u/D3mon0fthemist

Recently getting into wilderness backpacking and trying to build a setup that’ll work for most of what I want to do without immediately spending ultralight money.

I live in NC and will mostly be backpacking in the NC mountains/Blue Ridge/Smokies during 3 seasons, but I also want to occasionally take trips out west. I don’t really plan on camping below 30 degrees, although I guess that could change later on.

Right now I’m looking at the Kelty Cosmic 20 as my sleeping bag. Would that work well for most of my use cases or would I regret not going warmer/lighter?

Current setup is an REI Flash 55 and a Half Dome 2 Plus. Also wondering if all of this should fit reasonably well in the Flash 55 or if I’m pushing it too much volume-wise.

Just trying to build a solid beginner setup that I can grow into over time

Recently getting into wilderness backpacking and trying to build a setup that’ll work for most of what I want to do without immediately spending ultralight money.

I live in NC and will mostly be backpacking in the NC mountains/Blue Ridge/Smokies during 3 seasons, but I also want to occasionally take trips out west. I don’t really plan on camping below 30 degrees, although I guess that could change later on.

Right now I’m looking at the Kelty Cosmic 20 as my sleeping bag. Would that work well for most of my use cases or would I regret not going warmer/lighter?

Current setup is an REI Flash 55 and a Half Dome 2 Plus. Also wondering if all of this should fit reasonably well in the Flash 55 or if I’m pushing it too much volume-wise.

Just trying to build a solid beginner setup that I can grow into over time

I’ve recently gotten really into running after coming from a bodybuilding background.

With school starting and working full time, I can’t realistically spend over an hour in the gym anymore, and I can only train Monday–Friday with either lifting or running each day, not both.

Right now I’m trying to decide between 3 full body lifting days + 2 runs, or 2 full body lifting days + 3 runs. I keep hearing running 2x/week isn’t great for progress, so I’m leaning toward prioritizing running more.

For people who’ve shifted from lifting to hybrid training, is 2 full body sessions enough to maintain muscle while improving running with 3 runs a week?

Starting school tomorrow while also working 40 hours a week, and I’m realizing my current setup just isn’t sustainable anymore. I can only train Monday-Friday.

Right now I’m doing a bro split and running M/W/F after lifting, but the sessions are getting way too long. I still want to balance strength and endurance, I just need something more realistic.

I was thinking about switching to an upper/lower split 3 days a week and running on the off days Tuesday and Thursday, but then I’m only running 2x a week. Now I’m debating if it makes more sense to prioritize 3 runs and 2 lifting days instead.

Main goals are staying lean/athletic, maintaining or slowly building muscle, improving endurance, and avoiding burnout with school and work.

For people balancing hybrid training with busy schedules, what’s worked best for you? Is running 2x a week enough to maintain decent progress, or would you prioritize 3 runs and 2 lifting days?

I start school this week and also work full time, so I just don’t have the time or energy to spend forever in the gym anymore.

Honestly I’m thinking about simplifying everything down to something like bench, pull-ups, and squats 3 days a week, then cardio the other 2 days. Keep workouts under 45 minutes and just focus on staying fit and healthy instead of trying to be a bodybuilder.

Anyone else train like this long term? Did you still maintain a solid physique and strength?

I start school this week and also work full time, so I just don’t have the time or energy to spend forever in the gym anymore.

Honestly I’m thinking about simplifying everything down to something like bench, pull-ups, and squats 3 days a week, then cardio the other 2 days. Keep workouts under 45 minutes and just focus on staying fit and healthy instead of trying to be a bodybuilder.

Anyone else train like this long term? Did you still maintain a solid physique and strength?

I’m getting into longer day hikes (just did a 17.5 mile/ 4200 ft gain hike from sunrise to sunset and really enjoyed it). I eventually want to do overnighters, but I can’t afford $500+ for a full shelter/sleep system right now.

My plan is to focus on long day hikes for now, basically sunrise to sunset pushes. I’ll carry the 10 essentials with an emergency shelter, get an REI Flash 55 to use now and later for backpacking, and slowly build overnight gear over the next 1–2 years.

My question is how much of U.S. national parks I can realistically experience this way.

Can I still hit most bucket list hikes and get that remote/backcountry feel without overnighting for a while?

I’m getting into longer day hikes (just did a 17.5 mile/ 4200 ft gain hike from sunrise to sunset and really enjoyed it). I eventually want to do overnighters, but I can’t afford $500+ for a full shelter/sleep system right now.

My plan is to focus on long day hikes for now, basically sunrise to sunset pushes. I’ll carry the 10 essentials with an emergency shelter, get an REI Flash 55 to use now and later for backpacking, and slowly build overnight gear over the next 1–2 years.

My question is how much of U.S. national parks I can realistically experience this way.

Can I still hit most bucket list hikes and get that remote/backcountry feel without overnighting for a while?

Getting into backpacking and trying to figure out tent sizing before I start buying gear.

I’ll be doing mostly solo trips (70%), but also want to bring my wife sometimes (30%). I’m 6’3 and she’s 5’2.

Debating whether a 2-person tent is enough for solo and occasional couple trips, or if I should just go 3-person from the start to avoid being cramped.

What would you go with for this kind of split use case?