Intelligent ways to save weight

[GPSGuided]

For an appropriate positive view on the subject, what are some of the intelligent ways to save weight? At the end of the day, few desires carrying unwanted weights for miles on end. Lets share your ideas but focus on the word "intelligent"!

[wayno]

first up. google is your friend,
check the weight of your gear.
then look online at comparable items
compare the weight that can be saved for the item
decide if there is enough weight waving to be made to change to the new item or if you can or will spend the money required to buy the item, either new or second hand
i've saved kilos doing this, however depending on the weights involved i dont change all my gear for lighter gear if there isnt a great enough weight saving, it usually has to be in the order of hundreds of grams saved by changing an item unless its a particularly small , light or cheap item i'm looking at changing.
i'm not suggesting people impulsively change gear, you can keep the new gear in mind when it comes time to having to replace your old gear.
weigh up the pros and cons of going to the lighter item ie, how well will it wear, are you prepared to put up with a shorter lifespan for the lighter gear and weight saving?
the lightest item may not be suitable for your purposes, it if you're bushbashing or you are a high use bushwalker.. the lighest clothing doesnt last as long on long distance trips if you're carrying a heavy pack rubbing against clothes...

[forest]

Obviously a light pack if a) it will comfortably take the load you want to carry b) is durable enough for the type of walk.
Light shell fabrics for sleeping bags, insulated jackets, wind shirts etc. This gear is just for camp/peak use and cops no (or minimal) abuse. There's some top shelf Ultralight DWR fabrics available now for this gear. It's more durable that some would think too.
Unless it's walk wear all my gear is light shelled now and it's been a good way to to shed weight in the process of upgrading some equipment.
Some of the new sleeping pads offer excellent warmth for low weight like the Exped UL series and the TR Neoairs.
Cuben Fibre is a massive weight saver. All my stuff sacks and pack liners are made from the stuff. Again I don't abuse this gear as it lives in the pack.
Light cook kits. There are some substancial weight savings to be had there if one has the time to research and look around.
Water bottles. I just use those Platypus ones, a 1 ltr bottle is 21 grams. I still take a 600ml plastic water bottle though. Filling the soft bottles with a tap is fine but dunking them in a water source is frustrating as they collapse.

i'm not suggesting people impulsively change gear, you can keep the new gear in mind when it comes time to having to replace your old gear.

I'm more impulsive but at least now my wife has recognised I have an issue with this

But yes google and online are your best friend.
How many walkers wander into a hut or campground fully decked out in Macpac, MD or Kathmandu gear (It's not all that bad). Most likely 20kgs of the stuff. I can just picture the store staff when a non experience person wanders in and says "I'm doing the Milford Track, what will I need"...............
Wayno and plenty of others would have seen (or done) this. It's sponser city in some of thos places.

[wayno]

yeah, whatever you do, dont go into a shop and just say to the staff "kit me out" thats asking for trouble.
its in their interests to sell you too much gear and the most expensive, rather than what you really need...
do your own homework first and take what hte shop staff say with a big grain of salt, unless you know what they are telling you to be true, dont treat it as teh gospel...
talk to anyone you know who has reasonable experience bushwalking and get advice from them

[norts]

If I can get away with all my gear in a 2kg compared to a 3.5 kg pack and still carry it comfortably, I would be silly to continue. That was my major weight saving step, I use to carry a big 80l pack only 2/3 full. Now my 60L pack is full and I can usually get 6 to 8 days of gear in it.
To me it is not just about weight but also bulk. If it is bulky I might have to go back up to the heavier pack ie I went from a exped down mat 7 to a neo air all seasons, both very comfortable but folded up the neo is alot smaller( and a bit lighter).

I have culled my gear load to where I am still comfortable in the bush(Tassie) so now I am not looking at removing gear from my pack just replacing it with lighter/smaller gear. This is where the dollars start mounting up! The old adage about $1 per gram is about right, I was looking at replacing my pack and sleeping bag to save 500 grams , the replacements I was looking at were going to cost approx $500. Cant justify it at the moment on a limited income.

Roger

[GPSGuided]

My personal algorithm on this is to divide my equipment list into the following categories for consideration. As Wayno said, Google is your friend! <http://lmgtfy.com>

* Essential vs Non-essential
Essential: No compromises made. They must work and not fail. Quality matters and never left at home to save weight.
Non-essential: Take it for extra comfort or convenience or leave them at home for more often than not significant weight savings.

* Quality/weight vs Price
Typically meaning the latest material and design with significant weight saving. A subjective and personal decision has to be made here in terms of cost benefits of chasing quality and weight reduction. No rights or wrongs but a fatter wallet of disposable cash helps.

* Modifications
I have no problems with those gram/cubic cm saving modifications. By all means chopping short the toothbrush handle, cutting excessively long strapping etc. Nothing wrong with them. As long as they function to one's needs, ignore the ridicule. It just shows you are different and willing to think outside the box and have the handiwork to execute.

Of course, all of the above has to be appropriately considered in terms of the specific trip they are being used on. Any decisions should be made accordingly.

Finally, compare notes with your fellow walkers and see what their experiences are on this subject. Integrate others' experiences and ditch non-essential items will invariably save most weight (at no extra cost).

[Pongo]

Know how much toilet paper you will use if you're being conservative with it and pack accordingly.

I carry decent bog roll and get about 5-6 days out of it on the trail. If I'm doing an overnighter, instead of taking a new roll, I'll take half a roll from home. Wallah, easy grams.

If you don't know what your loo paper use is like, have a spare roll in the dunny and tell your house members that no one can use it except you. Then over the next few days use it in a manner that you're comfortable with and make note of how long it lasts. This will give you an idea of you toilet paper use, and will allow you to not over or underpack loo roll.

[GPSGuided]

Know how much toilet paper you will use if you're being conservative with it and pack accordingly...
If you don't know what your loo paper use is like, have a spare roll in the dunny and tell your house members that no one can use it except you. Then over the next few days use it in a manner that you're comfortable with and make note of how long it lasts. This will give you an idea of you toilet paper use, and will allow you to not over or underpack loo roll.

Here's a more scientific solution. Rather than taking a roll, how about folding them into useable sections? I typically tri-fold before use and then just fold up a bunch of them (Total number required = No of application at each sitting x No of daily sittings x No of days. + Spares for possible bowel-upset days). Then squeeze flat into a ziplock pack and the volume (potentially weight) savings can be significant.

Then again for a serious UL objective, what natural no toilet paper alternatives are there?

[perfectlydark]

Know how much toilet paper you will use if you're being conservative with it and pack accordingly...
If you don't know what your loo paper use is like, have a spare roll in the dunny and tell your house members that no one can use it except you. Then over the next few days use it in a manner that you're comfortable with and make note of how long it lasts. This will give you an idea of you toilet paper use, and will allow you to not over or underpack loo roll.

Here's a more scientific solution. Rather than taking a roll, how about folding them into useable sections? I typically tri-fold before use and then just fold up a bunch of them (Total number required = No of application at each sitting x No of daily sittings x No of days. + Spares for possible bowel-upset days). Then squeeze flat into a ziplock pack and the volume (potentially weight) savings can be significant.

Then again for a serious UL objective, what natural no toilet paper alternatives are there?

This.
I normally take folded tp mainly to save space rather than weight

[forest]

Then again for a serious UL objective, what natural no toilet paper alternatives are there?

Not sure about natural (and not intelligent) but try falling over, twisting your knee and banging you head halfway through a walk.
Then chew nurophen plus (full of codeine) like tic tac's for the next 24 hours to keep you moving and stop the pain.
Locked me up big time and I don't recall dropping a #2 for about 5 days......and the first time it felt like a fist sized rock (too much info I know)
Really it wasn't funny and please don't do this, but the question was asked.
I know I used no toilet paper though

I just take a small 3/4 used roll. I'm normally pretty healthy in the bush and don't require much paper (again probably too much info)

Seriously though there are probably better ways to save weight, even though toilet paper I guess as a full roll is a bit bulky.

[GPSGuided]

Excellent share Forest! Yes, the wonderful effect of codeine. Just remember to add coloxyl with senna when you are back, in big doses with lots of water.

New application for the Panadeine/forte in my first aid bag noted with a corresponding reduction in TP carried. Per rule, weight saving invariably correlates with additional cost. Pharmaceutics are expensive these days...

[David M]

Know how much toilet paper you will use if you're being conservative with it and pack accordingly.

I don't think you should be conservative with toilet paper. Consider what might happen if you get diarrhoea on the trail. It also has other uses such as tissue paper for nose and wiping cooking and eating utensils clean.

[LandSailor]

For some good tips and advice on going ultralight have a look at Backpacking North.

[Pongo]

Know how much toilet paper you will use if you're being conservative with it and pack accordingly.

I don't think you should be conservative with toilet paper. Consider what might happen if you get diarrhoea on the trail. It also has other uses such as tissue paper for nose and wiping cooking and eating utensils clean.

Warning poo talk ensues

Gah I didn't want to go down the path of clarifying this point as I knew it would mean talking about the fineries of pooping and cleaning up.

In essence I agree with your point and ultimately I'm suggesting you carry what you need, plus some more for the situations you've mentioned, but not overdoing it. Coming off the trail with 3/4 or 1/2 of a roll is a good thing IMO, coming off with 1 and 3/4 is not IMO. So knowing how you use TP and not over-packing it would be the guts of my tip.

*Shudder* I'll elucidate how I would define conservative use. Firstly, I fold. At home there is no fear of a shortage of paper, so I find I tend to use more than I need, this can be a bit of an automatic behaviour. On the trail, I square count so as not to overuse/waste. Four squares at the beginning of cleaning up, 2 at the end. Careful folding allows some reuse. A buffer of paper allows me to use 6 or 8 in times where it is needed as often as it is needed as well as not stressing about running out. I provision based on two trips to the loo per day + a reasonable buffer.

Cutting that buffer I think moves from an intelligent way to save weight, to a stupid way to save weight.

God, I hadn't realised how methodical I had become about business in the bush until I wrote this. Haha!

[climberman]

http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com.au/ and scroll down to the toileting tips section.

Mike's book on ultralight walking is wonderful as well.

[Orion]

I don't find specific gear suggestions all that useful since the terrain, climate, and personal preferences get overlooked. Ultimately it comes down to experience, knowing where to draw the line between comfort and survival to maximize your happiness in camp and when walking. Beginners only think of camp and like mules suffer under huge packs on the way there. Beginner ultra-lighters think only of the number of grams and suffer cold and hunger in camp. You need to find the balance. You can weigh it all and make a spreadsheet or just lay it out on the floor and look at it, but either way you examine each item, think about it, and decide whether it's needed, wanted, or just fluff. Can you cut it down or modify it, choose something else, or can you afford to buy a lighter version? Expendables like tp, sunscreen, and of course food all deserve attention. It's really not that hard in principle. But you have to have enough experience to make sense of it. I can't tell you what to put in your pack.

[GPSGuided]

http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com.au/ and scroll down to the toileting tips section.

That's hilarious! River pebbles?!?

[wayno]

yeah i wouldnt try the stones on a scree slope.....

[GPSGuided]

Technical improvement on the river pebbles advice... Sit them next to the camp fire. Pre-warmed by the time they are needed.

[wayno]

Technical improvement on the river pebbles advice... Sit them next to the camp fire. Pre-warmed by the time they are needed.

now just try doing that with toilet paper and see what happens!

[GPSGuided]

Technical improvement on the river pebbles advice... Sit them next to the camp fire. Pre-warmed by the time they are needed.

now just try doing that with toilet paper and see what happens!

That's why we can call the river peddle option a technical upgrade. Never thought UL can bring extra comforts... Warm pebbles!

[perfectlydark]

You would think there would be more productive ways to save weight than worry about a few gms of toilet paper but according to this thread it is the most important thibg to cut back on!

[wayno]

You would think there would be more productive ways to save weight than worry about a few gms of toilet paper but according to this thread it is the most important thibg to cut back on!

definitely if it gets wet.....

[GPSGuided]

definitely if it gets wet.....

And think of the volume saving too! These are called "Marginal Gains", per Team Sky's motto and as demonstrated in the current Tour de France. They are beating all comers! A philosophy we are intelligently applying to bushwalking!

[forest]

You would think there would be more productive ways to save weight than worry about a few gms of toilet paper but according to this thread it is the most important thibg to cut back on!

Yeh it's a little odd people have focused on that........

Oh well I did try to make some earlier sugestions.
But seriously, pebbles. Now that's getting keen eh. Not for this little princess. I'll take some nice soft kleenex anyday.

[KANANGRABOYD]

Lot's of $$$
Lots of time researching all the sites, such as BPL, and ultralight blogs, cottage industry sites etc.
Learning to MYOG and knowing about various textiles that are used such as Cuben, Dyneema, and others like from Dimension Polyant etc
When I go away for a trip I have an excel document with every single item of gear I own with their exact weight in grams that I refer to. Even though I spend on average 10 days a month out hiking, I still need to go through my stuff every time and "decide" on what to take. Quite often there are lots of "wants", not actual "needs" in my pack. I haven't read the above posts yet, so don't know if it has been stated yet, but really scrutinize through everything and see what you can do without, and also items that have multiple uses.
When you return from a trip, go through all your gear and keep a log/diary/excel type note of what you actually used and what stayed in the pack.
I will never skimp on food or comfort ( sleeping that is).
Also again if it hasn't been stated yet, look at your TENT/PACK/SLEEPING BAG/MAT/COOKING setup. Those tend to be the biggest weight abusers.

[GPSGuided]

Yeh it's a little odd people have focused on that...

Well, we needed something strong to reverse course from the last 24-36hrs of anal hoopla on the forum.

Now back to more traditional lines of thinking on the subject of weight saving.

[climberman]

You would think there would be more productive ways to save weight than worry about a few gms of toilet paper but according to this thread it is the most important thibg to cut back on!

Well, a roll weighs about 85g, which is more than some stoves!

What ARE the Bushwalk Australia approved weight saving methods? Every single one put forward seems to get resoundingly ridiculed.

Much easier to find 10 ways to find 200 grams than one way to find 2000grams.

[Strider]

Yeh it's a little odd people have focused on that...

Well, we needed something strong to reverse course from the last 24-36hrs of anal hoopla on the forum.

That conjured up one hell of a mental image!

[GPSGuided]

What ARE the Bushwalk Australia approved weight saving methods? Every single one put forward seems to get resoundingly ridiculed.

Classic decision by committee/forum conundrum. Step in and just make your call!