Going light has so many benefits to a hiking experience. It means that one can move through the landscape with ease and opens up new areas that could not be reached on a shorter hike.
This gear system does not sacrifice comfort or include any stupid light options that will break or are just a pain to use. In fact, this is the basic system that I have used for over 3 years and put it to the test across many miles, terrains during my hiking adventures. I love everything mentioned below, and I think that it is the right balance between weight, overall comfort and easy of use.
This is a true functional ultralight gear list; it maintains warmth, has full bug and weather protection, and everything is good value for money. It even has a large, quick charging battery pack and a few other luxuries.
If this is not for you, check out
Weight (lbs)
Weight (kg)
Cost (US$)
Backpack
0.9
0.4
$200.00
Shelter
1.2
0.5
$539.00
Sleep System
1.6
0.7
$505.00
Clothing in Pack
1.1
0.5
$506.00
Cooking Equipment
0.1
0.1
$41.00
Water Treatment / Storage
0.3
0.1
$51.00
Electronics
1.0
0.5
$86.00
Random / First Aid
0.3
0.2
$11.00
Total
6.7
3.0
$1,939
Backpack System:
Item
Comments
Wt (oz)
Wt (g)
Cost (USD)
Backpack
Mountain Laurel Design Burn
Durable, well thought out, comfortable
14
392
$200
Alternative
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
Budget, no hip belt or sitpad
Alternative
Atompacks Atom
Fully custom, Waterproof fabric
Waterproof Liner
Trash Compactor
Use as an internal bag liner
1.5
42
$2
15.5
434
$202
Shelter System:
Item
Comments
Wt (oz)
Wt (g)
Cost (USD)
Shelter
Zpacks Hexamid Tarp
No bug netting, for people under 5″10′
6.8
190
$299
Alternative
MLD Patrol
0.5oz DCF, long and skinny
Alternative
MLD Grace Tarp
Cat cut
Ground sheet
Zpacks Groundsheet / Poncho
Twin or flat (for tall people) sized
6.1
171
$175
Bug netting
S2S Nano pyramid
supprisingly durable, can be left at home
3.2
90
$50
Stakes
4 Groundhog tent pegs + 2 shepard hooks
Bigger stakes for 4 corners and smaller stakes for the others
2.7
76
$15
18.8
527
$539
Sleeping System:
Item
Comments
Wt (oz)
Wt (g)
Cost (USD)
Sleeping Bag
Katabatic Gear Palisade 30°F
Durable, very comfortable around freezing
17.5
490
385
Alternative
Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20°F
Lightweight quilt but not as warm, budget
Alternative
Feathered Friends Hummingbird 20°F
Traditional Sleeping Bag, vary warm
Alternative
Thermarest Neoair Xlite Small
Lightweight
8
224
$120
Alternative
Gossamer Gear 1/8in foam pad
Lightweight
Alternative
Thermarest Zlite, 3/4 length
Budget
25.5
714
$505
Clothing System:
Item
Comments
Wt (oz)
Wt (g)
Cost (USD)
Alternative Rain Jacket
Outdoor Research Helium 2
Light
Alternative
Frogg Toggs Ultra Lite 2
Cheap, dispoable and most breathable in its weight clase
Warm Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Wisperer
Down
7.8
218
$265
Alternative
Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket
Synthetic
Wind Pants
Montbell Dynamo
Really useful to keep warm when moving, great for laundry cloths
3
84
$90
Wind Jacket
Patagonia Tachyon Anorak
Really useful to keep warm when moving, clean layer for bed
1.9
53
$90
Gloves
Powerstrech
1.5
42
$25
Head
Fleece beanie
1
28
$20
Socks
Darn Tough Micro Crew
Second Pair
1.5
42
$15
Bandana
Use under hat to block sun, use as a drying towel
1
28
$1
17.7
496
$506
Food System:
Item
Comments
Wt (oz)
Wt (g)
Cost (USD)
Spoon
Lexan Spoon
As durable as titanim at a fraction of the price
0.5
14
$1
Food bag
S2S Stuff Sack
1
28
$20
Knife
Westcott 1.5 inch Titanium Sissors
Basic knife and sissors for everyday use
0.75
21
$20
2.2
63
$41
Water Treatment & Storage:
Item
Comments
Wt (oz)
Wt (g)
Cost (USD)
Water Treatment
Sawyer Squeeze
Filter
3
84
$30
Alternative
Aqua Mira
Chemical Treatment
Water Storage
Smartwater bottle
1.3
37
$1
Water Storage
Platypus 2L flexible
Compresible when not in use
1
28
$20
5.3
149
$51
Electrical:
Item
Comments
Wt (oz)
Wt (g)
Cost (USD)
Phone
What you already have
6
175
Battery Pack
Ravpower 10,000MA Quick charge
3.5 hours to charge
7.1
200
$30
Charger
Fonken Quick Charge 3.0
To quick charge the battery pack. Also, 2 of these is lighter than a duel port charger
1.4
39
$7
Cables
1/2ft or 1ft
0.3
8
$4
Headlight
Pezel e-Lite
Extremely light and compact, only good for emergancy night hiking
1
28
$20
Alernative
Black Diamond Spot
Good for night hiking
Audio player
Sandisk Clip Sport
Light, durable and saves phone battery
0.75
22
$25
16.5
473
$86
Miscellaneous:
Item
Comments
Wt (oz)
Wt (g)
Cost (USD)
Wallet
Zpacks Cuben wallet
Waterproof
0.3
8
$5
ID and Cash
ID and Cash
0.5
14
Tooth Brush
Chopped down for convinient storage
0.2
6
$1
Tooth Paste
1oz travel size
1
28
$1
Sunscreen
1oz travel size
1
28
$1
Insect Repelent
Ben’s 100% Deet, 1oz travel size
1
28
$3
First Aid
10 x Ibeprofen, tenasious tape, needle, floss in a hard plastic case
