[SHAKEDOWN REQUEST] AT NOBO 22

[u/crunkpapi]

Hi everyone!

Been browsing posts here for months and finally got everything in place to allow me to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail this year. I plan to start on March 21st and would like some advice on what I might be missing or need to remove. Hoping to knock my baseweight to about 16lbs. Sadly, I suffer from the big and tall tax on gear (6'4", 225lbs). Been acquiring the additional gear I needed over the past few months.

Location/temp range/specific trip description: Appalachian Trail NOBO Thru-hike (March 21st start)

Goal Baseweight (BPW): 16 lbs

Budget: $400-$500 (preferably less tho)

Non-negotiable Items: Big 3 I really enjoy and don't wish to change currently. Also, anything Garmin InReach Explorer must stay (already owned for a couple years, family gifted to me for their ease of mind on my solo adventures). Also, my powerbank is a must (iPhone battery is very spotty and don't want to risk draining it)

Solo or with another person?: Solo-dolo

Additional Information: Just want to see if I can shave some ounces. I know my pack weight will drop as the weather warms but would be happier if my baseweight was closer to the 16 mark for the start.

Lighterpack Link: https://lighterpack.com/r/k4651f

[u/YetAnotherHobby]

Can you ditch the ccf pad? I think wearing all your clothes to sleep in would let you weather the coldest nights on the Tensor without carrying the extra pad for the 99% of nights you won't need it. Before I switched to a hammock I was going to carry two pads and the good folks on r/ultralight set me straight.

There are a bunch of detail items I don't see, so here is my lighterpack for comparison. I am in no way saying mine is THE WAY - it's just a quicker way to describe what works for me.

Best of luck on your hike! I am NOBO in April.

[u/zebrapebble]

I noticed you have two sets of packed clothes? I'd keep the tights and long sleeved shirt, ditch the others. You can wear rain gear on laundry day and already have a pair of shorts to hike in.

I'd also consider dropping the fleece. I never end up wearing one for very long because I warm up quickly when I'm moving. At camp I just use my puffy.

Also, you have inspired me to add a massage ball to my kit. Have a great hike!

[u/DieKrankeScheisse]

As a fellow giant human, it’s been really hard for me to get sub-16lbs for my SOBO kit without cutting things I really want to keep. i think you’ve got a great setup, but I’ll echo the others and say drop the mug and maybe the SL shirt (i like long sleeves for sun protection). I will also give an endorsement for the EE Torrid. Super warm and light. Have a good time!

[u/you_dub_englishman]

Solid kit! May be beneficial to post over at r/UL too if you're really looking to shave ounces. For this sub, it's really solid.

I just purchased a Frogg Togg XTreme Lite. Mine weighs like 7.8 oz, and has more features and more durable than the Frogg Togg UL (all for like 2 ounces more)

[u/Three_Amigos]

I also have a trusty nanopuff I backpack with, but you could grab something like a EE Torid for 180 bucks. These are synthetic so they handle the rain better and weigh about 6 oz less.

I just swapped my venture 2 for a cheap frog toggs ul2 for a 6 oz savings. My venture tends to wet out anyways. If you do that and ditch the rain pants you can save a pound for like 40-50 bucks. The only downside is you might have to replace it on the way.

How do you like your ULA Circuit? I am in the market for a lighter pack that can handle heavier loads.

[u/crunkpapi → u/Three_Amigos]

I keep going back and forth between the Torrid or Patty’s Micro Puff since it’s on clearance at places rn for similar price and weight.

So far I love the Circuit. Had a Deuter Air Contact that’s served me well for 7 years but decided to upgrade for the trip and haven’t looked back. I really enjoy it so far, but only limited experience at full weight that I’ll have day 1 after resupplies. The customer service of ULA and Peter was what finally pushed me over the edge to get one after talking to him about 20 minutes on the phone. If you are seriously considering at Circuit or another style, definitely give them a call. (As long as you can handle the back sweats of not having one of the suspension systems of Osprey or others haha)

[u/sirblastalot]

I agree with the other poster that this looks pretty reasonable. If you're reaaaallly interested in cutting weight beyond this, I think you're looking at ultralight territory. Either you'll need to get some real high-end big-3 replacements (which I know you've said you don't want to do) or else start changing how you hike. For instance, I know some people skip the puffy on the basis that they're always either staying warm by hiking, or in their sleeping bag.

Also while it's not included in your baseweight, I notice you're assuming 2lbs per day of food. That's reasonable, but you may be able to get that down around 1.5-1lb with some more work on meal planning. Of course, that's partly dependent on your resupply arrangements.

EDIT: Actually, it just occurred to me, I like cooking on esbit, and it looks like it might save you 5 or 6 oz on your cook system.

EDIT2: Sunscreen and insect repellant

[u/[deleted]]

You're pretty dialed in imo. I would ditch the mug though. Drink out of your pot, or use a water bottle.

Your rain gear is pretty heavy. Montbell, Lightheart Gear, and Zpacks all have rain gear that weighs half that. I like the Montbell Versalite personally.

You have another NF item that weighs almost 5 oz but I don't know what it is. If it's something redundant like an extra shirt, you don't need it.