Interested in buying a Thermarest inflatable pad, but not sure which one? Well, the good folks at Ultralight Outdoor Gear has made a great blog post with a graphic.
https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/blog/thermarest-neoair-sleeping-mat-ranges-explained/
#thermarest #ultralightoutdoorgear #whatsinyourpack #hiking #sleeping
Lyo Food: Moroccan Stew
Pros: Tasty. Really like that they use polenta instead of cous-cous. Includes pumpkin seeds and chick peas. Subtly spices, definitely not bland.
Cons: None.
Verdict: Definitely a yes for the trail. Although instructions said to add water to line 1, I think adding up to line 2 works well enough.
(@b3rgdw3rg seconds this outcome).
Adventure Food: Chocolate Mousse
Pros: Contains real pieces of chocolate!
Cons: Needs a lot of stirring to prevent clumps.
Verdict: After 4 days on trail, I am not sure this is exciting enough to cheer one up.
Adventure Food: Vanilla Dessert
Pros: A simple dessert.
Cons: Finding the measuring line is hard - there are only two markers; not a solid line. Packet needs to be flattened out at the bottom before stirring. Difficult to avoid clumps even with a lot of stirring.
Verdict: No for me. OH says yes. Try at home first, before taking on trail.
As far as hiking goes, I was for a long time an avid user of Osprey backpacks + Osprey hydration bladders.
I have however come to realise that I now have come prefer the UL-style packs with the two large side pockets in which I can place water bottles. It was using the LiteAF 46lt full suspension pack that has driven this transition.
So much so that I am now thinking of getting a smaller pack around 30lt for multi-day hikes where stoves, tents and sleeping bags are not required.
This is also leading to the point where I am considering selling off some of my Osprey packs. (I still a big fan of Osprey though and will continue to use some of their other products).
I do like looking into UL packs where I can order customised as much as possible. This is not a cheap option, but neither are Osprey packs. If I'm going to spend money like that, it surely is better to have something that is customised to me.
The one thing that niggles is that using a UL-style pack does not really work for the occasional snow hike. Bottles on the outside will freeze. UL packs are not really meant for carrying skis and snowshoes.
Lyo Food: Chilli Sin Carne
Pro: Tasty. The best in the series of food tested in Feb & Mar '26. Using polenta makes a big difference.
Cons: None
Verdict: Currently the first choice to take on trail.
Lyo Food: Crema Catalana
Pros: Tasty, even better than some of the real crema catalana that I have eaten in restaurants. Real bits of orange peel make the difference.
Cons: None. (It is not going to look like a real crema catalana tartlet, but you are on trail).
Verdict: If I want to take a dessert on trail, absolutely yes. I would even take two ginger biscuits to round it off.
https://lyofood.com/collections/desserts/products/crema-catalana
Electronic I am taking on my next multi-day hikes:
- Mobile phone. I keep it in a pocket in my Forclaz trousers.
- Garman Fenix 6 smartwatch.
- Petzl Swift headlamp. I prefer the stronger beams that this offers as I use for walking in the dark and not just for camp cooking.
- Iniu powerbank. 20Ah. I am not taking my older Anker power bank as the Iniu has the capability of both usb-c and usb-a power out.
- usb-c to usb-c charge cable.
- usb-a to usb-c charge cable.
- usb-c to micro-usb adaptor (for charging headlamp).
- usb-c to garmin adaptor (for charging watch).
- 4lt Ultra-sil drybag from Sea to Summit for keeping everything together. This bag goes in the backpack as I don't normally need it in the day.
Not included in this list are camera equipment, spare batteries and chargers for cameras.
This time around I have cut some grams off the base weight by using shorter cables and then the adaptors instead of extra cables.
#FishRiverCanyon #drakensberg #southaftica #namibia #whatsinyourpack #hiking
Backpack and some miscellaneous items for the Fish River Canyon hike.
The backpack is the 46lt version from LiteAF (https://liteaf.com/product/ecopak-eplx-46l-curve-full-suspension/). I am taking the optional hip belts pockets (https://liteaf.com/product/hip-belt-pouch/) as well as the hip pack (https://liteaf.com/product/fanny-pack/).
I have found a way to either strap the hip bag into the hip belt, or alternative to carry it on top of the back pack. The hip pack is primarily for camera equipment. If I decide not to take any action camera, it will stay behind.
I have also added a stretchy water bottle pouch from Hilltop Packs (https://hilltoppacks.com/collections/accessory-pouches/products/custom-stretchy-water-bottle-sleeve-holder-pouch) as the one from LIteAF does not suit my needs.
Some additional items:
- Sea To Summit Trash bag (https://seatosummit.eu/products/trash-dry-sack-past-season). It keeps all the trash safely contained and the smells out of the backpack. THis is the older model and there is a newer model available.
- LiteAF Hiker Wallet (https://liteaf.com/product/small-zipper-pouch-hiker-wallet/). I'll have some cash and a credit card in there, because when one finishes the hike, it will pay for food, drinks and the warm water pools.
- Hilltop Packs Zipper Puch (https://hilltoppacks.com/products/zipper-pouches?variant=43560830632193) - This keeps my passport and all relevant documentation. The hiker wallet also goes inside.
- Cébé Sunglasses - I use photochromatic 0-3 so that I can ever wear it in low-light conditions. The latter is useful when one might encounter brush, branches or insects.
- Nooz Optics reading glasses (https://www.nooz-optics.com/en-us/collections/reading/original) - I have found these to be the most dependable and lightweight for backcountry usage. They go in a hipbelt pocket for quick access.
- Kimbefeel Milos sandals - The best weight-to-comfort sandals I've come across. Thicker than Xero, but lighter. Unfortunately they are discontinued.
- Leki Traveller Alu telescopic poles (https://www.leki.co.uk/item/813/Leki/Leki-Traveller-Alu-Blacksilver-Greyneon-Yellow.html) - Although slightly heavier, I prefer the aluminium version over carbon as I use these as my tent poles too. Even though I am not using a tent for this hike, I need it for other hikes on this travel, so these are the set of poles of choice.
#fishrivercanyon #hiking #whatsinyourpack #namibia #liteaf #noozoptics #cebe #leki #kimberfeel #seatosummit #hilltoppacks
Adventure Food: Chicken Curry
Pros: Creamy and tasty. A full portion (and too much for me with a smaller appetite).
Cons: Only 6% meat - can nearly pass as a vegetarian meal. Curry is not strong. Could not taste the pineapple.
Verdict: Not first choice, but can take as a variation.
Schalk Cronjé