Originally Posted By BZH
I understood, I was trying trying to point out that you appear to have many layers of redundancy in your electronics. I was trying to keep my advice vague so you could decide for yourself what is important. Personally if you are in an area that gets cell reception, it could be a life saver. If you have your cell, you have a backup light source (probably don't need backup batteries for your flashlight). Also, if you have a cell phone and get service you might feel comfortable slimming down your first aid (you don't need to be prepared for as extended of a period away from civilization).

If your cell phone has a replaceable battery, carrying a spare battery is probably lighter than the recharger.


I'm sorry I misread you; what you're saying makes sense now.

Originally Posted By scratchtp
I'll start off by saying I have never hammocked, so have no idea how to save weight there. Also several of the suggestions I have to lose weight also cost money, so it depends on what your budget might be. As for the rest of the suggestions, as always HYOH.

The coleman stove, while not super heavy, could be replaced with an MSR pocket rocket/something similar for a few ounces, or a homemade alcohol stove for almost free. Do you need a cup and a bowl? I usually just take a cup, and it serves for everything.

Clothing: 8oz hat? Is that a typo? I think my simple fleece hat weights a little over one ounce. Even better a jacket/fleece with a hood, and you might even leave the hat at home. 5 oz knit cap? I don't want to repeat myself, but this seems heavy, and redundant. Any reason you can't just take one of them? You already mentioned replacing the fleece at some point, so I'll leave that alone. I don't take rain pants personally, but maybe that's just me. A fleece base layer also seems pretty warm for the temps you are going in, but I hike in NY so might be a little more used to hiking in colder temps, not sure.
You were asking if 8 pounds seemed reasonable for the temperature. To me it seems high. I take a little under 4.5 pounds of clothing (including worn clothing) for similar temperatures. That includes down jacket, rain jacket, long underwear, etc. Just realized your shoes were also being counted in the clothing. That probably puts my clothing at 6 pounds, so lighter, but not as large a difference.

10.4 oz for first aid seems heavy, but I realize this can vary a lot by comfort level/specific medical needs of the person. Similar comments as others about lantern vs light. I'd also say the flashlight seems a little heavy unless you need something really bright for night hiking.

Almost free but finicky weight savings: hand sanitizer might be able to repackaged and save an oz, depends how much you use it/if it's shared with someone else. I don't often take soap, or just take a really tiny bottle of dr brokers, 0.5-1oz saved. Mini bic instead of bic (tiny savings of 0.5oz)


My budget is severely slim right now, but I am not afraid to save pennies until they make dollars. Several things do jump out at me, though, and the biggest one is the FAK. I've already begun going through mine and tweaking it. I've added a couple items based on an injury I had last time out, but I've removed several that I can either do without or can improvise. I think a large portion of that weight was the container I am keeping it in. I'll put it in a zipper freezer bag.

Another thing I'll do is go over my clothing again and try to drop a couple things. I already mentioned that I'm getting a light base layer to replace the one I have now. I may can drop another item or two. I think my hat actually is a typo, but I'm too tired tonight to weigh it. Either way it's either lighter or getting left. The beanie can stay home if the nighttime low is above 30 or so, and I'll do as you say and look for a lighter one.

As for rain pants: In summer it's not a big deal. In winter, with all the underbrush we have, staying dry in rain is hard. The brush stays wet for a long time after the rain is over, so I've spent most of the day in my rain pants, even after the sun was out. I'll put it in the "Depends on the forecast and where we're going" pile, though, and only take it if conditions warrant. If the pants stay home, though, I'm swapping the coat for my poncho because I like it better and because it's lighter.

And lastly, an anecdote: My friend John is from upstate NY (Rochester area, I think, but I'm not certain.) A couple weeks ago we got our first wicked cold snap of the season and the morning low was 24°. There's a group of guys who eat breakfast at the local restaurant every Friday morning, and we're all in our heavy overcoats and flannel shirts and griping about how cold it is when John walks in. He's in flip-flops, shorts, and a tee shirt, with a long-sleeved flannel, unbuttoned. Everyone looks up, and someone sort of gasped (or maybe just inhaled sharply), and I said, "Look at John here, all dressed for a day on the beach. Got your sunscreen lotion?"

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I've got a lot I can work on for free or cheap, and some good ideas for what to save up for in the future.


Edited by Barefoot Friar (12/17/16 10:18 PM)
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