Gear Picks.

We pick some of our favorite pieces of gear we’ve used in the field, and it’s not always what you might think.

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL Tent

For anyone looking for a minimal shelter with maximal return, the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL is the way to go.

Available as 1 or 2 person, The Nimbus UL uses a surprisingly light and water-resistant 20D Sil nylon fabric for the fly, as well as on the face and sidewalls of the tent body itself, and a 40D nylon fabric for the floor. Ample ultralight mesh shapes the remainder of the tent. The Nimbus is free of PU coatings and flame-resistant chemicals. 

Two internal pockets keep things organized.

A double-zippered front door creates a massive entrance/exit, and the rainfly also double zippered, opens wide as well. Webbing-reinforced exterior pole clips can be used to secure the rain fly for a snug fit. 

The shock-cord lined, lightweight DCA aluminum poles quickly form the Y-shape skeleton of the tent, using a G-Hook canopy-to-pole system that is both clever and super low volume.  

Dimensions

Double -52” wide, 86” inches long, 41” high

Single – 28” wide, 86” long, 28’ tall

Weight/Double – 2lb 4oz

Weight/Single – 1lb, 14oz

Vestibule double – 7.7 sq ft

Vestibule single: 3.9 sq ft

Price: $400

What we love:

So far, a reliable and durable three season tent we’ve used in mountains and deserts in both cooler temps and pleasant weather. 

The Nimbus sets up in minutes even for the first time. It’s intuitive to use the G Hooks, and the pre-shaped poles practically connect themselves.

The mesh is perfect for summer nights and desert starlit skies.

We opt to ditch the stuff sack in lieu of stuffing it all into anywhere, perfect for low volume backpacking/ bikepacking.

What we don’t:

Feels delicate, but so far so good.

The stakes aren’t going to last very long.

Nemo Moonlite ELite Reclining Chair…

This little chair caught our attention after numerous outings sitting on logs, rocks, pads, or nothing. Usually choosing to forgo a little bit of comfort for less weight, we found ourselves intrigued with this little guy.

It’s truly adjustable, using a belay device-inspired cord-slide system to manage its reclining ability. The way the mesh seat snaps onto the frame allows for ample squirming around while seated, and the clever roll up style “case” can be fitted to the legs to create some surface area for sandy desert patches lazy days on the beach.

It’s light enough that you can justify humping it around for some good old backpacking, fast and light missions, a day at the crag, après ski or just in the truck/bed/gear duffel for when you need somewhere to sit. 

We took it on a few bikepacking trips where the ground was layered with thorns and peppered with fire ants and scorpions, so we were more that happy to bust it out and take a seat.

Conclusion - At about 14” long and 4” wide, it does take up some room, but a chair sure is a nice place to sit, so these days we’re opting in for some earned comfort to enjoy everything just a little bit more.

What we love:

-It’s light – 1.1 lbs.

-It’s comfortable, easily adjustable and super breathable.

-Ease of use. It snaps together firmly, and is so easy to deploy we keep it close for a quick seat on the fly.

-Responsibility.  It’s made with post consumer materials and we have a sneaking suspicion that if the cord ever wears out we could replace it.

What we don’t:

-At $179, it’s not a budget piece, but is also a gift that keeps on giving.

-Easy to be blown away with spring winds!