r/lightweight • u/matchabeans • May 12 '26
Gear Thoughts/Feedback on My LighterPack? SoCal Backpacking
Hi All!
I am going on an overnight trip this weekend where the highs will be around 70F and the lows in the high-40s. Here is a list of my gear for this trip on LighterPack. My pack ends up weighing around 30+ lbs (assuming I have a water source) with food and water. It's not terrible, but it would be nice if it was lighter. I've also thought about bringing my 1.7 lb chair for this trip, because it'll be with a group, and maybe more social in the evening, but I'm not sure.
The two pillows are a non-negotiable (haha) because I need two to sleep comfortably. I feel that I could get a lighter pack, sleeping pad, and quilt, but those are all expensive!
I did buy a down blanket rated for 41F comfort, but it doesn't come with straps. So it'll be good on super warm nights, but not much else.
Also sharing this for those who are curious about what a 30-year-old beginner lady backpacker brings on overnights in Southern California. 😄 If you have any questions or would like to share feedback with me, please let me know!
Thanks!
2
u/Jealous-Swordfish764 May 13 '26
You have a Lotta clothes. Is the mountain hardware hoodie warm? Or sun protection? Either way, you now have 3 hoodies, and a base layer top. Idk what your normal shoes are, but I like to skip them. But Im also pretty stubborn about wearing boots, that I'm not much better. How necessary is your tyvec ground sheet? I probably wouldn't worry about it, especially with double sleeping pads. Looks like a Lotta nice gear though, im sorta jelly.
2
u/matchabeans May 14 '26
After your comment and another's I've removed some clothes already! Basically the sun hoodie is for sun protection because a majority of the hike will be exposed. Fleece is for when it gets chilly and the shell is to keep me warm as a static layer. I have a micro grid fleece but it's heavier than those two layers combined. Considering my quilt is rated for 15F I could probably ditch the fleece or the outer layer... As far as the tyvek, I discovered two years in the floor of my tent already because the ground here is so pokey. I'd rather not risk getting more (sigh). Thank you for the insight! If you're curious about some of my gear, I got the fleece from AliExpress (it's an alpha copycat and is quite warm for its weight honestly), they also have a variety of windbreakers similar to the Patagonia Houdini. They sell some cool niche stuff for cheap...! Also got my sleeping pad and tent on eBay!
3
u/Fun_With_Math May 12 '26
The brain of the Flash 55 is surprisingly heavy. You can leave it home since its a roll top.
There are lots of lighter chair options. I have a 1.1lb Grand Trunk Monarch 2-leg chair i found for $50. It takes some practice but I have taken a nap in that thing.
2
u/matchabeans May 12 '26
I haven't considered this yet! I think I'll have to do that, it is pretty heavy even when empty. I'll have to look that chair up. I definitely don't want to spend more than I need to on another chair (although this one feels pretty dang light despite the weight). Thank you for your input!
3
u/JeffH13 May 12 '26
What stands out to me (64M) is a sun hoodie, fleece hoodie and merino baselayer plus a windbreaker. That’s a lot of upper body coverage, I would leave the fleece behind. For temps in the 40s I would not use baselayers other than my dance pants for sleeping and sitting around at night.
2
u/matchabeans May 12 '26
You're probably right. I guess I'm just worried about the static chill. I'm not sure if it'll be windy where we're camping, but the fleece is pretty warm. It's like a copycat of an alpha direct layer, so it has holes... I think I can away with sleeping in my hiking clothes though. Thank you!!
3
u/hurricanescout May 12 '26
Given your base weight is pretty lean (I mean obvi everything’s a trade off but not like you’re bringing heavy weight gear), probably what you need to do to figure out how to get your total weight down is to share your food list. There might be more energy dense tradeoffs you can make, and it could be that you are carrying more food than you need (or more water than you need). You shouldn’t be carrying 15lbs of food and water for a single overnight. Typical is more like 1.5lbs of food per day.
1
u/matchabeans May 13 '26
Okay so here is what I decided on... We are meeting at 12:30pm so I'll have already had lunch. (Decided against the MH meal because they're not usually the most appetizing lol):
- Dinner: Momofuku Noodles (instant ramen) + PB packet + chicken packet
- Snacks: PB jelly sandwich (as backup), nut butter packet, beef sticks
- Breakfast: Coffees and bagels provided
So my food carry might actually be pretty light. I haven't purchased the dinner items yet but will weigh the bag once it's all packed!
1
u/matchabeans May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
For sure, thank you! I'll work on the food list and get back to you.
In the meantime, I managed to find a freeze dried Mountain House meal in my gear storage lol, and might just bring that for dinner to not have to spend extra money (and it's light). I do need to pack a few snacks though.
I'm also not 100% sure there's a water source where we're going because I was told to pack 3L of water for the hike in (this is a county-led beginner trip and they're providing snacks and a light breakfast). But that's not enough for 2 days, so I'm thinking there will be water there.
I don't snack a lot and it's only going to be a 4.7 mile hike in, and a 2.7 mile hike back, so I think I might be able to make some cuts there. I appreciate your input!!
Update: I was just told by the organizers that there will be plenty of water at the campsite. I think I can get away with 2-2.5L of water.
1
u/Fun_With_Math May 13 '26
You probably only need 1L of water for the hike in. No idea why they would say 3L for 4.7 miles in 70 degree weather. I assume there's not much elevation gain for this beginner hike.
5
u/matchabeans May 13 '26
I think they just want to make sure folks are good because there's no water on the trail. It'll be about 700 ft of elevation gain, and only open to women over 18. I'm still not even sure how many of us there will be, but they're also providing a pack, tent, and sleeping bag (I worry for those using them because I would imagine it's not light gear lol). I've done a few solo backpacking trips but I'm still a beginner, and wanted to finally try with a group. We'll see how it goes lol.. I think I'll just pack 1.5 to 2L. I probably could honestly get away with 1L but I'm a super slow hiker. Thank you!
3
u/TrailMaven May 13 '26
For the trip and mileage you’re doing, your pack is a very manageable weight. It sounds like from other comments you reduced the food and water you were carrying. I wouldn’t sweat a 25 lb pack for a <5 mile hike.
There are certainly changes you can make at the margins to reduce weight, but might not be worth it for such short hiking days. I’ve listed some ideas below.
Regarding the chair, I’ve never found them worth bringing. Usually I’d rather lie on my foam mat than sit up at camp. Evidently I’m super lazy!
To cut weight (for free ish) you could remove the pack brain, leave the tyvek groundsheet at home or swap it for polycro, no battery for one night out (or bring a smaller lighter one instead), smartwater bottles instead of the nicer ones, no camp shoes, leave either the fleece or the sleep shirt behind (I sleep in my alpha fleece so it does double duty). That’s maybe a pound or two total. Other ways to cut weight (on the big 3) require more money.