Lightweight Backpacking
Rule #1: Carry what you NEED to keep you safe and happy.
Rule #2: Never stop investigating what you can do to lighten your load,
without violating Rule #1.
Equipment has changed over the past years and hikers and backpackers are
able to take advantage of lighter and more functional gear.
There's no limit on how much you can spend on lightweight gear- some
manufacturer will always be able to shave a few grams off the weight of an
object and add a few dollars to the price. Nevertheless, there are a few
basic to keep in mind.
Lightweight backpacking (LWB) is not Ultralightweight backpacking. A
good rule of thumb for Lightweight is to get your pack below 25 pounds (food
and water included). Ultralight tries to get under 10 pounds.
I've put links at the bottom of the page to some videos at youtube that
really communicate the essence of Lightweight backpacking.
So, what's in the pack?
The Big Three
- Backpack-
A good backpack needs to be capacious and lightweight. Years ago I bought a
Gregory Baltoro 70 (70 liter capacity). It's a wonderful pack, kind of like
a cadillac- packets everywhere, interior compartments, separate zippered
access to different area, bulletproof ripstop nylon, etc., etc.- I love this
pack, but at 5 pounds 9 ounces it's primary function is hold my gear in the
car or on the train.
I've given up the Baltoro for backpacking, and now use an Osprey Exos 58-
(58 liters). It's not the lightest pack out there at 2 pounds 8 oz, but a
good pack for the price (about $225). The reduced capacity seems more than
sufficient with the total reduction in gear that I now carry.
- Shelter-
There are efficiencies to buddying up- tents do not double in weight as the
tent size (measured in bodies) increases, so the average weight
of a two or three man tent is often less per-person than a one man tent.
On the flip side, you don't want to be saddled with the weight of a four man
tent for just two campers unless you're car camping.
While Ultralight backpackers often make do with a tarp and a ground cover
(< 16ounces), I use the MSR Fast Stash shelter- a two person tent, uses
trekking poles for tent poles and weighs in at 2 pounds 4 ounces. Key is
the use of trekking poles as vertical supports. Trekking poles are good to
have in any event, and the tent poles for this tent weigh in at 29 ounces!
Tents need to have ventilation to keep dew from forming inside the tent
overnight. Generally, tents do not insulate- they keep rain off you, they
keep bugs off you. but it's just as cold inside the tent as outside the
tent.
Ground covers should be used below your tent to protect the bottom. You can
use a boughten cover (generally around $40-$50), or make one from tyvek.
Tyvek won't last as long, but it'll do the same job and actually weigh less
than the cover made by the tent manufacturer. Be sure to cut the tyvek
smaller than the bottom of the tent to prevent catching runoff if it rains.
Vestibules are nice to have to keep your pack dry, as are multiple doors-
they let tent buddies get out during the night without climbing over
anyone.
Some tents can be set without poles by stringing a 'washline' between trees-
this might be a good solution in some instances (dome tents won't work like
this).
- Sleep System-
Your sleep system consists of your pad, bag, pillow (yes, pillow), hat, and
socks.
Sleeping bags come in various styles (rectangle, mummy, snuggie, poncho,
double) and fill materials (down, fiber, cotton, etc). All bags are
rated in degrees- the lowest the outside temperature can be and still keep
you comfortable.
Some people like to sleep with a lot of covers, some with few. Temp ratings
give a comparison point across brands/models when you're shopping. Choose a
rating for the season(s) you'll be camping- a 3 season bag is generally a
40° bag, possibly with a liner (adds 5-10°). If it's really hot, I
can use the liner alone.
Sleeping pads depend on your comfort needs. There are two basic types: air
pads and foam pads (there are a few combined pads as well).
Air pads give the most loft, but are often the heaviest to pack. They also
have the disadvantage of becoming useless when punctured. Foam pads are
thinner, but are often lighter and more durable. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir is
the best (R value 2.5, 2-1/2" thickness) but at $129 for the 9 ounce, 47"
pad, it's a little expensive.
Check out the 3/4 length pads if you're looking to reduce
weight. I don't need padding from my knees down to my feet unless I'm
camping on granite or snow. 3/4 pads are also usually cheaper. I have a
Z-Lite size Small that is light (9 ounces), and folds up (can be used as a
seat while resting).
Check the R-value of the pad- some have a layer of reflective material
that'll keep you warmer at night.
As far as a pillow, some people use their clothes bag, some don't use a
pillow at all. I think the current best pillow is the Nemo Fillo (~$40)- weighs
10.8 ounces (a lot) but has both an air bladder as well as memory foam top.
Second best is the Therm-a-rest compressible (~$30), although I find that the
overnight my fat head compresses the pillow too much.
Dick's has Field and Stream backpack pillows for about $10, but they're way
to squishy for me.
Any knit or microfleece beanie will do at night, and changing into
non-compressive socks will warm you right away.
What's left?
- Kitchen-
This includes stove, cookware/messkit, water, and meals:
- Stove
There are lots of stoves. We won't consider 2 burner colman white gas stoves
(9 pounds 13 ounces without fuel).
There are three basic types of backpack stoves: alcohol (lightest, but
slowest), isobutane, and white gas. (see the fuel chart)
Alcohol Functional stoves can weigh less than 3 ounces. pros: very
light, very simple (can be made from soda cans), fuel (HEET) available at
all automotive stores. cons: half the BTUs per ounce as white gas or
isobutane, so uses more fuel and takes longer to heat..
Isobutane There's a wide range of these, many as kits with pots.
pros: very lightweight, easy to operate, cannisters available at most rec
stores, packs up reall small. cons: problematic at low temps (<20°),
empty (partial) cannisters cannot be refilled (what to you do with a 1/3
full cannister, and how do you tell?)
Naptha (white gas) pros: work at any temperature, fuel is readily
available (some burn multiple fuels including diesel and kerosene),
refillable fuel bottles can be topped off before trips. cons: more complex
to operate, can be heavier than Iso (depending on the trip).
- Cookware
Choose your tools- there's everything from stainless to
titanium, but generally examine your menu first. Chances are that most
meals will consist of boiling water or soup or stew. Frying a fish or a
steak sounds great, but considering the weight (pan, ice, water weight of
meat) to enjoyment factor, leave the steaks for car camping. Consider dried
meats, grains, veg, etc. (more on meals later).
At a minimum you'll need a one liter boiling pot.
Primus makes a line of ETAPower pots with a heat exchanger at the bottom-
uses significantly less fuel and heats faster. JetBoil and MSR have similar
style pots.
Your messkit can be army surplus or plastic- but check the weights- some
plasticware is heavier than some of the lighter metal equipment. You'll need
at least a plate, a cup (for hot beverages), and a spork. Check out Taco Bell
for their free sporks!
GSI make the Dualist- it's lightweight, has a 1.8 liter cooking pot (with
integral strainer, 4 bowls, and a pair of foons. It's a great one stop kit
for two.
Use the empty spaces in the kit for ramen, Handi Wipes, clean-up, etc.
- Water
Water is heavy. Water is heavy.
Outdoor activity has a way of wicking water away from your body- 2-3 liters
each day, not including meals. If you assume another 2 liters for cooking,
that's 5 liters (5 kilo, or 11 pounds)
Water purification can lessen the hiking load- MSR makes a pump style
purifier (Hyperflow) that weighs 7.8 ounces (less than a cup of water) and
filters down to .2 microns.
Carrying water can be accomplished with Nalgenes, water bottles, water bags
(platypus), canteens, or hydration bladders in your backpack. Check the
weight and features to see what fits your style. I've recently started
carrying a Platypus PlusBottle- they roll up when empty, and hold 1 liter
when full (remember to get the pop-top if you get one)
- Meals
Water is WEIGHT and can usually be found as you go if you purify.
Focus on dried meats, grains (pasta, cous-cous, rice), and dried vegetables.
Whole Foods has great organic salmon jerky, and you can find shelf foil packed
tuna and chicken in most grocery stores.
Mountain House makes great dehydrated meals, but they're a little pricey at
$6-8 for a double portion (double portion feeds one hiker).
Bear Creek soups and stews are available in most grocery stores, and can
form the core of a good meal.
ramen-ramem-ramen-ramen. Get rid of the seasoning packet and use HerbOx
cubes instead- they have no MSG or added salt.
A hot beverage in the morning (or at night before bed) goes a long way to
taking the chill off. GSI makes a 20oz personal coffee press- at 10.8 ounces it
includes an insulated 17oz mug as well.
Visit YouTube and look at meals and trail cooking for more ideas.
- Clothing-
Layers.
Techwick style fabrics prevent chafing. Champion C9 mens boxer briefs are a
bargain at $10 compared to Ex-Officio at $40. (I'd rather have the 4
pair...)
NO COTTON SOCKS! Cotton doesn't wick water, gets sticky between foot and
boot (think blisters). Sport socks are good, so are wool or wool blend hiking
socks. Thorlo BSA Centennial socks are fabulous and reasonably priced
at $16/pair.
The Adirondacks are 10° cooler than Bergen County/Long Island. A wicking
base layer and thin outer layers will keep you dry and comfortable.
Remember a lightweight rainjacket or windbreaker or poncho.
- Attitude-
BRING IT!
What I'm bringing:
Big Three
Item Description Ounces
Pack Osprey Exos 58 40
Tent MSR Fast Stash 36
Sleeping Bag Marmot Aspen 40 degree 18
Bag Liner Cocoon Silk 5
Sleeping Pad Therma-A-Rest Z-Lite (S) 10
Pillow Nemo Fillo 11
----
120 (7 pounds 8 ounces)
Additional
Dining Tarp SilNylon 15
Stove Primus ETAPot w/Stove/Fuel 31
Pots CoffeePress 13
Mess SnowPeak Plate and spork (2) 5
Water Platypus PlusBottle (2) 2
Water SeaToSummit PackTap 7
Water MSR Hyperflow Filter 10
Meals ???? 32
Meals SnackBag 12
Clothes 1 change 12
Misc Toilet Kit 12
Misc TP/Spade 8
Misc First Aid 5
Water 2 liters 67
----
231 (14 pounds 7 ounces)
Wearing
Clothes none!!!!!! 0
Boots Oboz Firebrand II 20
Trek Poles Black Diamond 145 17
Misc Compass/Gps/Phone/multitool 16
Optional
Meals Bear Cannister 39
Sources
Attitude and information:
REI backpacking advice
Eric the Black's Ultralight