lost_but_found

I am trying to figure out a way to minimize my pack weight. Below is my list of gear, orange indicates average weight derivative. I have found about 2.7lbs that I can cut by buying new, lighter gear. I am open to any suggestions. I am no purist/ minimalist though. I don't take anything that is really superfluous, but I do like to sleep in a tent and carry a comfortable pack. A majority of this is my Ten Essentials, and in my opinion, a must have. I just got the pillow, it is nice, but I can do without as I have for the past few years. Obviously, I do not take all this gear on a trip, but the stuff in orange I do. PLEASE HELP ME LOSE SOME WEIGHT!




Backpack – 4-day, 2-day, daypack - Gregory Acadia – 5lbs2oz,
The North Face Terra35 – 2lbs3oz
Tent – 2 person/ 3 season, 1 person/ 3 season Coleman – 5lbs8oz,
Walrus – 3lbs4oz
Sleeping bag – 50deg, 25deg - PolarPod – 3lbs4oz
Sleeping pad/ pillow – ThermoRest Classic ¾ Standard - 1lb12oz
ThermoRest self-inflatable pillow - 11oz Water filer/ purifier tablets – Sweet Water Filter – 11oz, tablets - 6ozWater canteen – 2-2 liter reservoirs, 32oz + 2.1oz collapsible, Camelback – 4lbs6.56oz + 9.76oz
Stove – Pocket Rocket – 3.2ozFuel – MSR isobutene – 4 canisters - 10oz/canister (normally carry 2 cans - 20oz)
Cooking/ Eating Utensils – Ozark pots pans cups, Coleman pots pans cups, Lexan fork knife spoon – 2oz, chop-sticks
First Aid Kit – wraps, band-aid, moleskin, gauzes, pain relief, snake bite, Q-tips, tweezers, antibact. wipes, Neosporin, first aid book. – 12oz
Rain Gear – Marmot Precip jacket and pants – 1lb6oz, REI ducks back - 8.6oz(not sure if this includes carry bag - do not use it)
Shoes/ boots – Salomon XA-Pro (Gore-Tex)
Gloves – REI Polartec
Compass – map compass with mirror – 1.2oz
Light – Princeton Tec Aurora headlamp (3 extra batteries)2.8oz + 2oz (3AAA)Water proof matches - .65oz
Towel
Trowel – 2oz
Pen/ Journal – water proof notepad – journal – 2oz
Coffee, sugar, creamer
Extra food – bacon and egg (dehydrated)2.6oz
Soap – Campsuds – 2oz
Insect repellent – 1oz
Emergency blanket – 3oz


AVERAGE PACK WEIGHT – 29lbs12.26oz

copuswalker

Hey Brett, Must give up the computer to my daughter soon. I saw flaws that I might change? Meanwhile try backpacker.com for more insight.

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There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

copuswalker

Hi Brett, I will give my recommendations. Of course you could probably find ten different list from ten different people. Although your pack weight does not look that bad. Assuming you have unlimited funds.

Tent Try henneseyhammock.com 2lbs 12 oz I believe and sleep like a baby. camp anywhere there are trees. I also have a Sierra Designs Clip flashlight 2 man??? Tent 3lbs 12oz plus footprint. With a nice vestibule.

Nice down bag can get you to under 2 lbs and fit in a cantalope.

Carry fewer tablets since you have mechanical filtration. I carry a couple for emergencies.

I use platypus 1 litre bottles instead of the heavier Nalgenes. I use one Nalgene cause it fits my filter.
Nice weight on your sweetwater.

Love my pocket rocket but get a good weeks worth of cooking on one smaller fuel cell.

I only use and have only needed a spoon or spork. If i need a knife for eating I have one I use for other things, Killing wild humans etc.

I carry one light pot only. I eat out of it if needed.

Carry dehydrated beer instead of a keg.

Precip is good

Dump the firstaid book and snakebite, everyone says it's a waste. Addf advil and an anti diahrreal. #1 killer on a remote trail.

Put new batteries in your headlamp every 2 trips and ditch the extras.

No soap. I carry a few wet wipes.

My 2 cents worth

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

toejam

29 lbs is not bad. I didn't see sunscreen on your list, that would add some weight. I've gotten old enough to take a folding foam Z-Rest pad in addition to a self-inflator for a nice seat and extra cush when sleeping. It weighs almost nothing. My pack gets significantly heavier with extra food for long trips, extra clothes for cold trips, and extra everything when the kids come.

I think your list looks pretty good, especially if you get the new tent & sleeping bag. I've always thought Gregory packs weigh too much but people who have them never seem to complain about that. And I agree there may be some savings to be had carrying a smaller cook set.

lost_but_found

I appreciate all the feedback!
I normally take a spoon and fork - no knife. So that is really only about an ounce. I do plan on replacing my camelback with a platypus - 4oz vs 9.76oz! so that saves me almost 6oz. I found a nice down bag, but it is $300. weighs only 1lb15oz though - so worth the investment for sure (~1.25lb difference)! And I found a tent - Eureka Zeus 2 EXO maximum weight of 3lbs10oz vs 5lbs8oz. It is a great tent and not that expensive - $150.
My goal is to get my average pack weight down to about 25lbs or under. I will lose the first aid book and snake bite kit, that will probably drop an ounce or two. I was looking around at lightweight sites last night and found some info to share. I found a wonderful idea for a pillow that weighs about an oz and takes up no space. Those little swimming floaties that went around our arms as kids - you can find them at dollar stores 2 for a $1. Thought that was a great idea.
I like the change batteries idea - but for an extended trip I am going to need a spare set. But doing that would reduce my average weight. I will defintely only pack a few of the tablets, I always mean to do that but forget. OOPS!

I do appreciate the feedback and I will continue to search around as well and will share anything that I find. There are some good sites out there devoted to lightweight backpacking. But as copuswalker said, you are going to find 10 different list from 10 different people.

copuswalker

Lost and found, You may want to read up on the Zuess expo. Lots of problems with condensation. Real weight differs from said weight. Also a single wall tent. Many bad reviews??

Saw the floaties idea but i still prefer my compression sack with clothes.

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

toejam

I've also looked hard at the Zeus Exo. It would probably be fine up in the Rockies where it's cold every night. It's got ventilation problems and looks to me like it would be miserable to use in Texas, especially with 2 people in it. The 2-person lightweight tent that's always gotten the best reviews since I started backpacking is the Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight, which you can get for $140 at Campmor. The Kelty Zen is similar and has been discontinued, so you should be able to find them cheap.

For lightweight solo hiking I usually take a tarp, which is a very light tent. That's usually in the Rockies where bugs aren't a problem. If you can go with a 1-person tent, the Coleman Exponent Inyo is one that gets a lot of good reviews and less than $100.

L.e.d. flashlights won't use up a set of batteries on a 2 week trip. I quit hauling spare batteries when I got l.e.d. flashlights.

I've never been able to convince myself I should carry a pillow backpacking, but once the stuff sack my head was on was hard enough that I lost circulation in my ear. The skin sloughed off and I had big ugly scabs on it for a week. So I don't begrudge a person a pillow, but I'm more careful how I pack that stuff sack I lay my head on.

toejam

During my Big Bend trip I noticed how old my Kelty Windfoil Ultralight is getting and I've started doing some more tent research. The MSR Zoid series of tents have caught my attention for the rave reviews by owners. They are light, ventillate well, and have a good vestibule or two. I like how the entrance is on the side - no sqirming in the end like my KWU. The only knock on them is you can't sit up in them, but I'm looking for a light 1-person tent and am not too concerned about sitting up.

Let me know if you see a deal on a Zoid 1!

lost_but_found

I have heard some good things about the zoid. Lots of good things about MSR in general. I am actually looking at one of their tents as well.

I have a Walrus Microswift as a solo tent. I love it! It is a little small though. Perfect for me, but I am 5'11" and weigh around 130lbs. Can't sit up in it, but it accomodates my proportions good otherwise. Weighs 3.37lbs with tent, fly, stakes, poles, and guy lines. Has a small vestibule. But I am sure you could find a better one out there.

HikeLite

I have the Zeus 2 exo and like it just fine. The condensation doesn't bother me when it occurs. Backpackgeartest.org is reviewing these so that will be interesting to see their results.

munkee

I recently purchased the REI Quarter Dome UL. 3lb 11oz, probably more like 4lbs, but has room for two(if intimate) or plenty for one even to sit up in. Plenty of ventilation, two doors, full fly, two 7sq ft vestibules. A little pricey but worth it for the features and weight.

JasonL

Lets say you are going out on a hike for 3-4 days. Any suggestions on FOOD? I'm thinking you'll be eating like a mouse

Any suggestions in relation to light or simi-light weight stuff?

I've got those little items, like flour - cornmill and spices, I'm just wondering about foods that will last in the warm air? I don't really want to go with the MREs but it looks like I may have to.

What do you all do?

ploddinTod

I agree MRE's are heavy. However, I have packed one for my first day's lunch. For dinners I go with dehydrated meals, reconstituted with boiling water. Mountain House is a good brand (tastey). You could also take Lipton Soup or Side Dishes.
Lunches: peanut butter with bagels; summer sausage, beef jerky, etc.
Breakfast: oatmeal, cereal or granola bars, etc
Snack: GORP (good old raisins and peanuts)
Go to the forums at Backpacker.com and look at all the good threads under Backcountry Cooking.

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PloddinTod

copuswalker

I agree with Todd. The only thing I might add is if you are carrying the water to re-hydrate your meals you may wish to just carry ready made soups stews etc.
I carefully plan my food and still always come back with a pile? Better safe than sorry?
Again like Todd said buy good dehydrated food. I have tried the cheap stuff!!!

Foil packed tuna and salmon etc. is light and easy to pack out. Chex mix is light and tasty? Slim Jims are my all time favorite snack along with an ocassional stick of gum. I never chew gum at home.
My wifes favorite is packaged brocolli and cheese soup. This was especially good for settling the stomach after the foil packed mexican beef. Do not...I repeat do not try the mexican beef?

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

toejam

I learned to choke down as much food as possible on backpacking trips a long time ago. You need to eat a lot to keep your energy level up.

I have used Mountain House & Backpackers Pantry, etc. but just can't justify the cost any more as I've watched serving sizes drop and prices rise. For dinner I usually go with dried noodles or rice (Lipton brand is good) and throw in some tuna or chicken (this used to come in a can but now are in foil pouches). I've also gotten foil pouches of chili to put in macaroni & cheese. These dinners are hearty and easy. I usually bring a small bottle of vegetable oil for when the directions say add butter or milk, but I've gone without and it's usually as good. I never carry flour and spices.

For lunch I like dried fruit, bagels, cheese sticks, and summer sausage (I know some people can't eat this stuff). For breakfast I have two pouches of instant oatmeal, dried fruit, and lots of instant coffee.

I've been getting the big bags of mountain trail mix from WalMart lately - the kind with m&m's, almonds, cashews, peanuts & raisins. If you find some beef jerky you like, that's great to have. The best outdoor snack of all is Cliff Bars, if you can find them, usually in Kroger or camping stores. My favorite backpacking indulgence is a bag of small Snickers Bars - bring these to share on a group trip and you'll make friends for life.