The ultimate backpacking outfit

Apparently this is the gear tech nerds use, and they'll spend around $3600 to get it all, but...



That is pretty darn ultimate.

I need to send him the GSI H2jo that's been on my "give it away" list for a long time now...

The Grylls knife, lol. I have a larger knife, but really want to figure out how to sharpen my Micra....

Amazon fail on the sleeping bag. Item Weight: 3.2 pounds. Shipping Weight: 1 pounds. ????? They fill the box with helium? (The actual weight of the bag is 1.5 lbs, apparently. Marmot is good gear, but hey Amazon, my Marmot 0 degree bag weighs 3 lbs....)

Pretty darn expensive. I love the reviews the Marmot Plasma gets. I remember reading about it in the gear guide for Backpackers. It's too much for my blood and it might stop up my nose. (supposedly allergic to down, I found it an odd coincidence that I touched a down pillow the other day and sneeze. Maybe it was a dirty down. lol.)

To be fair, that is one sweet looking knife. I saw it at Bass Pro Shop the other day when dad and me went. I didn't wanna buy it because it had his name on it. If only I can find that exact knife minus his name.

I believe that knife is a rebranded standard Gerber knife. You can hike a lot of miles without carrying a heavy, gaudy blade of that sort - they are actually pretty useless.

I think a much light, cheaper, and just as functional kit could be assembled, especially if some cottage manufactured items were selected. i was surprised given the geek orientation with the mediocre flashlight / headlamp (rather than say the Zebralight H51 or one of the other lights that flashlight geeks rave about) and the clothing is just average with the exception of smartwool base layer.

--Mark

80lbs? Am I the only one who sees a flaw in this guy's backpacking logic?

Also, the "ultimate" outfit is defined by region/weather so heavily. I love his baselayer (use it myself) but everything else, I'm just left thinking of lighter options.

That article is the sort for which the acronym ROFL was invented.

Only an "ultimate" sucker would shell out $3600 for backpacking gear.

My initial reaction was, "Tee, hee...good one!"

Then I stopped to think, after noticing that some of his gear is the same stuff I use. I suddenly realized that this list was serious, and the writer was probably a fairly experienced backpacker. The whole article reminded me that this is a highly individualized sport, and that there is no right or wrong way.

The only genuine mistake I could see that the author made was to use words like "ultimate" and "best." There is no objective, true "ultimate" or "best" gear list - there is only the gear list that works best for me. (I'm assuming, for simplicity, that this was a three-season gear list for use in temperate, low-mountain/uplands situations.)

His is not the same list I'd put together, and is certainly heavier than what I'd carry. However, my load is heavier than many of you carry, and lighter than many others carry. It doesn't make any of us right or wrong - just different. Like the author, we did our homework and made the choices that were right for us.

He's obviously pleased with his gear, and it clearly fits his definition of what's needed for spending "a nice night on the trails." It just doesn't fit mine - and that's OK.

Dear lord, he really went apes*%t with the REI catalogue. Was actually doing okay with the shelter snd sleeping system but pretty much everything else is off the rails.

Presuming I could actually pick the rig up, I'd be good for two, three miles a day. Please look for my new book, "The John Muir Trail in Two Easy Vigorous Months!"

Brian, it's obvious your not a true computer nerd, so let me explain the algorithm...

Before high powered computers were invented a 50 pound pack used to feel like 80 pounds, and that's before you even strapped it on and lugged it for a mile. That's 30 extra pounds you were carrying. Now that 80 pound pack that feels like 50 pounds is actually saving you 60 pounds, so when you only put 50 pounds in it you end up being 10 pounds lighter than if you were carrying nothing at all.

It takes a really big computer tower to figure this kind of stuff out, and that's why you also want to bring condoms when you get "The ultimate backpacking outfit". Computer nerd hiker chicks go crazy over a big package like that and there's a sub routine for a 3D simulation that shows that more often than not it takes both an axe AND a Bear Grylss knife to fend them off.

Honestly, with all the miles you've hiked I'm surprised you haven't seen that happen, all the computer simulations indicate it's very likely. All I can say is you really have to get indoors more

One time I had 45 items in my pack valued at $4,500.

ee if you have an eight hundred dollar tent, backpack, and sleeping bag, a digital camera, and a katadyne filter, the money adds up quickly.

Its cheaper to get what you want the first try.
Jim

By gum, my first backpack had two 5-1/4-inch drives: one for the OS and one for the applications.

Now you kids get offa my, uh, green area thingie.

You can. It is called the LMF II. I have seen reviews comparing the two. The LMF is a better built knife.
LMF

So, where is the titanium? How can you have an ultimate kit without titanium?

EXACTLY! You can't not have a titanium spork at least (though I do adore the LMF sporks, have them all over the place).

The list was an interesting read -- I have some of the same things in my gear, but in a lot of cases I have either purchased the smaller/lighter version or found something higher end on ultra sale or clearance, or second hand. I have an older TNF tent I picked up for $7, and I much prefer the packing size if the smaller BD lantern. The shell they mentioned is meh at best as well, I much prefer my OR shell which I paid about the same for on clearance.

I am also always inheriting things from my brother who is more adventurous and tough on gear than myself! I am a backcountry rider, where he is the mountaineer/iceclimber in the family.

Wow, I did alot of research when buying all my gear last year, and got much of what is listed here. The Plasma 30 is a backpackers dream and kept me warm for a week above the snow line in Kananaskis. I did have a couple different things that were improvements for me. Jetboil instead of the Dragonfly and related pots and pans, Tarptent moment instead of the Big Agnes, but I am surprised at how close this was to my gear list.