Lightweight Backpacking Tips & Tricks

[Vegan.Hiker]

So where's the super heavyweight thread? My pack for this weekend just weighed in at 39lbs for just 2 frickin nights! I'd normally be less than half that weight for 2 nights but this trip requires packing in all of your firewood, water, heavier tent, heavier tent stakes, winter clothes, etc. All of this of course requiring me to use my heaviest pack which is almost 6lbs itself. At least I'll have my crocs

 

[DrNed]

Yvonne, that link I used is old. There are a lot more sizes if you just search on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&keywords=vivobarefoot ultra pure&linkCode=ur2&qid=1425006771&rh=i:aps,k:vivobarefoot ultra pure&tag=backcountrypo-20&linkId=6WZQQ6HTTXVST76X

Reading the reviews on Amazon the one consistent down side seems to be how quickly they wear. This was being said by people who were running and or using them as a primary shoe. Strictly as a camp shoe what kind of life did you get out of them? I've been looking at some Keen sandals, they cost more and weigh more ($90 & 3 lbs) but of course more versatile too. This thread was about keeping it light. Thoughts?

 

[HomerJ]

I have the Exped UL Large weighing in at 1.9 oz. One of the best luxuries I've ever added to my pack.

I got the same pillow and it works great! So much better and lighter than my little couch style pillow I used to take!

 

[DrNed]

So where's the super heavyweight thread? My pack for my trip this weekend just weighed in at 39lbs for just 2 frickin nights! I'd normally be less than half that weight for 2 nights but this trip requires packing in all of your firewood, water (no fresh water sources), heavier tent, heavier tent stakes, winter clothes, etc. All of this of course requiring me to use my heaviest pack which is almost 6lbs itself. At least I'll have my crocs

View attachment 27229

The only difference in my pack between 1 and 7 nights is amount of food I carry. So a 39 lb pack for 2 nights - including fire wood, water and winter gear? To that I say, "Rock On!"

 

[Nick]

Reading the reviews on Amazon the one consistent down side seems to be how quickly they wear. This was being said by people who were running and or using them as a primary shoe. Strictly as a camp shoe what kind of life did you get out of them? I've been looking at some Keen sandals, they cost more and weigh more ($90 & 3 lbs) but of course more versatile too. This thread was about keeping it light. Thoughts?

The only wear issue is the traction on steep slickrock (class 3). They're still perfect for everything else. I've had mine for 2 years and use them a lot. I'd never even consider 3 pound camp shoes.

EDIT: I can imagine the wear might be problematic on wet granite, etc. but I don't wear them on that. Mostly dirt and sand. If it's raining, I'd still have my real shoes on.

 

[Mike K]

Reading the reviews on Amazon the one consistent down side seems to be how quickly they wear.

I have some too and they do wear down fairly quickly. If you ONLY used them as a camp shoe they'd probably last fine. I liked mine so much I wore them a lot around town in the summer (in and out of the rec center, to movies, quick trips to the store, etc). (I might note that I wear orthotics too which may have contributed to the wear). I really liked them though. But, I cringe a little bit at having to buy a new pair again since they were $50 when I bought them! I'll get them again in a heartbeat if I see them on sale under $25 or $30.

 

[andyjaggy]

Yeah 2 nights or 7 pretty much means you are packing the same amount of stuff. food seems to be the only differing factor, and I might throw in an extra pair of socks or something for a longer trip as well.

 

[steve]

I'm on the hunt for a super lightweight camp sandal. I ordered some Luna sandals and I'm excited to see how well they do for my needs.

 

[Venchka]

Osprey Aether 60 Large - 4 lb 14 oz
Marmot limelight 2 person - 4 lb 10 oz
Marmot Cloudbreak 30° - 1 lb 15.8 oz
Big Agnes Insulated Air core - 2 lb

Actually closer to 13.5 pounds now that I do the math. I know I could cut some serious weight with a smaller pack and lighter tent, but I really need the bigger pack for camera gear, and I enjoy the comforts of a full 2 person double walled tent too much. Got a pretty good deal on all the gear by watching for sales.

Ok. I'll play. I thought that my ancient gear was totally heavy by today's standards. However, the more I read on the internet, the more I have come to believe that my gear suits me just fine. With a couple modern additions.

Jensen pack from Rivendell Mountainworks. Vintage 1974. Medium w/pockets - 63 liters 3 lb 1 oz
Garuda Atman 1 person 4 season tent. Vintage 1994 - 4 lb
Western Mountaineering Alpinlite Long 20°. Vintage 2014 - 2 lb 1 oz
NeoAir Xtherm Large. Vintage 2014 - 1 lb 4 oz
Exped Air Pillow Large. Vintage 2014 - 0 lb 3 oz
Total - 10 lb 9 oz. A 3 season tent is on the horizon that will cut my shelter weight almost in half. Maybe.

Alternate gear, depending on trip requirements, destination, season, etc.
Dana Design ArcFlex Terraplane Medium - 6 lb 12 oz
Western Mountaineering Antelope Dry Loft Regular 0° - 3 lb 4 oz
MSR clone of the Bill Moss Heptawing 2 person tarp - 1 lb 10 oz

A huge, "Thank You!" to everyone for taking the time to share their amazing trip reports!

Wayne

 

[Jimmy Olsen]

Anyone ever poke holes in their freeze dried meals and deflate the air out? use tape after to plug the hole?

No, but I split all the 2 serving meals into 2 small, lighter sandwich baggies and only take 1 of the tough pouches to rehydrate the food in (I discard all the little desiccant packs). Saves more bulk than weight, however, and makes managing trash easier.

Besides, 2 servings are way too much for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

Another great thread. I finally purchased the BA Fly Creek 2P UL tent. It is super light (~ 3 pounds?) and functioned well on last year's trip to YNP. Not so big on breathability but with a few tweaks, it improved. I am a bit old school I guess but do appreciate the lighter weight gear. Food is typically my heavy component, especially on the 3+ night trips. I will always carry Mac n'Cheese and a can of tuna for dinner though as I don't get much energy from the freeze-dried stuff. And Cream of the West Roasted 7-grain for breakfast - ALWAYS!!!