Zpacks Duplex on The TA Trail NZ

My buddies Simon and Lee are on the Te Araroa Trail in NZ. I will be joining them for a couple of sections in the South Island. You can follow them at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500092416757668/
Nice to see they took on my Zpack tent suggestions. Well, almost. I was suggesting the Soloplex, but I think they are hoping to host guests :-)
Here are a couple of pics of their Duplex tents a couple of weeks into the hike. #zpacks

Enjoy Your Christmas Tramping

Hi to all my followers. I have be doing a lot of ‘tourist’ tramping over the last couple of month having walked the Great Wall in China. Strolled the beaches of Bali and driven the highways of Argentina and Brazil - all 7000ks!
I wanted to wish you all safe tramping over the summer holidays. Go light, but be sensible.

Toilet Trowels

I have posted on this shitty subject before. However, Helinox in Australia now distributes the Deuce Toilet Trowel.

You can check it out and order here - https://www.helinox.com.au/the-deuce

For the last few years, I have used the QiWiz (Chee-Wiz). More details at this link:

http://qiwiz.net/trowels.html

We all agree, exposed toilet paper and poo is a 'no-go' in the woods (or on the back lawn for that matter - lol). Let's all do our bit and bury waste properly!

Exofficio Briefs

Exofficio have been a leading brand for hiking underwear in the US for years.

I am a firm supporter and user of the IceBreaker brand of undies. Although they do wear out quickly. Macpac also do a good merino undies product, but probably less durable than IceBreaker. Recently I discovered Massdrop

Massdrop had these undies available as a 2 pack at $US34 - normally $US52.

I couldn't resist trying them. Yes, they have lived up to all the hype! Comfortable, light and breathable, no smell and stylish, You can also get these in a brief version if you don't care for the boxers. 

https://www.exofficio.com/give-n-go-boxer-2-pack/1241-2179.html

The Massdrop deal is over now, but I suggest you join this lightweight hiking group and you will get some good special alerts on many lightweight hiking products - Darn Tough socks was another special I hooked into a few weeks back
 

Lightweight Footwear

I am a long supporter of Altra Lone Peak trail runners for tramping. I am on my third pair. But, I do agree there are several other lightweight options.

Kelly Hodgkins is a full-time backpacking guru out of the USA. Here's a link to check out her recommendations.

https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/best-hiking-shoes

Best Ultralight Headlamps

Chris at Greenbelly (Nutritious Hiking Bars - delicious by the way!) has just posted a great review on headlamps that I thought may help you lighten your load.

You can read his review at https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/best-ultralight-backpacking-headlamps

Cheers Rob

10 Best Ultralight Sleeping Pads

Here is a link to Chris Cage's blog where he lists suggestions and reviews lightweight sleeping mats.

https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/best-ultralight-backpacking-sleeping-pads

I personally use the THERMA-A-REST: NeoAir XLite

In my younger days, I used the Gossamer Gear Nitelite

Sleep is important and having a full-length mat with super R-Value is a good weight to comfort compromise.