I guess I am asking this because I am about 6 ft 2 inches and I sometimes get a little frustrated when I am trying to get my weight down and then compare it to others. I need a long sleeping bag and this automatically adds another 2-4 ounces. This adds weight to my clothing, to my bag, to my shelter, to my pad (when using a long).

Does anyone else feel this frustration? (It could just be me--I know.)

My big 4 at the present time:

Golite Jam2 Large: 22 ounces

Jacks R Better No Sniveller Long (with stuffsack and omnitape added): 24.5 ounces

SMD Lunar (with stuff sack) : 28.2 ounces

Z-rest pad (cut short): 9.3 ounces

Total 84 ounces or 5.25 pounds

What's the purpose of having light gear anyway? To have the geekier backpack or to hike farther? Is there something wrong with as having as light of a set of gear as you are comfortable with and hiking your own hike?

btw, if you wanted, you could cut more than a pound out of your "big 4" by switching to a tarp, polycro groundcloth and an all all noseeum bivy (for bugs); and by trimming some of the extras out of your Jam2 pack (I got my size L down to 19 ounces by removing the hydration bladder sleeve and trimming some of the webbing).

we're bigger. we should be able to carry more :)

The weight doesn't bother me, I just hate trying to find pants that don't end up looking like capris.

The weight doesn't bother me, I just hate trying to find pants that don't end up looking like capris.

quoted for truth^^^

we just have to be more thorough when researching gear

I'm using:

EMS moutain light 20 degree bag - LONG

Big Agnes SL1 (this one I'm undecided on, i actually just ordered it, and we'll see if I like how I fit inside it in a couple days when it arrives)

Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone

I'm using a Thermarest RidgeRest normal size currently, it's not too awful heavy, and it should be fine for wamth...in warmer temps it's just a cheap blue foam pad cut to length :)

If you're a bigger person, please let me know how the SL1 works for you. Ease of set up, getting in/out, condensation, rain, etc.
I am considering this as my next tent.

seems to me like 5.25lbs for your big 4 is a pretty good number, with all your other gear you should be able to keep base weight to around 10-12lbs. that would be pretty nice. based on my experience once you get to a certain weight(lightwise not heavy) its kind of a diminishing return. once it gets so light you stop noticing the benefit. and then you lose a lot of creature comforts from making it that light. for me that was around 20lbs. this post is kind of out there but it was just my experience. and probably not explained that well at that, so enjoy.

Try and think of your base weight as a percentage of your weight...

Like if you're 225lbs and your base weight is 5.25lb thats 2.3%, whereas if a 2.3% of a 150lb person is 3.5lb.

It's really the only way you're going to be able to compare with others that are smaller than you.


Personally I think 5.25lb is great and I wouldnt sweat it.

If you're a bigger person, please let me know how the SL1 works for you. Ease of set up, getting in/out, condensation, rain, etc.
I am considering this as my next tent.

will let you know...I'll do a write up hopefulyl by next week :)