BIG 4

[Miyata610]

Shelter: gore-tex bivy. 1.0
Pack: aarn peak aspiration. 1.55
Mat: exped synmat 7 UL. 0.460
Bag: thermarest Haven. 0.680

TOTAL WEIGHT. 3.690 kg



Edited to add weights

Last edited by Miyata610 on Thu 29 Dec, 2011 4:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bushwalker zane]

Shelter: gore-tex bivy
Pack: aarn peak aspiration
Mat: exped synmat 7 UL
Bag: thermarest Haven

How do you find that exped mat goes when you bivy? I was thinking of getting one, but wasn't entirely sure how strong it would actually be.

[oyster_07]

My big-4, or at least the options for me to choose from for any particular need.

Thermarest Prolite Plus 480g

WM Ultralite sleeping-bag 820g
WM Highlite sleeping-bag 225g
WM Summerlite sleeping-bag 525g

Osprey Xenon 85L pack 2440g
Osprey Atmos 55L pack 1540g
Osprey Exos 34L pack 960g

MSR Hubba HP 1180g
Exped Auriga (2-man) 2600g
MLD Soul Bivi (eVent/cuben) 340g
MLD Bug Bivi 170g
MLD Solo tarp 165g

[pazzar]

I'm in the process of upgrading all my Big 4.

Tent: Mountain Designs Neutrino 1 (1.4kg) - This is a great tent, and it has proven itself over 4 seasons with no major dramas. I'm in the market for a good 4 season lightweight 2 man tent though.
Sleeping Bag: Mont Zodiac 700 (1.5kg) - I just bought a SeaToSummit Alpine II today which is much warmer and weighs 1.3kg.
Sleeping Mat: Mountain Designs Pro Series 3.8 Small (500g) - I'm hoping to order a ThermaRest Neo All-Season later this year.
Pack: Wilderness Equipment Breakout 75L (2.9kg) - This bag kills me around the hips, I am far too skinny for it. I have found the One Planet McMillan fits well and have used One Planet before, so the McMillan will be my next buy.

So my upgrade is almost complete!

Tent: Still got the Neutrino, absolutely fantastic tent, couldn't be happier with it. The Hilleberg Nallo 2 is on the wishlist, probably this winter I will order one.
Sleeping Bag: I now use the STS Alpine II most, except its too warm for summer, so I use the old one a bit.
Sleeping Mat: I now have the Thermarest Neo All-Season. Absolutely love it.
Pack: One Planet McMillan (85L) and Mammut Trion Element 45+7.

I hope to be able to consolidate everything to be able to fit 5-6 days worth into my small pack. First test is next week with a 4 night walk!

[Miyata610]

Shelter: gore-tex bivy
Pack: aarn peak aspiration
Mat: exped synmat 7 UL
Bag: thermarest Haven

How do you find that exped mat goes when you bivy? I was thinking of getting one, but wasn't entirely sure how strong it would actually be.

It's probably a bit too thick for use in a Bivy.

Yes I am a little concerned about its light weight, I am being very gentle with it, I shall report back if I have any problems.

[Strider]

Tent - Kathmandu Northstar (2.95kg).
Bag - Macpac Escapade 700 (1.66kg).
Pack - Huntech 70L (2.67kg).
Mat - Kathmandu 183cm (816g)

Total weight 8.1kg

[Strider]

Tent - Kathmandu Northstar (2.95kg).
Bag - Macpac Escapade 700 (1.66kg).
Pack - Huntech 70L (2.67kg).
Mat - Kathmandu 183cm (816g)

Total weight 8.1kg

Have done some lightening

Tent - Kathmandu Northstar (3019g).
Bag - Macpac Escapade 700 (1613g).
Pack - Golite Quest (1410g).
Mat - Thermarest Neoair (410g)

Total weight = 6452g

Weight saving = 1662g

Tent is next on the list for upgrade!!!

[Overlandman]

Shelter: MSR Hubba
Pack: Old Macpac Cascade 90 & New Torre 80
Also use a Kelty balance (converted lumber pack) clipped on the front of Pack
Mat: Old 90's Thermarest & New exped synmat 7 UL.
Bag: Old Adventure Wear Wilderness & New Sea to Summit MC Micro II
As the years go by, my weight gets heavier & the pack gets lighter, funny that
Regards Overlandman

Last edited by Overlandman on Wed 21 Mar, 2012 5:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JohnM]

Shelter:
Hilleberg Akto, for general use.
Z-Packs Hexamid Solo, if pack weight is going to be an issue and I'm below the tree line. Tried it in the Vic alps, and as I like to pitch in more exposed spots (for the view) when possible, it wasn't ideal for me up there.
Hilleberg Soulo, for when I want to feel bomb proof.

Pack:
Dueter ACT-Lite 50+10 for 1-4 night walks.
Macpac Cascade (90's vintage) for more rugged use. Probably need a lighter large-load pack at some stage.

Bag:
Western Mountaineering Summerlite, for every season in Oz except snow.
Rab Neutrino, but only if I'm expecting sub-zero. And even then I can still use the Summerlite.

Mat:
Exped Synmat, Regular size. Comfy, but I have some trust issue with it so my new go-to mat will now be...
Thermarest 40th Anniversary, Regular. 5cm thick, 4+R rating, 200g lighter than the Synmat, comfortable enough, and more durable

[markeaust]

Got a bit of gear, much of it quite old, from working OE industry about 15 years ago. Have different gear for dirrerent climates/areas/seasons...no laughing please:

Tent(s): Nylon fly, PP Goretex bivvy bag, Sierra Designs clip Flash (solo or tight for 2), Wild country Quasar.

Pack: One Planet (Mcmillan?? 15 years old but in great nik), cheapo DMH pack.

Sleeping Bag(s): Brand unknown feather-down bag (500g down), Mont Nadgee (550g down), Macpac ? (700g down), One Planet Winterlight XL (full GT shell 1020g down).

Mat(s): Selection of Thermarests; Ultralight long, 2 x Standard longs, standard 3/4 and UL 3/4, plus CCF mats, 2mm CCF for snow camping.

About to buy: Exped downmat 7DLX and looking for a lighter solo tent for snow camping.. looking at MSR Hubba, Carbon reflex1, plus Akto etc... still don't know yet.

Just have to get out shake the dust off the gear and use it a bit more now that the better half can cope with the kids on her own for a few days here and there.............

Cheers,

Mark

[wayno]

Tent: on e person - Macpac microlight; two person summer - Kathmandu lansan light; winter - Macpac Olympus
Bag: summer: exped ultralight 300; three season - Exped light 500; Winter - Fairydown everest.
Pack: up to four days, no tent, Black Diamond> infinite 60; four days or longer with tent in cold weather - Osprey Aether 75.
Mat: Thermarest prolite short.

[icemancometh]

Pack: Cilogear WS (size depends on trip but most likely the 45 or 30L) CCW Valdez is the new experiment so watch this space
Shelter: Aarn Pacer 2 (1800g)
Bag: Depends on conditions...quilt (mostly) or my MHW UL32 for colder/NZ conditions 970g
Pad: Ridgerest chopped/customised 209g

Should be a big 5 incl
cooking sys: Cat Stove + MSR 1.3L pot 266g OR for Winter: Reactor 488g

Last edited by icemancometh on Fri 09 Mar, 2012 3:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[dugsuth]

Pack: Black Wolf McKinley 65L - 2.5kg
Shelter: Oztrail Backpacker - 2.2kg
Bag: Roman oldie - 1.4kg
Pad: Roman Moon Mat 0.5kg

Total: 6.6kg

Hoping to change shelter to a Tarptent Moment (~1.0kg), pack to a Black Wolf B-Lite (0.8kg) and bag to a WM Summerlite (0.565kg) which should bring me down to under 3.0kg total.

[Stibb]

So I've finally got a proper kit together

Tent: TarpTent Scarp 2. It will replace our old OzTrail Outer Limit of some sort that was recently stolen right under my nose I've only pitched it in the lounge room so far but it looks great and feels very roomy! I think I'll sleep in it tonight

Pack: GoLite Quest. My old Haglöfs Sho Sho was just too miserable after 20+ years of being bashed, dragged and generally abused on various backpacking trips around the world. It was a bit too heavy for bushwalking but what a great bag it has been. Very happy with my new pack! I was a bit worried about buying without trying but it fits perfectly.

Bag: well it's a quilt really...Katabatic Alsek. Can't stand a straightjacket bag. Have a couple of MD and Katmandu synthetic bags but they are way too bulky and heavy. I LOVE my new quilt. Super light (560g), fantastic workmanship and perfect in every way. Hopefully it will be warm enough too (rated -5). Mr Stibb got a large (6'6) WM ultralight which is too narrow for me I'm glad I went the quilt way.

Pad: POE Ether Elite 3/4 + small bit of CCF. Got it cheap here and is just temporary as an XTherm is on the list for later. It's OK for me but a bit too narrow for Mr Not-so-slim-anymore. Much comfier than CCF though

Can't wait to get out and try it all. Only a few more weeks to go...

[rucksack]

Current 3 season set up ...

Tent - Tarptent Moment with inner liner, Tyvek groundsheet & pegs (1,096g)
Bag - Halti Multisport 800 (792g)
Pack - Black Diamond Mission 50 (1640g)
Mat - Thermarest Prolite Plus Regular (680g)

Total weight = 4208g

[ULWalkingPhil]

3-season setup

Pack: Jansport Big Bear 63. 1.5kg

Shelter: Warbonnet Blackbird 1.1 hammock
Warbonnet Superfly tarp.
Including lines, ropes and pegs. 1.5kg

Sleep: Warbonnet 3-season Yeti underquilt.
Hammock Gear 20F burrow top quilt. 1kg

Total Weight: 4 kg



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Franco]

Can't remember if I already posted but here is my latest...

Above 0c
Shelter TT Contrail/Moment, soon the Notch (700-900g)
SB : WM Summerlite 600g
Mat : Neo Air 400g
Pack ULA Circuit (1kg) or Aarn Featherlite Freedom (1.7kg)

Below 0c
Shelter TT Moment or Scarp 1 (900g/1.6 kg Scarp with extra poles))
SB : WM Summerlite (with down jacket and pants) or WM Ultralite
Mat : Exped DM7 (900g )
Pack : Aarn Effortless Rhythm (2.2kg ?)
Franco

[Empacitator]

Updated for 2012!

Shelter: MLD DuoMid w/ Virga Outdoors custom cuben bivy- 590 grams
Sleeping Bag: Custom Javan Dempsey quilt rated to -7 C- 532 grams
Backpack: Gossamer Gear Gorilla- 686 grams
Mat: Exped SynMat 7 UL- 470 grams

Total = 2.28kg

If I'm expecting of lots of mozzies or want some more space to move I take my Bearpaw cuben inner net which replaces the bivy, an extra 150 grams or so

[Bluegum Mic]

Gosh mines updated/changed. I blame this forum for endlessly showing me new gear

Pack- osprey exos 46 (1050g). I've also got a macpac amp 25 that combined with my ribz front pack ill use for overnighters.

Sleeping bag- mountain designs ultra 500 (900g)or a rab top bag with back panel removed (500g)

Mat- neoair all seasons regular (540g)

Tent- golite SL3 with net/floor conversion (1.4kg). Im also taking a pals aarn pacer 1 with me in a few weeks with the option to buy if I like. Played with it yesterday. Cool tent.

Hammock setup-
Papa smurf custom dangerbird with net and momentum interchangeable top (750g I think)
Rab top bag (500g)
Leighlo v2.1 20*F underquilt (yet to weigh though 400g rings a bell)
Terrarosagear prospecting tarp for bad weather (500g ish) or adventuring tarp (350g).

That's it. NO MORE GEAR PURCHASES (...maybe)

[ninjapuppet]

hi empacitator, I really do miss that duomid. One of the best tents Ive ever used, and I havnt gotten around to replacing it yet.
Here's my current favourite kit, as now I'm finding that hanging around inside a tipi with mates and a fire stove going is very fun

Tent: Kifaru 8 man tipi (shared with my mates) and Titanium goat cylinder stove Will do a good review on this cool 3.4kg tent once i've used it abit more http://kifaru.net/tipis.html
in snow, it'll be an igloo!
sleeping bag: summerlite (too lazy to update it, but there are probably better bags out there now)
Pack cilogear W/NW worksack
mat: klymit inertia but waiting for the xtherm

[ULWalkingPhil]

I've updated my gear over the past year, in particular in the past couple of weeks.
My new Jansport pack turned up today in the post, just as I was packing for a 3 day hike, so I through my gear into the new pack and set off,

Currently as I type this, I'm laying in my hammock. Pack feels very comfortable. Have a big climb in the morning, so I better get some sleep.

I love being in the outdoors. Hanging under the stars.

[icemancometh]

Currently as I type this, I'm laying in my hammock. Pack feels very comfortable. Have a big climb in the morning, so I better get some sleep.

I love being in the outdoors. Hanging under the stars.

While typing on your phone and listening to your music or watching a movie?

[ULWalkingPhil]

Well what a great days of hiking that was. The new Jansport pack worked a treat, that's one durable pack. Mostly off-track hiking, climbed up a steep mountain, than explored a cave and found whats known as the secret garden. In my hammock now.

Reducing the weight on my Big4 has allowed me to enjoy the hike. So much easier with a light pack.

Sent from my hammock, up on a mountain

[Empacitator]

hi empacitator, I really do miss that duomid. One of the best tents Ive ever used, and I havnt gotten around to replacing it yet.

Yeah the DuoMid is a great design Very simplistic- it just works
Looking forward to your review on the Kifaru!

Reducing the weight on my Big4 has allowed me to enjoy the hike. So much easier with a light pack.

It definitely makes you enjoy the actual hiking a lot more, instead of it being a hard slog to camp...

Last edited by Empacitator on Mon 12 Mar, 2012 11:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Nuts]

Papa smurf custom dangerbird

Ha ha.. wacky bunch those hammockers!!

I was looking at one of those kirafu shelters np, looks like a nice base camp!! The xtherm didn't send then??

[Dale]

For 3ish (not too cold) season use:

Shelter Tarprtent Sublite Sil 680g (tempted to get a Notch !)
Bag WM Summerlite 525g
Backpack Six Moons Design 485g (without stay)
Mat Kookabay LuxLite Pad 290g

Total: 1.98Kg

Unless there is snow the only thing that changes is the mat and I'm good to low minuses. For more luxury I would take the Double Rainbow tent which is about 1kg and has tonnes of room for one person.

[jacko1956]

Tent: Tarptent Double Rainbow (big enough for 3, light enough for 1)
Bag: Katmandu Down bag ?? the model, discontinued orange/grey one bought at 60% off sale.
Pack: ULA Circuit
Mat: Regular Neoair, Large Neoair Trekker coming.

[Snowzone]

Tent: Fairydown Ignition 2.2kg
Bag: OP Bushlite Super 1.6kg
Pack: OP Strezleki 3.5kg ?? (not sure on this and would like a lighter pack anyway)
Mat: Thermarest Womens Prolite 4 680g

Total: 8kg

After a few aquisitions I am much lighter and much happier!
Tent: Mountain Hardware (Sprite 1) 1.6kg
Bag: WM Versalite 850g ( I love this bag, it is just so cosy and warm)
Pack: OP, WBA 2kg
Mat: Thermarest Womens Prolite 4 680g

New Total: 5.13kg

[Orion]

I have a bunch of stuff and I mix and match depending on season and locale.
The most common combinations include these items...

pack: GG Mariposa Plus (632g) / Montbell 60L UL (20 yrs old) (1911g)
bag: WM Ultralight (851g) / WM Antelope (1.13kg) / WM Puma (1.59kg)
pad: Prolite Plus, small (482)
tent: homemade solo (1108g) / half of BD Lighthouse (Epic) (836g)/ half of Nallo 3 (1.18kg)

...to get these totals:

3 seasons in California: 2.8 kg (w/partner) or 3.1 kg (solo)
summer in Tasmania: 4.4 kg
winter in California: 4.4 to 5.1 kg


Of course "BIG 4" leaves out at least two categories that are often even bigger.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

My current Big4

Tent: Mutha Hubba HP, 3095g
Sleeping Bag & Liner: Denali Capsule 500 (minus 5) & Sea to Summit silk liner, 1412g
Pack: Deuter AirContact 55+10, 2450g
Mat: NeoAir All Seasons, 540g

Total Solo - 7497g
Total (2 people) - 5950g
Total (3 people) - 5434g

My desired Big4
Tent: Tarptent Stratospire 2, 1100g
Sleeping Bag: Golite Ultralite 3 Season (minus 7) Quilt Long, 725g
Pack: GoLite Jam 70L, 880g
Mat: NeoAir All Seasons, 540g

Total solo - 3245g
Total (2 people) - 2695g
Total (3 people) - 2512g

Not sure if the Jam will manage my pack weight, which would be around 14kg (including 2.5kg water) for a 5 day trip. Might have to upgrade it to a GoLite Quest at the expense of 500g.

Last edited by South_Aussie_Hiker on Thu 22 Mar, 2012 12:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.