Aliexpress Tarp and other finds

[Ms_Mudd]

I can't help but play with gear- got a $40 Arixci Tarp from aliexpress and surprisingly it arrived within two weeks.
It is very reminiscent of a poor man's Protrail.
It weights 420g in stuff sack with guys and hardware- not so ultralight once paired with a bivy, but lightish.
Construction is ok, I wouldn't trust it in harsh weather as to me, think the tie out points are not as strongly reinforced.

My nature hike pillow (similar to S2S Aeros) still going strong after a year

Is anyone else toying with budget UL items at the moment? Any good finds?

[CasualNerd]

I got a smaller tarp and it's fantastic to string up a bit of extra shelter in poor weather, especially over the vestibule door so you can leave the tent open but no rain getting in.

The naturehike pillow failed pretty early, but lasted a lot longer than the sea to summit at half the price.

knockoff versions of MSR tent pegs have been fantastic and were easily available when everyone was sold out of genuine pegs.

Poly gloves are light, warm and cheap so I don't trash the expensive snow gloves in scrub or over rock.

I'm sitting on a few other bits and pieces like a lightweight rain kilt, guy line fasteners, tent platfom hooks, snow pegs etc that haven't seen use but look great.

[johnrs]

Heh there MsM
Here is a good china gear spot
http://frugalhiker.blogspot.com/
John

[Moondog55]

I got my snow pegs there at a third the cost of the Mont and they are exactly the same, they even bend in the same place when overstressed

[andrewa]

Hmmm.

I’m not feeling so supportive of cheap Chinese knockoffs atm.

A

[jess_z0]

Looked at the Aliexpress stuff and have got a number of items i love - titanium pot, lanshan 2, backpack etc. Looked at their tarps but they looked a bit heavy so when with the US small business Simply Light Designs. Bit more money but feel that it was worth it, 200g for a 6x8feet which seemed to be a great beginner tarp option with a bit of extra room so pitch doesnt have to be perfect. I used it for the first time on Cooloolah 90k hike and loved it.

[Ms_Mudd]

Ooo yes, I was really happy with my Lanshan 2 as well, only sold it as I got an XMid, bit of sellers regret though on that one.

[Moondog55]

Hmmm.

I’m not feeling so supportive of cheap Chinese knockoffs atm.

A

Me neither but in the instance of the Mont snowpegs the packaging clearly said "Made in China" so all I was doing was cutting out the middleman so to speak

[johnw]

Hmmm.

I’m not feeling so supportive of cheap Chinese knockoffs atm.

A

Me neither but in the instance of the Mont snowpegs the packaging clearly said "Made in China" so all I was doing was cutting out the middleman so to speak

Ditto, unfortunately just about everything is made in China these days.

[CraigVIC]

Anyone using a Fire Maple hornet?

[Moondog55]

Anyone using a Fire Maple hornet?

Yes I have two. One in each emergency kit but I'd not use them for normal cooking. for that I prefer the much more stable 117T

[CraigVIC]

The 117g seems to have been discontinued. There's very old reports on the hornet failing due to an issue with a component expanding and blocking the jet.

I'm looking for a stove to fit a pot so all the remotes are out, the other contender is the amicus.

[Moondog55]

You want to fit the canister and the stove into the pot?
Small pot? The 117T easily fits inside an MSR Titan kettle with room for bits & bobs but the Wasp will fit with a 100g canister of gas and room for a brew kit/spoon/lighter and a FRED

[CraigVIC]

There are couple of sellers around with NOS 117t at twice the rrp but otherwise it appears discontinued. I cannot find it on aliexpress, it seems to have been replaced by the blade.

[Moondog55]

The Blade looks just like my 117T. Hmmmm.
I have a spare stove if you want it, price negotiable.
Hardly used as it is a back-up

[stry]

Anyone using a Fire Maple hornet?

Yes I have two. One in each emergency kit but I'd not use them for normal cooking. for that I prefer the much more stable 117T

I have, and have used, a Hornet for a few years without any stability problems, BUT I have only ever used it for solo use with a Titan kettle, AND I am reasonably careful and deliberate with how I do things. A large wide pot would not a good match.

[CraigVIC]

Thanks for the offer MD, I've gone ahead and purchased already.

The blade does indeed look much the same as the 117t but has a heat tube with the associated increase in weight.

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Hmmm.

I’m not feeling so supportive of cheap Chinese knockoffs atm.

A

Me either. My take on it (based on the purchase of a backpack and tent) is that their home designed products are rushed to market without sufficient product testing or development. I'm now wary of buying Chinese designed hiking gear, notwithstanding the significant advantages of price and availability.

You would hope a tarp would be pretty fool-proof though.

[Ms_Mudd]

You would hope a tarp would be pretty fool-proof though.

You would hope so The tarp I got is a shaped one though so probably more room for error.

It is all a bit hit and miss with Aliexpress, have had some gems but some really poor purchases too. My $1 butt pad is still going strong after many years though, that was a goodie.

I put the tarp up again yesterday as strong winds were predicted. Well, I put it up twice actually- first time was in my little top paddock, but when one of my goats took off with my polycryo and started eating it (ripped it too, the tuurd) I took it down and set it up out the front yard instead.
My husband thought that meant I was going to sleep in it too, so I did, why not?! The winds in South Eastern NSW since 8pm last night are 60-70km/hr with gusts up to 90 . I did set up with a hedge along one side of me. There was a slight chance of precipitation overnight, so I clipped the beak together. No rain as any clouds were blown away. The thing held and indeed is still holding, I went out and walked in (lower) Barrington Tops today and the winds are pretty wild, I wouldn't have been surprised if a tie out had given while I was gone, but still she stands.

My night was comfy, I could sit up and faff around okay, heaps of room between me and the outer. I guess wind could blow rain in under the beak, but I think a cleverly deployed brolly there would do the trick.

Happy to have blown the $40 on something I don't really need as playing with it has given me enjoyment while I await my order from Borah Gear to arrive. I may put it in the PIF thread or keep it on hand to offer to others to try as although a bit heavy at 400+g, it packs into a teeny little stuff sack.

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[Nuts]

Hmmm.

I’m not feeling so supportive of cheap Chinese knockoffs atm.

A

Me neither but in the instance of the Mont snowpegs the packaging clearly said "Made in China" so all I was doing was cutting out the middleman so to speak

I suspect false economy, and will no longer be using them but anyway.. watch out for the 'tube pegs', immensely strong coz they aren't actually 'tubes' a minor detail that makes them 4x heavier. Pretty hard to get a tarp wrong I guess.

[Dexter]

I just grabbed a rip off Helinox Chair One for about $33 AUD. It could well be rubbish, but I guess I'll find out. If their specs are to be believed, it should be 110g lighter than a Helinox.

[kelvinn]

@Dexter - keen to hear how that worked out for you.

My finds: some down booties (generally like), as well as a super cheap poncho tarp to see if I like the concept before splashing on an expensive one. Regarding the poncho tarp... still on the fence.

[johnrs]

And some great AlieExpress reviews here on Frugal hiker
http://frugalhiker.blogspot.com/gal Hiker
John

[Dexter]

@Dexter - keen to hear how that worked out for you.

It may be a while. Both the delivery from Ali, and getting to give it a test run. I just booked the Great Ocean Walk for early Dec. I might do an easy overnighter before then if I can get away and restrictions lift When they're supposed to.. but I'll be sure to post back. I'm about 85-90kg depending on recent beer consumption. So will be keen to see if it holds my weight okay.

And some great AlieExpress reviews here on Frugal hiker
http://frugalhiker.blogspot.com/gal Hiker
John

The tents tempt me a lot. I really don't need another tent though!

[Dexter]

Well my chair is not estimated to arrive till Dec 13 now. The joys of Aliexpress haha. I ended up buying a NatureHike from Amazon because I have some walks planned before then. At least I can compare them I guess!