Lightweight gear for the noob

[mattmacman]

Hey guys the last few times ive been walking ive been carrying a 95 litre pack thats full to the brim with around 25 kg's in it (for a 4 dayer), in short.. it kills me, so ive decided to go lightweight (not super lightweight but light enough).
I used to carry (main gear)
-Vango spirit 200+ 2.7 kgs ~ and packs massive
-Deuter 85+10 aircontact 2.7 kgs~
-Exped downmat 9 1.1 kgs~
-MSR WL International 0.22 kgs~ (plus about a litre of fuel in a steel bottle and accesories)
-MSR quick 2 0.5 kgs ~(with a partner)
-Exped waterbloc 800 1.5kgs~ (recently returned it, overpriced, overweight and only a -3 comfort)

Gear i want to get
-Neo air or Exped synmat
-Some sort of solo or duo lightweight tent (Akto, big agnes, not sure yet it only has to be 3 season)
-Lightweight pack (65 L about) but it has to have a full harness
-Titanium pot set
-Either down quilt or WM summerlite
-Kovea titanium

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, with the tent i was looking for something either pitch as one (integral pitch) or single skin that is easy to pitch and with the pack i hate all those attachement points i just want a decent top loading pack with a decent harness (NB i have a small back and i found that with a 95L deuter and 25 kgs it didnt fit nicely so id like a smaler harness, im 15 so im still growing =).

[John Sheridan]

This is my light weight gear list, not purchased, just compiling a list to buy soonish, might give you some ideas.

Main Gear

Tent Sea To Summit - Specialist Solo Hiking Tent 379.00 625g

Backpack Osprey Hornet 46 $180.00 680g

Cooking Gear Mini-Trangia $ 70.00 330g

Sleeping bag Marmot -01 850+Loft Down Hydrogen Sleeping Bag 400.00 702g

THERMAREST - COMPRESSION PILLOW Large 340 grams $49.55

Sleeping mat. Thermarest - NeoAir Large $278.00 550g


Lifesaver Water purification Bottle 4000UF 230.00 635 grams 750g full


Total 3.977 kg


Probably could cut it even more, but i want a little comfort on my travels.

Any suggestions on my things would be nice also.

Cheers.

[Jellybean]

Hey guys the last few times ive been walking ive been carrying a 95 litre pack thats full to the brim with around 25 kg's in it (for a 4 dayer), in short.. it kills me, so ive decided to go lightweight (not super lightweight but light enough).
I used to carry (main gear)
-Vango spirit 200+ 2.7 kgs ~ and packs massive
-Deuter 85+10 aircontact 2.7 kgs~
-Exped downmat 9 1.1 kgs~
-MSR WL International 0.22 kgs~ (plus about a litre of fuel in a steel bottle and accesories)
-MSR quick 2 0.5 kgs ~(with a partner)
-Exped waterbloc 800 1.5kgs~ (recently returned it, overpriced, overweight and only a -3 comfort)

Gear i want to get
-Neo air or Exped synmat
-Some sort of solo or duo lightweight tent (Akto, big agnes, not sure yet it only has to be 3 season)
-Lightweight pack (65 L about) but it has to have a full harness
-Titanium pot set
-Either down quilt or WM summerlite
-Kovea titanium

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, with the tent i was looking for something either pitch as one (integral pitch) or single skin that is easy to pitch and with the pack i hate all those attachement points i just want a decent top loading pack with a decent harness (NB i have a small back and i found that with a 95L deuter and 25 kgs it didnt fit nicely so id like a smaler harness, im 15 so im still growing =).

Hi Matt,

Great that you are recognising the importance of going lighter weight at your age - it may save you a few degenerative injuries down the track. (I wish I knew at 15 what I know now about looking after my body - my knees might be in better shape!!)

Your list sounds sensible. It seems that the main thing is to come up with a shelter you're happy with that will work in the conditions you'll be using it in (Atkos are well made tents but I'm not sure they fit into the "lightweight" category).

Re the pack, if you are keeping your weight down, I'd also consider the Go-Lite Pinnacle pack - it's well made, sturdy, versatile (with the compactor system you can vary the capacity to suit your load) and well priced. There are plenty of reviews around.

If you do a search on titanium pots on this site you'll find a debate on the merits of titanium versus aluminum pots - worth a read!

Cheers,

JB

[ULWalkingPhil]

This is my light weight gear list, not purchased, just compiling a list to buy soonish, might give you some ideas.

Main Gear

Tent Sea To Summit - Specialist Solo Hiking Tent 379.00 625g

Backpack Osprey Hornet 46 $180.00 680g

Cooking Gear Mini-Trangia $ 70.00 330g

Sleeping bag Marmot -01 850+Loft Down Hydrogen Sleeping Bag 400.00 702g

THERMAREST - COMPRESSION PILLOW Large 340 grams $49.55

Sleeping mat. Thermarest - NeoAir Large $278.00 550g


Lifesaver Water purification Bottle 4000UF 230.00 635 grams 750g full


Total 3.977 kg


Probably could cut it even more, but i want a little comfort on my travels.

Any suggestions on my things would be nice also.

Cheers.

Looks like a great kit, just bare in mind the lifesaver bottle weighs more than what you specifie.
635g empty. It can carry 750m of water. Total weight when full is 1.38kg.

Usually only apx 650m of water is useable from the filter, the last 100m cannot be pumped out. In saying that you can still save a lot of weight with bottle. As you can filter water for drinking as you hike, just make sure water is available. It can be muddy water. This thing does a great job at filtering the water.

Last edited by ULWalkingPhil on Tue 09 Aug, 2011 8:04 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Bluegum Mic]

Hi Matt.

Sounds like a good list. Agree totally with JB. I'll second the pinnacle as a good light weight pack though not a full harness as you indicated. I found mine perfectly comfortable to about 13kg. Beyond that I wanted a harness. I've now taken the middle road a bought a one planet shadow. It's around the 1.4kg mark with a nice harness.

As for a tent I have a golite shangri la 3 which I love. It can be used as a single skin shelter (~600g when using hiking poles to pitch which I always walk with), 250g for a tyvek floor (custom from Evan aka hitchhiking). I have the full nest from golite which has a very durable bucket floor (can't remember it's weight but 700-800g rings a bell). I also have a winter solo nest that again Evan custom built at 550g. So for a solo shelter with nest it's just over 1kg that is palatial (ie nest only takes up half the tent), full nest sleeps 2 with plenty of room and 3 if you knock the centre pole slightly off centre and weights around 1.6kg with everything. Mind you if I'm carrying the full nest it's sleeping 2-3 so it gets split between walkers so at most I only ever carry the 1kg.

Sleeping bag I've just gone to a MD ultra 500. About 900g to -2.

Pad I have a POE thermo ether 6 which is uber comfy and 600g. I also usually carry a thin blue foam pad that I've cut to size that I use under in winter but also use it for lazing round camp, sitting on etc.

So all up around 3.5kg.

For a pot I use the GSI soloist which I really like and find it's good enough for two. Can't recall weight but it ain't much.

Stove I use a kovea moonwalker. A little weighty at 350g ish but I love this stove, have used it a -2 (2000m above sea level) and didn't notice any change in performance. I didn't even invert the canister for a liquid feed which is doable for cold weather.

Good luck with your researching and enjoy gear shopping. I will warn you it's highly addictive and you'll wind up spending more and more as time goes by

[cams]

One non specific recommendation I'd make if you're doing a big overhaul like this is to buy the pack last so you know how big (or small) it will need to be.

[Tony]

Hi Matt,

You are heading in the right direction.

I use this gear in the warmer months in the Australian Alps, with this kit I have comfortably slept in sub zero temps.

Tent- Zpacks Hexamid, 431g (with pole and ground sheet)

Pack- Golite Jam2, 586g

Neoair, 410g

Sleeping bag- BPL 180 quilt, 575g or Western Mountaineering Summerlite, 525g

Stove-Kovea Supalite, pot $7 ally pot from local camping shop, tooling foil windshield and storage bag, around 230g. (I have a few Ti pots, after many years of use, testing and trying different combination's out I prefer my cheap ally pots)

For a stove for solo walking I would look at the JetBoil Sol Ti cooking system I have not seen or tested one but it is getting good reviews and is a similar weight to my setup, the JB PCS systems are quite good in the wind.

Total around 2.2kg

[mattmacman]

Cheers guys, im looking for a more solo oriented tent as i like to be 'self sufficient' i dont really know wether its just the fact that i like having my own tent or that i enjoy begin closer to nature, i think it was the first one =) As for a tent i was looking at vaude one man tent (power tokee UL) http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf ... /109715050 as i beleive it is lightweight easy to setup etc. In regards to the pack i may go middle of the road as someone mentioned however if i do go light ill checkout go lite and gossamer. Rethinking the titanium pots aswell i may go for the optimus terra weekend and im pretty set on the kovea titanium however i may go for a gen 2 pocket rocket (msr is releasing new stoves). And im looking at either marmot or WM for my bag. I remember my first hike (on the bib) carrying all that weight, you really do learn so much on that first hike about what works for you and what dosent. And thanks again for all the help you guys are what makes this forum great.

[Capt DropBear]

This is my light weight gear list, not purchased, just compiling a list to buy soonish, might give you some ideas.

Main Gear

Tent Sea To Summit - Specialist Solo Hiking Tent 379.00 625g/snip

Probably could cut it even more, but i want a little comfort on my travels.

Any suggestions on my things would be nice also.

Cheers.

Although I've not used one - I've seen this tent set-up in the local store and it looks insanely flimsy - not just the fabric (both wall and floor), but the set-up as well - the poles need serious guying out to keep it taut. I picked up a Scarp 1 for the same price delivered (weighs 1.25kg bare) and I'm sure the Moments are cheaper - just on observation I'd pick either of the Tarptents over that S2S Specialist.

[Penguin]

One non specific recommendation I'd make if you're doing a big overhaul like this is to buy the pack last so you know how big (or small) it will need to be.

Cams

I have done it the other way. Started with a small pack and see what I can take. Went from a 80l pack, to a 53l pack, and now can manage overnight with a 40l pack. I have gradually replaced worn out gear with lighter stuff. Did an overnight trip to Mount Field in the snow a few weekends back with a 12kg pack. An aborted trip last weekend to Reyonlds Falls with a 13kg pack.

I have enjoyed, as have my knees, gently going to a lighter pack by replacing an item at a time over a period of time.

The big one for me is letting go of the XCR Gortex coat and trousers. In Tasmania they are my security blanket

P

[John Sheridan]

Phillipsart thanks for the info on the capacity of the Lifesaver bottle, I never really knew ow much they held and the total weight, now I know.


I would carry a few more water storage bottles so I can just pump the water into them for storage, but it's nice to have a water filter and pump and bottle all in one

Thanks for the info.

[mattmacman]

In all realism im most likely looking for a pack from 55L to 70L because i like not having a pack thats burstin at the seams, i like the look of the one planet as it has no fancy attachement poins and it is made in AUS !

[gayet]

the OP WBA? at about 60l and highly recommended for off track scrub in Tas as its tough and light, given its strength.

[cams]

One non specific recommendation I'd make if you're doing a big overhaul like this is to buy the pack last so you know how big (or small) it will need to be.

Cams

I have done it the other way. Started with a small pack and see what I can take. Went from a 80l pack, to a 53l pack, and now can manage overnight with a 40l pack.

P

You kind of proved my point. If you're looking to save money and not have to buy more than one new pack I'd wait until you've bought your new lightweight stuff then buy a pack that is the right size. It is hard to know what size you'll need. Sure you don't want something that is bursting at the seems (although if you're going for a frameless pack this would be pretty good) but you don't want something that is 1/3rd too big aswell and have to try and compress the pack by alot to stop things rattling around.

In the mean time the new light weight stuff will still fit in your current large pack.

[mattmacman]

Cheers mate that does make sense, i actually have two big packs, karrimor jaguar and the 95L deuter aircontact, im still trying to decide between them. As for my new gear ive decided against titanium thanks to whoever posted that thread, as for the tent any suggestions, im looking at the Vaude power tokee or one of the terra nova tents, the tent is my main concern now i want something that pitches easily is one or two man is preferably pitch as one (integral pitch) and is lightweight.

[Penguin]

You kind of proved my point. If you're looking to save money and not have to buy more than one new pack I'd wait until you've bought your new lightweight stuff then buy a pack that is the right size. It is hard to know what size you'll need. Sure you don't want something that is bursting at the seems (although if you're going for a frameless pack this would be pretty good) but you don't want something that is 1/3rd too big aswell and have to try and compress the pack by alot to stop things rattling around.

I looked out for the packs when they were on special. Last weekend I took the OP Shadow - bought old model @ 40% off - as I needed more space and it is comfortable. But I love the 40L Osprey - bought old model @ 60% off- if it will all fit. The smaller pack is great for off track as it is even smaller than my slight frame. Unfortunately, like cars, there is not the one car that fits all circumstances. We all buy compromises. But If I can get a quality pack for $100 that suits 50% of what I do then I think it is worth it.

It depends, in part, on how much walking you are intending to do.

My view is that there is no best way. Work out your budget. Work out what type of walking you want to do. Use other peoples experiences to inform your choices. And then plan to but over time. Oh yes, and wait for the specials. Some Sales are really worth it if you have planed ahead what you need.

Good luck and keep us up to date with where you are up to.

[mattmacman]

Cheers penguin, dont worry ill be annoying you guys for a while yet, my philosophy is that find exactly what you want and then look around for a sale, too many people buy something on sale thinking its great and then realise it dosent work for them. In regards to the pack im looking for something about the mentioned capacity with none of these silly little attachement points, water bottle holders preferably, and has a decent frame.

[ULWalkingPhil]

From now on, if anyone ever asks my recommendation for a pack. For me a simple question to answer, the easy answer is a Aarn Bodypack. If I had of known how great they are i would have purchased one last year. I'm very happy with mine, and the newer models are suppose to be better than mine.

[Dale]

Matt, Granite Gear is about to release the replacement to the Vapor Trail, the Crown 60.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F7qERKOPL8

The pack is aimed at lightweight thru-hikers. I have the Vapor Trail which is a 1kg framed park, no frills and highly functional.

John you should try and see one of those S2S tents in the flesh. From memory they are a touch on the small side. I believe the head room is lower than my Sublite which my friend eloquently described as a Silnylon coffin...

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

I have a Kovea, they are just brilliant. The weight of that plus gas is less than half of what I'd need for a liquid stove for the same number of nights. Plus it is very controllable right down to simmer, and very fast when needed. Just keep your gas warm if you are walking in cold temperatures, and buy the isobutane/propane mix.

One non specific recommendation I'd make if you're doing a big overhaul like this is to buy the pack last so you know how big (or small) it will need to be.

That's great advice!

I think you need to concentrate on bulk just as much as weight reduction. If you can get your gear smaller, you can use a lighter/smaller pack, and the weight won't hang out miles behind you and drag you down. A 15kg big, puffy pack hanging out feels much heavier than a thin, compact 15kg pack which is close to your body.

[mattmacman]

Hey SA Hiker i have considered bulk and looking at my selections it shouldnt be too much of a problem, i have to agree though bulk is just as important as weight. Has anyone had any experience with terra nova tents?

[roysta]

Don't count out the Hilleberg Akto, nice tent for all conditions and it's light.

[mattmacman]

Im looking into it now =) Do you have one?

[gayet]

Has anyone had any experience with terra nova tents?

You will find quite a few comments regarding the TN Laser and Photon tents around this site. I have a Laser Comp 1, chosen because of recommendations here and that it was the right fit for my needs. Lightweight, packs small, easy to erect ........

Search the site and you will find a bit. Search other sites and you will find more.

3 pages worth here - http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5705&hilit=Laser

[roysta]

I have a Nallo 2, what a great tent, and a friend has an Akto.
It looked so good in the Western Arthurs with these two red Hilleberg tents.

[mattmacman]

So im at these considerations for a tent
Golite Eden
Rab summit superlite/ Rab summit mountain (depending on if i want head room or not)
Hilliberg akto
These tents are all quite heavy for 'lightweight' tents however im not after a superlightweight tent as i do not agree with the terra nova priciple (ok so its not just them just mostly) as their main ideal is my tent is lighter than yours ! *ten minutes and a light wind later*, Come back (man yells to tent fly) !
Any suggestions are appreciated.

[mattmacman]

Im also looking at this bag from campsaver (i believe someone mentioned it) http://www.campsaver.com/phantom-32-sle ... g-800-down .

[Ticklebelly]

....... ive been carrying a 95 litre pack thats full to the brim with around 25 kg's in it (for a 4 dayer), in short.. it kills me.

It would definitely kill me (too old of that kind of weight over several days). Just in the process (well, just finished) of getting ready for my first 4 night/5day walk since I was a boy scout many, many years ago. If I share my gear list, it might be helpful.

Black Wolf Mountain Ash 65 - $85 on half price special from BCF at the moment. Close enough to 2 Kg
Cheapo Carabiee Synthetic bag Rated at 0 Degrees (yeah, right) $35 on special. 1.8 Kg in a home made compression harness
Denali Kakadu two man tent - $100 on a half price special at Anaconda a while ago. 2.1 Kg
20mm of yoga mat to sleep on. $15 and 300g
Food 2.2 Kg (total packed weight) packed into 4 half 3 Litre Milk bottles. The packaging gets smaller as the food goes and you push one half inside the other. Oats for brekky, and San Remo style noodles/pasta from Woolies and Cup-a-Soup for the bulk of it.
Fire Maple stove 72g. On line for $26 delivered.
Cookpot is a 1 litre stainless mug. Comes with a lid and a fixed handle (think just like a really big tin cup) and weighs 112g. $3 at the cheap shop. I also have a stainless mug (about 400ml) that weighs 97g.
Ultra light Titanium spoon $10 on special at Anaconda and weighs 7 g.
2.4 Litres of water plus some gas plus a change of clothes, plus bits (like toilet paper and a first aid kit), plus camera and GPS.

Comes in at just a tiny bit under 15Kgs. I took a walk yesterday of about 5k through the local bush and seems within my capacity to carry on the Cooloola Great Walk this weekend but I'm pretty sure I don't want to go much heavier.

Improvements that I want to do include a Tarptent Moment (about 700g) and a down bag (1Kg) and a ground sheet. I'm working up to doing the Thosbourne trail in the near future and the Overland track as well (bucket list stuff), so the current gear us really just for testing. I'm yet to be convinced that a lot of the really lightweight gear is worth it if I'm only going to do one nighters on a regular basis. Whole other argument for walks in tiger country but then you need to include assessments if quality and performance in choosing gear.

Ticklebelly.

[John Sheridan]

What would be considered main gear and what would be a good total weight to strive for for a light weight setup ???

Pack,Tent,Sleeping bag,cooking gear,water,stove fuel ?

Cheers.

[Dale]

What would be considered main gear and what would be a good total weight to strive for for a light weight setup ???

Pack,Tent,Sleeping bag,cooking gear,water,stove fuel ?

Cheers.

We're in how long is a piece of string territory aren't we Focusing on base weight (ie. leaving out consumables - food, water and fuel and wat you're wearing) inc the Big 4, clothes and cooking would be a good start for lightening up. Assuming you're after a 3 season kit, then here are some suggestions:

Tent: Tarptent Double Rainbow, Big Agnes UL2 - 1.2 / 1.3kg
Pack: One Planet Shadow 56L 1.45kg, Osprey Exos 58 1.2Kg
Sleeping Bag: WM Summerlite 0 degree bag, 525g, Montbell UL SS DH #3 595g
Mat: Neo air regular 570g, Exped Synmat UL7 - 460g

So 3.5kg is doable for Big 4 using double wall 2 person shelters (for 110g you get the mesh inner for the Double Rainbow), frame packs, sleeping bags which should do 3 season Aus and depending upon where you camp, 4 season with adding clothes and a better insulated mat. I believe it is very important that you try the pack on and test it with weight - there are a lot of other pack options but you would have to order OS, and getting a well fitting, comfortable pack is critical.

There are plenty of under 100g gas cannister stoves around, throw a titanium pot in and you've got an under 200g cook system (cannister counts as consumables) or you could investigate the alchohol stoves which can be lighter again.

For clothes, there are plenty of great light down jackets, add a merino mid or a fleece mid with thermals and that's a serviceable winter kit to the low minuses.

From your previous posts John I remember you're starting out so the above list I think is good for dipping your toe in the lightweight pool without rushing into frameless packs, single wall shelters, cuben and other UL gear which is certainly lighter but have their downsides as well.

FWIW here's a link to gear I'm taking to the Larapinta Trail in a couple of weeks for a 6 day walk. I'm doing this solo so can't share the load and the gear needs to work for days in the high twenties and nights to zero degrees. I'm still tweaking the list and have also gone for some luxuries here so I'm not focusing on minimalism.

http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=4015

Good luck with it all !