Cheap Light Weight Gear Favorites

“I've been looking for the best ways to lighten my packweight. So far I've got it down into the lower twentys and my goal is to get into the teens.

What are your favorite lightweight gear ideas?

Any imput would be apreciated.”

“I like the Pepsi can stove a lot. It cuts pack weight and works well.”

“*Tarp instead of a tent.
*Esbit stove
*Tiny keychain knife instead of a full sized pocket knife. or even worse, a big hunting knife.
*One pot instead of a complete cook set.
*Down Sleeping bag
*sock liners instead of extra socks
*3/4 length Z-rest pad instead of a Thermorest
*Smaller pack = less weight
*Carry just enough water to get you to the next water source.
*Carry only enough food to get you through the trip.
*Ziplock baggies instead of stuff sacks.
*Leave beer at home (this one should stir a few of you up)”

“You probably already rounded up the usual suspects so from now on you'll be shaving ounces not pounds.

Some techniques:
Take everything out of your pack and arrange neatly on the floor. Break everything down to component parts; i.e. lay out all the items in your first aid kit, cookware, etc.
Pick up each item individually and ask these questions:
Do I really need it or is it a convenience item?
How often have I actually used it?
Can another item on the floor perform the same function?

This will help you decide whether to discard or retain.

You can save a lot of weight when traveling in a group. When you and two friends go hiking do you each carry a first aid kit? A group only needs one. Likewise two of you can discard the duct tape, p-cord, spare bootlaces, cookware, filter, etc. If you really want to go light a group only needs one flashlight. Most people go to sleep at sundown and a flashlight is only needed if nature calls at midnight. One strategically placed flashlight will suffice.

You can repackage your food out of the plastic and foil wrapping and use wax paper sealed with paper masking tape. The wax paper will burn completely in a campfire. Plastic and foil will not consume and must be packed out.

Do you use a 3 season bag for summer camping?
How about using a lightweight summer bag instead and wear thermal underwear or fleece to sleep in?

The tent vs tarp question is an individual one.”

“I gave up bringing sandles. That saves a bit too.”

“Don't forget the guy lost in the Boundary Waters trying to carve out a shelter in a dead tree with his Swiss Army knife. Bet he wished for something better.

A mini flashlight or Tikka headlamp, yes, but even though I love my Leatherman Micra, when in the backcountry I just won't skimp on a fundamental tool such as a good knife. That doesn't mean it has to be heavy -- hi-tech has come to knives, too, but it needs to be sturdy, rigid, and of enough size to be capable of multiple tasks that a mini-knife can't handle. I'll downsize most everything else. Plus a rugged (not Rambo-esque) sheath knife or locking folder in its pouch on a belt is not a pack-weight item per se. It should be with you even when your pack is off.

A small rucksack, tarp/poncho, a good knife, a canteen, a pint metal cup, some high-energy/protein food bars, a map and compass, whistle, and matches (or other simple fire starting materials) and climate appropriate decent clothes and boots on your person might be all you really, really need, but most of us like more comfort/contingency than that, myself included.

I'd rather leave my camera at home than cut back too much on some of the basic safety/survival items.”

“What do ya need a knife for?”

“dollar store car chamois = pack towel, except it doesn't have the grommet in the corner (and is ALOT cheaper)”

“The trusty bandana (Wal-mart $1.99 for 2) always seems to come in handy for me.”

“Of course, losing a few pounds is good in many ways, but you gotta admit, going extremely light weight and fretting about those extra ounces is an never-ending anal-retentive goal.

If you were to exercise regularly to strengthen yer *hiking* muscles, lose the extra pounds off yer bellies and butts, carrying those extra ounces wouldn't have to be so much of a BIG deal.”

“Yep, Buddur,,,by doing that, you can carry a 12 pack instead of a 6 pack.”

“I've started skipping the stove altogether in warm weather. You can bring along some pretty delicious stuff that doesn't need cooking.”

“My 15lb belly is my emergency energy source!

It does seem silly to go through the cost and effort of lightening my kit while still overhanging my hip belt.”

“Buddur just gave the best suggestion and it doesn't cost anything.”

“Get a llamma or a pack goat...”

“You know those ten dollar cooksets from Walmart? Get one and only take the main pot, the pot grabber, and the measuring cup. Cut down lexan utensils to fit inside, cut down a sponge to a third. Cover it with a pair of old shingles glued together. Use the measuring cup as you drinking cup, and the shingle as your stove base. You don't need an insulated mug or bowl. Total weight is less then the Camping Gaz turbo 270 burner.

Use a SAK or lock knife instead of a multitool. Do you really need four different sizes of screwdrivers out there?

Store water in 2 liter soda bottles. It's taste a litle like the soda, but not that bad. And, unlike milk containers, it will not leak.

Repackage all your food in Saran Wrap and masking tape.

Total weight is 24 lbs including a 7lbs pack. Just take the basics, and leave the luxuries at home (sandles, insulted cookware, gps, etc).”

“Great ideas thanks. I was just at the Dolar Tree Store and they got lots of cool stuff thats cheap.”

“Pretty big leap there, Biz, from knowing I carry a decent knife as a fundamental tool to visions of me "killing" something. If you really have no concept of why an all-purpose knife is one of the most practical and essential items to carry in the field, well I hope you travel with someone who does.”

“j/k pekka. Man, are we high strung around here lately or what?

post-Spock syndrome?”

“I've never been out on a BPing trip where I needed a knife for survival purposes. If I was going to be way off trail someplace, I'd consider it but as for sticking to a trail, no need in it. I gotta side with Biz here.
The only thing I use a knife for is cutting cord or carving a slice off cheese off a block to eat.”

““Don't forget the guy lost in the Boundary Waters trying to carve out a shelter in a dead tree with his Swiss Army knife. Bet he wished for something better.”

This is a perfect example of the best thing you can do to reduce pack weight…pack knowledge! Primitive skills will shed weight from your gear and place it on your mind. Why was this guy trying to carve a hole in a dead tree in the first place? Because it was the best shelter he could think of. He was a victim of lack of knowledge, not lack of a proper knife. Making a debris hut takes only about an hour in a place as debris-rich as the BWCA and it doesn’t even take a knife to make one. I’m not saying you should leave the knife at home but there is no need for a kukari either. If you want to take the kukari though, have at it. I carry the Micra too.”

“My hiking staff has many purposes. lol”

“Mine too is a wee little Schrade, survival or not, I'm gonna be A-OK great enough with something tiny .... yeah I'm talkin' bout gear here...

Thinair, here's a great helper for ya. My favorite lighting tools are 2 Photon MicroLights, the ones that lock on. I carry one white one for general use, and one blue one for night hiking and midnight nature calls. I've hiked all over the East, and now once on the West. Even in winter these 2 lights are all you'll need. The batteries last a great many hours, and if one runs out on you while backpacking, the other will surely get you by wonderfully the rest of your trip. They weigh only oz'es each, and once a month at www.botachtactical.com they are on sale for $12.20 each. You absolutely cannot beat that. I don't carry a flashlight, nor my penlight, nor my Petzl Micro headlamp, nor my candle lantern anymore, these 2 tiny photon ones are that reliable and multifunctional. They run on 2 watch batteries each, and are not too difficult to reassemble (just be dang shore ya follow the instructions closely).

I do wanna get me one'a those Tikka headlamps tho, so now I'll likely carry a Tikka and a blue Photon MicroLight.

WD I likes my Esbit too, but if I'm out for more'n a weekend I like the cokecan stove even better. If you don't have one, I'll fiddle around here and see if I cain't come up with a decent one for ya. That with a small squirt bottle (like a hospital one) half full of de-nat'ed alcy weigh much less than the equivalent of an Esbit and fuel tabs. They work great at "regular" elevations in nonwinter conditions for trips longer than a weekends.

Oh thinair, another thang I likes is my Potable Aqua tabs, instead of bothering with the weight and pack cubes of a filter, great for weekend trips.”

“LOL Buddur!”

“Naked Ape, I made a pepsi can stove last winter and used it a couple of times durring the summer. It worked great, only I wish I had a better pot stand. So far I can't seem to make a good one out of a hanger.
I'm going to get the Esbit with my next Campmor purchase, I'll have to see which I like better.
I would think that an Esbit weight tabs weight would be less than the amount of alcohol, but I guess I'll have to test that one.

My Petzl Tikka is by far the best piece of gear that I own, I used it without ever worrying about the batteries life lasting. I think I spent a couple hours a night reading for 7 nights. The light never lost any of it's brightness and was much brighter than I needed out there. So I give the Tikka my stamp of approvial.”

“Naked Ape, I made a pepsi can stove last winter and used it a couple of times durring the summer. It worked great, only I wish I had a better pot stand. So far I can't seem to make a good one out of a hanger.
I'm going to get the Esbit with my next Campmor purchase, I'll have to see which I like better.
I would think that an Esbit weight tabs weight would be less than the amount of alcohol, but I guess I'll have to test that one.

My Petzl Tikka is by far the best piece of gear that I own, I used it without ever worrying about the batteries life lasting. I think I spent a couple hours a night reading for 7 nights. The light never lost any of it's brightness and was much brighter than I needed out there. So I give the Tikka my stamp of approvial.”

“I swear I only hit submit once. Hmm”

“LOL I hear ya loud and clear thinair! FYI, 2 oz's of de'nated alcy is much lighter than 1 fuel tab, which is what it takes to heat up a quart of cold, treated water. Does not boil it, just brings bubbles up on the bottom of your pan. Also, I carry a ziplock of diaper wipes, cause the Esbit tabs leave some soot on the outerbottom of your pan, messy if you don't wipe it off.

For sure on the Tikke, I been a good'un this year, so it tops my list to Santa this year.”

“Thinair, try making a pot stand out of a coffee can. Just cut it to around and inch higher than the burner and trim a few cut outs to make what looks like a crown to set your cook pot on. Punch a few holes with a church key for air around the bottom. Then place your stove inside and your in business.”

“I just got the Tikka as an early Christmas gift (for myself). It's a great lightweight light. I put it on the first night and set up my tent in the dark. The neighbors had to be wondering what a miner was doing in my backyard.

The light(s) cast a white, bright, evenly distributed light. I have yet to test its battery duration. The only drawback I have noticed is that it is a bit too bright for a reading light (for my taste) particularly if you are laying on your back and turn your tent into a big glowing orb in the middle of the woods (I tend to hike alone and like to minimize night time attention). I may stick with the micro maglite for reading.

Anybody know why it seems to have two positions for "on"? One click and mine is "kind-of" on and then I push it further and it seems to be a little more permanent version of on? Weird - am I missing something?”

“that's just the way it is.”

“Hmmm...I never noticed it before, but mine does that too. High beam/low eam maybe?”

“So a ray of low level light is called an "eam", eh? Never knew that...I pert'near learn somptin new everyday.”

“Nakid Ape
I like your thinkin about the 2 Photon lights but I still like my headlamp. Makes it easy to cook & eat in the dark when your "handsfree". Cooking in the dark is why I decided to go with a headlight several years ago. I used to have to cook with a light hanging out of my mouth and even harder to eat like that.
LOL”

“Thpppppptttttt ¦ P

like you've never done a typo!”

“I didn't notice a difference in the light level or direction between the two settings. Although now I can't see anything because I looked straight into the light.”

“LOL, why do you think I had trouble typing that?”

“1st click... light comes on... contact is made.

2nd click... light is still on... switch contact has slid across and 'locked' on other contact.

technically, the 1st click is just where it first hits the contact.”

“Well, I couldn't tell a difference in light level but I figured that might be due to the permanent retinal damage. I think tomorrow I'll go out and stare directly into the sun.”

“what is a Pepsi an stove?”

“I've got a 3 inch skeletonized lock blade. It's serrated and very sharp and incredable light weight. Plus it just looks cool!”

“Naked ape,
dry out the diaper wipes before putting it in the zip lock. When you need it, add water. Saves a oz or two.

We used our Tikka headlamps for 30 days and changed batteries only once. And even then, it didn't need changing (we sent batteries in with our last resupply). We cooked/ate in the dark and read 2-3 hours every night. Luv it!”

“ Pepsi Can Stove & Gear Page at PCThiker.com

Click on the link and you'll see some ideas for the pepsi can stove and the cat can stove.”

“nigal, I agree whole-heartedly about knowledge being the best lightweight gear to take, and about building a debris shelter for that matter in the BW. But how folks keep inflating the advice to take a decent knife into carrying a kukari or some machete-sized "survival" knife does concern me. That seems to be disinformation.

As numerous tales retold here on TT have shown, the backcountry is not benign. Accidents/incidents happen -- and happen quickly -- for which you should be nominally prepared. As for the "I only hike on trails" theory, most hikers will eventually lose -- or have on a number of occasions already lost -- a trail and find themselves "turned around" at the least, or lost at worst. Better to count on that and be prepared.

Also, simple tools are usually better than complex ones. A straight one-piece knife will usually be stronger, work better and have easier maintenance than a folder of equivalent size, for example. I love my Micra and carry it daily, but to make it so small and light, it has distinct performance limitations.”

“Simplicity factors more for me than how light something is. Even though I carry the Micra I love my little tiny Vic Classic more. The Micra has many things I will never need like screw drivers stuff. Then again, I won’t be making a fish spear with the Classic either! LOL! No matter what we carry we have to know how to properly use it.

“As for the "I only hike on trails" theory, most hikers will eventually lose -- or have on a number of occasions already lost -- a trail and find themselves "turned around" at the least, or lost at worst. Better to count on that and be prepared.”

As one who has been lost many times ON TRAIL (LOL!) I can concur but it kind of goes right back to my original point. Carrying good land nav skills in your head out ways all the survival gear in the world I can fit in my pack. I guess you could say “primitive skills” are more like “preventative skills”. Even if we do things in different ways safety in the backcountry is the main goal, however we get there is fine with me. 8)”

“My favorite piece of lightweight gear is my set of Titanium Tent Stakes. I'm not the type to run out and get all titanium gear but these things are great !!! Before I got these stakes I would try to set up my tent and get soooo frustrated from bending Aluminum stakes.... I would have to bring extra just in case they got to mangled. And you would always have to reposition the tent just because you hit a rock! But now if you hit a rock these tent stakes don't flinch. The Lightweight Backpacker tested these stakes out by hammering them into a 2X4 piece of lumber. So this is my favorite piece of lightweight gear because it saves a tiny bit of weight but keeps me from getting aggravated. I purchased them about 4 years ago from Simon Metals.”

“By the way I posted these under "cheap lightweight gear" because they save you $$$ over the long haul and cut down on waste. Before I would purchase new stakes every year. Now for the past 4 years I haven't had to.”

“Given
"knowledge being the best lightweight gear to take"

and "experience=knowledge"

we all need to hike as much as possible. If you can't do it for yourselves, at least think of the children!”

“LOL, le Subtil, to read that after coming from a classroom of mostly blank young faces!”

“Hey, the Ti stakes idea is great! I bend up 1 or 2 aluminum ones so bad that I have to throw them out every other trip. I'll see if I can get them any cheaper in Japan where they are nuts over having all their gear in Ti.”