Comments on: Gear I Use https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/ Sharing advice, info and inspiration about my happy place: the Great Outdoors. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:32:11 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Taryn Eyton https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-130836 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:32:11 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-130836 In reply to Peas.

I used to have the Warm Obsession and I currently have an old Light Obsession. I don’t think I ever owned the Airstream. The Warm Obsession is similar to the Arc’teryx Proton while the Light Obsession is more like the Arc’teryx Atom. The Light Obsession is far more breathable than the Warm Obsession from what I remember.

]]> By: Peas https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-130834 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 06:40:54 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-130834 I believe you’ve had the MEC Warm Obsession, Light Obsession and the Airstream. How do they compare to each other? I know all of these are discontinued. I’m looking at the secondhand market for an active insulation jacket

]]> By: Taryn Eyton https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-129735 Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:44:50 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-129735 In reply to Jason.

I sleep very cold so I haven’t tried one yet since they can’t be tested for temperature ratings in an accurate way and in general its hard to make a quilt that performs well at temperatures much below freezing. I think for some people they could work well, but it’s just not something I’ve tried yet.

]]> By: Jason https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-129731 Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:12:14 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-129731 Have you ever looked into Backpacking Quilts? My Wife is looking to get one to save some weight. We are in Calgary so I was hoping you might have a Western Canadian Weather based point of view on them.

]]> By: Taryn Eyton https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-126885 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 15:55:52 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-126885 In reply to Ellen.

My next book about backpacking on Vancouver Island comes out in April 2024.

]]> By: Taryn Eyton https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-126884 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 15:55:31 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-126884 In reply to Ellen.

The Hot Cocoa is not quite an arctic parka, but it’s pretty warm. If you’re buying used, make sure you have a good look at it too make sure the down hasn’t gotten too compressed or lost its fill over time. I don’t know if it would be warm enough on its own at -20C, but with some other layers I think it would work well.

]]> By: Ellen https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-126883 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 03:52:13 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-126883 Just realized you are a BCer, and you published a book! I will order the kindle version and bring to backpacking trips for reading in tent. Hope you will write more books about your other backpacking destinations.

]]> By: Ellen https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-126882 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 03:43:39 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-126882 Really helpful and informative, especially from an experienced backpacker. Can you share your experience with MEC Hot Cocoa down jacket? Someone is selling a used one to me. Not sure if it is warm enough for -20C in campsite. Thx. -20C is -4F for your reference.

]]> By: Taryn Eyton https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-126311 Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:53:07 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-126311 In reply to Chrissy.

If you are a cold sleeper, definitely go for a -9C bag over a 0C bag.

]]> By: Chrissy https://dawnoutdoors.com/about/gear-i-use/#comment-126310 Sun, 11 Sep 2022 21:58:49 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?page_id=2050#comment-126310 I have a R 4.2 sleeping pad. Should I go for a -9 or 0C sleeping bag? Cold sleeper. Backpacking in BC including garibaldi, golden ears peak

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