Have you been searching for the ultimate sleeping mat? Big Agnes has designed it's Q-core series around comfort, warmth, and weight. I tested this mat out for 24 nights so far in spring/summer 2016 and have never had better sleeps.

Big Agnes Q-Core SLX (the 2016 upgraded version of the SL)
Price: $159.95 USD (Regular Length 72")
Weight: 16oz
Thickness: 10cm/3inches
R-Value: 4.5

As a sufferer of chronic back problems, I have had issues sleeping on the ground. Thin mats are uncomfortable and create pressure points on my hips when sleeping on my side. Over the decades I have tried multiple inflatable mats made from Therm-a-rest, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Exped, and Big Agnes.  They offer greater comfort from pressure points and back discomfort and allow me to fall into a deep slumber. The difference that sets the Big Agnes Q-Core SL apart is its I-beam construction.

Pros:
When comparing the thickness of these brands, Big Agnes is at the top of the list. This is what initially what drew me to invest in their array of inflatable mats intitally buying a regular basic Air Core Pad. The Q-core SL caught my eye as it's design is not only thick, but has I-beams that provide multi-directional stability. This added engineering is what I believe has enabled me to have the best sleeps ever. I could never get comfortable on my back, even on other plush mats, but this mat is hands down the best mat I have ever slept on for comfort.

The R-value of a mat is important when 3 season camping or camping in colder regions. I have successfully used this mat to just under the freezing mark and it has kept me warm without question, definitely better then my basic Big Agnes Air Core Pad.

Weight is also a significant factor for me as woman and I participate in many backpacking trips. Coming in a package no bigger than the size of a pack of bagels, the mat weighs a total of 16oz. Sure, there are lighter mats on the market, but I would gladly play a small weight penalty to ensure sound sleep and comfort.

Length: I love how Big Agnes creates different lengths of mats for purchase. This ensures that someone is not carrying unnecessary weight. I am 66" long and bought the 72" mat. 

Cons: Price. These 3 season mats are not cheap. I am hoping my investment will stand the test of time and be worth it in the end. So far, it has been worth every penny and I look forward to sleeping on it again in the near future.

If inflating the mat when you arrive at camp and then not sleeping on it until 5 hours later, you may need to top up the inflation before bed. I find the inflation level decreases especially when temperatures drop throughout the evening. I find if it's not fully inflated, the mat isn't supportive enough.

If I was going to offer one suggestion for re-design, it would be to raise the centre baffles of the mat to match the height of the sidetubes. The extra height would decrease the chance of my hips making contact with the ground below like they do sometimes if the mat isn't 100% inflated.

Best Uses: Backpacking, canoe tripping, general camping.

**Note: The Q-Core SL that I bought in 2015 has been upgraded in 2016 to the Q-Core SLX which boasts to be even lighter and more comfortable! Would love to try it!

The Outdoor Research Women's Helium Jacket is a multiple award-winning ultra-lightweight rain shell that I tested out in in the spring/summer 2016. How did it perform? Read on to find out.

Outdoor Research Women's Helium II Jacket
Sizes: XS-XL
Colours: Apple, Hydro, Night/Ultraviolet, Pewter/Rio Plaid, Scarlet, Ultraviolet
Price: $159 USD
Weight: 5.5oz/156g (medium)

Features: An ultra-lightweight waterproof-breathable shell made from Pertex Shield+ fabric. The laminated layers offer protection from the elements in a small compressable package. The jacket joins with YKK Aquaguard zippers, and includes a zippered chest pocket, and elastic cuffs and hem. The internal pocket doubles as a stuff sack and when inside out there is a carabiner loop for clipping into harness.

​Pros: At first this shell looks like a windshell, but upon closer inspection, the fabric feels different. Not only a wind layer, but one that can also protect you from rain.

The compressability of this jacket is incredible. When packed away inside it's own stowaway pocket, the jacket is reduced to the size of my fist. It ends up being packed away in hiking and climbing packs and takes up no space. I have even tried to put in in my cycling seat pouch for long road rides with success.

The weight of this shell is amazing. Often packed in my pack or attached to my harness, this shell feels like nothing. It almost is at less that 5.5oz for my small size!

The jacket repels water even in hard downpours. The hood fits over my climbing helmet no problem. The elastic cuffs a the wrist are sufficient. 

The style of the jacket is a pretty normal. It comes in 6 different colours which is pretty rare for a rainshell jacket. What sets this 'just-in-case' jacket apart is its functionality and convenience. I don't frown at lugging around the weight of my rain shell any more!

Cons: There are no frills to this jacket. One zippered chest pocket, a hood, and hem cincher is all you get. But if you want lightweight and minimalist, then you can't add too many features. The chest pocket is great if wearing a harness or pack.

I did have a problem with the main zipper on the jacket. I seemed to have somehow managed to remove the slider and pull tab from the zipper teeth with very little effort on only it's second use. I contacted OR about this issue and they sent me a replacement and attributed to a YKK Aquaguard zipper defect. Upon receiving the jacket, I immediately tested the zipper out 20 times without issue. I find zippers are the weakness to most jackets and have replaced many before. I wouldn't say it's a reason not to consider this jacket.

Best Uses: Alpine and rock climbing, lightweight hiking and backpacking, cycling, and trail running.

The 2016 Outdoor Reseach Women's Whirlwind Hoody is a re-designed softshell jacket made for fast and light alpine missions. Is it worth the money? Read on to find out.

Outdoor Research Women's Whirlwind Hoody
Sizes: XS to XL
Colours: Apple, Black/Charcoal, Typhoon
Price: $115 USD
Weight: 7.5oz/213g (Size Medium)

Features: Made with highly breathable recycled polyester/spandex, the Whirlwind Hoody provides water and wind resistant protection in a lightweight package. The chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack and has a carabiner loop inside to clip to a harness or pack. Other features include: half-zip front zipper, elastic cuffs, thumb loop and elastic drawcord hem.

The 2014 upgraded Mountain Safety Research Hubba Hubba NX tent was my top backpacking tent choice after winning many awards and accolades. The upgrades created a tent that was lighter and had more features than it's predecessor. Did it perform well in the field? After purchasing it in Spring 2015 and using it for 20+ nights of backpacking, read on to find out.

MSR Hubba Hubba NX
Size: 2 person
Colour: Light Grey and Red
Weight: 1.72 kg/3 lbs 13 oz (max packed weight)
Internal Volume: 43 cu ft.
Price: $399.95 USD

Features: Let's start from the beginning. The tent sack is a unique red compression stuff sack that cinches in the tent when packed up. It's easy to stuff and fits everything inside, including the footprint.

Upon set up, there is one pole to put together and it's easy to attach to the main tent body. The cross pole really expands the interior space of the tent and allows for it to feel more roomy and spacious.

There are two doors for entry and ample micromesh screen coverage to allow for proper venting. The zippers open a large D shaped door into the bathtub style floor.

The rainfly creates two good sized vestibules to store gear underneath. It has two kickstand vents at the ends of the tent to allow for more air flow and ventilation. It's material is a polyurethane and silicon coated ripstop nylon that is very thin but bomber.

Pros: We fit! Lying side by side on our backs, my 6'2" husband and myself (5'6") can fit on the rectangular floor space with no problems. We don't have much extra room and only one person can be sitting up getting changed at a time, but we fit. That's more than I can say compared to other 2 person backpacking tents.

The tent is super compact and lightweight packed up. I absolutely love bringing it on any trip where weight is an issue. I have only used it backpacking, but will most definitely be packing it for bike touring and sea kayak trips in the future.

So far so good. The durability of this ultra-lightweight tent seemed questionable but after some heavy-duty use, it's still going strong. The single pole system works well, especially if only one person is setting it up. There have been no issues when rain has settled in as long as the tent is staked out properly to shed water. The zippers on the doors work well but I'm always careful when opening and closing. I seam sealed the rainfly before a major backpacking trip in the summer of 2015.  The tent stakes are lightweight and work well.

This tent is highly recommended. It seems to be the ultimate lightweight backpacking tent for two, that isn't single-walled (lighter models are causing endless condensation issues) and is still bomber like it's burly cousins. 

Cons: Some of the materials and zippers seem so ultralight that I feared they would soon rip or tear. After 16 nights I am happy to say that none have. That said, a pole did crack on us (our fault) while packed away on our last trip. Luckily MSR has a repair sleeve for the pole and we're back in business.

Best Uses:  Backpacking, bike touring, sea kayak touring.