MYOG Cuben Fibre Shelter

I've always wanted to longterm test a cuben fibre shelter but never really found anything I wanted to take on a long hike. Cuben fibre was supposed to be a wonder material that would transform lightweight hiking, but after having used it in many roles, ranging from packs to waterproofs, I've been somewhat underwhelmed. Perhaps shelters is where it really shines? My 2 previous cuben tarps didn't fare too well but a shaped tarp SHOULD work better. The difference here is that pegging/guying loads are spread, more evenly, around many more points, which could make a big difference. I already have an MLD Cricket, in cuben, but it's not nearly as flexible as the silnylon version, which I prefer, so I've hardly used it. I looked at a cuben Trailstar but the material has compromised the design so much that I didn't take the plunge. Zpacks make a nice cuben shelter called the Hexamid, and I got to look at many, up close, on the PCT. They looked ideal for that hike but the design puts weight above performance when the weather turns nasty, so again, I kept way. With a hike across New Zealand coming up I wanted a shelter suitable for more extreme conditions and decided I would build my own.

Finished MYOG cuben shelter

MYOG Synthetic Quilt

Awhile ago I built a down quilt with a central zip that allowed the user access to the filling. The idea was that the user could replace the filling quickly and without any sewing. I suggested that a quilt built this way would also allow alternative fillings to be used for each specific trip. Perhaps a down filling for a lightweight summer hike or more water resistant synthetic filling for a kayaking trip. This idea was fine except that for the filling to be quickly swappable it would have to be contained in some kind of additional skin that could be inserted and removed from the shell. This added extra weight that I'm not prepared to carry so I inserted my filling directly into the shell and decided to build a second, fully synthetic, quilt with swappable fillings. As most synthetic fill comes as a continuous sheet then no container would be needed. Imagine, 1 shell with 2 or 3 different fillings that could cover all conditions. Sound useful? I thought so!

Finished quilt with 8oz Apex insulation

Bugsy MYOG

I always carry some kind of bug protection on 3 season hikes, a head net and bivy are the norm. The head net comes on at breaks and can also be worn when hiking if the buggers are particularly bad. A bivy offers overnight bug and additional weather protection. Problem with the head net is that while it does provide good bug protection when hiking, it isn't ideal for breaks. Even basic chores, like eating, are hard. You are also still vulnerable to being bitten elsewhere with the minimal protection offered. A bivy can offer good protection once zipped up in camp, but you have to choose between the maximum ventilation of a full net bivy, or the weather protection of an enclosed bivy. Few offer both features, and if they do then they are heavy. Mesh head areas can help you ventilate in an enclosed bivy, but you will still overheat on a hot night. With the PCT coming up, with it's wide range of conditions, I thought that there had to be a better way.

Bugsy setup for maximum ventilation

MYOG Quilt

When I decide I’m going to build a piece of kit I don't just try any copy what’s already out there. I sit and think about the problems of these designs and, more importantly, what it is I really want from a piece of kit. Quilts is an area I’ve been thinking about a lot recently.

This isn't a step by step guide to building a quilt but should show you enough to make something similar should you choose.

Skins Packs - the early days (2009)

In 2009 I came up with a new concept in backpack design which I wrote about for Andy Howell's blog.

Skins Packs - the story so far

Since those early days the packs have changed beyond recognition as my needs have changed, and I am now at the 3rd generation. I like the simplicity of these original packs and intend to update the design shortly.

Lightweight protection for gadgets (2009)

A project from 2009 published on Andy Howell's blog

Gadget Bag

A great lightweight case that could easily be modified to take any gadget.

Ultra-light trowel (2009)

Another piece I produced for Andy Howell in 2009. This has proven to be very popular! I've since moved on to a lighter titanium trowel (15g) but to be honest this works better on tough ground.

Ultra-light Trowel

MYOG water-bag (2009)

In 2009 I was looking for a lightweight alternative to the Platypus bladder water carrying system. I wanted something with greater capacity and carrying handles. Of course it had to be lighter!

Water bag

I don't use these much nowadays as it would be unlikely to last a 5 month hike. But for additional capacity and weekend hikes its perfect.