackets with the membrane on the outside. The beauty of this technology is it is WP/B without needing a DWR treatment on the surface. Until now these jackets have been heavier, weighing a pound or more, and primarily used for snow sports and conventional backpacking. Now it is finally getting lighter and receiving our attention; the Caldorado Shell weighs just 6 ounces and costs $199. This jacket is targeted for running and has a minimal feature set, but it should perform just fine for backpacking.  A novel feature is gill vents under the armpits.

Columbia Featherweight Long Sleeve Shirt. This new outdoor shirt weighs just 4 ounces and costs $60. We like the topographic map print. It will be available in several colors for men and women.

Outdoor Research Surge Running Gaiter. This new gaiter is made of polyester and spandex material and is really lightweight. We were not able to weigh it, but it is similar to their 1.2 ounce Sparkplug Gaiter. $28.

Rab Mythic Sleeping Bags.  Following on their remarkable Zero G Jacket that we reported on last time, with 1000 fill-power down and 7 denier fabrics, Rab announced their new Mythic Sleeping Bags featuring 900 fill-power down and Pertex Quantum GL 7-denier fabrics. That’s correct; Quantum is now available in 7-denier. Three Mythic bags will be available with the following specs: Mythic 200 (34F/16.7 ounces/$385), Mythic 400 (19.5F/23.2 ounces/$435), and Mythic 600 (3F/31 ounces/$485). All bags are insulated with Nikwax hydrophobic down, have a ½ length zipper, and are claimed to have “extra shoulder girth” for mountaineers. I requested the shoulder girth spec and will post it here when I get it. Comparing the MSRPs of these bags with others we are reporting on, you will notice that the Mythic bags are remarkably value priced for a top shelf premium ultralight down sleeping bag.

Rab Flashpoint Pullon Rain Jacket. This is pullover version of Rab’s successful Flashpoint Jacket. The weight is just 4.6 ounces for size Large and the WP/B fabric is Pertex Shield +. Features include a half zip on the front, one zippered chest pocket, attached hood, and elastic cuffs and hem. $250.

The North Face Summit L5 Storm Jacket. This traditional Gore-Tex 3-layer jacket weighs just 6.1 ounces and costs $300. That’s remarkably lightweight for a Gore-Tex air-permeable jacket!

FlowFold Ultralight Wallets. FlowFold makes a range of lightweight travel bags from 100% reclaimed sailcloth. We spied these ultralight items: the Minimalist Limited ($12) is an ID and credit card holder, and the Vanguard Limited ($30) is an ultralight wallet. Both provide super light protection of your money and cards using strong and light outdoor fabrics. As a bonus, their products come with a lifetime warranty.

LifeStraw Flex Water Filter. LifeStraw appears to be an up and coming company with an expanding array of products. Their new Flex Water Filter (1.75 ounces/$35) can be used five ways: as a straw to suck water directly from a stream, inside a soft bottle, mounted on a plastic beverage bottle, in-line in a hydration system, or in-line in a gravity filtration system. The filter cartridge itself, which is taller than a Sawyer Mini, contains a hollow fiber .02 micron filtration system to remove organisms plus a carbon filter to reduce heavy metals and chemicals. The former is backflushable with a life expectancy of 500 gallons of water, and the latter will filter about 26 gallons. A replacement carbon filter costs $15, but the Flex will work without it. The basic Flex system includes the dual filter cartridge, a soft bottle (about 24 ounces), and a syringe for backflushing. Available October 2017.

Petzl Bindi Headlamp. The Petzl E+Light has been a favorite lightweight headlamp for many backpackers, but it only produced 50 lumens of light. How about 200 lumens from a 1.2 ounce headlamp? The new Bindi does just that; it will be the lightest, most powerful headlamp on the market. And it’s USB rechargeable, so no more AAA batteries. It has three white light settings plus a red light plus a red strobe. The headband is a simple elastic cord. $60, available April 2018. 

Black Diamond Distance Z Collapsible Poles. This will be the newest version of Black Diamond’s fixed length collapsible carbon fiber trekking pole. It will be available in 100, 110, 120, and 130 cm lengths for $170 starting January 2017. Average weight is 5.3 ounces/pole. An adjustable length version, the Distance Carbon FLZ Pole adjusts from 105 to 125 cm, weighs 6.35 ounces/pole, and costs $189.

Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System. We reported on this last time, but there is more to the story. It seems that the original TPU soft flask provided with the system was undersized, so a bigger version is now being provided with the basic system. I was wondering why I was only getting two drinks out of the original bottle! Besides the 0.6 litter soft flask, Katadyn now has 1 liter and 3 liter sizes. The filter plus flask weights are 2 ounces for the 0.6 liter size, 2.3 ounces for the 1 liter size, and 3.4 ounces for the 3 liter size. So, this is a really lightweight and versatile water filtration system. The bonus is that it has a high flow rate, 2 liters/minute, which I found delightful, and it’s easily cleaned by simply shaking the filter in a partially filled flask. MSRPs are $40, $45, and $55 for the three sizes.

Steripen Ultralight UV Water Purifier. Perhaps the first word will be Katadyn when it comes out, because Katadyn is purchasing Steripen. The new Ultralight is the smallest and lightest of the Steripen line, formerly called the Freedom. This latest version does not have a built-in light (hooray!), which I found to be a nuisance because it frequently cane on accidentally and used up precious power. One 45 second cycle purifies ½ liter of water, and one charge will provide about 40-50 cycles. The weight is 2.6 ounces and it is USB rechargeable; $80 (which is less than the Freedom cost).

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Food and Nutrition

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2017: Food and Nutrition

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

There are zillions of energy bars and energy drinks on the market, and some of them have booths at Outdoor Retailer. We cover only the new ones to keep you informed about new products coming to the market.

Cusa Instant Tea. These organic teas are cold steeped for 8 hours then vacuum dehydrated. Each of the six flavors comes in a single serve pack that will make a 12 ounce cup of tea, hot or cold. The teas contain caffeine, but no additives or sugar. We tasted one of the teas and found the flavor authentic and remarkable, analogous to the Starbucks instant coffees. Cost is $1 per packet; a box of 10 packets costs $10.

Untapped Maple Syrup Athletic Fuels.  According to Untapped, maple syrup is naturally packed with electrolytes, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and carbohydrates. They have created waffle bars sweetened with maple syrup ($2.25 each) and maple syrup single serve packets ($2 each) for quick energy and nutrition on the trail. They claim that maple syrup is gentler on the stomach during ultra-runs than other gel products. We got to sample a new coffee maple syrup that will be coming out soon, and it is outstanding.

Dharma Bars.  This bar was created by a chef/endurance athlete who became frustrated with the lack of a great tasting organic vegan energy bar. Made of organic plant based ingredients, three types of Dharma bars are available: Endurance, Recover, and Balance. Each is formulated for its purpose. Cost is $2.59 to $2.99 per bar.

Ultima Replenisher.  Ultima is electrolytes, pure and simple, 6 of them plus support minerals. No sugar, carbs, artificial flavors, or calories. Available in six real fruit flavors with plant-based color, and sweetened with stevia leaf. Ten packets for $10, or a 90 serving box (16 oz) for $40.

Organic Valley Organic Fuel.  These bottled drinks and drink mixes are based on whey protein powder. We focused on their powdered single serve flavored whey protein drink mixes, vanilla or chocolate flavored, which contain 26 grams of protein, 140 calories, and 3 grams of sugar. Simply add to 8 ounces of water, shake, and drink. I like to add a teaspoon of instant coffee to get my morning joe as a mocha. One packet costs $2.99. It’s also available in 12 ounce cans.

Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel.  This is a complete energy drink mix containing sugars, minerals, and electrolytes. The sugars are dextrose and sucrose. Tailwind claims it is easy on the stomach and easily absorbed. One packet makes 24 ounces of go juice. I like to make it more diluted so it doesn’t taste so sweet. Caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions are available for $2.25/$2.35 per packet. Tailwind is the official energy drink of the Hardrock 100 endurance run, and it is well liked by the runners.

Natti Bar.  These bars are dried bananas alone or combined with chocolate or cacao nibs. Bananas are a natural source of electrolytes and carbs, and chocolate contains antioxidants. Each bar contains about one dried banana. They are chewy and taste like… bananas and chocolate. $1.49 to $1.99 each.

Good to Go Backpacking Meals.  These meals were created by chef Jennifer Scism, who was on a winning team who beat master chef Mario Batali on The Iron Chef. Simply put, they are gourmet meals for backpackers, made from natural ingredients. A range of breakfasts and dinners are available in single and double portion sizes. A single serving size is about $6.75 and a double serving is about $12.50. We tasted one of the dinners, served up by Jennifer herself, at the Jetboil booth, and it was indeed delicious!

Trailtopia Backpacking Meals. This is another new company making backpacking meals, from Minnesota no less. They have a full range of breakfasts, dinners, and desserts in short eat-in pouches that don’t require a long handled spoon. Their meals are color coded by the above categories, use high quality ingredients, and are claimed to have better flavor than the competition. We did not get to taste any of their meals, so we can’t comment on their flavor. Prices range from $2.29 to $10.99.

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Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2017: Footwear

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

Lightweight footwear is always a popular topic. Cutting footwear weight makes a difference; according to a research study, taking one pound off your feet is equivalent to taking 6 pounds out of your pack.

Ultralight backpackers prefer trail running shoes. Our preference is lightweight, stable, supportive, cushioned shoes with a wide toebox, snug heelcup, rock plate, high traction outsole, and preferably welded construction.

Lightweight backpackers still like a “light hiker” style of boot, which includes many of the “mid” styles. These boots are sturdier and more supportive. They are heavier than trail runners, but the weight is diminishing. They also last longer. We prefer boots that are made of all synthetic materials, welded construction, good cushioning and traction, and weight no more than 16 ounces/boot.

There are always many new shoe models on display at Outdoor Retailer; we highlight only a few to illustrate our preferences. Weights are for men’s size 9, available spring 2018 unless stated otherwise.

Altra Lone Peak 3.5  Altra Shoes are a thru hiker and ultralight backpacker favorite, and the Lone Peak is the most popular model. The newest Lone Peak will be available in low and mid styles, with or without a waterproof NeoShell upper. All are zero drop. The latest upgrade adds an updated drainage system, improved midsole foam, and durable mesh upper with reinforced stitching. The lightest is the low without NeoShell at 10.4 ounces and $120, available now. The mid style adds 2.1 ounces and will be available August 2017 for $140.

Altra 4-Point Gaiter  All new shoe models and upgrades from now on will have a 4-Point Gaiter Trap for attaching their new 4-Point Gaiter (left). As the name implies, it is attached at four points: front hook, rear Velcro, and two side hooks. We tested it briefly at OR and found it more cumbersome to attach, but it undoubtedly is more secure. Altra’s existing Trail Gaiter (right) already has a double Velcro attachment to a heel tab on the shoe, so it stays in place pretty darn well. Glissading on snow and dirt may be the exception.

The North Face Ultra Fastpack III Boot This new boot has a Gore-Tex lining and welded construction, and comes in mid and low styles. The TPU coated mesh upper is very durable and a FastFoam midsole provides extra cushioning. Weight for the mid is 15 ounces/shoe and cost is $160; the low is $150.

Topo Runventure 2 Shoe The Runventure 2 is a lightly cushioned and responsive zero drop trail runner.  Weight is 9.2 ounces/shoe and costs $110. The upper is welded construction, the outsole is high traction, and it has a thinner EVA midsole than the Terraventure. The gaiter shown in the photos costs just $10. Available November 2017.

My Comfy Socks There are so many sock companies and sock models out there that we can’t possibly cover them all, so we feature a different one each time. My Comfy Socks are made of Alpaca wool, which is claimed to be much warmer than merino. Alpaca is a naturally water resistant and soft fiber with inherent temperature control and wicking properties. They sell for $20-$22, and are available online and some retailers.

Merrell MQM Flex GTX Boot and Shoe The mid version costs $170; the low weighs 11.5 ounces/shoe and costs $140; a non GTX version of the low will sell for $110 and weigh 9.5 ounces/shoe. With a snug heel, cushioning, and great support and traction, this should be a great choice for fastpacking. Available spring 2018.

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Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2017: Interesting New Technology that Improves Our Gear

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

Most of the improvements in the gear we use are evolutionary; it improves one step at a time, making it lighter, stronger, warmer, more comfortable, more durable, more functional, more weatherproof, environmentally sustainable, etc. New technologies from materials suppliers are incorporated into new products by manufacturers. New products with appealing new features entice buyers, who in turn enjoy and benefit from the improvements. The evolutionary cycle goes on year after year. You would think they would run out of ways to improve outdoor products, but you would be wrong.

Our coverage of new technologies covers highlights from this show that we thought would interest backpackers. Please keep in mind that these are technology stories, not lightweight stories.

Zipperless Sleeping Bag. The zipper is the nemesis of a sleeping bag because it’s hard to avoid snagging. Instead of a zipper, the Sierra Designs Cloud sleeping bags have a tuck-in left side opening. You simply lift the flap (SD calls it an integrated comforter), slide in, and close the flap. The Cloud will come in 35F and 20F versions weighing 23 ounces and 29 ounces. It has a foot vent to enhance ventilation when needed. Insulation is 800 fill-power DryDown and MSRPs are $270 and $300. Functional design, quality materials, and value priced. Some sleepers may not like the fact that the upper 2 feet of the bag’s bottomside is uninsulated, requiring a sleeping pad for insulation, and has pad sleeves on the back. The design works best for back sleepers, but side sleepers will need to sleep on their left side so the flap stays tucked in. When I got in the bag I found that the bag does not turn with me because of the pad sleeves, but the hood twists enough to allow side sleeping; not ideal but it works.

Gore-Tex Active. The next generation of Gore-Tex Active 3-layer fabric will be lighter, softer, quieter, more comfortable, more durable, and more breathable. REI is one of the early adopters with their new REI Drypoint Jacket for 2018. This minimalist jacket for hiking and backpacking weighs only 10 ounces and costs $249. It has an essential feature set that includes an adjustable hood with brim, two zippered hand pockets, and adjustable hem and cuffs. Pants of the same fabric will also be available.

Gore-Tex Invisible Fit. Previously, footwear with a Gore-Tex or eVent waterproof-breathable lining consisted of a bootie inside the shoe. Various other shoe manufactures used a proprietary laminate with the same construction. Columbia’s OutDry has always been different: it attaches the WP/B laminate to the inside surface of the shoe’s upper, and then the upper is attached to the footbed. The Gore-Tex Invisible Fit technology is basically the same approach, as is eVent’s DVdryLT technology that came out last year. The new approach is claimed to be easier to construct, less bulky, lighter weight, and faster drying. An example is the new Merrell MQM Flex GTX for spring 2018. The mid version costs $170; the low weighs 11.5 ounces/shoe and costs $140; a non GTX version of the low will sell for $110 and weigh 9.5 ounces/shoe.

Pertex Simplifies their Fabric Line. To keep things simple, its now Shield or Quantum. Pertex wants you to know that each category   is an array of fabrics, catered to manufacturer’s needs and specifications, so it’s not accurate to label them with a certain weight or function. That said, I would like to mention that we are now seeing 7 denier Quantum fabric in some top shelf sleeping bags and insulated jackets.

Down Prices Rising, Again. We visited the good folks at Downlite to find out what’s new in down insulation. The short answer is Bird Flu. The disease has especially affected white ducks in Europe and China. Additionally, higher living standards in China are diverting more down to domestic uses. So down prices are going up, especially scarcer premium downs. Options available to manufacturers are: using duck down, down blends (with synthetics or wool), and recycled down. Their Recharge recycled down can now reach 700 fill-power.

Primaloft Cross-Core Insulation. Primaloft Cross-Core insulation is infused with Aerogel. Aerogel (Google it to get a full description) is a nanotechnology insulation, consisting of microscopic pores within a solid that are so numerous that the solid is mostly air and practically weightless. When converted to dust, the particles are still full of pores. Primaloft has found a way to incorporate Aerogel “dust” into Primaloft fibers to increase their insulative properties 14%. The new insulation is being introduced in upgrades of LL Bean’s Packaway Jacket and Ultralight 20F Sleeping Bag for spring 2018, both insulated with Primaloft Gold with Aerogel.

Lumin Aid PackLite Max 2-in-1 Phone Charger. This solar rechargeable inflatable cube serves as both a camp light and phone charger. The solar panel on top requires 12-14 hours of sun to obtain a full charge, which is enough to charge a cell phone or provide camp lighting for up to 50 hours, or some of both. It can also be charged with a USB cable from a car outlet. It has five lighting modes, a battery indicator, its waterproof, and can be strapped to the top of a pack. Weight is 8.5 ounces and MSRP is $40.

Kovea Alpine Pot EZ ECO Stove Stores Fuel Inside. It’s heavy at 19.75 ounces, not including fuel, but the technology is interesting. This stove has an internal gas tank, so you can pre-load it with fuel for a shorter trip. Pre-loaded, it will allow six boils of 500 ml of water. One reason why I included this item is it’s a way to empty all those partial canisters that you have accumulated at home, or you can utilize inexpensive 8oz/220g Butane canisters used by caterers. A full review of this stove is available on Section Hiker. It will be available in early 2018. Another way to use up those partial fuel canisters is to get a simple canister fuel lantern, such as the Snow Peak Mini Flame, $40 and 3.9 ounces, and take it on car camping trips.

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Lightweight Gear

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Food and Nutrition

New Products of Interest to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpackers from the Summer 2017 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

The twice annual Outdoor Retailer Trade Show showcases outdoor gear that will hit the market in about six months, so gear shown at the summer 2017 show will be available in spring 2018, and some of it even earlier.

Summer 2017 is the last year for the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City. Next year it moves to Denver, CO.

Janet and I have been covering the Outdoor Retailer trade show since 2006, so the summer 2017 show was about our 22^nd. Our show coverage is one of the few that focuses on lightweight and ultralight backpacking gear, as well as new technologies that are driving change in the industry. The Show is huge, including gear for the full range of outdoor activities, so the challenge is finding the select few gear items of greatest interest to our readers.

We would like to thank Gossamer Gear for providing housing for us when we travel to Salt Lake City to cover the show. Without their support it would be difficult for us to continue our coverage.

Liz "Snorkel" Thomas signs copies of her new book "Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru Hike". ISBN 978-1-4930-2872-6.

Our show coverage is organized into several articles for reader convenience. Comments on individual gear items are those of the authors and do not constitute any opinion or recommendation from Gossamer Gear. Click on the topic below to read the article.

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Lightweight Gear

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GEAR REVIEW: The North Face Flight Series Fuse Jacket

In the dry western US we carry our rainwear much more than we wear it, thus our priority is finding the lightest functional rainwear available. The Fuse Jacket meets these criteria quite well, so I give it high marks.

By Will Rietveld

The Fuse Jacket is marketed as a water-resistant and breathable running jacket, but I used it as an ultralight rain jacket for backpacking.

The North Face Flight Series Fuse Jacket (TNF photo).

Actually I didn’t know that it’s only water-resistant and meant for running. I checked the North Face website and found some mixed information about the jacket: on the one hand they describe DryVent as a waterproof/breathable technology, but on the other hand they describe the jacket as water- and wind-resistant.

So how waterproof is it, and how suitable is it for backpacking?

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	The North Face (www.thenorthface.com/)
Product	Flight Series Fuse Jacket
Materials	53 g/sq meter DryVent 2.5L (PU membrane on nylon)
Features	FuseForm fabric with engineered ventilation, 1 chest pocket, water-resistant zippers, adjustable hem, elastic cuffs, attached hood with brim and one rear adjustment and elastic on sides, seam taped, 360 degree reflective logos
Weight	Size Large tested, 5.35 oz, mfr specification size Medium 4 oz
MSRP	$250

Description

The Fuse Jacket has FuseForm fabric construction, which is described by TNF as: “Our proprietary fuseform construction technique … is a revolutionary weaving process that blends thicker, more-durable threads with lighter, lower-density fibers in high-wear zones, effectively reducing overall weight and creating a seamless transition from tougher to lighter zones.” That basically means that the fabric is both lightweight and durable.

The waterproof technology in this jacket is DryVent 2.5L, which is described by TNF as: “DryVent™ fabrics using a 2.5 Layer construction are primarily used for highly active, fast and light pursuits, where light weight and packable is an essential requirement of the user. The inner layer is finished with a functional dry touch print that helps raise the fabric from the skin to provide comfort and enable the quick transfer of vapor through to the outside of the fabric. These fabrics are generally designed into unlined clothing and accessories for maximum light weight, packable, waterproof and breathable performance.”

A third technology in the Fuse Jacket is “engineered ventilation” consisting of fabric perforations in the underarms, side panels, and back. The perforations are cut in the thin nylon fabric before the membrane is laminated on, so the holes are covered by the thin membrane.

Besides the technologies in the jackets, the features are Spartan, as would be expected for an ultralight rain jacket: elastic cuffs and hood side adjustment, one zippered chest pocket, one simple hem adjustor, and one simple hood adjustment on the back. It does have a full-height front zipper, which is very handy for thermoregulation.

Field Testing

I tested the Fuse Jacket on 14 outings consisting of day hiking, backpacking, XC skiing, and snowshoeing.

 Fit – The Fuse Jacket has a trim fit, meaning it fits close to body. The back and sleeves are adequately long for a size Large (back is 29.5 inches, raglan style sleeves are 35 inches from center back neck). The jacket will layer over a thinner midlayer; I was able to layer it over an ultralight down jacket.

The hood has sufficient adjustability for a good fit. It has a stiffened brim, side elastic edging, and one adjustor on the back.

The sleeves measure 35 inches long (center back neck to cuff), but they were a smidgen short for me.

 Adjustability – Although the jacket’s adjustments are minimal, I had no problem adjusting the jacket’s hem and hood to seal in heat and seal out weather.

Breathability – The jacket’s thinness and perforations do give it more breathability than the average rain jacket made of heavier fabrics. It will steam up inside while hiking uphill carrying a backpack, but the front zipper helps a lot to maintain comfort. The breathability specification is 750-800 g/m²/24 hours. The silver color of the tested jacket also reduced heat absorption, keeping the jacket cooler.

Durability – In my testing I carried a day pack or backpack over the jacket on most trips and there are no signs of wear in the fabric, especially on the shoulders.

Waterproofness – Despite the label “water-resistant running jacket”, the Fuse Jacket performed just fine as a rain jacket for backpacking. I tested it in rain and snow and it stayed dry inside.

Windproofness – As expected, the jacket sheds wind with aplomb. It’s not as breathable and comfortable in the wind as a dedicated wind jacket, but it comes close. Opening the front zipper offers a lot of thermoregulation.

One issue I had with the Fuse Jacket is the stiff water-resistant front zipper. It’s basically a two-handed operation to open/close the zipper. Another issue is its trim fit, which limits layering. However, the Fuse is intended for running, for which the trim fit is appropriate.

Evaluation

For lightweight and ultralight backpacking we look for the lightest rainwear that will provide rain protection when needed. In the dry western US we carry our rainwear much more than we wear it, thus our priority is finding the lightest functional rainwear available. The Fuse Jacket meets these criteria quite well, so I give it high marks.

However, this jacket is expensive at $250.

I don’t mind the stiff front zipper, I can get used to that, and what’s more important is that it works properly.

What I do mind is the trim fit. When I layer it over a thin insulating jacket the Fuse is a snug fit. Going to the next larger size is not a good option because that bumps the weight up. The limited layering ability of the Fuse relegates it to summer-only use. 

GEAR REVIEW: Marmot Phase 20 Sleeping Bag

By Will Rietveld

There was a time when I recommended: wearing your camp clothing inside a 30F sleeping bag is all the warmth you need for summertime backpacking in the mountains. I was a bit younger then, and I stayed warm using that technique. Now I give the same advice, based on a 20F sleeping bag. I get cold easier as I get older, and I suspect others need extra insulation too, and it probably doesn’t have anything to do with age J.

Whether you need a 30F or a 20F bag, the same question arises: which bag do I recommend that is lightweight and has an honest temperature rating? Marmot has been making ultralight sleeping bags for a long time, and their Phase 20 (and 30) is state-of-the-art. Do I recommend them unconditionally? Not exactly; read on to learn the caveats.

 

Marmot Phase 20 Sleeping Bag in size Regular. (Manufacturer photo.)

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Marmot (www.marmot.com)
Model Tested	Phase 20 Regular
Models Available	Men’s Phase 20 Regular and Long, Women’s Phase 20 Regular
Materials	850 fill-power down treated with Down Defender for water-resistance, shell and lining are 10-denier Pertex ripstop Nylon (0.88 oz/sq yd)
Weight	Measured weight 23.85 oz; manufacturer specification 23.3 oz
Features	Anatomic Wrap-Around Toebox provides more insulation and room, Smooth-Curved Baffles reduce down shifting, Nautilus Multi-Baffle hood, full-length locking 2-way #3 YKK zipper with anti-snag slider, EN tested, internal stash pocket, snagless insulated draft tube, hood drawcord, stuff and stash bags included
MSRP	Regular $459, Long $479, Women’s $479

Description

The specifications table lists all of the relevant features of the bag; the following photos provide a good look.

Size Regular fits a person up to 6 feet tall; size Long fits to 6 feet 6 inches. I am 5 feet 11 inches tall and 160 pounds, and normally wear a men’s size Large shirt. Size Regular is sufficiently long for me, so that’s not an issue. However, shoulder girth for size Regular is 60 inches and Size Long has 62 inches, and that's where the issue lies. Remember those numbers.

Marmot Phase 20 zipped. The bag is very anatomically shaped. (Manufacturer photo.)

Note that the Phase 20’s left side zipper has a very distinct curve near the head end that extends to the base of the hood.

The zipper has a zipper garage at the end, a good feature to avoid snagging on the sleeper’s hair, facial or otherwise.

There is a zippered stash pocket inside the topside of the bag.

The hood has a single drawcord adjuster on the outside. There is a baffle around the front of the hood to seal in heat.

Field Testing

I tested the Marmot Phase 20 on four backpacking trips in Utah and New Mexico in fall 2016 and spring 2017. This photo was taken in April 2017, sleeping under the stars in a sandy wash in the backcountry of Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The nighttime low was about 30F.

What I like:

• All materials are state-of-the-art for an ultralight sleeping bag, as good as it gets.
• The Phase 20 is EN tested, has excellent loft, and is realistically rated. Having said that, note that most bags are not toasty warm when the air temperature is at the bag temperature rating.
• Most sleepers will like the full-length zipper (it actually ends about 17 inches from the foot end of the bag), which enables the bag to be used as a blanket on warmer nights.
• The footbox is roomy and warm.

What I don’t like:

• The bag’s shoulder girth is simply too tight.
• Because of the bag’s tightness, the zipper is very hard to close, which is exacerbated by a curve to the base of the hood. It is even more difficult to unzip.
• The bag is not amenable to wearing camp clothing inside the bag to extend its warmth. It’s simply too tight and I can’t get the zipper closed past my shoulder.

The best way to use the Marmot Phase 20 is to wear a single layer of clothing inside the bag. That keeps the bag clean and roomier.

A snug bag is warmer because there is less air space to warm up.

The locking feature of the zipper is also its nemesis – if there is any sideways tension on the zipper (from the bag’s tight fit), the zipper won’t slide. The best way to operate the zipper is to hold the track straight with one hand and zip with the other.

I struggled with the hood to obtain a breathing hole aligned with my mouth.

On warmer nights, my preferred method to use the bag is as a blanket by unzipping it and wrapping it around me.

Assessment

For a person my size, the Phase 20 in Regular Length is not a good choice. If you are a smaller person, chances are you will get along just fine with the Phase 20. Although I am an “average” sized male, it would appear that I am at the upper limit (or beyond) for the Phase 20 in size Regular. The Long version of this bag would accommodate me much better. In fact, I initially requested the Long, but it was not available at the time. The Long has two more inches of shoulder girth, which should be sufficient.

Speaking from experience, I need 62 inches or more of shoulder girth in a sleeping bag in order to wear my camp clothing inside my bag. That is a weight-efficient technique to extend the warm of a sleeping bag to stay warmer while reducing overall pack weight.

In addition to the bag’s tight shoulder girth, the curved zipper at the head end is another factor to take into account. The zipper can be very hard to close because of the locking feature. Also, because of the lightweight #3 zipper used on the bag, its a recipe for a broken zipper. My advice is to test the bag at an outdoor store to be sure the fit and zipper closure works for you.

Note that the women’s Phase 20 weighs 29 ounces, about 6 ounces more than the men’s Regular, so it obviously contains more down and is warmer. That is the norm nowadays – the women’s version is a bit heavier but warmer. The shoulder girth is 58 inches.

These issues may not affect everyone, and if you are a smaller person than me, the Marmot Phase 20 is a very good choice for an ultralight warm sleeping bag. It’s made of premium lightweight materials, and 23.3 ounces is an excellent weight for an ultralight 20F bag. If you are a bigger person, try out size Long to see how it works for you; I was not able to and wish I did.