Ultralighters, where did you eventually ADD weight back to your pack?

[Deadeye]

Didn't take long to switch back from 1/2 a z-rest pad to a nice, cushy 3/4 length air mattress. 1 night to be exact.

[The Kisco Kid]

Went from a Neoair Xlite small to medium. Totally worth the 4 ounces.

[BDWait]

Camera Gear- 4 POUNDS

My Base weight is right around 10lb 3oz but I then add 4 pounds of camera gear. A DSLR with a tripod. People think im crazy but at the end of a LD hike I have thousands of professional shots.

[cmoulder]

"professional shots"?

"Professional" is not defined by equipment used but rather by the photographer's unique insight and marketability of images (somebody willing to pay $$$), no matter how they are produced.

http://www.gsmarena.com/awardwinning...blog-14003.php

[kimbur96]

Noob question here, sorry. A lot of you have switched from the sawyer mini to the "regular" which one are you talking about when you say regular? the squeeze? link? thank you

[sliverstorm]

"professional shots"?

"Professional" is not defined by equipment used but rather by the photographer's unique insight and marketability of images (somebody willing to pay $$$), no matter how they are produced.

You're not wrong that expensive gear does not good photos make, but also notice professionals don't generally make marketable images with $50 pocket cameras. Heck, the phone used in your link is famous for having the best camera in a phone, ever.

[Casey & Gina]

Noob question here, sorry. A lot of you have switched from the sawyer mini to the "regular" which one are you talking about when you say regular? the squeeze? link? thank you

The pointOne, aka "Squeeze". I just ordered a Sawyer 3-Way filter which promises to be even better. We'll see.

[kimbur96]

The pointOne, aka "Squeeze". I just ordered a Sawyer 3-Way filter which promises to be even better. We'll see.

ok, thank you

[Greenmountainguy]

Seems to be popular, I did the larger Sawyer thing too when not using Aqua Mira instead (still my first choice when water is fairly clear). I also occasionally carry my DSLR camera, though it is actually very light for a DSLR (Canon SL1 w/ 18-55 zoom & soft case, 23 ounces). On longer trips >4-5 days, I also now carry a phone recharger battery, I think about 7 ounces, give me 3 extra full charges, which is important to me because I read 2-3 hours a day.

I agree, 9 pounds vs. 11 pounds of base weight makes very little difference. 11 vs. 13 though makes a difference and 15 (base) becomes fairly heavy for me. It's an asymptotic thing.

I envy the lot of you. I am currently at a bit over 20 lbs. (no food no H20) and am fighting to get it down. My major concern which sends up the weight are the evening skeeters...which will drain you in New England in the right/wrong weather unless you have shelter designed to beat them. Of course my cell phone and charger may hurt too. I am also an EMT and carry more than I need personally require in 1st aid equipment...yes, I help others whenever needed.

[HDLV]

I've been backpacking short trips almost every weekend during the 3 seasons of 2015 with an 8 pound base weight. I decided I really want to video blog my thru starting this June and added at least a pound of weight just in electronics.

The other would be my knife. I tried hiking for a while with just a Spyderco ladybug but I just enjoy whittling way to much. Outside of backpacking greenwood working (making spoons, wooden cups and such) is my other favorite hobby and the two go well together. I'm very happy adding 3 or so ounces to be able to use a nice fixed blade to carve/relax after a big mile day.

[sliverstorm]

I am also an EMT and carry more than I need personally require in 1st aid equipment...yes, I help others whenever needed.

See, you just have to ditch your conscience, and you'll get that pack weight down. Learn to leave 'em for the bears!

[Harrison Bergeron]

Well, I'm no ultralighter but I've sure spent a pile of money trying. Here are my favorite upgrades:


-3.6oz -- Jetboil Zip titanium instead of homemade popcan alcohol stove.
(this one actually saved a few ounces once you count the fuel and associated accouterments)

1.8oz -- Fleece seat belt covers for pack straps


6.1oz -- Full-length Neoair


0.6oz -- Thermarest Airtap pump and batteries instead of pumpsack


1.0oz -- Thermorest pillowcase (to cover my clothing stuffsack)


3.0oz -- 18" square of blue foam to sit on


0.8oz -- Home made collapsible water bucket


2.0oz -- Princeton Tec Sync headlamp instead of cheapo Coleman that was powered by watch batteries


0.8oz -- Kitchen sink (milk jug bottom)


4.2oz -- Patagonia Houdini wind shirt


5.7oz -- Belly bag for electronics, wallet, glasses, maps, etc.


20.1oz -- Danner 453 GTX hiking boots instead of Merril Moab sneakers


9.0oz -- 8oz whiskey flask

[Greenmountainguy]

See, you just have to ditch your conscience, and you'll get that pack weight down. Learn to leave 'em for the bears!

Yeah, well, the first day of my EMT course was why you should not get involved if you are not on the clock. I could have skipped that session, hasn't worked yet. Not sure it should.

[poolskaterx]

Just added micro line locks, new z cord guy-lines and glow cord to zipper pulls and the main guy-line at the entrance of my hexamid... Oh and a little piece of elastic cord with a mitten hook to loop around my hiking pole for the bathtub floor entrance!

[capehiker]

Just added micro line locks, new z cord guy-lines and glow cord to zipper pulls and the main guy-line at the entrance of my hexamid... Oh and a little piece of elastic cord with a mitten hook to loop around my hiking pole for the bathtub floor entrance!

Pretty much the same. Added 2 ounces by adding line-locs and thicker guylines. I also added two mitten hooks to the inside of my Altaplex and 4 feet of spectra cord and now I have a clothes line in my tent.

[sliverstorm]

Yeah, well, the first day of my EMT course was why you should not get involved if you are not on the clock. I could have skipped that session, hasn't worked yet. Not sure it should.

For real? That's saddening to hear. What kind of world have we created where the most medically trained are coached not to help those in need if they aren't getting paid...

[Mags]

For real? That's saddening to hear. What kind of world have we created where the most medically trained are coached not to help those in need if they aren't getting paid...

Could it be for liability reasons? If you attempt first aid when you are "off the clock", your have less legal protection vs performing it in a sanctioned capacity? I honestly don't know. But, i would not be surprised if it was for legal reasons.

[damskipi]

Could it be for liability reasons? If you attempt first aid when you are "off the clock", your have less legal protection vs performing it in a sanctioned capacity? I honestly don't know. But, i would not be surprised if it was for legal reasons.

This is the reason, I believe, based on discussions with medical friends. Something about non-trained people being protected by Good Samaritan laws but trained professionals not being protected. It's a shame.

[elWiesel]

Sleeping pads, like so many here.
Got a Foam Pad when my old full air matress broke. After two nights of testing, with my everything hurting, went back to a thermarest.

[squeezebox]

This is the reason, I believe, based on discussions with medical friends. Something about non-trained people being protected by Good Samaritan laws but trained professionals not being protected. It's a shame.

I'm no longer a licensed RN I wonder where I sit on this issue?