Need a UL Gear List!

[Peakhunter]

Okay all you experienced UL thru-hikers! I finally got a date set on my hike and now I need your help with a gear list to start working on. If you can please give your gear list or your ideal gear list. I realize a quality UL gear list and low budget gear list don't really go well together in the same sentence but don't make a lot of money and so I need a merger of the two! I noticed the "$300 gear challenge" thread and may take some suggestions from there too but I just want to make sure I'm gonna get gear that will last at least 120 days. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[bigcranky]

Ultralight is a process -- a goal, if you will, not a starting point. The techniques that make true ultralight backpacking work require modification over time, a.k.a. experience. Sounds sort of Zen, but I'm mostly serious. (Which would be a good trail name.)

A terrific starting point is this list. It's lightweight, works perfectly for AT hiking, and most of it isn't very expensive.

Have a wonderful and rewarding hike.

[Chuckie V]

BigCranky speaks the truth. I've honed my pack weight down, but it took many miles to do so. And there are times I don't always have what I wish I had.

I posted my list here: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ozs-in-my-Pack but even this has changed already, due to some input from other experienced hikers here (and due to my early start date from Springer; I'll have a few more winter-like clothes, now). It's easy to get rid of stuff on the trail, but it's tough to manufacture it out there. Rarely does my pack contents remain the same throughout a hike (and that's part of the process).

[Stink Bug]

What gear (if any) do you already own? What backpacking experience do you have? To echo what the previous posters have said, unless you already have some experience with traditional gear, then going straight to UL will do you no favours and could be downright dangerous.

It would do you a great disservice to pick somebody's gear list and pick from that for a couple of reasons. Their gear choices may not work for you, or you may have little experience camping with a tarp etc.

That being said, there are things that you could do to lighten up and try different approaches. This is as good a starting point as any http://sectionhiker.com/lighten-up-y...on-essentials/

[Chuckie V]

The goal of any long-distance hike is the experience, ultimately. So many of us focus on externals (like equipment or reaching trail's end) and that's obviously perfectly acceptable. But you might want to ask yourself, will/does a lighter load augment the experience?

For me, it tends to, but only to a degree. I hiked the PCT in '02 with 40-50 pounds strapped to my back and I endured some serious foot pain throughout. I returned in '06 with less than half that weight and enjoyed the experience just the same, though I didn't ache nearly as often. I can't say that one experience was better than the other (they were both grand, natch), but I know now I'll always travel as lightly as possible, for it makes the experience a little less hard...and that's usually better, depending on the degree of challenge I'm seeking. The nice thing about carrying a lighter load is that it allows you to seek your challenge elsewhere!

[Peakhunter]

What gear (if any) do you already own? What backpacking experience do you have? To echo what the previous posters have said, unless you already have some experience with traditional gear, then going straight to UL will do you no favours and could be downright dangerous.

It would do you a great disservice to pick somebody's gear list and pick from that for a couple of reasons. Their gear choices may not work for you, or you may have little experience camping with a tarp etc.

That being said, there are things that you could do to lighten up and try different approaches. This is as good a starting point as any http://sectionhiker.com/lighten-up-y...on-essentials/

Well, I know this sounds funny but i'm sorta the day hiker version of Andrew Skurka. Coming from a long distance running background to trail running and now to what I like to call extreme day hiking (yeah, I know it's dumb). I do high miles in as few hours as possible, I love the back country, nature and scenery I just take a bit of a different approach. For example my last hike was 18.6 miles in 5 hours and 40 minutes, I know that sounds unrealistic to many but that's just my HYOH kind of style. Many times I will run half my hike with a full pack (15lb-20lb). So, to answer your initial question I basically don't have any gear, I just add weight to my pack and some emergency type stuff (because of my dangerous style). I know things will be different on the trail day after day than they are on my day hikes, but I am pretty much a minimalist type even at home and I just want to take that to the trail. I expect to finish my thru in 90 days but I know weather, health and other things can change that.

[swjohnsey]

Big 3-4, Pack, ULA Ohm 2.0; bag. Western Mountaineering Highlight; pad, Neoair XL short; tent, Big Agnes Flycreek UL 1. Total weight under 6 lbs which should give you a total pack weight without food and water under 10 lbs when you add in misc crap.

[Firefighter503]

Like others have said above, UL is a process that you have to figure out with experience for the most part. It's as much about carrying less stuff as it is carrying lighter weight stuff. With that being said, since you asked for gear lists here are two of mine - a more traditional list (which I started at Springer with in 2011) followed by my current list, that I don't foresee any changes to in the near future. It is pretty dialed in for my needs at this point. Notice the multiple sets of additional camp/warmth clothing, etc. in the first list, which I never wore all of at the same time. I also made a number of changes to my gear as well.

More Traditional: http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=10477

Current: http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=6164

[q-tip]

Ho pe this helps,B ase Gear List-7
Big Three:	Base Kit	Cold Base Kit	UL Kit	$ Cost
Granite Gear Crown 60	35.50	35.50	35.50	$200
o Cuben Pack Cover-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$55
· TT Contrail (Wild Oasis Tarp)	32.00	32.00	15.50	$200
o Ground Cloth	1.70	1.70	2.40	$8
o Stakes (10)-	4.00	4.00	4.00	$35
o Stuff Sack-	0.70	0.70	0.70	$20
· WM Alpinlite 15D (Kodiak 0D Tamarak 35d)	34.30	57.00	19.00	$465
o Stuff Sacks	2.00	2.00	2.00	$0
· Thermarest Neo Air	14.00	14.00	14.00	$130
Pad Stuff Sack	0.70	0.70	0.70	$0
Total:	125.90	148.60	94.80	1168.00
	7.87	9.29	5.93
Clothing (Carried)
· MB Wind Pants-	3.10	3.10	3.10	$90
· Marmot Mica Jacket-	7.00	7.00	7.00	$140
· Marmot Dri-Climb Vest	0.00	6.20	0.00	$100
· Mont Bell Down Camp Jacket-	6.60	6.60	6.60	$160
· Silk Lite Weight Sleep Shirt-	2.80	2.80	2.80	$24
· Silk LiteWeight Sleep Leggings-	0.00	0.00	3.20	$24
· Sleep Socks (1)-Wool	2.60	2.60	2.60	$4
· Hiking Socks (X-tra-1)-	2.60	2.60	2.60	$5
· Sock Liners (X-tra-1)-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$5
· Nike Hiking Leggings-	4.70	4.70	0.00	$50
· Fleece Hat (1)-	2.00	2.00	0.00	$10
· Running Gloves	1.00	1.00	0.00	$30
Camp Gloves	0.00	1.00	0.00	$5
· Garbage Bag Rain Shirt-	0.00	1.50	0.00	$0
· Stuff Sack-	0.80	0.80	0.80	$25
· Glasses	3.00	3.00	3.00	$40
· Dirty Girl Gaiters	1.20	1.20	1.20	$20
· Pillow Cover	1.70	1.70	1.70	$25
Balaclava	0.00	2.00	0.00	$10
Bandana	1.00	1.00	1.00	$3
MLD Mitten Covers	0.00	1.20	0.00	$4
Camp Shoes	9.00	9.00	9.00	$15
· Mesh Camp Shoes	0.00	0.00	0.00	$10
Total:	50.10	62.00	45.60	$799
	3.13	3.88	2.85
Hygiene/Medical/Emergency/Stuff
· Tooth Brush-Toothpaste	2.00	2.00	2.00	$3
· First Aid Kit-	1.20	1.20	1.20	$10
o Medical Tape-	-	-	-
o Gauze-1 Roll-	-	-	-
o 3 Band Aids-	-	-	-
o 3 Alcohol Wipes-	-	-	-
o Tweezer-
· Toilet Paper-	0.50	0.50	0.50	$1
· Hand Sanitizer-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$1
· Vitamin I-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$10
· Medications-	0.00	0.00	0.00
· Sun Screen-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$2
· Lip Balm-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$1
· Duct Tape-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$4
· Emergency Kit-	2.00	2.00	2.00	$8
o Needle-Thread-	-	-	-
o Safety Pins (4)-	-	-	-
o Tent-Pad Repair Kit-	-	-	-
Bladder Parts
· Bic Lighter (1)-	0.40	0.40	0.40	$1
· Waterproof Matches (1 Box)-	0.30	0.30	0.30	$3
· Spare Batteries-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$5
· Pen-Paper-	0.50	0.50	0.50	$0
· Head Lamp-	3.00	3.00	3.00	$40
· Trail Maps-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$25
· Deet-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$3
· Extra Plastic Bags-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$0
Food Bags
Garbage Bag-Grocery Bags
Stuff Sack	1.40	1.40	1.40	$25
Total:	15.30	15.30	15.30	$142
	0.96	0.96	0.96
Cook System:
· Soto Stove + Windscreen	3.30	3.30	3.30	$65
Windscreen-Alcohol	0.00	0.00	0.00
· Stuff Sack (Stove)-	0.80	0.80	0.80	$0
· Fuel (4 oz)-	7.00	7.00	7.00	$4
· Oil Camp XLS Cook Pot-	7.90	7.90	7.90	$26
Pot Cozy	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
· Spoon- (2)	1.50	1.50	1.50	$5
· Stuff Sack (Food)-	1.60	1.60	1.60	$25
· Bear Rope-	2.50	2.50	2.50	$0
· Towel-	0.50	0.50	0.50	$5
· Pot Stabilizer	1.00	1.00	1.00	$8
Bear Vault
Total:	26.10	26.10	26.10	$138
	1.63	1.63	1.63
Water Treatment:
· Steri Pen w/ Batteries-Case-	4.60	4.60	4.60	$125
Spare Batteries	1.00	1.00	1.00	$10
· Aqamira Tabs	0.50	0.50	0.50	$6
· Nalgene UL Water Bottle (1)-	3.00	3.00	3.00	$6
Nalgene Soft Bottle	2.00	2.00	2.00	$8
· MSR Bladder (80 oz)-	6.20	6.20	6.20	$25
Total:	17.30	17.30	17.30	$180
	1.08	1.08	1.08
Wearing:
· Ex Officio Long Sleeve Shirt-	7.10	7.10	7.10	$30
· Running Shorts-	3.20	3.20	3.20	$25
· Hiking Socks-	2.50	2.50	2.50	$4
· Sock Liners-	0.90	0.90	0.90	$3
· Hiking Poles-Leki-	19.40	19.40	19.40	$125
· Montrail AT + Train Runners	26.60	26.60	26.60	$75
Olympus Tough TG-320	5.50	5.50	5.50	$150
· Knife/Whistle/Compass-	1.40	1.40	1.40	$35
· Heart Rate Monitor-	3.20	3.20	3.20	$200
· Knee Brace	6.00	6.00	6.00	$30
Ankle Brace	8.00	8.00	8.00	$90
· Running Hat-	2.00	2.00	2.00	$20
Total:	85.80	85.80	85.80	$787
	5.36	5.36	5.36
Electronics:
· MP3/Headphones/Charger-	3.00	3.00	3.00	$85
· Cell Phone/Charger	4.30	4.30	4.30	$60
Camera Charger + Spare Battery	2.30	2.30	2.30	$20
Total:	9.60	9.60	9.60	$165
	0.60	0.60	0.60
Other:
· Ditty Bag-	1.20	1.20	1.20	$12
o Credit Cards (2)-	1.00	1.00	1.00
o Cash-	-	-	-
o Drivers License-	-	-	-
o Insurance Card-	-	-	-
o Phone Card-	-	-	-	$25
o Extra Reading Glasses (1)-	0.70	0.70	0.70	$10
o Emergency Numbers-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$0
Total:	2.90	2.90	2.90	$47
	0.18	0.18	0.18
Total Cost:				$3,426
Food-Water
Water Carried-	33.00	33.00	33.00
Food-4 Days-2.0 Lbs/Day (32 OZ.)	128.00	128.00	128.00
Totals:	161.00	161.00	161.00
	10.06	10.06	10.06
Grand Totals:
Base Weight In Pack:	247.20	281.80	211.60
	15.45	17.61	13.23
Weight Worn:	85.80	85.80	85.80
	5.36	5.36	5.36
Skin-Out Base Weight:	338.20	385.21	310.63
	21.14	24.08	19.41
Weight Pack+Food+Water	408.20	442.80	372.60
	25.51	27.68	23.29
Total Skin Out Weight:	494.00	528.60	458.40
	30.88	33.04	28.65

[Peakhunter]

Thanks guys, all will be taken into consideration.

[Hosaphone]

I realize a quality UL gear list and low budget gear list don't really go well together in the same sentence

You might be surprised. With the exception of down (sleeping bags + jackets) and cuben fiber, most UL gear is cheaper than "normal" gear.

Stove: fancy feast alcohol stove + tinfoil windscreen = <.5oz and basically free.
Pot: Beer can pot = ~1oz and cheap. Not very efficient though, because so narrow... People seem to love IMUSA pots so you might also look into that.
Pad: closed cell foam pad (ridgerest, etc) cut down to torso length = ~6oz and $20
Water system: Aqua Mira ($15), powerade bottle(s), maybe a platypus bladder ($20)
Rain gear: DriDucks = 12oz for pants+jacket, $20

Since you hike fast, you could start your hike later which would allow you to skimp on the sleeping bag. When you get to warmer weather, you can get by with just a fleece blanket or two. Factor in wearing all your clothes, jackets, hat, gloves, etc, and you can do pretty well that way. Test in your backyard before hitting the trail without a sleeping bag, though... People say great things about the Kelty Cosmic Down 20* bags which you can get for $100. Not UL, but it could do the job until it gets warm enough to ditch it, and then use blankets which are basically free.


The pack and shelter should be the only expensive things. Hopefully you already have a pack that will work? Keep an eye on the used gear section for good deals.

[QiWiz]

You might be surprised. With the exception of down (sleeping bags + jackets) and cuben fiber, most UL gear is cheaper than "normal" gear. The pack and shelter should be the only expensive things. Hopefully you already have a pack that will work? Keep an eye on the used gear section for good deals.

+1
my suggestion for a relatively inexpensive light shelter would be a used SMD Gatewood Cape, or Wild Oasis (if you want integrated bug netting).

Good quality down is worth the cost, if you can swing it. I have bought used down bags that I was very happy with, but you need to be careful here. Western Mountaineering is my personal favorite for bags, but now use quilts mostly - JRB has some nice ones.

[Malto]

Here is a link to the gear list from my PCT thru. I would likely do an identical list with the addition of rain gear on the AT. This gear list was developed to specifically accomplish a fast hike in a Similiar style to what you are planning. Some of the gear, specifically the tarp, is fairly expensive. There are slightly heavier alternatives that would accomplish the same task.

[Malto]

Oops

http://Postholer.Com/journal/viewGea...f&event_id=863

[mark jer]

I use a jam gatewood cape and macpac sleeping bag

[MuddyWaters]

Ill take the other side.
Learn what you can, and start out light. Its cheaper to add things in , than to replace what you already bought.
UL shelters and packs, are different from heavy duty. Read, read, read, and then read some more at BPL and you will absorb a lot.
My son has only ever backpacked UL, from the time he put a pack on. I was there to show him what, why, how, but its firmly ingrained in him. If a kid can do it, so can anyone.

Example of gear in my light summer pack . Comes out around 7 lbs before food/water

ULA Ohm 1.0 22.5 oz
pack liner bag 1.1 oz

40F down quilt 16.1 oz
CCF pads 7.5 oz (2 GG 2.5 oz thinlight pads and 20x60 1/8 evazote foam)

hexamid w/cf floor 16 oz
stakes/cf sack 2.1 oz

light fleece hoody 11 oz
thin glove liners 1 oz
fleece beanie 0.9 oz
lt. long john bottoms 4 oz
down puffy 5.9 oz
headnet 0.35 oz
mesh clothing sack/pillow 0.5 oz

miscl gear, FAK, AM, etc 7 oz

Raingear 10 driducks 10oz

cook kit 2 oz
fuel bottle 0.95 oz
lighter .4 oz
handiwipe .4 oz
headlight 0.5 oz w/spare batt
knife 0.3 oz
coffee cup 0.1 oz
spoon 0.2 oz

foodbag 0.95 oz w/carabiner
bear rope 1.2 oz
odor resist bag 1.1 oz

[larkspur]

this is more of a minimalist gear list, but it might help a bit
1. Shelter
a. Tarp
b. hammock
2. polar-fleas Sleeping bag liner
3. Extra clothes
a. Mostly synthetic for summer, wool for winter
4. Homemade wood stove
5. Fire kit
6. First aid kit
7. Knife
8. Mess kit
a. No more than 2 pieces
9. Water bottle
10. Navigation
11. hatchet
12. File
13. Toiletries
a. Bar of soap
b. Wash cloth
c. Tooth brush and past
14. Food
15. Ground cloth
a. Painters tarp
b. If there are no trees suitable for the hammock
16. Duct tape

[Coosa]

this is more of a minimalist gear list, but it might help a bit
11. hatchet
12. File

What's the Hatchet for and are do you mean a small nail file so you can attempt to keep your nails short enough for your shoes or ??

Coosa