themirror‭

I am a first-time knife buyer. What should I look for in an all-purpose, lightweight backpacking knife? I aim to use it for cutting trail plants and fish. My top priority is a knife that doesn't ...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

Nemo has some tents that don't use any poles. Instead they let you inflate some air chambers that hold up the tent with their pressure. Are there other manufacturers doing this?

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

I know the USGS and many others offer free downloadable raster topo maps for almost anywhere. But what if I want vector maps using GPS coords? I'm new to GIS but I would assume there is a de fac...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

There's many different kinds of "down" filling: "100% down" must legally be only down, while "down" can be any mixture containing down. Then there's "fill power" ranging from about 400 to 1200, wh...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

I'm about to purchase a full 4.2oz/yd Spectra/Dyneema woven groundsheet (with no coatings) to use under an inflated raft with a 150lb person sleeping on top of it. Question: Is woven full spectra/...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

These days, almost every sleeping bag sold is given a thermal insulation numeric "rating", either the USA version or the more accurate European version. But vintage bags did not have this industry...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

If I use two identical 20-degree-rated bags, one inside the other, what would likely be the effective temperature rating? 10-degree? 0-degree? negative-10-degree?

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

Supposedly Down (and most other sleeping bag insulations) lose a lot of their thermal insulating properties when they are compressed. When I'm inside a sleeping bag, obviously whichever side is on...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

I'm obviously not a fisherman... If I like the flavors, is there any problem with cooking and eating a fish that hasn't been gutted? Any particular species? In other words, what are all the reas...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

I hear that because down feathers are so delicate, a down sleeping bag that has gotten a ton of use or rough use has significantly less insulating performance -- the feathers are broken down into b...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

Pack-Buying Priorities: Comfort Comfort Comfort Workmanship quality Everything else Best Materials: Dyneema (which is the same thing as Spectra): Ultra high-end fiber stronger than Kevlar. P...

posted 13y ago by themirror‭

Is there something that works like epoxy or natural tar that I can apply to the most delicate impact points of my feet (balls and heel) that will form a very durable bond, and let me backpack (i.e....

5 answers  ·  posted 13y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

From a beginning fisher: Can I, say, float a raft out into the middle of a lake, with several fishing lines/hooks/bait hanging into the lake, with the whole thing tethered to the shore by a long r...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

My white full Dyneema backpack is old and dirty and stained. How do I clean it? Can I wash it in chlorine bleach or some other fabric bleaching chemical? If so, how? Even if the bleaching agent d...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

Can anyone point to any commercial or DIY trekking poles whose end-piece can be swapped -- i.e. regular pole point, sharp spear, raft paddle, camera screw, etc?

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭