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I was skeptical of the Houdini too. But I’ve come around. I consider it a high value piece of kit. That and a buff - two small things that deliver way more than you think they could or should.
I found the combination of the Altus poncho and the Houdini Patagonia windshell to be very practical. The Houdini is super lightweight and great as a windbreaker when not needing a rain solution. But when it rains long and hard, the Houdini under the Altus kept any condensation from my...
I used the Gregory Jade 33L and loved it. Adjustable back. Big enough to not play jenga with your stuff in the morning but not enough room to be sloppy. Bladder feature. But no pole storage like Osprey has. I am tall as well.
There’s a store called La Tienda in Verdun, Québec. This is in Montreal, ie on the Island, on rue Wellington. I got my Altus poncho from them. They have a website, check them out online or head east on the Queensway!
I did the CF starting mid April. I found this system of tops worked really well for me and handled a temperature variance from say 2 deg C and 35 deg C. This allowed for all the layering gradations necessary both on and off the trail, including for sleeping, while not being heavy at all.
Two...
I walked the CF last year in the Olympus 4s. They were great, held up really well. Got home, bought the Olympus 5s, still fit really well but the inside of the heel is shredded already just from normal use. I tried scouring the market for the 4s but couldn’t find my size.
I recommend the Air Control sports bra by Anita. Great support without underwire.( I found my underwire bra hurt where it got overlapped by the pack straps, after wearing the pack all day). Plus you get good control without the cups being thick or padded. Which all means that it handwashes...
I’m tall with a large cup size. In my trying on of many backpacks the torso length and curve of the shoulder straps were the deciding factors. I have the Gregory Jade 33. Loved it. Small enough that you have to think through what you’re bringing but large enough that you don’t have to play...
One of the key reasons I went with a down quilt over a sleeping bag was constriction over the long haul. While I already owned a lightweight down sleeping bag, it was a mummy bag with a closed toe box. And I figured being in a mummy bag for a month or more wasn’t my preference. If I couldn’t...
Your point is well taken but in my experience the problem re compressibility simply didn’t arise. I walked the CF starting mid April and I used the down blanket almost every night.
I live in Canada and wanted to buy more local as well. I looked at what Altitude Sports and MEC and Sail carried and other retailers and ended up ordering from the US. I was pleased with my purchase in the end.
I have a down blanket from Alpine Outfitters, a small company in Texas. I used it on my Camino and loved it. Weighs in at 411g. I either put it inside my silk liner or if there was a cloth sheet I would just use the blanket on its own.
My plan right now for bottoms are one Macabi long skirt, one pair of Columbia just above the knee shorts, and a pair of merino wool pants (Icebreaker crush pants). I didn’t want leggings because my pants have to be my warmth layer, my pjs if necessary, and to be worn around town. I couldn’t see...
I am quite tall as well, and will take the (slim, long length) Macabi with me for all the reasons already stated. In addition, as a person who sunburns very easily I wanted full yet ventilated coverage so I didn’t have to slather my legs daily with sunscreen. That benefit alone outweighed the...
This is a very helpful (older) thread, thanks to Trecile especially for the photos. May I ask: is there a seam on the long zipper-free side? And how long are the elastics that you used?
Also, did you ever use a down blanket on its own? ie. without also using the liner? If so, any feedback on...
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