Dan made a pack for me in 2005 that carries a bearikade weekender horizontally.  So, a testament to longevity of a McHale pack.  And with the horizontal carry there is no deformation to manage for a comfortable carry. Dan’s under the lid strap system effectively manages a deformation free carry for smaller volume packs ..read more

The Sierra Designs cagoule was just a long coat, with no room for a pack under it. I’ve never seen one in person, but I recall almost buying one when they were cheap because they were discontinued. I still regret not buying it every time my butt gets wet when I’m wearing a jacket. Well, yes and no. A true cagoule doesn’t have a FL zipper like a coat. Think of it as a long anorak. I have the 1st Gen Sierra Designs Cagoule. It’s really a great design with no zips, but includes underam vents and a pack waistbelt pass through. Problem with it is it’s made with a waterproof-breathable material th ..read more

Awesome. Thanks ..read more

The Sierra Designs cagoule was just a long coat, with no room for a pack under it. I’ve never seen one in person, but I recall almost buying one when they were cheap because they were discontinued. I still regret not buying it every time my butt gets wet when I’m wearing a jacket ..read more

Thanks Brad :) “Do you have a ‘cutaway’ diagram of the current handle/shaft interface? Is the upper tube section capped inside the handle?”No I don’t have such a diagram. The tubing feels capped inside the handle but I can’t not confirm this yet. I’m going to be deconstructing some grips here in the next few weeks as part of working on the strap attachment, so I’ll be able to confirm soon ..read more

I just ordered that exact poncho yesterday. I’ll post back here if it’s very good or very bad ..read more

Like this? That is 3FUL’s “poncho with sleeves“. I’ve been calling it a “mountain poncho ..read more

It’s a shame no one makes a simple, light weight Cagoule in a PU coated nylon like Sierra Designs offered some years back. THAT would be a rain garment I’d be interested in ..read more

I, for one, don’t like straps or cork grips. I think the Durston poles are brilliant as is. I may get a air just for those special occasions I use poles. The fact Komerdell makes them is a huge plus. They’re a great company that often seems overlooked here in the US. Regardless, it’s nice to see how responsive Dan is to input. Kudos to him ..read more

By “you” the posters mean ‘one’. “One doesn’t need straps.” Better? It’s not addressed to anyone in particular or a group of people. The problem is, writing “one doesn’t need straps” etc. sounds a bit high falutin’. Still, in a forum like this, I’ve found that using the impersonal ‘one’ avoids possible conflict. the person who posted just before me may think my use of ‘y0u’ is directed at him or her or them or they, when it’s just meant generically: “you don’t need to be afraid of bears”  is addressed to everyone around a campfire, not just the last kid who happened to speak. It’s more fa ..read more