The pillow CP mentions: > I'm currently using a U-shaped inflatable pillow that was from either a pound shop, or given to me by a friend.
I used some of these in the past, and found that if I glued to two 'free arms' together with a drop of superglue, the pillow become more comfortable and stable.
I use the inflatable pillow that Decathlon sell. I have used many inflatable type before, and had most of the problems mentioned with them so far in this thread.
The decathlon pillow is very easy to get to the right firmness, and is a good size. Its main selling point (for me) is that it actually inflates to a 'proper pillow shape' with an inbuilt dip in its centre. This ensures it is very comfortable, and not only supportive, but not not move around.
Here is a linky: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/ultralight-inflatable-pillow-34692307/
The suggestion of the OMM chest pouch above works for me too. I also use Bob from backpacking lights 'strap a map to me', but only for single laminated sheets.
One other idea for you, bearing in mind you say you use walking poles is this:
I put together some lengths of 20mm webbing that will sit at the rear of any rucksack hip belt. they are adjustable in length, and have angled 'baskets on their ends to hold the point of a walking pole. The top of the pole is secured to the rucksack strap in the same way as the 'strap a map to me' idea (or using the built in shock cord on OMM packs).
This set up will allow you to store your own poles without having to remove your pack or even having to stop walking. It also stops your poles getting caught in low hanging branches etc, as they sit neatly between your arms and body while walking.
Another advantage is that if your pack is nearly empty, the poles will stay neatly in place, and not flop about like they can on the rear of your pack.
I hope this is of some help to you, as having your hands free of poles for map/compass/GPS or phone use can be a real advantage.
Hi all. I have finally bought a Petzl E lite, after getting bored of carrying an Alpkit gamma in my day walk sac and never using it. Just so you know exactly where i am coming from here, if i walk overnight or multiday, I will still carry a proper headtorch. I lead one or two very short walks per week, and to be honest, none of these should ever involve walking in the dark, but for safety/tradition/anal reasons I simply cant drop a torch from my pack!
So I now have an E lite, but want to keep some spare batteries in my pack too (for the same reasons as above). Has anyone invented a useful storage clip/bag for these CR2032's that either fits onto the E lite headband, or do you know of any suitable plastic tubes (sweets, medicine or other) that will store these batteries well and keep them dry?
As a last thing. To keep my spare batteries fresh, is it right for me to store them with their positive sides (or negative) facing each other?
Mud, dust, sweat, water (from rain sometimes), dropped food (on my clothing), the odd bit of grass from my socks, soot, ash or carbon from my fire etc.
In my army days, the dirt was often VERY thick, and as we slept with our combats and boots on, the dirt level was high lol. But, that said, we used man made liners and not silk.
For backpacking or camping use, the dirt will often be dust and sweat/dead skin.
My silk liner does make my bag a fair bit warmer, but is also good to be used on its own in hot weather, or for an afternoon nap with all my clothes on. Another plus is that I wriggle about quite a lot, and although the liners are not exactly 'roomy' lol, they can make it easier to turn over in your bag without turning the bag over. I find this useful, as I sleep with my partner in a tent often, so my zip may not always be on the most handy side for the way I sleep. I also sleep on my side so cannot do the hod up tight around my face, so adopt this routine: warm weather, use the sleeping bag conventionally. Cold weather, use the bag upside down, so the hood is above me (and the zip on the other side to usual).
Ray Britton
