Mountain Hardwear Monkey Woman Fleece Jacket

Mountain Hardwear Women's Monkey Woman JacketFeatures:

  • Polartec Thermal Pro
  • MicroClimate Zoning construction for built-in warmth, breathability and stretch
  • Extremely warm & soft
  • Stretch hem and cuffs seal in warmth
  • Zip handwarmer pockets
  • Chest pockets for maps, snacks and other items

Description: For our backpacking trip, Travis and I need to buy a jacket that works as an insulation. We thought of buying a down jacket but we changed our mind and bought Mountain Hardwear Monkey Jackets, for two reasons. One is, it has an affordable price. Two, we loved its warmth and softness as we tried them on. I am so glad that I have this jacket, it did keep me warm and it feels so comfortable that I wore it at home when our heater was temporarily down, haha.

Mountain Hardwear Monkey Woman Jacket has the Polartec Thermal Pro, which works as a great insulation that keeps you warm. It’s lightweight, highly breathable and dries quickly. Although its tag says that it’s machine washable, I was scared to try it because usually clothing with fleece usually change after being washed. I went ahead and tried washing it, it came out just the way it was before, all soft and comfy to wear. Whew!


Mountain Hardwear Monkey Woman Jacket
is stretchable, even the hem is stretchy, so I can move at ease without worry about ripping. It wasn’t until I went camping when I found out that my jacket has a pair of zip pockets for handwarmers! I’m such an addict for handwarmers, so I’ll buy some for next time.


Mountain Hardwear Monkey Woman Jacket
also has a chest pocket, which is very useful. At times, I used it for my camera. It’s easy to grab it, snap a picture and put it back inside. Since my nose runs like a waterfall, I’m a Kleenex girl so I often used my chest pocket to stuff my new tissue papers and take one whenever I need to. Travis likes using it for his energy snacks, easy to grab a snack bar whenever he needs a boost.

I’d recommend buying Mountain Hardwear Monkey Woman Jacket to friends and wear it underneath your soft-shell jacket or any outer jacket during a cold-climate activities. They also come in different colors.

 

Get the Gear To Get Out There

 

REI Camp Mug

Features:

  • Made from 100% recycled polypropylene
  • Recyclable
  • Drink-through lid makes it easy to travel with a beverage
  • Handle
  • Carries up to 12 fl. oz.

Description: We both bought two REI recycled camp mugs for our backpacking trip. We drank cold or hot beverage from these mugs and experienced no problems with them. It is the prefect size for a cup of hot chocolate or even red wine! Its handle feels good and comfortable in my hand. Comparing with ceramic mugs, these mugs are more durable and can keep a hot beverage warm a little longer than a ceramic mug would. The lid closes securely, so it doesn’t leak nor pops off easily. Washing them by hand is easy and quick. Comparing to other mugs, our mugs are affordable and durable. We recommend buying these mugs at any REI stores or their website.

Gregory Deva 60

Deva 60Features:

  • Top lid converts into a fannie pack/sling bag
  • Top lid contains an underside stash pocket
  • Easy drawstring system
  • DWR coated water-resistant zippers
  • Hydration sleeve and dual side for your hose
  • Front pockets & twin side pockets
  • Hideaway water bottle pockets with bungee strap
  • Dual layer wear-resistant bottom panel
  • Response Auto Fit Suspension (AFS)

Description:

I needed a backpack suitable for my first camping trip, so I went to a local store, REI, and tested out different backpacks. I finally tried Gregory Deva 60 backpack, filled with weight, and walked around for 30 minutes. I chose this backpack from other ones because it fits my size just right. The shoulder straps and belt are padded enough not to pinch my bones. Also, I like its back support. It curves nicely to fit my back, so I experienced no back strain. The mesh-covered back panel has a channel that draws warm air so I was able to stay warm as I pull it closer to my back. When I need to cool off, I would loosen the shoulder strap, increasing the space between my back and backpack. That way, it feels cool as the air comes in and out.

I like how my backpack has just enough pockets to carry the items that I can easily pull out while hiking. There are also hideaway water bottle pockets with bungee strap on both sides, where I can keep my bottles filled with water or Gatorade.

Gregory Deva 60 also has a top lid that can convert into a fannie pack/sling bag. This feature is perfect for our two-day camping trip. Instead of bringing an extra backpack, I can use this fannie pack if we choose to do a small hike and return to our camp site. Also, the top lid has a stash pocket, where I usually put my beanie, headlamps, gloves and anything that I could easily grab from above my head while hiking. No need to take off my backpack and get it.

For our backpacking trip, I packed my things inside and it weighed 23 lbs. After I put it on, I was able to buckle my waist-belt and adjust all straps at ease. I was ready to go. After few hours of hiking, I didn’t feel the need to take off my backpack or re-adjust the straps. It was fine the way it was. I like how its waist-belt snugs well and comfortably. It moves along with my body movements, instead of rocking roughly from side to side.  The waist-belt has two pockets, one on each strap, which is perfect for me. One pocket is for my camera and the other one is for my tissue papers since my nose runs like a waterfall, haha.

Another thing that I like about Gregory Deva 60 is it carries enough of what I needed for my trip. Although it was fully packed, it didn’t tear at all. I started with inserting my sleeping bag at the bottom of my backpack, just zip it open and stuff it. Above the sleeping bag, there is a fabric flap where I can buckle the straps. This creates a new bottom and the rest of my things that I pack above it are easy to reach. No need to insert my arm all the way down to find what I need.

Also, inside the main compartment, there is a large pocket where I can insert my hydration bladder and on either side, I can put the hose out from the inside. My shoulder strap has velcro in between so I was able to open a small opening and put my hose through it. This helps my mouthpiece stay put, and I can easily reach it to take a sip of water. It frees me from the hassle of searching the hose and finding the mouthpiece.

The downside of the Gregory Deva 60 is it didn’t come with a waterproof cover, so I went to a local store to buy one-size-fits-all cover. However, I would highly recommend Gregory Deva 60 for any petite hikers. I encourage you trying it out first before buying it, I think that you’d be pleased with Gregory Deva 60.

 

Deva 60 Deva 60 

The Gregory Packs Deva 60 include new Response™ female specific suspension, increased capacity, front pocket and redesi…


REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus Tent

Our tentFeatures:

  • Rectangular floor plan with extra head-room (10 in. longer, 3 in. wider, 1 in. higher than original Quarter Dome T2 tent)
  • Dry entry/exit vestibule design (prevents water entering into tent when doors are open on a rainy day)
  • Tension Truss architecture
  • Preassembled hub/pole set, pole clips and color-coding
  • DAC Featherlite® NSL aluminum poles
  • Seam-sealed bathtub design and watertight corners
  • Abundant pockets to keep your tent tidy
  • Rflective guy points and adjustable cleat-lock tie-downs on the rainfly
  • Minimalist shelter by using just the rainfly, and poles
  • Contains: guylines and tighteners, stakes, pole repair tube, pole/stake bags and tapered, easy-to-stuff compression stuff sack

Description: REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus is so easy to set up that even I can do this without Travis’s help in less than 15 minutes! The hub/pole set are pre-assembled and colored, so attaching the pole clips in the proper place is easy and quick. I love how the poles are attached by a strong rope inside; I can connect them together without any hassle. Also, they break down small enough to fit inside in your backpack. The poles are lightweight but strong, so we don’t worry about them breaking easily.

Since I’m such a neat freak, I love the abundant pockets of our tent! It certainly helps keeping our tent tidy. Plus, both of the two doors can be stash away in their pockets, making the entry/exit easy and snag-free.

We were promised that water wouldn’t drip or sneak through our tent during a rainy weather. During our first backpacking trip at Barr Camp, it was windy and snowed a little overnight. We were pleased to experience no problem with our tent!

Since Travis is 6’2″ feet tall, he often tilts his head to fit in a tent, so we ordered a Plus size for this tent. Travis can now enjoy resting inside the tent without head-tilting or knees bending to fit. As a petite lady, I have plenty of room inside the tent so we are happy with our choice.

However, the footprint is sold separately. We spent an extra $30 for it, because it certainly protects our tent from tear and wear. We’d highly recommend this tent to our friends.


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Get the Gear To Get Out There

Jetboil Stove

Jetboil Zip StoveFeatures:

  • 0.8-liter aluminum FluxRing® cooking cup with insulating cozy
  • Stove burner
  • Cooking cup
  • FluxRing® heat exchanger
  • Adjustable-flame burner
  • Drink-through lid
  • Used with 100g fuel canister (sold separately)
  • Bottom cover used as a measuring cup or bowl
  • Pot support
  • Stabilizer tripod
  • Sewn-on tunnel pocket for your utensils
  • Compatible with all Jetboil accessories (sold separately)

Jetboil Zip Stove is a great personal stove to have and can be used for two persons. Jetboil Zip Stove includes a 0.8-liter aluminum cooking cup with a neoprene cozy to keep your drinks or meals warm. The cozy not only protects your hand from burning while carrying it but also has a sewn-on tunnel pocket that carries your utensils.

It’s easy and convenient to use. To cook with Jetboil Zip Stove, you’d need the 100g fuel canister which is sold separately. Although getting a stabilizer tripod is optional, we recommend buying it. We found it very useful, it helps balancing the stove on an uneven surface. Jetboil Zip Stove also is compatible with all Jetboil accessories, including the Jetboil hanging kit that carries the stove, but we chose not buying it.

To start cooking with Jetboil Zip Stove, remove the companion cup and lid first. Twist together the stove burner and cooking cup. Then, connect the fuel canister underneath the stover burner. Clip the stabilizer tripod onto the bottom of the fuel canister. Fill in water up to 2 cups, depending how much water needed for your drink or meal. Slowly release the gas and hit the black button on the stove burner twice, it should start the flame. Wait few minutes for the water to boil, which usually takes five minutes but the neoprene cozy has an indicator that turns to orange when the water is getter warmer and boiling. And then, it’d be ready for use. Easy, huh? I love it!

The companion cup can be used as a measuring cup or bowl. The lid has a pour spout and built-in strainer, so it’s easy to pour from the cooking cup and into the companion cup.

At the end, you can store the stove burner, the fuel canister and stabilizer tripod inside the cup. Close the top with its lid for storage and snap on the companion cup below the cooking cup. Ta-da, it’s ready.

We do recommend buying Jetboil Zip Stove; it works well and we experienced no problems with our stove. Also, we like how affordable Jetboil Zip Stove is.


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Jetboil Zip Stove Jetboil Zip Stove 

The Jetboil Zip Stove Cooking System gives you the easiest, fastest way to cook a hot meal in the backcountry. Sturdy and reliable, this 4 season Jetboil cooking system weighs in at 12 oz and can boil 16 oz of water in just over 2 minutes thanks to the Jetboil Thermo-Regulate Burner Technology that delivers consistent heat output down to below-freezing temps. Included in the convenient Jetboil Zip Cooking System is an integrated burner base and a 0.8 liter FluxRing Cooking Cup and cozy. Youll have a hot cuppa in no time while your camp mates are still fiddling with their heavy, high maintenance 4 strokes from the 90s.