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View Full Version : Going Ultralight - Feedback on new gear wanted


Goonky
09-01-2013, 07:28
Well, I guess I'm hooked enough on hiking that I've decided to replace my core gear. When I started hiking, I didn't know anything. :) Now I do.

So before next year, I want to replace my tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and backpack. My current base weight of those four items is 14.31 pounds. The new gear will be 4.81. That's a drop of 9.5 pounds. Woot!

I've posted the comparison info below. You may need to scroll side to side to read it all. Any feedback welcome.

I know the new gear will be expensive. I don't care. I want to get my weight down and I'm good at saving and know I can save this by spring. I hate my sleeping pad right now and am tired of waking up sore. I love the osprey backpack so I'm a little nervous about letting that go, but it's got more than I need and it's heavy.

One other thing before you give feedback - I hike with a 55 pound dog who needs to share the tent. I think the trekker will have enough room, but I'd love feedback. SMDs also makes a cuban fiber version of that tent, but man, I don't think I can justify the cost. Feel free to try and convince me if you have that tent. :)



Item
Model
Company
Link
Weight in ounces
Cost
Weight of old gear in ounces
Weight Savings





Sleeping Bag
ZPacks™ 900 Fill Power Down Solo Sleeping Bags 20% Wide, 6'1"
Zpack
http://www.zpacks.com/quilts/sleepingbag.shtml (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.zpacks.com/quilts/sleepingbag.shtml&sa=D&usg=ALhdy28KdFIqAj1HqXfV0VswCitmqkgayw)
19.8
$420
54
34.2
Weight in Pounds


Tent
Six Moons Designs Skyscape Trekker with seam seal
Six Moons Design
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/Trekker.html (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/Trekker.html&sa=D&usg=ALhdy287B_1hUwjjJRJf5TTl06Z74f8x7g)
24
$255
70
46
New Big Three
Old Big Three
Overall Savings


Backpack
ZPacks™ "Arc Blast" Ultralight Backpack 60 liters
Zpack
http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/arc_blast.shtml (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/arc_blast.shtml&sa=D&usg=ALhdy28jecwXEWDhncnO0xRjX7mM7PVtlw)
17
$289
78
61
3.80
12.63
8.83


Sleeping Pad
Exped UL 7 Medium
REI
http://www.rei.com/product/811907/exped-synmat-ul-7-air-pad (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.rei.com/product/811907/exped-synmat-ul-7-air-pad&sa=D&usg=ALhdy2_eCQweCKDAQ_AFo1DTukma0uJhTQ)
16.2
$165
27
10.8





















TOTAL
4.81
$1,129.00
14.31
9.5









total in pounds

total in pounds
total in pounds






Here's my old gear:



Old Gear


Microlight 2 Two Person Tent - good tent, way too long to set up and stake


REI Women's Core Lite 1.5 Sleeping Pad (I hate this pad.)


Osprey 65 Backpack - I acutally love this, it's the piece I'm most nervous about replacing.


LL Bean Katahdin 20 Degree Bag - love it, it's just bulky and heavy
garlic08
09-01-2013, 08:10
Look at O2 Gear--they're having a sale on Marmot Helium bags right now. I found a $15 coupon online, too.

Gossamer Gear is having a weekend sale on backpacks, too.

What you have picked is good stuff. If you have some time to shop, you can save some money. Going light does not have to be expensive. My AT kit which weighed in at just over 8 pounds base weight cost me just over $800 for everything. And I hate to say it, but it's unlikely you're going to get your perfect new gear the first time.

Good luck in your quest.
mtnkngxt
09-01-2013, 08:20
Seems like solid choices. I'm actually considering going back to an Osprey pack for deep winter trips. No good way to carry snowshoes and all the gear in a frameless pack.
q-tip
09-01-2013, 09:02
Using the Thermarest Neo Air could save you another 4 oz, just a thought. I have slept on this thing for a total of a year, no problems yet.....
MuddyWaters
09-01-2013, 09:16
the trekker may be a bit crowded with a dog. Most solo shelters will be.

Think real hard if you want a wet muddy dog on your $400 down sleeping bag, or fragile 20D inflatable pad.
MuddyWaters
09-01-2013, 09:21
the trekker may be a bit crowded with a dog. Most solo shelters will be.

Think real hard if you want a wet muddy dog on your $400 down sleeping bag, or fragile 20D inflatable pad.

One thing about those pads, they puncture easily. Even a dry pine needle can do it. Not that big of a problem on the AT, out west where there is cactii and pointy things, its a bigger issue. Many take a 1/8" CCF pad to use under theirs. Using raingear, maps, whatever you have works OK too. Thick cuben groundsheets are great because they are very puncture resistant
quasarr
09-01-2013, 09:37
I think those are great choices. No personal experience, but I have heard nothing but rave reviews of everything that zpacks makes. Keep in mind that the backpack can only carry 30 lbs or so comfortably, but since you are going light that shouldn't be a problem.

And if you have access to a sewing machine, one option for a shelter is to sew your own 2man tarp from the Ray Way kit. It is basically a rectangle with two triangles so it is very easy to sew. The 2 man is a palace for one, but the head room can be a bit low. Also takes some practice to set up. But since its so big,I think its good to share with a dog.
Goonky
09-01-2013, 09:52
the trekker may be a bit crowded with a dog. Most solo shelters will be.

Think real hard if you want a wet muddy dog on your $400 down sleeping bag, or fragile 20D inflatable pad.

This is good advice. You've got me thinking. I'll look at their two person option and compare.

Do you think that particular pad is fragile? or is that a comment about inflatable pads in general?
Goonky
09-01-2013, 09:53
Many take a 1/8" CCF pad to use under theirs. Using raingear, maps, whatever you have works OK too. Thick cuben groundsheets are great because they are very puncture resistant

I've thought about bringing tyvek to lay under it.
MuddyWaters
09-01-2013, 10:31
This is good advice. You've got me thinking. I'll look at their two person option and compare.

Do you think that particular pad is fragile? or is that a comment about inflatable pads in general?

The UL inflatable pads in general.
Just be overly cautious with it and it should be fine.
Goonky
09-01-2013, 10:32
Now I'm back to looking at this:

http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hexamid_plus.shtml

More room for the dog?
capehiker
09-01-2013, 10:53
You made some good decisions.

I use a combination for my sleep pads: Thermarest Prolite 3 small and a Gossamer Gear 1/8 ccf pad. The GG pad ads more protection under the pad, the Prolite is self-inflating which saves me from getting light headed (I usually add a few quick breaths to firm it up) and is a little more durable than the UL blow up pads. All this for 15oz.
capehiker
09-01-2013, 10:54
You made some good decisions.

I use a combination for my sleep pads: Thermarest Prolite 3 small and a Gossamer Gear 1/8 ccf pad. The GG pad ads more protection under the pad, the Prolite is self-inflating which saves me from getting light headed (I usually add a few quick breaths to firm it up) and is a little more durable than the UL blow up pads. All this for 15oz.
Slo-go'en
09-01-2013, 12:29
You might get away with a 5 pound dog with you in the Trekker, but not a 55 pound one! There's not much extra room in that tent.
Two Speed
09-01-2013, 13:44
. . . One other thing before you give feedback - I hike with a 55 pound dog who needs to share the tent. I think the trekker will have enough room, but I'd love feedback. . . Can't speak to the Trekker but I've got a 40 -45 lb mutt that I hike with, shared a SMD Lunar with Barney many times, worked out well. Enough room to get the dog out of the weather, spread my sleeping pad & bag out and plenty of room under the vestibule for my pack & foot wear.

Might want to compare the footprint dimensions and see what you think.