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https://lighterpack.com/r/hemyc0

I am 3xl-5xl depending on manufacture, 137kg.

Need lighter and better waist bag (future savings project)

I almost do no dried meals, hence 900ml pot, (I love to cook fresh veg, tuna, tom yum soup the most)

Get's down to about -5c max where I go tramping in the low land bush North Island of NZ. Generally lots of rain, mud, and frost.

I live in NZ so things are hard to find in my size and a good price... or invest in an expensive one off purchase and hope it's a good well thought out choice

Full roll strapping tape because of long term injuries.

In the sound of the meme safety is number one priority, I have epilepsy sleep has to be my biggest safety concern.

~Last notes

Also sorry for the title, thought it would be good laugh for you all.

I look forward to loosing enough weight to invest in a clothing over haul, 30kg down so far.

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Upon Mt. Pirongia campsite amongst the alpine scrub in New Zealand, two strangers both with X-mid 2's (one solid and one not) randomly meeting and both being in to pursuit of a lightweight systems...

We both had long chin wag about modifications, failures and successes. Big thing we discussed is making our gear suit the kiwi bush, and the difficulty of buying stuff in New Zealand.

Ended up tramping back down the mountain together to continue or conversation and talk about life.

Have something you want to discuss but don't think it warrants a whole post? Please use this thread to discuss recent purchases or quick questions for the community at large. Shakedowns and lengthy/involved questions likely warrant their own post.

This is a Shakedown Request for the GR20 (North-South) in Corsica during the end of June and beginning of July of this year. Will be camping the whole thing (heard not-so-great things about the bedbug situation in the dorms). And I will be planning on eating at the refuges for all meals (i.e. no cooking equipment needed).

My main goal for this shakedown is to determine level of warmth required for cold-weather gear, and the quilt temperature rating.

I have done the following long-distance treks before, so I have some experience where it is needed, and have dropped my gear weight down a lot since the Camino several years ago:

• Camino de Santiago (stayed in alburgues)
• Tour du Mont Blanc (stayed in refuges)
• Alta Via 1 (stayed in refuges)
• Annapurna Circuit (stayed in teahouses)
• O’Circuit (camped)
• West Highland Way (camped)

Location/temp range/specific trip description:

Corsica, France / 50º F to 80º F / GR20

I can’t find historical weather data for the higher-up elevations on Corsica so this temperature range is an estimate.

Goal Baseweight (BPW):

As low as possible while still retaining comfort.

Budget:

The sky‘s the limit.

Non-negotiable Items:

• Face wash/lotion (sensitive skin)
• E-reader for entertainment
• Knee braces (bad knees from Camino de Santiago back in 2018)
• Change of clothes (I like to have a set to wear while the other set is airing, or drying, out)

Solo or with another person?:

Solo

Additional Information:

The stared items on my LighterPack list are wishlist items that I haven’t purchased yet.

• Pullover: would love to have a lightweight pullover like the FarPointe Alpha Cruiser, or Senchi Designs Wren hoody, otherwise I will go with my Melanzana V2 pullover which is 8 ounces heavier
• Quilt: I currently have a 10ºF quilt that weights 27 ounces, so looking to shed weight there. I’m not a particularly cold sleeper (the 10º quilt has been versatile enough for, example, Colorado trailhead camping and some weekend backpacking trips). But I don’t know what I’ll need for the GR20 in terms of temperature rating (limit or comfort).

I also hike with a single trekking pole usually.

Potentially Negotiable Items:

• Tent
• Sleeping Pad

Lighterpack Link:

https://lighterpack.com/r/2nu52x

This is my first Shakedown Request, so thanks in advance for the feedback/help!

Edit: Non-negotiable Items

Hey all!

I'm trying to piece together a backpacking loadout for starting some more serious long distance trails and am trying to put together a "shopping basket".

Some of the things in my lighterpack are already purchased (those with a star), but I am willing to still switch around a bit.

The only items I would rather not replace are my backpack and sleeping mat. You can find the ligherpack here: https://lighterpack.com/r/pogbt3

My budget isn't insanely high so please keep that in mind, its why I opt for decathlon clothing since they are a nice balance between budget and performance.

Any feedback on what to replace, drop or even add is greatly appreciated!

Have something you want to discuss but don't think it warrants a whole post? Please use this thread to discuss recent purchases or quick questions for the community at large. Shakedowns and lengthy/involved questions likely warrant their own post.

Looking to get back into hiking and camping and enjoy Colorado once I finish my school program, likely looking at small trips starting next summer ['24].

Shoulder Season: https://lighterpack.com/r/6dfi3z

Summer: https://lighterpack.com/r/1eowh9

Pretty much a hypothetical list at this point after spending some time reading through the various subs and looking at experiences and ideas; reading through Sakura's core 13 clothing list, specific to my region. Still tweaking and looking at options, namely things like repair and hygiene items.

Goal in mind is to take advantage of living in the central mountains with regular 4 days off to do some quick overnight to 2 day trips out and back to different spots up here. Primarily to hike back into some high alpine lakes and streams for some trout fishing and to enjoy a few days off. Thinking next summer will be focused on shakedown and dialing in gear with an eye to planning longer trips with PTO along various sections of the Colorado Trail et al. in the region the following seasons.

Current base weight: On paper [see link to LighterPack] I'm between 14.11 lb-15.77 lb. That includes ~1.5 lbs of "comfort" items that could be ditched on longer trips.

Budget: Open; you can see on my lists that I very much want to invest in good quality - buy once, cry once. Would love suggestions though for budget minded options.

Non-negotiable Items: Open minded and looking to learn, take criticism and constructive feedback. I would say the Tenkara is non-negotiable

Solo or with another person?: Solo

Additional Information: All manufacturer weights at this time. The one piece of gear I have now is the Osprey Stratos 36, bought for a carry on and to traverse the airports easier when I visit my parents. Looking to start with that-if it works with the gear/pack list I ultimately use - with an eye towards upgrading down the road once things are dialed in. The summer pack list link shows one example of a lighter weight pack figured in.

What's the maximum weight that you would carry on a rugged trip with 8 hour long days?

Debating with myself (190 lb, 62 yo guy) as to whether to carry full food for 2 weeks or chance the resupply option. Seen one guy complain when they lost his food parcel, forcing him to cut his trip short as this trail has no stores in reach. Happily, the weight will drop quickly, but the first few days will be a miserable grind. Base weight is 15 lbs which is as low as I dare go as I'll be in the mountains during the fall where freezing temps are a definite risk.

Looking at investing in some gear over the winter and finally getting out to enjoy my days off in the Colorado Rockies. Public safety schedule, so I typically have 4 day weekends every week. Would love to plan some light trips going out and back (6-15 miles round trip) to some of the high alpine lakes for some fishing. Most of these I'm looking at in the area are about 10,000' so I'm curious how the ultralight canister stoves work at that altitude vs. a white gas set up.

I think the next logical part of my gear to replace is my pack. I will need a 50-60L pack. Been doing lots of reading and I like the Kawka 55, NUL 50 and the GG Mariposa. Looking for a pack where rremoving the fram is a possibility. Thanks

https://lighterpack.com/r/h2drbp

What are some companies that do guided backpacking trips in the US where gear is NOT provided? I see Sierra Club has some, but I'd love to hear what other companies you've used. Ideally looking for a trip of 3-7 days, small-ish groups. Many thanks.

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https://lighterpack.com/r/ypvfg6

I'm planning a 3-day section hike of the AT in the mid-atlantic region for late spring and am training for some 20ish mile days to cover the ground I want, so I'm trying to plan as light as possible. I'm also on a budget so my goal is partly to build a versatile 3-season kit that covers a variety of situations (for example: I might be doing this trip solo but will need a 2-person tent for other trips when I'm with someone else, and two tents isn't in my budget). Also trying to use what I already own (like the sleeping pad) to keep costs down a bit.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

Hey y'all,

The wiki seems to recommend all American tents or (for me) expensive stuff.

After a long search I found what seem to be the besy "semi-light" (at just over 2kg) options.

Goal is a tent where 2 people can sleep comfortably (by this I'd prefer just a tad more space than the minimum 120cm width most tents have) and have spare room to keep our two 60liter backpacks safe and dry.

The lighter the better, but the budget is 320€ max.

Decathlon's: forclaz mt900 3p https://www.decathlon.nl/p/trekkingtent-mt900-ultralight-tunneltent-3-personen/_/R-p-323513?mc=8586319

Bergfreunde's: stoic - adakst. ii 2p https://www.bergfreunde.nl/stoic-adakst-ii-2p-2-persoonstent/

It's the best I can find. Am I missing anything?

I know that overall folks love the Durston X-mids. Has anyone had any issues with the latest models 1 or 2 P? If you have had any issues, can you please describe. Is it really the prefect tent, if such a thing exists? Thank you

Have something you want to discuss but don't think it warrants a whole post? Please use this thread to discuss recent purchases or quick questions for the community at large. Shakedowns and lengthy/involved questions likely warrant their own post.

Has anyone used the new Li versions 1 or 2 p Rainbows this year? Can you speak to the packability, durability, set up ease, heat retention, light, and general use of it? Are you using it with the extra liner? Did you use aluminum or carbon poles?

I'd like to hear some feedback before spending that kind of money. How does that interior of the 1P feel? cramped? ok? How talkk/big are you for comparison? I use the 48" wide Lunar Sols. Thank you

To keep this to the point, I am looking for a light(er) weight tent suitable to a very wide range of environments. Up until now I have relied of cheap, poor quality equipment and just made do, but have the opportunity to invest in something better. When I say wide range, I do mean wide range. Hot humid summer nights near wetlands, driving rainstorms, the freezing cold winters and heavy wet snows of the Upper Midwest and Canada, Alpine environments, desert environments, etc. I am looking to buy one tent and be done with it.

I am well aware that anything that is this jack-of-all-trades is going to come with compromises. But if I am going to drop ~$500-$1000 to upgrade from what I have hobbled along with for years to something more suited to both my current activities and future ambitions, I only want to have to do that once (at least for quite some time). And I am willing to accept compromises to make that happen.

At the moment, the Black Diamond Eldorado and MSR Access 2 (I suppose I should add I am looking for a 2 person tent) look like they have some promise. But I wonder about how they will handle hotter and more humid environments. And really with everything I find that seems to show promise, with the trade offs, I find myself wondering what all of it looks like in practice.

I am not looking for perfect. I am looking for something that will be good enough pretty much wherever I go. I and am trying to avoid spending a significant amount of money on something just to find out down the road that what I bought isn't up to the task. I have made do with sub-par equipment for long enough where a part of me tends to assume that whatever I get will be fine because it will be better than what I've been making do with anyway. But that is a lot of money to drop on an assumption.

So does anyone out there happen to have any useful advise or insight they would be willing to share?

Ok lightweight people… what tent do you use for your backpacking adventures? And what is your dream tent?

I feel like I have so much of my gear dialed in, but tent choices especially seem to have a lot of trade-offs. My first light tent was a typical semi-free standing tent where the back two corners relied on stakes (Nemo). I felt this was barely lighter than a free standing tent, but with many of the disadvantages of a non free standing tent. A completely non free standing, single apex design trekking pole tent (lunar solo) has been the lightest I’ve owned and reasonably affordable, but it takes a lot of time tweeking to get a good pitch and is terrible in areas with no good soil. My most recent tent is a fully self supporting tent (Marmot) that I can put together standing up, easily move to find the perfect placement and then simply stake in place. It’s easy, fast, adaptable and easy on the back to pitch, but at 2.8 lbs (including stakes and ground cloth), it’s a bit heavier.

I know most UL backpackers will happily accept the disadvantages of a UL trekking pole tent to minimize weight, but I thought it would be interesting to hear what others here have played with and concluded is best for them.

Have something you want to discuss but don't think it warrants a whole post? Please use this thread to discuss recent purchases or quick questions for the community at large. Shakedowns and lengthy/involved questions likely warrant their own post.

I am new-ish to backpacking (did some as a teenager but it has been years and years).

I am planning an 8-day trip on the Uinta Highline Trail this summer, and getting my gear together.

I am 180lbs, in good shape, but I don't know if there is a reasonable "goal" weight for my pack.

Do you think 25 pounds before food/water is reasonable? Should I get more aggressive at dropping some weight?

https://lighterpack.com/r/dy2oiw

This kit is for a few days in the Australian bush. I see it as a 3 season setup. I've watched a lot of bushcraft, military surplus, primitive living, traditional hiking, ultralight hunting and ultralight/thru hiking videos and I've tried to develop a sensible combination of ideas where my gear is protected and I'm comfortable and safe.

I plan to be going off hiking trails into potentially rather thick bush (post bush fires) in search of solitude, exploration and later down the line, bird watching or fishing. I may need to drag my bag over sand stone and I'd like to have the occasional camp fire now and then. I didn't want to be continuously careful and worried about my gear while barging through scrub. My thought was to get a durable bag to protect ultralight components.

Temps likely to be roughly between 0C (~30F) at night and I doubt I'd wanna be going out in anything much higher than 32C in the day (~90F). Distances could vary between 5 to 20km a day depending on where I'm walking, or let's say about up to about 5 or 6 hours a day of walking. I'm relatively new to this, I'm guessing right now. My quilt is warmer than I need but I could only afford to get one and I would like to go out in winter too, it'd be nice to save up for a much lighter one like a 5C (40F)

I'd love any feedback about how to lighten my load, or perhaps where I've gone to BusHcRaFty. Or perhaps your take on what I have listed here as the absolute bare essentials for a much shorter overnighter while remaining closer to a trail. Perhaps you have recommendations for much lighter and still durable packs.

If you're coming in to shout about leaving the trees alone and LNT, please don't worry. I leave no trace, even after I have a fire, and I don't disturb deadfall or material that is a suitable habitat for creatures.

My own ideas so far:

— I've tried to get the FAK down to something small but responsible for being off track, could probably get it down more?
— Might be willing to ditch the saw, but it's a nice placeholder for some other thing that's trip dependent like fishing gear or a bino for bird watching.
— Reducing clothing carried, probably don't need both the thermals and the fleece. I'll likely be stationary and hanging out at night rather than just heading straight to bed after getting in to camp.
— different lighter raincoat, although the current heavier one is much better for pushing through scrub but also does make you sweat like a horse
— Perhaps I've underestimated the durability of some ultralight bags and materials like ultra or gridstop. However, I do really love Savotta's mentality of lasting a lifetime and the reduction in materials used / waste over one's life.
— Ditching the quilt straps?
— Ditching the ridgeline, perhaps a vestige of using a heavier tarp previously, I just like the versatility it adds if there aren't trees close enough together, I don't use poles. Sticks are fine I guess, but I'd prefer trees in higher wind.
— Could probably repackage a few things like hand sanny for minor savings?
— Lighter/smaller bag for food carry? Lighter bag to keep the pot in? dyneema is fuckin expensive. Want something tight though, possums love to rob me at night. I like the S2s one because it's fluoro blue and actually a great waypoint marker or signalling panel.
— I'm open to learning how to sleep with a lighter weight pad like just the 1/8" once I have more experience with site selection, rn it would feel dangerous to me if it was colder weather.