Ultralight Gear List

[The Solemates]

Ok gearheads, this is your chance to shine. I would like to try to start weeding down my gear to try and get somewhat ultralight. Right now my summer hiking weight is around 23 lbs (which includes 3 days of food and water). My winter weight is around 34 lbs (3 days food/water). I would like a list of only the lightest possible gear pieces/combos that are on the market today. Please list all specific info you have on the gear, including brand name, type, weight, color, internet links, reviews, pros, cons, sizing, etc. Be as specific as possible.

I will start with two items (both of which I do not have and have only read about):

PACK
Fanatic Fringe Thompson Peak Frameless Backpack w/ hipbelt
http://www.fanaticfringe.com/page5.html
11 oz.
up to 3600 cu in
comes in green or tan
sizes 13"-21" torso
Excellent Review: http://www.backpackgeartest.org/revi...Term%20Report/

SLEEPING BAG
The North Face Beeline 900
http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/...p?productId=48
30 deg down bag
21 oz (size L-up to 6'6")
grey/blue color
900 down fill
zipperless
sizes reg or long
no reivew available

[The Weasel]

1) Are those weights "from the skin out," i.e. including all items you are wearing/carrying? Don't forget things like hat, glasses/hearing aids, pocket items/wallets, belts, etc.

2) Have you read Jardine?

The Weasel

[The Solemates]

1) Are those weights "from the skin out," i.e. including all items you are wearing/carrying? Don't forget things like hat, glasses/hearing aids, pocket items/wallets, belts, etc.

2) Have you read Jardine?

The Weasel

1) Im talking about individual gear items.

2) Yea Ive read that crazy book.

[The Weasel]

Sole --

1) yeah, it's crazy, but it started the movement, more or less. (So does Ex-Lax, I know.) And it makes you think.

2) FSO weight really matters if you're going for ultralight, since those things don't get weighed with your pack, usually, but "worn" items (and pocket contents) can weigh several pounds, exclusive of boots, which distorts what you think you're carrying.

3) If you get totally anal, as I can be, you really WILL remove labels and such from clothing and gear (doesn't void warranties...I've returned stuff). I weighed all the removed label materials before I started by hike in '00 and such things amounted to a little better than 3 oz.

The Weasel

[chris]

I'd refer you to the Sample AT Gear List I put up, but you've already seen it. I'm assuming you're looking to break the 10 pound mark (mine comes in a little under 12). Here is the link anyways for others who might have missed it.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7351

If you want the absolute lightest, I would take a look at:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...ght/00234.html

Or, if you buy a subscription, they have a link for breaking the 5 pound barrier.

Or, take a look at

http://members.tripod.com/gohike/pct.html

This is Dave Brock's sub 10 pound PCT gear list, with some analysis. I like his list alot as he doesn't use a lot of fancy things. Just the right things.

[hungryhowie]

I prefer to make much of my own gear, so I can't help you with some things (unless you want to make the same stuff ), but here's my gearlist

Big 4
shelter: homemade hammock - 16oz
bag: homemade down quilt - 18oz
pad: homemade down underquilt - 10oz
pack: Golite Breeze - 12oz

note: neither the hammock nor the underquilt exist in their final forms as of yet

Sub total: 3lbs 8oz

Cookware
Titan Kettle - 4oz
Titan Spoon – 0.5oz
Tuna can stove - 1oz
Lighter – 1oz
Windscreen – 1oz
Platypus 8oz flask – 1oz

Sub total: 9oz

Water
100oz Camelbak reservoir – 4oz
1L Platypus bottle – 1oz
Aqua Mira – 3oz

Sub total: 8oz

Clothing
Expedition Weight Capilene Top – 8oz
Expedition Weight Capilene Pants – 8oz
MontBell Ultralight down inner jacket – 8oz
Powerstretch Balaclava – 2oz
Powerstretch Gloves – 2oz
Silnylon Rain Jacket – 4oz
Silnylon Rain Pants – 3oz
Silnylon Rain Mitts – 0.25oz

note: I just got some DriDucks rainwear to test out for a while, but it weighs the same as the silnylon rain wear.

Sub total: 35oz

Personals
Ziplock wallet – 2oz
1st aid (ace bandage, band-aids, gauze, Neosporin, alcohol prep pads) – 2oz
Repair kit (dental floss, needle) – 0.25oz
Hygiene (tooth brush, paste, comb) - 1oz
Swiss army knife 1.5oz

Sub total: 7oz

Total weight: 7.1 pounds

It's not a bad list for me. Personally, I don't buy into that whole skin out weight. It just doesn't make sense to me. I can't remember the last time that my body became so used to walking around naked that my 4oz nylon hiking shorts became a burden. If anything, it ought to subtract weight from the heavy jeans and keys that I have to carry around with me every day. That and my NB running shoes weigh less than my Merrell jungle mocs....

Anyway, take it all with a grain of salt.

-howie

[chris]

The idea of FSO weight is that you have to use energy to move the things you are wearing also. For example, if you strap silnylon bags to your legs and stuff them with gear, you could achieve a basweight of 1.25 lbs. You'd still have to move 8.5 lbs of stuff.

[cutman11]

Right Chris, but I think Howie's point is that it is less weight when wearing hiking shorts than when wearing blue jeans around the house, so why would that ADD weight for determining expended energy when hiking over and above the baseline at home just walking around. Perhaps the best measure would be to step on the scale in your normal everyday clothes and shoes etc, then change into hiking gear with full pack loaded and get on the scale again. The difference between the two weights would be the true "skin out" weight ADDED over and above the base weight our body is used to carrying around daily. Cotton clothes here at home with shoes ect add about 5 lb to a male's (XL size) "skin weight", so maybe you gotta spot me the first few lbs.

[The Weasel]

The advantage to using a "FSO" weight is that it permits true comparisons. Some people brag - not totally inappropriately - about having achieved "13 pounds" but don't include food or fuel or water, since those deplete over time. Others do the same, but are wearing big honking hiking boots, not sneakers. And once in a while, there's someone like my daughter going into the Peace Corps a few years ago after being told, "one suitcase of 44 lbs and what you are wearing" proceeded to get a safari jacket with another 40 lbs in it.

Some of this directly matters for packweight, too. I might have sandals, for days when those are nice, which means my pack weight changes. Hats come off, long shirts go on, and so forth. About the only "true" way to know what someone is walking with is to pack you pack, add a stated amount of supplies (or none, and say so), and put what you would wear the first day in a small plastic grocery bag, and put it all on the scale.

That permits others to compare apples to apples. Me, when determining my FSO weight, I include consumables, but in my own mind I then calculate them at 1/2 their actual weight (when I'm telling others, I disclose that) since that is the average weight of consumables over a trek's time (I assume I'll eat every frigging bite I'm carrying!).

[erichlf]

The clothes I wear while hiking are much lighter than those I wear when at home. So it in actuallity when I hike I lose weight off my body, and gain in the pack. But, then there is the point of heavy boots and what not. It is really hard to compare weight between hikers. Also, you have to consider how much the ratio of the weight they are carrying and that of ones body weight. Look at my wife for instance, she weighs 100lbs and carries about 7.5lbs in pack (no food I carry most of that to be fair). While I weigh about 145lbs and carry 8lbs (no food). So comparitively our base weight no food is skewed and she carries more weight, but once you add in food I am then carrying more weight at first.

[Singletrack]

I have to agree with Howie. My clothes I wear at home are alot heavier than the clothes I wear on the trail. The "skin out" thing seems a ittle bit silly to me. As a matter of fact, the "skin out" thing was started by two nudist hikers, that live at a nudist colony South of Cleveland, Ga. I can understand why they use "skin out", but the rest of us that wear clothes everyday? Well, at least I do.

[chris]

When you are at home, you are generally not trying to hike 15 miles, with a lot of elevation changes.

I'm not a big fan of FSO weight as, except for shoes and perhaps trekking poles, the weight variations in clothing are not that great.

In the end, a few ounces here or there, or even a pound or two extra on your back, isn't going to make a big deal. I used to be more Nazi-esque in regard to weights, but a few summers worth of treks has alleviated me of my burden. Yes, that was a pun.

[erichlf]

Howie is my hero. I wish I did all that homemade gear stuff when I was 19. Hell, I don't really have the time now. Not that I am old. 27 is not old, but my bones tell me differently.lol

[neo]

Ok gearheads, this is your chance to shine. I would like to try to start weeding down my gear to try and get somewhat ultralight. Right now my summer hiking weight is around 23 lbs (which includes 3 days of food and water). My winter weight is around 34 lbs (3 days food/water). I would like a list of only the lightest possible gear pieces/combos that are on the market today. Please list all specific info you have on the gear, including brand name, type, weight, color, internet links, reviews, pros, cons, sizing, etc. Be as specific as possible.

I will start with two items (both of which I do not have and have only read about):

PACK
Fanatic Fringe Thompson Peak Frameless Backpack w/ hipbelt
http://www.fanaticfringe.com/page5.html
11 oz.



up to 3600 cu in
comes in green or tan
sizes 13"-21" torso
Excellent Review: http://www.backpackgeartest.org/revi...Term%20Report/

SLEEPING BAG
The North Face Beeline 900
http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/...p?productId=48
30 deg down bag
21 oz (size L-up to 6'6")
grey/blue color
900 down fill
zipperless
sizes reg or long
no reivew available

i have a fanatic fringe thompson peak pack with hip belt,i removed the hip belt,the pack wieghed 9.2 oz at the post office,i am going to have the extension collar shortened by 5 inches,its a great pack but the hip belt and extension collar not needed for my needs neo

[The Solemates]

i have a fanatic fringe thompson peak pack with hip belt,i removed the hip belt,the pack wieghed 9.2 oz at the post office,i am going to have the extension collar shortened by 5 inches,its a great pack but the hip belt and extension collar not needed for my needs neo

Neo, would it be possible to put a full-length (72") Z-Rest (or similar rolled pad, but I own the Z-Rest so Im curious about this as well) in the Thompson Peak and still have room for gear? I cant seem to graduate to a 3/4 length as I am a tall hiker and it hits me around the hips. My entire legs hang off and I cant stand it unless its really warm out.

[chris]

... I cant seem to graduate to a 3/4 length as I am a tall hiker and it hits me around the hips. My entire legs hang off and I cant stand it unless its really warm out.

Being 6'4", I had this same problem, but have found a way to use a 3/4 length pad.

Position the top of the pad at the base of your neck or the shoulder blades. This should get the pad down to below the rump. Now, make a pillow out of your clothes bag. This keeps your head and neck off the ground. Put the rest of the squishy stuff in the pack, and then put the pack under your feet (lengthwise if you don't have much squishy stuff). Works well and it keeps most of your lower body off of the ground.

[-MYST-]

aluminum soda/beer can alcohol stove, the lighest stove there is, bare none.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT

If you are switching from a whitegas stove you can save upwards of a pound or more. But you sound like you already know about alcohol can stoves.

Myst
AT Thru-Hiker
Ga->ME'04

[The Solemates]

Being 6'4", I had this same problem, but have found a way to use a 3/4 length pad.

Position the top of the pad at the base of your neck or the shoulder blades. This should get the pad down to below the rump. Now, make a pillow out of your clothes bag. This keeps your head and neck off the ground. Put the rest of the squishy stuff in the pack, and then put the pack under your feet (lengthwise if you don't have much squishy stuff). Works well and it keeps most of your lower body off of the ground.

I guess I could give it a shot, but my typical practice uses my pack as a pillow because I dont usually have any "squishy" stuff in order to make a pillow out of since I carry a lighter weight bag and just wear clothes (ie, "squishy stuff") to bed. Man thats a run-on.

[The Solemates]

aluminum soda/beer can alcohol stove, the lighest stove there is, bare none.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT

If you are switching from a whitegas stove you can save upwards of a pound or more. But you sound like you already know about alcohol can stoves.

Myst
AT Thru-Hiker
Ga->ME'04

Yea nice plug.

[SGT Rock]

FSO Weights:

GRAND TOTAL (summer) 496.5oz/31.03lbs
GRAND TOTAL (spring/fall) 534.9oz/33.43lbs
GRAND TOTAL (winter) 569.5oz/35.59lbs

This includes clothing and gear carried and worn, 5 days food, 38 ounces of water, 10.5 ounces of fuel, and 16 ounces of adult beverages. Otherwise my dry FSO is:

TOTAL (- food & water) 270.7oz/16.92lbs
TOTAL (spring/fall - food & water) 329.2oz/19.33lbs
TOTAL (winter - food & water) 343.7oz/21.49lbs

-------Edit-------------

Since the original question was about pack weight,I'll break it down a little:

Pack Weights:
TOTAL (summer) 417.2oz/26.07lbs
TOTAL (spring/fall) 455.6oz/28.48lbs
TOTAL (winter) 490.2oz/30.64lbs

And the worn/carried stuff:
CLOTHING (WORN) 79.3oz/4.96lbs