I took this jacket on a two-night backpacking trip to the Adorondack Mountains. I planned it as a mid layer to sleep in and a thermo layer at rest stops and around camp. My trip was the second weekend in February, so I figure this would be a great test the day temperatures were in the single digits and at night it dropped to -17F. The PLQ worked really well at keeping the wind out, and with the snug wrist and waste that kept the heat in and seemed to generate its own heat. The PLQ weighs 11oz per their web site. I will be replacing a 16oz parka I've been using for the last 4 seasons. The PLQ is actually warmer then my old parka, and quality is first class from now on the PLQ will always be in my pack.

I took the Integral Designed Silshelter along with me on a three-night backpacking trip in Sierra Mountains last November. The first day it snowed most of the day and through the night by late afternoon the only place we could find to make camp was in between some boulders at the foot of high rock face. The limited space wasn’t a problem. The Silshelter set up in literally a few minuets using just one trekking pole. It was a bit snug for two. My sleeping bag rubbed up against the side wall during the night and it wetted through. Other than that it worked really well. The second day we hiked over Mule Pass and camp in the Yosemite wilderness area, again set up was minuets. This time we used two trekking poles, one inside at the opening and one outside, holding up the center for a little more clearance. The high winds we experienced through out the night had no effect on our tent. The third day we hiked over Burro Pass and Matterhorn pass and made camp in the first clearing we came to. Again setting up the Silshelter was effortless and quick. On the Integral Designs web site it clams the tent weighs 16.5oz, but my scale had it at 13oz, and it folded up in stuff sack smaller then my poncho. I do not have one bad thing to say about my experience with this tent: it’s light, packs small, the sets up is effortless and stands up to high winds. It's a keeper.