Well done potential testers.

Kurt, Douglas and Erich you all will have plenty of opportunity to apply for
gear.

Mark, I hope that you have been following the thread started by Roger. If
the gear looks interesting and the postage cost is acceptable, go for the US
only test calls along with the ones open to internationals.



Happy application applying.



Ralph Ditton (Who was once at your stage)

.







   _____

From: BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jamie D.
Sent: Saturday, 1 December 2007 4:03 PM
To: BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Congratulations newly affirmed testers!!!



Claps and kudos all around for our newest group of newbies. :)

Kurt Papke, Mark McLauchlin, Douglas McCoy and Erich Roetz, you have
all completed your FIRST two ORs, now get in there and test something
will ya. Seriously, apply for everything you think you can test.

Congrats again.
Jamie D
Edit Admin Manager





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ray Estrella OOP until Monday morning.

It is raining at last, maybe snowing up high tonight. The forest is
reopened. I have a peak with my name on it.

Ray

Name:  Brian Mikels
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 6" (198cm)
Weight: 230lb (104kg)
Email address: msu1spartan@...
City, State, Country:  Knoxville, TN USA
Date: 11/09/07

Backpacking Background:
I started backpacking when I was 10 and picked it back up about 4
years ago.  My backcountry companions are my wife & our two 8 year
old twins.  I'm obsessed with light gear; however I tend to err on
the side of safety, being well fed, and keeping everyone reasonably
comfortable.  I do the bulk of my backpacking March thru November in
the GSMNP doing 1-3 nighters at 6-12 miles (10-19 km) per day.

Exped 7.5 AirMat Pump Dlx

Product Information:

Manufacturer:  Exped
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL: http://www.exped.com

Listed Product Specs:
        Weight: 31.4oz (890g)
        Length: 72" (183cm)
        Width: 26" (66cm)
        Thickness: 3" (7.6cm)

As Shipped:
        Weight:  32.8oz (931g)
                Pad:  31.6oz (896g)
                Stuff Sack: .7oz (19g)
                Repair Kit: .6oz (16g)
        Length: 74" (188cm)
        Width: 24.5" (62cm)
        Thickness: 3.5" (9cm)
Packed Dimensions:  10" long X 5" diameter (25cm x 13cm)

Product Description:

The pad comes shipped in its stuff sack complete with a repair kit
and is constructed of a polyester fabric that is similar to ripstop
nylon in appearance, minus the slippery surface.  The pad has a
total of eight baffles approximately 3.5" (9cm) in diameter divided
into 2 separate air chambers.  Two plastic deflation/inflation twist
lock valves are located at the foot of the pad.  The integrated pump
has an open cell foam pad in its center and 2 flexible inflation
valves on the under side of the pad.  There are two small sleeping
bag attachment loops at the foot of the pad, each 3" (7.6cm) off of
the centerline for the pad.  The stuff sack is constructed of
ripstop nylon and has a simple drawstring and cord lock closure with
a 1.5" (3.8cm) wide handle on the bottom of the sack.   The repair
kit comes in a small resealable bag and contains a .2oz (5g)
aluminum tube of adhesive & two 3.5" (9cm) by 5" (13cm) patches.

Inflation:

Inflating the pad using the integrated pump took me a few tries to
figure out.  The deflation valves must first be closed and the
inflation valve stops opened.  Covering the inflation valve with
your foot and pressing downward forces the air trapped within the
pump through a one-way valve into the air chamber.  Removing your
foot from the opening allows the foam to expand and the pump is
ready for another stomp.  Describing the pump as a pillow is
misleading as it doesn't protrude much (if any) beyond the top plane
of the pad.  It's really a pump that's integrated into the pad.
Once I got the hang of it, I could inflate the pad with very little
effort in less than a minute.  I also have inflated the pad by
blowing air into it and found the effort required to be minimal and
was able to fully inflate the pad in just slightly over a minute.
Although I think the integrated pump design is quite clever, I
believe it to be an unnecessary luxury and the additional weight
this feature adds isn't worth the convenience.

Field Use:

I'm a warm sleeper and carry a 30F (-1C) Marmot Arroyo Long.  When
the low temps are above 55F (13C), I sleep directly on the pad
utilizing my unzipped bag as a blanket and have experienced no
discomfort due to a cold pad.  I have used the pad down to 25F (-4C
with my bag fully zipped, my Capilene 3s on, and a sock hat with
very little discomfort from the cold.

I'm a side sleeper and tend to sleep in what could be loosely
described as the fetal position with a wadded up jacket in between
my knees.  The pad is plenty wide enough to accommodate this
position and I have found it very easy to keep on the pad throughout
the night.  Sleeping comfortably is a priority for me and I am
pleased with this pad.  On soft ground I have slept well with no
soreness.  On hard rocky soil I learned the importance of getting
the pad inflation adjusted correctly.  The adjustment valves are
located at the foot of the pad and my wife was quite annoyed by my
¡§adjusting¡¨ during the night.  I now sleep with the foot of the
pad by my head to allow for quick and quiet adjustment.  I have also
experienced one of the two air chambers going flat during the
night.  It turned out that the deflation valve wasn't closed quite
tight enough allowing a very slow leak to ensue.  I was too lazy to
figure that out at 2 AM, so I slept on the half of the mat that was
still inflated.  It took quite a bit of care to not slip off it
during the night but it wasn't too burdensome.  Overall I think the
pad is pretty comfortable for a backpacking air mattress although I
do get sore shoulders & hips when using it.  My wife (112lb / 51kg)
finds the pad to be almost as good as a regular matress and
experiences no soreness.  If I were designing this pad I would
narrow it up, make it a mummy shape, and put all of the weight
savings into making the pad thicker.  My quest for a stripped down
pad made of the lightest available materials yet thick enough to
keep me from getting sore shoulders & hips unfortunately continues
on.

Deflation of the pad is easy.  I just open both deflation valves at
the foot of the pad, fold the mat along the long axis into quarters
and roll it up.  I do have to put some effort in keeping the folds
of correct proportion while rolling it up.  After I have it rolled
up, it slips easily into the stuff sack.  I carry the pad on the
outside bottom of my pack; however it would pack easily on the
inside.

Summary:

All things considered, this pad is pretty comfortable given the
available alternatives; however I think the width is a little
excessive.  I have recently purchased the Exped 7.5 AirMat which is
19" (48cm) wide.

Things I like:
1.  The piece of mind that comes with two separate air chambers
2.  Anti slip fabric
3.  Easy to inflate

Things I don't like:
1.  Pad does not prevent my shoulders & hips from getting sore
2.  The added weight from the pump
3.  Pad width was wider than what I need

Woo-Woo!  Congratulations!  Yeah, apply for gear - but not stuff I apply for,
ok? ;)

Kathy

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Jamie D.
   To: BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:03 AM
   Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Congratulations newly affirmed testers!!!


   Claps and kudos all around for our newest group of newbies. :)

   Kurt Papke, Mark McLauchlin, Douglas McCoy and Erich Roetz, you have
   all completed your FIRST two ORs, now get in there and test something
   will ya. Seriously, apply for everything you think you can test.

   Congrats again.
   Jamie D
   Edit Admin Manager





   __________ NOD32 2696 (20071130) Information __________

   This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
   http://www.eset.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks! Much improved, but I still need the field conditions section I
mentioned. To pull an example from a recent pole review, this should
read along the following lines (just as a specimen--you don't have to
follow this precisely, but temperatures, elevations etc. need to be
included).

"I have used the Expeditions on every snow related trip from early
2004 until winter of 2006. This includes trips to Mount Shasta, White
Mountain, Mount San Gorgonio and San Jacinto (and neighboring peaks)
and many places in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Conditions have ranged
from beautiful sunny winter days to a few full-on blizzards and
everything in between. The temperatures encountered have run from a
low of 4 F to 50 F (-16 to 10 C) and elevations to over 14000' (4270
m). The terrain included snow, ice, rock and occasional bare dirt,
though not often."--Ray Estrella

You are close in your first paragraph of the field review, but it
lacks specificity.

Best,

Ted


--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "chunghe2" <chunghe2@...> wrote:
>
> Ted,
>
> Thanks for the comments. I have incorporated your edits and reposted
> the review here. The html version has been uploaded onto the BGT
> website. Let me know if you have any additional suggestions.
>
>
>
> LIFE-LINK GUIDE ULTRA LIGHT POLES
> BY HEESOO CHUNG
> OWNER REVIEW
> November 27, 2007
>
> TESTER INFORMATION
>
> NAME: Heesoo Chung
> EMAIL: chunghe2 (at) yahoo (dot) com
> AGE: 29
> LOCATION: Lenoir City, TN
> GENDER: M
> HEIGHT: 5' 11" (1.80 m)
> WEIGHT: 170 lb (77.10 kg)
>
> I started backpacking 14 years ago with the Boy Scouts. My backpack
> is currently on the lighter side (12 lbs / 5.4 kg base weight) with
> the occasional luxury item thrown in (ex. a whole chocolate cake). I
> have done week long trips in Colorado and Montana using traditional
> methods (20 lbs / 9.1 kg base weight). I have also done trips with a
> SUL pack (5 lbs / 2.3 kg base weight). I recently moved from Colorado
> to Tennessee but I am still hoping to do some cold weather
> backpacking this winter.
>
>
> PRODUCT INFORMATION
>
> Manufacturer: Life-Link
> Year of Manufacture: 2004
> Manufacturer's Website: www.life-link.com
> MSRP: US$99.95
> Listed Weight: 14 oz (397 g) per pair
> Measured Weight: 16.5 oz (468 g) per pair
> Measured Extended Length:  48" (122  cm)
> Measured Packed Length: 30" (76 cm)
>
> The Life-Link Guide Ultra Light is a two piece adjustable hiking pole
> that has an aluminum upper section and a lower section made of carbon
> fiber. The grip is made of foam and comes with a removable wrist
> strap.
>
>
> FIELD USE
>
> These poles have been with me for the last three years. I have used
> them in mud, rain, snow, sand and scree.  I have abused these poles
> on the rock and root filled Appalachian Trail, on snowshoe trips
> above the treeline in Colorado, and in the Sierras.
>
> The Guide Ultra Light is easily adjustable and has an agreeable swing
> weight. The grip and strap are comfortable and does not get saturated
> with sweat or get stinky. However, my preference would be a thinner
> strap.
>
> The carbon fiber lowers are much more durable than expected. The
> poles feel quite solid and dampen vibrations well. The poles are not
> excessively noisy. They do not produce any odd clacks, boings, or
> wumps.
>
> Around the first thousand miles of use, one of the tips got caught in
> a rock and broke. According to the manufacturers website, the carbide
> flex tip is designed to break before the  more expensive carbon fiber
> section. The replacement tips cost $10 for a pair and were easy to
> replace.
>
> Around two thousand miles of use, I was scrambling down some slick
> boulders when I got the bottom 18 inches caught in a crevice. The
> carbon fiber lower broke cleanly at the point of failure. The
> aluminum upper section bent  in such a way that the carbon fiber
> section no longer slid into the upper section.
>
> Unlike some other hiking poles, the Guide Ultra Light's locking
> mechanism is not easily removed. To clean the pole, one must insert
> the grip into a pot of boiling water. After a couple minutes, the
> heat will loosen up the grips so that they can be pulled off the
> pole. Once the grips are off, the locking mechanism can be removed
> and cleaned. Unless one hikes with a Boy Scout Troop with an eight
> quart pot, these poles are not easily field cleaned.
>
> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1"  IMAGE CAPTION = "Locking
> Mechanism">>
>
> The benefit of having such a design is that if one has the optional
> probe extender, the two carbon fiber lower sections can be converted
> into an avalanche probe. I have not tried this in a snow field, but
> in the comfort of my home, it takes me about a minute longer to
> assemble than a dedicated probe.
>
> I have had the locking mechanism fail several times. In all
> instances, I had all my weight on one pole and that pole slowly began
> collapsing. The sliding of the locking mechanism was very slow and
> never resulted in a loss of balance. There were also times when the
> upper and lower sections would get stuck while I was trying to adjust
> the length. A gentle tap usually freed the sections. Cleaning the
> locking mechanism and the interior of the aluminum upper section
> usually fixed both problems.
>
> After I broke the carbon fiber lower section, and when cleaning the
> locking mechanism did not fix the sliding issues, I contacted Life-
> Link customer support. They promptly sent out a replacement pole for
> a small fee and sent replacement locking mechanisms under warranty.
>
>
> SUMMARY
>
> These poles are strong and reliable but cleaning the locking
> mechanism is a hassle.
>
> THINGS I LIKE
>
> Durable Two Section Design
> Good Customer Service
> Ease of Use
>
>
> THINGS I DON'T LIKE
>
> Difficult to field clean
> Strap is thick and bulky
>
> SIGNATURE
>
> Heesoo Chung
>
>
>
> This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
> Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
>

I have some photos to include with my OR (Grilliput Portable Grill -
Phillip Bradshaw). How should I upload/include them?

Thanks!

Phillip

Grilliput Portable Grill



Reviewer Information:

Name:  Phillip Bradshaw
Age:  28
Gender  Male
Height:  6'-0" (183 cm
Weight: 180 lbs. (82 kg)
Email:  stusic@...
City:  Columbus
State:  Georgia
Country: United States
Date:  December 1, 2007
Backpacking Background:
I've been backpacking for around 15 years, mostly in north Georgia or
North Carolina. I typically hike around 12 miles per day depending on
terrain and consider myself a lightweight hiker, but not really
ultralight. I take a weekend trip (3-day, 2-night) about once a month,
and a weeklong trip about twice a year, including one dead-of-winter
trip around February.



Product Information:

Manufacturer: nuardis GmbH
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Manufacturer Website: http://www.grilliput.com/index.php
Weight as Listed: 19.75 (560 gm.)
Weight as delivered: 19.75 oz. (560 gm.)
Length (packed, disassembled): 11-3/8" x 7/8" dia. (28.9 cm. x 2.2 cm.
dia.)
Cooking Area:  10" x 9-1/8" (25.4 cm. x 23.4 cm.)
Total Pieces: 19
Material: Stainless Steel
Price: $29.00
Description: The Grilliput is a stainless steel, portable grill that
packs into itself, making the packed size and shape about that of a
runner's baton (as they describe it on their site – I couldn't think
of a good comparison).



First Impressions:

I bought this for my wife, who wanted a way to have better meals while
on backpacking trips. I found this and thought it would make a great
alternative to other grills that I've seen which fold flat, but still
remain rather bulky. The Grilliput seemed better because the grill
stores inside itself: everything fits inside of one of the main tubes.

It came in a blister pack container with the packaged Grilliput and
assembly instructions, which seemed fairly complicated until I did it
four or five times in my living room.

Upon opening the Grilliput, I immediately looked at all the pieces and
thought that a piece was sure to be lost; 19 pices total, including:
one (1) large tube with a ring at one end and a receiver for the
screw-on cap; one (1) smaller tube with a notch at one end for
cleaning the grill rods; one (1) threaded screw-on cap for the larger
of the tubes, four (4) threaded legs, two (2) threaded hooked bars,
and ten (10) rods that serve as the cooking surface.

The tubes act as the main compartment for the rest of the assembly.
All the pieces fit into the tube with enough room to easily pack it,
but not so much that it adds extra weight or gives it a lot of room to
move around inside and make noise.



Field Use:

The Grilliput has made its way into my pack more than expected. I find
when I'm already carrying meat for grilling, I hardly notice the extra
weight of the grill. It's big enough to cook two medium-sized steaks.
It weighs about as much as any other grill I've seen (less than many),
but is much more compact than any I've seen. It also does a pretty
good job of warming a cup of coffee or soup (however, take care when
removing the mug from the fire).

I've used it on a few trips, ranging from the beaches of Sapelo
Island, Georgia in August, to the Sipsey Wilderness Area in northern
Alabama in early spring. Temperatures and weather were all
accommodating, with no rain and mild temperatures.

In my opinion, assembly is the biggest drawback of the Grilliput. The
website says it takes less than five minutes, of which it took every
second when I first got it. I have found it is easiest if you follow
the instruction exactly; if you stray from the written directions, it
tends to lead to problems later down in the assembly process. Now that
I've used it quite a bit, the assembly isn't much of an issue, but I
think it's a catch-22: you don't get good at assembling it until you
use it a good deal, which can be a deterrent in bringing it in the
first place.

I was afraid I'd lose a piece eventually, but I haven't yet. I've
found that the only times that the pieces aren't put together, either
packed or assembled, are when I'm in the process of assembly or when
I'm cleaning. When cleaning, I take care when laying down the pieces
and keep them all together.

Cleaning it has also exceeded my expectations. I let it sit in the
fire for a while after cooking, which helps burn off any leftover food
and helps remove some of the grease that gets on it from the food.
When cleaning, I grab a handful of wet sand or the small rocks in
streams and grab each rod, with the sand in my hand, and run it up and
down the rod, then rinse off the sand or dirt in the water. This seems
to do a good job of removing any cooked-on crusties, but doesn't do
much for removing the grease from the cooked food. Washing the grease
off with biodegradable soap is easy once the majority of the food is
removed. Doing this makes it easier to pack the rods into the tube. It
comes with a notch in the smaller tube which is used to run the small
rods through, but it doesn't work very well unless the debris is
pretty large, in which case I can tap it on a rock and knock it off.



Lasting Impressions:

In use, the Grilliput has proven durable. I tend to be rough on my
gear, but it's held up well. A few of the rods that make up the
grilling area have bent a little, but not enough to keep from using
it. Any bends were minor, didn't show any signs of kinking or
buckling, and were easily mended by hand.

I still worry about losing a piece, but I haven't yet, so it's not too
much of a concern. My only concern now is whether I'm willing to carry
a couple extra pounds and eat well, or save the weight and just eat
so-so meals.

Overall, I've been delightfully surprised with this grill. I don't
carry it on every trip; it's proven too heavy for extended trips or
trips that I'm carrying more than normal (during winter treks), but
has been great on short trips or basecamp-style trips. I find it's
most oftenin my pack during summer, when my pack is lighter and the
weather is good for grilling. One of my last thoughts is that if
you're already carrying a couple of steaks into the backcountry, you
can afford to carry another pound for a grill to cook them in a proper
way.

Pros: Great Design
	 Compact
	 Durable

Cons: Weight
	 Difficult Assembly
	 Many Parts

> I have some photos to include with my OR (Grilliput Portable Grill -
> Phillip Bradshaw). How should I upload/include them?
These sorts of questions are usually handld by a mentor.
Contact mentor@...

Cheers
Roger Caffin
BGT Editor

Better yet - try mentor@...

Leesa J

On Dec 2, 2007 3:03 PM, Roger Caffin <r.caffin@...> wrote:

>   > I have some photos to include with my OR (Grilliput Portable Grill -
> > Phillip Bradshaw). How should I upload/include them?
> These sorts of questions are usually handld by a mentor.
> Contact mentor@... <mentor%40backpackinglight.org>
>
> Cheers
> Roger Caffin
> BGT Editor
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Good catch Leesa!

Actually but, the BGTFileUpLoad group is probably more appropriate.  It can
be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BGTFileUploadHelp/ and was set up
to assist with this sort of issue.  Mentors are not necessarily right up
there on HTML issues.

Regards
Andrew

On 03/12/2007, Leesa J <leesaj@...> wrote:
>
> Better yet - try mentor@...
>
> Leesa J
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks! I've posted a question to the group (as follows).

Thanks Again,

Phillip

As posted to the BGTFileUpLoad group:

This seems to be a recurring problem, but I've had no luck searching
for a solution...

I have posted my OR (Grilliput Portable Grill - Phillip Bradshaw) to
be reviewed and commented, but I also have 3 photos to include with
it. It's my understanding that only approved reviews are to be
uploaded to BGT.org, so do I need to upload any at all at this stage?

Thanks :)



--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew Priest" <apriest@...>
wrote:
>
> Good catch Leesa!
>
> Actually but, the BGTFileUpLoad group is probably more appropriate.
  It can
> be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BGTFileUploadHelp/ and was
set up
> to assist with this sort of issue.  Mentors are not necessarily right up
> there on HTML issues.
>
> Regards
> Andrew
>
> On 03/12/2007, Leesa J <leesaj@...> wrote:
> >
> > Better yet - try mentor@...
> >
> > Leesa J
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Ray Estrella BIP

Winter is here, the water is back, I am happy. We got snowed on for
most of Saturday, yippee!

Ray

Hello Brian,

Thank you for your Owner Review, your initial edits will follow. They
will take the following format;

EDIT: must be changed
Edit: should be changed but will be left to your discretion
Comment: just that or something to think about

When you have made the changes please repost here with REPOST added
to the subject line. Include your name also please.

Some very helpful information may be found here;
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/lesson.php?lesson=BecomeTester&page=1

Please notice the form that the review should take in the "Examples",
you may also wish to browse the reviews of other experienced members
for examples of the proper form.

Ray




The first thing you need is (quoted from the lessons) "Name of item
being tested prominently displayed at top of page."

And this from the SG, "Requirements: Name of item being tested or
reviewed, and the report date, must appear prominently at the top of
the page.

It should also say "Owner Review" somewhere there. I do mine like
this;

Snow Peak Trek Titanium Plate
by Raymond Estrella
OWNER REVIEW
October 14, 2007

Feel free to see how others do it.

***Height: 6' 6" (198cm)
***Weight: 230lb (104kg)

EDIT: you need spaces after all the numbers before the unit
abbreviations, i.e.  230 lb (104 kg). Please check for all instances.



***City, State, Country: Knoxville, TN USA

EDIT: the state needs to be spelled out for the benefit of our
international readers.



***Date: 11/09/07

EDIT: the date needs to be spelled out for the benefit of our
international readers that use different formats. (November 09, 2007)



***My backcountry companions are my wife & our two 8 year
old twins.

Comment: cool, I have 8 year old twins too. One of each.



***I do the bulk of my backpacking March thru November in
the GSMNP

EDIT: the first time you use this you need to spell it out. Most
folks will not know what the GSMNP is. I have to remember that all
the time with the PCT.



***Exped 7.5 AirMat Pump Dlx

EDIT: DLX (all caps as that is the way the manufacturer does it)



***Weight: 31.4oz (890g)
***Length: 72" (183cm)
***Width: 26" (66cm)
***Thickness: 3" (7.6cm)

EDIT: I don't know which site you are getting these numbers from, but
neither the US (OR) site or the Swiss site have these numbers as
listed. (Close though) Did they come from a package or tag? If not
can you please change them to what they have "listed"?



***The repair kit comes in a small resealable bag and contains a .2oz
(5g)

EDIT: we are asked to put a zero before the decimal point (0.2 oz)



***Covering the inflation valve with your foot and pressing downward
forces the air trapped within the pump through a one-way valve into
the air chamber. Removing your foot from the opening allows the foam
to expand

EDIT: we need to keep the review in the first person and avoid the
use of "you" and "your" so as not to project our feelings our
findings onto the reader. Please replase "your" with "my"



***I'm a warm sleeper and carry a 30F (-1C) Marmot Arroyo Long. When
the low temps are above 55F (13C),

EDIT: need a space at the temps too. 30 F (-1 C), etc. Please check
for all instances.



***My wife finds the pad to be almost as good as a regular matress

EDIT: mattress

>  This seems to be a recurring problem, but I've had no luck searching
>  for a solution...
>
>  I have posted my OR (Grilliput Portable Grill - Phillip Bradshaw) to
>  be reviewed and commented, but I also have 3 photos to include with
>  it. It's my understanding that only approved reviews are to be
>  uploaded to BGT.org, so do I need to upload any at all at this stage?
>
>  Thanks :)


I think there is a bit of a misunderstanding. Are you a newbie to this
whole process? Thats what it sounds like to me.

I would highly suggest a mentor, like Leesa pointed out send an email
to mentor@... requesting a mentor, and in a few days
you will be assigned one.

Otherwise if you dare brave it alone, you should read the study guide,
its a must that you read that and follow all rules explicit or implied
that is associated with BGT and the survival guide. Its located here
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/requirements.php

Ch 4 talks about the OR's, and Ch 7 talks about posting files to the group.

Feel free to email me offline if you have any more questions

Brian

http://tinyurl.com/yqg3ng

M ENDURUS XCR BOA BY THE NORTH FACE
BY MIKE DAURIO JR.
OR
November 07, 2007

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Mike Daurio Jr.
EMAIL: mikejr232323@...
AGE: 30
LOCATION: Wonder Lake, Illinois USA
GENDER: m
HEIGHT: 6' 0" (1.83 m)
WEIGHT: 183 lb (83.00 kg)

I am quite new to backpacking.  My experience lies mostly as a canoe
guide.  My inspiration to get more into this sport/hobby was a
backpack trip to Thailand in 2005.  Due to my experience I am fond of
lightweight, waterproof quality gear.  I backpack in mainly hilly
forested areas and of course near rivers and streams.  I also do a
lot of backpack traveling to other countries. I am a 3-season
backpacker. Every year I spend time in the Ozarks in Missouri and in
Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.  I'd love to explore
Canyonlands National Park in Utah.


PRODUCT INFORMATION

<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 10">> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT
TEXT = "IMAGE 11">> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 14">>
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 12">> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT
TEXT = "IMAGE 13">>












Manufacturer:  The North Face
Year of Manufacture:  2006
Manufacturer's Website: <<HYPERLINK GOES HERE -
  "http://www.thenorthface.com" LINK TEXT
= "http://www.thenorthface.com">>
MSRP: US$ 130
Listed Weight: N/A
Measured Weight:  2 lbs  ( 0.91 kg)  ***COMMENT I have yet to weigh
the item.  I will before my final posting.
Other details: Size reviewed is a Men's 10.5 US size.

  <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 3"  IMAGE CAPTION = "FROM TNF
WEBSITE">> The Endurus XCR is a feature packed shoe that fits many of
my outdoor needs.
It has a BOA lacing system that will be explained thoroughly below in
the field use section.   The shoe has an abrasion-resistant, "bomber
synthetic nubuck" and breathable sandwich-mesh upper along with a
breathable Gore-tex lining.  The footbed is listed as a Northotic"
ergonomically designed, multi-density footbed with AgION"
antimicrobial footbed covering on the company's website.
   The shoe reviewed is a size 10.5 (US) and fits perfectly.  I
normally wear a 10.5 so I believe it to be pretty true to size.  The
website also lists a Roll Control™ medial heel wedge and Heel X-2 O2™
air pod around the heel.  I assume the roll control refers to the
fact that the top of the sole, by the heel, where the sole meets the
upper heel cup, gets wider  towards the bottom of the sole.  The shoe
is treaded with a lightweight UltrATAC™ rubber outsole and Blown-
rubber forefoot crash pad.

The shoes also have a few spots where TNF installed reflective
properties.  Light is reflected from the toe, tongue and on the loop
on the heel (see pictures).  The rear loop is worth mention, because
it allows me to carabiner the shoes to my pack when heading out on an
overnight to a friend's or family's house.

The shoe has solid toe protection. The treaded sole extends up onto a
hard synthetic toe stabilizing rind.

FIELD USE

I have worn the shoes almost daily since their purchase early this
year.  The shoes have seen many trips, day hikes, and types of
terrain. I have used the shoes on a canoe trip to the Current River
in Missouri. While there, we did many exploring day hikes and also a
20 mi (32 km) section of the Ozark Trail. Terrain consists of
limestone bluffs lined in forest and gravel bars with a spring fed
river winding through it all. As the river winds through the
mountains, its elevation recedes from 852 ft (260 m) above sea level
down to 570 ft (174 m). When on the trail elevations reached 870 ft
(265 m). The trail's terrain was dirt or gravel, through dense
forests primed with hungry deer flies ready to bite and annoy us.
Temperatures scorched to a recorded 113 degrees F (45 C) dropping to
a comfortable 72 degrees F (22 C) at night. <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT
TEXT = "IMAGE 8"  IMAGE CAPTION = "OZARKS TERRAIN">>

The shoe has also been used in the back woods of Lake Kabetogama in
Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park. This trip was spent with my
fiancée's family. We canoed Lake Kabetogama, setting up three
different base camps and heading out on numerous day hikes to do some
exploring. The terrain is rocky shores covered in grass and moss,
some sandy beaches, and dense north woods forests containing pines,
poplars, and quaking aspen. Elevations stayed pretty constant between
1100 -1200 ft (335-366 m) above sea level. Temperatures were between
85-89 degrees F (29-32 C) during the sunny days, and got down to
almost 60 degrees F (16 C) at night.

  <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 4"  IMAGE CAPTION = "LAKE
KABETOGAMA">> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 2"  IMAGE CAPTION
= "GLACIAL PARK MCCD">> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 5"
IMAGE CAPTION = "KENOSHA COUNTY CONSERVATION AREAS">>

The shoes have taken me on an overnight trip to Kettle Moraine State
Forest in Wisconsin where they   have seen the dowsing from a morning
rain and 22 miles (35.4 km) of meadow lands, marsh, and pine
forests.  The temperatures were approximately 65-70 degrees F (18-21
C).  I also walk my dogs, jog, and day hike in the many County
Conservation areas and State Parks in my area.  I live less than ten
miles (16 km) from three state parks.  I have used the shoes to
mountain bike, work in the yard with and even head out to the grocery
store in them.

  I purchased them right away after my first test of the BOA lacing
system in the store.  This is by far the best feature of the shoe.
It is a simple design of a futuristic concept.  I slide my foot in
the shoe and simply turn the adjustment wheel on the back of the shoe
clockwise until I get my desired tightness. <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT
TEXT = "IMAGE 1"  IMAGE CAPTION = "BOA DIAL">>
                <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 6"  IMAGE CAPTION
= "LACES TIGHT">> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 9"  IMAGE
CAPTION = "LACES LOOSE">>

                 To release the lacing system, and remove my foot, I
pull on the dial and the lacing system releases its grip. The lacing
system makes it easy to put on the shoe, and makes removal extremely
easy.  This even benefits my home life as it's not such a pain to
take off my shoes in the house, after a long day on the trail, and
therefore saving me a scolding from the fiancée.  The system
eliminates the need for laces that can become untied easily , or
catch burrs or stickers. The actual laces are made of metal wire that
has not shown any wear yet, which allows me to assume a greater
longevity than laces, as I tend to fray or break laces within the
first year of owning a shoe.  The BOA system's name is a perfect
description of how my foot feels inside the shoe.  The system doesn't
allow for pressure points on the top of the foot but a controlled and
even closure that literally hugs my foot more with every click of the
dial.  The lacing system also locks the wire laces in place until I
pull the dial out to release mode.  This cuts down on the need to
stop on the trail to retie my shoe and eliminates a potential
tripping hazard.  The dial has come unlocked a few times but
definitely less than my laces becoming untied. Each time the dial has
become unlocked it has been due to me hitting or getting it caught on
something.







  <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 7"  IMAGE CAPTION
= "SUBMERGED">>The Gore-Tex liners of these shoes are a huge benefit
to me.  The shoes have seen the wet plains grasses of a morning
rain.  My feet have stayed bone dry.  While filling up a water
filter, in the shallow Nippersink Creek in Glacial Park part of the
McHenry County Conservation District, the shoes have been submerged
and have not allowed water to penetrate.  The design of the tongue
(see loose laces pic) allows my foot to become submerged up to a
pretty high point on the shoe without any dampness in my sock.  The
outer does tend to soak up a little water and the shoe does feel
heavier due to this.  My foot does also feel cool while submerged but
again no moisture on the inside.  The fabric does allow my foot to
breathe nicely but not as much as a more permeable vented shoe.  I
have reviewed another TNF shoe and it had better venting but a heck
of a lot more wet pairs of socks.  After long hours of hiking I do
get a bit of sweat between the toes that tends to stick around.  I
mostly use 100% synthetic socks on my adventures.

   On a mountain biking adventure, on the McHenry County Prairie
Trail, I had to cross a flooded section of the trail.  The puddle was
approximately 18 in (46 cm) deep and 8 ft wide (244 cm).  The
puddle's depth was too deep for the water not to exceed the top of my
shoe.  It was filled with water and needed to be drained. After I
completed the wet (and extremely fun) crossing I pulled over removed
the shoes with the handy BOA system and dumped out a good bit of
water.  I then wrung out my socks and put them back on.  The lacing
system performed as well wet as it does dry and the rest of the ride
was a little sloshy.  When I got home I put the shoes outside to dry,
and again detoured a scolding.  The shoes were dry by the end of the
next day and I wore them the following day.  I was definitely
impressed by the materials' drying ability, which is something I
weigh heavily when developing an opinion of a piece of gear.

   The design of the shoe, structurally, is solid and intelligent.
The heel cup and ankle support is solid and comfortable when hiking
running or biking.  The footbed provides tremendous comfort and arch
support and when combined with the sole has great shock absorbing
properties.  The comfort of this shoe is a wonderful luxury after my
foot has been in a watershoe all day.  The shoe's tread has seen
rocky gravel bars in the Ozarks, slick rocky shores in Voyageurs, a
heavily graveled trail on a descending trail in Glacial Park (MCCD),
jogging on asphalt paved streets and normal dirt, grass, pine needle
covered trails.  I have not lost footing with the shoe yet and it has
been a reliable hiking companion.

    The shoe has been worn countless hours on and off the trail.  I
have hiked up to 15 miles (24 km) and biked up to 19 miles (31 km) in
a day.  The shoe has been soaked with standing flood water, subject
to up to 8 hours daily of sweaty feet, and it is still tolerable to
place my nose inside and breathe.  The antimicrobial properties of
the shoe are trustworthy even after over 8 months of almost daily use.


SUMMARY

This is by far my favorite pair of shoes in my closet. In fact, they
barely make it there.  I love the BOA lacing system and wish it could
be on all my shoes!  The shoe is sturdy, comfortable, and is packed
full of features.

THINGS I LIKE

1. The BOA lacing system is tremendous.  In my opinion, we should
stop teaching kids to tie shoes and put this on all shoes made.

2. The North Face's use of Gore-Tex waterproofing and breathability
has kept my feet comfortable on many hikes.

3.  The design of the shoe makes it perfect for trail running,
pavement running, hiking and all my other outdoor activities.

4.  The antimicrobial properties are impressive.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

1. Sometimes the extra sweat trapped between my toes causes a squishy
feeling.  Although annoying I sacrifice for the extra water
protection.

SIGNATURE

Mike J. Daurio Jr.



This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.

Hi Don, thanks for deciding to contribute.  It's good to hear you use
the website often.

This is a very good effort for a first review, and its good you chose
something that you have obviously used a lot.  I do have a few edits
and things for your consideration though.

Your edits will follow the normal convention:

EDIT:  Must correct

Edit:  Change is needed, with the wording up to you.  If you strongly
disagree with the edit, you are welcome to provide your reasoning and
we'll take that under consideration.

Comment:  A recommendation for improvement that does not necessarily
have to be followed, or merely a comment.

-----------------------------
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove

### EDIT:  Actually the manufacturer has `PocketRocket' as one word,
and this should be corrected to reflect their name throughout the
review.

Height: 6' 1" (1.85 Meters)
Weight: 250 Pounds (79 Kilograms)

###EDIT:  The conversion for 250 lb is 113 kg.  Generally we like to
see pounds abbreviated to lb and kilograms to kg, as well as meters
to just `M', however this is an option and up to you.  The
conversions do have to be correct however.

Email address: donmeredith74@...
City, State, Country: Lexington, South Carolina, U.S.
Date: 24-Nov-07

### EDIT:  I realize you took this from the sample in the tester
documentation, but we now require the date directly under the review
title, so you need to move it from your biography and place it under
the title.  This format should be followed for all future reports.
(Once in a while, requirements may be changed slightly and the
documentation may not always reflect those changes, but these
instances will be few and you will soon learn them.)

Backpacking Background: I've been camping & backing for 10 years now.

### EDIT:  backpacking instead of backing.

I enjoy backpacking in the mountains of North & South Carolina and
kayak camping on the coast and on local rivers and lakes. The majority
of my camping over the past few years has been on the Foothills Trail
in South Carolina (www.foothillstrail.org). I typically camp one to
two nights in warm humid weather typical of the Southeast. Depending
on the location and weather I will either camp with a one-man tent or
a tarp.

### Comment:  We really like to see a little more on your style.  Do
you consider yourself a traditional weight, light weight, or ultra-
light weight hiker?  Could you add that while still keeping your bio
under 100 words?


Test Conditions

I have used this stove in a wide variety of environments over the past
few years ranging from balmy nights kayak camping on the barrier
islands off of South Carolina's coast to cold windy trips on Mount
Mitchell in North Carolina.

### Edit:  A good start, but we need just a little more.  With a
canister stove, lower temperatures are a special concern.  Please
state the temperature ranges, and also a general altitude range.  (I
realize altitude is fairly moderate even in the NC mountains, but for
the sake of our international readers, it is preferred to give
elevation ranges (i.e.  5000 ft/1500 m).  Round the conversions in a
sensible manner.  I.E.  The actual conversion for 5000 ft is 524 m,
but since 5000 is a rounded estimate, the metric conversion should be
also.  The rules of rounding, abbreviating, etc. can be found at the
bottom of the handy conversion tool at this url:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/convert.html
Also, what types of surfaces have you used it on?  Tabletops, bare
dirt, rocks, level, unlevel, etc?

Three foldout legs that support the pot or pan and the flame is
adjusted using a wire
extension from a brass valve on the stove body.

### Edit:  This sentence needs a bit of clarification.  Either you've
left out part of a thought about the foldout legs, or have the
word `that' in the sentence needlessly.  Actually I'd like to see it
broken into two sentences, with each a little more descriptive.  Tell
us how the foldout legs work – how far they fold out, how they work
(swivel on a rivet & stop when the bottom of the leg touches the top
of the stove base?)  Tell us a little more about the wire extension –
wedge shape, passes through a small hole in the brass valve, etc.
Which direction for on?  Which for off?

Product Review

The Pocket Rocket is a simple stove to use. You simply screw the stove
to the fuel canister, light the flame and begin cooking.

### EDIT:  It's a hard thing to learn, but we try to avoid using the
word `you', since that normally is termed projecting.  Some
information on this is located in section 5, here:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/lesson.php?lesson=SGAppendix&page=6
So, please change the word `you' to "I", or use "One simply screws
the stove…" or "A person simply screws the stove…"

### Comment:  You might consider adding a bit on lighting the flame –
do you usually use matches or a lighter?  Or both alternately?  Do
you have to be careful of your hand position or the stove position
when you light it, or is the burner easy to access with both lighter
and match?  Do you usually open the valve partially or fully to light
it?  These types of things might seem insignificant to an experienced
backpacker, but important to someone new, so the more detail you can
put in your report, the better.  Once you've started applying for
gear, showing that you can write detailed reports can help tip the
scales in your favor when tester selections are made.

  I have never had difficulty threading the stove to fuel canisters
and have never
witnessed a leak. I have not performed controlled tests to confirm
the claims for boil time on MSR's website. My water is always ready
for use in 2-3 minutes at camp so I am pleased with boil times.

### Edit:  Can you let us know how much water you typically boil?  I
believe MSR claims 3 ½ minutes for 1 L, so if yours is done in 2
minutes I guess it is less water, but it would be nice to clarify
that.

The stove's efficiency drops during windy conditions but the effect
isn't
severe. During breezy days I try to find a natural wind break when I
set up the stove. This is usually sufficient to maintain efficient
boil times.

### Comment:  Unfortunately, I did find the effect severe on mine.
Over 17 minutes for a boil.  The wind breaks undoubtedly help.

The Pocket Rocket comes with a triangular plastic storage case. This
case serves well to store and protect the stove during trips and
during storage at home.

When folded for storage, the MSR Pocket Rocket will fit inside of
almost any drinking cup or other small container, which is essential
to protecting the stove when it is not in use. MSR provides a
triangular plastic holder for the stove, but it just as easy to keep
it in a pot or cup.

### Comment:  You might want to consider re-ordering the two
paragraphs above a bit, since the second sort of repeats the
information in the first, but states it a bit differently.  You might
even combine them into one paragraph.  I.E.  When folded for storage,
the MSR PocketRocket will fit inside almost any drinking cup or other
small container.  MSR provides a triangular plastic holder for the
stove, which serves well to store and protect it during trips and
storage at home, but it is just as easy to keep it in a pot or cup.
Also, do you have a favorite place you like to carry it in your
pack?  You might mention that.


Durability

I have used the Pocket Rocket for three years now and it has been
exposed to salt water and typical bumps and bruises encountered when
backpacking. I haven't taken any particular care to clean or maintain
the stove during this time. There is no sign of oxidation from the
salt water and the stove still works as it did right out of the
package.

### Comment:  Is the salt water from spray only or was the stove
actually submerged?  You might clarify that.

Once you've addressed the necessary EDIT/Edits and made any changes
you would like based on the comments, you will need to repost to this
list, using the title:  REPOST:  Owner Review MSR Pocket Rocket
Stove – Don Meredith.

I look forward to seeing the revisions,
Pam Wyant

PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL IN FULL. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT!

Thanks for your Owner's Review.  It has been added to the Owner
Review Queue and will be picked up by an Edit Moderator soon.  Do
not worry if nothing happens with it for several days.  All our
Editors are volunteers and your report will be subject to an
official edit within fourteen days. If you have not had a response
from an Edit Moderator via the Yahoo Groups list within this
timeframe, please let me know directly at jdeben@....

To assist in this process, if this is your first Owner Review we ask
that you post only ONE Owner Review for edit at a time. Our
experience is that it is more efficient for both the Editors and
yourself, if you post your first review, have it edited, approved
and uploaded before you post your second and subsequent reviews.
This way we can work with you on addressing any standard BGT policy
edits which you can incorporate into your second and subsequent
reviews before submission.

If you are new to BackpackGearTest.org, welcome to the community!
The Editors will work with you, within their own time constraints,
to get your first two Owner Reviews approved and upload in a timely
manner.  Once these first two Owner Reviews have been approved and
you have submitted your Tester Agreement you will be eligible to
start applying for Tests. If you'd like more assistance or guidance
with the process you can request a mentor by sending an email to
Jenn K., the mentor coordinator, at (mentor (at)
backpackgeartest.org).

You may receive edits or comments from other members of the group.
These edits and comments, while not official, should be considered
carefully, and if you find them substantial, revise and re-post your
review. Incorporating member edits and re-submitting to the list
will usually result in a better review, as well as making things
easier for the official Editor. Please put REVISED in the subject
line of your re-submitted review if you take this route or make any
changes to your review BEFORE the review has been taken by an Edit
Moderator.

Additionally, it is important for you to monitor the Yahoo Groups
list to keep track of the progress of your Owner Review.  Once an
Editor has taken your OR and made the necessary edits they will post
their comments to the list with EDIT in the subject line.  Once you
have incorporated these edits into your review please use REPOST in
the subject line. When your OR has been approved by the Editor they
will use APPROVED in the subject line.

If you'd like to keep track of the progress of your OR, the entire
Owner Review Queue is posted to this yahoo group list on Fridays.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask via
the list or contact me directly.

Regards
Jamie DeBenedetto
Edit Administration Manager

Hi Lucas,

Will you please clarify in your report how much use you have given
these tights?  In the section you have titled Field Use it looks like
you have only used these on one car camping trip.  If that is the case
then this is not enough use for our requirements.  If you have used
them more, then please add your experiences to the Field Use section
of your report and repost it using the words REVISED in the title.

As it stands the OR will not be accepted for editing.  Thank you.

Cordially,
Jamie J. DeBenedetto
Edit Admin Manager

Hello Mike,

thanks for uploading an improved html version of your OR. I see you
figured out tinyurl - thanks for that.

The text/picture issue is improved. I still feel that the white space
between paragraphs towards the end of your report could be reduced - is
it possible that you have a few empty lines at the bottom of your
respective sections? "Backspacing" from the bottom of a section reached
with "PgDn" until you meet the last of your periods might solve that.
If not, that shouldn't stand in the way of uploading as is.

However, you mention:
<snip>> Measured Weight:  2 lbs  ( 0.91 kg)  ***COMMENT I have yet to
weigh
> the item.  I will before my final posting.

You now include a weight with this statement. How accurate is it? It is
affirmatively necessary to weigh an item before uploading a report on
it. Nearly every longterm BGT tester now owns a decent scale - but
until I found one on sale, I did what everybody else was doing before
they found theirs, which is go to the post office. Here in Germany,
supermarkets tend to have a publicly available scale in the produce
section, too. The employees give me weird looks when I weigh walking
poles and the like there, but it gives me the information our readers
need. So please do weigh these shoes. If you have, give us a weight in
pounds and ounces (and even if it should happen to come out at exactly
2 lbs, please make that clear by stating the weight as "2 lb 0 oz".
Also, please note that at BGT we do not include a plural "s" with the
unit abbreviation. Oh, and delete the Comment stating that you still
need to weight the item.

Once you've taken care of the above, you're free to upload to the
folder here: http://tinyurl.com/3xq2vn

Please make sure that the radio button "Owner Review" is checked upon
upload (though I believe that to be the default setting) and that you
delete you test folder version once you've checked the upload in the
proper folder and are happy with it.

Congratulations, that's one report down!

André
OR Editor

Hi Quinn,

This is much better. I have a few edits for you again, some the same
as before. Please repost here after you make them. You can also put a
HTML copy in the Owner Review Test Folder. It is found at the end of
the list of reviews on the main page or here;
http://tinyurl.com/4mfwa

If you require assistance with your upload, please ask in our Yahoo!
support group,

BGTFileUploadHelp @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BGTFileUploadHelp/?yguid=209560176


Please let me have a link to the review or at least the name once you
have it uploaded.


Ray


***LOCATION: Idaho Falls, Idaho

EDIT: Idaho Falls, Idaho "USA" (Need the country too)


***(approximately 5/8 of an an inch or 16.5 mm wide)

EDIT: delete one "an"



***the pivot point that allows you to shine the light at different
angles,


EDIT: to avoid projection we do not use "you" and "your" in our
reviews. We need to keep them in the first person. Please reword
this. Maybe; "the pivot point that allows me to shine the light at
different angles"

Hello Johanna,

Thank you for your Owner Review, your initial edits will follow. They
will take the following format;

EDIT: must be changed
Edit: should be changed but will be left to your discretion
Comment: just that or something to think about

When you have made the changes please repost here with REPOST added
to the subject line. Include your name also please.

Some very helpful information may be found here;
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/lesson.php?lesson=BecomeTester&page=1

Please notice the form that the review should take in the "Examples",
you may also wish to browse the reviews of other experienced members
for examples of the proper form.

A helpful tool is the Mentoring Program that teams new reviewers with
experienced veterans to help get them through their first review(s).
If you'd like more assistance or guidance with the process you can
request a mentor by sending an email to the mentor coordinator, Jenn
K, at mentor@...

Ray



***City, State, Country: Los Angeles, CA, USA

EDIT: the state needs to be spelled out for the benefit of our
international readers



***I typically hike 8-12 miles on a day hike every  weekend,

EDIT: needs metric conversion (13 – 19 km)



***My total pack  weight, including food, for 3 days is around 20
pounds.

EDIT: same thing here. All weights and measurements must have
conversions. Please go through and look for all instances. Here is an
easy-to-use converter;
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/convert.html



***Manufacturer: MSR

EDIT: you need to spell out the name the first time. Then you can use
MSR all you want



***Weight as delivered:

EDIT: you are missing this.



***My first testing location is in the Sequoia National Forest,

EDIT: as this is a review not a test (which we do of tents) could you
please change "My first testing locatiion" to "The first place I
used…"

Also can you please put a field data section listing a few of the
places you have used the tent and the conditions to show that you
have the minimum required use to write about it? One trip is not
enough.



***There were few mosquitos,

EDIT: mosquitoes



***The length of the guylines makes for a real  tripping hazard,

Comment: benn there, tripped over that…


***After a a few near  faceplants,

EDIT: "face plants" or "face-plants" and delete one "a"



***It is especially good for tall people.

EDIT: you need to keep this about your experience. To say that it is
good for others is speculation as you can't really know what is good
for others.



At 5'8", I have about a  foot of room at both my head and feet,

EDIT: need conversion numbers


***We got about two  inches of rain that day and night,

EDIT: same thing



*** Nothing that would have been a problem on a real  trip. I didn't
do any seam sealing on my own, so this was a test of how it performs
straight from the factory. The tent had gotten a little saggy from
the constant pounding. I  have to think the guylines probably
stretched a little from being wet. Again, nothing that  would have
bothered me much if I were actually inside trying to sleep.

EDIT: the problem with these is the fact that since you did not use
them in those conditions you can not be sure that it would not have
bothered you. (To be honest my single wall tents bother me a lot when
they get saggy and the wet tent starts hitting me.) You can reword
this or just drop the mention to the guesses.



***I have had this tent in windy conditions (30mph gusts),

EDIT: needs a space after the "30" and a conversion to km/h

Exped AirMat 7.5 Pump DLX
by Brian Mikels
OWNER REVIEW
November 9th, 2007


Name: Brian Mikels
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 6" (198 cm)
Weight: 230 lb (104 kg)
Email address: msu1spartan@...
City, State, Country: Knoxville, Tennessee USA
Date: 11/09/07

Backpacking Background:
I started backpacking when I was 10 and picked it back up about 4
years ago. My backcountry companions are my wife & our two 8 year
old twins. I'm obsessed with light gear; however I tend to err on
the side of safety, being well fed, and keeping everyone reasonably
comfortable. I do the bulk of my backpacking March thru November in
the Great Smoky Mountain National Park doing 1-3 nighters at 6-12
miles (10-19 km) per day.

Exped AirMat 7.5 Pump DLX

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Exped
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL: http://www.exped.com

Listed Product Specs:
Weight: 31 oz (895 g)
Pack Sack: 0.5 oz (16 g)
Length: 72" (182 cm)
Width: 26" (65 cm)
Thickness: 3" (7.5 cm)
Packed Dimensions: 10" x 6" (25 cm x 16 cm)
Temperature: 52 F (11 C)

As Shipped:
Weight: 32.8 oz (931 g)
Pad: 31.6 oz (896 g)
Pack Sack: 0.7 oz (19 g)
Repair Kit: 0.6 oz (16 g)
Length: 74" (188 cm)
Width: 24.5" (62 cm)
Thickness: 3.5" (9 cm)
Packed Dimensions: 10" long X 5" diameter (25 cm x 13 cm)

Product Description:

The pad comes shipped in its stuff sack complete with a repair kit
and is constructed of a polyester fabric that is similar to ripstop
nylon in appearance, minus the slippery surface. The pad has a
total of eight baffles approximately 3.5" (9 cm) in diameter divided
into 2 separate air chambers. Two plastic deflation/inflation twist
lock valves are located at the foot of the pad. The integrated pump
has an open cell foam pad in its center and 2 flexible inflation
valves on the under side of the pad. There are two small sleeping
bag attachment loops at the foot of the pad, each 3" (7.6 cm) off of
the centerline for the pad. The stuff sack is constructed of
ripstop nylon and has a simple drawstring and cord lock closure with
a 1.5" (3.8 cm) wide handle on the bottom of the sack. The repair
kit comes in a small resealable bag and contains a 0.2oz (5 g)
aluminum tube of adhesive & two 3.5" (9 cm) by 5" (13 cm) patches.

Inflation:

Inflating the pad using the integrated pump took me a few tries to
figure out. The deflation valves must first be closed and the
inflation valve stops opened. Covering the inflation valve with my
foot and pressing downward forces the air trapped within the
pump through a one-way valve into the air chamber. Removing my
foot from the opening allows the foam to expand and the pump is
ready for another stomp. Describing the pump as a pillow is
misleading as it doesn't protrude much (if any) beyond the top plane
of the pad. It's really a pump that's integrated into the pad.
Once I got the hang of it, I could inflate the pad with very little
effort in less than a minute. I also have inflated the pad by
blowing air into it and found the effort required to be minimal and
was able to fully inflate the pad in just slightly over a minute.
Although I think the integrated pump design is quite clever, I
believe it to be an unnecessary luxury and the additional weight
this feature adds isn't worth the convenience.

Field Use:

I'm a warm sleeper and carry a 30 F (-1 C) Marmot Arroyo Long. When
the low temps are above 55 F (13 C), I sleep directly on the pad
utilizing my unzipped bag as a blanket and have experienced no
discomfort due to a cold pad. I have used the pad down to 25 F (-4 C
with my bag fully zipped, my Capilene 3s on, and a sock hat with
very little discomfort from the cold.

I'm a side sleeper and tend to sleep in what could be loosely
described as the fetal position with a wadded up jacket in between
my knees. The pad is plenty wide enough to accommodate this
position and I have found it very easy to keep on the pad throughout
the night. Sleeping comfortably is a priority for me and I am
pleased with this pad. On soft ground I have slept well with no
soreness. On hard rocky soil I learned the importance of getting
the pad inflation adjusted correctly. The adjustment valves are
located at the foot of the pad and my wife was quite annoyed by my
¡§adjusting¡¨ during the night. I now sleep with the foot of the
pad by my head to allow for quick and quiet adjustment. I have also
experienced one of the two air chambers going flat during the
night. It turned out that the deflation valve wasn't closed quite
tight enough allowing a very slow leak to ensue. I was too lazy to
figure that out at 2 AM, so I slept on the half of the mat that was
still inflated. It took quite a bit of care to not slip off it
during the night but it wasn't too burdensome. Overall I think the
pad is pretty comfortable for a backpacking air mattress although I
do get sore shoulders & hips when using it. My wife (112 lb / 51 kg)
finds the pad to be almost as good as a regular mattress and
experiences no soreness. If I were designing this pad I would
narrow it up, make it a mummy shape, and put all of the weight
savings into making the pad thicker. My quest for a stripped down
pad made of the lightest available materials yet thick enough to
keep me from getting sore shoulders & hips unfortunately continues
on.

Deflation of the pad is easy. I just open both deflation valves at
the foot of the pad, fold the mat along the long axis into quarters
and roll it up. I do have to put some effort in keeping the folds
of correct proportion while rolling it up. After I have it rolled
up, it slips easily into the stuff sack. I carry the pad on the
outside bottom of my pack; however it would pack easily on the
inside.

Summary:

All things considered, this pad is pretty comfortable given the
available alternatives; however I think the width is a little
excessive. I have recently purchased the Exped 7.5 AirMat which is
19" (48 cm) wide.

Things I like:
1. The piece of mind that comes with two separate air chambers
2. Anti slip fabric
3. Easy to inflate

Things I don't like:
1. Pad does not prevent my shoulders & hips from getting sore
2. The added weight from the pump
3. Pad width was wider than what I need

Respectfully submitted.

~derek

#-------------------

URL redirect to BGT:

http://tinyurl.com/ypfg4o

#-------------------

## OWNER REVIEW: TreeLine 40' Spectra 725 Line

#### DATE: December 1, 2007

![Spectra 725 Line Photo][1]

_Photo courtesy AntiGravityGear, LLC_

### TESTER INFORMATION

**Name**: Derek Hansen
**Age**: 32
**Gender**: Male
**Height**: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
**Weight**: 165 lb (75 kg)
**Email address**: derek(dee-oh-tee)hansen(at)mac(dee-oh-tee)com
**City, State, Country**: Alexandria, Virginia, USA


### BACKPACKING BACKGROUND

I began serious backpacking two years ago after becoming a Scoutmaster for a
local Boy
Scout troop. I overnight camp at least once a month with two or three week-long
high
adventure treks every year. I keep my week-long pack under 30 lb (13 kg),
including
consumables. I use a hammock year-round.


### PRODUCT INFORMATION

**Manufacturer**: AntiGravityGear, LLC
**Year of Manufacture**: 2007
**URL**: http://www.antigravitygear.com
**Weight listed** (rope and storage bag): 1 oz (28 g)
**Weight measured**: 1 oz (28 g)
**Rope length listed**: 40 ft (12.2 m)
**Rope length measured**: 40 ft (12.2 m)
**Rope thickness measured**: 0.125 in (0.32 cm)
**Bag dimensions measured**: 6.25 x 3 in (15.8 x 7.6 cm)
**Rope breaking strength listed**: 725 lb (329 kg)
**MSRP**: $18.95


### PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The _TreeLine 40' Spectra 725 Line_ is a 40 ft (12.2 m) length of strong,
lightweight
synthetic rope stored in a small 6.25 x 3 in (15.8 x 7.6 cm) silicon-impregnated
nylon
sack. The line is primarily used to hang a bear bag, but can be used for other
purposes
such as pitching a tarp or a line for drying clothes. The rope has a listed
breaking strength
of 726 lb (329 kg). The storage sack comes with a black cord lock and the rope
is fed
through the stuff sack loop and back through the cord lock. The storage sack can
double
as a throw bag.

The rope and storage sack came in an unassuming white box with an
AntiGravityGear
sticker affixed.  The rope was neatly coiled inside the storage sack. My product
differed
from what was listed on the website in that the rope received was white (as
opposed to
charcoal) and the nylon sack was black (as opposed to white).

### FIELD USE CONDITIONS

I have used the _TreeLine 40' Spectra 725 Line_ on all of my backpacking treks
in 2007 to
hang my bear bag (30+ uses). I have used this line at elevations from sea level
to 6851 ft
(2088 m) and in temperatures ranging from 20 to 100 F (-6 to 38 C) and in clear,
rainy,
and humid conditions.

Before I used this rope out on a trek, I experimented in my 209 sq ft (19 sq m)
back yard
where I tried multi-day "dead-hang" bear bags ranging in weight from 1 lb (0.5
kg) to 10
lb (4 kg) at an elevation of 50 ft (15 m) in the same temperatures and
conditions listed
above.

My average bear bag on a trek weighed 4 lb (1.8 kg) which included food, trash,
cook gear,
first aid kit, hygiene kit, and other "smellable" items.


### FIELD USE RESULTS

I was looking for a strong yet lightweight rope to hang my bear bag during my
backpacking adventures. Rope for hanging a bear bag gets a lot of use and abuse,
and I've
used everything from military-grade "550" cord to cheap braided plastic to get
the job
done. When I received my TreeLine rope in the mail I was shocked by its small
footprint
and weight, or lack thereof. I really doubted if there was 40 ft (12.2 m) of
rope tucked
away in the storage sack, but I turned quick convert once I pulled out the
long--but
minimalist--white cord from the sack.

When I hang a bear bag, I typically use the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT) Method
which is a little
more complex than simply tying the cord off to an adjacent tree. The PCT Method
uses a
small carabiner and a pencil-size twig as a toggle to keep the bear bag above
the critters.
I used this method using the line in various conditions in my backyard before I
felt
comfortable taking it out into the field.

It was difficult to get a firm grip on the rope in wet and rainy conditions, and
I found that
the weight of the bear bag directly influenced this measurement. The heavier the
bear bag,
the more the cord slipped in my hand while hanging the bag. This may seem like
an
obvious correlation, but even compared to other synthetic rope, the flat-weave
of the
Spectra line greatly reduced my gripping ability.

My test 10 lb (4 kg) bear bag was a monster to pull up. I had to wrap the cord
several
times around my hands in order to get a firm grip. With great effort (and lots
of practice), I
was able to tie a clove hitch toggle for the PCT Method and let the cord lose to
let the bag
hang. Once hung, however, the cord performed flawlessly. I let my test 10 lb (4
kg) bear
bag hang just under 36 hours and noticed no slippage or movement due to rain or
moisture. Getting this heavy bag down, however, was also an issue: I had to wrap
the flat-
weave cord around my hands multiple times to get the bag down.

My test 4 lb (1.8 kg) bear bag was very easy to hang using the Spectra cord. I
also tried
this weight in rainy conditions, but I did not have any problem getting a grip
on the line
and tying off the toggle to hang the bag. I found that the optimal hang weight
for this
cord was under 8 lb (4 kg). Anything heavier and I would want to wear gloves in
order to
get a good grip on the cord.

I never tried the Spectra's breaking weight of 725 lb (329 kg). I hope my bear
bag never
weighs that much!

Whether using my light- or heavyweight bear bag, however, I noticed how
effortlessly the
Spectra cord ran over the tree branches. Hot or cold, wet or dry, the line slid
across the
branch without snagging or cutting. Even after months of use, the cord does not
show
signs of fraying.

The stuff sack, however, was not built for long-term durability. The
feather-weight
silicon-impregnated rip-stop nylon is wonderful for weight, but after six-months
of use, I
finally managed to rip two holes near the bottom. The holes came from using the
rope
storage sack as a throw bag. The website recommends the "storage bag...is made
to use
with a rock weight for throwing over tree limbs." This is a great second use for
the sack,
but I have never been able to find smooth, marble-shaped rocks in the field, and
the ones
I have been using finally wore a hole.

The other issue I had with the storage bag was how the line doubled as the bag's
cinch
cord and was fed through the cord lock. At first I thought this was an ingenious
solution
and minimalist approach to an all-in-one solution. In use, however, I found this
more of a
nuisance. It was difficult to feed the line through the cord lock to open and
close the bag.
I finally cut the line and used a small portion just for the storage sack and
cord lock,
leaving the rest of the line free.


### SUMMARY

The _TreeLine 40' Spectra 725 Line_ by AntiGravityGear, LLC, is an excellent
lightweight
line that is great for hanging a bear bag or other camp uses (e.g., tarp/tent
guy-lines, tie-
downs, laundry line, etc.). The light, flat weave cord takes some getting used
to due to its
slippery feel, but it glides easily over rough bark and doesn't snag. The
storage bag makes
a handy throw bag and keeps the kit self-contained.


### ROSES

1. Lightweight.
2. Cord-locked storage bag doubles as throw bag.
3. Rope is smooth and does not snag on tree branches.


### THORNS

1. Rope is slick and passes through hands easily.
2. Storage bag durability sacrificed for weight.
3. Rope line is used as bag cinch line.


[1]: PRSH-treeline300.jpg

Owner Review: Black Diamond Icon Headlamp
   Date:  December 2, 2007

   Name:  Ken Norris
   Age:  30
   Gender:  Male
   Height:  5’ 5” (1.65 Meters)
   Weight: 170 Pounds (77 Kilograms)
   Email address:  kenjennorris@...
   City, State, Country:  Carnation, Washington, USA
   Backpacking Background:   I have been hiking and backpacking for the past ten
years, going on the occasional overnighter or day hike.  In the past year or so,
I have begun night hiking and long day hikes (twenty miles or more).  These
trips center on Washington’s Central Cascades, supplemented with some trips into
Oregon’s gorge and outback regions – terrain characterized by steep inclines and
“moist” conditions.


   Test Conditions:  The primary test conditions were done in the Central
Washington Cascades.  Moderate temperatures: spring, summer, and from down to 30
F (-1.10 C) up to 85 F (30 C).  Typically a wet climate.  Always at night (for
obvious reasons).  Most of the trekking occurred on steep trails on varying
terrain, from soft pack trails to scree fields.  Some excursions consisted of
night-long hikes of ten miles or more and trail runs, varying from clear moonlit
nights to fog-socked blindness of only eight feet of visibility.

   Product Information:
   Manufacturer: Black Diamond
   Model: Icon
   URL: www.bdel.com
   Bulb type: 1-3 watt LED/4-superbright LEDs
   Weight (w/ batteries): 6.6 ounces / 0.19 kilograms
   Dimensions 2 x 1.4 x 1.25 inches / 5.08 cm x 3.56 cm x 3.17 cm
   Maximum beam distance:  High: 100 meter (328 ' 1.01 '') / low: 50 meters (164
' 0.50 '')           (per the manufacturer)
   Brightness levels: 6
   Beam type: Fixed / focused
   Strobes: 1
   Battery life: at 70 degrees F (21.11 C)  High: 80 / low: 140 hours (per the
manufacturer)
   Batteries: 3 AA (included)
   MSRP: $60 USD

   Product Description:
   The headlamp comes with typical features, like a headband and a strap that
crosses over the top of the head – all of which are adjustable (the top strap is
easily removed).  Plastic parts are a light gray, while the elastic bands are
black with a white design.  A cord runs from the battery pack (attached at the
back) along the right side of the head to the bulbs at the front.  The bulb
housing at the front is vertically adjustable to seven different positions.  A
single button on the bottom of the bulb housing activates either the 3-watt LED
beam or the four 1-watt LEDs that frame the 3-watt bulb.  Fully depressing this
button switches between the beam or the four 1-watt LEDs (NOTE:  all five beams
may not be activated simultaneously).  Slightly depressing this button within a
particular mode changes the brightness level:  three levels for the 3-watt beam,
four levels for the four 1-watt lights (one of these levels is the strobe, which
causes the four 1-watt LEDs to
  blink).

   Key Features: Here are some of the key features:

   - removable top strap

   - compatible with helmets

   - six brightness levels

   - excellent battery life

   - one strobe setting


   Summary
   I have used the Icon for eight months, taking it on numerous trips and even
storing it in my glove box in anticipation of a flat tire.  My first experience
with the Icon occurred on Rattlesnake Ridge, a popular day hike through dense
woods and on to a granite ridge.  I experimented with both the four 1-watt LEDs
and the one 3-watt LED.  I quickly realized that the four 1-watt setting worked
for hill climbing, as long as the pace is mild and there is no competing light
source.  The 3-watt setting provided a focused beam about four feet wide (1.22
m) that allowed me to pick up the pace.

   This first excursion prompted me to revisit Rattlesnake Ridge for a longer
trek – 12 miles (19.32 km) and over one thousand feet (305 m) of elevation gain
in a dense fog.  With visibility at a minimum (about eight feet [2.44 m] thanks
to the fog), I discovered the versatility of the Icon.  In order to get my
bearings, I would use the four 1-watt setting.  It lit up my immediate area. 
But when it came to keeping track of the trail, the 3-watt setting was optimum:
it cut through the fog to the greatest degree possible considering the
circumstances.

   The four 1-watt LEDs proved their usefulness yet again during a trip to
Montana in the Bozeman area.  I was crewing for some friends’ adventure racing
team, so I had to set up camp at a new location every day, often at night.  The
Icon made setting up my tent in terrain I had not seen during the day easy.  At
one point I arrived at a trailhead at around ten p.m.  I noticed some tents
silhouetted thirty yards (27.43 m) from the parking lot.  The Icon helped me
find a level area without waking up other teams, thanks to the lowest brightness
setting.  At another leg of this experience I used the brightest setting of the
four 1-watt LEDs in order to read a book.
   My second extended use of the Icon (the first being my traverse of Rattlesnake
Ridge) was on a section of the Pacific Crest Trail by Snoqualmie Pass in the
Central Cascades.  Because we hiked through the night, I had the Icon on for
about ten hours.  This time I reached an elevation of roughly six thousand feet,
which meant negotiating rough trails that required some trail blazing and
finding secure footing in scree.  The Icon proved itself a comfort.  I never
once felt that the darkness was an issue, even when the trail seemed to
disappear or finding my footing required a keen eye for potentially loose rocks.
This trip also opened my eyes to the ease with which the Icon fits over a hat –
the bill did not interfere with the quality of the beam directly below thanks to
the seven vertical positions.

   My successes with the Icon even prompted me to try it as a bike light.  Sadly,
the 3-watt beam just is not wide enough, nor does it project far enough for the
quick speeds associated with downhill mountain biking at night . . . but I
digress from the realm of hiking and backpacking.

   I used the Icon with this same set of three Duracell batteries on at least
three times the number of adventures I have described so far.  I never noticed a
change in brightness.  In fact, the indicator light on the battery pack
continued to register green – the highest level – up until the point that I
installed new batteries out of a sense of curiosity.  There was no difference in
brightness between these new batteries and the old.  I estimate I have used the
original batteries between thirty and forty hours, yet the green light continues
to burn.  Amazing.

   Things I Like:

   The comfortable elastic straps (I forget I’m wearing it, even while I run).

   The 3-watt LED

   All seven vertical positions

   Long battery life


   Things I don’t like:

   The large battery pack

   Not being able to activate all five lights simultaneously


   Recap:
   I continue to marvel at the brightness of the Icon, coupled with its battery
life.  I’ve set up tents with it in total darkness by myself.  I’ve tested its
endurance during night long hikes; it never lessened in its brightness despite
constantly being on.  I’ve hiked in conditions of near zero visibility due to
fog, and the Icon pierced through the vapors.


---------------------------------
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites.  Make Yahoo! your homepage.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Owner Review: Black Diamond Icon Headlamp

Date:  December 1, 2007

Name:  Ken Norris
Age:  30
Gender:  Male
Height:  5' 5" (1.65 Meters)
Weight: 170 Pounds (77 Kilograms)
Email address:  kenjennorris@...
City, State, Country:  Carnation, Washington, USA
Backpacking Background:   I have been hiking and backpacking for the
past ten years, going on the occasional overnighter or day hike.  In
the past year or so, I have begun night hiking and long day hikes
(twenty miles or more).  These trips center on Washington's Central
Cascades, supplemented with some trips into Oregon's gorge and
outback regions – terrain characterized by steep inclines and "moist"
conditions.


Test Conditions:  The primary test conditions were done in the
Central Washington Cascades.  Moderate temperatures: spring, summer,
and from down to 30 F (-1.10 C) up to 85 F (30 C).  Typically a wet
climate.  Always at night (for obvious reasons).  Most of the
trekking occurred on steep trails on varying terrain, from soft pack
trails to scree fields.  Some excursions consisted of night-long
hikes of ten miles or more and trail runs, varying from clear moonlit
nights to fog-socked blindness of only eight feet of visibility.

Product Information:
Manufacturer: Black Diamond
Model: Icon
URL: www.bdel.com
Bulb type: 1-3 watt LED/4-superbright LEDs
Weight (w/ batteries): 6.6 ounces / 0.19 kilograms
Dimensions 2 x 1.4 x 1.25 inches / 5.08 cm x 3.56 cm x 3.17 cm
Maximum beam distance:  High: 100 meter (328 ' 1.01 '') / low: 50
meters (164 ' 0.50 '')  (per the manufacturer)
Brightness levels: 6
Beam type: Fixed / focused
Strobes: 1
Battery life: at 70 degrees F (21.11 C)  High: 80 / low: 140 hours
(per the manufacturer)
Batteries: 3 AA (included)
MSRP: $60 USD

Product Description:
The headlamp comes with typical features, like a headband and a strap
that crosses over the top of the head – all of which are adjustable
(the top strap is easily removed).  Plastic parts are a light gray,
while the elastic bands are black with a white design.  A cord runs
from the battery pack (attached at the back) along the right side of
the head to the bulbs at the front.  The bulb housing at the front is
vertically adjustable to seven different positions.  A single button
on the bottom of the bulb housing activates either the 3-watt LED
beam or the four 1-watt LEDs that frame the 3-watt bulb.  Fully
depressing this button switches between the beam or the four 1-watt
LEDs (NOTE:  all five beams may not be activated simultaneously).
Slightly depressing this button within a particular mode changes the
brightness level:  three levels for the 3-watt beam, four levels for
the four 1-watt lights (one of these levels is the strobe, which
causes the four 1-watt LEDs to blink).

Key Features: Here are some of the key features:

- removable top strap

- compatible with helmets

- six brightness levels

- excellent battery life

- one strobe setting


Summary

I have used the Icon for eight months, taking it on numerous trips
and even storing it in my glove box in anticipation of a flat tire.
My first experience with the Icon occurred on Rattlesnake Ridge, a
popular day hike through dense woods and on to a granite ridge.  I
experimented with both the four 1-watt LEDs and the one 3-watt LED.
I quickly realized that the four 1-watt setting worked for hill
climbing, as long as the pace is mild and there is no competing light
source.  The 3-watt setting provided a focused beam about four feet
wide (1.22 m) that allowed me to pick up the pace.

This first excursion prompted me to revisit Rattlesnake Ridge for a
longer trek – 12 miles (19.32 km) and over one thousand feet (305 m)
of elevation gain in a dense fog.  With visibility at a minimum
(about eight feet [2.44 m] thanks to the fog), I discovered the
versatility of the Icon.  In order to get my bearings, I would use
the four 1-watt setting.  It lit up my immediate area.  But when it
came to keeping track of the trail, the 3-watt setting was optimum:
it cut through the fog to the greatest degree possible considering
the circumstances.

The four 1-watt LEDs proved their usefulness yet again during a trip
to Montana in the Bozeman area.  I was crewing for some friends'
adventure racing team, so I had to set up camp at a new location
every day, often at night.  The Icon made setting up my tent in
terrain I had not seen during the day easy.  At one point I arrived
at a trailhead at around ten p.m.  I noticed some tents silhouetted
thirty yards (27.43 m) from the parking lot.  The Icon helped me find
a level area without waking up other teams, thanks to the lowest
brightness setting.  At another leg of this experience I used the
brightest setting of the four 1-watt LEDs in order to read a book.
My second extended use of the Icon (the first being my traverse of
Rattlesnake Ridge) was on a section of the Pacific Crest Trail by
Snoqualmie Pass in the Central Cascades.  Because we hiked through
the night, I had the Icon on for about ten hours.  This time I
reached an elevation of roughly six thousand feet, which meant
negotiating rough trails that required some trail blazing and finding
secure footing in scree.  The Icon proved itself a comfort.  I never
once felt that the darkness was an issue, even when the trail seemed
to disappear or finding my footing required a keen eye for
potentially loose rocks.  This trip also opened my eyes to the ease
with which the Icon fits over a hat – the bill did not interfere with
the quality of the beam directly below thanks to the seven vertical
positions.

My successes with the Icon even prompted me to try it as a bike
light.  Sadly, the 3-watt beam just is not wide enough, nor does it
project far enough for the quick speeds associated with downhill
mountain biking at night . . . but I digress from the realm of hiking
and backpacking.

I used the Icon with this same set of three Duracell batteries on at
least three times the number of adventures I have described so far.
I never noticed a change in brightness.  In fact, the indicator light
on the battery pack continued to register green – the highest level –
up until the point that I installed new batteries out of a sense of
curiosity.  There was no difference in brightness between these new
batteries and the old.  I estimate I have used the original batteries
between thirty and forty hours, yet the green light continues to
burn.  Amazing.

Things I Like:

The comfortable elastic straps (I forget I'm wearing it, even while I
run).

The 3-watt LED

All seven vertical positions

Long battery life


Things I don't like:

The large battery pack

Not being able to activate all five lights simultaneously


Recap:
I continue to marvel at the brightness of the Icon, coupled with its
battery life.  I've set up tents with it in total darkness by
myself.  I've tested its endurance during night long hikes; it never
lessened in its brightness despite constantly being on.  I've hiked
in conditions of near zero visibility due to fog, and the Icon
pierced through the vapors.

Hi Brian,

Much better, it looks good. I found a few edits and once they are
corrected you can repost here. You can also put a HTML copy in the
Owner Review Test Folder. It is found at the end of the list of
reviews on the main page or here;
http://tinyurl.com/4mfwa

The free BGT Report Writer for HTML creation may be found here;

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/lesson.php?lesson=RR&page=1

If you require assistance with your upload, please ask in our Yahoo!
support group,

BGTFileUploadHelp @

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BGTFileUploadHelp/?yguid=209560176


Please let me have a link to the review or at least the name once you
have it uploaded.

Ray




***Date: 11/09/07

EDIT: since you have the date above this one does not need to be
here. If you would like to keep it the date should be spelled out as
you did above.



***The repair kit comes in a small resealable bag and contains a
0.2oz (5 g)

EDIT: needs a space before "oz"



***I'm a warm sleeper and carry a 30 F (-1 C) Marmot Arroyo Long.

Edit: you should probably say that it is a sleeping bag and
the "long" is not capitalized. (Marmot Arroyo long sleeping bag)

Address of HTML version on BPGT.org:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/OR%20-
%20Exped%20DownMat%207%20Short/

Thanks in advance for the review!
~Christopher



EXPED DOWNMAT 7 SHORT
BY CHRISTOPHER NICOLAI
OR
November 01, 2007

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Christopher Nicolai
EMAIL: thebootfitters at yahoo dot com
AGE: 32
LOCATION: Seattle, Washington & Minneapolis, Minn
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 11" (1.80 m)
WEIGHT: 175 lb (79.40 kg)

I have been backpacking for 10+ years in locales from Chile to
Alaska.  I have experienced temps from -30 F (-34 C) to 100 F (38
C),  heavy precipitation in virtually all forms, and winds exceeding
75 mph (120 km/h) - in everything from desert to rainforest to
glaciated peaks.

Most of my trips are 1-4 nights climbing/backpacking <15 miles/day
(<24km/day) in the Pacific Northwest mountains or canoeing in
Northern Minnesota.  I prefer to pack a tarp and minimal gear (<20
lbs / <9 kg) for backpacking, but may carry twice that on alpine
climbs or winter trips to accommodate suitable gear and shelter.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Exped
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Manufacturer's Website: <<HYPERLINK GOES HERE -
  "http://www.exped.com/" LINK TEXT = "http://www.exped.com/">>
MSRP: US$130
Listed Weight: Pad -- 20 oz (580 g) ; Stuff sack -- 4 oz (100 g)
Measured Weight: Pad -- 21.1 oz (597 g) ; Stuff sack -- 3.7 oz (104
g)
Listed Dimensions: Pad -- 47" L x 20" W x 2.8" H (120cm L x 52cm W x
7cm H)
Measured Dimensions: Pad (when flat) -- 47" L x 24.5" W (119cm L x
62cm W) -- including 0.5" (1.3cm) seams on each side
                                             Pad (when fully
inflated) -- 46" L x 20.5" W x 3.1" H (117cm L x 52cm W x 8cm H) --
excluding seams on sides
Listed R-value:  5.9
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Exped DownMat 7 Short">>


DETAILED PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

STUFF SACK
--------------------
The Exped DownMat 7 Short comes packaged in its own dark navy blue,
heavy-duty roll top cylindrical stuff sack (6"  diameter x 17"
length -- 15 cm x 43cm)  that doubles as an air pump to fill the
sleeping pad.

The bottom of the stuff sack has a one-way air valve with a 0.75" (2
cm) diameter opening in the center.  This air valve is designed to
fit snugly over the intake valves on the pad itself.  The air valve
on the stuff sack is protected by a plug that is attached in the
middle of a 1.5" (4 cm) strip of fabric sewn to the outside of the
circumference of the bottom of the stuff sack.

The top opening of the stuff sack is lined around the outside with a
0.75" (2 cm) piece of flat webbing.  On opposite sides of the
opening, the two ends of a quick-release buckle are secured that
allows the top to roll down and buckle in the fashion of many water-
resistant stuff sacks and roll bags.  Finally, the bottom 7" (18 cm)
of the sack has a 0.25" (0.5 cm) thick piece of open cell foam
lining the inside perimeter of the sack to assist in maintaining an
open cylinder shape when using the sack as an air pump to fill the
pad.

The stuffed size of the sack with the rolled-up pad inside is about
6" diameter x 11" height (15 cm x 28 cm).

DOWNMAT 7
------------------
The pad itself comes packaged folded into thirds down the length of
the pad, with nearly all air removed and rolled up tightly.  Upon
unrolling and unfolding, the pad appears quite flat.  Opening either
or both of the wide-mouth intake valves at the corners of the pad
near the head allow it to start self-inflating slightly.

The top of the pad is a dark navy laminated polyester fabric with a
slip-resistant honeycomb texture.  The bottom of the pad is a flat
grey fabric.  There are two small loops at the head end of the pad
spaced about 10" (25 cm) apart are designed to secure a pillow via
cord or straps.  According to the manufacture's website, the pad is
filled with 5 oz (130 g) of 700-fill goose down, treated with Nocar
to eliminate the effects of humidity that may reach the pad`s
interior.

Seven baffles run nearly the full length of the pad, spaced
approximately 3" (7.5 cm) apart, giving the inflated pad the
appearance of a puffy down coat or sleeping bag.  The baffles are
designed to prevent down from shifting excessively within the pad.
Strips of open cell foam run the width of the pad at either end to
prevent down from escaping or shifting to other chambers.

Two wide-mouth intake valves stick out at the head of the pad, about
2" (5 cm) from either corner.  Though there are two valves, the
entire pad can be filled using only one of the valves.  The valves
are 0.75" (2 cm) in diameter and stick out 1" (2.5 cm) from the pad
when closed.  They open and close with a quarter-turn and "lock"
shut with a slight click action to ensure they are closed tightly.

INCLUDED ITEMS
--------------------------
Care and use instructions are printed in several different languages
and are attached to the stuff sack.  A small bag is also included
that contains two 4" x 5" (10 cm x 13 cm) swatches of fabric -- one
that matches the top of the pad and one that matches the bottom.  A
small tube of textile glue is included in this bag.  The fabric
swatches and glue are designed to repair punctures or tears.





USAGE DESCRIPTION

The stuff sack is designed to act as a pump to fill the pad with
air.  (Note that because the pads are filled with down, filling the
pads with breath should be avoided, as this will introduce moisture
to the down and diminish the insulative value.)  The one-way valve
in the center of the bottom end of the stuff sack fits snugly over
either of the air intake valves on the pad.

With the one-way valve on the stuff sack secured to one of the air
intake valves on the pad, the open end of the stuff sack can be
opened to fill the sack with air.  The open end can then be rolled
toward the bottom end, forcing air through the one-way valve and
filling the pad with air.

If the pad is allowed to sit for a period of time with the valves
open to self-inflate slightly before using the stuff sack as a pump,
it takes approximately four full sacks full of air to completely
fill the pad.  If the pad has just been taken out of the stuff sack
and has not had an opportunity to self-inflate, it takes
approximately seven full sacks of air to fill the pad.  Each full
pump from the stuff sack takes me approximately 10 seconds to
inflate the sack and force the air into the pad in a room-
temperature interior environment.  Depending on conditions, it may
take slightly longer in the field.

Generally, the stuff sack will stay attached to the valve during the
pumping process, provided that care is taken when securing the two
together prior to filling.  However, if air is forced too quickly
through the valve, the pressure may be too great, and the stuff sack
may detach.  Some air may escape the pad before the valve can be
closed and the stuff sack re-attached.  This has happened to me on a
few occasions in field use.   Avoid forcing air too quickly into the
pad.

Before removing the stuff sack from the valve, it is important to
twist the valve closed with the stuff sack still attached.  This
prevents air from escaping and allows the pad to remain fully
inflated.  Of course, the valves can always be opened momentarily to
release a small amount of air for comfort.

When stuffing the pad back into the sack, the manufacturer
recommends to open both valves first, then roll the pad at full
width from the foot to the head to force air out of the valves.
Next, close the valves on the pad and unroll it.  Fold it into half
or thirds along the length of the pad and then roll it tightly
toward the head.  When it is nearly rolled up, open the valves to
release the remaining air, close the valves and insert it into the
stuff sack.  This process takes me less than 60 seconds in a room-
temperature interior environment.  Again, it may take longer in the
field depending upon conditions.

FIELD USE

I have owned and used this pad for less than a year, but have used
it in the following varied conditions:
* Multiple uses on my hardwood bedroom floor (to test comfort and
usability)
* Multiple uses on a wooden deck in a backyard, under the stars.
Overnight lows between 50 F (10 C) and 75 F (24 C).
* Multiple uses on the ground, with and without a ground sheet
underneath, under the stars.  Overnight lows between 20 F (-7 C) and
75 F (24 C).
* In the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota, inside a tent
pitched on a large rock.  Overnight lows of approximately 35 F (2 C).
* Multiple trips on the flanks of glaciated peaks, inside a tent
pitched on cold ground, snow, or ice.  Elevations up to 10,000 ft
(3,050 M).  Overnight lows several degrees below freezing.
Significant precipitation (snow/sleet/rain) on one trip.
* Multiple nights inside the Camp Muir shelter on a wooden
platform.  Overnight low inside the shelter approximately 45 F (7 C).
* In a Hennessy Hammock hanging between two trees.  Overnight lows
approximately 20 F (-7 C).

Thus far, I have been extremely satisfied with the performance of
the Exped DownMat 7.  I have owned and used nearly a dozen different
styles of sleeping pads over the years, and I find this pad to be by
far the most comfortable and warmest of any others I have used.
Because of the small packed size and relatively light weight
(considering the warmth), it has become my pad of choice for any
backpacking outing in any and all conditions.

There are several different sizes of Exped DownMats, but I opted for
this particular size to minimize weight and space in the pack.  I
find that the small size makes it easy to fill the pad with air --
even in a small, cramped tent. -- as it must be laid out flat in
order to pump efficiently.  I typically use the stuff sack filled
with a small amount of clothing off the head of the pad for a
pillow.  I lay my pack, clothing, or any other insulative article of
gear at the foot of the pad for my feet.  I have not yet gotten cold
with this system.  Based on previous experience in cold
temperatures, I am confident that I would be comfortable to
temperatures far below the freezing point with this same system.

Initially, I was concerned that the fabric would be susceptible to
damage that would cause air to leak out of the pad, but it has
proven to be quite durable.  I have used it on bare ground without a
ground cloth with only slight dirt stains to show, which were
subsequently wiped off with a moist cloth at home.  The included
patch kit offers a bit of insurance if anything ever did happen.

The fact that the down is completely sealed inside a waterproof
fabric is reassuring when using the pad in wet conditions.  On one
occasion, the floor of my tent had small puddles of water due to
melting snow and moisture entering through the door when entering
and exiting the tent, but I slept soundly knowing that my insulation
beneath me would not be compromised from the moisture.  The pad has
also survived spills of hot beverages around camp, with no
compromise of the insulation inside.

Prior to using the pad, I was concerned about the additional time
required to fill it with air using the stuff sack.  However, through
experience I have found it usually takes less than two minutes in
field conditions to fill the pad with air, and less than two minutes
to deflate and stuff the pad back into its stuff sack.  It is more
work than simply unrolling a closed-cell pad, but the small amount
of additional time has been more than offset by the greater warmth
and comfort, in my eyes.

On one of my first outings with the pad, we set up our tent in
blowing snow.  My two tentmates had self-inflating pads.  I was
amazed at how comfortably and soundly I slept through the night, and
expressed to my partners my extreme satisfaction with my new piece
of gear.  They both glared back at me while rubbing the kinks out of
their backs and complaining of being cold throughout the night.

I have found the pad to make a very comfortable and insulative chair
when used in conjunction with a sleeping pad to chair conversion
kit.  (Exped sells their own version of a conversion kit, but I have
used it successfully with a Thermarest kit.)  I have never sat in
camp in that great of comfort!

SUMMARY

In summary, I have been extremely happy with this product.  It meets
or exceeds all my expectations I had of the product when purchasing
it.  I intend to continue to use it for the foreseeable future for
nearly all my overnight outings in which I carry my gear on my back
to the destination.  The extreme comfort and insulation are worth
the few compromises I have noted here.

PROS / CONS

PROS:  Extreme comfort and insulation.  Great comfort-to-weight
ratio.  Small packed size and compressibility mean it can be kept
with a sleeping bag in one stuff sack.  Waterproofness and
durability mean it can be used in a variety of conditions with
little worry.

CONS:  The additional time needed to inflate and deflate.  The fact
that it must be used in conjunction with the stuff sack or pillow
pump accessory to inflate and the occasional inconvenience when the
stuff sack slips off the intake valve.  The smaller size of a short
pad means that other insulation must be improvised for the lower
body.  However, it should be noted that these were all compromises
that I intentionally made and feel that they are outweighed by the
benefits of using the pad.



This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.

http://snipurl.com/1un14

Owner Review - Gerber Diesel Multi-Plier with Tool Kit

Date: November 17, 2007
Tester Information:
Name: Jesse Fister
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 11" (1.8 m)
Weight: 168 lb (76 kg)
Email address: Mako_tree at Yahoo DOT com
City, State, Country: Missoula, Montana, USA
Backpacking Background: I have been a hunter and a fisherman since my
youth. I currently study wilderness preparation and survival. I often
backpack with minimal gear weighing less than 20 lb (9 kg). As life
permits, I try to get into the wilderness practicing my skills
multiple times per week. I have backpacked all over Montana, including
many beautiful high mountain lakes. I have also lived out of a
backpack in Europe, parts of Brazil, and the Amazon basin. I enjoy
lightweight backpacking in any environment and sometimes experience
harsh survival situations with minimal gear.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Gerber Gear
URL: http://www.fiskars.com
Year of Manufacture: I bought two of these tools, one in 2005 and
another in 2007
Total Measured Length: 4.87 in (12.38 cm)
Measured Length Closed: 6.56 in (16.66 cm)
Measured Weight: 8.6 oz (244 g)
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Sheath Material: Ballistic Nylon
MSRP: N/A
Included Tools:

Tools: Needle-nose pliers; wire cutter; wire crimper; half serrated
knife blade; cross point screwdriver; small, medium and large flat
blade screwdrivers; can opener; bottle opener; file; saw and scissors.

Toolkit Accessories: Small, medium and large flat blade screwdriver;
four sided screwdriver; torx driver and adaptor (special adaptor tool
on multi-tool).
Gerber_1 Gerber_2

Gerber_sheathed_1 Gerber_sheathed_2

Multi_kit_1 Multi_kit_2

Product Description:

The Gerber Diesel is a stainless steel multi-tool. This blade has
accompanied me through mud, blood, water, dirt and all varieties of
weather and has yet to fail me. It has a ballistic nylon sheath with
attractively sits the multi-tool safely on my belt. I also bought the
optional tool kit for this knife.

Product Review:

I have used this multi-tool on almost every camping trip I have been
on in the past couple of year. I have also brought it with me for
urban use and construction. The multi-tool has seen all varieties of
environments and conditions. The buttons on the side this tool's
handle provide a sliding mechanism that draws the plier tool along the
length of the tool when pinched and guided. It can also be pushed
forward or "flicked" open with the wrist. Either way, it brings the
pliers into a locked and usable position. The handle rails then become
the handles, and the pliers are ready for work. Bringing the pliers
forward allows the other tools to become accessible by pulling the two
handles away from each other and releasing the tools from the inside.
It is like a variation on the original Leatherman style multi-tool
concept for anyone who is familiar with that.

The tools have a locking mechanism at the end of both handles for
safety that is easy to use. I open whichever tool is desired and it
automatically snaps into a locked position when fully opened. I then
pull the lock mechanism down to release its hold on the tool and
return the tool to the closed and compact position. I find this task
very easy to do, especially since I have had practice. My only
complaint is that that the plier must be extended and opened to access
the tools. This however could be considered a positive feature, as it
provides a very comfortable and safe handle, especially when using the
pliers, because the tools have no way of opening on the hand, and the
odd tool shapes do not dig into the hand.

I bought this multi-tool with backpacking and survival in mind. My
ideal multi-tool would contain a blade, saw, scissors, file, pliers
and an awl. Of multi-tools I have seen, the Diesel comes the closest
to my requirements, missing only the awl. The four main tools (blade,
saw, scissors and file) have an indented mark on the side of the
handles showing which tool rests there. They are all the easiest to
access because they are opened from the side of the multi-tool. The
other tools are more difficult to access because they require opening
the outside tools to access them. These tools all work wonderfully,
and better than most that I have seen.
The multi-tool blade has the lower half serrated with a kind of
triangular tooth. This blade is very, very factory sharp, is easy to
sharpen and works well. The serrations cut through wood, especially
softwood sticks with ease. The blade is not impressively strong
however, and I broke the very tip off my first Gerber Diesel blade
trying to pry a little piece of bark off a branch I was carving. It
sharpened out easily, and then I had a functional blade with a rounded
tip.

As far as my survival and camping experience goes and for all my small
work (detailed carving, skinning animals, cutting rope, cutting small
branches (especially green ones)), this blade is it! I was very
impressed by its usefulness, sharpness and ability to do the small
work. The various other small tasks that this blade performs stand
this multi-tool above many others. Since it is all stainless it will
not easily rust.

The other tools have worked well for me as well. The needle-nose
pliers, wire clippers, and scissors all work perfectly, just as I
expected that they should. I have been very impressed by them. I use
the needle-nose pliers with wire clippers to lift my cooking can out
of the fire, to strip or clip small wire, to break twigs, to fold tin
edges over safely, to get fish-hooks out and any other task involving
pinching, prying, snipping, clipping, holding, folding or crushing.
The tip is slightly magnetic, and I have used it to magnetize a sewing
needle for an improvised compass.

The scissors have skinned game, cut cloth and leather, cut rope and
cordage and various other small cutting tasks. They have retained
their sharpness well. I am especially impressed by how well the
scissors were able to cut cloth and leather after lots of use.

The file is excellent, with the sides each having a different
roughness. It has gotten use in rounding corners on wood, filing my
finger and toe-nails down (in lieu of clippers), filing bone and
performing other tasks such as sanding down knobs on wooden tools.

Many saws on commercial multi-tools that I have used do not perform
very well, but this saw is amongst the best that I have used. It has
tri-dimensional triangular alternating teeth (whew!) on both sides
with sharp small teeth at the base of each larger tooth. I have no
trouble whatsoever going through small wood, bone or other similar
materials. All the tools in both of the Gerber Diesel Tools that I own
have functioned smoothly and functionally beyond my expectations.

And it is not just useful in the woods. If it is construction work, or
anything similar, this is my multi-tool of choice; especially with the
tool kit. The tool kit has the nine most common screw drivers with an
adapter that makes them works well, and gets me by as the "if I only
had one choice" tool. This adapter connects the toolkit accessories
onto the large flat-blade screwdriver tool of the multi-tool for use.
One small problem that I have encountered with the tool kit is that
the tools fit tightly into their rubber slots, and can be difficult to
remove. Also, the toolkit fits into the front pocket of the
multi-tool, but awkwardly so. It adds weight to the multi-tool and
creates a sort of "bulge" in the front of the sheath that I do not
find especially appealing. While it does work well, I like to leave
the toolkit at home when I do not need it. In other words, I bring the
tool-kit as an "urban survival" modification, and leave it at my house
when I go into the wilderness.

My additional comment would be this: The multi-tool is stainless
steel. It got gummed up after about a year of use (including a trip
through the Amazon, various work environments, and lots of travel and
wilderness time in Montana). I attempted to oil it with vegetable oil.
Bad choice. That gummed it up more when the dirt collected on the oil.
Perhaps a better oil would work. To clean it I just run it through the
dishwasher. I learned to make sure to "fan" the tools out while drying
to prevent rust spots. I try to dry it fast and maybe with heat and/or
a paper towel. The tool can still somehow get rust spots if left for
prolonged periods with water in between the components.

Summary:

What an excellent tool. I would choose it as one of the best
multi-tools on the market. It is a multi-tool that has functioned well
and durably for a long time with even the least of care. It combines
sleek, good looking design with rugged, functional components. I love
this multi-tool for both the aesthetic characteristics, and tough,
functional tools and design. Did I mention I like the look of this
multi-tool? It has so many uses!

What I like:
The specific kinds of tools on this multi-tool
Strong and rugged
Sleek and functional
Excellent blade: sharp, serrations work well, easy to sharpen.
Excellent Saw: sharp, cuts very well.
All tools work smoothly and on par with expectations
Multi-tool looks good
Good carrying case
Stainless steel
Did I mention I like the look of this multi-tool?

Dislikes:
Blade tip somewhat weak, not unexpectedly so (just use it for what it
is made for)
No Awl
Toolkit is bulky and awkward, takes a moment to assemble
Features open from inside (I rather like this feature however, because
of safety and comfort)
Pliers must be open to access tools
Have gotten small rust spots between components where water rested for
some time
Can be difficult to clean

Exped AirMat 7.5 Pump DLX
by Brian Mikels
OWNER REVIEW
November 9th, 2007


Name: Brian Mikels
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 6" (198 cm)
Weight: 230 lb (104 kg)
Email address: msu1spartan@...
City, State, Country: Knoxville, Tennessee USA

Backpacking Background:
I started backpacking when I was 10 and picked it back up about 4
years ago. My backcountry companions are my wife & our two 8 year
old twins.  I'm obsessed with light gear; however I tend to err on
the side of safety, being well fed, and keeping everyone reasonably
comfortable.  I do the bulk of my backpacking March thru November in
the Great Smoky Mountain National Park doing 1-3 nighters at 6-12
miles (10-19 km) per day.

Exped AirMat 7.5 Pump DLX

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Exped
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL: http://www.exped.com

Listed Product Specs:
Weight: 31 oz (895 g)
Pack Sack: 0.5 oz (16 g)
Length: 72" (182 cm)
Width: 26" (65 cm)
Thickness: 3" (7.5 cm)
Packed Dimensions: 10" x 6" (25 cm x 16 cm)
Temperature: 52 F (11 C)

As Shipped:
Weight: 32.8 oz (931 g)
Pad: 31.6 oz (896 g)
Pack Sack: 0.7 oz (19 g)
Repair Kit: 0.6 oz (16 g)
Length: 74" (188 cm)
Width: 24.5" (62 cm)
Thickness: 3.5" (9 cm)
Packed Dimensions: 10" long X 5" diameter (25 cm x 13 cm)

Product Description:

The pad comes shipped in its stuff sack complete with a repair kit
and is constructed of a polyester fabric that is similar to ripstop
nylon in appearance, minus the slippery surface.  The pad has a
total of eight baffles approximately 3.5" (9 cm) in diameter divided
into 2 separate air chambers.  Two plastic deflation/inflation twist
lock valves are located at the foot of the pad. The integrated pump
has an open cell foam pad in its center and 2 flexible inflation
valves on the under side of the pad.  There are two small sleeping
bag attachment loops at the foot of the pad, each 3" (7.6 cm) off of
the centerline for the pad. The stuff sack is constructed of ripstop
nylon and has a simple drawstring and cord lock closure with a 1.5"
(3.8 cm) wide handle on the bottom of the sack.  The repair kit
comes in a small resealable bag and contains a 0.2 oz (5 g) aluminum
tube of adhesive & two 3.5" (9 cm) by 5" (13 cm) patches.

Inflation:

Inflating the pad using the integrated pump took me a few tries to
figure out.  The deflation valves must first be closed and the
inflation valve stops opened.  Covering the inflation valve with my
foot and pressing downward forces the air trapped within the pump
through a one-way valve into the air chamber.  Removing my foot from
the opening allows the foam to expand and the pump is ready for
another stomp.  Describing the pump as a pillow is misleading as it
doesn't protrude much (if any) beyond the top plane of the pad.
It's really a pump that's integrated into the pad.  Once I got the
hang of it, I could inflate the pad with very little effort in less
than a minute.  I also have inflated the pad by blowing air into it
and found the effort required to be minimal and was able to fully
inflate the pad in just slightly over a minute.  Although I think
the integrated pump design is quite clever, I believe it to be an
unnecessary luxury and the additional weight this feature adds isn't
worth the convenience.

Field Use:

I'm a warm sleeper and carry a 30 F (-1 C) Marmot Arroyo long
sleeping bag.  When the low temps are above 55 F (13 C), I sleep
directly on the pad utilizing my unzipped bag as a blanket and have
experienced no discomfort due to a cold pad.  I have used the pad
down to 25 F (-4 C) with my bag fully zipped, my Capilene 3s on, and
a sock hat with very little discomfort from the cold.

I'm a side sleeper and tend to sleep in what could be loosely
described as the fetal position with a wadded up jacket in between
my knees.  The pad is plenty wide enough to accommodate this
position and I have found it very easy to keep on the pad throughout
the night.  Sleeping comfortably is a priority for me and I am
pleased with this pad.  On soft ground I have slept well with no
soreness.  On hard rocky soil I learned the importance of getting
the pad inflation adjusted correctly.  The adjustment valves are
located at the foot of the pad and my wife was quite annoyed by
my "adjusting" during the night.  I now sleep with the foot of the
pad by my head to allow for quick and quiet adjustment.  I have also
experienced one of the two air chambers going flat during the
night.  It turned out that the deflation valve wasn't closed quite
tight enough allowing a very slow leak to ensue.  I was too lazy to
figure that out at 2 AM, so I slept on the half of the mat that was
still inflated.  It took quite a bit of care to not slip off it
during the night but it wasn't too burdensome.  Overall I think the
pad is pretty comfortable for a backpacking air mattress although I
do get sore shoulders & hips when using it.  My wife (112 lb / 51 kg)
finds the pad to be almost as good as a regular mattress and
experiences no soreness.  If I were designing this pad I would
narrow it up, make it a mummy shape, and put all of the weight
savings into making the pad thicker.  My quest for a stripped down
pad made of the lightest available materials yet thick enough to
keep me from getting sore shoulders & hips unfortunately continues
on.

Deflation of the pad is easy.  I just open both deflation valves at
the foot of the pad, fold the mat along the long axis into quarters
and roll it up.  I do have to put some effort in keeping the folds
of correct proportion while rolling it up.  After I have it rolled
up, it slips easily into the stuff sack.  I carry the pad on the
outside bottom of my pack; however it would pack easily on the
inside.

Summary:

All things considered, this pad is pretty comfortable given the
available alternatives; however I think the width is a little
excessive.  I have recently purchased the Exped 7.5 AirMat which is
19" (48 cm) wide.

Things I like:
1. The piece of mind that comes with two separate air chambers
2. Anti slip fabric
3. Easy to inflate

Things I don't like:
1. Pad does not prevent my shoulders & hips from getting sore
2. The added weight from the pump
3. Pad width was wider than what I need

Ray-
Thanks for the help!

Here is the link:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/REPOST%
20-%20OR%20-%20Exped%207.5%20AirMat%20DLX%20-%20Brian%20Mikels/

On the personal side....

My twins are boy/girl also.  Do you take them out with you?  I've
been a little afraid to push it too much with them.  We have done a
few 2 nighters with them w/o too much complaining.  I've got them
carrying about 6 lbs (sleeping bag, foam pad, clothes, and 16 oz of
water).  The hardest leg I've taken them on with their packs was
4,500 ft in 7 miles.  Just curious what your experiences have been.
I'm always a little hesitant to push them too much as I don't want it
to turn into a negative experience.  On the other hand, I can't wait
til they can start humping more miles and carry their fair share of
gear.  I don't know if I'd know how to act carrying only my gear!
I'd have to get a different pack for sure!

Brian