Gear Review: Henry Shires' Rainshadow 2 Tarptent

Henry Shires' Rainshadow 2 Tarptent

Henry Shires makes a 3-person Tarptent dubbed the Rainshadow 2. The Rainshadow 2 is an adjustable Tarptent that can adapt to a number of different situations. The Rainshadow 2 comes in a stuff sack with four 6-inch aluminum stakes and a rear tent pole. One or two substitute poles can be purchased for the front of the tent if the user prefers not to use trekking poles in this fashion.

Gear Review: Katabatic Gear Quilts

When we started looking at what sleeping bags to bring on the Appalachian Trail with us as well as for other backpacking trips, we considered both sleeping bags and sleeping quilts. Mostly I wanted to try out a quilt because I thought it would work out better for my style of sleeping. Of course once I got one, then my husband wanted one too. Since I am a cold sleeper, I opted to get the Sawatch 15F quilt while my husband who sleeps a bit warmer opted for the Palisade 30F quilt.

Gear Review: Exped Air Pillow

Shape when fully inflated

Sleeping in the back-country doesn’t need to be about sacrificing so much weight that a comfortable night’s sleep can’t be had.  A cold Silnylon clothes bag stuffed with clothes just doesn’t work for me.  I’ve tried doing without, wrapping a fleece around bundled clothes, and even resorted to putting my shoes under the edge of my pad to raise it up.  For me, none of these options resulted in a comfortable night’s sleep.  So I have been searching for a pillow that is light-weight, comfortable and works for both stomach and side sleeping.  With the Exped Air Pillow I feel my search is finally at an end.