I have two Warmlite 2Rs, from 1980 and 2005. Certainly more of a tent than you need for bikepacking, but still a great all-round tent. With the double wall (both are waterproof) it’s very warm, as Ryan has attested. Easy 3-stake setup, all-up-at-once is so great. As it uses 30d fabric, it’s not the lightest by modern standards. The folded poles occupy a space 18-1/2″ x 3″ x 3″ (the front pole is very large diameter). With poles in it, the tent rolls up to about 18-1/2″ x 7″ If you do get one you must get the side windows, with their mosquito netting (unless you only want it for winte ..read more

I’ve tried an umbrella several ways. I’ve yet to find a way where it didn’t flop around, stayed out of my vision, was easy to deploy, and wasn’t out of position every other turn of the trail. I find the handles are too short unless I hold it ..read more

Many, many nights in a 2x, starting in 1975 or so. I didn’t want the weight of a liner. From the first nights in my tent, I found could hear other tents making noise in moderate winds while my tent was silent and not getting smaller. As I was to learn later, high winds could offer a challenge. The internal guys would work in high winds, but would reduce useful space, and would not save the day during pitching or packing. The volume in the 2 reduces quickly away from the high end. The climber’s version is worth skipping for 2 users because sleeping bags would touch the wall in the rear. However ..read more

“I use poles, so can’t hold an umbrella” I’ve rigged, using shock cord and cordlocks on my daypack and backpack shoulder straps, attachment points for my umbrella so it can be hands-free and I can use my hiking poles ..read more

“I use poles, so can’t hold an umbrella” I use a long-sleeved, collared nylon fishing shirt with epaulettes on the shoulders and place the handle of the sun-brella in one of the chest cargo pockets having run the shaft through the epaulette, making it hands-free ..read more

A hot head is far,  far preferable to cancerous melanoma. all my hats are wide brimmed and SPF 50 at least. Recall that the ears and nose and neck  aren’t visible to you, so when you think you’re protected,  it may not be the case. You simply can’t see the sun on your face, even if your eyes are shaded. Take a photo or ask a friend. And then there’s this: https://www.sunprecautions.com/product/48100 I know,  it looks hot but look again.  The drape is loose. The fabric is white. the drape can be loosened entirely and even removed. Most  of all, this is the best mos ..read more

@HkNewman I have tried the boonie style hats with mesh sides. What I have found is the most important piece in really venting a truly hot head is the top fabric. It’s got to be highly breathable yet provide UV blockage-not an easy task. Most hats that claim breath really don’t. My Headsweats with my sun hoody-hood up-which is worn every single hiking trip provides great coverage-good mineral sunblock on the face only ..read more

I went for a walk in the hills My pack, it was stuffed to the gills Jordan was right I should have gone light But I couldn’t afford all those bills ..read more

Old, very white guy with thin hair here. It feels 10-15F cooler under a silvered “sun-brella” in the sun and, during mostly vertical rain/mist, it has much better visibility and lets my clothing dry as I wear it more than a parka ..read more

For dedicated hot, I’d go with a brimmed sun hat preferably with ventilation.  There’s the Columbia Bora-Bora with mesh sides/back, and like designs .. though that gets into the fabric boonie.  Noticing more discount brand sun hats mimicking the name brands too (more of the general population in the Sunbelt are going wide brim .. all age groups).  The brims tend to flop in wind though. Patagonia sometimes has a sun hat with meshed perimeter vents whichever work surprisingly well and a slightly more stable brim.  More expensive, Shelta has stiff [front] brimmed sun hats to e ..read more