TABLE OF CONTENTS

Leif Muse walks among icebergs in the recently-drained Hidden Lake, Wrangell St. Elias National Park.

ULTIMATE CHOICES: EQUIPMENT

TREKKING POLES - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Crossing the Matanuska River just below the Matanuska Glacier terminus. Brrrr!!!

Therm-a-Rest Neo Air XLite sleeping pad in the Tongass National Forest.

SLEEPING BAG - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Katabatic Gear Grenadier 5 sleeping bag. Credit: Katabatic Gear

Feathered Friends Lark UL 10

Reading in the Feathered Friends Lark UL 10 sleeping bag, Talkeetna Mountains.

ZPacks Twin Quilt 5

Two-person sleeping bags are warmer, lighter and can be more comfortable than individual bags. I own three two-person sleeping bags and the ZPacks Twin Quilt 5 is my favorite for lightweight trips. I have the version that was released in 2015, which is warm enough down to around 20 ish degrees Fahrenheit. The current model, released in 2017, has a highly beneficial addition: a “neck pillow” that insulates the area between you and your companion’s shoulders. The 5-degree Twin Quilt weighs 37 oz and costs $629. Compared to buying two Katabatic quilts, you save 23 oz and $471. See it at ZPacks.com. 

Also, when using a double sleeping bag, it’s nice to strap two similar sleeping pads together to form a single, continuous mattress. I use ZPacks Pad Straps most of the time. On trips where saving weight and time are important, I tape both pads together with at least three 24” strips of Tyvek Tape on each side of the pads. Tape is lighter, eliminates fussing with straps in the morning and evening, and stays in place for about a month of everyday use.

Dan and I slept out under the stars in the ZPacks Twin Quilt 5. Denali National Park.

Nunatak Gamut synthetic insulated quilt sleeping bag (orange) in the soaking wet fog of Southeast Alaska.

SHELTER

Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 in the Brooks Range.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp pitched in "storm mode" on a windy, rainy night on Baranof Island, Southeast Alaska.

Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid Dyneema Composite Fabric in the Chugach Mountains.

STAKES - RECOMMENDED

Shaking out the Gossamer Gear Polycro groundsheet.

BACKPACK

Skiing out of the Alaska Range with a packraft inside the Hyperlite Moutain Gear Porter backpack. Denali National Park.

Going fast and light through the mucky mud with the ZPacks Nero pack. Tongass National Forest.

The Seek Outside Unaweep 6300 is "an ultralight load monster." No other pack can match its comfort while carrying big loads.

SPOON - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

GSI Table Spoon

I cut part of the handle off this spoon to make it easier to pack into pots and pockets. I like to use it at lunches to eat sardines. I also add a strip of orange duct tape to the top of the handle to make it easy to locate. (Once, at 14,000 ft camp on Denali’s West Buttress I left our spoons out and it snowed four feet overnight. We spent most of the next day excavating camp and searching for the spoons.) This beautiful little spoon weighs 0.5 oz and only costs $0.75 at REI. 

The $0.75 GSI Tablespoon only weighs 0.5 oz. I cut the handle down some for easier packing into small spaces. I also add a piece of orange duct tape to the end of the handle for higher visibility.

STOVE

Using a canister stove system and comparing Nunatak and Mountain Laurel Designs synthetic insulated sleeping bags.

1.7L MSR Reactor stove used with a bowl as the lid and with a loop of cord to replace the handle. One of these 16 oz fuel canisters will last more than two weeks when boiling 1.5L of water twice a day in the summer.

1.7L MSR Reactor stove at approximately 13,500 ft on the south face of Denali.  If I were to have one stove, I'd chose this one because it is efficient, works well year-round, and can be paired with three different size pots.

Couscous and edible flowers for dinner!

POT

Bear tracks.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CATEGORIES: BRING LESS TO SAVE WEIGHT

Accessories are small items such as a water bottle, sunglasses, camera and note pad. Here, students in the Alaska Wrangell Mountains field Study program stop to snap photos of an old moulin on the Kusklana Glacier.

ULTIMATE CHOIES: ACCESSORIES

WATER BOTTLE - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

Platypus 2L Platy Bottle - Highly Recommended 

This reservoir carries 2.5L, weighs only 1.2 oz, and is durable enough to last for about two years. I bring one and no other water bottles. The caps are not attached, but I have never lost one, even in extensive winter use. I prefer this bottle to the Hydraflask Seeker 3L because its diameter is wider and therefore easier to pack. $13. See it here. 

Drinking from the Platypus 2L Platy Bottle in July.

Drinking from the Platypus 2L Platy Bottle in May.

SUNGLASSES - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The two key attributes I look for in sunglasses are photochromic lenses and sufficient ventilation to prevent the lenses from fogging. Consider a Julbo model that uses their Zebra lens. 

SUN HAT OR VISOR - RECOMMENDED

A visor protects from sun and rain. I use an el cheapo cotton/plastic visor that I got in Siberia a decade ago and have since developed a strong attachment to. That weighs 2.2 oz. Arcteryx makes some great looking hats and visors that weigh half has much and are fashioned from high performance materials. 

Sunglasses, visor, camera, and a shoulder pocket--all accessories that make life more comfortable.

PLASTIC FOOD BAGS - RECOMMENDED 

U-Line 9” x 12” 2 mil Industrial

This is the standard bag used by outdoor institutions and guide services. It is far more durable than a ZipLoc and does not tear apart at the seams in cold weather. They also double as vapor barrier socks! Reusable—wash them after a trip. The classic mistake by new users users is to tie the overhand knot too tight. Use a loose overhand knot for ease when opening. $37 for 1000 bags. Available at uline.com 

ULine industrial plastic bags, pictured here, are more durable than standard ZipLoc bags. They can easily be washed and used again. 1000 bags cost $37.

RISK KIT - RECOMMENDED

Components of my Risk Kit: satellite communication and backup GPS navigation device, first aid kit (bottom center), and a repair kit (bottom right).

Coordinating resupply logistics with the Garmin InReach Explorer+ satellite messenger and GPS navigation device. Root Glacier, Alaska.

1. 10 ft Tyvek tape - for repairing tears in fabrics. 
2. Two alcohol swabs - for cleaning fabrics, especially inflatable sleeping pads and packrafts, before applying Tyvek tape.
3. 20 ft. 1.2mm Dyneema cord (0.25 oz) - for replacement shoe laces, shelter guyline, backpack repairs, lashing things to a pack, etc.

1. 10 more feet of Tyvek tape
2. Two more alcohol swabs 
3. Floss
4. Needles (two sizes) stored in a small rectangle of closed cell foam cut from a sleeping pad.
5. Patagonia Expedition Sewing Kit - for serious repairs to packs, shoes, boats, and thick materials. This only weighs 0.6 oz without the case.
6. Aqua Seal - versatile glue for shoes, packrafts, and for reinforcing or waterproofing sewn repairs. A large tube weighs 1.4 oz. Also available in a small tube.
7. Super glue - Unlike Aqua Seal, this glue is rigid when it dries. It’s useful for repairing hard objects like trekking pole grips and plastic parts. Rarely needed but only 0.2 oz. 

Looking at topo maps in the Gates of the National Park Ranger Station.

KNIFE - RECOMMENDED

BEAR SPRAY - RECOMMENDED 

ODOR-PROOF FOOD STORAGE - RECOMMENDED 

WATERPROOF BAGS FOR ELECTRONICS - RECOMMENDED 

NAVIGATION - RECOMMENDED 

PRINTED MAPS - RECOMMENDED

STUFF SACKS - RECOMMENDED 

COMPASS - RECOMMENDED

SHOULDER POCKET - OPTIONAL

ALTIMETER/GPS WATCH - OPTIONAL

Suunto Ambit3 Peak

If you want a watch that has an altimeter, can record a GPS track for your route, and has exceptional battery life (200 hours with a one-minute recording interval), consider the Suunto Ambit3 Peak. I bought this watch several years ago based on Andrew Skurka’s recommendation and have been most impressed. 3 oz and $285 at Amazon.

An altimeter watch and a shoulder pocket are two nice accessories.

WATER PURIFICATION - OPTIONAL

HEADLAMP - OPTIONAL

Black Diamond Storm

A headlamp is not needed in the summer. For the other three seasons, I bring a bright light with a long-distance beam that’s capable for route finding and off-trail navigation. I have learned, through testing bike lights for OutdorGearLab, that quantitative tests are necessary to properly evaluate headlamp performance, particularly battery life. You cannot trust manufacturer claims regarding headlamp performance. Randy Spurrier, co-owner of OutdoorGearLab, has run their headlamp review since its inception. I believe that is the most credible review on their site. The Black Diamond Storm wins GearLab’s Editor’s Choice. 4 oz and $50. 

Why not use an ultralight rechargeable headlamp like the Petzl Bindi? Because a bright light is required for off-trail navigation. Wasting hours stumbling around in the dark is not worth the 2 oz weight savings. Also, a cell phone flashlight app weighs nothing and works well for occasional use.

CAMERA - OPTIONAL

Sony RX100 VI

A zoom lens is what I want most in a pocketable camera. It allows me to capture images that my phone cannot. I have owned two generations of the Sony RX100 and love it. Most of the photos shown here were taken with it. The latest version of the camera offers a 24-200mm zoom lens, which makes it, according to dpreview.com, “a spectacularly capable travel camera.” When my current camera dies, I plan to replace it with the RX100 VI. 10.7 oz and $1199. See it here.

I enjoy a pocket sized camera with a zoom lens.

BATTERY BANK - OPTIONAL

You’ll need to calculate your expected changing needs in order to find the best battery bank for your trips. I own two: the Anker PowerCore 5000 (4.7 oz and $20) and the Anker PowerCore 20100+ (16 oz and $70). To save a small amount of weight and space, consider a short USB charging cable.

Midnight in July in the Chugach Mountains. JUMP TO ANOTHER SECTION Part 1 - Introduction and Clothing Part 2 - Equipment Part 4 - Summary Spreadsheet

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Walking along the Foss, a ramp-like glacial feature, on the western edge of the Kennicott Glacier.

SUMMARY SPREADSHEET

Wolf print.

THINGS THAT ARE RARELY NEEDED

I generally wear insulated pants in the winter. Here are two photos I took when insulated pants are great.

Dan wearing down insulated pants on the world's largest non-polar icefield.

Zeb wearing down insulated pants around 19,000 ft. in the Alaska Range

Since we have no choice but to spend a lot of time walking through rivers, creeks, and wetlands, it’s best to have a shoe that drains quickly. I do not own any waterproof shoes. In the winter, I'll add vapor barrier socks or put my feet in plastic bags (a vapor bag that I already have with me from storing food). For more information, Andrew Skurka has a good summary of when waterproof footwear is beneficial. 

Frolicking on a river in December. I don't own any waterproof shoes because they are less comfortable and less versatile than normal shoes that have ventilation and drain easily. In the winter when there's not much snow, normal shoes and socks work fine. If I'm walking through deeper snow that can melt and chill my feet, I add vapor barrier socks.

Camp/river crossing shoes - Not recommended

For safety and comfort, cross rivers in shoes or boots that securely attach to your feet. Do not use sandals or Crocs. I start eat day knowing that I’ll have wet feet all day. And I rejoice when I massage them and dry them in the evening before climbing into the sleeping bag, where they become toasty warm. 

Zeb, doing a river dance in Denali National Park. I have found that trail running shoes, such as those pictured here, which drain easily are the most comfortable shoe for three-season wilderness travel.

I found these lost objects on a 20 ft stretch of river near Anchorage, below a common ford site. Two different sandals, a paddle, and a sleeping pad. This point of this photo is to demonstrate that it's important to use shoes that fasten securely to your feet.

Looking down several thousand feet from a ridge in the Wrangells. JUMP TO ANOTHER SECTION Part 1 - Introduction and Clothing Part 2 - Equipment Part 3 - Accessories

• He has no negative social implications. He does not bark at people or dogs outside and rarely shows interest in other dogs. The only potential negative impact is on people’s perception of nature and "wilderness." That is, someone might become disturbed by seeing a typically urban pet in a location they believe to be wild. But, compared to the average backpacking dog, this is rare because we rarely hike on trails, rarely camp in established sites—we most commonly go to places without other people.
• His environmental impact is equal to or less than a human’s for three reasons: (1) He doesn’t chase and therefore has little impact on wildlife. (We have a near perfect success rate at calling him back from moose, bears, mountain goats, deer, birds, etc; (2) The area of his paws is smaller than my feet—he crushes, for example, less cryptobiotic soil than I do; (3) Like ours, his poo can be buried.

Hitching in blue, walking in pink.

The ice completely changed how we interacted with the canyon—rather than wading through pools, we slip and slid across them.

Overview 

Using the Patagonia Grade VII parka on Mt. Logan, Canada.

• This is the only premium down parka with 100% box baffled construction
• Myriad small baffles provide outstanding down stabilization, resulting in no cold spots and a higher warmth to weight ratio 
• Welded seams increase durability and water resistance in high wear areas
• Robust fabrics will last for years of hard use
• Expedition cut accommodates extra layers
• Ultralight - only 24 ounces in men’s medium
• The most sophisticated piece of outdoor clothing ever made
• Performance is far superior to competing $800-$950 parkas
• $900 retail price
• See it at Patagonia.com 

Patagonia Grade VII hanging out in an expedition basecamp, Denali National Park,.

The chart below shows total performance scores for each parka. Note the outstanding performance of the Grade VII using the criteria and weighting shown in the table above. 

In manipulating the weighting of the scoring criteria, I found the Grade VII scored the highest until the weight criterion (weight of the parka) consumed approximately 70% of the total score. This finding reinforces field testing, which concluded that the grade VII is the down parka. Below around 18 ounces, none of the parkas I've tested have been able to keep me warm on multi-day trips and/or have the features I find important on multi-day trips. For that reason, I don't know of any down garments that weigh less than 18 oz that qualify as a "proper parka."

Performance Comparison

Warmth

Though it only weighs a couple ounces more than standard down parkas, the Grade VII is significantly warmer. Perhaps 50% warmer. It is ideally suited to high altitudes and polar expeditions. The Grade VII is by far the best parka for climbing technical routes at high altitudes. It is also the best choice for any ultralight human-powered activity in really cold weather. 

As with all expedition parkas, it also works well for standing around in the cold for a long time in a basecamp. But if you're just standing around, there's no need to the efficiency of the Grade VII; a heavier parka such as the Feathered Friends Khumbu shown below will work fine.

Note the difference between the length of the Patagonia Fitz Roy (left), Patagonia Grade VII (center), and Feathered Friends Khumbu (right). Of all the parkas I've tested, the Grade VII has the warmest and most comfortable drop-seat. Completely covering the butt adds a lot of warmth. Also, unlike the Khumbu and many other parkas, the front of the Grade VII curves up to save weight and prevent interference with a harness.

Baffle Design

Box baffles are warmer than sewn-through baffles. The illustration below shows the difference. 

Credit: Nunatak

The Grade VII is the only parka I’ve used that employs 100% box baffled construction. Most others reduce warmth by using sewn-through construction. For example, the $825 Western Mountaineering Snojack uses sewn-through baffles under the arms. Similarly, the Feathered Friends Khumbu has a sewn-through hood. And, finally, the $950 Arcteryx Firebee AR uses pleated construction, which is not a true box baffle.

No other parka has as many box baffles as the Grade VII. Most of them are small, designed to stabilize the down. This is the key factor that separates it from the competition. For example, the Grade VII has nine baffles to stabilize the down in the shoulder area. Most other parkas have one single baffle here, which allows down to shift to the bottom of the baffle, leaving a cold spot. 

The Grade VII parka has nine baffles across the shoulder area for superb stabilization. Due to the complexity of building these baffles, many other parkas have only one baffle here, which can result in cold spots.

The chart below shows warmth scores for 12 parkas tested.

Weight

My men’s medium weighs 24.1 ounces. This is incredibly lightweight considering the level of warmth, expedition cut, eight pockets, and large helmet-compatible hood. Other parkas weigh less. But they perform at a much lower level. For example, the Feathered Friends Hooded Helios weighs 17 ounces. It is cut short—nearly a belly shirt on me—has sewn-through baffles that create cold spots, doesn’t have an adjustable waist so lots of cold air enters, has no internal drop-in pockets, doesn’t even have zippers on the small handwarmer pockets, and the hood is too small for comfortable use with a helmet and doesn’t have a rear adjustment to reduce the volume when you’re not wearing a helmet. The Hooded Helios saves seven ounces, but you’ll be shivering when someone in the Grade VII is toaster warm.

The chart below shows weight scores for 12 parkas tested. Higher scores are better. See the table above to compare the exact weights of all parkas tested.

Features

This variable assesses the presence and quality of features that I have found to increase comfort, convenience, and warmth. he Patagonia Grade VII is leagues ahead of all other parkas when it came to its features. Here are a few highlights:

• Huge adjustable, helmet compatible hood with a high collar that protects the neck and chin - this is the best hood of all parkas I’ve tested;
• Long drop-seat completely covers the butt - this adds a large amount of warmth. Unlike other parkas, the bottom baffle hangs lower than the hem adjustment to further increase warmth;
• Two exterior chest pockets - this is the only parka I’ve used with two chest pockets. They are great when you want to securely store smaller items (for example, a lighter or your phone) while reserving the handwarmer pockets for your hands;
• An expedition fit is easily capable of accommodating two puffy midlayers;
  Elasticized stitching in the interior back of the parka pull it close to your body, eliminating the need for a separate drawcord, which is used on other parkas;
• Two handwarmer pockets are insulated on both sides;
• Two waist adjustments with cords that stow up, inside the interior pockets;
• It is the only parka with four interior drop-in pockets, two of which are off to the side for greatest visibility of your feet. Also, it is the only parka with drop-in pockets have mesh at the bottom to let snow out;
• Elasticized wrist cuffs are easy to pull over gloves and mittens and can also pull up over your elbows;
• Excellent arm mobility.

Overall, the features on the Grade VII set a high bar that no other parka comes close to. 

Here are some superb features found on the Grade VII parka: (1) drop-in pocket off to the side to allow for good visibility of your feet; (2) standard drop-in pocket; (3) dual draft tubes insulate the zipper without getting caught in the zipper--the best design of all parkas tested; (4) mesh lets snow out of the pockets! (5) hem waist adjustment stows inside the pocket to prevent it from snagging on a harness.

Fabric flaps cover the handwarmer pockets to prevent snow from entering when you forget to close the zippers. Also not the large, highly visible zipper pull.

The chart below shows the features scores for 12 parkas tested.

Durability

The Patagonia Grade VII has one of the highest durability to weight ratios of all down parkas I’ve tested. It uses the Houdini fabric (a 1.2 ounce per yard 15-denier) on the arms, chest, and shoulders. No other fabric in this weight class can match the strength of this fabric. For example, here are the tear strengths for different premium lightweight fabrics used by Patagonia:

Grade VII Houdini (1.2 oz 15-denier): 3600 x 2800 grams of force (gf)

Grade VII back and sides (1.2 oz 20-denier): 3350 gf

Micro Puff synthetic insulated jacket (0.7 oz 7-denier): 1400 gf

Fitz Roy down parka (1.0 oz 20-denier): 1300 x 1150 gf

As you can see, the Grade VII fabrics are twice as robust as other premium lightweight fabrics. 

The Grade VII’s durability is increased further by welding all baffles on the Houdini fabric, which is used in high wear areas (the darker blue fabric in this photo). The advantage of this construction method is there are fewer holes in the material, which means you can’t abrade the stitching, thereby reducing the likelihood of a tear.

The chart below shows the durability scores for 12 parkas tested.

Compressibility 

Compressibility can matter more than weight. With this in mind, Patagonia chose the 20-denier fabric instead of the Houdini for the back and sides because it is more supple and compressible. The result is a remarkably small packed size for an expedition grade parka.

Water Resistance

When a down parka is the best tool or the job, moisture comes from the Inside, not outside. I have found that highly water-resistant shell fabrics are not beneficial when used in down parkas designed for lightweight human-powered activities., They are not needed. Worse, they increase dry time. 

To prevent moisture from entering the Grade VII, Patagonia added small fabric covers over the handwarmer pockets. These serve to prevent blowing snow from entering the pockets when we forget to close the pocket zippers. This feature can be particularly important when climbing at altitude, when the human brain is deprived of oxygen and more likely to make errors, such as forgetting to close pocket zippers. Also, I think it contributes to the Grade VII’s handsome aesthetics.

Value

For a premium down parka, the Grade VII is the best value. It performs significantly better than all other parkas in its price range: Western Mountaineering Snojack ($825), Arcteryx Ceres SV ($850), Arcteryx Firebee AR ($950).

Testing the Western Mountaineering Snojack, Feathered Friends Khumbu, and Patagonia Grade VII down parkas.

Best applications 

The Grade VII is best suited to technical climbing at high altitude where one needs a very warm parka, durable enough for cramped belays surrounded by sharp rocks, with lots of pockets, all at the lowest possible weight and smallest packed size. The Grade VII is also the best for other pursuits in extreme cold that demand a low weight and small packed size. For example, a 200-mile unsupported ski tour in the Arctic in December.

Compared To  

Low Price: Montbell Frost Line - This is only $289 and performs significantly better than the Mountain Equipment Lightline, the cheapest parka tested, as well as many parkas that cost $100 more. This is my highest recommendation for anyone who doesn't use a parka often or doesn't need a "properly warm" parka. The Frost Line ties with the Feathered Friends Hooded Helios as the least warm parkas tested. I need something warmer.

Best All-Purpose: Patagonia Fitz Roy - This is the parka I use most frequently. I choose it for almost all day trips because I don't need the warmth of the Grade VII. It has some top-notch features borrowed from the Grade VII (e.g. dual draft tubes, excellent helmet-compatible hood, above average down stabilization, etc.) This is the parka I recommend most frequently to people looking for a versatile, lightweight model. $449.

Lowest Weight: Nunatak Kobuk Down Hoodie - This is the lightest fully-featured, box baffle parka that's warm enough for multi-day trips. Nunatak allows you to choose from a variety of fabrics and other custom options such as increasing the sleeve length and back length. When made in the 7-denier Robic fabric, a custom option, the Kobuk only weighs 18 oz. The Kobuk does not perform as well for climbing as the Fitz Roy because the hood, pockets, and dangly adjustment cords are inferior. But it is slightly warmer and 2 oz lighter in the standard fabric. The Kobuk costs $575 in the standard fabric when built with a similar pocket configuration as the Fitz Roy. 

Mountaineering Guides: Feathered Friends Khumbu - If you spend several months guiding and teaching mountaineering each year, I recommend the Khumbu. This is the warmest and most durable parka tested. It's superb for standing around in the cold. It would also be excellent for other applications in frigid conditions where low weight is not important, such as living in the Arctic. 35 oz and $499. If you don't mind carrying around a two-pound parka, the Khumbu is an excellent value for truly frigid conditions. 

Conclusion

The Patagonia Grade VII is the best down parka in the world. I recommend it only if you are attempting a challenging trip in very cold weather where saving weight is critical to success. It is too warm and unnecessarily high performance for everyday use. However, if you have the privilege of using one, I am confident you'll immediately notice the outstanding craftsmanship. To learn more, watch Steve House share his thoughts in this video on Patagonia's website.

Grade VII parka on a ski mountaineering trip in the Chugach Mountains, Alaska.

Intro

Cross-Country Ski Preparation

Powell - Nelchina Loop 

The Powell to Nelchina Glacier loop. On our first day, leaving the car around 10 AM, we only made it to the tent symbol. Realizing we needed more than three days for this loop with the deep snow conditions, we turned around.

John skiing along the side of the Glenn Highway on our attempted Powell-Nelchina loop trip.

Enjoying the cold January morning.

Most of the Eklutna Traverse in a day

The Eklutna Traverse follows the green line across a series of gentle, local glaciers. The orange arrow is my house in Anchorage. The red pins and other points are locations I've slept in the backcountry.

We saw a curious skin track that turned out to be a 🐐track, and later caught up with the team on their morning stroll.

Gaining Goat Ridge. Credit: Johnathan Rupp

Credit: Johnathan Rupp.

Girdwood to Knik

Girdwood to Kick (orange line) follows the path of least resistance around the Western Chugach mountains.

Over the passes leaving Girdwood. Phenomenal skiing in this area!

John's boot was frozen to his NNN ski binding so he climbed up this section with one ski on and later endured a long alder bash also with one ski on. On the Classic, he carried a small thermos with hot water help remove the iced-in boot.

Skiing along the river at the toe of the Lake George Glacier.

Overview

Testing the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 on a ski mountaineering trip in Alaska's Chugach mountains.

Performance Rating

Weather Protection

Insect Protection

Livability

Eric melting snow outside the Dirigo 2 awning

Dirigo 2 awning with ski boots.

Removable pocket

Our heads and feet were touching the top and bottom of the tent at the same time. We concluded that the Dirigo is not long enough for us (6' 1" and 6'2"). This photo also shows the small panel of waterproof breathable fabric.

There is not much extra space inside the Dirigo. I consider it to be two-person "bivy" tent for summer.

Durability

The Dirigo does not have a clip to transfer tension from the zipper to the fabric, a standard feature on pyramid shelters and all four-season tents.

Grommet failure on the Hyperlite Dirigo 2 during the first night of use. The grommet deformed and pulled partly out of the surrounding fabric.

Due to pitching the poles in the grommets in deep snow, tension caused the bug netting to tear.

Versatility

Weight

Packed Size

Value

Compared To

Neither the Dirigo nor the Duplex are reliable winter shelters. This photo was taken from ZPacks website and shows their Duplex shelter in a scenic location. Unfortunately, as it is pitched now, the shelter is mostly useless. It should be pitched tight against the ground with the edges buried in the snow to combat spindrift. Also, the small rocks and vertically positioned ice tool will not withstand high wind. Further, the Duplex's large unsupported panels make the shelter less capable of higher winds compared to the Dirigo.

The Hyperlite UltaMid 4 is a palace for three people and is more comfortable for four people than the Dirigo is for two. This is my overall favorite ultralight shelter. Photo from the 2019 Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic. Credit: Jan Tomsen.

Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid, February 2019.

The Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL is my favorite ultralight two-person pyramid because it only weighs 12.5 ounces and can handle the worst conditions. When pitched on snow, it has significantly more interior space than the Dirigo. March 2019.

Conclusion

Credit: Anna Joseph

1. The day before we left, our two canoe-style paddles arrived on the doorstep. 
2. On the morning of our departure, two two-person loaner packrafts arrived via FedEx Express.
3. I thought we’d be fine arriving at the Anchorage airport 40 minutes before departure to Fairbanks. That was not the case during the mid-summer tourist blitz. After stressing through the security line, we sprinted toward the gate in our socks wearing our PFDs, drysuit filled with clothing flying behind as I ran because there wasn’t enough time to repack it into a bag. Alaska Airlines had just closed the gate door, but they reopened it for us.
4. In Fairbanks, 45 minutes before our flight to Arctic Village, the chief decision-maker at Wright Air Service told us we could not fly with our alcohol fuel as it was packaged in lightweight plastic bottles. It MUST be in metal containers, she said. Feeling responsible for finding a solution, I asked a young woman packrafting guide in the waiting room to borrow her car to drive to Fred Meyers to buy metal fuel bottles. I approached her in front of all of her clients. We had never spoken before but she loaned me with her car ten minutes before her departure to the Arrigetch. I sprinted through Fred Meyers, unable to find fuel bottles. Instead, we flew our alcohol fuel in double-wall metal thermoses, which we gifted to someone in Arctic Village. In mid-September, I saw the woman again at a mutual Anchorage friend’s wedding. Her name is Jewel. 

Molly and Anna having a ball tromping through the tundra.

Credit: Anna Joseph

Record-breaking heat

Will in the record-breaking Arctic heatwave

Anna and Chris doing "the frog" stretch.

A moment of tension after a long day of walking: debating which route to take.

Day trip from the Hula Hula. Credit: Chris Simrell

Another day trip from the Hula Hula!

Anna dancing in the boat.

Credit: Chris Simrell

Barrier Islands

Barter Island as seen from the flight west to Deadhorse. We floated out from the left of the drame and the islands into town.

Channel hopping from the Hula Hula River to Arey Lagoon.

Crossing the narrow barrier island toward Kaktovik. Credit: Anna Joseph

A small (front paw) polar bear print compared to my hand.

View west at 3:00 AM during my polar bear watch in Kaktovik.

My favorite ultralight bag for going fast and light.

• No hood
• No zipper
• 950-fill goose down
• 19-20 oz depending on the size
• Crazy Freaking Light fabric
• $369

Waking up in the Feathered Friends Tanager with Seldom (dog) on a glorious summer backpacking trip in the Western Chugach Mountains, Alaska.

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1. Crazy freaking light fabric. Less than one ounce per square yard. Most manufacturers are using 7-denier fabrics. At 0.59 ounce per yard, ZPacks uses the lightest fabric.
2. The best down. At least 900-fill goose down for compressibility and low weight.
3. No unnecessary junk. From a minimalist perspective, this means no zipper, no hood, no dead air space, no-frills.
4. Box baffles. To increase loft, the bag must be made with box baffles. This increases the insulation value of the bag dramatically compared to sewn-through construction. See the diagram below. 

I prefer ultralight sleeping bags with box baffle construction because they are warmer than sewn-through bags.

• Patagonia Capilene Thermal bottoms
• Arcteryx Gore-Tex bibs
• Patagonia Airshed
• Patagonia Nano-Air Light
• Patagonia Macro Puff
• One pair of light ski socks

Beezlebub campsite. The Feathered Friends Tanager is pictured on the left on a summer sleeping pad and a backpack inside a pyramid tarp.

View of our Beezlebub campsite (center).

1. Shift the insulation to the sides or the bottom of the bag in warmer temperatures. 
2. Shift the insulation to the top and sides of the bag—removing everything from the bottom—on the coldest nights. 

1. Adequate warmth. The bag must be warm enough for you to sleep well.
2. 3/4 length ventilation. The ability to vent the majority of the bag is helpful for enabling us to sleep on warm summer nights. This can be accomplished through a zipper, such as is done on the ZPacks Classic and Feathered Friends Flicker, or without one, such as on all quilts.

When the air temperature was 69 Fahrenheit, I draped the bag over me like a blanket. Then, when my body cooled off and the air temperature dropped into the upper 60s, I climbed in and pulled it up to my hip. I woke up in the morning with the bag loose around my shoulders. The chart below shows the air temperature the night I just described. You can see my feet sticking out from under the bag I used it as a blanket. 

This chart shows the air temperature over time the night the photo below was taken. The temperature was 69 degrees F when I entered the tent.

The Tanager does not have a way to vent the lower body. However, you can drape the bag over you like a blanket. See my feet sticking out. Alternatively, you can pull it up to your waist. If it's really hot, you don't need a sleeping bag.

Based on my experiences this summer, I found that the Tanager to be comfortable when used as an ultralight bag, year-round, in my climate. I would not recommend it if you regularly sleep out when the temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Then, you will be better served by an ultralight bag with 3/4 length ventilation. 

Fall ridge walking with the Tanager.

The adjustable girth on a quilt allows them to perform better when used with puffy down pants and a parka—no competition there. But I have never found myself using my least warm sleeping bag with expedition down gear.

Jen climbing into her Tanager on a November 2019 ascent of Mt. Yukla's north face. She wore a sewn-through down jacket in the bag. Temperatures were in the low 20s Fahrenheit under the pyramid tarp. I was expecting it to be much colder and brought my Feathered Friends Lark UL 10, pictured in blue at left.

This is the easiest type of sleeping bag to use. Just climb into it and cinch the neck closure. If you want to optimize the placement of the down, use your hand to move it around before climbing into the bag. That’s it. Unlike quilts, I appreciate that I don’t need to carry two cords with me and spend time each night strapping them to the pad and bag. I also appreciate that I don’t need to fiddle with the cord placement during the night. 

Feathered Friends Tanager in the Hyperlite Dirigo 2 tent.

When going ultralight, packed size can be more important than weight because small things allow you to take a smaller backpack, which can save a lot of weight and increase comfort. With no zipper and only one small drawcord, the Tanager packs down very small. I have not measured the packed volume. No doubt, 40-degree and 50-degree bags—those with less insulation-will be able to compress slightly smaller. 

The Tanager comes with this stuff sack. The bag can compress to less than half this volume.

• There is no zipper—the weakest link on all sleeping bags. 
• Unlike quilts, there are no plastic clips or cords to keep track of or break.
• The fabric has proven to be more down proof (fewer down clusters poke through the fabric) than those I've used from ZPacks and Nunatak.
• The bag is made by a firm that has a remarkable track record of reliability. I have observed this over the last decade by using nearly a dozen Feathered Friends products. 

These give me great confidence that the Tanager will be a reliable partner for my adventures. 

Unlike quilts, the Tanager is effortless to deploy and doesn't require adjusting straps in the middle of the night. Also, I have a high level of confidence in the bag's construction quality. Shown here at 10 PM on a smoky night.

Introduction

Most outdoor media only publish net positive reviews and minimize constructive comments. These behaviors stifle product innovation. 

The purpose of this constructive review of the Thermal Airshed is to improve decision-making at Patagonia regarding the design of active insulation jackets and help people find the best clothing for their needs. Patagonia sent me this jacket at no cost and with no obligation to review it. 

Specifications

• 8.2 ounces on my scale
• 65 gram per square meter PlumaFill continuous filament synthetic insulation
• 1.7 ounce per square yard fabric with approximately 40 cubic feet per minute air permeability 
• $259

Background

Thermal Airshed history: Several years ago, Patagonia released what is arguably the best shirt/softshell/active insulation jacket on the market—the Airshed. Last year, the Airshed Pro Pullover improved upon the original design with a longer length, hood, and sleeves that are easier to pull up. This fall, Patagonia released the Thermal Airshed, which adds a light layer of synthetic insulation to the Airshed fabric. Simultaneously, Patagonia discontinued the all-star Nano Air Light Hybrid Hoody. In testing the Thermal Airshed, I thought to answer:

Performance Assessment

Despite the excellent materials, the performance of the Thermal Airshed has been disappointing. I don’t recommend it. Here are the five primary reasons:

• No stretch. The best active insulation jacket—the Nano Air Light Hybrid Hoody—has a highly air permeable stretchy knit fabric on the back and underarms. This makes it incredibly comfortable. The Thermal Airshed has no stretch. This makes it confining, generally, and especially for dynamic arm movements. Recommendation: bring back the now discontinued NALHH and improve upon its stretchy design.
• No exterior pockets.  I found the interior drop-in pocket and interior zip pocket on the Thermal Airshed to be (1) too small and (2) located such that the pocket contents were pushed into my gut when I wore a pack with a hip belt. That is uncomfortable. I could only comfortably wear a hipbelt when the pockets were empty. Conversely, when I had my phone in one of the pockets, it banged around more than when stored in a chest pocket. Recommendation: Add an exterior chest pocket.
• Tight fit and restrictive fit. I like an athletic, slim fit. However, the Airshed Thermal’s tight fit and pattering are too restrictive. This prevents me from wearing another light insulation layer underneath. More importantly, the fit restricts my arms. Also, a longer cut would increase warmth when your arms are overhead. In a men’s medium, the Thermal Airshed fits me such that it looks like a fancy outdoor fashion jacket—too tight fitting to be practical. Recommendation: Add more room and improve comfort with a pattern that enables comfort with a wide range of movements. 
• Not long enough. The Thermal Airshed is cut too short for use in the mountains, for backcountry skiing, climbing, and mountaineering. It rides up, exposing my back and belly, when I raise my arms. Recommendation: make it longer.
• Consider a hood. Hoods are not necessary for high output layers. In some cases, they are detrimental. However, there should be an option to have a hood. That is not available. Recommendation: Add a hood option.

Field Testing

Running in the Patagonia Thermal Airshed.

Fiver degrees and calm.

It was very windy here. I was cold with the Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody on top of the Thermal Airshed. Alaska Range in the background!

Conclusion

Eric, Julie, and Finn in the Alpacka Raft Forager. Denali National Park, Alaska. Credit Tony Perelli

Two-person packrafts are significantly underutilized today. Why? Except for a brief stint with the Alpacka Scout, I've only owned two-person packrafts since I got my first boat in 2012. For me, the benefits of a double boat far outweigh the limitations. On the rare occasion I want to use a solo boat, I borrow one. (There are also a variety of rental options.)  This post describes the joys of two-person packrafting and my evaluation of the best two-person packrafts on the market. I include affiliate links to Alpacka's site.

Why Buy a Two-Person Boat? The Joys of Two-Person Packrafting!

Conversation, teamwork, and stronger relationships

Psychologists have found that the most important driver of our long-term happiness is our relationships with other people. Also, we derive more joy from experiences than material possessions. For me,  teamwork, conversation, and the relationship with my boating partner make double boating more fun--and make me happier--than solo boating.

The Joys of Teamwork: I find it highly enjoyable and rewarding to collaborate with another person in the shared challenge of maneuvering a boat in the most efficient way through a wild landscape. You’re in it together. You work, together, in a performance that requires communication, skill, and knowledge. There’s the coordination of leaning into paddle strokes, the amount of power that goes into each stroke, and steering--together. It’s rewarding to collaborate and enjoy the journey with someone else.

Good Conversation: In solo boats, folks are often spread out on the river. I find that that it's not possible to maintain a conversation with another person. However, in a two-person boat, it’s easy to chat with your boatmate all day. Engaging in conversation with someone for hours on end while floating through a wild landscape is really great! 

Stronger Relationships: I’ve found that the teamwork and communication aspects of double boating strengthen the relationships I have with my adventure partners. Others have, too. For example, here’s how Tony Perelli describes two-person packrafting:

Going into intimidating rapids as a team offers something unique that a solo alpacka does not, a different style of teamwork and responsibility, communication, commitment and selflessness.  It's a real test and a real pleasure.

 The canoe community has referred to tandem canoeing as divorce boating...It has had the opposite effect for Becky and I but that probably has little to do with the boat and more to do with the lessons a boat can deliver.

In sum, I’ve found that two-person boats create a richer experience and more durable happiness than my time in solo boats. Even if there were no performance benefits of sharing a boat, I'd recommend them solely for the improved experience. 

Anna and Molly, having a blast while ripping down the Hula Hula River in the Alpacka Raft Oryx. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.

Two-Person Packraft Performance Advantages 

More Versatile

Versatility is important because a packraft is a long-term investment. As our interests and activities change over time, a versatile boat will work well for a wide variety of activities.

Here’s a great quote from Yvonn Chouinard that describes the environmental benefits of versatile products:

The reason why we won’t face up to our problems with the environment is that we are the problem. It’s not the corporations out there, it’s not the governments, it’s us. We’re the ones telling the corporations to make more stuff, and make it as cheap and as disposable as possible. We’re not citizens anymore. We’re consumers. That’s what we’re called. It’s just like being an alcoholic and being in denial that you’re an alcoholic. We’re in denial that each and every one of us is the problem. And until we face up to that, nothing’s going to happen. So, there’s a movement for simplifying your life: purchase less stuff, own a few things that are very high quality that last a long time, and that are multifunctional.

I consider two-person boats to be more versatile than a solo boat because they are generally more capable. For example:

• You can take other people with you. And they don't need to own their own boat. 
• Three people can ride in the Alpacka Forager!
• Great for dogs and family trips with kids (See Dave Chenault's FAQ post about packrafting with kids.)
• Bring two people and food and gear for a multi-week expedition
• Hunt a caribou or elk, and float out hundreds of pounds of meat
• Double boats offer outstanding performance for raftpacking, which is boat-assisted walking with fewer packrafts than people (See Roman Dial's recommended strategies for raftpacking.)
• Two-person boats are great for fishing because one person can steer while the other casts.
• You can pick up your mother from the airport! I did this a few years ago by paddling from a summer rental home in Sitka, Alaska across the harbor, walking a few minutes to the airport, and paddling back to the house with my mother. She loved it.  

I've skied and floated out of the Alaska Range twice with a two-person packraft. Both times were with experienced whitewater kayakers who didn't (at the time) own packrafts. I like that I can share my double boat with anyone, and they don't need to own or rent a packraft.

If you’re trying to move fast or are on a long-distance trip, the increased speed of a two-person boat can be significant. Two-person boats have more power (two people), less drag (less surface area touching the water), and are more aerodynamic (one bow instead of two). These factors make two-person boats faster. Speed can make a big difference on flatwater (lakes, ocean, gentle rivers). The longer the trip, the greater this difference makes. For example, the Kobuk River in the western Arctic, Alaska, drops an average of six inches per mile over the last roughly 100 miles. Facing a headwind in the rain, two people working together is easier and more enjoyable than two people in their own solo boats barely making forward progress. 

I asked Alpacka to rank the speed of their boats in flatwater with no wind and no current. Here are the results:

1st Place: Oryx. The Oryx's narrower hull shape and solid bottom floor make it the fastest packraft on flatwater. 

2nd Place: Forager. The Forager’s self-bailing bottom increases drag compared to a closed bottom.

3rd Place: Explorer 42. One generally person paddles both people. Therefore, this boat is significantly slower than the Oryx and Forager, where two people are paddling. 

Reduced Weight

Two-person boats can save up to five pounds per person compared to single boats. The table below compares the weight per person across the Alpacka Explorer 42, Forager, and Expedition. I used the Expedition for comparison because it is arguably the best all-purpose solo packraft. 

Cost Savings

A two-person boat can save you $2,000 dollars compared to buying two solo boats. For example, the Alpacka Explorer 42 and a carbon fiber kayak paddle cost only $858 per person. In contrast, two people purchasing the Alpacka Expedition and carbon fiber kayak paddles cost around $2,440 per person! 

Why Not Choose a Two-Person Boat?

Two-person boats are not for everything or everyone. Though I'm a huge fan, here are some reasons why a solo boat may be a better choice for you:

Reduced Whitewater Performance

The only double boat that can handle Class V whitewater is the Forager. Depending on your skills, two people can paddle larger volume Class III rivers in the Oryx and, if you're really good, the Explorer 42. Since safety is always a top priority, on wilderness trips I regularly portage around rapids I believe I have a good chance of tipping over. Therefore, for me, the reduced whitewater performance of a two-person boat has never been a significant drawback. 

You Can’t Go Creeking

Double boats often cannot turn fast enough to navigate small, super-fast creeks, which require instant response turning. Last fall I joined a crew of veteran Alaska packrafters on the Kings River. I was out of my comfort zone in a one-person boat and it would have been difficult to run a two-person boat through the frequent, tight Class III rapids. But that was a day trip that sought out whitewater. If we were loaded down with overnight gear, we would have walked downriver to avoid the whitewater creek, and then floated--no problem. 

What about Going Solo?

Two-Person Packraft Performance Evaluation

The Forager is the most capable, versatile, durable, and fun double boat. Its super stable platform and self-bailing deck make charging through rapids a blast! It can carry 1,000 pounds of whatever you want, cruise Lava Falls on the Grand Canyon, catch salmon or trout out of any river or ocean, carry a pile of friends and dogs, and is still light enough to be packed on multi-week landscape crossings. This is the best overall double boat due to its very high performance to weight ratio. The Forager weighs 8.9 pounds per person and costs $1,200 per person with paddles. See it at Alpacka’s site. 

Recommended paddle: Aqua-bound Shed Apart Carbon

Top Pick for Flatwater: Alpacka Oryx

The Oryx is an exceptionally comfortable boat for Class I-II rivers and flatwater. Though the high center of gravity makes it tippy, it can handle Class III rapids if you have a veteran paddling team. The boat weighs 10.8 pounds. See it at Alpacka’s site. 

Recommended paddle: Aqua-Bound Shed Apart Carbon

Top Pick for Ultralight: Alpacka Explorer 42 

The Explorer 42 was my first packraft and remains the best at bare-bones ultralight travel. Generally, one person paddles (saving two pounds by not bringing a second paddle) and the other person takes in the views. This boat is a great choice for lightweight travel where the majority of the route is on land and you're happy to portage around Class III rapids. With one paddle and a backband for the front person, the entire setup only weighs 6.2 pounds! (Two people can also paddle kayak style, adding a second paddle.) The primary drawback to the Explorer 42 is that the person who is not paddling can get chilled, especially if you're sitting in cold water in the rain without a drysuit. It's beneficial to approach cold and wet weather trips expecting some discomfort on the water in exchange for increased comfort while carrying the boat on your back. Per person, this is the most affordable Alpacka boat. See it at Alpacka’s site. 

Recommended paddle: Aqua-Bound Shred 205

Maybe Lakes?: Kokopelli Twain

Specifications

Evaluation Criteria

Comfort

Comfort can be important on longer trips with lots of time spent boating. The least comfortable position is kneeling, such as in the former Gnu and current Racing Gnu. Kneeling in a pool of water on my feet the discontinued Gnu for 12 hours a day for 11 days straight (almost all rain) was the most painful experience of my life. For example, my feet were swollen and red and it took several weeks before I could walk normally again. The good news is all of the current two-person boats for wilderness travel are incredibly comfortable in comparison! With its upright canoe-style sitting position, I found the Alpacka Oryx to be the most comfortable double boat. The Explorer 42 is the smallest two-person boat, but is still leagues more comfortable than boats that have been used by packraft pioneers. 

The chart below shows the performance rating for comfort.

Roman and Peggy Dial in the Brooks Range in 1986. Two-person packrafts are vastly more capable and comfortable than the mini setup shown here. Credit: "Packrafting!" by Roman Dial. A lightweight double boat is a fantastic tool for exploring the desert southwest landscape. This early 2000s Alpacka is significantly smaller and less comfortable than all current two-person models. It didn't have a cargo fly zipper so we put a bag on the bow and another between our legs, one person paddling while sitting on the stern.

Eric, Julie, and Finn enjoying the comfort and capability of the Alpacka Forager. Denali National Park. Credit: Tony Perelli.

The Alpacka Oryx has tall seats that put you in an upright canoe paddling position, making it the most comfortable two-person packraft I've used. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.

Weight

Some wilderness trips are mostly hiking. Others can be fly-in straight to the river with only a small portage or two. If you want to cross a large landscape in good time, saving weight is essential. The chart below shows the weights of the four packrafts evaluated here.

Crossing the Olympic Peninsula fast and light with the Alpacka Explorer 42. This boat is surprisingly stable and powerful when the front person paddles from a kneeling position, shown here, and the rear person wraps their legs around the front person.

Enjoying the Alpacka Raft Explorer 42 in Denali National Park.

Durability 

All three of these boats are durable. However, the Forager takes longevity to another level with its 420-denier fabric. The Oryx and Explorer 42 use Alpacka’s proprietary 210-denier fabric. The Kokopelli Twain uses a 210-denier fabric.

The chart below shows the performance rating for durability. 

Floating out the Arctic Coastal Plain in the Alpacka Raft Forager, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. The Forager's 420-denier tube fabric makes it the most durable two-person packraft on the market.

Whitewater Performance

The Forager is the only double boat capable of serious whitewater. Its capability here exceeds my skills. The wide, stable platform is remarkably confidence-inspiring. Captaining this boat for the first time felt like driving a big truck—sitting on the back, you’re high off the water and can just charge through rapids. I’m nervous paddling whitewater in the Explorer 42 and Oryx. However, running rapids in the Forager is just plain fun! 

The chart below shows the performance rating for whitewater performance. 

Here are two of Mike Curiak's photos of Tony Perrelli and Becky King running the Grand Canyon with the Alpacka Forager. 

Versatility 

In descending order: Forager, Oryx, Explorer 42. The Forager is a class of its own due to its immense storage capacity and the myriad ways you can attach things to it. Also, the Forager can carry three people! Summer fun floats anyone!?

The chart below shows the performance rating for versatility.

Storage Capacity

Storage capacity was not a scoring criterion because all of the boats evaluated here have ample storage. For example, even the Explorer 42 has enough capacity (600 lb)for a multi-week ultralight expedition with two people. However, the Oryx and Forager have larger tubes that swallow huge amounts of food and gear. Further, the Forager’s increased width enables it to carry large loads inside the boat. The Forager is the boat of choice for backcountry hunting or traditional, gear-laden river trips. 

The Alpacka Forager has a manufacturer's recommended weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, making it the ideal craft for heavy loads. We paddled Class III with 500 pounds in the boat.

I looked at Gaia for about 30 minutes, drew in some route options, and we started packing up at noon the day before our departure. My mother and I went backpacking in the Brooks Range in June. She wrote a brief summary, which I'm sharing below. I cleaned up some of her typos and added a few photos.

The most striking part about this trip was observing how much I have changed over the last five years. In 2015, Sarah and I went from the Haul Road to the Chukchi Sea, a trip that felt really big for me at the time. Five years and thousands of miles later, the same range feels like home. It felt normal to step off the road and wander out into the tundra, over rocky passes, and through creeks. The comforts of home. 

Some technologies can significantly improve our quality of life. Electric vehicles are one.

Meet Ruby, my electric adventure rig! She was made in Michigan in May 2017, cruised 36,000 miles in California, and joined me on January 4, 2021. She was $40,000 new. I paid a dealership $15,000. Ruby is an absolute blast to drive, costs $2,000 a year less than a Toyota Tacoma to operate and maintain, provides an overall better experience than a gas vehicle, and has no tailpipe emissions. 

Here are some of our adventures over the last few months! 

Charging Ruby during a trip to Seward, Alaska in early February.

My philosophy on transportation

In an ideal world, we would have everything we need within a short walk or bike ride. Transportation is an inconvenience, it doesn’t make us durably happy, and it can be one of our largest expenses. I strive to make transportation fun, easy, cheap, and have a low environmental impact. Being able to bike or take public transit to work is important to me. Most of my driving is for adventures. 

A blast to drive

Once you go electric, there’s no going back. Ruby has as much torque as a V6 Toyota Tacoma. However, unlike the Tacoma, that torque is always available, instantly. She silently rockets from a stop! 

Previously, I thought driving a manual transmission was fun. One pedal driving is better.  Let your foot off the right pedal and Ruby makes energy while rapidly decelerating. It’s precise, effortless, and makes a gas vehicle feel so sloppy. Instead of wasting energy going downhills, Ruby makes energy. I only use the brakes when parking and if needed for a sudden stop in traffic. 

Comfort and time savings:

• Ruby is nearly silent. This makes driving and sitting in traffic peaceful instead of stressful. (I didn’t realize it was mildly stressful until I drove electric.)
• Instant electric heat, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel are so comfy.
• No cold starts. There’s no need to wait for the engine to warm up. Just press the power button and go.
• No more gas stations! 
  

66% cheaper than driving a Tacoma

Almost no maintenance

In 2019, New York City found that the city government spent between $204 and $386 maintaining each of its electric cars, compared with more than $1,600 for the average gasoline-powered car in its fleet. 

Ruby’s manual says to rotate the tires every 7,500 miles, change the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles, and change the coolant every 150,000 miles. That’s it. Just replace the battery in 15 years and keep going. 

Here’s a table that summarizes the fuel and maintenance cost for driving 10,000 miles per year using the results from the Alaska Center for Energy and Power EV Calculator and current gas prices in Anchorage. Despite the high cost of electricity in Anchorage ($0.17 per kWh), driving Ruby is 66% cheaper than a Tacoma. That’s a savings of $2,000 per year. 

The chart below is from this New York Times article.

Free charging

All of the public EV charging stations here are free. When I go to Girdwood to ski and hike, I charge for free. Thus far, I’ve received almost 500 miles of free driving from that station. Similarly going north, there’s a fast charger at the Chevy dealership 1.9 miles off my typical route to Hatcher Pass. Swing by there to get 100 miles of free driving in 30 minutes. 

No tailpipe emissions

On a cold, still day outside my house I can smell vehicle exhaust from the nearby highway. Similarly, on cold days, a local primary care clinic closes its air vents because employees and patients complain of smelling exhaust inside the building. Gross! EVs have no tailpipe emissions that pollute our air. 

Part of the solution to meet Anchorage, American, and global climate goals

Using EPA average vehicle efficiency stats, driving an EV in Anchorage results in a 72% emissions reductions compared to a gas vehicle. See the image below for assumptions.

The ACEP fuel cost tool (link above) calculates that Ruby emits 62% less greenhouse gas emissions than a Tacoma if you live in Anchorage and do not have a garage. 

In Juneau, where the grid is almost all hydro, an EV gets the equivalent of 17,000 miles per gallon!! 

Also, generally, all new power generation nationwide will be renewable because it’s the cheapest. This will further reduce EV emissions over time. Even better, if I had solar panels on my roof, I’d be driving on sunshine and saving even more money. 

Q&A

What actions should I consider taking?

1. Test drive an EV
2. Get two quotes to add solar PV to your home
3. Encourage your employer to get an EV and install charging stations for employees

Describe your experience with the 2012 Nissan Leaf

I owned a 2012 Nissan Leaf from June 2019 to June 2020. It only cost $5,000. But the 60-mile range was impractical. I sold it to a mechanic who said he had always wanted an electric car and was excited to have something with fewer moving parts. He uses it for his commute to work and around town.

Charging my (former) Nissan Leaf at home.

How does Ruby do in the snow and ice?

I’ve only owned front-wheel drive cars. Ruby’s super smart traction control is the best I’ve experienced. She exceeds my expectations for winter driving. I can go everywhere I want to.

What’s Ruby’s range?

Ruby’s siblings here report over 300 miles in the summer and 120 miles at -40 degrees Fahrenheit. I averaged 2.7 miles per kWh over the winter for a total range around 150 miles. This has been great for use as my only vehicle. I can go everywhere I want for weekend trips without charging up, and there are chargers if I want them. For example, I can charge for free in Girdwood on the way back from Turnagain Pass or in Wasilla or Palmer on the way back from Hatcher Pass. But, thus far, I haven’t needed to do that.

Where are the charging stations?

See plugshare.com. Here's a map of current charging stations in this part of Alaska.

Can Ruby do road trips in Alaska?

Later this summer, we’ll have fast chargers from Seward and Homer to Fairbanks. A summer road trip to Fairbanks (360 miles) would add an hour for charging. The Biden administration is expected to fund 500,0000 EV chargers across the nation later this year. Other EV manufacturers, like Rivian, are building their own nationwide charging networks. 

How much does it cost to install a charging station at home?

• $0 if you buy a new car. Chevy is including a charger and free installation with the 2022 Bolt EUV (new model). 
• Smart chargers, like the JuiceBox 40, can be $600. Either run the electrical yourself or pay an electrician to install an outlet.
• My Nissan Leaf came with a charger and a 240V extension cord, which I plug into my electric dryer plug. I kept these when I sold the Leaf.