One of the most important doctrines of ultralight backpacking is the principle of multi-use. If an item can be used for more than one purpose, it means carrying less single-use gear. Simple.
I want to talk about an item that I think best exemplifies this principle, the Hoo-Rag. Hoo-Rag sent me one of these to try out and it’s been a lot of fun finding unique and undocumented ways of using this simple yet versatile item.
The Hoo-Rag is a lightweight, seamless tube-style soft bandana. It comes in tons of different patterns and there are more ways to wear it than I can count. Hoo-Rag shows off their product primarily as wearable (and hop on over to their site to see the numerous ways you can wear it), but I want to focus on how this has become the ultimate multi-use item in my backpacking kit.
When I start off down the trail, the HooRag is around my neck, loosely bunched and comfortable. I keep my camera on a strap and it goes over my neck, and the Hoo-Rag prevents irritation from the rubbing strap over hours of hiking. I use the Hoo-Rag to wipe my sweaty face and neck. It also provides sun protection for my neck, since I like to wear baseball cap style hats which have little to no neck protection (especially when my hair is in a ponytail). If the wind picks up or it’s chilly, I pull the Hoo-Rag up over my ears to keep them warm. If it’s hot, I’ll dip it in a stream to cool off. I’ve barely started down the trail and I already count five excellent uses!
Once I get to camp I rinse off the Hoo-Rag to remove the sweat and grime of the day and lay it out to dry. The lightweight material dries quickly in the sun. When I heat my dinner water in my small cookpot the handles get too hot to touch, so I reach for the Hoo-Rag and use it as a handle wrap so I don’t burn my hands. Then, I use it as a koozy for my rehydrating dinner. Finally, when I crawl into my tent for the night, I stuff the Hoo-Rag tube with my jacket and extra clothing to make a nice pillow case. That’s four more uses! I’m up to nine and that’s barely counting all the different ways to wear it that they show on their site!
Constructing a lightweight backpacking pillow with the Hoo-Rag:
Step 1: Take your cushy clothing/jackets that you aren’t wearing to bed and make a little pouch. In this picture, I have an ultralight down jacket wadded up inside of a lightweight fleece. These are generally the two jackets I carry during the summer Sierra backpacking season.
Step 2: Roll into a nice little ball
Step 3: Stuff the soft wad of fleece and down into the Hoo-Rag. This step is important since that little cozy ball of padding will fall apart without something to hold it together.
Step 4: Stick it at the head of your sleeping bag and sleep like a baby!
When I get home, the Hoo-Rag goes in the laundry with everything else, requiring no special treatment. I highly recommend picking up one of these useful items, and I’m certain you’ll find even more ways to use it than I have. What about you – is there an item in your kit that provides as many uses as this?
Oooh, I’m totally intrigued by this little thing. Going to have to check them out.
I love how creative you were with this 🙂 Plus, I’m jealous that you went camping already!!
Ha! I usually get in my first Sierra backpack in May or June. The one advantage to this year’s dry winter is early mountain access. Yay!
Thanks for the post. I recently replaced carrying one of my bandannas with a similar product as the Hop Rag – love the pillow idea!
I notice your tent in the pics. Do you have the Rainbow? If so, have you ever posted a review of it? I have a Rainbow and wonder hoe you manage in hard rains with backsplash and mist.
Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Hm, I’ve had that rainbow for several years – didn’t know there was so much interest in it! I might have to put together a review. I do love it, but I’m not a fan of the double version (I sold that one).
Great post calipidder.
I have one but it’s called a ‘Choob’ here in the UK. A very versatile piece of kit. The pillow idea is great! So far I’ve only used it as a neck warmer & beany hat but I’m looking forward to some warmer weather to try it out in differing modes!
Ps. If the tent is a Rainbow I’d also be interested in your view of it. We’re looking at buying a Rainbow 2 for a future trip/adventure we’re planning.
Yep, it’s a Rainbow! I have the rainbow for solo trips and used to have a double rainbow for when MrC was along. We weren’t fond of the double version, but I still love my solo rainbow.