Luxury Item - you're crazy [Archive]

Kittyslayer

03-14-2019, 14:48

Feral Bill

03-14-2019, 14:56

I just weighed my camera with travel lens attached. 2 lbs. 12 oz. Worth it to me.

TNhiker

03-14-2019, 15:09

a chair.....

a helinox REI knockoff one......

T.S.Kobzol

03-14-2019, 15:17

sometimes I carry a big knife... :-) almost as big as Crocodile Dundee ;-)

tdoczi

03-14-2019, 15:21

is the joy of not carrying a bunch of stuff you don't need a luxury item?

i have a few minor items that are bigger than they need to be because ive never bothered getting proper ones, but thats about it.

JC13

03-14-2019, 15:36

An Osprey Exos 38, weighs 563 grams more than the Zimmerbuilt pack I replaced.

Hikes in Rain

03-14-2019, 15:36

Used to be a book or two, but more likely now my Kindle. I can pack a whole library in that thing, over 3000 to date! Hmm....wonder if I read too much? Nah, that's just crazy talk.

Venchka

03-14-2019, 15:56

NeoAir Xtherm Large & Exped Air Pillow Medium.
A great night's sleep is worth the extra weight.
Wayne

needlefish

03-14-2019, 16:05

pillow, ass pad & cup

DuneElliot

03-14-2019, 16:19

Pillow, good camera, phone (with Earthmate GPS and connected to InReach device).

After many many solo trips I have also decided that I will start carrying my UL Kindle on future solo trips...always end up with too many hours and not enough to do

CalebJ

03-14-2019, 16:21

khysanth

03-14-2019, 18:27

Pillow, long/wide pad (I'm 6'3"), sit pad

l0ngterm

03-14-2019, 19:08

Definitely a full size pillow. The REI Trailbreak at 15 ounces is well worth it for the quality sleep I get. Fairly lightweight otherwise, winter weight less food and water below 15 pounds with the pillow.

RockDoc

03-14-2019, 20:04

44826Hassy SWC (super wide camera). Saved weight elsewhere so I could carry it.

One Half

03-14-2019, 20:24

I think "luxury item" is very subjective. I like my meals hot and make 3 hots per day most times. So to me, being able to boil water quickly and with the same amount of fuel all/most of the time is of utmost importance. This is why I carry a Mini-mo. less than 3 minutes to boil and consistent fuel usage. I used to use a BSR but I could never count on how long it would take to boil water and how much fuel it would take. Many on here would consider 3 hot meals a day, and the necessary fuel, a luxury item.

GoldenBear

03-14-2019, 21:14

I wouldn't consider backpacking without my smartphone. It allows me to keep in daily contact with my wife, to take photos, to know where I am, and to keep up with the world (I learned of the death of a child in our congregation while I was backpacking).
Obviously one can backpack without a smartphone -- or a compass, or a stove, or synthetics, or merino wool, etc. And some people insist, "I intentionally refuse to carry an electronic device, which means my experience on the trail is superior to yours." I simply choose to do so, and would be reluctant to be without it.

Strategic

03-14-2019, 21:33

A small flask of really good (10 year old single batch) bourbon. There really is nothing better than a bit of bourbon and cold branch water at the end of a long hiking day.

DuneElliot

03-15-2019, 02:49

Pillow, long/wide pad (I'm 6'3"), sit pad

I'll probably add a sit pad or UL chair into my set-up when my dogs are no longer backpacking with me. For now, their bed doubles as my sit-pad.

Dogwood

03-15-2019, 03:43

OwenM

03-15-2019, 03:58

I couldn't get much more minimalist as far as number of items, but to my way of thinking, almost everything I carry is a luxury item. When I went through my first "lightening up" phase, cutting out all the non-essential items was the first step, and I didn't find myself actually missing any of them. Then I replaced everything that was left with lighter *and* better gear. All my lightweight or UL stuff is more comfy or convenient to use than their predecessors, so dropping weight has never been a sacrifice in any way to me, aside from the cost.

Sleep socks and sitpad, maybe? Evernew bag for dirty water, rather than having the Sawyer attached to a bottle? Never thought of it that way, but I guess those are my "extras", since they're not truly necessary.

Furlough

03-15-2019, 07:33

My Teddy bear.
Everything in my pack and on my body is a luxury. It's all a luxury other than the zit I'm getting on my forehead. R we really going to have this discussion again as privileged U.S.citizens?
Of course. Because as U.S. citizens some would say we are privileged to do so. And as internet users, we are empowered and or enabled to discuss anything from the mundane to the situationaly relevant.

I would guess that my extra wide EXPED nearly 3" thick sleeping pad and my InReach Explorer would be considered Lux items by some. To me they are just items I choose to carry. One assists in sleeping, the other allows for the family to follow along.

stephanD

03-15-2019, 08:07

Toilet paper is the ultimate luxury item for most of mankind even today.

Five Tango

03-15-2019, 08:25

Toilet paper is the ultimate luxury item for most of mankind even today.

I second that motion! One of my hiking partner uses sticks.YES,STICKS! I can't wrap my head around that.

JPritch

03-15-2019, 09:10

I'm at a point of adding some weight back in to get myself comfortable for sleeping at night. After years of whittling away at the overall pack, I'm willing to add a bit back in if it will help sleep better. Still evaluating options WRT pad, pillow, etc. Too much tossing and turning the first few nights of a trip. Pre-gaming a bit at home by sleeping on the floor with my trail setup would also help, but I'm rarely planning well enough to do that.
Sounds exactly like me. I upgraded from a UL S2S pillow to the Nemo Fillo. And though I just ordered it, plan to switch out my Nemo Tensor 25" wide pad with the Massdrop Klymit doublewide. It's 40" wide at the head. Hopefully I won't have to worry about my arms falling off the side of the pad while I sleep, and now have the freedom to toss and turn at will.

stephanD

03-15-2019, 09:16

I second that motion! One of my hiking partner uses sticks.YES,STICKS! I can't wrap my head around that.
Haha. I cannot forget this thru hiker kid I met in 2015 in Harriman State Park, NY who was hiking without toilet paper to save weight.

JPritch

03-15-2019, 10:05

Haha. I cannot forget this thru hiker kid I met in 2015 in Harriman State Park, NY who was hiking without toilet paper to save weight.
I'm itching and squirming in my chair just reading that! :eek:

TexasBob

03-15-2019, 10:47

I second that motion! One of my hiking partner uses sticks.YES,STICKS! I can't wrap my head around that.

I can't believe your partner wraps his *** around it !!!!!

beefsmack

03-15-2019, 14:13

Extra battery pack for my smartphone. While I get plenty of nature sounds, love to still listen to audiobooks and podcasts while hiking. Even use the "white noise" app if I have trouble sleeping.

JC13

03-15-2019, 14:21

Toilet paper is the ultimate luxury item for most of mankind even today.Wet wipes or die. If I wanted to smear poop around I would just use a leaf or moss.

Starchild

03-15-2019, 14:24

Full sized mug, yes it's Ti and not heavy, I even used that as my esbit cook pot for some weeks in the summer (so not luxury at that point, but there is something about having a proper mug to drink from that lighter weight (such as cheap/disposable plastic/reusing noodle cups), or wider alternatives (such as using a cook pot) just can't measure up to.

Five Tango

03-15-2019, 15:33

Wet wipes or die. If I wanted to smear poop around I would just use a leaf or moss.

I have a relative who tried leaves once.He never tried it again because the Chiggers nearly ate him alive.I can see where it would be easy to get poison ivy off of leaves or sticks which could likely be worse.

stephanD

03-15-2019, 15:43

Dogwood

03-15-2019, 18:16

I second that motion! One of my hiking partner uses sticks.YES,STICKS! I can't wrap my head around that.

That's what highly toted civilized for it's day Roman civilization did. It was communal too...reused, but was washed off. It was a stick with a sponge attached, advanced for its day. Roman civilization was touted as advanced for its day through building of water systems aqueducts, bath houses, sewage, etc, not for TP as we know it. Even in the U.S. paper based TP didn't gain popularity until the mid 19th century. Go to India and France and TP is not the standard. In France bidots were widely used by all members of a household not just females a commonly misunderstood perception among the U.S. population who can have a problem looking beyond their own cultural and national norms.

Isn't backpacking about expanding comfort zones possibly beyond what one is accustomed?

nsherry61

03-15-2019, 20:46

What is the one Luxury Item you carry in your pack?
I like to carry an international standard gold bar. They take up very little space. It makes me feel rich. It's pretty. If the world banks all fail while I'm in the back country, I still have a little "cash" when I return. And, it's multi-use. You can use it instead of a rock to hold down a tent stake. You could probably bite off small chunks to use as fishing weights (that wouldn't corrode even in salt water). It can work as a book holder, holding my book open while I'm reading . . . if I ever took a book. It could be used as a blungening tool for self protection. I'm sure there are other ultra-light uses for an typical standard gold bar that I haven't thought of.

Slow Trek

03-15-2019, 23:07

I would hike without food before I would hike without toilet paper...

Analog_Kidd

03-16-2019, 08:07

I always being a pipe and tobacco. I enjoy a smoke in the evenings.

If it's just an overnighter, I may bring a chair. I may also bring my tablet with a movie and some music if I think I'll be camping alone.

OwenM

03-16-2019, 08:19

I would hike without food before I would hike without toilet paper...
In that case, you wouldn't need toilet paper, either, at least after the first day or so.
That's a Win/Win:banana

Five Tango

03-16-2019, 09:01

One of my favorite luxury items is a small pair of titanium scissors for opening packaged food.Weighs .3 oz. and worth it as my pocket knife is no longer necessary.

elray

03-16-2019, 11:49

One of my favorite luxury items is a small pair of titanium scissors for opening packaged food.Weighs .3 oz. and worth it as my pocket knife is no longer necessary.
Ha! I thought I was the only one carrying scissors!

Furlough

03-16-2019, 13:46

Ha! I thought I was the only one carrying scissors!
I do too. Integrated into my Victorinox Classic SD pocket knife. Not a luxury item to me. In one form or another, I've carried a pocket knife most of my life.

Slow Trek

03-17-2019, 00:22

[QUOTE=OwenM;2240876]In that case, you wouldn't need toilet paper, either, at least after the first day or so.
That's a Win/Win:banana[/QUOTE
Correct. An extra benefit I did not think of....

Dogwood

03-17-2019, 02:13

So many post and articles I read are about all the crap you should be taking out of your pack to pursue that ever lighter pack. What is the one Luxury Item you carry in your pack? The item that others would say you're crazy for carrying but it makes you comfortable, happy, or somehow able to justify the weight.

A toothpick. :D It keeps me up at night thinking about how to justify the weight.

A luxury item does not need to be defined as an item that increases wt. If I'm sincere my UL kits can have many lighter wt luxury(extravagant, opulent, lavish, expensive, sumptuous, more comfortable) items - lighter wt DCF or Dyneema verse silny or canvas, Carbon Fiber poles verse Al, steel, fiberglass ones, Ti pots and Ti foldable spoons verse Al or stainless steel or a DQ spoon, down verse synthetic bags/quilts(and highest end lighter wt down and synthetic luxury(more expensive) gear,

MuddyWaters

03-17-2019, 02:50

Stove
Inflatable pad
Bug net
Phone/camera/battery
Watch
Framed pack

Traveler

03-17-2019, 06:59

The time needed for the adventure. Doesn't take a lot of space, but weighs differently for everyone.

Five Tango

03-17-2019, 07:29

I do too. Integrated into my Victorinox Classic SD pocket knife. Not a luxury item to me. In one form or another, I've carried a pocket knife most of my life.

In that case I am carrying TWO pairs of scissors.I have never used the one on the Victorinox because they are so small and don't look like they would last long to me anyways.................

Traillium

03-17-2019, 08:50

In that case I am carrying TWO pairs of scissors.I have never used the one on the Victorinox because they are so small and don't look like they would last long to me anyways.................

The scissors on the smallest Victorinox are actually very sturdy. Remarkable so!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OwenM

03-17-2019, 21:29

Correct. An extra benefit I did not think of....
And now you don't need a special little throw bag thingy to get your bear bag's cord over a limb, either.
The savings just keep adding up!
You should probably still get a gram counter's wallet, though. In cuben, of course. It's the right thing to do..the UL thing. You'll never win the internet without it.

Dogwood

03-17-2019, 23:41

And now you don't need a special little throw bag thingy to get your bear bag's cord over a limb, either.
The savings just keep adding up!
You should probably still get a gram counter's wallet, though. In cuben, of course. It's the right thing to do..the UL thing. You'll never win the internet without it.

Eagerly awaiting 2020 when the UL version of those damn heavy toothpicks arrive.

handlebar

03-18-2019, 00:25

...For me it may be a Kilt - When I was bicycle camping I would carry a kilt. Nothing felt better than finishing a hard day's ride and being able to put my kilt on and let everything air out. I am certainly going to consider packing my SportKilt hiking kilt for a hot summer hike.

On well-maintained trails I always hike in a kilt whenever daytime temps are 40F or above. Doesn't work on the trails I've been doing recently (GET, HAyduke) since many sections of those are bushwhacked routes.

MtDoraDave

03-18-2019, 10:05

A book and a spare headlight wouldn't really rate as "you're crazy" items, but I do carry a DPS (Dave Protection System) also known as a small firearm, which is a pound of what I now realize is mostly unnecessary weight, which I do keep out of sight so as not to make other hikers uncomfortable.

BradMT

03-18-2019, 10:08

I often pack a pair of binoculars (8x20 Leica Ultravid's), and a lightweight, four piece spinning rod setup for highcountry trout.

Beyond that, I always pack an inflatable pillow, air mattress, and bring a small CC sitting pad.

Traffic Jam

03-18-2019, 21:35

My knitting bag or a drop spindle and wool accompanies me on every trip.

Mayday_Belle

03-25-2019, 21:42

I always carry an extra lighter. I can endure a lot of discomfort on the trail, but if I can't get a hot meal at the end of it then I'd seriously consider just lying in the dirt and letting nature take its course.

Puddlefish

03-25-2019, 21:46

I'm about to start a long section hike with 20 extra pounds around my middle, from overly luxurious eating this winter. Maybe not crazy, but certainly not wise.

OwenM

03-26-2019, 03:16

My back's been bothering me, and being able to sit with my upper body supported and put my feet up(someone left a folding chair at a campsite I used a couple days ago) gives a lot of relief.
I laughed at myself the next night after choosing a campsite and deciding to have a fire again. My pack is so light I didn't even think to take it off before gathering wood. So I've about decided to get a chair. A "UL" chair, but...a chair.

RangerZ

03-26-2019, 07:14

Maybe a luxury for some but a necessity for me, a spare pair of glasses. I may never need them but if I do I’ll really need them. The frames are titanium, not for UL but for strength, I was the kid who always broke my glasses.

elray

03-26-2019, 10:02

On our Thru attempt in 14 we carried one of those little battery powered inflators for our Neoairs, and yes we were made fun of from time to time, but how nice it was to busy ourselves with other chores while the pads inflated effortlessly. I never liked the idea of saliva in the pad either so problem solved.

T.S.Kobzol

03-26-2019, 15:20

Eagerly awaiting 2020 when the UL version of those damn heavy toothpicks arrive.

Blade of grass

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dogwood

03-26-2019, 16:47

Blade of grass

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You have a rosy future in UL. ;)

reconstyle

04-10-2019, 09:27

I love my chair zero - totally worth the 1lb for me.

Crossup

04-10-2019, 14:36

ONE luxury item? Bah, why limit it? I've hike with my BA TripleCore pad....25x78x 4.25" 4lbs while also using a BA Copper Spur3 while solo. Also carried 3 stoves so I could cook 2 items at once and have a backup(but the wood stove was mainly to support the alcohol stove and pot), yes I'm a raspberry crumble addict.

I see a chair in my future too.

cmoulder

04-10-2019, 16:59

Smartphone for multi-capabilities... mainly camera—and they're very, very good these days—and for the occasional position check, and a cigar or 2.

Marta

04-12-2019, 00:23

I played with going really light about 15 years ago. Then I realized that, even if I'm carrying nothing at all, I'm still not going to be setting any FKTs, or even hiking terribly long days. I seem to do fairly well if I hike for about 8 hours a day. That leaves me 16 non-hiking hours. 6 or 7 of those will be for sleeping. That leaves 9 hours of camp and resting time. So...luxuries:

Warm stuff--I want to keep snug, so I'll go for a warmer bag than I could probably get away with. I'll have warm gloves and mittens and a toasty warm hat and shell layers that allow me to sit around without getting chilled.

Food and cooking gear--As an old lady, I am pretty particular about eating well. I also like to sit around and drink hot tea, and this year I'll be bringing heavy cream powder with me to go in my chai lattes. I like a JetBoil because one can efficiently boils lots and lots of water for both food and drink. I carry a smallish Hydroflask in my pack. In cold weather, it has hot tea in it. In hot weather, it keeps water cold and refreshing.

Comfortable sleeping stuff--NeoAir is way more comfortable that anything else I've tried. Sleeping bag liner to add warmth, if needed, or to be a lightweight cover in the heat of the summer. I recently acquired a Sea to Summit inflatable pillow. Lovely thing.

Tent big enough to sit up in (I'm not short), stretch out in, and keep all my stuff in out of the rain and dew.

Entertainment--Even after spending lots of time on food and drink, and on keeping myself and my clothing clean, I've still got several hours of rest time. I always have reading material. I carry a small knitting project, usually socks. I'll have a deck of cards. I'll have several light sources to facilitate reading, knitting, and playing cards.

As someone said above...why limit yourself to just one luxury?

The Solemates

04-21-2019, 08:40

Tent
Tent stakes
Sleeping pad
Stove
Phone
Book
Toilet paper
Wet wipes
Water filter
Extra food

My luxury items. I don’t always bring all
Of them.

poolskaterx

04-26-2019, 13:41

Among many of the luxuries I bring along I think my neoair pump is the most ridiculous that I enjoy so much. Pop it on my thermarest and it is aired up just in time to slide ot into my tent��

Tklp

05-15-2019, 20:36

My Kindle. Besides that, probably my sleeping bag liner. It just feels so much better against my skin, and I hate getting my stinky dirty self all over my expensive quilts & whatnot.

Cboon

06-04-2019, 20:03

I have had people tell me that carrying and but pad to sit on is excessive. I have the Z seat and love it, I never considered it luxury but some have. I will pack a heavier fleece if it is colder even though I have a down puffy. something about the comfort of fleece when its cold makes me feel better.

Deadeye

06-05-2019, 11:19

Among many of the luxuries I bring along I think my neoair pump is the most ridiculous that I enjoy so much. Pop it on my thermarest and it is aired up just in time to slide ot into my tent��

If you want to feel less luxurious, you can make a nice pump (rather than buying one) for thermarest and Nemo mattresses and others like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGW_b-sdGRc

Works great, dirt bag cheap.

perdidochas

06-05-2019, 12:07

I have a relative who tried leaves once.He never tried it again because the Chiggers nearly ate him alive.I can see where it would be easy to get poison ivy off of leaves or sticks which could likely be worse.
When I was a kid, it was pretty common to use leaves if you had to poop out in the woods. My Dad had a story about doing that, and he chose poison ivy. It's the only time poison ivy ever bothered him.

centerfieldr162

06-05-2019, 12:11

I regularly will carry a 6 pack of beer in my backpack and drink them at the campsite that night. I have settled for whiskey in my Nalgene flask, but I'm way more of a beer person.

Weight doesn't matter to me when it comes to extra stuff. Most of my gear is UL and I'm 27, in really good shape, and can carry 35+ lbs on any 25 miler day. I don't even really think twice throwing something additional in my pack if I need to or think I might want something.

TexasBob

06-05-2019, 14:30

If you want to feel less luxurious, you can make a nice pump (rather than buying one) for thermarest and Nemo mattresses and others like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGW_b-sdGRc

Works great, dirt bag cheap.

Here is another cheap alternative that is easy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyK_5B06KhM

Meenkya

07-18-2019, 13:10

+1 on the Therma-Rest neoair mini pump. Just over two oz's and very convenient to set up, walk away and do other camp setup, come back, top off, done. love it...

Ryder

07-18-2019, 22:07

A small flask of really good (10 year old single batch) bourbon. There really is nothing better than a bit of bourbon and cold branch water at the end of a long hiking day.
Agreed!
I also love beer at the end of a hike. Wish it was easier to carry!

OwenM

10-25-2019, 01:35

So I've about decided to get a chair. A "UL" chair, but...a chair.

I have gone in whole hog on luxury items, lately, as my pack weight is so low it's ridiculous. For overnighters, anyway. Doubt I'll be toting all this crap in the Rockies with a week's food or anything, but I do a lot of 1-3 night hikes in winter where the days are short and I spend a little time sitting around camp playing with fire before turning in.
And everything, including the tent, fits inside my stripped and lidless Exos 38, so why not?
45785

I got a REI Flexlite Air chair and Exped pillow. Even bringing my cook kit(I'm "no-cook") so I can have coffee and peppermint tea.
Ultralight glamping :D
45786
Still under a fire ban here 'til Nov. 1...