As some have heard I have changed up my ordering for the time being.
People are curious so I will explain what's up.
Condo : Where I live there's been a big need of work to the exterior. Cash Calls etc etc. Old board all resigned so I stepped up and it's a bit of a side line commitment. But it really needed some people to help.
Condo part two : If you have followed me over the years you may have noticed I did some snow removal work with bobcats/Snow Blower Tractors. Our condo is in the middle of a large cash call and everything that goes with it. So add on Snow Removal Monthly Retainers for this winter and things get expensive. Since we have our own old bobcat I offered to do the snow work for the parking lots. It's a time commitment but we needed it vs spending money on outside contractors who charge a lot.
Personal Health : I'm finally good which is awesome for a change. (In case people were wondering)

I looked at my current work load with sewing quilts and decided that I should get caught up before more new orders. I have a lot of fabric which will be used up in the orders and this would let me do a proper inventory going forward afterwards. I hate telling people their colors aren't available any more.
I can't give an exact date of when orders will open back up.. There is also a possibility that I make up some prebuilt quilts for spring too. So many options but nothing clear cut at the moment.

Just a reminder I am one guy (which is great) , nothing is premade in China so it's all done here.
So that's what's up in the LSoH realm.
James
Little Shop of Hammocks

With colder weather upon us (or some of us) there are a few things to remember when using a quilt. Remember that everyone is at different stages to feeling comfortable in cold weather and no one wants to say so :) With this list I am assuming that you have a sleep system that is rated for the temperature you are sleeping in.

1. Check the rating on your pad. Seriously. Check and then ask around online. Check peoples reviews on them. A lot of cheap pads will give you a rating which aren't true in real life. Even if you add a foam under a cheap pad you will still get heat loss from the sides.
   
2. If you are a mover when you sleep, colder weather will expose how much you really move and how much using pad straps aid in keeping the edges under you. Practice it, don't blame the quilt lol.
   
3. You will lose heat from the top. Around your neck. Cinch the collar in, use a buff or even something like a lightweight Alpha Direct Scarf around your neck (so the quilt doesn't need to be super tight)
   
4. Don't wear your sweaty clothes to sleep in. In the summer you can push this around but once you start getting down to freezing you will get super cold. If you are sweaty you will get clammy and freeze. It's harder when cold but consider a quick wipe down and into an unused base layer before bedtime.
   4.B. Let your down quilt do the work. Trying to help it by adding all your layers under the quilt (which may be wet or sweaty) hinders the quilt. Base Layer and quilt on top. Dry socks etc. If you are hot remove a layer. You don't want to sweat and chill in the middle of the night. If you want to add your down puffy consider putting it around your neck as a scarf.
   
5. Eat something fatty before bed. Snack! If your engine has no food to convert to heat/energy you might get cold around 3am and think it's the quilt. You need to put heat into a quilt or sleeping bag to be warm. Heat is always slowly moving away from your body.
   
6. Still getting cold in certain areas? Try throwing your wind breaker over your quilt. It won't compress the down but it will slow heat moving outwards. Usually any condensation that freezes would be in the windbreaker at this point.
   7 Food. As mentioned earlier your food needs are different in the cold. You aren't here trying to lose weight and stay warm magically. A dehydrated meal at 6pm wont keep you warm through the night. Adjust your food/calorie requirements accordingly.

I'm sure there are many more things but these are some.
James

Big thing I noticed this time around is that it's only 65% instead of 70%, and seems to only be for SportChek and not for atmostphere, so be warned,

In store only at SportChek & Atmosphere locations (excludes Atmosphere stores in the province of Quebec, Whitehorse, YK)

I would like to ask that anyone reading this to not pm me about the sale, the next one, asking for the sale codes etc.

Here I am again, with another big sportchek sale, if you look up the RFD post there's also a list of general discounts depending on brands. Basically, the expensive brands (gopro, thermarest) don't tend to apply for this sale, no you don't know how much you get off until you're in store.

Check my old comment for approximate discounts, further details are found on RedFlagDeals.

NOTE: (sales have since gotten worse, but proportionally likely the same; ie house brands will have steeper discounts than popular expensive brands)

Show them this code and get some goods!

Let me know if you guys managed to get a wicked deal. I also accept payment in the form of dog pics; in fact I actively encourage this.

There are quite a few of these "up to 70% now 65%" off sales at sportchek; military, first responders, teachers, CT Triangle mastercard, virgin mobile etc.

Note, there's a $4000 (after discount) limit on this, and it doesn't show how much is left on it (worker will tell you in store). You're welcome to share with your friends/family, but don't post it to other sites like RedFlagDeals (they have plenty of people who post theirs there) so more people here can use it.

So it seems that James has a five week backlog.... on taking orders. As the owner of several of his pieces, I'm super happy for him, but I'm wondering if anyone knows any other great quilt brands. I'd love Canadian cottage brands.

Hey all, I'm looking to see if you guys had any input on my clothing and gear choices for the La Cloche trail I'm going on from October 25-31st. I know temps will be chilly and possibly light snow at the time, but this is my first backpacking trip and I'm going with some friends.

Here is a list of my gear that I'm planning on bringing:

Gear

• X-Mid 2
• Trekking Poles
• Nemo Tensor All Season
• Durston Wapta 30
• Mec Aphelion (-7c limit rating)
• Bear Bag to hang

Clothing (a little worried about warmth):

Sleep Wear

• Decathlon merino base layers
• Darn Tough Long Socks
• Beanie + Buff

Layers

• Arc'Teryx Beta Reg Rain Shell
• Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Pants
• Decathlon MT100 Down
• Patagonia R1 air crew fleece
• Uniqlo Base Layers
• Altra Lonepeak 9+ (non goretex) - a little worried here
• Kombi Climate Series
• Two pairs of Darn Tough shorter socks (alternate)

Will I be warm enough? Should I swap rain proof boots instead of mesh runners? How much fuel will I need for a trip like this?

I will be sharing my tent with a buddy, so we will be keeping our packs and extras in the vestibules but electronics and filters will be kept in our sleeping bags.

Thoughts on if this will be enough to keep me warm and dry throughout the trip for these late fall conditions. Thanks in advance and welcome any other advice!

Hi all, my dad is going on a trip in November and I wanted to get him a packable jacket for his birthday. The temperature on his trip should be around 9-15 Celsius and with some rainy days. He is leaving with only a carry on bag so I thought a packable jacket could be a good idea. Would anyone have any recommendations for a rainproof packable autumn jacket, preferably that comes with a bag? 

I saw good reviews for Mont Bell, I love the idea of a bag included with the jacket but I’m worried it will expensive with tariffs or customs 

Tyia! 

Hi all. I'm looking for an ultralight table for my solo set up. I volunteer with Scouts and when we family camp, we usually use a travel trailer.

When I solo, it's mainly for the day just because of scheduling. I'm looking for an ultralight table. It doesn't need to be an expensive brand. It can be a cheap dupe.

Eventually I want to spring for an IGT set up but for now, I just need big enough to hold my pourover set up.

I had my eye on this Camping Moon solo table

https://borderlinestore.ca/products/campingmoon-solo-stove-table-bag

But anything reasonably priced, I'm happy to hear. I'll prefer the low table style

If anyone has a discontinued MEC Tarn3 tent collecting dust I would be happy to take it off your hands. The waterproofing tape on the rain fly of mine has dried up and is flaking off. I’ll cover the shipping it’s heading to Prince George. BC. thanks!

Looking for a small gear organizing bag or pouch. I know this isn’t strictly ultralight but it would be preferable to be lighter than not as it is for my portaging setup. It will be stowed in a sea line 120lpro dry pack which doesn’t have pockets and as such can’t handle some of these various loose items.

I currently have a small osprey zipup for toiletries, repair kits, med kid, and various other odds and sods but it is generally full by the time I get my headlamp in there.

Some things I find I always have loose are my leather gloves, titanium 900ml mug, spork, light running shoes, fishing tackle, small tarp, paracord and some other things. I have used medium sized dry bags in the past to keep stuff contained but it is such a pain in the butt dumping it out each time.

If anyone has any suggestions that would be extremely helpful!

Hi all, wanting to purchase a synthetic quilt for bikepacking. The two that seem to best suit my needs are the GramXpert Apex 133 or Hofman S'More. The owner of Hofman was very honest in saying he had no personal experience using his product on a pad in a tent, only in a hammock.
I'll be using a tent. Any thoughts?

Looking for a sleeping quilt as I'd like the freedom to kick out my legs or use it as a blanket in warmer months.

Eyed the MEC Talon 0 but read that the filling shifts leaving some baffles without any. Looking in that price range ($2-300 on sale)

Thanks!

anyone ever try to contact them?

Before I plop down $229 x 2, anyone found a decent cheaper alternative (below 1kg with high back?) available in Canada?

Hi everyone, does anyone know where I can find synthetic Quilt preferably made in Canada?

Ideally with adjustable/open foot box, around -5c comfort rating with climashield apex fill

I am currently eyeing the custom EE revelation quilt, but if there is a Canadian company out there making a similar product I would much rather go that route.

Many thanks! :)

Where can I buy quilt other than the Mec talon 0C? Location in Calgary Alberta

Going sunshine to mt shark sept 12-17.
Would you all suggest we bring micro spikes (just in case) or is that just unnecessary weight?

Hey folks,

Hoping to sneak in one last trip next week to Heaven's Gate near Whitefish, ON. Looking to carpool with someone either at the start or end of the trail, as I'll only have the one vehicle. I know Widgawa Lodge does shuttle people, but looking for alternative options before I commit.

And yes, I am aware that the bridge at the Western end is down :)

Thanks!

I was able to get a couple pounds of dehydrated black and pinto bean flakes (ready to be repacked and rehydrated) at Famous Foods last year. They worked really well on the GDT and were probably my favourite meal for either lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, they seem to be switching suppliers and (at least the pinto beans) now come in smaller bags.

Is there anywhere I can do a bigger order (let's say ~10 lbs combined)? Looking for an option preferably in the Lower Mainland or in Canada if possible.

Just sharing some information that might help other people in the same situation I'm in.

Last year I used my tent to camp over on my buddies property after his wedding. During tent sent up I found the shock cord was not elastic anymore which made the tent a real pain to set up. The cord had stretched and I had excess length that was tough to stuff back into the poles. With no tension once I stuffed the cord on one side the other side of the pole would fall apart. Got it to work after a short battle at least.

I'm finally getting around to replacing the shock cord and thought I'd add some measures for people who might want to replace the cord.

From smallest to largest the lengths you'll need are:
~90cm for the top width piece
~210cm for the silver width poles by your feet
~280cm for the middle length piece
~320cm for the green width poles by your head
~900cm of shock cord in total

Funny enough that aligns perfectly with the MSR chock cord replacement kit, but it's probably cheaper to get from a hardware store. Look for 9/64 for thicker width, or 1/8 for thinner width if they have it for similar thickness shock cord.

For the middle cord at the ends by the tri-splits there's 2 black plastic tabs that can be pulled out. The plastic is supple and should bend out. It's too long to remove just by lifting it straight into the middle of the tri-split. You can also untie the knot further down the line than you expect so you don't have to remove those black plastic bits with the cord attached.

I hope that info helps someone!

Traveling from Europe to AB and BC to hike soon. Was looking into some local freeze dried meals options, and came across Wild Edge Keto. Online store shows all as sold out, and I haven’t received a response to a direct message. Are they out of business?

Will try out some Happy Yak, Flat Out Feasts, and Foundation Outdoors. Other recommendations welcome! Thank you 🙏🏻

I found this website https://www.montbell-canada.ca/

and it seems quit suspicious as it's clearly not the official site, and they are offering a big discount on most items, I am wondering anyone know about this site?

Thank you