Anyone Else into Ultralight Backpacking?

[andrew98]

I've been backpacking since I was 11 years old, mostly in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I worked in an outdoor gear shop from 2010 to 2012. Over the past couple of years, I've become interested in ultralight gear, since my knees don't really like carrying 35 pound packs anymore. I also can't see a need to carry that much weight given the advances in equipment. Gear has come a long way since I started backpacking 23 years ago.

I'm hoping to keep my new pack's 3-season, 1 to 2 night, base weight (everything but food and water) to 12 or 13 pounds and the fully packed weight to 22 pounds or less, depending on how much water I need to carry.

I bought a new GoLite Jam 50 liter pack, have a Therm-a-rest NeoAir (original version, regular length), Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2, a Caldera Cone alcohol stove (I use Everclear for fuel/disinfectant/emergency "booze"), and a Mountain Equipment Xero 350 30 degree sleeping bag. With more than half (girlfriend will get the lighter part) of the tent, that totals a shade over 8 pounds.

Even when I add clothing, water filter, small first aid kit, pocket knife, light toiletries, and a few other bits, I think I can stay under the base weight limit I've set. So is anyone else developing or using an ultralight backpacking setup?

-Andy

 

[Dondoh]

I'm not, but I am intrigued by what you are doing. I haven't backpacked in 20 years, but I just lost 50 pounds and I am thinking of getting back into hiking again.

 

[Groat]

I wouldn't consider myself an ultralight backpacker, but I do like packing light things. The weight of my pack, pad, sleeping bag, cookset and tent (1-man) is similar in weight to your 8-pound setup. After adding water filter, water bladder, socks, knife, lights and the like I wouldn't be surprised if I'm in the 12-13 pound range. I've never actually weighed out my pack.

My view is that I'd like to pack light things, but I don't prioritize weight over almost all else like a traditional ultralight backpacker. I'd like to keep some of the comforts that they often sacrifice to get their packs so light. I'd still rather not carry a 2.5 pound sleeping pad or a six pound tent all the way to camp.

 

[andrew98]

I'm not, but I am intrigued by what you are doing. I haven't backpacked in 20 years, but I just lost 50 pounds and I am thinking of getting back into hiking again.

That's great! Day hikes are a good place to start, especially for getting your fitness up. Having a hobby like hiking or backpacking is also good motivation to get/stay in shape, too, since the hobby is more fun if you're in good condition. Your body is the most important piece of equipment you own.

I need to lose maybe 10 more pounds. I can certainly cut more weight off myself than I can my pack setup. All that is weight off my knees and leg muscles, so ditching that will definitely make the going easier. Another thing I've found indispensable for all but the easiest/shortest hikes are quality trekking poles by companies like Leki.

If you stand on a spring-based bathroom scale with trekking poles, you can see just how much weight they take off your body when you push them into the ground. They're great for stability, too. They're the main reason I'd like to try sleeping under a tarp at some point. Trekking poles can be used as part of a tarp shelter's construction. It would be nice to use my poles in camp as well as on the trail.

I'm only 33, but the trekking poles definitely help me move faster and more confidently. I'm also hoping they help prevent wear and tear on my joints over the rest of my hiking life.

I wouldn't consider myself an ultralight backpacker, but I do like packing light things. The weight of my pack, pad, sleeping bag, cookset and tent (1-man) is similar in weight to your 8-pound setup. After adding water filter, water bladder, socks, knife, lights and the like I wouldn't be surprised if I'm in the 12-13 pound range. I've never actually weighed out my pack.

My view is that I'd like to pack light things, but I don't prioritize weight over almost all else like a traditional ultralight backpacker. I'd like to keep some of the comforts that they often sacrifice to get their packs so light. I'd still rather not carry a 2.5 pound sleeping pad or a six pound tent all the way to camp.

I'm sort of the same way. I'm not yet sure how far I'll take the ultralight ethos, but I've cut the weight of potentially heavy items, like my sleeping bag, to the lightest I can afford. I'd consider a down quilt for summer backpacking, but I didn't know about them when I bought our sleeping bags. That said, my sleeping bag weighs 0.75 oz more than the Therm-a-rest Alpine Blanket, and my bag is warmer. I may still take my Therm-a-rest compressible pillow (0.5 pound!), but the Therm-a-rest UltraLite pillow case filled with an insulated jacket would be a lot lighter. A comfortable pillow is something I doubt I'll ever give up. I've rested my head on a folded fleece top and other clothing, and that's for the birds. A good night's rest is worth a lot to me when I'm backpacking.

I'd like a sub-4 pound, 2-person tent, but it'll be a while before I drop $300+ on one from Sierra Designs or similar. Part of my motivation to lighten up is that my girlfriend wants to start backpacking, and she's never been. She's in good shape, but I want to keep her pack to 20 pounds or less so that she has a good experience. I'm not going to give up the tent for a tarp with her just yet, although I wouldn't mind trying one in the less buggy times of year. Maybe this fall.

-Andy

 

[Groat]

I'd like a sub-4 pound, 2-person tent, but it'll be a while before I drop $300+ on one from Sierra Designs or similar.

The lightweight tent was the last thing on my list for buying. They're certainly not cheap. I ended up with a tent that runs about 2.5 pounds, which was about a half pound heavier than the lightest ones I considered. The extra weight adds some livability to the tent, as I didn't feel as though I'd enjoy the way in which they cut out that extra half pound. You might also consider trying a hammock if you ever go out by yourself. There are hammock systems with rain fly and bug net that weigh about 1.5 pounds. Losing the bulk of tent poles adds a decent amount of space to your pack as well. Hammocks are not for everybody, but I find them great in the summertime.

 

[andrew98]

I lived in a Hennessy hammock in Guyana for a couple weeks for work. It was pretty comfortable, and being off the ground was good. The bugs in the rainforest could probably carry a tent and person away. I made the mistake of not having anything under me in the hammock, and damp, 65 degree nights got cold with just a thin fleece blanket. That's not the hammock's fault though, and a foam sleeping mat under me would have solved the problem. Hennessy makes a comfortable hammock, but it was pretty heavy. My Expedition Asym Zip was 2 pounds 9oz and I added 4 chain links and a couple carabiners, which made setup take about 30 seconds but pushed the setup to about 3 pounds. Not a problem since I wasn't backpacking.

If I got another one, I'd go with their ultralight backpacker model. For here, though, I never go backpacking alone. I rarely need alone time, and I wouldn't have fun hanging out in the evening alone. I'd get bored.

-Andy

 

[troymclure]

ive tried ultralight. lol i like my comforts. and after years of rucking for the army a measly 50lb pack is nothing. last time i was out was a 3 day trip thru the buffalo river natl forest trail. around 41lbs after i dumped my water bladder.

 

[andrew98]

around 41lbs after i dumped my water bladder.

I used to carry 30 to 35 pounds, but it was uncomfortable. I reckon a couple pounds of my pack will be "unnecessary" luxuries that make a trip more comfortable after it's all said and done. The camp pillow may be worth the weight.

-Andy

 

[goby]

I'm an ultralight backpacker. My pack is probably about 12 lbs including food. Ditching the tent and using a tarp was a biggie. So is my Western Mountaineering sleeping bag. And I have a Golite pack from the olden days when they were more concerned with weight, and not longevity. Washing clothes also saves weight. I use a 1 oz titanium alcohol stove, and sometimes Esbit fuel in the morning when it's cold.

I backed 50+ pounds when I was younger. Not any more. I love going ultralight.

 

[Groat]

It looks as though I'll have time for a trip this coming week. I've got two days off from work in a row, which is a rarity in outdoor retail during this time of year. I'm looking forward to trying out my new sleeping pad, which just came in a week ago. My old pad is a store-brand self inflating pad (utilizing open cell foam) that weighs 27 ounces and is relatively bulky. The new pad is from the same store, but is inflatable and uses primaloft for insulation, so it's just about 16 ounces and something like 1/3 to 1/2 less bulky than my old pad.

 

[andrew98]

I'm thinking about using a Therm-a-rest pad cut in half to add structure to my Jam and to add some warmth to my NeoAir. Let me know if you ever need a Jam2, Goby. We have two that are hardly used. I found that model really uncomfortable, so I'm hoping the padding GoLite added to the new Jam improves carrying comfort a little.

-Andy

 

[andrew98]

I'm an ultralight backpacker. My pack is probably about 12 lbs including food. Ditching the tent and using a tarp was a biggie. So is my Western Mountaineering sleeping bag. And I have a Golite pack from the olden days when they were more concerned with weight, and not longevity. Washing clothes also saves weight. I use a 1 oz titanium alcohol stove, and sometimes Esbit fuel in the morning when it's cold.

I backed 50+ pounds when I was younger. Not any more. I love going ultralight.

What's your sleep setup? Specifically, what do you put your sleeping bag on to keep it from getting dirty and wet?

-Andy

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

I'm in to ultralight gear. My base set up is a Granite Gear AC 60, Big Agnes Copper Spur 1, and a Go Lite 30 degree quilt. My pad is an Exped Synmat UL 7. Not the lightest setup out there but I find it bridges the gap between light and uncomfortable.

I do my trips in the Whites and hills of Maine. It's nice to be comfortable after a day of walking over the talus fields that they call trails.

 

[goby]

What's your sleep setup? Specifically, what do you put your sleeping bag on to keep it from getting dirty and wet?

-Andy

I use a lightweight Thermarest pad (non-inflatable). I think it's called a Z-rest. It's lighter than the inflatable pads. It also works great as a chair by leaning it against a tree. But I'm thinking of getting one of those new sleeping pads that are ultralight.


BTW, what size is your Jam2?

 

[andrew98]

I use a lightweight Thermarest pad (non-inflatable). I think it's called a Z-rest. It's lighter than the inflatable pads. It also works great as a chair by leaning it against a tree. But I'm thinking of getting one of those new sleeping pads that are ultralight.


BTW, what size is your Jam2?

I was looking at the Thermarest Solite to add some structure to the Jam and boost the warmth of my Thermarest NeoAir when it's a little colder outside. That said, I'm not sure about carrying the Solite just to add pack structure when it's warm out. Seems like overkill and unnecessary extra weight.

Do bugs ever bother you sleeping under a tarp? Do you use a bivvy bag or any sort of ground cover? Sorry for all the questions. If I go with a tarp, I want to make sure my down sleeping bag stays dry.

-Andy

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

I have a Jam 35 as my day pack. I think those frameless packs are too floppy for a full backpacking load.

 

[andrew98]

I have a Jam 35 as my day pack. I think those frameless packs are too floppy for a full backpacking load.

Depends on how you define "full." 25 pounds is about all you should carry in a 50L Jam. How you pack one is critical, as well.

-Andy

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

Depends on how you define "full." 25 pounds is about all you should carry in a 50L Jam. How you pack one is critical, as well.

-Andy

My whole kit including food for three days is under 20. I still wouldn't want to put it in a pack that doesn't really transfer weight to a padded belt. I'll qualify that with the fact I'm 45. Young guns may not have such issues.

 

[goby]

I was looking at the Thermarest Solite to add some structure to the Jam and boost the warmth of my Thermarest NeoAir when it's a little colder outside. That said, I'm not sure about carrying the Solite just to add pack structure when it's warm out. Seems like overkill and unnecessary extra weight.

Do bugs ever bother you sleeping under a tarp? Do you use a bivvy bag or any sort of ground cover? Sorry for all the questions. If I go with a tarp, I want to make sure my down sleeping bag stays dry.

-Andy

If you need structure with the Jam, you might be carrying too much, or using the wrong backpack. I also have an Osprey Eros 46 for heavier loads. My Golite is called a "Race" and I think it's about 13 oz. My Osprey is about 2lb 5 oz.

I've only had bug problems once, and it sucked. They were mosquitos and it was misery. But I bought a net and carry it just in case. For ground cover I use an emergency blanket. And I use a down sleeping bag, but don't use it if there is any chance of rain or snow. My older son rarely used a tent and loved sleeping under the stars. Being in a tart is sort of like that. And I love not having to carry 4 lbs or so of weight.

 

[Groat]

I forgot to mention the one ludicrous weight-saving measure I've taken with my gear. I replaced my tent stakes with some carbon fiber stakes. Instead of 11g apiece, they weigh just shy of 6g. I save about 1.5 ounces with the new stakes, which is basically too small a difference to notice. I really only got them because they were a good deal, plus the idea of carbon stakes sounded crazy.