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#186052 - 07/03/14 07:04 PM Pack and gear weight?
AKenthusiast Offline
newbie

Registered: 07/03/14
Posts: 4
Loc: Northern Arkansas
Im not talking about lightweight bound people really, im talking about just pack weights in general.
The people who like to have all of the camping comforts.

Specifically the people who are hiking, not just the car campers that do not care about weight at all.

My pack weighs roughly 25lbs. Is that on the heavy side? (i do use a tent, not a hammock.)

rough gear weights
REI passage 2 tent- 4lbs 12oz
Magellan synthetic sleeping bag- 4lbs (i havent invested in a lightweight yet.
jetboil sol w canister- 17oz
sawyer mini- 3oz
REI flash 62 pack- 3lbs
Cheap coleman pad- 3lbs
water and food- 4lbs total
and other misc things

Is all this besides the pad and sleeping pad relatively heavy?
and what are your thoughts on the tent? if you've used it.

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#186054 - 07/03/14 10:54 PM Re: Pack and gear weight? [Re: AKenthusiast]
Glenn Roberts Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2208
Loc: Southwest Ohio
Again, it's all about perspective. Objectively, you're not burdensomely heavy. (When I started, 50 pounds was not uncommon for a weekend; about 10 years in, I was "ultralight" at 30 pounds when my friends carried 35; now, I'm at 18 -20 pounds. My comfort level hasn't changed significantly over the years, but technique and gear have: I no longer wear jeans and cotton underwear (which meant spare jeans and a pair of undies for each day on the trail), nor do I cook "real" food like kielbasa and instant potatoes with gravy, plus pudding for dessert. My 7 pound two man tent morphed into a 3 pound solo tent with better ventilation; my 4 pound synthetic bag got replaced by a down bag. You're making pretty much the same metamorphosis - state of the art when you're starting is just a whole lot lighter than when I started.

The relevant question is whether it hits your own personal sweet spot, balancing weight, cost, comfort, and convenience just right for your needs, not mine or anyone else's.

You've identified the only two areas (bag and pad) where I'd be looking to go lighter, so you've definitely got the right idea. As for the rest, if you're happy with the way it works for you, keep it. It's not the lightest, but it's a long way from heavy.

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#186059 - 07/04/14 01:33 PM Re: Pack and gear weight? [Re: AKenthusiast]
Jim M Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
The big items to watch out for are the tent, sleep bag and pack.
At over 4 pounds that is a heavy tent if you are not sharing it. If you are sharing it give 2 pounds of your gear to your partner. I now use a single wall two person tent that weighs 2 pounds with stakes. So I only have to carry one pound when sharing. big diff. Your sleeping bag is heavy unless you are winter camping. The heaviest sleep bag I would consider is 2.2 pounds. My 3 season NF Hightail-it only weighs 2 pounds.
Your pack isn't bad, but you could loose a pound there. I used the REI flash 50 on my last trip..45 ounces.
You could save at least two pounds on the pad. There are lots of ultralight pads. I use the thermorest scout small and it weighs 1 pound with the stuff sack and i find it comfortable. I used to use a short ridgerest that weighed 9 ounces, but the inflatable Scout is more comfortable.
Food and water are a must. I figure 1.5 pounds per day and never feel hungry and have never tried to reduce the weight much. I have used freeze dried, but now I look in the grocery store for light food. Keep reading on backpacking net and you will get lots of ideas. half the fun is in the planning and preparing for the trip. Knowledge is golden. Don't purchase gear that you will later replace with something lighter or better suited to your needs.
_________________________
Jim M

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#186202 - 07/19/14 12:23 AM Re: Pack and gear weight? [Re: AKenthusiast]
ndwoods Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/02
Posts: 572
Loc: Santa Cruz CA, Sierra Hiker
Is this for an overnighter? Not much food if your water is 2lbs and you are doing more than an overnighter. You can get a cheap pad for under a lb...that would help. That's without spending the big bucks to get a lighter tent and bag...
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#186267 - 07/24/14 10:17 AM Re: Pack and gear weight? [Re: ndwoods]
PEARL DRUMS Offline
member

Registered: 09/18/13
Posts: 42
Loc: Central Michigan
Agreed. Your water alone will creep up towards 4 pounds if you have to fill up before you head out. Even dehydrated bag food weighs more than 2 pounds for a few day trip. I carry under 25 pounds for 2-4 days. I carry ALOT more stuff than you have on your list, double actually. My complete sleep system weighs under 5 pounds. A hammock, pillow, x-large tarp and a sleeping bag. I use a pocket rocket stove and Hiker Pro filter, they weight virtually nothing. I also carry a quality fishing pole and plenty of tackle. Not to mention bunches of other trinkets. Sling shot, two knives, first aid, emergency fire starting supplies, poncho, mess kit, spare clothing, deck of cards, rope, tree straps, water shoes and an ALPS full sized 5/8 thick pad for my gear and feet under my hammock. Im a light weight fanatic. I like the lightest load I can get, but still have the things I want. I could easily cut my weight down under 18-20 pounds if I eliminated my fun stuff.

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#186276 - 07/24/14 02:50 PM Re: Pack and gear weight? [Re: AKenthusiast]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Have you looked at the articles and gear lists on the home page of this site, left hand column?
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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