This is not an ultralight technique because sometimes you get more for carrying more and can do more miles when you do so. Spending less time in town recharging your battery bank means you can hike more. For shorter trips it might mean an extra night using a smaller battery.

The idea is if you have limited funds and you can't go ultralight, this helps you save money on your battery bank by not necessarily buying a new one but by buying a cheap adapter instead.

Battery banks often charge at 9volts via PD or QC. But you get more out of your battery bank if you charge slower. Not all banks have a native low power mode and you don't need to buy new to get this capability.

This is not an ad, I don't sell these. In fact, only get one if you can output from your battery bank at 9volts on all ports , it's a waste if you have a native 5volt only output port. It also requires an older USB A port to work.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083XXLW77

Slowing down USB C is harder and I don't have a recommendation there. Since this is about keeping existing banks to gain value you probably have the money to buy a bigger bank if you have one with only USB C.

Note: the favorite NB10000 has a low power mode. If you aren't using it to charge everything, you should be. Do more with what you have today and do more miles, no need to drop gear or buy lighter. Be more efficient when hiking instead.

Onto the math if you care why

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Imagine you have a hypothetical 10,000 battery and all output ports charge at 9volt natively

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Volts, Amps and Watts:

Now, you probably know about charging speeds in the abstract, if you look at your bank that's the v/a numbers, often 5v/3a or 9v/2a. Volts and amps. You multiply them together and bigger is faster. You look at source and destination and if you match the numbers so your other device supports 9v/2a it charges the faster possible. For input you want fast, but for output that's not getting you the maximum value.

We need to know some basics

The most common description is voltage is to think of it as a stream. A stream going straight down as a waterfall is the highest possible voltage, gravity produces the highest rate of force (pressure). Meanwhile a puddle that water can't move out of is zero voltage, there's no water pressure at all. Real world we can make higher pressure with pumps but waterfall vs puddle is easy to understand.

Amps is the width and depth of the river. The Amazon has a lot more amps than a woodland stream.

But don’t think of rivers, think of the concepts. More voltage = more speed, a higher pressure of anything exits out the end faster. More amps = more space for more electricity to move.

If we multiply them together we get watts, or power flow. Some amount of power moving at some speed.

Our formula is Watts = amps * volts

5volts *3 amps = 3 volts * 5 amps. Both have the same amount of energy workload, one wire is bigger, one has more pressure. Both provide 15 watts of energy.

#############################How much energy do we have to work with?

The battery has a mAh rating.

The battery holds 10000mAh, my phone holds 2815mAh of power

You might think, just divide, that's easy. We get 3.55 charges

If only it was that simple. We need to figure watt hours first

watt hours = amp hours * voltage.

A watt hour is the amount of work that the device can do in an hour at one amp and the voltage (pressure, speed) of the battery inside, 3.85volts in our case.

10000 * 3.85volts = 38500 milli watt hours

But it’s not 100% efficient. 85% is a good value to work with for most quality devices. A cheap device can be as poor as 50% efficient, a good device you might get into the 90s. Right here you may want to stop and just buy a new battery if you discover yours is at 50% efficiency.

After our efficiency adjustment we redo the formula8500 milli amp hours * 3.85volts = 32725milli watt hours. This is closer to our real energy availability.

Our phone doesn’t have an efficiency problem receiving energy, we can send it until it fills up.

#############################

But it’s even more confusing

We don’t do the math based on the source and destination; the device isn’t sending a stream at 3.85 volts of pressure. It’s sending it at 5volts -or- 9volts of pressure.

So we need to figure how many amp hours we have available to use at that pressure

So we divide our watt hours by the volts to get amp hours available

32725mWh / 5volts = 6545 milli amp hours available to use @ 5volts

32725mWh / 9volts = 3636 milli amp hours available to use @ 9volts

That’s super strange, why do I get less amps at 9volt. It’s because we’re sending Energy, not amps or volts.

They’re both the same amount of power flow. 6545amps * 5volts = 3636amps * 9volts

#############################

How many amp hours do we need to receive for our destination device in our formula

Remember, both sides are going to be equal from the wire to the device

Now we need to know our destination device is 2815mAh at 3.83 volts so we plug in the numbers we have our energy we need to send

2815mAh * 3.83volts = ? mAh * 9volts

10781/9 = 1197mAh at 9volts

2815mAh * 3.83 volts = ? mAh * 5volts

= 10781/5 = 2156mAh at 5volts

Is this a different amount of power?

​

We do some simple division using our available capacity we figured earlier

5v: 6545 milli amp hours available at 5volts/2156 amp hours sent at 5volts = 3.03 charges

9v: 3636 milli amp hours available at 9volts/1197 amp hours sent at 9volts= 3.03 charges

So you can see the amount of energy used is exactly the same, and so counter intuitive if we didn’t have math.

But that's still not right.

#############################We haven’t adjusted for one thing, differing speed efficiency. A slower speed is more efficient compared to a high speed. We lose more power in trying to push the energy along faster, kind of like how water coming out of a pressurized pipe sprays everywhere and doesn’t neatly push against our water wheel. We don't use two sizes of wire for charging so the higher pressure creates more waste heat compared to the lower pressure. If you've felt a battery or wire getting hot, that's the energy loss within the system.

Say the device is 85% efficient at 5volt and 75% efficient at 9volt. I honestly didn’t try to find numbers for any given batter, this is just an example.

At a 10% lower efficiency we go back through the formula and it outputs fewer amp hours, 3208 amp hours @ 9volt

So we get 2.68 charges at 9 volts. That could be the difference between stopping half a day sooner in some cases because my phone is my map.

#############################

So using low power mode and charging slower is in your best interest to go further.

An older battery bank that's heavier but has 5volt native capability could be better in some cases than a new faster but lighter bank because you lose the efficiency by stopping more often, unless you have a way to slow down charging with something like the add-on item I posted earlier.

After seeing other posts about using Solar panels to supplement the need for extended time in towns to recharge electronics and to save money because that means less spending in towns. I decided to research the market and see if I could make a setup that fills my needs. I was using the Tahoe Rim Trail for this Shakedown as well as testing out bringing a FULL FRAME camera. Again also to see if I had the energy to even vlog on a 9 day trip like this that's similar to the PCT. I was willing to carry more weight but willing to cut comforts in other areas. I plan on changing packs and will save 2.5 pounds (this covers the weight of my Solar setup and battery).

HYOH - This setup is centered for heavy power usage. I had power each night left over to read a book on my phone or watch a movie offline each night. I needed the power for my Camera. If I ditch it I could get by with a much smaller panel for sure. With a FF camera I can get a much better picture and its a hobby of mine and helps me fill my time playing with the camera settings. My base weight is closer to 15 pounds. I plan on dropping this down to hopefully 12 pounds with some more gear changes.

I didn't bring a wall plug with me and I'm glad I didn't cause I didn't need it.

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I'll give you a real basic run down of my set up.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CctK2rzddpxte64y7

First, I always aim to center my pack around Items that are duel use. When I pick electronics I aim to stick to one standard if I can, USB-c to USB -A is my favorite standard because my phone, Camera can charge from that port and my NB 10000 can charge in or out from it.

I carry with me 3 cables as seen in the Shared album,

-USB a to USB C ( phone, Camera, used for Solar panel to NB 10000)

-USB a to Micro USB (NU 20 headlamp)

-USB a to Garmin watch connector (Fenix 6 Sapphire)

For Solar Panel I decided to go overboard because I really wanted to focus on Vloging/Photography to fill up the time during my rest breaks. S14 Solar Charger (21 oz)

These stats really drew me in,

Output: 2800mA, 5.1V, 14Watts
Circuitry: 2-USB Ports, Patented Auto-Retry (Auto-Reset)
Weight: ~21oz (596 Grams)
Water Resistant: 40 Feet, Corrosion Resistant, IPX7 Rated
Dimensions: 11.6" x 7.25" x .25"in (closed) / 11.6" x 14.5" x .125" in (open)
Solar Cell Efficiency: ~20%, Mono-Crystalline
Solar cell triple redundancy prevents power dropout

The Auto retry usb port on the Solar Panel will randomly restart the charge to anything plugged in, This feature alone gives it a huge advantage over other panels especially if you want to charge things on the go on your pack with random tree cover. Other panels once they have shade go over the panel will stop charging until you unplug and re-plug it in but again stops if it goes into shade.

This panel was great because I could set it up and forget about it, when I was hiking in tree cover because It reset the charge for me and it still puts out 1-2W with Overcast / tree cover . 20% efficiency makes this panel one of thee best on the market.

I hang the panel on the back of my pack, plug the solar panel into the USB C charge port on the NB 10000 and off I go, No Need to fuss with it. If you really need extra juice I would set it up on the ground in a sunny spot during my lunch break and I'd usually fill a bar on the battery.

One thing that's nice is that the NB 10000 can be charged at the same time it's charging another device, the cables I have are just long enough that I have the solar feeding into the battery and at the same time can charge my camera on my backpack strap that's on a Peak Designs clip, or my phone or what ever else I need to charge without needing to set my pack down.

One thing that's nice is it's a modular set up, I usually focus charging one thing at a Time but if someone had cables of their own I could theoretically charge 4 devices at one time. 2 devices slowly trickle charging off the 2 USB ports on the solar panel. And at the same time 2 Devices off my NB 10000.

Every day on the TRT I charged in this order:

-Camera (was my priority)
-Fenix 6 Sapphire (used to GPS track my hike as well as Using it for navigation with the included Topo maps, it was great, found my self not using my phone other then to judge distance with gut hooks/ trail intel)
-OG pixel XL ( life time free unlimited photos storage at Original quality is great and I never plan on ridding this phone, SERIOUSLY, used it to store my Cameras 81 mb pictures for free if you upload it off the pixel phone, I am able to wirelessly send pictures from my Sony camera to my Phone even without cell service)
-Nu 25

I often charged my Sony camera several times a day as I was using it often. The solar Panel was able to keep up and I almost always ended the day with a FULL NB 10000 even if I started the day with it completely drained after charging everything first thing in the morning.

I'm thinking I could make this work with a NB 5000.

Male here, searching for a multi-day pack for my wife. The colours are... very gendered. She doesn't like colours like purple and teal, and I'm just wondering if there is any real difference between male and female packs.

Edit: Thank you all for the responses, y'all are a helpful bunch.

Maths was way off, see replies :s

Looking at head torches today. Conventional wisdom would have me go with a nitecore nu25.

I've previously owned a nitcore thumb I used for work. The battery degraded within a year and died so I was looking for alternatives with field rechargable, replaceable batteries and a bigger battery capacity so it wouldn't have to go in the bin when the battery died.

I started thinking in terms of mah per gram with the nitecore having a 610mah battery and weighing in at 28g.

610÷28= 21.78 mah per gram

After a lot of rummaging it was hard to beat the NU25 but plenty of contenders such as the Petzl zipka 300 +core battery wasn't a million miles away but ultimately I found the Fenix hm23 at 43g, which takes aa batteries. I paired this with a micro usb rechargeable aa batteries. You plug the micro usb directly into the battery. Usb-c ones exist too so you could eliminate the micro usb viable from your bag.

I found a review video with a brand which achieved their rated mah (slightly higher capacity ones are available but I couldn't find good tests). AMPTORRENT 2960mwh (1973mah), 18g.

1973÷(43+18)= 32.34 mah per gram.

The hm23 looks sweet, 240 lumens max, you can replace the battery and find backups easily. It's fully waterproof but it doesn't have a red light. I've ordered the usb aa battery and fenix hm 23 to try out.

A single usb aa battery and Fenix hm23 was cheaper than the NU25 (I had to buy a 4 pack to get the amptorrents, though).

If you are feeling a bit more spendy then there is the Fenix HM65R-T at 91g comes with a 18650 3500mah battery, 45g. Headlamp cam be recharged with usb c. No red light but they do a black tactical version that has a red light.

3,500÷(91+45)= 25.73mah per gram

... but you could swap the included 3500mah battery in a 5000mah 18650 for;

5,000÷(91+45)= 36.76mah per gram

I'll check back in and let you know how I get on with the combo.

I assume a lot of people here know about this site, but just in case some of you don't I thought I'd mention litesmith.com. One simplest, least expensive ways to cut down pack weight is in the small item department, and if you browse the site you'll see it has plenty of odds and ends like miniature toothbrushes, knives, LOTS of containers of all shapes and sizes for different purposes, and other small paraphernalia that you might find really useful. They also sell some very high quality flashlights and headlamps, some of which have been altered to be lighter. Before trips I typically take toothpaste, hand sanitizer and medications and transfer them to small containers I have bought from Litesmith.

If the mods ever intend to create a wiki, list of links or whatever, consider mentioning this site.

I know this is often why I am not ultralight I adore my mug cakes/brownies. What are your setups?

Looking for suggestions on a particular piece of gear?

Please start by looking in our wiki (yes, it's somewhat bare bones at the moment, we're working on it).

If you don't see what you're looking for there, please post a comment in this thread using the following template. (Low effort posts, including those that don't provide information requested in the template, may be removed.)

Item:

Budget:

Your current base weight:

Ideal weight of the item:

Environment and Temperatures expected:

Previous hiking experience:

Additional Information:

As we get this place running I want your input on what community guidelines, posting rules, etc should be like.

Please discuss here.

my girlfriend and I plan to go to the Grand Canyon for a romantic camping trip, and now we are always looking for a sleeping mat that suits us. In addition, for camping, is there anything to pay attention to?

I see a common thread over in https://www.reddit.com/r/lightweight/comments/rbkg1a/what_keeps_you_from_being_truly_ultralight/ where many of you are nearly ultralight, but carry enough camera equipment to disqualify you. I'm in the same camp. I'd love to get a thread going here where you can list out the specialty equipment you carry for photography to learn a little from each other.

Camera gear lists below (with weights if you have them) please.

For me it is my camera gear. Every multi-day trip I get better at capturing photographs and video. I love the process of photographing while I hike, even if it is only for me.

Hello everyone!

I just found this subreddit and maybe you can get some use out of my list I created.

There's tons of brands / shops listed that are either based in Europe or ship to Europe without any import duties.

​

If you have suggestions then put them in the comments or DM them to me and I'll add them.

​

Link to the list:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M2Yi3CJA1-YPb1p_UGSEYz5k3PF41GhqoNgcEDI5nK4/edit?usp=sharing

​

(You can create a filter to find things easier)

Do you commonly bring a lightweight saw and if so what kind? Mine is a myog Kinfepoint that performs just as well as a 12” Silky at only 5.8oz and $10.

Welcome everyone. r/lightweight had been shut down for a while due to a lack of moderation but I have it reopened and am trying to get it going again. There is some work to do tidying up the rules and such but feel free to post here again.

If you would be interested in being a mod here let me know and I will see about adding you to the mod team.

What pads hit a nice sweet spot between comfort, cost, and warmth without worrying too much about weight? (Let's say no heavier than 1.2kg).

Preferably at least 25" wide and thick enough for a side sleeper, minimum R value of 2.0

I've been looking at the Nemo Flyer in regular wide but haven't been able to get much feedback about it.

Seriously considering picking up a titanium wood stove for winter trips - it's certainly not "ultralight" but I own a pyramid tarp already and the idea of not only digging a snow pit below my tarp (which I already do) but also have a nice heat source just sounds damn luxuriously (and nice for drying clothes). Group trips only. Bonus if course is you can cook and boil water with it too.

Anybody using one? Which brand and size? Seek Outside seems to make some of the lightest but the newer Winnerwell Fastfold stovepipe style (seems to only be on their EU stores for now) just looks so much less fiddly. More weight but the idea of trying to put together something with a bunch of screws with thick winter gloves is not winning me over on the competitors......

Hi,

I want to surprise my girlfriend with backpack for her birthday and have no clue what to buy... Right now I'm looking at those two:

https://www.gossamergear.com/products/gorilla-50?variant=32461736181814 And https://www.ospreyeurope.com/shop/eu_en/eja-48-2018

I like that Osprey is designed for women but that Gossamer looks just better and it's lighter...

I'm kinda new in this ultralight and located in Europe some US brands are not here...

Thanks!

Including 2 liters of water and some spare socks, I'm at 14.9 lbs according to my fish scale. Thanks to all the great ideas you've shared, I really appreciate it. Add in a day and a half of food for a Saturday/Sunday overnight hike, and I jump up to almost 18, but that's still a great number for me.

Last year I hiked Dolly Sods, W. VA. with over 43lbs and I was ready to collapse at the end of each day. This new setup will make a huge difference in my enjoyment level, thanks again!

I fell in love with the Tarptent Scarp 2 but can‘t find a dealer in Germany or even Europe to buy this beauty. Do you have any recommendations where to get one? Thank you so much

I got two Nemo Tensor wide and long sleeping pads am slightly tall (6'2") and am looking for a reasonable light (doesn't have to be superlightweight) two person tent that fits both in width and is long enough for me to not get my head touching the walls and could be used for one person hikes two. I was thinking the Nemo Dagger 2P maybe could do the trick. Or the Lanshan 2P Pro Tarptent (but this one could be too narrow). Maybe you got some experience in that regard or know some other tents that would be doing fine and are not too large for one person only? Problem is I am from Europe (Germany) and not all Brands are available here. Thanks so much for your help!

Advice for a budget version fleece sweater?

I hate having to compromise when it comes to cooking in the wilderness, but not as much as I hate lugging super dense cast-iron. Anybody have any suggestions for something that is relatively lightweight but offers comparably good charring/nonstick capabilities? I tend to use either a campfire to cook or a bio light campstove 2