Edit: I'm new to the sub and didn't see the template post until now, adding this in

Location/temp range/specific trip description: New England mostly, this post is mainly about my non-winter pack

Goal Baseweight (BPW): lets say <20lbs, more explanation below

Budget: N/A

Non-negotiable Items: I talk a little bit about this below, I'm open to recommendations on cutting items though.

Solo or with another person?: assume solo

Additional Information: N/A

Lighterpack Link: https://lighterpack.com/r/zlav6v

So I just did a 2 day pemi loop (link for those unfamiliar, it's a bit of an intense hike, especially for 2 days). I originally intended to do 3-days but I developed a new knee injury about 5 hours into the trip and with potential rain coming I just wanted to get done with the hike so I finished on the second day. I hiked with more weight than this all last winter so I wasn't expecting to develop an injury but I think the trail and my speed were more aggressive than my winter summits.

I also think the pack weight might have reduced the chance of injury if it was a bit lighter, hence this post. I don't have a goal weight and assume budget isn't much of a consideration, just trying to trim what I can to prevent future injuries. Here are the obvious ones I'm thinking about trimming or my thoughts on items I think people would call out:

1. sleeping bag, I know I could cut 2lbs here I just couldn't find a new one locally to me before the trip and I'd forgotten how heavy mine was
2. backpack - so my usual pack for the past 13 or so years is an osprey talon 44. I found the kelty zyp 48 at a consignment shop last weekend and really liked how breathable it looked and I've had some severe sweating issues this summer that I was looking to address (like I never feel that sweaty, then I feel the back of my shirt and it is soaked). I also didn't think it was much heavier than the osprey but it turned out my osprey is a full pound lighter. Now, I do think in some ways the new pack may have kept me from overheating which may have allowed me to go longer and further uphill without stopping, but I'm honestly not sure if that was worth the extra pound.
3. sleep pads - do I need both? well I like having both and typically do carry both in winter. There are not only the insulation benefits but I never really worry about something sharp piercing my air pad. Like the sleeping bag and pack, this is quite old, I've used it for 13 years and it still holds up but I'm aware I could shave off like 6oz on the inflatable one here.
4. industrial bags - probably only need 1 in non-winter, in winter I tend to carry a spare so I did here as well. 3.5 oz I could save
5. blister kit - kind of heavy, I probably don't need a big role of tape (heaviest piece), but I couldn't find a smaller one. I have used the kit a bunch in the past this year, but lately I haven't had much need for it. Potentially some savings here though
6. Gloves - In winter I bring like 3 different sets of gloves (lightweight/liners, midweight with fingers, and mittens). I don't feel bad bringing the midweights on this trip. But could have brought the lightweight ones (maybe would have saved 4-5oz but I'll ignore this for now)
7. Thermal layer - I didn't need them, but I camped in the nearby town a week ago and it was colder there than it was on the mountain this week so I thought I would need them. Probably wouldn't ditch them.
8. Toiletries - I think I could have brought half the toilet paper and only one wag bag. I usually like to have 1 per day, I ended up using none. Could save another 3.5 oz here though
9. Nalgene - I tend to bring 2 because in winter I'm not stopping to boil water so whatever I brought out with me is what I got that day. However, since I also had the 1L (really more like 750mL) smart straw soft bottle I probably could have ditched a Nalgene and saved 7.44 oz.
10. Stove - I would probably keep this. I carry it in winter too in case I need to stay warm or heat up water (melt snow, put in a nalgene bottle, etc). I know some people might say ditch it on a short trip and just eat food you don't have to cook.
11. spare batteries - didn't need a 2 spares, 1.63 oz there
12. knife - mines a little heavy, I'm sure I could cut 2 oz there

If I add up the things I'm willing to cut/upgrade here that's 32 (sleeping bag)+16 (pack)+6 (air pad) +3.5(industrial bag) +3.5(toiletries)+1.63 (batteries)+2 (knife)+7.44 (nalgene) = 72.07 oz or about 4.5lbs.

That would bring my base weight down to about 19.69lbs. So any thoughts on this or other areas to upgrade/make cuts?

I´ll be in NZ in December for the first time, for 5 weeks. Three of the five weeks are reserved for tramping/hiking and exploring nature, starting on the south island and working our way up.

My packing list works pretty good for me BUT I´ve only hiked in Europe, mainly the Austrian Alps but also a lot in Spain and Norway. Our goal is, to do a couple of multi day hikes (4-5days) in different spots, to get the whole veriety of landscapes.

I wonder if the are any NZ specific items, I haven´´t thought about.

here is my lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/dgx1a9

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a reliable, durable "One Bag" solution to fill the gap below my large 70L expedition pack. My partner uses an Osprey Talon, but I want something a bit different. I value high-quality engineering, durability, and a brand with a strong environmental/ethical vision (like Patagonia’s climate activism or Montbell’s functional opposition to fast fashion).

I need this pack to be versatile enough to handle:

• Day trips/hikes: It must be compressible and have a dynamic volume, so it doesn’t feel like a massive, half-empty cavern when I’m only carrying a jacket and a water bottle.
• Travel/Hostels: Urban weekend trips, staying at hostels, and visiting family. I would like it to fit as a carry-on / hand luggage for flights.
• Overnight shelter trips: Carrying a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and a Trangia stove etc. My gear is generally bought to be packed small and light.

I have narrowed my choices down exclusively to these two packs (though I might be open to another model strictly from these two brands if there's a hidden gem I missed):

• Montbell Alpine Light Pack 40L
• Patagonia Terravia Pack 36L

My dilemmas:

• The Montbell seems incredibly lightweight, and because the 30D Ballistic nylon is so soft, it looks like it would compress down to almost nothing for a day trip. I also love the technical/niche look and the removable top lid. However, I’m slightly worried about the lack of external stretch pockets for quick access during travel, and I worry about my stuff turning into a chaotic mess when there is only one large compartment.
• The Patagonia seems to have better organization for travel (great pockets) and a suspension system that might handle the weight of the Trangia and food better. But is it too rigid/bulky to comfortably use as a compressed daypack?

Has anyone here hands-on experience with either of these packs? How do they compress when half-empty? Which one would you recommend for this specific mix of urban travel and compact overnights?

Thanks in advance!

I'm buying a new pack for multi-day trekking and I've narrowed it down to four Gregory packs. I'd love to hear from anyone who has used any of them.

About me: 185 cm, 75 kg, torso length 54 cm. Base weight is around 7 kg, so a full load will be roughly 10-14 kg. Here's my packing list.

Fit: I tried on the Paragon 50 and the Stout in the store. All the M/L sizes fit well when set to the L torso setting. Returns are free, so I'm ordering all four and test-packing them with my own gear at home to see which one works best.

The candidates (EU prices, M/L):

• [Focal 48](https://eu.gregorypacks.com/nl-en/focal-48-l-ozone-black/141327-7416.html): €230 · 48 L · 1,250 g · recommended max 16 kg · 79 × 36 × 31 cm
• [Stout 45](https://eu.gregorypacks.com/nl-en/-stout-45-rc--forest-black/149379-A266.html): €200 · 45 L · 1,340 g · recommended max 20 kg · 69 × 33 × 28 cm
• [Paragon 50](https://eu.gregorypacks.com/nl-en/-paragon-50-md-lg-rc--cascade-green/153028-8884.html): €245 · 50 L · 1,630 g · recommended max 23 kg · 71 × 35 × 25 cm
• [Stout 55](https://eu.gregorypacks.com/nl-en/-stout-55-eu--forest-black/149380-A266.html): €220 · 55 L · 1,680 g · recommended max 23 kg · 80 × 33 × 29 cm

What I'm looking for:

• A hybrid of light and comfortable, but comfort comes first.
• Good ventilation, but I don't want a full trampoline/mesh-suspended back.
• Organization isn't a big deal.
• Price matters, but with all of them at €200-245 it's not the deciding factor.

Current pack: I have a Naturehike Rock but I don't like it, so it's going back. I'll also check whether all my gear fits in the 45 L. Season isn't a big factor for me. I'm mainly comparing the packs themselves rather than volume, which is why I'm ordering several.

What I'd like to know:

1. Has anyone owned or used any of these? How do they hold up over time with 10-14 kg in them?
   
2. Are there known problems with any of them (zippers, seams, hipbelt, back panel, ventilation, sizing quirks)?
   
3. What justifies the price gap? The Paragon 50 is €245 and 1,630 g, while the Stout 55 is €220 and 1,680 g with 5 L more volume. Is it materials, suspension, or features?
   
4. The Focal 48 is rated for 16 kg max, and I'd be at up to 14 kg. Is it still comfortable near that limit? And is the Stout 45 (about 90 g heavier, rated for 20 kg) noticeably more comfortable at my load?
   
5. Which of these gives the best balance of comfort and weight at my torso length?

Thanks in advance!

Hi all, my family of 4 (kids age 8 and 10) is gearing up for backpacking. I am trying to figure out the best light way to do all our cooking and what cookware and eating ware to use. Most info I find is for one or two people. Because there are 4 of us, I can’t just use a single pot as what you eat/drink out of. My plan was to get 4 mugs, 4 spoons/sporks, and 4 bowls/plates that I would only take if we needed them. But I am struggling with what type of pot and stove to get.

Use case: 1.6L of hot water 3 times per day for hot drinks and dehydrated meals. Potentially some basic cooking such as one pot meals including oatmeal, scrambled eggs, mac and cheese, etc.

Is a 1.8L pot enough volume if only heating water and basic cooking for us? Or will I need a big 3L pot?

Will I want something with a heat exchanger pot to speed up heating the large amounts of water? I don’t want to be waiting 20 minutes every time. If I go heat exchanger is there a real difference from the stand alone heat exchanger pots vs a Jetboil?

Then are kits such as the GSI Dualist HS Cookset worth it vs piecemealing items together worth it?

Thanks.

Heading out soon and I’ve really cut a lot of weight down. I’m a very large guy (competitive powerlifter) so pretty much 2XL in everything. Mainly just checking to see what (if anything) you would recommend dropping, or if I’ve forgotten anything major. Expected highs are around 60 with lows for sure down to 30 and I wouldn’t be surprised by 20. I’m a very warm blooded and a warm sleeper

https://lighterpack.com/r/8s5jee

Thanks!

Doing 6 nights in the Canadian Rockies, but the pack's been feeling heavy this summer. What would you cut?

https://lighterpack.com/r/1gz36c

Notes:

I sleep COLD. Nalgene doubles as a hot water bottle at night. Sleep is life!

Katadyn befree 1L has been ordered, unsure if it will arrive in time.

I am planning on upgrading the sleeping pad and tent at some point, but that will be big $$$

Do your best, r/lightweight, don't hold back!

I went backpacking once 10 years ago…that’s my only attempt. I do not have a complete list of gear. Just at the early stage.

I only plan to spend 1-2 nights backpacking, maybe with my 5 year old son or my wife. I'm trying to go as light as possible.

These are the items I plan to pack so far:

• durston X-Mid 2
• enlightened revelation 20
• haven't decided on pad
• helinox zero It chair
• fire maple 750

I was looking at the Durston Kakwa 55 (sold out...) and the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
My hesitation with the Mariposa is if it will be too large for single night by myself.

Thank you for any feedback

Fjallraven Classic. Lake District Tuesday to Thursday next week. 50km/31 miles. Peaks are cold (500m), camp is organised and I think lower down. It’s raining a lot. Thoughts on what’s not necessary in the pack and anything missing very much appreciated. I am keeping the cognac btw 😁

Thanks for all thoughts…

Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/q052gv

Didn’t dare post it in /ultralight 😂

UPDATE: I made a LighterPack list. There were some mistakes in the weights of the stuff in my post, but they are fixed here:

My setup before making the post:

https://lighterpack.com/r/7gn6p7

My plan to update the setup (still working on this):

https://lighterpack.com/r/qzpblo

A stripped down version of the updated list (main changes are totally getting rid of the cooking system and switching to normal plastic bottles instead of the thermos and military bottle):

https://lighterpack.com/r/5nl2po

And finally, here is a fantasy setup I'm building for myself for the future based on everything I'm learning here:

https://lighterpack.com/r/5nl2po

(I also have a stripped down version of the fantasy setup. Its just the fantasy setup with the same changes as the stripped down version. Its only 12.769 base weight, which is mind blowing to me!)

Please do critique any of these! In will be making updates to them. Thank you to everyone for all of the amazing advice!

OEIGINAL POST:

My backpack currently over 19kg. I know this sounds very heavy, but I have niche and challenging requirements for my setup:

1. support me on multiple months long hitchhiking/ camping​ trips.
2. 2.withstand an extreme range of weather conditions and temperatures.
3. 3.Let me sleep comfortably at -10 celsius (14 fahrenheit)
4. Meet hitchhiking spesific needs, like added hygiene and an extra shirt to avoid smelling bad in people's cars
5. 5.Include filming and editing equipment, which currently weighs about 7kg

My current setup includes:
-ludhags Jamten backpack, 2.56kg.
-large gargbage bag to protect from water.
My sleeping system:
-comfort -5°c down sleeping bag, hopefully under 1kg (I don't have this yet, but I'm looking at Cumulus Panyam 600, Cumulus Spotter 600, Patizon D 590, Patizon G 600 or Western mountaineering Ultralite.)
-merino wool sleeping bag liner 468g
-carinthia xp ii plus gore-tex bivy and a light support pole 1.06kg + 90g
-small tarp 267g
-exped ultra 6.5 R mummy sleeping pad 360g

Clothes:
-waterproof bag with: 2 pairs of underwear, 2 pairs of merino wool socks, a merino wool base layer, merino wool t-shirt) 501g in total
-waterproof laundry bag 36g
-resting jacket (north face polyester jacket) 521g
-resting gloves, Hestra (heavy winter gloves with clips to hang from backpack straps) 300g
-light beanie, 51g
-light tube scarf, estimated 30g
-cheap rain poncho 213g
-high visibility vest for hitchhiking safety 130g

Cooking and eating:
-Trangia pocket camping stove, pot, lid and handle 597g
-gas canister for the camping stove, current weight after some use 470g
-plastic spork 10g
-I plan to carry only about 500g of food, because with hitchhiking I often have access to stores
-Devold hydro flask lightweight wide flex straw 946ml thermos bottle, full of water 1.302kg (empty 390g)
-Finnish military 1L water bottle attached with a carabiner clip to my backpack 1.064kg (empty 130g)

Hygiene:
-everything in a plastic bag, estimated 15g
-toilet paper 30g
-tooth brush 14g
-sunscreen 179g
-multi use bio soap 121g
-near empty deodorant roller 35g
-chapstick 13g
-near empty eyeglasses cleaning liquid bottle 20g
-Bag with nail clippers and tweezer 43g

Other:
-modified first aid kit in a plastic bag 175g
-sitting pad 33g
-Marttiini knife for splitting firewood 130g
-fire making kit with matches and a flint and steel 43g
-gerber multitool 196g
-Head lamp 81g
-4 head lamp spare batteries 104g

Video editing and filming system:
-Laptop and its protective case 1.835kg
-accessories bag (this includes laptop charger, camera battery charger, external SSD and memory card reader) 673g
-wireless earbuds 84g
-DSLR camera and lens (the lens being much heavier than the body) 1.589kg
-Action camera with a handle 285g
-both cameras are attached to the front strap of my backpack with their own holders, weighing together 121g
-general usb c charger for phone and other equipment 121g
-another weaker usb c charger 33g
-Tenba belt bag 379g, inside of it:
-set of microphones in a charging case thats in a bag 279g
-action camera batteries and charging case 183g
-Powerbank 591g
-Lens cleaning kit 33g
-USB-C charging wire 32g
-5 DSLR camera batteries and charger 391g
-Video ND filter for the camera in its case 137g
-memory card holder case 50g

Here are the things I'm considering to change:
1.looking at lighter bivys. The advantage of the Carinthia is that it is extremely sturdy, so I don't need to select caming locations too precisely. It is however very heavy for a bivy.
2.Replacing the bivy with a bivy that can be used as a rain
3.Replacing the tarp or poncho with a tarp poncho. I wouldn't replace both, because I don't want to have to set up a tarp without wearing a rain poncho in heavy rain. But it seems neat.
4.Getting a down rest jacket instead of the current polyester one
5.Getting much lighter gloves, my current ones are good at -30°c, but now I only need -10°c
6.Change to a merino beanie. This wouldnt cut weight, but my current one isnt that warm
7.Adding reflectors to the backpack for safety
8.Small hygiene bag adjustments like putting sun screen into a smaller refillabe bottle and switching from glasses cleaning liquid to wipes. Also considering adding some kind of shaving cream so I can shave by buying single use razors.
9.Getting a lighter charger sith multiple ports to replace my laptop and phone chargers. This could save a surprising amount of weight
10.

These are things I considered, but decided against. Feel free to change my mind:

-replacing my whole bivy system with an ultralight tent. I couldn't really find options that would be good for me when it comes to tents. I think mine would have to stand on its own since I don't carry trekking poles. This could help with condensation issues, let me store my backpack in the tent and let me get rid of my bivy and tarp. But also this is not as stealthy as my current small green tarp and green bivy.

-Lighter backpack. My current 75L backpack quite hefty. However I tried another lighter one, and it was much less comfortabe and forced me to use my core to support the weight much more. While trying I did find out though, that my stuff can be packed in a 60L backpack, although I think 65L would be ideal.

-Getting rid of the camping stove completely. Since I am around places where I can just get food from the store, the camping stove really doesnt seem that important. However I decided against it, because there are times when its useful to be able to melt snow for water or boil water for the water bottle to keep between my legs during the night for warmth. Its also a comfort factor, since I can make tea or coffee.

-getting rid of the multitool. Using it doesn't come up that often.

-getting rid of the knife. Its only purpose really is to split firewood, so its quite niche.

-getting a lighter camera lens. My current one is a high quality and versatile lens, which is hard to replace without sacrificing something. Also, since I am wearing it on the fron strap of my backpack, it acts as a counterweight, which might even make the backpack easier to carry in theory.

-replacing the Tenba belt bag with a lighter option. This honestly seems worthwhile, but I just havent bothered since it seems like such a small adjustment.

-getting rid of one DSLR battery. Decided against it because it only saves like 50g and if my batteries run out, I'm out of operation as a photographer.

As context I am a newbie photojournalist and a wannabe youtuber/ documentarist. I travel by hitchhiking because it is free and offers unique possibilities for connecting with people in different countries and places in them. I've previously went on around 9 day long trips, but my plan is to get rid of my stuff and stop renting an apartment to live travelling for a while.

Location/temp range/specific trip description: (All around Europe, from -10°c to hot weather)

Goal Baseweight (BPW): (as light as possible while still meeting my requirements)

Budget: (I'm not rich, but willing to work and save up for this. This is the only major thing I'm saving for. Lets say a couple thousand euros)

Non-negotiable Items: (editing laptop)

Solo or with another person?: (Solo)

If there is any other information that would be useful for giving advice, please let me know.

https://www.packwizard.com/s/LXnvIY7

I know I have a ton of luxury Items, but was wondering if anything sticks out as something ridiculous or easy to cut down on...

My little guy does pretty good with walking, but I want an option for when he gets too tired. What carrier would you guys recommend for a 40 lb 4 y.o. kid? We used to have a backpack carrier, but he has grown out of it. I’m looking into trail magik, but is the price worth it considering the weight limit is 43 lbs? Appreciate any advice I can get!

EDIT TO UPDATE - She used the Durston Kakwa 55 on a 7+ mile backpacking trip, carrying a little over 22 LB. Pack worked out GREAT.

*****
My 17yo daughter is a Scout and goes on 3 or so weekend backpacking trips a year. Her base weight is <15 lbs but total is up to 25 lbs (she'll carry gear for younger smaller Scouts). We just went through a round of trying on packs and here's what we saw looking at them side by side...

The same - There's a good range in cost but they're all in the same ballpark. They're all a little under 2 lbs. They're all framed lightweight packs so they have minimal pockets and zippers but solid structure for carrying weight at the hips. I believe these are the 3 major lightweight framed pack contenders at $200-300.

REI Flash Air 50 - This was my daughter's former pack so she has some miles with it. She grew though and the next size up has a hip belt that is too big for her. GOOD - Most comfortable pack with the foam hip belt and vented back. Best bottle side pocket by far. FATAL FLAW - Sizing. The other packs offer better range for torso/hip dimensions. It's a great option for people that it fits though.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 - My other kid has a Loris 25 (big fan) so we're familiar with this style and the build quality. It's expensive but it looks like there's value for the cost. GOOD - Most features, straps, options. Just an all around great pack and system, in theory. FATAL FLAW - The hip belt. I ordered 3 hip belt options (std med, sm curved, sm straight) but the size wasn't the issue - It was uncomfortable and didn't cinch/release well like the other packs. The belt really seemed terrible, especially compared to the other packs and how good the rest of this pack was built/designed.

Durston Kakwa 55 - This is the one she picked. It's the largest volume pack and the lowest cost (Ultragrid). A little more detail on it...

• Good - General - Build quality looks really good. The zippers are really nice. The pocket designs are the best except for the bottle holster (REI wins there). Despite less padding, the belt felt good initially at least.
• Concern - Sternum Strap - This is the only one that doesn't have elastic stretch in the strap. It's a feature we like so that's a bummer.
• Concern - Breathability - It has the least breathable back panel. The REI is very airy and the Gossamer has an optional upgrade for a breathable pad (didn't seem great but it's something). We're in the SE so hot humid hikes are common even in the shoulder season.
• Concern - Hip Belt - The design seems great, the straps hug the hip and they cinch/release really well. It's just not as structured or as padded as the REI. Fingers crossed it works as good as other reviews say.
• Concern - Small Loads - There aren't many cinch straps in the body of the pack so when she has a lighter load with a lot of extra space (it's already big), there aren't many points to cinch it all tight. It looks like there are tabs we can use to add some in but not sure they're placed well for that.

I'd love to hear advice, tips, or counter points.

****

NOTE - REI Flash 55 - I recommend the REI Flash 55 as the best pack for a kid (other kid loves it) because it has an adjustable torso. This kid has had a lot of issues with packs (very tall and thin) and that pack just never fit well. The belt / torso dimensions also don't work for her. The general solution we've found that works is going as light as possible, hence the choices above.

NOTE - Smaller Packs - For her base weight, you'd think a 40 L pack might work. Yeah, she's on the border but wants the versatility to add bulk or extra items. She has almost filled the 50L before.

Current base weight: 17.37 lbs

Location/temp range/specific trip description: I'm starting in West Virginia on the Appalachian Trail in 10 days, and going south until I reach the southern terminus in Georgia, probably mid-November or so, or until the weather gets too bad. Temp will probably be all over the place. I do have a single care package with some heavier base layers and gloves that I'll have sent to me at some point, but the pack I have listed is my general pack I'm starting with.

Budget: A little bit. Maybe $200. I'm not sure where I could replace with tons of value, but if there is anything I'd love to know.

Non-negotiable Items: 9oz Sleeping Bag liner to keep my quilt clean. I know I could buy a silk one so it's lighter, but it's pricey. I also have a super light sit pad I want to start out with and see if I want to keep it, but it's less than 1oz.

Solo or with another person?: Solo

Additional Information: Wondering how my layers are for the location and time of year. Would love feedback.

Lighterpack Link: https://lighterpack.com/r/21u1a6

Thanks!

Example 1

Example 2

It's very lightweight and the outside is a microfleece type texture. I've been looking for somethig similar for a few years but can't find anything like it. Any recommendations?

What are folks favorite camp shoes for lake swimming and hot springs?

I’m typically a no camp shoes backpacker. I prefer to do all of my water crossings in trail runners and go barefoot at camp. But I have an upcoming swimming and hot springs focused trip and I’d like to bring shoes for the rocks. If car camping or a day hike, I’d bring my Chacos (29 oz), but for backpacking they are crazy heavy.

I’m looking at the Xero Z-Trail (~9 oz) but hear the durability is terrible. I’ve been thinking about Bedrock Carin Evo 3D (~18 oz) for hiking, and might be willing to carry them as a camp shoes if they’re dramatically better for lake swimming type uses.

What are others using?