Questions about gear

[denmark1]

We are planning to walk the OT in December and are considering purchasing Gondwana Colo and Jenolan jackets. They have good length. They are reduced in a winter sale. Does anybody have any experience using these??? As a family of 4 - mum, dad and 2 girls aged 13 and 15 - we are also wondering what size packs. The girls have deuter 50 + 10 SL pack each. Should I have a 60 + 10 and my husband a 75 +10??? What type of rain pants do you suggest? Cost is an issue. We walked it 20 years ago and although we hired goretex pants we never used them as it didn't rain. Will our -5 sleeping bags be enough or should we invest in some thermal liners for the sleeping bags??

[Nuts]

Hi denmark1,

Given that you mention cost then the short answer would be that you seem to be on the right track with what you mention.
Gondwana gear is sold locally but i'm not familiar with the models. I'd imagine the quality is good enough to hold together and not leak (the only things that Really matter)
While I'd suggest event or goretex pants, any rain pants will do, plastic if you dont think you'd use them much again.
Most people would be fine with a -5 bag, thermal liners will not make much difference if you are cold in a bag that is truly '-5c'. While it can snow or get cold its more likely not generating enough heat that you may find as much a factor. Not overextending your pace or distance and eating properly would be a more likely consideration.

[corvus]

G'day denmark1,
I agree with Nuts a properly rated -5 sleeping bag should be adequate ( I use mine here Summer and Winter with a silk liner) a good sleeping mat is recommended.
As for Overpants if you think that this is the only time you are likely to use them the basic "Rainbird" type will do a reasonable job, I have never used Gondwanna jackets but they do come with a 3 year warranty so the quality has to reliable for the price.

[Ent]

Hi

Gondwanna is a brand that was once extremely good quality locally made but nowadays is part of a much larger importer. I would be careful of the generic materials such as Tri-techs claims as honestly I have found it to be of plastic bag breathability. If the garment is made from Gore-tex then quality should be ok as Gore-tex does require brands using it to produce garments that work to an acceptable standard. It is much a case you get what you pay for and if the budget is limited then stuff like PVC pants are ok, if just a lot sweater.

Cheers Brett

[cixelsyd]

he girls have deuter 50 + 10 SL pack each. Should I have a 60 + 10 and my husband a 75 +10???

These pack sizes sound about right, I have the 75+ 10 and my wife has the 50 + 10 and we spent 8 days in the Walls and on the OT and never ran out of food. Having said that my wife ran out of dry socks . With the packs I would just watch the weight. I have overpacked my 75 + 10 to 24kg and man my back hurt for a few weeks afterward. Managing the weight is the important thing more than managing volume. IMO

[cixelsyd]

Will our -5 sleeping bags be enough or should we invest in some thermal liners for the sleeping bags??

I used a -10 down sleeping bag on my trip last September. There was about 1.5 metres of snow on cradle and I actually was sweating in this bag at night (in the huts). -5 should be fine as you can always add clothing layers.

My .02

[frandudgeon]

same as last post, just keep layered up

[cixelsyd]

What type of rain pants do you suggest?

Actually I bought a pair of Berghaus overpants. They are not goretex but they have snaps and a zipper up the side of each leg. On the OT, I usually just where these over my thermals. If my legs heat up I can open the sides and let the cold air in. They are really good for getting on/off in a hurry as a result of the side snaps/zippers on the legs. My outdoor shop only had ladies sizes left so I bought a ladies pair. (But don't tell anyone).

I've been scrub bashing through through the never/never and these were not even phased. They are also pretty light weight.

You may want to consider them, I thought they cost about AU$100.