BPL Community Profile

Raymond Estrella (rayestrella) - BPL Professional Member

My Locale Northern Minnesota
About Me I have been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, plus many western states and Minnesota. I hike year-round in all weather, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I make a point of using lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. Doubting I can ever be truly UL, I try to be as near to it as I can yet still be comfortable. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring/chilling. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot meals at night. If not hiking solo I am usually with brother-in-law Dave.
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All Forum Posts by Raymond Estrella

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Post

Forum » Thread
5 layers?
Why would you want room for a windshirt and rain shell too?

In GEAR » fit check on rab down jacket.
November 13, 6:12am
questions
The loft on the sleeping bag is total loft. That is two layers of bag. The quilt is one layer. So really your examples are very comparable. Vapor barriers work best at very cold temps, and with ...

In GEAR » Quilt, Sleeping Bag, Loft-I have questions
November 12, 5:50pm
re
http://www.zpacks.com/quilts/water_resistant_down_report.pdf Take a look here Jason. There is total failure at 190 minutes. I saw both the DryDown and DownTek go all day being constantly agitate...

In GEAR » Water resistant down now available at ZPacks
November 11, 6:26pm
size
If you have a pack big enough to carry the big one in the first place you already have the room, so switching to a smaller can won't help that much.

In GEAR » How much bear canister do I need/do you use?
November 11, 10:13am
Not the same
As I mentioned in another thread the Allied Feathers stuff is not the same as the DownTek or DriDown. Their claim is that they only retain "30% more loft than untreated down when wet". ...

In GEAR » Water resistant down now available at ZPacks
November 11, 6:39am
expensive
I have a feeling that material is pretty spendy. I think they have it priced at the upper-middle and can see it for what they are using. I just posted a review of my children's GoLite quilts...

In GEAR » NEMO Siren quilt
November 10, 9:12am
footbox
You know Mike I was wondering that myself as all of my other quilts have been more of a V instead of straight across. But I did not recommend changing it in the review because I never had any issue...

In GEAR » NEMO Siren quilt
November 10, 8:43am
BC volumes
I find the Bearikade Weekender (which I have not reviewed yet) good for about 5-6 days. The Scout I can get up to four days in. A Bear Vault is easily good for 7 days, maybe more as you can see I h...

In GEAR » How much bear canister do I need/do you use?
November 10, 8:31am
NEMO Siren quilt
I got to spend some quality time with one of NEMO's Siren quilts this fall. I think it is a pretty good job for their first try. I have a review of it here: http://tinyurl.com/aw56ref ...

In GEAR » NEMO Siren quilt
November 10, 6:54am
More super, or more duper...
How about the UL version (vs the heavy deluxe model shown) I will set up the Kickstarter page later. ;-)

In GEAR » SUPER DUPER ULTRA LIGHT TITANIUM SPORK !!!!!!!!!!
November 08, 7:49pm

All Reader Reviews by Raymond Estrella

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 | Page: 1
 

Review

Category
Osprey Exos 58
Osprey Exos 58 Backpack Size: Large Year manufactured: 2009 Weight listed: 2 lb 10 oz (1185 g) Actual weight 2 lb 9.8 oz (1180 g) Volume listed: 3700 cu in (61 L) Load weight capacity sugg...

In Backpacks - External Frame
June 15, 7:47pm
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2
I bought one of the first Seedhouse SL2s in 2004. Last year I bought the new, lighter version pairing it with carbon fiber poles and Ti stakes to make a total weight package of 2 lb 15 oz (1.33 kg). I...

In Shelters - Double Wall Tents
February 16, 3:37pm