If I have this packed full there is no way I can get the bottles out of the stretchy pockets on the side without taking it off.

I have checked this bag twice. The straps with a bit of work end up being pretty out of the way. I however have always checked my hiking bags in a heavy duty clear plastic bag with the top secured with duct tape. Be sure to bring it to the counter out of the trash bag in case they want to search it but after that stuff it in the trash bag and straps are no longer a worry. When you get it at the carousel other than some small tears in the outer sack my backpack has come out clean and intact. FYI.

negative

You have to define perfectly. This bag is 33 inches wide. Most sleeping pads are 20 inches wide. I would be surprised if you could find a backpacking sleeping pad that wouldnt fit in this. I think any air pad you have would work.

This pad can be used with any sleeping bag, if you have a BA bag then it can be integrated but for everyone else it is just another inflatable sleeping pad that you sleep on top of.

I have not been to Africa but these tablets are great, little taste and have used them with multiple water conditions. You don't want to chance a filter breaking and then not being able to get the parts. Be sure to get a shit ton of these things though because 1 tab only treats 1 liter. Also, use only clear bottles, because of the amount of sunlight if you are able to put the micropur in the bottle and then let it sit in direct sunlight you will get the UV exposure along with the chemical treatment. About 5-6 hours in the sun will help as well. You can always double up on filter and chem treatment, can't hurt. Hope this helps, good luck in Africa.

Weight and price are the two of the big factors. Here are the specs laid out for a size regular for each

BA - Neoair
$71.96 - $149.95
72" x 20" - 72" x 20"
rolled size 5" x 9" - 4" x 9"
weight: 24oz - 14oz
R value 4.1 - 2.5

The neo does not have any insulation whereas the BA has a layer of primoloft which is why the neo is only a 2.5 R value. Which one you buy is dependent on where and when you camp. If you like inflatables (which I don't) then you need to decide how much weight you want to put into a pad. 24oz compared to 14oz is a huge difference. Price is a big factor, if you are a weekend camper/hiker go with the BA it's cheaper. If you are not concerned with weight go with BA. The only real reason to go for the neo is if you A: have the money, and B: if you are a light hiker. I'm a light hiker though and I wouldn't even spend that much on a pad. Hope this helps.

From the looks of it probly not much more than 10 degrees, 15 max but that looks like it would be pushing it. Like it says, it is more for wicking and keeping moisture at bay than really keeping you warm. But like anything here, try it out and if you don't like it return it. Hope this helps.

For me personally I find that the Jetboil is way to heavy. At 15oz without fuel it certainly one of the heaviest solo cooking options on the market. I am not familiar with the frypan you are talking about but I had the curx lite for a bit until I lost it and it was a pretty decent stove for the price and weight. I currently use as a pot the BC 700ml Titanium pot/mug. Big enough for solo cooking and light at 3.7 oz. But I just looked and they discontinued it but there is the snowpeak. Go light man, you don't need to be lugging around a 1 pound water heater without fuel. Hope this helps.

Suggestions: Kelty Grand Mesa 4 tent, Kelty Gunnison 3.1, and the Marmot Limelight 3. I have never used the Kelty tents before but the reviews on BC seem positive and the price is certainly right. I have used Marmot gear before and love it. They really know how to make some good stuff. The Meteor light I would knix, heavy at 7lb 1 oz and not enough space for 3 comfortably for the weight. 55" x 93". Couldn't find the viperine but the Big Agnes if you don't like the Kelty looks to be a good choice although it is a bit heavy. But if you are looking to spend around 250$ then you are gonna have to deal with a heavier tent. But hey who cares that's why you got 3 people to divy the weight. Hope this helped. Good luck in the search for a new tent, and remember, BC has an awesome return policy. I hear you on the underpaid overworked paramedic , nurses make the big bucks.

First off, I would nix the rectangular sleeping bag idea. Especially if she is going to be strapping it to a ruck or carrying it in any way shape or form. They are bulky and heavy for the most part. The mummy as you said does not open as much but I use my summer mummy bag as a quilt all summer by just opening it up and then putting my feet in the foot box which keeps the bag from getting lost while sleeping in the tent or in this case the hostil. But that is just my opinion. On top of that, the mummy bags especially if she is not really concerned about temp rating are going to be VERY light and super compact. Keep with the Lafuma brand, very cheap money wise and are a good product. I currently use the Lafuma X600 a 45deg F bag as a summer bag and it is great. Check that out and if it is not warm enough go with the Lafuma X800 40deg bag. 29 oz packs to a 6x12 inch bundle and only costs 55$ from REI. Hope this helps.

To use a footprint or to not use a footprint, that is the question. That part is completely up to you and how much you like buying new gear. I suggest a footprint for every tent either tyvek or the manufactured footprint. 4-7 oz is worth the saved money of replacing a bum tent floor. As for this model, yes, they do make a footprint, just google it. Cost: about 25$. Hope this helps.

If you like condensation with no storage space for 2lb 5oz go for it. For the money check out Henry Shires Tarptent Rainbow or Contrail. Same weight if not less and awesome ventilation / storage for less money. Hope this helped.

I am not sure if there is a diagram due to the fact that it is a single pole system but here is a video I looked up on youtube which has a guy setting the SL2 up. Pretty simple setup, put the pole together, four pole ends go in four corner grommets, clip the poles onto the body and there you go. Hope this helps. http://tiny.cc/7qNfF

This would be a perfect layering piece. The (M) size only weighs 7.4 oz so it is not that big but packs a lot of warmth. When layered with a gore tex shell and lightweight to midweight baselayers you will have yourself a nice layering system that allows you regulate temps very well.

This is a pretty small tent, it depends on how big you are and how big your dog is. Most of the tent floor would be covered by your sleeping pad and bag so I wouldn't say that the dogs paws would do much damage.

Yes, go to any outdoor store and they should have an inflatable pad repair kit. Shouldn't cost more than 8 bucks. Really easy to fix as long as you know where the leak is.

I would probly think that you would only need a s/m for a 1500cu in bag. If it doesn't work BC has great return policy.

Not only 2lb 10oz but 300 big ones. Weigh too much. (what a pun)

I have used a canister stove at roughly 10,000 feet and although it works you do find that you are utilizing more fuel due to pressure loss. If you are planning on using this above 9,000 feet I would suggest a liquid fuel stove. It may be a bit heavier but you will save weight by utilizing less fuel and not having to carry out used canisters. I do own this stove though and for a low alt. stove you can't beat the price and weight. Hope this helps.

You are right. You will not have insulation under your feet. BA bags are meant to be used with inflatable pads that go from head to toe. You could slip your 3/4 pad in the pocket and be just fine, the only thing is that your feet will not have any insulation. Which if you bought a 3/4 pad means you are using your pack or some other kind of barrier. The Neo would work with the BA but personally you would be better off going with a different setup. If you are looking for a cheap summer bag checkout the Lafuma brands, really nice bags that won't break the bank especially the summer bags and they have all around insulation. Hope this helps.

No not at all. I usually just use a few layers of tinfoil mushed together which can then be folded quite small and stored in my pot or pack. Usually though I only use 3/4 windscreen which means that the foil vertically only goes up to just past the bottom of the pot and does not wrap around the entire canister/stove/pot which leaves me access to the handles. Where the foil is open on the one side is where you sit so your body becomes the last 1/4 of the windscreen. I will try to post a pic for you.

Yes this pot does fit a nalgene bottle inside of it. The diameter of this pot is 9.7cm or roughly 3 3/4 inches. Height is 11.2cm or just about 4 1/2 inches. IMO though, you will most likely be able to fit your cook gear into this pot. Alcohol stove and fuel or canister stove and fuel unless you go the old campfire and rocks route.

I have this pot and find that usually no matter what stove setup I have (alcohol or canister) the handles and lid will get hot. The good thing though is that it only takes about 30 seconds for the handles to cool after it is off the burner seeing as titanium does not retain much heat. Best solution; use a hanky which can also be used inside the pot when done to reduce the noise of the canister/alcohol stove. Hope this helps.

One of my new favorites is the Idahoan(?) quick packs instant potatoes. They are roughly 4oz for about 500 - 600 calories and come in a bunch of different flavors. To add to that all you have to do is slice up some sausage links and you are ready to go. Plus all you have to do to cook it is to add 1 1/2c. water. I do mine in a freezer bag ziploc. Real good and super cheap (1 - 1.50$)

Measured total Weight: 10.0 oz (283 g)
stuff sack, wash dish: 1.0 oz (28 g)
kettle: 6.5 oz (184 g)
cup: 1.5 oz (42.5 g)
lid: 0.9 oz (25.5 g)

Just to add, I have this set and found that for solo cooking it is quite big especially if you are going to ditch the "extras" and just go with the pot. I just got the Backcountry.com titanium 700ml pot for solo cooking and it is 3.7oz for the same price. Hope this helps.

It is basically just Bruntons version of the crux. I havnt used the Brunton before but apparently the Brunton is supposed to be a little better at simmering. I had the crux (until I lost it) and it was a good little stove. A little unstable which I think the Brunton fixes with the 4 pot supports. Hope that helps.

Seriously? How long did you sit around before you blew it up? We all make mistakes man. Funny stuff. Good luck. Don't get lost in the woods.

The biggest difference is that the Arroyo is 800 fill down and the hydrogen is 850 fill down. The hydrogen is a bit more compressible than the Arroyo but only by 1 inch in diameter and 2 inches in length. The down fill is defined as the amount of space in cubic inches one ounce of down will expand or loft up. So an 800 fill down bag means that for every ounce of fill the bag will loft up 800 cubic inches.