Live Ultralight Podcast | Backpacking, Travel, and Adventure

Outdoor Vitals founder Tayson Whittaker and OV content coordinator Caden covered the final 36 miles of the Colorado Trail in one day, from the Buffalo Creek area to Waterton Canyon outside Denver (Segments 1 through part of 3), in about 10.5 hours. Going in fall instead of summer, they averaged just under 18 minutes per mile including stops, refilled water once, and stopped less than an hour all day. On this Live Ultralight Podcast episode, they break down training, gear, food, water, and pacing for a 36-mile day, and what they would change.   QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE  What is the best time of year to hike the Colorado Trail from Waterton Canyon? Outside of summer, if you can. The exposed burn area and the roughly 8-mile road walk through Waterton Canyon get hot and dry in summer. In fall, under overcast skies, those miles were cool and easy on water. In summer, Tayson would hike them very early or late at night. How much water do you need for a 36-mile day on this section? The amount will vary greatly based on weather. For Tayson and Caden, they both carried around 3 liters at a time, filtering once because it was cool and overcast. On a hot day, it's good to keep in mind there are multiple long water carries (10+) miles. Being ready to carry 4 liters at a time is not a bad idea. What gear do you carry for a 36-mile day with no sleeping gear? Food, water, a first aid kit, a headlamp, gloves, a rain jacket, a wind layer, and enough insulation to stop for a while if someone gets hurt. Tayson carried wind pants, a wind jacket, a rain jacket, a Vario Jacket, and a Garmin. Caden carried a Nebo Windbreaker, a rain jacket, and a Pursuit Hybrid Fleece. What food do you bring for a one-day ultra-distance hike? Food you know you will eat, in small portions you can reach without stopping. Tayson carried a little over 3 lb of food including drink mixes and aimed for calories about every hour. Plan for variety in taste and texture so you do not get sick of it late in the day. How do you pace a 30-plus mile day on trail? Hold an effort level, not a watch pace. We stayed around a 6 or 7 out of 10: hike the climbs, jog the flats and downhills, and check mileage targets like where you want to be by lunch.  How do you avoid blisters and foot pain on a 36-mile day? Use shoes with enough cushion and miles left, dial in your lacing before the trip, and pre-tape hot spots. Tayson's tip: tighten the upper laces slightly for long descents and loosen them for climbs. Can you hike 30 miles in a day without running? Yes. Walking about 3 mph or faster and limiting stops, this 36 miles would take roughly 12 to 13 hours instead of 10.5. You trade speed for more hours on your feet.   CHAPTERS 0:00 Finishing the Colorado Trail: the last 36 miles into Denver 2:01 The route: Buffalo Creek to Waterton Canyon, Segments 1 to 3 2:47 Why we hiked this section in fall instead of summer 3:37 How we trained for a 36-mile day 7:25 Gear for a 36-mile day: safety layers and essentials 9:30 Caden's gear and the Pursuit Hybrid Fleece 12:26 Food strategy: calories every hour on the move 15:08 Hydration: drink mixes, salt, flasks, and a bladder 15:56 Eating for one big day vs multi-day trips, and avoiding food fatigue 21:01 Starting at 7:30am: cold hands and why gloves matter 23:02 Pacing a long day by effort level, not watch pace 25:48 The first half: rolling hills and the exposed burn area 26:49 Unexpected water situation - going 20 miles on one fill 29:20 The long downhill, hot spots, and a lacing mistake 30:55 Lunch at the river: our only water stop 32:22 The big climb: 1,200 ft after lunch 33:57 Headphones and audiobooks for long days 36:13 Descending into Waterton Canyon and the road walk 40:35 Finishing 2 hours ahead of plan 41:30 The best way to hike this section of the Colorado Trail 43:38 Caden's takeaways: shoes, training, and what a big day unlocks 47:46 Tayson's takeaways: undertraining and lacing for climbs and descents 51:52 Can you do a 30-mile day without running? 58:41 Finishing the Colorado Trail next summer and the OV 100 59:44 Black Friday sale and the Live Ultralight Membership   GEAR FROM THIS EPISODE Skyline 30 Fastpack: https://bit.ly/3X5QL7y Pursuit Hybrid Fleece: https://bit.ly/48EPPcN Nebo Windbreaker: https://bit.ly/3WPiLfD Vario Jacket: https://bit.ly/4f6RknJ Have questions for us? Send us a voice message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/LiveUltraLight Or write in to [email protected]!

As temperatures drop and shoulder season shifts into winter, you don't always need an entirely separate fourth-season kit to stay warm and safe on the trail. In this episode of the Ask OV podcast, we break down practical strategies for optimizing and stretching your 3-season gear into late fall and early winter backpacking trips. We take a deep dive into sleep system modularity—addressing whether to layer quilts inside or outside sleeping bags, how to properly layer closed-cell foam pads with inflatables for maximum R-value, and real-world water management in freezing temperatures. We also discuss active vs. static clothing layering strategies to control moisture while hiking in cold conditions.  Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Sleep System Layering: The physics of combining quilts, mummy bags, and liners for sub-zero temperatures. Sleeping Pad Optimization: R-value considerations, lab vs. field testing, and placing closed-cell foam pads under vs. over inflatable pads. Shoulder Season & Winter Prep: Gear adjustments for late-season trips in the Rocky Mountains and Colorado back country. Active Cold-Weather Apparel: Layering mid-layers (like the Pursuit fleece and Vario/Ventus synthetic jackets) under outer shells without creating a sauna effect. Footwear & Extremity Warmth: Insulated boot selection, vapor management, down socks, and balaclavas for cold nights. Expanse Sleeping Bag: https://bit.ly/4iJwgG4 Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction + Personal Trip Plans & Hot Takes 07:00 - Q1: Sleep System Layering (Quilts vs. Sleeping Bags) 10:20 - Sleeping Bag Liners: Are They Worth the Weight? 12:51 - Q2: Closed-Cell Foam Pad Placement (Above vs. Below Inflatable Pads) 14:51 - Lab R-Values vs. Real-World Cold Performance 16:53 - Colorado Backcountry Trip Prep: Stretching 3-Season Kits into Winter 19:54 - Overnight Water and Heat Management in Freezing Temps 22:08 - Footwear, Down Booties & Extremity Warmth 24:14 - Cold Weather Active Clothing Layering 26:51 - Overall Layering Strategies + Leg Warmth and Mesh Layers 28:59 - Insulated Hiking Boots vs. Technical Terrain 31:45 - Q3: Active Layering Under Rain Shells (Avoiding the Sauna Effect) 37:00 - Why Winter Backpacking is Worth It & How to Submit Questions Have questions for us? Send us a voice message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/LiveUltraLight Or write in to [email protected]! Great Backpacking Gear (Support the Podcast): https://bit.ly/3PswpQi 

The Outdoor Vitals Expanse Sleeping Bag is a roomy, hoodless ultralight down sleeping bag built for side sleepers and anyone who moves at night. In this Live Ultralight Podcast episode, Tayson Whittaker and OV lead designer Brigham Crane cover the full design story, a couple years of prototypes and field testing, and every feature of the Expanse. Expanse Sleeping Bag: https://bit.ly/4iJwgG4   Have questions for us? Send us a voice message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/LiveUltraLight Or write in to [email protected]!   "I just flat out had some of the best nights of sleep I've ever had in the backcountry sleeping in this bag." - Tayson Whittaker    CHAPTERS 0:00 Introducing the Expanse Sleeping Bag 2:16 The late night in the mountains that started the Expanse 7:03 Designing for sleep quality, side sleepers, and less fiddle factor 10:59 What people want from a sleeping bag: foot room and simplicity 13:13 Why the Expanse is hoodless 15:06 Half-length zipper and a roomier cut 17:32 Why 900 fill power Muscovy down 19:27 Extra room means cold spots: the interior cinch cord solution 23:16 Why a smaller space stays warmer: the heater analogy 26:07 Prototype one: what testers found 33:09 Refining the draft collar, zipper, baffles, and elastic cords 36:45 Why the Long size gets a third cinch cord 39:30 Top to bottom walkthrough of the Expanse 41:36 How roomy is it? Mild taper vs mummy and rectangular bags 43:37 Symmetrical design and top quilt mode 45:20 Field testing: warmth, simplicity, and sleep quality 52:30 Cold sleepers, kids, and friends in the Expanse 54:58 The tradeoff: about 5 oz heavier than a top quilt 58:20 Specs, weights, and 2027 temperature ratings 1:01:25 ExpeDRY down and 900 fill power explained 1:05:00 Wrap-up and how to send questions   HOW THE EXPANSE WAS TESTED Through development, the Expanse was the design team's only sleep system, year round, in every condition. Every temperature rating was slept at and below its rating. In the 15°F model, Brigham only added extra layers once temps dropped to around 9 to 12°F.    EXPANSE SLEEPING BAG SPECS Available now: 15°F comfort rating (comfortable at the rating, not survivable), Regular 72" (1 lb 13 oz) and Long 77" (2 lb), bag only Coming in 2027: 30°F (1 lb 7.7 oz, Regular) and 0°F (2 lb 6 oz, Regular) Insulation: 900 fill power ExpeDRY Muscovy down Shell and lining: 10D nylon DWR treated Zipper: half-length YKK No. 5 coil with draft tubes and anti-snag webbing Inside width: 30" shoulder to hip, 27.5" at the knee, 13.5" minimum footbox Room: about 50% more at the knee and 40%+ more in the footbox than some of our own mummy bags Baffles: horizontal and vertical, with added baffles below the knee to keep down in place Interior elastic cinch cords: 2 in Regular (knee and foot), 3 in Long Cinchable draft collar, inner snap at the top of the zipper Dry bag (1.5 oz) and storage bag (4 oz) included    EXPANSE SLEEPING BAG FAQ Is the Expanse good for side sleepers? Yes. The Expanse Sleeping Bag was designed for side sleepers who roll through the night. The down is distributed symmetrically with no top or bottom side, so the bag stays equally warm wherever it twists or the zipper ends up. How do the cinch cords inside the Expanse work? Thin elastic cords run around the inside of the lower bag. Cinching them shrinks the space your body has to heat, without squeezing the down from the outside. Most nights you leave them open. They are there for nights colder than expected. Why is the Expanse hoodless? A beanie, jacket hood, or balaclava does the job with less weight, and lets you choose your head layer trip by trip. The hoodless, symmetrical design also lets you unzip the Expanse and drape it like a quilt on warm nights. Expanse Sleeping Bag or a top quilt? At 15°F Regular, the Expanse is about 5 oz heavier than the StormLoft Down TopQuilt. Choose the quilt if lowest weight is the priority. Choose the Expanse if you want to crawl in with no pad straps, roll without any possibility of drafts, and have room to move. What is ExpeDRY™ down? ExpeDRY™ is a permanent nano gold treatment on the down that helps moisture evaporate faster, so the down keeps its loft through humid, multi-night trips.   Great Backpacking Gear (Support the Podcast): https://bit.ly/3PswpQi 

In this episode of the Live Ultralight Podcast, Tayson and Brigham introduce Special Projects, a new Outdoor Vitals program created to design gear for narrow, high-stakes problems in small batches instead of chasing broad appeal. They cover the goals of the program, its origins and the first Special Projects' release: The Resolve Down Anorak.   Topics we cover: 1. What is the goal of Outdoor Vitals' new "Special Projects" program? 2. Who is the Resolve Down Anorak meant for? 3. Dual zippers versus single zippers for heat retention. 4. When will the Resolve Down Anorak be released? (Window)   Chapters: 00:00 - Introducing Special Projects 07:54 - Origin of the Resolve Down Anorak 13:39 - Box Baffle Sleeping Bag Construction 17:08 - Why Develop an Anorak? 28:20 - Heavy-Duty Hardware & Zipper Details 31:10 - Kangaroo Pocket & Internal Drop Storage 32:25 - Hood Baffling & Body Coverage 38:56 - Down Specs and Treatment 40:46 - Fabrics 42:24 - Total Weight, Packability, & Warmth-to-Weight 46:38 - Field Testing in 70 MPH Winds 49:36 - Ideal Temperature & Weather Conditions 54:57 - Colors, Sizing, & Pre-Sale Details Click here to sign up to get notified when the Resolve Down Anorak launches: https://bit.ly/4xKIeUq   How to Submit Questions Have questions for us? Send us a voice message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/LiveUltraLight Or write in to [email protected]! Great Backpacking Gear (Support the Podcast): https://bit.ly/3PswpQi

What crossover does ultralight backpacking have with backcountry hunting? In this episode of Ask OV, we cover the crossover and how to use it; wisdom learned from the tradeoffs; and how to maintain your mind while you're on trail. Things we cover in this episode: - What weight threshold requires a heavy-duty hunting pack over an ultralight pack? - How do you reduce backpack weight when carrying gear for family or kids? - Can you use an ultralight backpacking tent for late-season backcountry hunting? - How often should you take breaks when backpacking uphill? - How do you apply an ultralight (UL) mentality to backcountry hunting gear? - What are the strategic trade-offs of using a sub-2-pound spotting scope? - Is it better to push through gear durability concerns or buy heavier hunting clothes? - How do I know if my body is actually fatigued or if my brain is trying to make me quit? - What is the difference between taking a break and quitting on the trail? - How do you prevent yourself from taking too many impulsive breaks while hiking? - What should I do if I want to quit my thru-hike or backpacking trip due to exhaustion?   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Ask OV Podcast 01:05 - Pack Weight Thresholds: Ultralight vs. Sturdy Hunting Packs 07:04 - Favorite Hunting and Hauling Packs Outside the OV Line 07:36 - Applying Ultralight Concepts to Backcountry Hunting 15:52 - Evaluating Lightweight Gear vs. Durability in the Field 22:54 - The Mental Side of Hiking: Overcoming Psychological Limits 28:07 - How the Body Lies: Recognizing Dehydration, Cramping, and Fatigue 35:01 - Taking Purposeful Breaks vs. Quitting   How to Submit Questions Have questions for us? Send us a voice message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/LiveUltraLight Or write in to [email protected]! Great Backpacking Gear (Support the Podcast): https://bit.ly/3PswpQi