The Arc'teryx Cerium LT is a lightweight hoody weighing 10.8 oz / 305 g with 3.6 oz / 102 g of 850-fill goose down. It has a nylon shell, two zippered handwarmer pockets, and one interior chest pocket. It's not the lightest of Arc'teryx's lightweight jacket collection (that accolade goes to the
Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 35° Review
The Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt is a 22 oz / 624 g, 800 fill power down, three-season backpacking quilt with a 37°F / 3°C comfort rating and 27°F / -3°C limit rating. If you're looking for something warmer, Sierra Designs also makes a 20°F / -6°C version of this quilt. The Nitro has a sewn footbox
Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt Review
The Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt is a 19.1 oz / 542 g, 850+ goose down, three-season backpacking quilt with a 26° F / -3° C rating. It's the warmer of the two quilts currently manufactured by Western Mountaineering, the other being the NanoLite - rated at 38° F / 3° C. The AstraLite has a
Yellow Blaze Transit – Transportation for PCT Hikers
Yellow Blaze Transit, a service started by Leland "Yeti" McKeeman to shuttle PCT hikers between Seattle, Mazama, and Winthrop, offers a solution to Pacific Crest Trail hikers beginning or finishing their hikes at the US-Canada border. Mazama and Winthrop are the two towns closest to Harts Pass
Mac’s Backpacking Gear List 2021 (v2)
After bikepacking the Arizona Trail, I've made some changes to my backpacking kit for the summer. Most notable, changes to my shelter (now using a SlingFin SplitWing) and my water filter (now using a Platypus QuickDraw). Later in the summer, I'm also hoping to try out a new quilt, some new stakes
Memorial Day Sales Guide for Thru-hikers (2021)
Memorial Day weekend is nearly upon us which means the official start to summer to some people and an annoying day to have ended up needing a post office on a thru-hike for others. It also means lots of discounts on backpacking, thru-hiking, and outdoor gear. Have some awesome plans for the
The Hiiker Podcast – Season 2 Episode 7 Tyler “Mac” Fox
I've done a number of podcasts now and this one was definitely the one I enjoyed recording most. Eoin, part of the team behind the app Hiiker (and the Hiiker Podcast), was a pleasure to talk to. Despite this being the first time we spoke at length, it felt like we had known each other for
AZT Bikepacking: How to Cross the Grand Canyon
The Arizona Trail (AZT) is one of just a handful of National Scenic Trails that allows for mixed-use; hikers, bikers, and equestrians are all welcome on the AZT. That said, the route that hikers and bikers on the Arizona Trail follow varies due to the prohibition of bicycles on trails in wilderness
Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter Review
The Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter is a 2.2 oz / 62 g hollow-fiber membrane water filter that removes bacteria and protozoa from water sources. It's designed with simplicity and ultralight backpacking in mind - certainly something you'll find hikers using on trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail