My gear/pack layout from base layers to binos

[Formidilosus]

The Mongolian camel wool or Yak wool socks.

Wool Socks (Yak, Camel, Sheep Wool) | Mongulai.com

Wool Socks are warm, soft and comfortable to wear all day long. Mongolian socks are mostly made from yak, camel, cashmere, sheep wools.

mongolianstore.com

 

[ID_Matt]

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? There isn’t anything behind the DA chart.

What brand mag/kestrel holder is that?

 

[Hagas4all]

@Formidilosus curious on what your fire starter kit is?

 

[Formidilosus]

What brand mag/kestrel holder is that?

Stone Glacier.

 

[doverpack12]

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Tournaquit I think after looking at the S2H fak



? There isn’t anything behind the DA chart.

 

[doverpack12]

Stone Glacier.

Must not be out yet, I’m not seeing it on their website

 

[DakotaBPNW]

Must not be out yet, I’m not seeing it on their website

They’ve got a new one coming out soon I believe.

 

[Dobermann]

They’ve got a new one coming out soon I believe.

I think the S2H podcast said updated release time is now meant to be May. There's a dedicated thread here on the Slide.

 

[grappling_hook]

Are there water purification tablets these days that don't make water taste gross? What do you use(d)?

What is your headlamp, and is this something you're particular about? Any flashlights?

 

[Formidilosus]

Are there water purification tablets these days that don't make water taste gross? What do you use(d)?

MSR Aquatabs.

What is your headlamp, and is this something you're particular about? Any flashlights?

Petzel E+Lite for the one in the harness. Light, small, has a whistle. For the main one in the pack- egg, any decent one. I use lots of different ones. Not really particular, or at least haven’t found one that sticks out. If a bright headlamp is desired, I like the Surefire variable powered headlamp.

 

[prm]

I really enjoy reading how others “solve” the challenges of western hunt scenarios.

I can’t go with the Jetboil. I tried. I need my Ti pot to set near the campfire or on my Ti grill! Got to keep my coffee warm. And yes it is sketchy and likely to tip off my pocket rocket at some point.
I have been using a Seek BCS for many years (no longer produced), along with a Ti stove. Set them up last year and have concluded they need to be retired. The stove is probably a fire hazard at this point. I can only repair so many times. The tent has survived many incredibly windy nights. One particular hunt I was out at midnight putting the heaviest rocks i could find on the stakes to hold it down. I have nothing but good things to say about the quality of their tents. But what an amazing combo on a cold wet night.

edit: I need to try the Aqua Tabs. I always have them as a backup, but not used that I can recall. What I do know is that filters are a pain to keep from freezing. Every year I say “these suck” yet I bring the next year. Only used a Steripen last year with the nalgenes and that was pretty convenient. But I don’t trust it fully. Batteries + cold. Then again, I didn’t worry about any of this for years hiking and fishing the local CO lakes and streams near the house.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Delta21]

Base layer and on body accessories

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Base layer- Aclima Woolnet top and bottom. I use netted base layers nearly 100% of the time now. The best performing base layers on the market, the wool version dries as quickly as thin synthetic and has all the other qualities of wool.

T-shirt- either a merino/synthetic blend from Duckworth or a blend synthetic from Scheels.

Socks- injinji Toe sock liners. Over top is Mongolian camel wool or Yak wool socks. Legitimately better in every regard of performance than merino. I carry and use when required a pair of waterproof socks.

Shoes/boots- Almost 100% of my use is with Vivo Barefoot Tracker Forest ESC’s. The next most used is Inov-8 Roclites of various models. Everything I wear is a flexible and minimal shoe.

Scarf- Is a cotton shemagh.

Toboggan- Two that I use- both are hand knit wool versions.


Gaiters- Fjallraven waxed G1000 canvas.


Gloves- Standard deer skin or thin cow leather work gloves, or Hestra Deerskin Wool Tricot gloves for most uses. Hestra Wakayama leather gloves with wool liner for cold.




Almost nothing listed here will change. In really cold weather and deep snow I will wear Mukluks, and potentially add a thicker base layer if I will be stationary. Gloves or mittens might change depending on conditions or actively. But, overall 20 years of constant searching and experimenting has lead to these categories, if not the exact items.

Great write-up. Do you remember where you picked up those aclima layers? In states or order across the pond?

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

Great write-up. Do you remember where you picked up those aclima layers? In states or order across the pond?

You can get them from Varuste.net. Looks like most their Aclima products are 10% off right now.

More reading: Fishnet base layers. They work, and you want them.

 

[Formidilosus]

I really enjoy reading how others “solve” the challenges of western hunt scenarios.

I can’t go with the Jetboil. I tried. I need my Ti pot to set near the campfire or on my Ti grill! Got to keep my coffee warm.

Thats what I use the Ti cup for.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Heads up, fellow Sliders - after a (very) quick blat of internet research, this looks like one of the lightest options ... BUT the company's website says they're closing down this year. Site seems to suggest they're still open to orders.

Unless I'm mistaken, Form's is the Streamsdie Packers Grill, which comes in two options: the SS Streamside Packers Grill weighs approx. 4.0 oz. (112 grams). Ti Streamside Packers 2 Grill weighs about 2.7 oz. (77 grams).

Direct linky here: http://www.purcelltrench.com/grills.htm

Poor fella won't know what hit him ...

I could post countless photos of the Purcell trench in use but ill just post a couple. It is one item that never leaves my pack.

Randy

And thanks to PNWGATOR.

 

[atmat]

Thats what I use the Ti cup for.

Preach. Everyone should have an extra cup to pour into.

 

[PBBananaHammock]

@Formidilosus Do you know a source that will resole minimalist boots/shoes?

In addition to hunting, I hike weekly, so the miles add up fast. The only solution I’ve found is to buy several pairs and keep rotating them to avoid too much wear on any one pair.

Iv contacted vivo but they only offer services in the UK. I dislike just throwing them away if they’re still serviceable. Especially if the body is leather.

Been very interested in the Russel moccasin boot because they can be rebuilt but haven’t taken the plunge since it’s about the same price as 4 pairs of vivos or mini-mills… https://russellmoccasin.com/

 

[P-Lar]

Lot of good info in this thread!

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus Do you know a source that will resole minimalist boots/shoes?

I do not. A local cobbler would be the best bet.

Been very interested in the Russel moccasin boot because they can be rebuilt but haven’t taken the plunge since it’s about the same price as 4 pairs of vivos or mini-mills… https://russellmoccasin.com/

My issue with Russel’s has always been the tread.

 

[fwafwow]

The Mongolian camel wool or Yak wool socks.

FWIW I'm going to try out some socks from happyyak.com. I thought the above socks looked a bit short for me, and there were some reviews about long wait times, hard to reach CS, etc., so I passed on the Mongolian Store.