Hey, you've got a lot of good stuff going on here. I'll do my best to outline some of the ways you could save a good amount of weight without breaking the bank.

• First off, your tent is really heavy especially if you're sleeping in it alone. Something like the SMD Lunar Solo or one of the many choices over at Tarptent could help you save ~32oz.
  
  
• A lot of people around here do not bring sleeping base layers. Just sleep in the clothes you hike in. That'll save you 13.5oz.
  
  
• Do you really think you need both shorts and pants? If you want that kind of versatility than convertibles might make sense but most will advocate for not bringing both.
  
  
• Obviously a lot of weight comes from the camera, and additional accessories. If you can live without extra lenses you could save ~20oz and get an RX100. Personal call there though.
  
  
• I don't know too much about resupply and recharge points on the JMT, but a 20000 battery AND a solar charger seems excessive. Solar doesn't get much love on this sub as it is heavy and fairly poor when it comes to charging things. You could drop it and save ~13oz.
  
  
• The headlamp is heavy, and personally I don't think they are overly practical. If you're night hiking, you are better off with a light coming from your hip, or else you will lose a good amount of depth perception (due to lack of shadowing). A little handheld like the ThruNite Ti3 would save you ~3oz.
  
  
• Your trowel is pretty heavy. The Deuce of Spades would save you ~1oz, and there are other even lighter options. I can just personally recommend the deuce.
  
  
• Your first aid kit seems pretty heavy. Most weigh in around 2oz. You can search this subreddit for some suggestions, there are plenty of them out there.
  
  
• Do you really think that you'll get much use out of the hammock? I'm not sure what your hiking style is, but if you're trying to hike for most of the day and then just sleep in camp the ~11.4oz for the hammock doesn't seem worth it. If you're planning on spending a good amount of time in camp it might be worth it.
  
  All together, you could save almost 6lbs. Obviously some things are based on comfort. For the best bang for your buck, dropping the extra clothes and the solar is free. Getting a lighter tent will also have a great impact.
  
  Hope this helps!

Great, just running down your list here are my thoughts:

An SMD Lunar Solo would be 10oz lighter and $70 cheaper while still offering similar features and roominess. Granted you'd need a trekking pole. Mine weigh 5oz each and cost $60 for the pair, and they're nice to have for stream crossings and up and downhills.

The $40 Soto Amicus stove outperforms the $34 Pocket Rocket 2 in every metric and is pretty similar to the $70 PR Deluxe.

I'm not a fan of sporks, and much prefer a spoon, your milage may vary. This 75 cent spoon is similar to what I have and it's lasted me 25 years. Mine weighs .38oz

You don't need a canister stand

When I've camped in the Mojave I just slept with my food in an Opsack. In Yosemite you'll need a bear can but you can probably rent one or wait to purchase for when the time comes. If you're camping in an area where a bear hang is recommended then you can get a pre-made bear bag kit or just make one with a stuff sack and some good throwing line.

I have some merino shirts but only wear them in the colder shoulder seasons because they're too warm for me when hiking in summer. They're also really pricey. You could get a $10 quick drying t-shirt like this, or a synthetic long sleeve collared shirt from the thrift store or a Silver Ridge, to protect your arms and neck from the sun and bugs.

How modest do you want to be with shorts? Ranger panties are popular for being so light and have a great range of motion. Generic soccer shorts work well. Patagonia Baggies are popular.

For a rain jacket it's hard to beat the Frog Toggs UL2 for price and weight. I went to my local walmart and tried them on to find a good size. ~$18

For long pants I'd suggest Body Wrapper dance pants. Light, cheap, breathable, comfortable, windproof, keep the bugs away, surprisingly warm when sitting around camp.

I don't bring sleep clothes, just sleep in my hiking clothes.

Med kit suggestions- leukotape strips on a quick release sheet for blister prevention and bandages, a few sterile gauze pads to make bandages with the leukotape, ibuprofen for pain and swelling, anti-diarrheal pills, small dropper of dr bronners soap for cleaning wounds

Things you're missing:

• Pack liner (garbage compactor bag or nylofume)
  
  
• Tent stakes (I like mini groundhogs)
  
  
• Dirty girl gaiters for keeping rocks out of your shoes
  
  
• Sunglasses
  
  
• Stocking cap/beanie (maybe your buff will work for that?)
  
  
• Lighter, swiss army classic knife with scissors and toothpick, toothbrush and toothpaste, anti-chafe cream like trail toes or diaper cream, sunscreen, purell, lightload towel
  
  
• poop kit with trowel, tp, zip locks for used tp, or go the bidet route and use water instead of tp
  
  
• a couple smartwater bottles
  
  
• you may or may not like having an umbrella to stay cool or hike with your hood down in the rain.
  
  Edit: a tip for lighterpack- there is a field for price and it'll add up the prices per category for you, making a running tally a little easier. there's also a link field which could maybe help you keep track of links to things you might want to buy.
  
  Once you've dialed in the list a little better, if you discover you're way under your budget then you could always consider upgrading something, like spending $100 more for a 10oz zpacks Hexamid Solo tent. Also, if you end up at a light enough weight, you could jump to a 14oz frameless pack which would be awesome.

I was reluctant to try trekking poles because I thought I didn't need them and I had been hiking for years. To try out poles I snagged some Cascade Mountain Tech and I now really like them. Life savers for elevation and spiderwebs, haha.

For a cheap, but decent pair to try you could grab [these] (https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Trekking-Climbing/dp/B01055BZDA/ref=pd_sbs_468_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01055BZDA&pd_rd_r=AHB8XKJMJ4XVHCWDZ7TE&pd_rd_w=QLBlN&pd_rd_wg=UGPPr&psc=1&refRID=AHB8XKJMJ4XVHCWDZ7TE) ($20) and see if you like them. Cascade Mountaion Tech are generally considered the best cheap trekking poles, and you can upgrade if you do? I went middle of the road on those up above, and they're good enough to not upgrade, but saving 5-7 oz on mine with better poles would have been nice weight savings on something you pick up and put down constantly (way more than 5-7 oz in your pack). SO, my thought is, if you're not sure. By super cheap, and if you like trekking poles, buy nice and light YMMV.

I had the HV UL2 and ended up returning it. It was pretty darn nice, but I wanted something that was lighter, felt a bit more durable, and more flexible in terms of options for pitching so I grabbed the [Tarptent Saddle] (https://www.tarptent.com/saddle2.html). When I'm using the inner, on the saddle I feel ZERO need for a footprint, but I did with the Copper Spur, though you could always just repair... I also like that if there are no bugs I can pitch just the Saddle Outer Tarp with a ground sheet and total weight would be about 20 Oz. Either tent are pretty good options though.

EDIT: Added context.

Tent: Tarptent Notch - $314, 1P, 28oz (w/ stakes), trekking pole supported

Pack: If you order the HMG Windrider from backcountry.com (which currently has a 20% off coupon), you can easily return if it doesn't fit; the return label is only like $7. FWIW I have the HMG Southwest and it's my favorite piece of gear.

Warm Jacket: I'm sure someone can explain better, but a fleece is better for active warmth; it breathes and allows sweat/moisture to pass through. A down jacket is better for static warmth; it blocks wind and has a greater warmth to weight ratio. REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie is only $109 right now and a good entry/budget option from what I've read. The North Face TKA 100 Glacier Quarter-Zip Pullover is a good fleece option ($55 retail).

Trekking Poles: Cascade Mountain Tech, there are a few options but the cork handle with quick lock mechanism is the most popular I think: https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Collapsible-Trekking/dp/B00XM0YGW8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542382742&sr=8-3&keywords=cascade+mountain+tech+carbon+fiber+quick+lock+trekking+poles

I had a similar conversion about 10 years ago, also after a long hiatus (due to injury). Hauling big weight really starts to lose its charm as you age.

I used a scattershot approach (and it was rather hit and miss) until I got Mike Clelland's book, "Ultralight Backpackin' Tips", which had just been published. It's the smartest $14 I ever spent on backpacking gear, and it dropped weight from my BPW faster and better than I could have believed. He gives you a comprehensive approach that is not just about gear but also about mindset and technique. It showed me how to evaluate every single item in my pack from the perspective of a very experienced UL backpacker.

I was able to drop my BPW in half rather quickly -- without doing a lot of gear buying -- and then chip away at it one piece of gear at a time, picking and choosing what was next in a logical progression. Just about everyone one in transition finds that they achieve a "plateau" BPW that is not bad at all (well under 20 pounds) fairly quickly, and then it takes work to approach the "magical" 10 pound BPW.

It looks like you've already made some good choices. Keep up the good work.

A note on your pack; some years ago, UL backpackers often used packs that are considered to be "high volume" today -- about 60L, like your GG pack. You pack your bag/quilt, down puffies, and soft insulated items uncompressed, and that way they fill up the volume of the pack. It preserves the optimal shape of the pack for the best carrying behavior, it makes the entire pack soft and slightly squishy, and hence very comfortable to carry, and it makes packing up in the morning quick and easy. As a bonus, it makes your insulated gear last much longer; extreme compression is tough on gear, be it down or synthetic.

I found a lot of great stuff in Ultralight Backpackin' Tips by Mike Clelland. The nice thing about a book is that it has a comprehensive set of information from a single point of view. That's also the bad thing about a book! I found it to be a really great complement to all the info that's available online. Plus it has funny cartoons.

You might also check out Ray Jardine's books. I haven't read them, but he's a really important figure in the recent history of ultralight backpacking and he has a lot of strong opinions that you can learn from even if you don't agree! (Just ignore anything that doesn't actually have to do with backpacking like his weird blood cleaner stuff).

I also enjoy reading/watching other people's trips that don't necessarily focus on gear or techniques. On YouTube I really like John Zahorian and Neemor's World. Book-wise, I loved "Thru-hiking Will Break Your Heart" by Carrot Quinn. This may not be exactly what you're looking for in terms of information, but if you're looking for some vicarious hiking to get you trough the winter it's good stuff!

I was in a similar position four years ago. For some things I regretted not going lighter, for other things I regretted not getting something more durable and functional. But for the most part I was and am happy with my gear.

Some random tips I wish I knew 4 years ago.

• Get a quilt slightly warmer and wider than you think you'll need. It's better to have a quilt too warm than a mummy that's too warm. Mummy's don't ventilate well and are really meant for Winter use.
  
• Get a good sleeping pad to go with that with atleast an R-value or 2-3. Heavy and reliable is better than light but fragile for this one.
  
  
• Get a Tarptent with bug netting and side entry. Their Products Page is super useful in helping you find what you need.
  
  
• Get some MSR groundhog knock-offs and extra long guy-line. You can pound groundhogs in with a rock or use the extra long guy-lines to tie off to trees or boulders.
  
  
• Get some cheap but light carbon fiber trekking poles. Lots of recommendations in this Sub.
  
  
• Dig some water bottles out of the recycling bin to re-use. Aquamira Droplets are what I use, but Sawyer & Katadyne water filters have gained a lot of popularity.
  
  
• Comfort is king for trail runners. Durability, tread, and other features are secondary.
  
  
• Goldtoe 100% nylon dress socks are cheaper,more breatable, and more durable than wool socks. I wear them doubled up.
  
  
• Follow Andrew Skurka's Core 13 Clothing List. And while you're at it, buy his book as a resource.
  
  
• Get a backpack that can carry it all. The backpack is what you buy last. Make sure it's fitted well and set-up correctly. I used my Ohm 2.0 for years before realizing that I hadn't set-up the straps properly. It made a night and day difference once I followed ULA's video on backpack fit.
  
  
• Get out there!

The Copper Spur tent gets good reviews here. We (GF and I) use the Fly Creek, which works well for us. Having two side doors would be a convenience perhaps worth the extra 13 ounces compared to the Fly Creek.

Maybe consider the Tiger Wall, which has two doors yet weighs only 4 ounces more than the Fly Creek (9 ounces less than the Copper Spur).

We use quilts that are warm to 30ºF with base layer, hats, and pads with an R-value of 3.2. In shoulder season we carry down jackets as insurance.

Substituting a Tiger Wall and quilt for your existing tent and sleeping bag could save you about 100 ounces (6.25 lb) (2.835 kg).

Low- or no-cost deletions and substitutions that could lighten your burden:

I know people love their chairs, and I know well enough to not diss people's chairs, but let's face it: your chair is, as you noted, 18 low-hanging ounces.

Your first aid kit, at 16.4 ounces, is excessively heavy. Aim for 5 ounces.

Substitute a single-edge razor blade and a small pair of scissors for the pocket knife.

Substitute a very small, negligible-weight compass.

Delete the LifeStraw. (Your backup water treatment can be boiling water; in other words, your fuel is your backup. Or you could carry water treatment tablets as a backup.)

Substitute lightweight flip-flops for the 10-ounce Teva camp shoes.

Consider deleting the pillow.

The above-mentioned deletions and substitutions could save you 51 ounces (3 lb 3 ounces) (~1.5 kg).

In addition to a lighter tent and quilt, if you have the bux and the inclination to spend them on backpacking gear, consider:

● a lighter pad, such as a 12-ounce XLite (save 11.5 ounces) or 8.5-ounce Uberlite (save 15 ounces).

● an ultralight backpack. My backpack weighs 47.5 ounces less than yours, yet works fine! But it's expensive.

● a lighter cook pot + lid could save you nearly 4 ounces.

The three bulleted substitutions above could save you 66.25 ounces (4.14 lb) (1.878 kg), but would cost upwards of US$500 (minus whatever you could recoup by selling your existing gear).

Note: for fuel you should list both the weight of the fuel (under consumables) AND the weight of the empty gas canister. An empty 8-ounce-size gas canister weighs 5.2 ounces.

Note: a wide-brimmed, full-brimmed hat (with good UV protection) will protect you better than a trucker hat.

Note: if you backpack in bear country, add a bear canister.

Note: include the weight of ID, cash, credit card, insurance card, permit, and car key radio fob.

Just wrote this as a comment on another sub and thought it might be useful to someone here.

Rundown of my experience with the power banks I own:

Klarus CH1X

• This is my short trip/minimalist charger, but can be expanded with swappable 18650 batteries. Some battery brands include USB ports integrated into the batteries for recharging as well.
  
• With a 3.6k mAh battery, comes in at 2.9oz. I can add another battery to double the capacity to 7.2k mAh and 4.7oz, or a third battery for 10.6k and 6.5oz. At this point, it’s more about the flexibility than weight savings.
  
  Anker Powercore 10k
  
  
• When I just want to toss in a bank for 3-4 days and have enough juice to run my iphone, AppleWatch and headlamp while taking photos, video and tracking my route with a GPS app.
  
• The lightest integrated bank at this capacity that I’ve found, and regularly $25 on Amazon.
  
• 10k mAh and 6.35oz
  
  Anker Powercore 10k PD
  
  
• I recently went on a 2 week backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail, which included stopping into civilization for burgers and charge ups. The standard battery banks take the better part of a day to recharge, but these newer “PD” banks use USB-C connections and higher wattage charging adapters to cut that down to less than 4 hours. This worked wonderfully at Red’s Meadow while we ate and resupplied.
  
• A tad heavier than the older powercore and at a premium of $45 (got mine on Amazon Day sale though), plus the price and weight of an 18W charger.
  
• 10k mAh and 6.7oz.
  
• I can also add the other Anker 10k for a total of 20k mAh and 13oz, if you’re rocking a YouTube level video production.
  
  Bonus item: Lixada “10W” Solar Panel
  
  
• Im not a fan of the bulky and heavy name brand solar chargers, but I f you’re not sucking down huge amounts of power every day, a cheap and light supplemental solar panel like this is a great addition. I’ve tested this several times on open (minimal shade) trails, plugged into the Anker while I hike and it does a surprisingly good job of topping off the bank or getting extra mA before needing to recharge on longer trips.
  
• Trim some of the extra plastic off to save another ounce of weight. Do the math by pairing it with a smaller bank and you can come in at the same weight or less than a higher capacity bank.
  
• Real world output of 3W and 2.75oz trimmed.
  
• I plan on trying this out with the Klarus to see if I can get a sub 6oz solution that can be indefinitely sustainable (given the proper conditions).

• Tent - GoLite Wolf Creek, their Imogene would be lighter but is more expensive, there is also a 3 man Wolf Creek that would give you more room. $200
  
  
• Sleeping bag - Enlightened Equipment Quilt, more comfortable than a mummy bag and way lighter. ~$200
  
  
• Sleeping pad - Therm-a-rest Z-Lite, not as comfortable as an inflatable but cheap. $40
  
  
• Backpack - GoLite Jam 50 ultralight and comfortable. $100
  
  
• Headlamp - Black Diamond Spot, bomber. $40
  
  
• Water Filtration - Sawyer Squeeze, easy to use and dependable. $35
  
  
• Water Bladder - Platypus Big Zip 3L, easy to clean. $35
  
  That adds up to about $650. With the extra I would look into:
  
  -first aid kit
  -wool socks
  -multi-tool
  -long handle spoon
  -titanium cup
  -bear bag rope
  -compas
  -gps
  -rain jacket
  -soft shell pants
  -puffy jacket
  -lighter
  -hiking poles
  -trail runner shoes
  -and something nice for your girlfriend since she is brave enough to camp/hike/backpack!

My current setup is a BRS stove, a Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2, and a reflectix koozy.

The koozy and stuff sack weigh 47 grams, and the pot, cup, and lid weigh 143 grams. The stove (not counting the canister) weighs 25 grams. Everything fits inside the pot with extra room (I also keep a quarter of a scrubbing pad in there for cleaning).

I haven't gotten a chance to take the Snow Peak out yet, but I've been using the Mini Solo 1 for about 4 years now and love it. My only gripes are with the handle on the lid, and how small the handles on the cup are. Since both of these issues were fixed in the Mini Solo 2 I decided to upgrade. This seems to be idea for two people, as I can easily boil enough water for both of our meals (I use primarily dehydrated meals). My girlfriend doesn't have her own cup, so the past couple of trips I've given her the cup and ate out of the pot. For breakfast we eat first, then rinse the pot and make coffee (she's a slow mover in the morning so we're not in a rush to get moving).

Like I said I'm very happy with this system. While it could be lighter, I don't think its combined weight is unreasonable. I've been interested in giving an alcohol stove a go too, but I can never seem to get my fancee feast stove to work (the wick never seems to light).

Hope this helps!

I'd recommend picking up a few books. Ultralight Backpackin' Tips by Mike Clelland, and Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka for starters. These will help you a ton.

Then, what was just said, ask yourself with each item, "Am I packing my fears?" "Do I really need this?" and "What would realistically happen if I left this at home?" I'm seeing a ton of unnecessary and/or redundant stuff, not to mention all the heavy stuff.

For example, paracord, multitool, lantern, lots of heavy stuff sacks, an ultra-heavy water reservoir, full bottle of soap (you only need a few drops of that stuff), 3 heavy knives (a tiny swiss army classic or even a razor blade would do the trick), tons of excessive, heavy and redundant clothing (use a simple, versatile layering system with no redundancy), etc. Your first aid kit weighs almost 13oz! You can easily make a good one for under 3. You have a space blanket and two redundant fire starters (emergency only items) when you are carrying a gas stove and a sleeping bag (actual versions of the things your survival kit is supposed to improvise). The list is quite long.

Also, I'd take a serious look at some of the UL/SUL hammock guys on YouTube and get some ideas from their videos on how to dramatically simplify and lighten your hammock system. It seems incredibly complicated and heavy to me, esp. based on what I've seen online from other Hammock guys. For instance, a +6oz gear pouch? A suspension system that weighs more than your actual hammock? Yikes. Definitely take a look at lots of the lighterpack links you see in people's flairs on here too and just get some ideas for how to simplify, reduce, and eliminate items in your gear list. YouTube is your friend. There are tons of UL and SUL guys on there who camp in Hammocks. Learn from their experience and save yourself from having to re-live their mistakes.

Good luck and have fun! I know it probably seems overwhelming now, but just whittle down one thing at a time and you'll get there. You're already off to a good start with having all your gear in a list online to create accountability and show you the true weights of everything. It's fun to see how light you can go with your gear list and your back will thank you for it!

Titanium Pot - 28 oz savings ($35)

Drop The mug, just use your pot - 4 oz savings (free)

Trowel instead of shovel - 16 oz savings ($20)

Drop the solar panel (doesn't really work well on the move) - 10-ish savings (free)

Sawyer Squeeze instead of Katadyn - 8 oz savings ($30)

Dance Pants instead of packed pants - 14 oz saved ($18) although you probably dont need these since you're wearing zip off pants

I would add a puffy to your clothing, it will get pretty cold - 10 oz gained (can be found on sale for $40)

Leave the extra shirts at home - 12 oz saved (free)

Just bring one extra payer of underwear and socks - 6 oz saved (free)

Leave campshoes at home - 23 oz saved (free)

I really don't know what the survival kit contains, but it can probably be paired down or eliminated

Don't know what the carabiners are for if you're hanging stuff outside your pack you're bringing too much - 4 oz saved (free)

Don't know what the tarp is for the sierras, you already have a tent

125 oz saved or almost 8 pounds. Coming in at a cost around $150.

I would start here and then look at replacing your bigger items. The easiest one to save the most weight would be your pack.

Hope this helps!

TarpTent and Six Moon Designs are the 2 that come to mind. You should shoot them an email with your questions, they may even provide special pricing for scout troops (some cottage manufacturers do). The SMD Lunar Duo Outfitter is comparable in size to many 3 person tents, but marketed as a 2 person because they're generous with space, and usually goes for ~$125 during their holiday sale (which should be coming up soon—I got 2 as gifts last year). They're made in the U.S. and have great reputation.

That should leave you enough money left to get a pair (or 3!) of Cascade Mountain Tech Quick Lock Trekking poles, or one of the Al or CF tent poles SMD sells (I'd get trekking poles since they're stronger and serve double duty. The recommended ones have been thoroughly reviewed and are currently considered the best bang for your buck).

I'm a female in the bay as well and about your size.

I love my REI Flash 45! I just got it about a month ago and have taken it on one trip but I'm in love. Definitely check it out in the store and throw some of their weights in it. The price is nice as well!

These TNF shorts rock. I can't say enough good things about them. I think my thighs/butt are standard/athletic and the medium size that I have is definitely too big. They go up to XXL and they have short/regular/long inseam choices.

I carry the amazon dance pants as an emergency layer for hiking and for layering with my base layers at camp if it's chilly. Medium fits with room to spare.

Camp sandals! I just bought some Xero Shoes DIY Sandals. You will measure your feet to order the right size. I'm a size 8 normally. I cut the soles to size since I have less wide feet. I did a slightly heftier lace pattern. Total weight ended up being 148g. I'm pretty pleased with that. I haven't put them to the test yet though.

On the Gear in your Lighterpack:

• Being able to fit everything in your talon will be a great way to drop weight right off the bat.
  
  
• Would you consider a different pillow? I have this on order still, so I can't vouch for it, but it is dirt cheap and will save you a few ounces if it works out.
  
  
• Is the SS cup necessary if you have the pot and water bottles? consider whether you can do everything out of the pot.
  
  
• See if you can live with only one filter. The regular squeeze should serve you just fine.
  
  
• I know you love the chair. Is there any way you would consider a sit pad so you can sit cleanly and comfortable on large rocks and old logs? It would cut a good amount of weight. You can get them from Litesmith, Gossamer Gear, Aliexpress, and plenty of other places.
  
  
• If you haven't bought the grafting knife yet, would you consider a small pair of scissors? It would save you a small amount of weight, but think through what you're actually using the knife for.
  
  Other items:
  
  
• Hood - would you consider a fleece beanie or balaclava? Those are cheap and light.
  
  
• Down booties - a 20 deg quilt should be more than enough with a pair of dry sleeping socks. I know my fiancee sleeps cold, though, and wouldn't think of sleeping without at least two layers on her feet. If you feel you need them, bring them along.
  
  
• Alcohol fuel container - I know plenty of people who just use a disposable water bottle with some duct tape on it to identify it.
  
  
• I've seen some people use a bandana or head net with coffee, and others brew it cowboy style and let the grounds settle to the bottom. There are plenty of expensive presses out there, but you don't need to spend the money if you don't want to.
  
  
• First aid kit - the easiest way to cut down weight is only bring what you know how to use. Some tape, gauze, and pills will serve for most people.

The CNOC Vecto (this is the one I have) has the big fill opening on the opposite side of the bag as the screw top opening, which helps keep the "clean water" side of things away from the "dirty water" side. I also like the softer rubbery feel of the CNOC as compared to the Evernew (I have this one.) I also like the closing mechanism better on the CNOC. Much easier when your hands are cold/wet. Weight and the space they take up in your pack when empty seem pretty comparable.

I do like both of these better than anything else I've used though, because of the wide opening that makes it easier to fill from most sources. They're much easier than something like THIS, for example, or the bags that come with the Sawyer which only have the one small opening.

I have one of these. It's very nice for the reasons you mention. I also have an Imusa 12cm and a Toaks 750ml pot. All are useful in different ways and for different applications. One is tall and skinny (Toaks 750), one is short and wide (Toaks 700), one is tall and wide (Imusa). My main criteria is being able to fit 2 cups of water, but right now am really liking the Imusa for its wideness (to better accommodate my Fancee Feest alcohol stove) and its tallness because I was able to make a nice aluminum flashing windscreen that I can fit inside the pot when I'm not using it.

One other thing I have discovered is the lid to the 700ml fits my lidless Imusa pot perfectly.

i first tried it about 10 years ago with a Platypus Gravityworks filter and it blew my mind. Since then i give just about every other filter in-line and theyre all pretty good. Platty is the heaviest and most expensive and Sawyer mini is the cheapest, lightest, but shortest lived with the most drinking resistance (but thats still not much resistance at all).

The liberation of being able to just scoop up your water and go - especially with a bigmouth type bladder, is really nice.

The lightest version ive found so far is an Evernew 2L zip-top bladder (1.8oz) + Evernew bottle drink tube kit (1.8oz) + Hydroblu or Vecto filter (1.4oz) = 5oz

Adding capacity means i only need to add additional 1.8oz 2L bottles since the hose + filter can be swapped from bladder to bladder.

EVERNEW water bag 2L EBY209 (japan import) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CHW23YA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_coiRCbQ205J6R

EVERNEW Hydration Tube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AQYY2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AoiRCbET78B19

Versa Flow Light-Weight Camping and Outdoor Water Filter System - Hollow Fiber Inline or Straw Filter with Clear Window that Filters 100,000 gallons for Survivor and Emergency Filtration (Personal) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTAMKHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_epiRCbDWMAXRP

While the Evernew is the lightest, Hydrapack Shapeshifter (short & fat version) at 4.8oz with the hose, and 2.9 without, is still my preferred because its easier to handle in and out of my pack’s side pockets. Its soft whereas the Evernew is pretty stiff

Hydrapak Shape-Shift 2L Reversible Reservoir, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSVTIHR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VuiRCb5B7BW05

Seems like not much more than baking soda, I guess the tablets is practical and it probably tastes better. Would be nice if it had some fluoride but for a short backpacking trip it doesn't really matter.

Looks like there are various generics on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/Archtek-Toothpaste-Tablet-Mint-60/dp/B003UY1NMW, seems like it might be worth a try for travel in general, the tiny tubes seem pretty wasteful, although I get them free at the dentist anyways.

An aluminum or titanium pot would save 80-100g. This $35 titanium pot looks good. Using a lightweight plastic cup would save 50-60g.

Maybe try a DIY alcohol stove, which would save about 400g on a weekend trip. (On longer trips a canister stove has reasonably good weight efficiency.)

2kg is pretty heavy for a sleeping bag. Switching to a down quilt would save about 1500g. Enlightened Equipment is a great brand with really good prices.

Your pack is probably fine for now, but once you've upgraded your other gear and you have a better idea what capacity you need, you could probably save 800-1000g with a lighter pack.

They may not be at Costco though, they really come and go. This is my recommendation as well, but I had to buy mine off Amazon (link). They did well when weighed ~250lbs and a far heavier pack than I have now; they lock really well and did great with a lot of elevation. Saved my butt on one trip and I definitely used them thoroughly.

The REI Magma 850 Down Jacket is on sale for 50% off right now (13.75 oz) I got the same one without the hood when it was available and have loved it so far. This is nerdy as hell but you could get this dope glow in the dark multi purpose swiss army knife and save some weight. Get the BRS Stove and save a couple ounces. You could probably get by with the Anker 13000. Don't know what your sit pad is but the GG 1/8" Foam Pad is super light. I emailed GG and they said the pads would be available soon

I don't normally recommend so much cooking gear, but since it sounds like you actually cook on trail I recommend:

Imusa 12cm aluminum pot (aka stanco grease pot) would suit you well. Good capacity at 1.1L and only weighs ~3.5 oz.
https://www.amazon.com/Imusa-Aluminum-Mug-1-25-Quart-12/dp/B004444XMY

I don't know about pans, but I imagine a really lightweight aluminum pan could be found around. Maybe even non-stick. The MSR Quick Skillet is listed at 5.9 oz - https://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_MSR-Quick-Skillet_10238436_10208_10000001_-1_

As for a cup - I like the sea to summit x-cup. The best thing about it is that it collapses flat and takes up very little pack space. - https://www.amazon.com/Sea-to-Summit-XSSCUP-X-Cup/dp/B0065J3JWG

For real cooking I wouldn't go with titanium. It heats unevenly and has hot spots that can cause burnt food. Cheap aluminum is generally lighter than titanium anyway.

You sure these are lighter than just Anker's batteries?

Your setup: 9180mAh total/6.8oz = 1350mAh/oz

Anker PowerCore 10,000mAh: 10,000mAh/6.35oz = 1575mAh/oz

Anker Astro E1 6,700mAh: 6,700mAh/4.2oz = 1595mAh/oz

Anker PowerCore 3350mAh: 3,350mAh/2.56oz = 1308mAh/oz

It's neat but unless you really only need exactly 1 or 2 of those battery packs (and care about ~0.5oz savings), I'd say just stick with Anker due to convenience and safety.

EDIT: If you got a few of the exact same batteries, you could potentially build a small plastic attachment with a single circuit board and just swap out the batteries. That would be both cheaper and lighter. The extra USB ports are pretty unnecessary.

You're welcome! Yeah, the place I linked to for those bottles- they also sell a lot of other small bottles that are great for repackaging other stuff, as well as odds and ends that can save you weight in other places.

Yeah, those are the pants I was talking about. You can get them at Amazon too. I know the waist looks goofy in the pics but it's a normal waist you'd find on any other wind pants, it's just tailored to ride high so a lot of people double it over a few times so it's not around your belly button. It's lightweight material so I don't think it would be too bad with a waist belt but I'm beltless so I can't say for sure.

I use a small xlite too in addition to the thinlight. When the ground is pokey the thinlight can protect the xlite. When it's cold I put the thinlight on top and it helps boost the warmth of the xlite. Sometimes I use the thinlight under my feet.

You look pretty solid, honestly.

How much night hiking do you do? Are you sure you need the headlamp? You could probably get away with something like this. It's the one I use, weighs like 9g

Also, how attached are you to your jetboil? Have you tried the BSR? Only weighs 25g, uses the same fuel. Your pot should fit as well.

As a newb, and with slightly different goals (more interested in motocamping, than backpacking, personally), I may be mistaken, but I don't think there is a list. Identify your goals and your needs, and that will inform your gear decisions.

I'd recommend checking out Andrew Skurka's book. It's well-written, and informative. https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1505101910&sr=8-1

There's also some good info on his website if you want to save a few dollars (I haven't looked too much into the site, so I don't know how much the site and the book differ).

The sidebar here has some links that look really promising, and there are plenty of shake-down requests you can read to get an idea of what you might want.

Tent: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo

You and I are the same build, this is a very inexpensive, light, one pole setup and roomy tent, you + gear no problem, if bought off of backcountry.com during their 20% off sale it’s like $170-180

Wind pants:

These!

$20, 3.5 oz, you’ll want the medium

Trekking Poles: Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Cork, $45 shipped on amazon

Torso warmth: Walmart> Climate right Cuddlduds fleece set $20 plus a down jacket from Uniqlo.

Pack is super personal, but anything from a 2016 Osprey Exos/ Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor/ ULA pack to a fancier Superior Wilderness Designs Long Haul 40 (definitely recommend based off of reviews here) or HMG (heard mixed things) will do the job.


These are amazing budget options, if you want to upgrade from here feel free but this stuff will handle the JMT no problem.

Costco Down Throw is a good, cheap option.. but honestly only if you intend to do some MYOG and modification to it. Personally, I dont really like using the blanket on its own.

Here's a review I did on a summer sleeping bag from Aegismax: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh9VHCmiovU

I think it fits your needs perfectly. It's technically a bag, but can be used like a quilt as well. It seems that this version actually has a hood now, but mine does not.

$75:
https://www.amazon.com/AEGISMAX-Urltra-Light-Sleeping-Three-Season-L200cmW86cm/dp/B00XE2SKG2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1510252488&sr=8-2&keywords=aegismax

I've been really happy with the performance of my Sea-to-Summit SparkII sleeping bag, very light at 16.4oz ~ 35F lower limit. Purchased mine from REI with a 25% discount during their membership deals earlier this year which would get you under the $300 price point.

Ultimately, it will come down to understanding the versatility you need and if you want a bag vs. quilt. Also, given that you are posting in /r/Ultralight, you will receive recommendations for bags and quilts pushing your $300 max, with the weight savings and warmth of 850-950 down fill.

As already mentioned, Enlightened Equipment is worth checking out. Also, Marmot and Mountain Hardwear both make some very nice, lightweight bags.

There are cheaper alternatives while still lightweight, such as AEGISMAX and Hyke & Byke, that can be purchased on Amazon or Alibaba. You can find some decent reviews and threads of those in this subreddit. Good luck!

Modase is undersized. This one's hip belt is worthless (though that should be no surprise). Gave it away before I even took it out of the house. Smallest pack of the 3.

I have about 150 miles on this Coreal pack. Carries well, and only 11oz. Side pockets are legit (I can pull out a smart water bottle mid stride), but one side of the carry handle ripped out, so i cut it off. Makes me a little worried, but I'm not bringing this thing days away from civilization. Brain is stupid. Cut it off to save another 2oz. And then regret it when you have to go digging for your sunglasses.

The side pockets of this Mozone pack are not as stretchy as the Coreal. Weighed ~15oz. Despite claiming 40L, carries slightly less than the above Coreal. Brother is using it overseas as a day pack - haven't heard anything about it, so it's either performing great, or he threw it out to save space in his 80L. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

At the end of the day, I don't think brand matters worth a crap. I've seen all of these on aliexpress under other names. I suspect these 'brands' order a load of packs from an assortment of manufacturers. i've noted the exact same draw sting used on multiple brands. Same exact shoulder straps, etc. Best advice:: READ THE REVIEWS of a given pack. Accept that there will be a fair amount of shitty reviews from 2 groups: those who are rough on their gear, and the few who are genuinely unlucky. If it's 4+ stars with 200+ reviews (that are actual reviews... not just spam), you should do OK (both on Amazon and Aliexpress). For the price of 2.5 burritos, you can have a functional pack. Just accept that this is not an Osprey.

Edit: I would not want to take any of these over 20lbs total weight.

Edit2: Don't forget walmart etc. Atka Daypack. Put about 60 miles on one before I got fed up with the lack of side pockets. I saw a 40L that looked promising if I was in the market for that much space. ~14oz

Investing in a nicer down bag, or even a more budget-friendly one like an Aegismax, will also allow you to ditch the compression sack for even more weight savings, as down can compress more easily than synthetic.

It seems like budget is a concern, but it's really worth it in many cases to spend a little bit more one time, rather than having to spend money twice on gear you're going to want to replace (while I totally understand that whatever gets you out there, works).

Take a look at these trekking poles. They're the budget-friendly crowd favorite. Spring for the cork handles if you can. The anti-shock of the pole you listed is a fairly useless feature in practice that adds weight.

And yes, all the dry bags cost money, and add weight. Trash compactor bags are inexpensive, lightweight, and do the trick. I also like to use them to pack out other peoples trash on the last day.

Here is a much lighter, relatively affordable bug net option.

A few items that look heavy:

• compressible pillow @ 9oz is super heavy, but if it's the only thing that will help you sleep that's ok (-6oz for inflatable)
  
• could use a BRS stove that's lighter, but the pocket rocket is fine (-2oz)
  
• could go to a smaller power bank (6700mAh around 4oz) to save 2oz or so
  
  Also, as I reiterate to everyone, lyme disease is VERY rampant in the northeast. Don't by shy about packing more DEET or picaridin. Soak all of your clothes in permethrin before the trip, particularly socks.

I've found Backpackinglight's forum very helpful. In the gearlist section, people post their lists and get comments on them. Lighten Up is a short and simple book on the topic if you are completely new to lightweight backpacking. Also, "ultralight" is a loaded term. It implies a base weight (all the gear without food and what you're wearing) in the single digits. If this is what you really want, check out Ultralight Backpackin' Tips Otherwise, a baseweight in the teens are usually considered "lightweight" backpacking.

Also, don't just stick with stuff from REI. There are a lot of cottage industry stores that sell quality backpacking products. A few that I can think of off the top of my head are: Tarptent, Gossamer Gear, Six Moon Designs, Jacks R Better, ULA, Feathered Friends, Nunatak, Tenkara, and Bushbuddy. Of course, they are a bit more expensive, however, they are all well tested and trusted by a lot of backpackers.

Get your backpack last.

The PowerCore 10,000 (first gen) seems like a clear winner for capacity to weight - could be good to pick up.

I'm still seeing a price of $25.99 on Amazon now, which looks like it's the normal "always on sale" price: https://camelcamelcamel.com/Anker-PowerCore-Ultra-Compact-High-speed-Technology/product/B0194WDVHI

Nice man, both your kits are pretty solid. I'm at work so I can't be as thorough as I would like but here are a few ideas that stood out.

1/8" Pad: Drop it, cut two panels off your zlite to use as the frame and then just pull them out the pack to use at night to sleep. I did this all summer with my KS50 and it worked great. You'll need to cut a little bit off the width for it to fit, but it's minimal and not noticeable when sleeping.

Headlamps: There are much lighter headlamp options and many prefer flashlights for night hiking to bring the light closer to waist level and elongate the shadows. You can also clip them to a brim of a hat for hands free use around camp. A little thrunite ti3 would be a good bet if you don't plan on much night hiking, or a Nitecore Tip 2017 for night hiking.

Knife: The Victorinox Classic SD only weighs 22grams or if all you need is a knife check out Spyderco Ladybug at 16grams. Avoid amazon for the ladybug, there are counterfeits going around i hear.

FAK: You could likely pair this down, mine only weighs 1.5oz

Houdini P/O: Seems unnecessary with the versalite? But I've never worn the Nano-Air Light Hoody, is the idea that the houdini would provide a breathable wind barrier when used in combination? I know this is a common strategy with fleece.

Kahtoola Micro Spikes: If we end up needing them this year I'm going to try Snowline Chainsen Light. Quite a bit lighter than microspikes.

On a side note, when do you start? I'm heading out on May 18th. Edit: Nevermind...somehow missed this in your post...maybe I'll see you all in Oregon or Washington! I'm targeting a late August finish.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B00ENDROMW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1454174592&sr=8-4&keywords=Cannister+stove

Super cheap and works pretty well.

http://www.amazon.com/BRS-Ultralight-Camping-Outdoor-Cooking/dp/B00NNMF70U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454175219&sr=8-1&keywords=Brs-25

I picked up a brs-25 earlier this week (when it was shipping from the US instead of China) and it's a cool 0.9 oz stove that runs $10-$18 if you can find it in stock (or are willing to wait for shipping from china.)

Massdrop has nice deals on klymit insulated static v lite pads every month or so. Usually around $55 shipped and 19 oz with a decent r rating.

I bought some of these for my first set of poles. Andrew Skurka has a pretty good write up and for $45 I figured it would be worth giving them a shot. So far they have been great. Right at about 16oz for the pair.

I have the Paria Sanctuary and I love it! Its your basic 8x10, no-frills tarp. It's big enough for me and my SO w/ some gear and it has the the added benefit of being super cheap ($79) but also good quality. Their website says that they should have some more back in stock at the end of the month, here's the page

Also: I agree that you're likely to find 13x13 too big unless you're tarping with 3+ people.

Andrew Skurka officially recommends the Cascade Mountain Tech Quick Lock Poles. He puts in a lot of miles, so they're pretty durable.


I've had a set of the foam-handled ones for a few years now. I'm pretty sure I've put more than 400 miles on them and they're still going strong so you can add my recommendation too :) Hard to beat for $36 on Amazon :)

Cascade Tech Carbon Trekking Poles

Check these out. Have em and love em. Great budget option. Recently switched out the tips for some BD tips and couldn’t be happier!

Get these instead: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Wrappers-Ripstop-Pants-701/dp/B0002UR7SQ

Sizing chart here: https://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/style_701.html

~3 oz, <$20, relaxed fit to layer over tights, dries super quick.

Wind pants > rain pants for most 3-season conditions because the heat generated by your legs hiking needs to vent somewhere, otherwise you're going to sweat & wet out anyways. Plus getting wet on your legs doesn't matter as much as your body core for warmth.

In addition to what others have already said (weigh everything and make a lighterpack/trailpost), also look at what other people are carrying. The sub is full of trip reports which all have gear lists. Compare those lists to what you're carrying to see what to leave behind and which items would benefit most from lighter replacements.

Just few examples from the sub:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/7k2ql7/10_pound_45kg_winter_appalachian_trail_thru_hike/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/93v7q1/so_i_thruhiked_the_ct_in_a_kids_batman_backpack/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/8awyax/after_79_days_and_30411km_my_7lb_pack_and_i/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/98ohsg/trip_report_99_day_pct_thru_hike/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/998tiu/78_day_pct_thru_trip_reportextensive_gear_review/

Stumbled on those after just few minutes of browsing through the top submissions.

Also Cam Honan's articles on the gear accomplished long distance hikers carry are pretty useful:

https://www.thehikinglife.com/2017/03/the-thru-hikers-gear-list/

https://www.thehikinglife.com/2018/04/the-thru-hikers-gear-list-vol-2/

And Mike Clelland's book Ultralight Backpackin' Tips can't be recommended enough:

http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841

They started out as a ultralight backpacking company. They were successful at that and had some of the best gear out there.

They abandoned the designs that they started with, and replaced them with gear that I really didn't even consider ultralight. I'm not sure if they got rid of the breeze, and cave because Jardine owned the designs or because they didn't fit their new business model.

Even after the Jardine era some of their gear was quite nice, and still pretty light. But over the next few years they seemingly decided to compete with companies like The North Face, started selling 'lifestyle clothing' and things like that.

If you need proof that they completely abandoned their original mission check out their history page. http://www.golite.com/Info/Values/History.aspx
They go out of their way to not mention Ray Jardine, or Beyond Backpacking/the pct hikers handbook. In fact they use the phrase "lighten up" which IMO is a cheap way to plug this book http://www.amazon.com/Lighten-Up-Complete-Ultralight-Backpacking/dp/0762737344 as opposed to anything Jardine may have in publication.

And besides how can a company called Golite have a founder who is overweight?

This is probably your best bet, but it'll only charge your phone 4~ times or so; you'll have to check the capacity of your phone battery to be sure as larger screens/more powerful phones will naturally get less full charges. I use a 20000 mAh external battery which gives me roughly 8 charges. You can find 20k batteries from Anker for $40.

They're the lightest, best quality external batteries you'll find imho.

This really depends on your gear. The biggest weight savers are firstly bringing less (such as getting rid of extra clothes, knives, tablets etc) but then getting a lighter tent, sleeping bag, and pack. If you're good on those or can't lose weight there, next up could definitely be the cookset. A cheap light titanium pot and a light stove can make a big difference. Far down the list is tent stakes, imho. If you have cheap heavy stakes, sure swap them out. But there are bigger fish to fry if you're a novice.

I've had good luck with Toaks products. You can hold the handle without it being too hot, even with boiling water. This should fill your requirements:

https://www.toaksoutdoor.com/collections/pot95/products/pot-550-l

For a stove I use this popular item:

https://www.amazon.com/BRS-Outdoor-Camping-Portable-Ultralight/dp/B00NNMF70U

Super light, heats water up just fine.

Hammocks are great. Most people seem to choose them over ground simply for comfort. While it's definitely possible to get an UL hammock sleep system, they're less versatile especially considering areas without tree cover (deserts, hiking above the tree line, etc.) I recommend checking out /r/hammockcamping or hammockforums.net if you're interested in learning more.

Personally, I use a HG Cuben Fiber tarp, Dutch 11ft netless (w/ridgeline and whoopie slings) with a DIY half bugnet (HUG net), 30* HG Underquilt (just the 40 with 2 ounces more down), and the [Aegismax green](http://www.amazon.com/AEGISMAX-Outdoor-Urltra-Light-sleeping-Urltra-compactable/dp/B00XE2SKG2?ie=UTF8&Version=1&entries*=0) sleeping bag. I love this setup, and all together, it weighs 3.32lbs. Can I go lighter? Sure, but it's all a matter of preference.

I love my Anker. I have this one when it went on a flash deal for just $7 and is around 4oz I think. I get two full charges out of it which is good for me for a weeklong trip at least. If you plan to have heavier use of your phone for GPS or whatever, I recommend this one or the powercore+ version here.

I chose the astro because it was so cheap and a bit lighter because there are two battery cells instead of 3 but more than 1 for more than just one charge. I have heard though that Anker is weird because they will keep older models (i.e., the astro) priced similarly to their newest ones (powercore or powercore+). People recommend getting the newest one since they aren't much more expensive UNLESS you find a sweet deal or something. Here's a comparison of their powercore+, powercore, and astro technology. http://www.powerbankguide.com/anker-powercore-vs-astro-the-difference/

So is propane the best for weight right now besides alcohol? I love my white gas! Is this the stove you have for solo? https://www.amazon.ca/BRS-Ultralight-Camping-Outdoor-Cooking/dp/B00NNMF70U

I'm leaving for my solo wct in two days, Tuesday May 7!

haha no worries, we all screw up weights sometimes. I once put in my pad as 11g and could not figure out what was wrong with my weights.

• which model of power bank? this anker one weighs 6.35oz which is like 4oz less than yours
  
• you said you can get cold and miserable- I would be worried that the switchback+xframe combo will be too cold. Klymit’s whole schtick is that they use a sleeping bag to become some of the insulation. for us ul people, we hardly ever have bottom insulation so the ratings on their pads don’t really work. im not saying it’s impossible to get a warm sleep on an xframe, especially with the switchback too, but since you said you’re a cold person it’s something to think about.
  
• the plexamid seems like a good choice.
  
• also I just thought of this- do you have microspikes/ice axe? i personally haven’t done the pct but with that early of a start there will absolutely be snow in the Sierra. you don’t have to carry the snow gear the whole time, but you will need it for that section at least.
  
• I wonder if you could get the koalas to help carry some of the weight. I’m sure they could carry their own stuff right?

Check out the book Ultralight Backpackin' Tips by Mike Clelland. He put together a pretty comprehensive and digestible, and really nicely illustrated book that breaks everything down and explains the reasoning behind each technique and suggestion.

Andrew Skurka's book is also really well written, but Clelland's really emphasizes the fun and grooviness of ultralight technique.

Thanks! is this the evernew bag that's best to use? It looks like there is a zip lock one too.

Yes. In excessive detail:

While squatting over a cathole, 6" or deeper, you shit into the hole, then you wipe most of the shit off your ass with a smooth stone, clump of foliage, or paper product. You deposit that in the cathole with the rest of the shit.

Then you scoot to the side a bit and use water to wet your hand (for modern humans, usually the right hand -- left hand holds the water bottle), with the cathole catching the rinse water. With your wet hand (index and middle finger usually) you wipe your anus, rinse your fingers, wipe, rinse, repeatedly. Anus is now as clean as it would be after taking a soapless shower or using a bidet. Which is to say, more clean than just wiping with paper (the old saying: "if you got shit on your arm, would you just wipe it with toilet paper and call it good? no, you'd wash it off.")

Then you've got your right hand. Two fingers are rinsed off but not hygienic. Dry that hand with a bit of paper towel or grass, dry your ass, deposit in cathole. Then disinfect your hands. Some people use wet wipes for this and other parts of the process. I use alcohol gel, hospital-style. Hit the outside of the gel bottle and the water bottle while you're at it. Other people use soap and water.

This is roughly Clelland's method from "Ultralight Backpacking Tips".
https://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841

(All this is somewhat beside the point. Cholera usually spreads through poorly managed drinking water, not human-to-human fecal-oral contamination.)

Gear is expensive so I'll give you a range, from cheapest you may find to very expensive but awesome.

Pack - get one that fits or face the back pain consequence - $50 for an ASolo UL to $500+ for Custom bag.

Sleeping bag - consider a quilt instead - All depends on where you live. I have a $35 dollar bag and a $450 bag I use one in the tropics on one in the alpine or arctic.

Tent - If you're camping alone, in a treed area, get a henessey hammock. They're $150 or so. You can also get a tarp ($50) and bivy ($100 used) combo. Don't lug a 4 person tent around for 1 or 2 people.

Next purchase - Stove. Make (check r/myog or cat food camp stove for info) or buy. You can also get a bomb proof msr stove for $35 + fuel.

Getting a pack that fits is the most important thing. A sleeping bag will fit in any pack because it's just fabric and fuzz.

Tent basics:
Big Agnes, TarpTent are the reasonably priced and best performing UL tents.
If you are 1 person get a 1 person tent. If you are 2 people, get a 2 person tent.
Look into hammock, bivy/tarp, and tent options and pick the one that suits where you'll be camping.

You'll want a 50-70L pack for trips longer than a weekend.

Mike Clelland has a really cheap and great tip book, he was a NOLS leader forever and knows his shit, and explains it with cartoons.

I have the BSR one off Amazon. I actually got mine from BuyGeek flash sale for $9.99, free shipping. Took 2 weeks to get here from a China. It's been a pretty good stove for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NNMF70U/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522032785&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bsr+stove&dpPl=1&dpID=318GiUmpQkL&ref=plSrch

Please edit your post to follow the shakedown format as there are unanswered questions like budget, non-negotiable items, etc.

Are all of these items weighed yourself or manufacturing listed weights? Please be sure that the weigh all your gear as manufacturing weights are very often inaccurate. I would be very surprised if your Merino Wool socks are 5oz. Note, that in lighterpack, one place all item weights even if they are worn or consumable to get accurate total pack weight and worn weight statistics.

Cheap fixes:

• [-8.9oz, $9] Drop the footprint for polycro. It comes in a two pack and many thru hikers have found them reliable.
  
• [-3.77oz, $15] Drop 3 of the smart water bottles for a Evernew 2L bladder. Consider also whether you really need so much water storage as you may be fine with 1 of these bladders and 1 smart water bottle for 3.5L capacity.
  
• [-14.5oz, free] Drop the solar charger. (See below)
  
• [-4.6oz, free] Drop the powercore. (See below)
  
• [+6.3oz, $27] Buy an Anker Powercore 10000. The slim option is also something to consider for an additional ounce with faster speeds.
  
  = 26.47oz for $51.
  
  Obviously the pack, sleeping and shelter systems can be reduced significantly. Please weigh your gear and specify a budget so that others can help more.

I know you wanted the rubberized handles, but that limits your options significantly. I'd say apply the rubber yourself with a tool handle dip.
BRS Stove - $16
Snow Peak Trek 900 - $45
Rustoleum Grip Dip $17.50

That leaves a solid $10. You can have them pick you up a canister or two!
I've been using both the BRS Stove and Snow Peak Trek 900 and they both work great. Now, if you have a windy situation, you may need to build a windscreen or get a MSR Pocket Rocket.

​

Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger. I did this weight off of memory. Just rechecked it and it's actually 6.1 ounces. Thanks for the heads up - I'll update my gear weight on lighterpack. Still extremely light and works great. Would be a nice upgrade for you.

• Water shoes (if you need the functionality there must be something lighter than that)
  
• Cook pot (replace with this, save 7 ounces)
  
• Water filter (replace with Sawyer Squeeze, save 8 ounces)
  
• Camp chair (replace with small foam pad, save ~24 ounces)
  
• Battery pack (replace with 5000 mAh version if you must, save 6.5 ounces).
  
  That's about three pounds right there which is pretty good for not touching the Big 3. Obviously the tent, sleeping bag, and pack are the biggest issues, but those would be expensive to replace.

Doing a week long trip in glacier national park in a couple of weeks. A friend is joining us last minute who is going to use our smaller quarterdome tent. That leaves me with a 20+ year old Eureka timberline. It's a great tent for car camping and short overnights but way heavier than I want for longer distance hiking.

On such short notice I was considering a Paria Outdoors tarp tent:
https://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-SilTarp-Ultralight-Waterproof-Backpacking/dp/B01E6454HO/

However it'd be the first tarp tent for me and even with the inner mesh net they sell my girlfriend is freaking out that the tent will blow away or somehow magically attract bears.

Is there another model tent out there under $200 I could get quickly? Or am I better off trying to convince my girlfriend that tarp tents are fine and this is the one to get?

I think shes worried about being exposed to the elements and not having any privacy within the group while using this tent.

I haven't hiked the JMT so I can't comment on your clothing system but here are some general thoughts:

Ditch the headlamp for a sub 1oz USB rechargeable flashlight $30

Ditch the Leatherman for a Victorinox Swiss Army Classic $15

Ditch the paper maps and use Guthook's since you already have it. $Free

Ditch the Sea to Summit X-Cup and I wouldn't bother with the hot lips either $Free

Replace the trash compactor bag with a Fumigation bag $2.49

Ditch the compass $Free

Replace the stove with the BRS Stove $15

All this should save you about ~11 ounces for ~$63.

If you are worried about fitting in the superior 35 I would take a look at the MLD Prophet $195. This should be plenty of room and will save you an additional 18+ ounces.

I use them in my EDC bag, they're so nice for travel and obviously backpacking. I use these and they taste awesome and clean very well.

Archtek Toothpaste Tablet Mint (60) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003UY1NMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ZO1VCbS0K83M8

I paid 5 bucks.

I second the Fizans! I've had a pair since '09 and they've been everywhere with me with never a problem. They look pretty battered but they work as new!

My girlfriend has the Cascade Mountain Tech carbon poles and they are OK. Although they are not exactly heavy, they seem so after using the Fizans! They are also not as well made and I'll be surprised if they last 10 years without replacing the flick locks (Andrew Skurka has an article on his blog about this issue and how to fix it)

I used this for my handles. Gotta lube it up pretty good, but silicone WD-40 is your friend there.

https://www.amazon.com/Du-Bro-222-Medium-Silicone-Tubing/dp/B0006MZKJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541159971&sr=8-1&keywords=Du-Bro+222+3%2F32%22+x+2%27+Medium+Super+Blue+Silicone+Tubing

I use this Evernew 2l bag. It has a slide open top that makes it super easy to fill.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CHW23YA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HsliDb7060SVV

Start with a good book or two. I recommend Beyond Backpacking, Lighten Up!, and The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide. Any of these books will give a good 50,000-foot view of the world of things you should be thinking about when introducing yourself to backpacking.

Aegismax on Amazon has an awesome UL sleeping bag. $75.00 and only weighs 0.97lbs! I've seen people use them like quilts too, only zip up the bottom footbox and lay over yourself.

https://www.amazon.com/AEGISMAX-Urltra-Light-Sleeping-Three-Season-L200cmW86cm/dp/B00XE2SKG2

UL trek poles my mother in law gave me for my birthday about 6 years back have been a lifesaver on day hikes and multi night treks alike. They're sold through Costco or on Amazon. Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles. They're $35 right now. Thank me later.

Somebody posted this a while back. Great deal. 8x10 would be good for two people.

Okay, there's some new Japanese version of Evernew bags trying to do what CNOC did with the wide mouth/slider thing. Don't get that bag.


Get this one: https://www.amazon.com/EVERNEW-Water-Carry-System-2000ml/dp/B000AQYY5Q/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=evernew&qid=1557443715&s=gateway&sr=8-1


I LOVED this bag. I got it in 2017 and still use it.

If you're looking to save some money, you'd be hard pressed to find a bag cheaper than the Aegismax https://www.amazon.com/AEGISMAX-Outdoor-Urltra-Light-sleeping-Urltra-compactable/dp/B00XE2SKG2

You should be able to find a few reviews through google or on this subreddit, but everything is mostly positive.

A backpack should be the very last thing you buy since it carries all the other stuff.

Hiking shoes or trail runners + socks + insoles should be the first. They must fit you perfectly and don’t go cheap

The second thing to buy for only $10 is https://smile.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Wrappers-Ripstop-Pants-Black/dp/B0002UR7SQ/ref=sxin_1_sxwds-bia-wc1_

Size reference - I'm 5'9" 140lb (women's pant size 4), the small fits great and the x-small would have easily worked too

Okay, I got this.

G4Free 40L backpack - $18.99


Paria Sanctuary Sil Tarp - $79.99


Polycro ground sheet - $7.98


Sleep pad - $16.79


Down throw - $31.95


Ultralight, summer set up straight from Amazon for about $150.


edit: oops, you said no tarp. You could add the bug net for $65 and be at ~210 for an ultralight, modular set up. Could also subtract the polycro sheet and save a few bucks if you buy the inner net.

The Amazon CMT ones probably include straps and the stock tips in the weight. At 1oz difference it's pretty much a rounding error anyway.

They appear to be at their best price according to camel3 also.

Aukey 10000 mAh is on sale at Amazon for $10.91 when you redeem the 48% code (you can buy more than 1 apparently). 185g / 6.53oz is the listed weight, but a reviewer measured an actual weight of 175g / 6.15oz. The specs seem to be competitive with the r/ultralight favorite Anker Powercore 10000 (5V 2.1A output/5V 2A input vs 5V 2.4A output/5V 2A input), but this has two USB ports + flashlight, if that makes a diff.

The newer gen Anker and Aukey 10000mAh power banks charge/recharge faster when paired appropriately, FWIW.

FYI, the popular Anker 10K battery pack is on sale today with coupon on amazon for 24 bucks. Just check the box.

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Ultra-Compact-High-Speed-Technology/dp/B0194WDVHI/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1D9XDC4F0HO1X&keywords=10000+mah+power+bank&qid=1569165909&s=gateway&sprefix=10000%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-3

Honestly, if weight is priority, I would just grab a BRS stove. Test it a couple of times, and if there are issues, buy another.


I'm not keen on the waste of doing this, but I've got one and it has been working perfectly over the course of half a year or so. Just keep in mind that it won't perform as well in wind relative to your candidates. But boy is it tiny.

There are similar keychain flashlights on Canada amazon that I'm looking at. One is $20 and looks identical, and says:

Output and run time: Firefly: 0.04 Lm(115h), Low: 12 Lm(6.3h), High: 120Lm(0.5h), Strobe:120Lm(1 hour)

Since it also runs on 1x AAA, does that seem like similar duration as yours considering it's the same power source?

edit: link for reference - thoughts? there seems to be 'cool white' or 'neutral white' options as well.

Have you considered just taking batteries? [This ](http://www.Anker.com/ PowerCore 10000, One of the Smallest and Lightest 10000mAh External Batteries, Ultra-Compact, High-speed Charging Technology Power Bank for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0194WDVHI/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_ywDjzbH41CWQV) Anker model is pretty popular with backpackers, and many find that it provides enough power for a week. You can find similar batteries for just about any capacity.

I really enjoy Lighten Up! and Ultralight Backpackin' Tips as well. Those two really helped me think about what I was carrying on my trips. It made me a lot more weight conscious.

Lush sells many flavors. They will give you samples in a great container that you can use for more toothpaste tabs or other hygiene stuff.

I ultimately bought these because amazon.

Archtek Toothpaste Tablet Mint (60) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UY1NMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_71Pju8cKgIDv5

That's just a free image floating around on the internet draw by Mike Clelland.

I HIGHLY recommend his Ultralight Tips book. His illustrations are hysterical and he's been a NOLS instructor all his life (so he knows whats up). I actually learned to telemark (backcountry) ski and winter camp using some of his older books (and amazing drawings).

I don't get any money from anyone for recommending it, but I bought mine here:
https://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841

Way too heavy. My cooker is something like this (it might even be the same thing) https://www.amazon.com/BRS-Outdoor-Camping-Portable-Ultralight/dp/B00NNMF70U

It weights 45g. You don't need a case for it either, I just put it inside my pot and make sure there are some socks or a buff around it so it doesn't stab a hole in my pack/other stuff.

Not to be an evangelist, but trekking poles were such a revelation when I started using them. Before that, my hands would always get really swollen while I hiked.

If you want to try them, get the $40ish Skurka-recommended CMT ones.

But, as others have said, a lot of UL cottage companies will sell you carbon fiber poles for their tents if you don't use trekking poles.

THAT said, getting dual use out of trekking poles as your tent poles is one of the best ways to drop weight on a tent.

What do you already have? Not everything needs to be replaced. A list with weights is always helpful. We like to weigh stuff, and we are obsessed with that (okay, not everyone is).

There are two books that really helped me Lighten Up! and Ultralight Backpackin' Tips.

Read Skurka gear guide before you buy anything & Ultralight Backpackin' Tips to get you in "UL mode', there rest will be sort of easy..

Learn to love trail runners - it changed everything for me

1L is plenty for 2 people. Also titanium is horrible for actually cooking. It gets hot spots and burns your food. You'll also pay a premium for anodized aluminum. Just go for an Imusa 12cm mug, which is 1.1L or an equivalent non-anodized aluminum pot. It is on amazon for like $5. Save yourself a lot of money.

http://www.amazon.com/Imusa-Aluminum-Mug-1-25-Quart-12/dp/B004444XMY

BTW the foods you listed are all "dehydrated" style foods that can be rehydrated in a ziplock freezer bag slipped inside a reflectix pouch :)

Your stove is fairly heavy, you can save 9 oz with a BRS3000 (.9 oz) and a light aluminum or Ti pot. This is the cheapest way to lighten up if you want to stay with a cannister. A DIY ethanol stove is cheaper and lighter still.

Do you need such a heavy battery?

Are you bringing a phone?

I use this Toaks 750ml Ti pot. Weighs 3.8oz with stuff sack, and I use it to store and keep safe the rest of my cook kit plus some kitchen incidentals like coffee, tea bags, etc.

> some general car camping/trail pots for cooking

I never use the same pots for car camping and backpacking. All I need for backpacking is one kettle that's shaped to be easy to pour out of. Low wide pots are harder to pour from without spilling. Something like this. For car camping I like larger enamelware pots like this.

probably the same exact product with different branding and they get great reviews https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XM0YGW8?th=1

1.5 lb, two-person net tent - $40

1 lb, 8x10 tarp with guylines and stakes - $80

Total - $120 and 2.5 lbs for a non-free standing setup (need hiking poles). Enjoy!

Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips For Extremely Lightweight Camping https://www.amazon.com/dp/0762763841/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UTFQAbW1Z1W4W

my victorinox waiter and 2.5" sewing scissors are 1.45 oz combined, no saw though

i use a can opener all the time in town and you make some good friends carrying a corkscrew

I'm going to echo Enlightened Equipment. But for those that are even more budget conscious:

--
AegisMax Goose Down 36 Degree F bag

These are Chinese bags with geniune 800fp goose down (ethically sourced).

528g weight w/comppression bag - 20cm x 12cm pack size.

200x78cm unpacked.

They make other models too:

• Rectangular 36 degree F bag
  
• 26 degree F mummy

Your food bag is way too heavy. Even a plastic grocery bag would be better.

Replace the pot with an aluminum grease pot or mug like so.

Take a good, hard look at your backpack and pull off anything detachable. Then start trimming anything you don't have a specific use for like interior pockets and straps/cords you don't need. Or sell it and get another.

I'm a little confused about your clothing system. The camp stuff is for sleeping? Is the jacket like a down puffy or something else? The running pants seem heavy to me. This stuff can be switched up pretty easily and cheaply along the way though.

Repurpose the poncho as a rain kilt or drop it.

Replace the rain jacket with a frogg toggs.

Get lighter flip flops.

I think you're double counting your underwear. You have the spare pairs listed at twice the weight of the worn pair but also the quantity as two.

Bring less: wipes, bug repellent, sanitizer, soap. Refill when necessary along the way.

If you don't want to shell out for a lightweight trowel, either cut down the one you have or replace it with a large stake like this.

One carabiner only, if you're using it for bear bagging.

Drop the emergency blanket, you have an entire tarp and sleeping bag. If you're worried about being cold at night rather than emergency use, it's best to address that by changing your sleep set up.

Electrolytes? If you want to use drink mixes that's fine but don't carry around electrolyte tablets or powders just in case and then never use them.

Here's the Amazon link . I am also in Toronto, and bought this in April. It arrived fairly quickly, and has no import duties. It says it comes with one pouch, but mine came with two bags, and the hanging pouch and adapter/tube for gravity filtering. I wasn't expecting that! I may have lucked out, or it's listed incorrectly. It was cheaper than buying it in store in the States, with the exchange rate.

Buy these books before you spend any more money on anything else. They can save you a lot of money over the course of your upcoming months of gear-nerding out.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841

http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide/dp/1426209207

i use the evernew 2L which screws on to the filter perfectly.

https://www.amazon.com/Evernew-Water-Carry-System-2000ml/dp/B000AQYY5Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497636396&sr=8-1&keywords=evernew+water+bladder

good question. i bought them on amazon here. they work well and are cheap enough cause i'm too lazy to make them myself.

These are what I use and a good budget option. Basically you want something with cork handles to absorb sweat and a locking mechanism similar to these.

Does anyone have experience with 2L Evernew bag with clip top closure? Is it durable? I'm hoping if I switched to this style, I could lose my water scoop.

Before you buy anything I would recommend you read this book. It might save you some time , money and trouble.

https://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841

These are great. Had mine for several years. No issues at all.

EVERNEW Water Carry System, 2000ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AQYY5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_P7jiDbKM9GH66

My 1.25q Imusa Cup cost $7 shipped on Amazon, is big enough for my wife and I to share, and weighs less than a lot of titanium cookware.

Anker PowerCore 10000 starts in like... 1 minute.

For $19.19, nice.

I got the highly recommended Cascade Mountain Tech poles from Amazon here

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00XM0YGW8 if you're in Canada.

Or, check Costco for them. They're cheap, light, durable enough. If you really like poles, look to upgrade in the future. But give those a go first imo

I heard the hydrapaks can have a taste issue though (They are on Massdrop rn btw). Have you tried the Evernew? Its pretty light, cheap, and tasteless. I could make a sexist joke there but I will pass...

I found the inspiration in this book: Ultralight Backpacking Tips , Mike Clelland

If you go this route. Measure twice, cut once. I snipped a couple straps that probably could have stayed.

You could consider the BRS-3000T stove instead of the MicroRocket -- it's cheaper and lighter.

For the pot consider the SnowPeak Trek 700 -- I have one and it fits a canister well.

Sawyer Squeeze is only $20 on amazon right now https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP129-Filtration-Squeezable/dp/B00B1OSU4W?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAI2TWEDSMJWGPXOQQ&tag=camelanonalerts-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00B1OSU4W

Or don't?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/58nlkz/what_gear_or_technique_did_you_buy_or_try_only_to/d91tmmf/

TL;DR: with a BRS-3000T, 25-gram, canister-top stove and a light-weight pot for boiling water, alcohol doesn't save you much weight on short trips, and on longer, un-resupplied trips, LPG wins.

See also: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/5akas5/nifty_but_possibly_dangerous_refill_transfer_fuel/

EDIT - never have to check for "fire bans" with LPG either - the stoves have a shut-off valve and are typically exempt.

These should be the correct ones: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJP43FA

Just got these delivered yesterday actually. They seem pretty solid but haven't had a chance to do much with them.

I run hot so shorts are a must for me. Bring a pair of [these] (https://www.amazon.com/Body-Wrappers-Ripstop-Pants-Black/dp/B0002UR7SQ/ref=sr_1_15?s=kitchen-bath&ie=UTF8&qid=1498512185&sr=8-15&keywords=dance++pants) to throw on as needed. only 4 oz and keep me warm down to the forties without a base layer.

>Anker 10k

Assuming you are talking about the normal powercore 10000 https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Ultra-Compact-High-Speed-Technology/dp/B0194WDVHI this one has.

- QC 2.0 both in and out so you can charge the bank faster and also the devices faster if they support it. ( I use an S9 so mine does)

- Lighter

- Thinner but longer ( I prefer thinner)

- Cheaper

There's this zip top bottle from evernew.

Ubens BRS Ultralight Camping Gas Stove Outdoor Burner Cooking Stove 25g https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NNMF70U/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_43EPybPPWPHMC

I bought this and it's fine. Used a handful of times.

I saw it on sale at Amazon today.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426217846

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/BRS-Outdoor-Lightweight-Stove-Titanium-alloy-Burner-Camping-Stove-BRS-3000T/2042933370.html non mobile link

Also amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NNMF70U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2FVB70KDJE667

The same trekking poles are sold on Amazon for $45 if you can't find any in stores. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XM0YGW8/

YMMV regarding finding them in store. I got them on Amazon awhile ago for roughly ten bucks cheaper. Here is the link.

Anker Powercore 10,000 is on sale on Amazon prime tonight also

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0194WDVHI/ref=gbps_tit_m-7_759e_22b00bb5?pf_rd_p=70acffa0-6735-44b1-b69d-ab83e4d3759e&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=13887280011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=JW0THAZ35WD14QYCR7QV