(Part 3) Best products from r/Ultralight

I like your gear notes. Anyways, most of the weight cuts will come from your Big 3, which unfortunately are traditionally the most expensive changes to make. I've noted some budget choices, but otherwise being truly UL is left up to cottage manufacturers or DIY.

• Hammock is definitely a big anchor in terms of weight. There are some very well received budget (relative to tarps/mids/tents/etc) options such as Dutchware Gear or Dream Hammock Darien, etc. You can always use your current rain fly, stakes, etc. (edit: JK, it looks like your rain fly is built in, Simply Light Designs has a really solid cheap tarp though, among other choices).
  
  
• Your sleeping bag isn't that bad, an EE quilt would cut ~300g but the weight per $ value wouldn't be worth it. If you do switch to a lighter hammock, make sure that your CCF Pad + current sleeping bag configuration is still comfortable (as in, the usual setup would include an underquilt as well for insulation). I personally don't use an UQ with my UL hammock and am fine until about 4C/40F, but I sleep warm.
  
  
• For your pack choice, make sure the rest of your gear fits as well - both weight and volumes are important to match. Your pack should honestly be the last thing you buy. Regardless, the Osprey Exos you've linked is a decent choice, but if you have access to an REI so is the 45L Flash and such. These are generally lightweight but not UL, if you want to spend big $ you can go UL but the mid range 40-50L packs are definitely fine (and durable).
  
  
• You can cut your pot weight by 4x if you grab a DIY can pot, plus they're super cheap and easy to make if you need to replace it on the trail (same with any Al windscreens or lids).
  
  
• I recommend it often but I would bring another BIC mini, having redundancy in lighters is a good choice for little weight.
  
  
• I'm pretty sure water on the AT is plentiful (be sure to confirm this, I haven't been), but if that's the case I think just 2x 1L Smart water bottles are better than both your 3L Camelbak and extra Gatorade bottle. This would of course change your water filtering system as well, probably requiring you to get a Sawyer Squeeze or Mini. Overall it would be about $30-40 to cut 150-200g. If you don't make this change, atleast swap the gatorade for a smart water one.
  
  
• I haven't actually heard of sock liners, are they necessary? If your extremities are that cold I understand, but merino/smartwool Darn Tough socks are probably good enough on their own, plus you have a heavy pair of socks already.
  
  
• I personally would ditch the pants and just use running shorts and then use the wool baselayer when needed. Also I don't think you need both a long sleeve shirt and a wool baselayer shirt, seems overlapping. I generally have, tops: baselayer tshirt, fleece mid layer, down or rain jacket exterior. bottoms: running shorts with tights as needed....clothing is generally quite personal though, so do whatever you're comfortable with.
  
  
• Ditch your boots for Trail Runners, you'll love it. If you cut over 1,000g with this switch you're saving 1kg 3500km (35oz 2200miles, for you USC measurement folk). I don't think weight per distance is an actual thing, but I'm sure it ties into work / power / energy / other Physics concepts haha. If you're uncomfortable with trail runners or afraid of wet feet, I still push forward the idea because they're awesome footwear. Check out Skurka's piece on it if you're curious.
  
  
• Your med kit looks good, but a main thing to stress is to make sure you know how to use everything in it and the purpose of each item.
  
  
• Switch your swiss army knife for a cheap Dermasafe utility knife
  
  
• I like your completely unnecessary category, that being said, the Fitbit is indeed completely unnecessary, but you do you. Selfie stick is clearly essential..
  
  That's my rant, good stuff! Let me know if you have further questions or concerns or I'm dumb.

The NOLS book on winter camping is probably the single best written resource on the subject. I highly recommend investing in it: https://www.amazon.com/NOLS-Winter-Camping-Library/dp/0811731839

I'd also recommend getting your Wilderness First Aid certification if you don't already have it. Early recognition of frost bite and especially hypothermia are imperative in being able to treat these ailments effectively. If you're not familiar with the early warning signs for hypothermia especially, you can be affected by it for hours before you realize there's anything wrong (and by then it may be too late).

True winter camping (in deep snow and sub-zero temperatures) and ultralight backpacking don't really overlap very much. Winter gear has gotten a bit better in the past few years in terms of weight, but if you're serious about staying safe you're still going to be looking at some pretty heavy pack loads. Not only do you need lots of warm layers and year, you also need a lot of food (4,000+ calories per day) and that adds significant weight as well. If you're planning to melt snow for drinking water, your fuel requirements can also be substantial. It's super important not to select gear based on weight alone- the consequences of doing this can be fatal.

Don't rely on a canister stove for true winter camping. In cold temperatures, they lose a lot of efficiency (as the temperature drops, the pressure inside the canister also drops). There's some tricks you can use to extend the usable temperature range (like sleeping with the canister), and some stoves are designed to further increase the efficiency in cold weather (such as those that invert the canister) but even these aren't going to be enough for true winter conditions (temperatures below about 0-10F). White gas stoves are the tried and true stove for winter camping, as they are both reliable and efficient in cold temperatures.

Ample intake of calories and warm liquids are essential for staying warm. You'll stay a lot more comfortable if you focus heavily on this aspect of winter camping. Butter is your friend- put it in everything, oatmeal, hot chocolate, etc. Eat trail mix constantly throughout the day. Drink plenty of liquids, even if it makes you have to get up to pee during the night. When you're dehydrated, your blood thickens and it isn't as easy for your body to distribute heat from your core to your extremities.

Don't burrow down into your sleeping bag. Rather, keep your face centered on the opening. As tempting as it may be to burrow, if you do this, the moisture from your breath can end up condensing and freezing inside the insulation of the bag, which in turn will lower the bags ability to keep you warm. Moisture given off by your body is also a concern over longer duration trips. You can prevent this from being an issue by using vapor barrier sleeping bag liner (this is usually necessary only for trips that are 3+ nights long). A balaclava can help to keep your face warm even though it's exposed to the outside air.

If you're not already familiar with the concept, be sure to read up on layering of clothing for winter use. Make sure you have clothing that will allow you to put a layering system into use. Super important, of course, is to avoid using cotton!

As others have mentioned, mittens are warmer than gloves. I carry a lightweight pair of glove liners for use when I need dexterity (setting up camp, cooking, etc.), and a heavy pair of mittens for when I need warmth.

Bring a good book. One of the difficulties with winter camping is that no matter how tired you are, you'll never sleep through the night. If you start doing camp chores at sunset, you're often done by 7 or 8 pm... and then it's 12 hours yet until sunrise. I often find that when camping in winter, I'll go to bed early, wake up around 1 or 2 am, read for a few hours, then go back to sleep again for a few more hours until daylight arrives. If you're camping with friends, be sure to bring a deck of cards or some other small game to help pass the time.

If cost is a factor, definitely consider getting a dehydrator. I have this one.

The case:

1. It's easy. There are recipes all over the Internet, and many are slightly intimidating, but it basically comes down to "Get food without big chunks, spread it out on the tray, and turn the dehydrator on."
   
   
2. It's cheap. Check out the cost on dehydrated bulk items. Compare with the cost of fresh items (a little tricky because of water weight, but compare per calories). Grocery store food is inexpensive and your dinner leftovers are practically free. Dried bulk items cost a fortune.
   
   
3. You can make more calorically dense foods by including fat. Dehydrated meals tend not to have much fat, because it goes rancid over a period of weeks or months rather than the years that people expect backpacking food to last. If you dehydrate your own food, though, you can make your stuff a few days before your trip and have it be fattier and tastier. Yeah, you can also just add oil during rehydration, but that does mean you'll have to carry a dreaded extra container. (And it's not as tasty in many recipes.)
   
   
4. Better food, straight up. Food I've prepared at home and then dehydrated is delicious. It's way better than anything made from pre-dehydrated ingredients. You can get all the spices and sauces perfectly adjusted BEFORE dehydration instead of tossing raw ingredients together and hoping that they come together in beautiful symphonic unity when you rehydrate them. Meat that's been simmered or slowcooked with herbs is waaaay yummier than meat that's been rehydrated with herbs.
   
   
5. There's a lot to be said for dehydrating fruits and vegetables at the absolute peak of their ripeness. I'm currently obsessed with banana jerky (banana slices dried to a leathery texture). When I do our weekly grocery shopping, I buy several bunches for about $2, all in, and watch them patiently. On the day that they're first lightly speckled, I toss them into the dehydrator. I cannot describe accurately how good this shit is. I'm not kidding. It's fucking up my diet.
   
   
6. More options. This is somewhat addressed in point 1, but doing your own dehydrating frees you from the tyranny of foods that rehydrate easily. I can have normal spaghetti if I want it -- I'm not stuck with ramen because it'll rehydrate without simmering.
   
   
7. Healthier food on trail. This is a knock on from everything else, but after getting the dehydrator, I found my food choices drifting away from candy and toward healthy, real food. Well-made mango leather is way tastier than Skittles. I'm sure there's no meaningful health benefit over the course of a short trip, but it just feels pleasant and right to be eating real, natural foods on trail. It's a wrinkle I hadn't expected. I still like Snickers bars here and there, but it's become a treat rather than a staple.
   
   
   

I actually really like the balance of lightening up my pack without sacrificing comfort. To me, that is the key to convincing others to lighten their packs.

That being said, the small things I see would be:

1. Why bring an iphone and ipod and speakers? Don't iphones and ipods have decent speakers? Especially for auidobook quality and not music. I bring an android phone backpacking, and if I leave it on airplane mode I can get through a few days without running out of battery, and I would imagine an extended battery (or solar charger) would weigh less then a speaker and an extra ipod. Also on the phone.. I don't know if this is possible on iphone.. but you can get a sleep timer app and have it shut off your phone after an hour so you save battery while you are sleeping.
   
   
2. I saw the suggestion earlier this week of getting a portable bidet instead of wet wipes and toilet paper. I would assume that would only be an option if you had good water source availability.
   
   
3. I generally wouldn't bring two sources of light. Since this is a comfort pack I would say to bring your favorite light and bring an emergency backup that is UL. I know petzl makes an "emergency" headlamp, or you could get an LED light that clips to your hat.
   
   
4. I imagine that the Morkniv knife is a bit on the heavy side in comparison to some fold up knives.
   Gerber Knife
   This gerber is a good, lightweight, cheap knife. I've had this one for almost ten years with no issues. This would shave an ounce or two.
   
   
5. Many people will echo this, but a quilt will be considerably lighter than the sleeping bag listed. That one is ~3 lbs, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation @ 20 degrees would come in at 19 ounces. That Teton bag looks like a great bargain, but if you have some extra money to burn and want to lighten your load further without compromising comfort, this would be a significant upgrade.
   
   
6. This is not so much a weight suggestion as a general safety suggestion. With some orienteering skill, a compass, and a good topo map you can drop those backup batteries for your GPS and be protected against dead batteries or a malfunctioning of your GPS. Also, extra batteries for your flashlight seems a little redundant if you have an extra light source as well.
   
   
7. One final suggestion: I didn't see any footwear listed above, but if you have clunky waterproof boots, you should consider getting a pair of lightweight trail runners. There have been many posts on this sub about the pros and cons, but that has been the single best change I have made to my gear in the last few years. If you are worried about ankle problems, I have read suggestions about getting lightweight ankle braces to supplement.
   
   Honestly your kit looks like a great balance of weight, comfort, and price. You could change nothing and be happy with what you have for a long time. The suggestions I made above are just if you have some extra dough and a desire to go a bit lighter.
   
   

For that price you won't be getting ultralight on the big 3: backpack, sleeping bag, and tent. Unfortunately those are the largest, heaviest, and most difficult to go light weight on a budget. The majority of the other items are pretty good UL gear. You can, for example, get a lighter titanium stove. It'll save you about 2oz and double the cost. Eventually the 2oz there and a few more oz here and there on a number of pieces of gear really add up so you may want to swap it out as you upgrade your gear over time. But for right now one in the price/weight range I suggested is really good ultra light weight bang for your buck.

1. Alice Backpack $35 -- Watch some youtube videos on how to strap your tent/sleeping bag/sleeping pad to the pack safely and securely. Alternatively buy a used backpack off Craigslist for dirt cheap. This is the third thing I'd upgrade, once you have a lighter/smaller sleeping bag and tent.
   
2. Slumberjack 40 degree sleeping bag $98 -- Upgrade to down-filled rather than synthetic if you can, also make sure it's temperature appropriate for your trips. This is the first place I'd personally choose to upgrade.
   
3. Coleman Sundome $36 -- Any name brand dome tent is great for beginners. I picked a 2-person since you don't seem to know what you're doing (not an insult) I assume you'll be bringing a buddy! This is the 2nd thing I'd personally choose to upgrade to something that compacts down small enough to fit inside my backpack.
   
4. MSR Pocket Rocket butane stove $32 -- Not the greatest or the absolute lightest, but one of the more popular light weight stoves. A can of fuel is $5 at Wal-Mart or pretty much any sporting goods store.
   
5. Primus Litech 10oz kettle $25-- From this kit you really just want the pot and lid. You can leave the pan at home. According to the ad it is big enough to hold the 230g sized butane cannister previously mentioned. I suggest either eating things that require no cooking or just boiling water like any number of Mountain House or alternative meals available in the sporting goods section of Wal-Mart or any sporting goods store.
   
6. Stansport Back Packing Pad $10 -- One of the simplest items to upgrade, but "nicer" ones are $30-100+.
   
7. Titanium Spork $9 -- The only cookware you'll need for most those backpacking freeze-dried meals where you just add hot water and eat out of the pouch.
   
8. 4-pack of ponchos $4 -- These are stupid small and light. They're shit quality and rip easy so they're mostly one time use.. but at $1/ea you can pack one per day, who cares? Nice rain gear is hella expensive.
   
9. Base Layer -- If you don't already own it, buy some polyester/spandex "athletic" under-shirts and pants. They're stupid light, wick away your sweat, and add lots of warmth per ounce and cubic inch of pack space. I picked up a random set from Ross yesterday (bottoms and short sleeve top) for $20 combined. Generally speaking, avoid cotton for all clothing.
   
10. Rip-Stop/hiking/tactical pants $40/pair -- I can't pick these out for you because sizing/style preference, but the fairly cheap ones are about that price per pair.
    
11. AMK First Aid Kit $23 -- This is likely way more than you need and you could probably put together a decent one in a zip-loc baggy with stuff you have around the house. Don't forget to add any prescriptions you have or anything for special needs (allergies).
    
12. Survival Whistle $6 -- You can find cheaper ones at Wal-Mart maybe...
    
13. Signal Mirror $8 -- A woman's "compact" makeup mirror could get you this for free
    
14. Aquamira water treatment drops $14 -- You may also prefer iodine tablets or a filter. You can get a basic Sawyer filter from Wal-Mart for about $25.
    
    That totals out at $365 and covers most of your bases of things you'll need to buy. Most everything else is going to be like soap, toothbrush, etc. which I'm assuming you already have. I really like the HikeLight 3-day camping checklist. You won't be able to get most (any?) of the gear on this list at your price range, but just make sure you have a comparable replacement. Yours will likely just be bigger and/or heavier than their suggested ones. http://hikelight.com/gearlist.html
    
    Happy backpacking!

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).

I knew I forgot something I gave up on the bottle caps to backlash the filterm and found this guy also a hat. The jacket while awesome is definitely going to be replaced and I love my Montell versalite so Ill probably look at there stuff. Also didn't know about GG pack liner stuff. And I haven't thought about the Rvalue being low. My SO i's a cold sleeper for sure however but we haven't got her system down just yet but it will most likely include thermals for sleep and socks.

Edit: as for storms that tarps done awesome. Survived a storm at 9700 feet jus below paintbrus device in Grand Teton NP this summer, just have to pitch it right. And it ha's 12 tie outs but I admit I've not played to much with using less of them so it's a thought for sure!

The big three are heavy, plain and simple (about 2-3lbs heaver than many people's full load out). But they are what you have and I assume what you like based on your post.

• I agree the tarp could definitely be upgraded but $$$.
  
• The Nalgene is what it is. Unfortunately your description of why you go with it is a good metaphor in general for UL gear - it tends to need a bit more TLC. As @skol_vikings_skol said, ditch it!
  
• The rain gear is a bit heavy but also pretty spendy to improve at this point.
  
• I actually like the fleece over a down replacement. Everything that was said about down (lighter, packable, warmer) is true but you may find you need to hike in the fleece at 8k in the Cascades.
  
• Extra socks?
  
  I think the other people are right on some of the items - you can nickle and dime your way down at least a pound, maybe two, with some cheap alternatives.
  
  Lastly, and I don't mean to sound like your mom...I don't see any trekking poles or Microspikes. Are you familiar with your route and/or have you confirmed it's snow free? I've been spending most of my weekends in the Washington Cascades and have found plenty of places that still require snow crossing. A lot of it is relatively harmless and done in trail runners alone but I just thought I'd mention it.
  
  Here's my 1-2 night pack for this weekend:
  
  https://lighterpack.com/r/8rx0z

I know this is late to the post but I use a Pedco Ultrapod II when I hike. Two of the legs fold into the third and are secured shut with a velcro strap that does double duty as an attachment device for mounting the tripod on branch, pole, etc... The tripod is pretty sturdy with my Fuji mirrorless and 18-55 on it. I've done some astro-photography with it and some long exposure on a rock in the middle of a creek. Those photos are both in my review of the tripod on Amazon and probably somewhere in my post history here. Pretty amazing for about $20.

You could start the PCT NOBO and get 700 miles of trail legs, but when you get to the Sierra there are many ways that you could deviate from the official trail and put together some high routes and alternate trails to link them together.

http://www.adventurealan.com/southern-sierra-high-route-soshr-guide/

https://www.amazon.com/The-Sierra-High-Route-Traversing/dp/0898865069/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/kings-canyon-high-basin-route/

https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/yosemite-high-route/

​

After you finish rambling through the mountains you'd have a a good sense about whether you still wanted more high adventure and navigation or if you'd had your fill of it and wanted to continue on the PCT proper with it's smooth tread and more chance of company. You'd have the option to deviate and climb some of the massive peaks further north as well. A mixed trip like this sounds like an amazing way to spend 5 months.

I'm also working on a PCT gear list for next year, so take everything with a grain of salt but here are my thoughts:

• The tent is the main thing keeping you over 10lbs. A Duplex is great, but if you only plan on hiking by yourself on the PCT I would suggest looking at r/ULgeartrade religiously for a used hexamid ~ 11oz (or hexamid+ if taller than ~5'8''). They usually go for 300-350$. That's what I did, no DCF groundsheet if you want to save $ and go with polycryo floor that you can also use to cowboy camp if you want. -20oz (cuz you probably will add ~1oz of stakes)
  
• Cold soaking you could drop the can and stove, and switch to a ~2oz cold soak container -5.9oz
  
• Going completely no cook, you could drop the spork and cold soak container -2.5oz
  
• Do you plan on hanging your food? If so, you could replace the EE food bag with a Zpacks bear bag kit 50$ +2.5oz
  
• If not, just use an LOKSAK Opsak at around 1.5oz 15$ +1oz
  
• A 1oz FAK is pretty minimal. Usually it end up around 2-3oz for most people, but you go with what you're ok with.
  
• The Fonken USB compatible wall charger (link) ~10$ is around 1.25oz if you're ok with managing only with one port -1.75oz
  
• You could drop the sleep leggings, wind pants should be enough warmth and are ok to sleep in -5.6oz
  
• You don't have any active insulation. Depends on your style of hiking, the Frogg Toggs might be enough over your hiking shirt for the most part if you're at camp early enough to wear your puffy when it gets colder. You decide on this one!
  
• The puffy is heavier than it needs to be, but it's REALLY expensive to get a light one and if you like yours I think you should go with what you have.
  
• The Pa'lante might get a bit uncomfortable with the bear can, but starting in the Sierra directly you could probably choose your start date to make sure there isn't too much snow (if we have a low snow year) so you don't have to take much snow gear.
  
  That would save you ~31-35oz or 1.9-2.2lbs for a cost of around 350-400$, bringing down your BPW to ~8lbs.

• (-13.65oz, free) Drop the sleeping bag liner. If you do need one and have cash, silk liners weigh roughly half of the cotton one.
  
• (-16.58oz, free) Mark the trekking poles as worn provided you use them while walking.
  
• (-8.29oz, free) Switch the tritan water bottles for smart water bottles (roughly 1.5oz each).
  
• (-2.19oz, free) Mark the hand sanitizer as consumable. Also, consider taking way less. One ounce should be sufficient for a few day trip.
  
• (-0.25oz, free) Chlorine tablets should be consumable provided you use them throughout the trip.
  
• (-2.58oz, free) Sunscreen should be consumable provided you use it throughout the trip. Also consider how much you need for a 3-4 day trip.
  
  With this, your base weight has been reduced by 44.55oz (2.78lbs) for free.
  
  If you have cash, consider these changes (all USD):
  
  
• (-1.17oz, ~$12) Switch the camp pillow to a Trekology UL Dreamer. The Big Sky Dream Sleeper UL Pillow is also a lighter option, though more expensive.
  
• (-2.69o, ~$17) Switch that plastic trowel for a Deuce of Spades. Note, some colors are cheaper than others.
  
  = 3.86oz for $29.
  
  Additionally, cutting on your big 4 will have huge weight savings.
  
  
• The backpack could be converted to a 16oz Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 48L which would save roughly 2lbs alone.
  
• The tent could be converted to a Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape and a Serenity innernet for 21oz. Even less if you go with a bivy. This would save ~26.73oz with the tent + innernet.
  
• The sleeping bag could be switched for a quilt from enlightened equipment, UGQ, or other distributors. This could easily save between 1-2lbs.
  
  Also, what clothes are you wearing? Mark those as worn if they are already in lighterpack!

These are what I currently use for most trips save really cold ones. They're fantastic to hike in, and the red ones make my legs look fantastic :)

I use these for colder trips when I'm usually wearing pants anyway, as a little extra warmth when sleeping and at camp. I find them to warm to hike in however.

This is my 10oz luxury kitchen

https://www.traildesigns.com/products/fissure-ti-tri

with wood burning insert and kojin stove

With Evernew 760 mug
EVERNEW 760FD Titanium Cup https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C6H8KX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qhRKDbDR8GG4E

and this lid
TOAKS Titanium Lid for TOAKS Cups... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BTZ7RM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And this dry baking pan (yes you can!)
https://www.flatcatgear.com/shop/snow-leopard-baking-pan/

this esbit holder
https://www.flatcatgear.com/shop/epicurean-ul15-stove/

This alcohol stove
https://www.minibulldesign.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=301&idcategory=18

This silicone band to hold it all together (just one X band)
Grifiti Band Joes Cross Style 4, 6, 9, 12 Inch Assorted 20 Pack X Shape Wrist, Books, Cameras, Art, Cooking, Wrapping, Exercise, Bag Wraps, Dungies, Silicone Rubber https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WQII2A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YwRKDbP7626DD


Mug + cone + wood burning insert + esbit holder + baking pan + remote alcohol stove + mini bic lighter + tinder = 10.2 oz and it ALL fits inside the can (yep, all at the same time)


Yes, all up its pretty heavy but you’ll almost never need or want to have all the options on a single trip but you could. More importantly, with this one kit you can adapt for a trip in any environment with any fuel and you can bake stuff in it too

BONUS!
this mug will also fit a BRS 3000T stove, bic lighter, and a 100g butane canister inside (but not at the same time as all the other stuff)
BRS Only 25g BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Titanium Alloy Camping Stove Gas Stoves Outdoor Cooker Outdoor Stove Gas Stove Miniature Portable Picnic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNLSNFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LsRKDbZ47R6HQ

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.

No real experience with this product but it could be a good compromise between the ease of drinking with a hose without the annoyance of refilling a bladder inside the pack. Different reviews say that it works on Smart Water bottles. Might be something interesting to try out.

For 3 season, mostly fair weather, UK & European camping I am totally happy using my Duplex, so I would go with that. You just have to accept that condensation is a mostly daily management issue - no biggie!

I would look at halving your combined rainwear weight - the Montbell Versalite jacket and pants are good options that will get you under 300g for the both of them.

I would also look at the 2018/19 Montbell Exlite Anorak (if you can still get hold of one) - despite having a hood it is lighter than the Ghost Whisperer hoodless and it’s warmer by most accounts than the hooded GW too.

Personally I would go with an Evernew 900ml tall pot with lid at 95g (lighter than the Toaks and you can boil enough for 2 people’s dehydrated meals when you need to). I would also go against this sub’s Windmaster-love and choose instead a Firemaple stove for half the weight, or even a BRS at 1/4 the weight. There are lighter ways to master the wind than an 85g stove! (Use your tent vestibule or arrange your pack and some rocks as a wind-break)

Evernew 900

Firemaple FMS300T

Firemaple FMS116T

BRS 3000T

Edit: if you are interested in the Nitecore NU25 you can do a version of the Litesmith Mod yourself, as per this video:
NU25 Headband Mod

So, I'm completely on board with your sentiment, and I struggle at times with it also. I think, in general, the UL community is pretty obsessed with the idea of taking really good care of gear so that it lasts a long time. Since the gear is lightweight and inherently more fragile, I've found that I can get away with using "disposable" gear far longer than it is intentionally designed for. Personally, I use SmartWater bottles, but I wash them out really well when I return from trips, and my current ones are pretty darn old.

I use a bamboo toothbrush designed for children ( https://www.amazon.com/Toothbrush-Eco-Friendly-Colorful-Bristles-Surprise/dp/B07P5719FX/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=bamboo%2Bchild%2Btoothbrush&qid=1571854758&sr=8-9&th=1 ), so it's pretty short and really lightweight, and either a bamboo spoon or a bamboo spork I got at a music festival (I really don't like the feel of titanium utensils--personal preference). My toiletry kit does contain plastic containers for biodegradable soap, toothpaste, and sunscreen (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0757B92V8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ), and I wash these when they're empty and refill with a syringe I obtained from Target, so I haven't had to throw anything out, and it's UL. None of the bags I use for liners or as "ditty bags" have needed to be replaced, so I feel pretty good on that front. I try to buy items that are lightweight, but not so lightweight that I know they'll develop holes in a short period of time. I've also been thinking about getting a kula cloth to bring to replace most of my toilet paper.

I think the area I struggle with the most is going zero-waste for food prep. I want to use waxed-paper bags more, but I've found them to not hold up very well under the stress of stuffing my food bag into my pack. Plus, so much shelf-stable food is packaged in plastic (or glass, which is not very appealing in terms of weight or risk of breaking).

All your gear and clothing should have a treatment of permethrin applied regularly. Especially useful to coat your dogs fur with it before heading out as well. All those nasty buzzers probing for an opening to bite you, die. It works like a charm, I haven't needed bug spray or to pick ticks off my dog in years. Anyone from Ontario or Michigan will tell you that we have it as bad as anywhere.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ANQVYU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T1_omQszbR50K39B

Edit: For environmental / LNT purposes the proper way to treat gear is as follows: Important: Liquid permethrin is deadly to cats, do not do an application or drying around them! Once dry, your gear is perfectly safe for cats again. Make sure your gear is cleaned and dry before applying permethrin. You should do this anyway so your stuff lasts between trips, but it's extra important here.

1. Empty permethrin bottle into a 5 gallon bucket.
   
   
2. Fully soak/saturate gear, I use a second spray bottle of it to ensure anything above the liquid level gets soaked.
   
   
3. Remove gear / clothing and squeeze out any excess liquid leaving a damp garment.
   
   
4. Hang gear to dry outside in a shaded area.
   
   
5. Use a funnel to pour remaining permethrin back into it's original container. Store in a dry, cool, area like you would any solvent or paint.
   
   This way no ground water, soil, or innocent insects are harmed.

u/mike_rohsoft u/walkincrow42 u/baugli u/BobTheTaco21 u/Ebs14 u/PM_ME_YOUR_SHELLCODE

Alright gentlepersons. Good news and bad news. Bad news- The multimeter I bought was kind of a bust and wouldn't record as it was supposed to. The good news is that all of them charged at 18W, so it really just came down to weight (all weights are actuals from my scale)

1. Mezone - 6.63 oz
   
   
2. Tqka - 7.00 oz
   
   
3. M1 - 7.24 oz
   
   ​
   
   Here are some additional observations...
   
   M1 - The listed weight on Amazon wasn't even close to the actual weight. Also just felt really cheap.
   
   Mezone - Although this was the lightest option, it wasn't the one I ended up keeping. I'm sure it would have been a good option and it has a lot of positive reviews on Amazon.
   
   Tqka- This one felt like it was solid and well built. I kept it. It sounds petty, but the deciding factor for me was the cable that came with it. My phone uses USB-C and my headlamp uses Micro USB. The cable that came with the Tqka has BOTH in the same cable. In my mind, having only one cable saves me 0.5oz, so even though it's heavier I'm still saving weight overall. Full disclosure, I learned about this one from Jupiter's PCT gear list video (u/Ruuven) --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxsyGfjDEgI
   
   ​
   
   Side note: I also bought this wall adapter and am really happy with it (1.37oz)
   
   ​

Is it weird to think my best hiking purchase of the past year was a $50 dehydrator? I understand many hikers take on a "food is fuel" mentality but I also can't state enough how amazing it is to be able to eat my favorite chili recipe from home after a long day of hiking.

I got one off the infamous AliExpress. Quality control left something to be desired, as it was lacking corresponding velcro tabs. However, those can easily be added yourself and still be much cheaper. And it does the job of shield you and your pack from rain pretty well. I cannot find a current link at the price I paid. However, this appears to be identical to the one I got. Bonus: Prime eligible and so you won't have to wait three weeks for it to come from China.


https://smile.amazon.com/OUTAD-Multi-Purpose-Poncho-Backpack-Cover/dp/B018RWW7LW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1500838244&sr=8-6&keywords=poncho%2Btarp&th=1

For your stove, I would swap out the Pocket Rocket for the BRS 3000 titanium stove. I've used this stove for almost a year of casual backpacking and my buddy has used hers for almost a year of hard use (almost every day for 3 months). I love this stove! Price:$13-$20 on Amazon. Weight saved: 2oz
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XNLSNFR/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511720626&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=brs+titanium+stove&psc=1&smid=AYV8D5JVC1UF2

Definately use the smaller canister for your fuel. I went on a 6 day trip where I cooked breakfast and dinner every day, and I had fuel left over at the end of it.

Check out the Yama Mountain Gear pogies. They are cheap, and are definately gonna ventilate better than the rain mitts. (I've never used them, but I'm gonna get some)
https://www.yamamountaingear.com/pogies-rain/

The only other thing I might suggest would be to use the Anker 1300. You'd gain a little weight, but it gives you an extra phone charge. This is really only necessary if you'll be using your phone for maps or pictures.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Z9QVE4Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511720683&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=anker+13000&dpPl=1&dpID=314Zy5LrQ7L&ref=plSrch

I hate the wet wipes thing too. I'm super happy to see another travel bidet user here. IMO, it's the best way to keep yourself clean out on the trail.

I use a different one than you do, and it weighs in at 65 grams. I can either use a sheet or two of TP afterwards to dry off, or simply pull up my merino boxers and let the water disperse into them - they're usually dry within a few minutes.

Brondell Travel Bidet on Amazon

The standard blue ccf pads you can get for like 10 bucks weighs less than the nicer ones. If all you want is a little r value, and the least weight. I use this in the summer alone, and under an xlite in winter:

https://www.amazon.com/Stansport-503-B-Pack-Lite-72X19X3-8-Inch/dp/B00069PFKK/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=stansport%2Bsleeping%2Bpad&qid=1572281373&sr=8-4&th=1&psc=1

I have the full length and its about 9 oz, so the 3/4 length would be like 6.75. and you could probably get closer to 6 if you replaced the straps with something lighter. I chose this because section hiker had it listed as 1.4 R I think, and that makes for a winter R value (ie snow) with the xlite if your a warm sleeper.

I'm trying to do it in September but I've got a lot of prep to do. I just bought this book on it:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Sierra-High-Route-Traversing/dp/0898865069

I'd love to get in touch with anyone planning a trip or who has done it. Andrew Skurka did a good write up on it. I'm planning on buying his maps.

http://andrewskurka.com/adventures/sierra-high-route/

I also am not a bladder fan and could not adapt to shoulder bottles ( though they do a great job as a counter ballance) I found an inbetween solution. Source makes a kit to adapt a hose to water bottles (prob DIY one aswell) This might be a good temp solution if you are not ready to spend on a pack yet. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004QMF0U8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484171712&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=source+hydration+bottle&dpPl=1&dpID=313jEs5YEAL&ref=plSrch

Here is a product sawer makes that fits the squeeze & smart water bottles/evernew bags perfectly - http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP150-Coupling-Filtration/dp/B018NJC1A6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

$2.50 part - no modifications needed, definitely worth the cost.

Roger the poncho. If you're pinching pennies, [this one is cheaper.] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018RWW7LW)

But the MyTrail is a great poncho / tarp. I have the GolLite version and it's excellent.

Easy 1.5 oz: Gerber LST Ultralight Knife, Fine Edge [06050] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004WA4R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JezsDbC3SPXYJ

4 oz, get an OR helium II
Switch your 12 oz fleece to a 6-7 oz down jacket (Exlite anorak or superior down parka). Adds up to roughly 12 oz

Sure! So this is a bidet:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008CSDKSQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499647593&sr=8-1&pi=SL75_QL70&keywords=travel+bidet

What you do is instead of using toilet paper, you squirt your butt with water by squeezing the bidet bottle. This eliminates the need for TP as it'll clean just as effectively.

To help you get some better recommendations: Do you want/need quick charge 3.0? Do you want usb-c? Stuff like this can help people chime in with good recommendations.

I personally grabbed a Aukey of Amazon for $11 lightning deal.

Dual port

Quick charge 3.0

weight is 109 grams which is heavier than I really wanted but I assume it is because it is USB 3.0 and Quick charge.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BBZJ31Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one. You screw it onto the clean end of the sawyer, then then onto the clean bottle. It also helps with backflushing.

Oh hey if you, your friend, or anyone else here is interested in learning more about staying fresh below the belt while minimizing waste, consider a travel bidet, such as this one. Works great! It's a solid replacement for your bidet at home (if you have one). I don't have the exact wait, but I think it's only a few ounces.

I wouldn't recommend taking this on the PCT. The vertical orientation means it's going to block at least 2 and possibly 3 ports on a power strip (and both terminals on a normal wall outlet).

Sounds like you've done extensive research on this, but, on a popular trail like the PCT, power outlets can be hard to come by in town. Is there anything with horizontal orientation that isn't as heavy as this Aukey at 7.2oz?

This one?

That's actually the charger I use for my non-hiking phone. Well that was easy.

I use and love this tube which comes with adapters for a bunch of common bottles

I bought these and they work great. Pic for scale.

I use a Permethrin treatment on my gear. It works well. If you're not adverse to chemical repellents, it might be worth a try.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-Permethrin-Clothing-Repellent/dp/B001ANQVYU/ref=sr_1_5?crid=140CQ1W69A69H&keywords=sawyer+insect+repellent&qid=1550085535&s=gateway&sprefix=sawyer%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-5

If you go that route, consider also getting and using the Sawyer backflush collar (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018NJC1A6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1). This allows water bottle to be connected to "out" end of the filter. With filter threaded onto CNOC bladder, all you have to do is hold the bladder and roll the top to squeeze water into bottle. Wish I had had this during my last hike! Without it, you have to hold both the bladder and bottle.

FYI: 1.2 liter Imusa mug selling for less than 2 bucks right now on Amazon. Prime shipping.

​

https://www.amazon.com/IMUSA-R200-12W-Aluminum-1-25-Quart-Silver/dp/B009SBB7HM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=imusa+mug&qid=1566827107&s=gateway&sr=8-1

This info is for anyone considering the IMUSA mugs: They make a slightly smaller version that is 10 cm or (.7) quarts or 662 ml. Weight: 71 grams/ 2.5 ounces. IMUSA USA R200-10

My suggestion: Bear can or bear bag. Second suggestion: Haribo sugar free gummy bears. Why carry all that heavy food in your stomach?

I heard good things about the imusa mug that's less than $8 and 2.4 oz

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009SBB7HM/ref=pd_aw_sim_79_1/175-1783632-4562403?ie=UTF8&dpID=416279%2B6u-L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C74_&psc=1&refRID=VHDF0WR3P09B7V89939E

True. A non-ultralight luxury is the Brondell Travel Bidet
http://www.amazon.com/Brondell-GS-70-GoSpa-Travel-Bidet/dp/B008CSDKSQ/

Really like the Ultrapod ii

I would recommend upgrading to an Evernew 2L soft bottle. In my experience Platypus's leak. I would also recommend getting this little dude to make it a handsfree operation if you will be using a smartwater bottle.

Zendura A3PD 10000 has a power delivery/quick charge compatible input/output so it can fully recharge in 3 hours and supports pass-through charging so the brick and your stuff can charge at the same time using one small outlet. 6.8oz/195g

Pair with the 1.28oz Fonken 18W wall charger and you have the lightest and fastest charging 10000 setup on the market that I know of

I have one of those and I have a Pedco Ultrapod II and I prefer the Ultrapod. It just feels more stable, and it weighs less (4.2 oz vs 6 or so). Costs $18.50.

Right, so the max input for the Powercore II is 9V 2A which is 18 watts. You want a wall charger that gives out 18 watts.

For 1 USB port, I have this charger and it takes just over 4hrs to charge my Powercore II. It's 1.3oz and I bet there's probs some around the 1oz range.

For 2 USB ports, there was a good discussion this week on different options and if it was even worth it in the end at all

I use a trailpix universal. It uses my trekking poles and a single tent style collapsible pole for the third leg. It's definitely the lightest tripod solution around, but isn't perfect. It takes a minute or two to get it set up, and when in using my poles for my shelter I have to borrow a friend's so i can do my night photography.

I think i will also pick up one of [http://www.amazon.com/Pedco-UltraPod-Lightweight-Camera-Tripod/dp/B000ANCPNM] (these) which will be better for run and gun static shots while hiking.

That 3.6oz IMUSA 1.25 liter aluminum mug is on sale for $1.97 on amazon prime again. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B009SBB7HM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the one I have

Gerber LST Ultralight Knife, Fine Edge [06050] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004WA4R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_COi1BbV109TAE

We have two of the Ladybugs actually, one is 15 and the other 17, so pretty much the same weight as the Gerber.

I got one of these for $15.99: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MCXZJ8Y I've cut it down a bit and it now weighs 83grams.

I measured the output of it in close to "average conditions" for a sunny day and was able to reliably get 1.5watts for the output. While this is far from what it's marketed as, it's enough to tickle charge my battery enough to justify the weight for longer trips. Not yet field tested.

Haven’t heard the durability issues with aluminum, but if you want to try something without breaking the bank you could start with the imusa 1.25 quart

https://www.amazon.com/IMUSA-R200-12W-Aluminum-1-25-Quart-Silver/dp/B009SBB7HM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=imusa+mug&qid=1558499583&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I bring the Squirt PS4 in winter when the pliers are handy to fix snowshoe or binding gear. Rest of the year the Swiss army classic is nice to have, though its tweezers aren't great. If I'm really going UL its a Derma-Safe but I don't consider that sufficient when I'm solo off-trail.

13 bucks on amazon

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say Amazon wasn't playing nice with you.

https://www.amazon.com/Pedco-UltraPod-Lightweight-Camera-Tripod/dp/B000ANCPNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509546568&sr=8-1&keywords=ULTRAPOD

After 9 years of carrying a Classic SAK and rarely using anything but the blade, I just switched to one of these (7 grams): https://www.amazon.com/Derma-safe-Folding-Utility-Survival-5-pack/dp/B0067EMCVI

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0067EMCVI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use these. Use the Mora knife sometimes, but if I can prep everything ahead of time, this is my new goto UL knife.

[Derma-Safe Knife] (http://www.amazon.com/Derma-safe-Folding-Utility-Survival-5-pack/dp/B0067EMCVI) they only weigh .2oz and you can buy 5 of them for $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Nesco-FD-75A-Snackmaster-Dehydrator-White/dp/B0090WOCN0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=L4UOM47WKKVK&keywords=dehydrator&qid=1555087192&s=gateway&sprefix=dehy&sr=8-3

I'd look at the 1.25qt Imusa and 2qt Open Country as lightweight and cheap pot options.

I was looking into this today. Both aukey and anker seem to be making fairly compact dual port quick charge adapters.

Also found a 10,000mAh battery from ravpower that has quick charge input. Anyone using these adapters or battery?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BBZJ31Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qf61DbAFA46BD

What I used

Charger and Powerbank

https://www.amazon.com/Charge-FONKEN-Charger-Adapter-Compatible/dp/B01MA10GH9

Those things are light and fast

Doesn't look exactly the same, but close: Amazon link for folks in the US

That's a nifty looking device. Might have to grab one and log some usage.

Here's the link to that panel. Sorry about mess, on my phone atm...

Lixada 10W Solar Panel Charger 5V... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCXZJ8Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Man, I was just researching this today. It really comes down to your shooting preference and what you actually need (or want) a camera to do.

I haven't come up with a perfect solution because what I want is as follows:

• 16 oz weight limit "wet" (the whole shebang including lens, battery, card, whatever)
  
  
• Viewfinder is highly desirable if not mandatory
  
  
• WIDE WIDE WIDE - 20mm equivalent or wider (rectilinear, not fisheye)
  
  
• Reasonably fast lens (f/2.8 or faster)
  
  
• Largest sensor possible in the package (APS-C would be nice)
  
  
• Reasonable battery life
  
  
• Preferably sub $1500
  
  As far as actual models, I've been eyeing the Fuji X100F (which fails wide), the Nikon DL18-50 (which fails viewfinder... and being an actual camera for sale), or maybe the Sony a6500 (which will probably end up failing weight and budget once a suitable lens is attached).
  
  Other than that, I dig the Ultra-Pod II instead of precariously trying to balance on rocks.

I bet you could lose 0.5 oz by replacing the 2 connectors and the hose with just the Sawyer Products SP150 Coupling for Water Filtration Cleaning https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018NJC1A6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_s9vIDb1RH14A4

-)

> 2L CNOC Vecto

I treat all my gear - clothing included with Permethrin it kills ticks on contact. I live in the south bay and backpack Henry Coe often.

I bought this and I'm not ashamed. Well, maybe a bit because it's girly light-purple... My reasoning is that it seems like America is the only country really repulsed by the idea, but it solves the cleanliness and any monkeybutt/smell issues, and weighs about the same as a half roll of TP. It's waterproof and reusable, can be sorta crushed, works in any weather (summer or winter), and is a one-time-cost... no resupply.

It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP150-Coupling-Filtration/dp/B018NJC1A6/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1505259462&sr=8-16&keywords=sawyer+filter

It allows you to screw two bottles (or bags, or a combination) together. Assuming you don't have a bunch of air trapped in there, it will gravity filter at a slow but steady rate. I put some holes in my included Sawyer bags to make a makeshift Evernew/Platypus style bag. I would stop at a creek, fill the bag, connect the bottle, hang the bag, and gravity filter while I did other stuff.