Display 7.6 Lb. equipment list.
At under 8 pounds for a base pack weight, and just over 11 pounds including all that I wear and carry (excluding food and water) I’m on the lower end, even for ultralight backpacking. My equipment list is intended work for me in the limited conditions as described below. It should not be relied upon in extreme environmental conditions.
WARNING! You should not attempt to emulate mine, or any other ultralight equipment list, unless you are an experienced backpacker and have a good idea of what you’re doing. Not having the right equipment, and/or unfamiliarity with ultralight backpacking techniques, could result in serious problems, injury, or even death. Work up to lighter equipment a bit at a time with judicious testing on short outings. Take plenty of backup equipment until you have confidence that your ultralight equipment will keep you warm and safe. This takes time. Don’t rush it.
My ultralight list (7.6 lb.) is limited to:
(slightly longer season for Northeastern US)
I have a second list, with slightly more stuff (9.8 lb.) that is for:
What Makes My List Work?
· Mostly, I take everything that the usual backpacker takes, just a lighter version of it. Forget things like a 2 pound Gore Tex Jacket or a 3 pound sleeping bag. Sometimes my lighter equipment is every bit as good as heavier equipment. Sometimes my lighter equipment has some performance limitations and is less durable than heavier equipment. In this case, I believe that the reduction in weight exceeds the limitations of the lighter equipment. With care and proper use the equipment works fine. Manufacturers over-design equipment.
· I take little or no duplicate or backup equipment. E.g. all of the clothes, sleep system and shelter I take, when used together, should keep me just warm and safe enough for the lowest anticipated temperatures and worst weather.
· I don’t take stuff I don’t need. This includes, camp shoes, rain pants, hiking shorts, underwear (briefs), books, multi-tools, knives over an ounce, most stuff sacks, towels, bathing suit, deodorant, etc.
· I don’t take more of anything than I need. E.g. I don’t take an 8 oz. tube of sunscreen or toothpaste when I only need an oz. or less. (An ounce of sunscreen lasts me over a week.) This stuff can really add up of you aren’t careful.
· When I solo, I don’t take a stove or cooking equipment. I eat cold food. I take caffeine pills for my morning buzz. I can deal with this. (Note: Many ultralight backpackers do take stoves. Just small light ones. When I hike with others, I usually take a stove, and do civilized stuff like make coffee & tea. See additions a the end of my list.)
Dr. Ryan Jordan has an excellent discussion on ultralight backpacking, “Ultralight vs. Lightweight Backpacking.”
Dr. Jordan’s whole web site is a great resource for ultralight backpacking.
Link to my backpacking food page
EQUIPMENT LINKS
Packs
ULA's P1: ultralight with comfort! P2: light with a frame.
http://www.ula-equipment.com
GoLite Breeze – under one pound!
http://www.golite.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/scstore/product_categories/packs.html?L+scstore+pcbt7897+982366099
Wildthings AT Pack
http://www.wildthingsgear.com/packs.html#at
Bozeman Mountain Works RatPack
http://biofilm.eps.montana.edu/bozemanmountainworks/default2.htm
GVP Packs (another sub-pound pack)
www.gvpgear.com
Shelter
ULA's T2: ultralight shelter. T3: ultralight tent!
http://www.ula-equipment.com
Campmore 6x8 Silnylon Tarp
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=88642&prmenbr=226
SilShelter
http://www.integraldesigns.com/bivy/silshlt.htm
Other Tarp & Light Tent Ideas
SilTarp
http://www.integraldesigns.com/bivy/siltarp.htm
Oware has nice silnylon tarps in many sizes, including square, which is not
that common. They are inexpensive, and have many tie out loops. Both pluses.
The square shapes let you pitch the tarp in a flying diamond configuration.
Oware Tarps
http://owareusa.com/tarps.html
Oware Tents
http://owareusa.com/tents.html
GoLite Cave. A modified tarp with end breaks to provide better rain protection.
Nice design but a high price.
http://www.golite.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/scstore/product_categories/shelters.html?L+scstore+mmjd2938+983479832
Wanderlust Nomad 2 pound tent
http://www.wanderlustgear.com/
http://www.wanderlustgear.com/NewDesigns.htm
Trekking poles: Although I don’t use them, many ultralight hikers do. They are
great for setting tarps and ultralight tents.
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=8000&cgrfnbr=4500557&seq=1&sort=1
Also check out the golf ball retriever tent pole
http://www.wanderlustgear.com/poles.htm
Sleep Systems
RAB Elite Top Bag
http://www.rab.uk.com/pages/sleeping/sleep_prod/elite.html
Other Light Sleep Choices
Western Mountaineering Ultralight
This is somewhat of an ultralight standard
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/ultralite.htm
Nunatak – both bags are good ultralight choices
http://www.nunatakgear.com/alpinist.htm
http://www.nunatakgear.com/bcblanket.htm
Feathered Friends
http://www.featheredfriends.com/bags/bags.htm
(look at Hummingbird and Great Auk)
Marmot Hydrogen and Helium Bags
(Out Spring 2001 but not on their site yet.)
http://www.marmot.com/products/products_home.html
Note: Don’t forget that you can make a very light quilt with 1.1 oz. nylon and PrimaLoft or other insulation for not much money.
Link to instructions to make a lightweight quilt: http://www.litebackpacker.com/make-quilt/index.html
Supplies from: Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics Inc. (they also carry silnylon for tarps, stuff sacks, rainwear etc.)
Campmor Emergency Blanket (5.5 oz. ground sheet)
http://www.campmor.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=99841
Foam Pad (cut down to what you can tolerate)
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=302&prmenbr=8000
Mount Washington Pad – cushy and only 7 oz
http://www.paramountoutfitters.com/
Rain Shells
Equinox Silnylon Poncho
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm?PRODUCTS__PRODUCTID=EQ1200
For lightweight W/B shells try Marmot's PreCip and Lowe's Adrenaline.
Both run around 12-14 oz and $100.
See my previous message:
http://www.egroups.com/message/BackpackingLight/28951
Marmot PreCip Jacket
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4521519&prmenbr=8000
http://www.marmot.com/products/clothing/cloth_prod_rain_precipjkt.html
Lowe Adrenaline Anorak
http://www.lowealpine.com/3/home/fr_hm_l.htm
If price is an issue checck out Red Ledge's $60, W/B, Thunderlight Jacket.
http://www.redledge.com/
Frogg Toggs are inexpensive very light W/B rain wear (12-15 oz for jacket and
pants!). Some swear by these, others have issues with durability.
Don Johnston prefers the coat as it provides coverage to just below the knee.
http://www.froggtoggs.com/Products.html
If breathability is a big issue, and you don't believe you'll be hiking in
pouring rain all the time, you many want to look at water resistant but
highly breathable shells. If so, check out Patagonia's Essenshell in both a
pullover and a jacket.
Patagonia Essenshell Pullover
http://www.patagonia.com/webapp/commerce/Pgonia/Product.jsp?merchant_rn=7385&prrfnbr=2058&sku=83650
Most manufacturers make some sort of water resistant highly breathable
shell and some can be light and inexpensive. Also look at Marmot's DriClime
Pullover, Wind Shirt, or Omni Jacket.
Driclime Pullover
http://www.marmotmountain.com/marmotgear/shdriclime/drclimpo.html
A british mfr., Paramo, makes some lightweight breathable shells. You can
check it out at:
http://www.paramo.co.uk/default.asp
Michael has a discussion of them at:
http://www.monmouth.com/~mconnick/chklist.htm
Mountain hardware also makes a pricy but nice series of jackets and wind
shirts in their Tempest SL line.
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/clothes/tempest.html
Other Clothing
Rail Riders Ecomesh Shirt
http://www.railriders.com/
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=48768
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=645812&prmenbr=8000
REI Convertable Trail Pants
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=8000&prrfnbr=6721487
Foot wear
Most ultralight hikers prefer hiking in trail running shoes. This year, the New Balance 804 has replaced the venerable 803, probably the most popular hiking shoe with the ultralight crowd. If you don't like the New Balance, check out other sturdy trail running shoes like Montrail Vitesse or Solman Raidsports. These shoes are easy to find at most local athletic shoe stores and outdoor stores.
Road Runner Sports Trail Shoes
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/roadrunner/shoes_trail.asp
REI Trail Shoes
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=8000&cgrfnbr=4501261&seq=1&sort=1
Water Treatment
Platypus 2 Liter Reservoir
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=353590&prmenbr=8000
General Info on How to Setup an In-Line Gravity Filter System
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackingLight/files/A-WaterPurificationSystem/SWAGravityFilter.txt
SWA In-Line Filter Systems
http://www.safewateranywhere.com/outdoorline/outdoorline.html
Platypus Zip Hoser
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=9153240&prmenbr=8000
The Seychelle In-Line Filter doesn't seem to be commercially available. I
got mine directly from the manufacturer. The only portable filter they seem
to sell is their Bottom's Up water bottle.
http://www.seychelle.com/
PUR hiker
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=8000&prrfnbr=2298
Misc Items
Silnylon Stuff Sacks
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm?PRODUCTS__PRODUCTID=EQ1000
http://www.golite.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/scstore/product_categories/products/pouch.html?L+scstore+pcbt7897+982336753
Small LED Flashlights
LED Lite: http://www.ledlite.com/pocketbright.html
Photon: http://www.photonlight.com/
or http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=6859&prmenbr=8000
Only the Lightest Camping Equipment
http://www.hikelight.com/