Seeking Some Gear Advice Please

[snicklefitz]

Hi Everyone, i'm attaching a list of my gear that i'm starting with. I simply couldn't afford to get anything lighter. Any advice on how its looking? What i'm missing? i feel like my I's and T's are dotted and crossed. the tent is killing me at 4.5 lbs, but i dont have the cash to buy a better one. I'm thinking by the time i get to Neels gap i will buy a big agnes UL.

Thanks for the wisdom!
Snick





A.T. Loadout Cost/Weight Analysis




Gear
Brand 1
Weight oz
Cost
ship by









Compass

0.2
2.5



Trowel
sea to summit
6
9



ducttape

2
6



carabeener 2

0.25
4



bodywash

3
4



hand sanitizer

3
3



1st aid kit

2
7



Head Flashlight
black diamond 160 lumens
4
37



batteries & back ups

6
8



tent mountain hardware
meridian 2
64
40



cooking pot
Amicus
7.6
25



spork

0.5
10



cooking stove
Amicus
2.9
25



back pack
windrider 2400
28.2
180



pack cover/ poncho

6
8



sleeping bag
ushba
24
40



sleep pad
thermarest fold up
14
46



bag liner
sea to summit silk
9.3
70



50 cord

2.2
5



water filtration device
sawyer squeeze mini
2
18.75



polypro short sleeve inner layer


24



polypro long sleeve mid layer
north face
8
40



coated nylon (or breathable waterproof, outer shell)

10
8



down jacket

28.2
100



footwear
trail runners

100



crocs

0.56
30



socks need 3 pair, 2 wool, one light inner

10
30



zippo

2.5
0



pack towel
sea to summit
3.9
23



Shorts

6
6



long johns

8
36



Outer pants


15



go pro hero

2
260



charger power supply

8
30



insoles (superfeet)


55



stuff sack dry for clothes

1
20



stuff sack for wallet
z packs
0.23
10



stuff sack for phone
ziplock
4.5
0.1



stuff sack for food
z packs
0.6
39



rock sack
z packs
0.2
5



trekking poles
Leki
13
120
shipped









totals oz

293.84
1499.35



gross weight in lbs

18.365

[jbmundy87]

A tarp and ground cloth could be a much lighter option as well as cheaper. You could drop probably 3lbs. They are a little more technical to setup (knots and whatnot) and site selection is a little more important (mostly wind based), but once you get the hang of it it is quick and works pretty well. And if you are planning on staying in shelters when available you may rarely use it anyway.

[mattjv89]

I don't notice anything big missing, or a lot of excess. I wouldn't personally take a compass, the bodywash and a few of the stuff sacks but we're talking about less than a pound total. I wouldn't sweat an 18 pound base too much, that still leaves you room to be around or under 30 with water and resupply. The numbers on here can scare you, with that weight you'll be on the heavy side vs. a lot of folks here on Whiteblaze but right about average for everyone on the trail. If money is too tight you can start walking with that tent just fine, and as you say get one at Neels if it feels like more than you want to carry after 30 miles. Tarps are lightweight for sure, though in the summer I would not want to be on the AT without some type of bug net to supplement it.

[soumodeler]

Check the used gear for sale forums. You can snag a decent lightweight tent for under $200 sometimes.

[soumodeler]

Or a brand new TarpTent ProTrail for $225...

[Heliotrope]

When are you departing ?


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[nsherry61]

Snicklefitz,

I didn't go through your list looking for what you might have left off. But, looking at lightening what you listed . . .

Ditch the silk bag liner. 9.3 oz for comfort? cleanliness? Warmth? You'll get tangled in it, you all dirty anyway, and warmth is minimal compared to putting on your coat.
2 oz of duck tape? Get a couple strips of sticker release paper, put a couple strips of duck tape on it. Save almost 2 oz.
6 oz for your trowel? An aluminum snow stake or lighter trowel must be available somewhere?
3 oz of body wash? Repackage it and take 1 oz.
Swapping the tent for an inexpensive tarp, groundsheet and bugnet would save you 2 lbs or more
4 oz pack towel? do you really need that much more than a bandana and/or smallest pack towel?
10 oz for an outer shell. You already have a poncho. So, a simple windshirt would do and save you another 5 oz.
Where do you find crocks that only weigh 0.56 oz. I assume you mean 0.56 lbs? Ditch 'em
Zippo lighter. Cool, but heavy. Use a bic for 2 oz savings.

Hmmm. Total, with minimum expense, we just knocked off 4 lbs, 2 of it the tent.

[snicklefitz]

thanks for the wisdom, great advice! I will trim down many of what's mentioned, I thought I needed a sleeping bag liner for warmth my bag is a 20 degree, I am hoping to head up by March 1st. sooner if possible. The Zippo is a luxury item, I've had it for over 20 years that's coming with me. unsure now on the weight of the crocs but i doubt they are 9 oz. they are super light, it could be a fat finger keystroke error for 5 oz. The tent, yes that does need to go. i don't plan on sleeping in the shelters as I am going solo, and I have also read mice are issued in them and eeewe.

[4eyedbuzzard]

QiWiz Titanium trowel is 0.4 oz Save 5.6 oz for $29 http://qiwiz.net/trowels.html That's a big weight savings for the money. Not affiliated with him, but he is a long time WB member, and people like his stuff.

Weight of Crocs seems off. More like .56 lbs (9 oz) maybe?

[Odd Man Out]

thanks for the wisdom, great advice! I will trim down many of what's mentioned, I thought I needed a sleeping bag liner for warmth my bag is a 20 degree, I am hoping to head up by March 1st. sooner if possible. The Zippo is a luxury item, I've had it for over 20 years that's coming with me. unsure now on the weight of the crocs but i doubt they are 9 oz. they are super light, it could be a fat finger keystroke error for 5 oz. The tent, yes that does need to go. i don't plan on sleeping in the shelters as I am going solo, and I have also read mice are issued in them and eeewe.

Here are a few places I see potential for saving weight and/or money. Of course it doesn't save money if you already bought the other item. And selecting a minimalist option may compromise function, comfort, or durability. Your call.

Item (alternative) weight/cost
Compass (omit?) zero/zero
Trowel (use tent stake, stick, shoe?) zero/zero
ducttape (take just a few pieces) near zero/near zero
bodywash (sliver of soap in zip log bag) near zero/zero
Head Flashlight (could get by with a Photon Microlight?) near zero/not much
batteries & back ups (omit) zero/zero
cooking pot (Kmar Grease pot is cheap and light) a few oz/10$?
spork (plastic Mcflurry spoon from McDonalds garbage can) near zero/zero
pack cover/ poncho (plastic garbage bag pack liner) near zero/near zero
bag liner (omit) zero/zero
crocs (omit) zero/zero
pack towel (buff or bandana) near zero/near zero
go pro hero (use the money to buy a great bag or tent and save a couple pounds and take pics with phone) zero/-2 lbs
stuff sack dry for clothes (free plastic grocery bags to organize clothes. Keep inside pack liner to keep dry) zero/zero
stuff sack for wallet (zip loc bag) near zero/near zero
stuff sack for phone (zop loc bag) near zero/near zero

[DuneElliot]

Six Moon Designs offers some awesome lightweight tents for a very reasonable price. I own the Lunar Solo and got it on sale, but it runs $215. Or your could go with the Skyscape Scout which is a little heavier 2lbs 2oz but also costs $125: http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/SkyscapeScout.html Much cheaper than the Big Agnes for the same weight and more space. SMD is known for their quality, and you'd be supporting a cottage manufacturer instead of a big corporation.

[Tundra]

The biggest items or problems I see are the tent and 28oz. down coat. There are a multitude of lighter, cheap options. The weight of the cost is insane. I wouldn't carry a compass, towel, carabiner, trowel or body wash. The crocs are probably more than 9oz. As some other people have suggested. Knock off or wally world brand weigh less. I use and love the OP slide on style shoes. They look like old man slippers but are "cool" remakes of the popular surfer loafer/sandas (Sanuks). They weight 8oz/pr. They're comfy, cheap, ($10-14) look good and are light. If you haven't actually weighed all items, I believe it is imperative to your success at lowering pack weight. I never trust manufacturers listed weight. It seems you're missing toilet paper, a guidebook and pen or pencil and paper.

[Tundra]

*the weight of the down coat is insane.

[Tundra]

It seems silly to me to use Cuben fiber for a wallet but use a ziplock for a phone. The phone needs the waterproof, the wallet not so much. I used two rubber bands around my debit, CC and insurance cards with cash folded neatly in between. I never ever carry change while backpacking.

[Tundra]

Are you taking a phone, charger, protective case?

[Tundra]

Water bottles?

[snicklefitz]

Yeah the down coat is huge too. But as i mentioned money is an issue. The thought of dropping 200 + on a tent, 200 on the lightweight coats, that's $ I don't have. I'm not going to not go. I'm just going to be as frugal as possible. I got the tent and sleeping bag off Craig's list for 80 bucks for the pair. I will most likely swap the tent at neels I want to try first before sacrificing all that extra cash. The carabiners are on my pack and weigh nothing, they can easily come off, I'm gonna get rid of the liner, the charger is listed, the phone I have is small 4.4 oz. I wrapped a small amount of duxt.tape around the handle of the trowel for less weight/space, and the handle has a small amount of t.p. rolled inside it, so that's a 3 fer 1 space saver. ibe gpt one smart water bottle and 2 roll up bladders that weigh next to nothing. a 1 liter and a 3 liter. from what ive read there is plenty of water and you rarely need more than a litre at a time. I am planning on ziplocks for the phone and tech stuff, 1st aid bag, and one for small packs of spices (all powdered) sugar, jalapeno powder, and red pepper. if I had another 500 to blow it would absolutely go to a tent and down jacket. But 500 can get me a while lot of miles down the trail, when I'm eating cheap food and skipping hotels & hostels for my tent

[snicklefitz]

come summer in hoping to ditch the sleeping bag, coat, and stove and will go to an alcohol stove. I just don't want to risk it in the colder months

[aka.cyberman]

If you are on a tight budget, YOU DID GOOD. If you are in good physical condition, that will go a long way. I would suggest bic light vs zippo. Box of waterproof matches for backup. Use Gatorade Bottles to carry water. At least you found ZPACKS website and know about the importance of ultra light & light weight backpacking. My first quality backpack was a Kelty Tioga and I filled it up without hardly any regard for weight. I crammed stuff in it until it was full. With experience, I am from the school of Grams add up to Ounces and Ounces add up to Pounds. It's trial and error. Main thing is to have fun and enjoy your trips.

[snicklefitz]

thanks cyberman, yes $ is a huge issue. I'm taking all this advice under consideration and going to do what I can. by the way... doctor who fan?

[Casey & Gina]

Yeah the down coat is huge too. But as i mentioned money is an issue. The thought of dropping 200 + on a tent, 200 on the lightweight coats, that's $ I don't have. I'm not going to not go. I'm just going to be as frugal as possible.

That's the spirit! Keep your eyes and ears open for people looking to trade or give away, dig through hiker boxes, etc. Honestly your weight is not heavy at all - consider many have successfully hiked the trail with ~50lb packs. You may find somebody getting off the trail willing to trade their lightweight down jacket for something more winter-worthy, or somebody wanting a more durable tent in favor of their lighter one, particularly if you are willing to give up some luxuries like a vestibule.

How on earth did you come by a Windrider pack? Those aren't cheap...


a 1 liter and a 3 liter. from what ive read there is plenty of water and you rarely need more than a litre at a time.

Yeah, especially if you are traveling light. The 3 liter will be more than enough extra, if you do find it less frequent than you would like or don't like making as many stops and opt to carry more. Good redundancy too.


I am planning on ziplocks for the phone and tech stuff, 1st aid bag, and one for small packs of spices (all powdered) sugar, jalapeno powder, and red pepper.

Be careful, ziplocks always end up leaking in my experience, so use a few layers.


But 500 can get me a while lot of miles down the trail, when I'm eating cheap food and skipping hotels & hostels for my tent

Again a great spirit to have. If you can stay out of paying for lodging and alcohol and restaurant food, you can save a lot of money.

[Casey & Gina]

come summer in hoping to ditch the sleeping bag, coat, and stove and will go to an alcohol stove. I just don't want to risk it in the colder months

What is the perceived risk? I have used an alcohol stove in 10 degree weather with no problem at all. The only thing is that the alcohol would not light directly from a lighter unless I warmed up the bottle in my pocket first. Not a problem though - even 10 degree alcohol (yellow Heet) lit up fine when I lit a leaf on fire and dipped that into the alcohol. No problem boiling water or cooking.

[Great White Buffalo]

For my shelter i got an 8x10 silnylon flat tarp from Etowah Gear for $75 with stakes, and for the bugs i am using a bug bivy from Borah Gear, which cost 70. All in all i paid about $150 for my complete shelter system that weighs about 26 ounces for everything. I bought the 8x10 tarp for me and my wife, but if your going solo there are smaller and cheaper ones from Etowah, which is the cheapest place i found for a silnylon tarp. But, if your looking to start March 1st, time is against you on ordering anything. I would shop around before you commit to the Big Agnes, there are a lot of better and cheaper options, it just might require you to move away from a free standing shelter. Good luck on your trip, hopefully i'll see you out there!

[snicklefitz]

thanks for the tarp wisdom. Yes I need to consider it. The windrider I found in ebay. it's great, superlight. But small. due to the mammot size.if my sleeping bag and jacket. But I've gotten creative with packing it

[Slo-go'en]

$260 for a go pro camera? Ya should have spent that on a UL tent (; Too late to get a refund?

Forget about the tarp/groundcloth. Your much better off sticking with the tent, despite it's weight. 18 pounds is a decent base weight and you might like the extra room that tent gives you, although it's easier to find places to set up a tent with a smaller foot print.

[snicklefitz]

thanks slo goen, yeah the go pro was expensive, but it's very cross functional. I am not gonna sleep in it but it will have a lot of use outside of this hike. The cost is honestly negligble when considering that. I use it for mountain biking, motorcycling, and most importantly messing with my dog.

[bobgessner57]

If you decide to do tarp you can make a bug net out of gauzy curtain liner. I bought some for a buck a yard at WalMart. It is easy to stitch some bias tape to it to make hanging loops for cord to tie it up in a shelter or under your tarp if you set up using a ridge line or poles. I use the stuff over my hammock.

The tarp will also save a lot of pack space.

If you can sew or know somebody that will sew for you consider a jacket or pullover from thru-hiker.com. Check out the thrift stores, too. I used to hit one in St. Pete that had some good clothes suitable for hiking that snowbirds had abandoned.

[CamelMan]

In my experience, other than hydration bladders, the best, cheapest, and lightest water system is a Sawyer mini from Walmart and two 20 oz. soda bottles.

[CamelMan]

I was going to say, but you say you want to stay away from shelters, to get a Eureka Solitaire and if you get too claustrophobic break it up by sleeping in shelters. I like that tent for a budget tent if you don't need to sleep with your pack.

[TiHiker]

I weighed my crocs yesterday men sz 10 at 376g or 13.25 oz. Surprising what those buggers weigh!

[snicklefitz]

Leaving orlando sunday night 2/28. Stating at hike inn 2/29, trails 3/1

[Mountain Springs]

Leaving orlando sunday night 2/28. Stating at hike inn 2/29, trails 3/1

Then you still got time. Step 1) Go back on Craigslist 2) Walk around your house and look for things you don't use/need 3) Sell those things on Craigslist 4) Buy this Tarptent for $130: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/117149-FS-Tarptent-Contrail-130

Or don't worry about it and have a superb hike :D !!!

[snicklefitz]

I bit the bullet today and bought the big agnes fly creek 2 for 290.00, and found a patagonia lightweight down jacket on.clearance.for 90 bucks. it hurt spending the $, but im sure it was worth it.

[Longboysfan]

I would leave out the compass, Trowel and poncho / pack cover and go with just the pack cover.
Use a rain jacket only.