Wondering what kind of gear to pack for your upcoming hiking adventures? Here are several example gear lists to get you started. These work great for backpacking trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail and Appalachian Trail between late Spring and early Fall. If you have any questions or suggestions, please post in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Happy trails,
Base Weight: 12.5 lbs
This lightweight backpacking gear list is similar to what I pack on my long-distance hikes and what I recommend for most people. Lightweight backpacking gear provides a good balance of comfort, utility and durability that works well for hikers of all experience levels in typical three-season conditions.
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Base Weight: 15 lbs
This midweight backpacking gear list includes slightly heavier and more “mainstream” gear choices, typical of what you will find in stores like REI and see most people carrying on the trail. Midweight backpacking gear is a good choice if your hikes are usually shorter than 100 miles, or if you don’t mind carrying a few extra pounds.
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Base Weight: 10 lbs
This ultralight backpacking gear list includes the kind of specialized ultralight backpacking gear preferred by fast-packers and experienced thru-hikers. Ultralight backpacking gear is a good choice if you want to travel quickly and efficiently and don’t mind sacrificing some camp comforts. Not recommended for beginners.
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Budget: Under $1,000
Are you just getting started backpacking and don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on high-end gear? This budget-friendly beginner backpacking gear list will get you on the trail for under $1,000. It includes everything you’ll need for long-distance hiking and, with a base pack weight of just 14 pounds, it’s pretty lightweight too.
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Base Weight: 13 lbs
Over the last fifteen years I have experimented with lots of different types of backpacking gear, but I think I found the “sweet spot” with this gear list. It’s comfortable to carry all day long and does everything I need it to. I have even included a few luxury items (like a free-standing shelter, comfortable sleeping pad and pillow.)
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Full Pack Weight: 12 lbs
Here is a complete day hiking gear list similar to my own. My philosophy when it comes to day hiking is to hope for the best and plan for the worst. I recommend packing the “ten essentials,” plus a few more. That way, if something unexpected happens (like getting lost or injured,) you can survive a night or two in the wilderness.
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Hi Erik:
I met you near the release of your first edition Pocket Atlas in 2009. I also saw Yogi observing you set up your display at the ADZPCTKO. You appeared confident and really enjoyed sharing your expertise.
May I ask: Of all the choices of a full tang knife, why the Morakniv Craftline Basic (carbon or stainless steel)? Certainly we don’t want to carry a 5 lb machete or a chainsaw in our packs (though we wish our fellow hikers did:), so a lightweight multipurpose choice of the Mora makes absolute sense. Are there specific reasons why you chose this knife over so many others with a wide arrange of other features?
Sincerely, Josh
Josh: I like the Morakniv because it’s lightweight, sharp, durable and inexpensive. I like that the sheath holds the knife securely is easy to clip and un-clip without having to thread it through a belt or strap every time. I don’t really use a fixed-blade knife that much on the trail (for a long time I just carried a little Swiss Army knife.) But after watching enough survival TV shows, I figured it couldn’t hurt to have a real knife just in case.
Hi! I’m new here and I’m already loving your expertise. What drew me here was comment from someone who left a review on the REI website for one of their camp chairs. He said you made one from refectix. I’m really interested in doing this. Is yours just a seat pad or did you make one with a back like the crazy creek chairs? Would you mind shouting how you did it? Thanks so much!!
Susan: I’m afraid that must have been somebody else who made the Reflectix chair, but it’s an interesting idea. Maybe you can find the guy who made it on Google or Youtube.
Eric, I notice that all your gear lists, even the ultralight, now include a fixed-blade knife as a carried item. I don’t remember those on your older lists. What made you decide this was an essential piece of equipment? Did you run into situations where the little folding knife wasn’t enough? What do you use it for on your hikes?
@Jon: I have probably been watching too many survivalist shows on TV 😉 95% of the time my little Swiss Army knife does everything I need. But I figure it’s probably better to have a good knife and not need it than the other way around.
Hi Erik, Are you familiar with the Thermarest Hyperion 20 sleeping bag? I’m considering it as the specs (20oz and theoretically comfortable at 32F) are impressive.
Mike: I haven’t tried the Thermarest Hyperion 20, but I did just buy a Corus 20 Quilt to replace my Nemo Tango Solo and I’m impressed with it so far. It looks like the Hyperion has 12.5 ounces of 900 fill down insulation, which should be plenty warm. One thing you have to keep on eye on with the really lightweight mummy bags is the narrowness. The shoulder girth of the regular is 57 inches. Depending on your body shape, that might feel a little tight.
Hey, Erik. I now read that even energy bars and foil food packets as tuna and chicken also are somewhat processed. How can one cook lightweight non processed foods on the trail?
@Bill: I’ve been making of my own backpacking meals lately by combining a grain (rice, pasta, oats, couscous, etc.) dehydrated or freeze-dried vegetables or fruits (bought from Harmony House, Mother Earth Products,) freeze dried meat (bought from Mountain House, Nutristore, Auguson Farms or Honeyville,) herbs and seasonings and various sauce mixes. The only thing which sometimes has questionable ingredients are the pre-packaged sauce mixes. Everything is else is just whole food that’s just been dried. I’ve started experimenting with making my own sauces using dried ingredients like dehydrated cheese, milk, butter and tomato powder too. I’ll post some of my recipes in the future. But basically you just throw it all together in a ziplock bag and boil in water for 5-8 minutes on the trail. Super easy to cook, lightweight and healthier than a lot of the store-bought stuff.
I am a long time backpacker and have eaten processed meat for lunch for years. I now read about the increased cancer risk (colon esp), nitrites sodium. And pregnant women are advised not to eat processed meats at all. I have eaten dehydrated dinners and jerky for years. Your thoughts. Thanks, Bill
As a Scout Commissioner and adviser to Troops, I have promoted Day Hikes as most adults work all week and have only weekends free. A Day Hike takes less effort to facilitate and still leaves another day on the weekend for family and school requirements and options. But, most all of the so-called bivy shelters are NOT breathable. Non breathable may keep you warm for a while but you will be wet in the morning hours because of condensation within. Outdoor gurus speak of condensation problems in tents; a bivy is much wetter inside! Breathable bivys are essential for wet, cold climates. And few overnight emergency lists have a pad, placed between the sleeper and the wet, cold, hard ground. We live in a very wet Northwest climate…wet and cold!
Footprint or no footprint? My husband and I have done multi day back country camping hikes consisting of a few days in Yosemite N.P. We have not used our footprint yet with our newer Big Agnes ultralight tent. We are now hiking the John Muir Trail in August. Would you recommend taking our footprint with the extra weight? Thank you-love your site!
@Lori: I never take my footprint. I think the Big Agnes floor is plenty durable enough on it’s own. Long as you don’t pitch it on top of any pointy sticks.
Hi Erik
I got Osprey but what I could really do with is something on the front where I can put my phone, mini sports camera and maps/books. Do you have any suggestions? I would need to look at the map quite often. I also trek with 4 dogs. Rob
@Rob: A fanny pack might work, if you can arrange it so that it doesn’t interfere with the hip belt of you pack.
I am curious why you recommend WP boots for CO trail. You seem to prefer the ventilator on others
@Jaci F: I like the waterproof boots for the Colorado Trail because of the more frequent rain (almost daily thundershowers in the summer.) The rain is usually short (just an hour or two) but can dump a lot of water real quick.
Hi Eric, Being an older woman in her 60’s i find your articles most informative on some things I would never have thought of.
one question for you….what do you wear on your feet in the winter in snow….I hike all year round and find that my feet have gotten wider and need more of a wide shoe/boot….any recommendations? Thanks so much…this is an amazing site you have…
Jennifer In Colorado
@Jennifer: I don’t do a ton of snow hiking, but when I do I wear Darn Tough Wool Socks and Merrell Moab waterproof mid-height boots and rain pants. I have wide feet too. The Merrells have a roomy toe box and are available in wide sizes.
I camp out of a 17′ sea kayak. Gear weight is not a big deal, I have packed 80# of gear.
Your site is also excellent for us sea kayakers.
Hiking from island to island is not as much fun as paddling.
We keep gear in dry bags, each bag is a “kit” of related items. Stove and cooking items, first aid, Toiletries etc. I also use Excel spreadsheets to those kits stocked and up to date.
bon jour Erik,
I am planning to walk the Camino de Santiago (500 mi) in June 18. It will take approx. 40 days to complete averaging 12mi/day. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations you have for gear, clothing, etc.
merci,
alber
Erik,
I am always amazed that most gear lists do not include bear spray or bear deterrent. On my side of the 49th it would be considered irresponsible not to carry bear spray and know how to use it. I always carry it when down in Glacier NP.
@Doug: I would definitely carry bear spray if I was going to be hiking in grizzly country. I have some, but haven’t had a reason to pack it yet since I haven’t done much hiking in those areas. I don’t really worry about it for black bears.
On your ultralight backpacking gear list, the sleeping pad is 9oz. not 9lbs.
@David Henry: Oops, that would be a heavy sleeping pad. Thanks for the heads up. Fixed.
Erik
Have you used a head umbrella I see you have a hand held on your list. I was thinking about trying one for the Desert phase?
@Rob: I’ve never tried a head umbrella before. One thing about using an umbrella in the desert is the wind can grab it, so I’m not sure how that would work if it was attached to your head. Might get some whiplash?
Hello, Eric: I’m a newbie to your blog but very much appreciate your sharing of the hard-won practical knowledge you have accumulated over the years, particularly for the challenges of through and long-distance hiking! I will be doing the JMT in late September and anticipate cold weather. I am considering purchase of a silk/cotton sleeping bag liner but it comes in at about 5 oz for my rectangular bag. Your current sleep system seems to be adequate for you for winter conditions but do you have any opinion about these value of this type of added weight to the pack? Thank you!
@Clark: I have not had good luck with sleeping bag liners myself. I don’t find that they add much extra warmth and I tend to get twisted up in them. For my money, I would rather pack heavier long underwear and a good puffy jacket and wear it to bed. It’s gonna be chilly on the JMT in late September, so you probably will want a sleeping bag rated for at least 15 degrees F (or warm clothing to make up the difference.) Have a great hike!
Love the Site! I’m sure these are remedial questions but 1) do you put the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Mattress inside your Marmot Helium sleeping bag? (I’ve read some individuals who do but was wondering how you’d advise.) Also, 2) I’m assuming you have dirty water in your Platy bottle, and filter it as you drink? Thanx.
@Darrell: I use a different sleeping bag and pad combo now that integrate together (Nemo Tango Solo and Neo Air Trekker) but when I used to use the Marmot I did not put the pad inside. One of the reasons I switched to a sleeping quilt with an integrated pad sleeve is because I used to slide off the top of the pad. I never thought to try putting the sleeping pad inside. That would solve the problem of sliding off the pad, but also half of the loft that is in the bottom of the sleeping bag would be wasted since it would be flattened beneath the pad. There are quite a few integrated sleeping bag and pad solutions now (like the ones from Nemo, Sierra Designs and Big Agnes) and I think they are a great solution to the problem.
Erik …Have you ever hiked the American Discovery Trail. . .do you have any information about it?
Erik…I won’t waste your time on a long drawn out story. Am new to hiking and been doing lots of reading. Yours is a great site with tons of helpful knowledge and advice. I’ll be trying some of the AT in NH and Vermont..can’t wait for your atlas of the AT..Thanks for a wonderful site!
Thanks for all the information.
What do I have to prepare for the temperature in July (10-30) on the JMT from Yosemite down to Whitney Portal, mainly, night clothes?
@Paul: Depending on how cold you run, you could pack something similar to the warm weather (silk base layer and vest) or cool weather (lightweight wool base layer and jacket) clothing combinations listed in this post for the JMT in July. The second one would be the more conservative option. I don’t believe the temperature will drop below freezing in July, but it can get chilly up there even in the summer because of the high altitude.
thanks eric
a pedantic point, but in future could you please consider whether to include a column with weights in grams as well as ounces. I know the US uses imperial, but a lot of the rest of the world is SI. just a suggestion.
thanks
I know you have the PCT complete gear list, but are any of the additional gear lists just as suitable for that specific trail? I know it is a lot of preference on most things, but I also want my gear to withstand the trip as well as myself. Input is highly appreciated. THANKS!
@Emily: The PCT has a few unique considerations that have to be met for certain sections of the trail (like carrying 6-10 liters of water in the So-Cal desert, a bear canister in the Sierras, cold weather gear if you are late getting to Washington, etc. Aside from that, most of the trail is typical 3-season conditions, so the gear needed to hike is it very similar to other trails in the U.S.
I’m 6’2″ and I’m a side sleeper too. I switched to quilts instead of sleeping bags 2yrs ago & I don’t regret this decision at all. I currently have 2 quilts, a 20* Zpacks & a 40* Enlightened Equipment. Love both of them, worth looking into. I mention this only because Richard was looking for a 30-40* bag. When temps are above 50* & you can sleep unrestricted under a quilt, it’s fabulous.
Cheers
I am looking at the Western Mountaineering Terralite versus the Marmot Helium. I tend to sleep on my side and thrash about a good deal…thoughts on which bag ? I will be ussing it for three seasons and likely no colder than 32 F
@Richard: The WM Terralite uses less down (18 ounce fill weight vs. 21.5 ounce fill weight) distributed over a larger surface area (due to the extra width) so it will not be as warm as the Helium. Unless you are certain that the nighttime temps where you will be camping will not drop below freezing, I would get something a little warmer than the Terralite for late spring or early fall hikes.
Erik,
I have been backpacking since the early 1970’s and have to say your site rates up there with Colin Fletcher’s great Complete Walker books ! Thanks for your response on the Terralite. I’m planning on a short thru-trip on the Ozark Highlands Trail this coming fall and your list has assisted more than I can say. Thanks!
Are Merrell moab waterproof hiking shoes good for a four day hike? Or are the ventilators better?
Thank you so much for answering. I have decided against the bivy, I am planning to carry 60 ounces of water, (just under 2 liters) and I am going with the bigger bear vault. Thanks for taking the time to respond it means a lot.
Last question. If I hike pretty fast and send resupplies could I use the Bear Vault 450 instead? I don’t eat the most on the trail either. Sorry about all these questions.
@George: I can only get about 4-5 days of into the large Bearvault (but I eat a lot.) Some hikers carry the smaller canister just to satisfy the requirements of having a bear canister in case a ranger stops them, but if you want to actually fit all of your food inside I think you’ll need the larger one.
Hey Erik,
Thank you so much for making this list, I have a few questions. I was wondering why you decided to go with a 2 person tent for your thru hike? Is it worth it to have the space? I was planning on going with a helium bivy from outdoor research because it’s 1 pound (easy on my heels to carry) only $150, fully waterproof, and unlike a tarp it is mosquito proof. You can set it up anywhere as well and it doesn’t need stakes. If you think I would like the extra room I would consider buying a six moons poncho tent, and putting in a diy mosquito net with a ground sheet. Also on the JMT, do you always need 2 liters of water or could 50 fl. ounces do? (I’m trying to go as light as possible so my heels don’t kill me) Thank you so much! I really enjoy your blog.
@George: Normally I would not recommend a 2-person shelter, but in the case of the Big Agnes Fly Creek the 2-person version barely weighs more than the 1-person, and the extra room is nice to have. I do not like bivys because they are so small and claustrophobic. If you are going to have to hide out inside your shelter in the evenings to avoid mosquitoes it’s nice to have some room to move around in. There are definitely lighter weight options for shelters though (I would just make sure to choose one that is completely bug-proof.) Water is everywhere on the John Muir Trail so you shouldn’t have to carry two liters often, if at all. But I still like to have the option. Most of the time you can fill up 1 liter and cross several more water sources before you run out. In some places it’s even possible to carry no water at all (just dip n’ sip at the water sources.)
Hello,
I enjoy and appreciate your site. I noticed you have at least 2 different camera choices listed. Which camera in your experience has served you the best? Picture quality, battery life, and durability being main factors.
Thanks,
Jake
@Jake: I prefer a camera with AA batteries. Unfortunately these are getting harder to find. Most cameras now use rechargeable battery packs. I find it more convenient to pack a couple extra batteries than to remember to plug your camera in at every town stop. The camera I use now is a Canon Powershot A1200 (there is a newer version available: the A1400.) It’s not a high end camera, but it’s lightweight, inexpensive (they used to be under $100 but are now around $150) and uses batteries. One problem with these types of cameras, in my experience, is that eventually dust gets into the lense and prevents it from focusing correctly. When this camera dies I will probably try one of the waterproof, dirt proof cameras like the Fuji Xp70.
I absolutely love the site and the info.
I have a question about hygiene on the trail. How do you go about washing yourself and your clothes when you’re out for an extended amount of time (say 5 days to 3 months)?
I want to eventually hike at least the Oregon section of the PCT and plan to use the Timberline Trail, Loowit Trail and the Round-The-Mountain Trails for practice.
I’m not a clean-freak, but I do care about it at least a little bit if it’s going to be for really long periods of time.
Thanks again for all the info Erik, it helps a bunch!
– Cole
@Cole C: Every five days or so when I go into town to resupply I’ll get a hotel room and take a bath or shower and wash my clothes at a laundromat. On the trail I try to keep my feet clean by wiping them with a wet rag or dunking them in creeks. Grime is abrasive so it’s important to keep it off your feet or it can rub against your socks and cause blisters. I carry two pairs of socks and alternate them, wash the spare pair in creeks when they are available (and hang from the pack to dry using a safety pin.) I use a combination of paper towels (for the first pass) and wet wipes (for the second pass) for butt wiping. Purell for hand sanitizing. I only bring one pair of underwear so I take them off at night and hang them out to let them de-funk and dry out. That’s really about it. I just try to target the most important areas to keep clean and save the rest for town stops. It’s definitely an uphill battle 😉
I save and I share your lists and recommendations with Scout Troops far and wide. I am a Commissioner..a fancy name for a messenger boy/information service. Many Troop leaders are not skilled in wild-country packing and living. Others are really ‘into’ hiking but still carry traditional and heavier packs. This is tough on the smaller kids, but leaders seldom listen to me. A few do. I still try. Thanks for keeping me informed; I still have teaching opportunities for our Scouts. May GOD bless you for your outreach.
I subscribed to your great site and received several bonus lists. Which of these lists is your Colorado Trail Gear List? Thanks.
@Stuart: In 2010 my gear for the Colorado Trail was similar to my 2013 gear list on this page, with two main differences:
1) I used a silnylon tarp instead of my current Lightheart Gear shelter
2) I had a 3/4 length Prolite 3 sleeping pad instead of my current full-length Exped sleeping pad.
Both changes increased my gear weight slightly, but the extra comfort made it worthwhile.
Hi Erik,
First off, thanks for all the great information you have posted on your site. It has been instrumental in the planning of my PCT thru-hike. I have a question regarding tent choices. I have been comparing the Lightheart SoLong tent to the Six Moons Wild Oasis. The obvious benefit of the Six Moons is the weight and monetary savings- less than half the weight of the Lightheart and nearly half the price. My question is this: would the Six Moons tarp be adequate rain protection in the Cascades? I live in Washington state and am familiar with the sometimes relentless showers we get up here. I am planning my trip on a tight budget and am willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort to save money, but at the same time I know it is important to have quality gear to make the trip enjoyable.
Thanks,
Travis
@Travis: Yes, I do believe you can make a Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis work in the Cascades.
Here are a few things you might want to consider:
– For keeping out rain that is falling from above it should work just as well as any other silnylon shelter (as long as you seal the seams).
– Since it is fully enclosed it looks like it will provide good protection against rain blowing in from the side (as well as wind.)
– It only has mesh at the very bottom so it may not breathe as well as some other shelters. This could cause condensation to build up on the inside of the shelter and drip onto your sleeping bag.
– It does not have a floor so if water starts running or pooling on the ground you may need to dig a small trench to divert it. Also, you will need a separate ground sheet.
Erik, Looking through your lists, there are quite a few different base layers listed. Why do you show so many different ones? If it all the weights? Will one work as well as the other? I guess I am looking for an “ideal base layer” without purchasing a bunch that may not work out. Thanks –
@Tom: I like a silk base layer in the warmer summer months, then switch to merino wool in the early spring and late fall when it starts to get chilly. If you are looking for a one-size-fits all base layer for three season hiking including early spring and late fall I would go for merino wool in a 200 g/m2 weight, which is typically referred to as “lightweight” (microweight is around 150 g/m2 and midweight is around 250 g/m2). If you only hike in the warmer months (late spring through early fall) then I’d go for the silk, because it’s quite a bit lighter than wool, but still provides a surprising amount of warmth for how thin they are. Another thing I like to do during the transition period between warm weather and cold weather is to switch out my top for wool while keeping the silk bottoms.
I have a Neo Air and I don’t like it. I also move around and it is to crinkly sounding….to noisy. I am now getting ready to go backpacking using my Hennessy Hammock System. I just learned how to put it up one handed. I have to keep my pack weight under 20 lbs. I had Osprey rebuilt my backpack using only the right shoulder strap. If anyone has any suggestions it would be much appreciated. Weight is everything to me. Thank you.
Erik, if the Exped worth the extra weight over the Neo Air? There are a couple of Thermarest Neo Air Xlite Mediums on Craigslist in my area, but I’d like your opinion on why you changed. Thanks!
@Uilleam: I have never used the Neo Air in the field myself. Before the Exped I had an old Thermarest Prolite, which was a different design. I chose the Exped over the Neo Air after testing both pads in the store because the Exped was less crinkly sounding (I roll around a lot at night) and the material of the Neo Air seemed fragile and I thought it might be more susceptible to punctures. However, that was a few years ago when when the Neo Air was still pretty new. Since then the Neo Air has been used by lots of hikers and it seems to be a pretty durable pad. I would not hesitate to use the Neo Air, but I am happy with my Exped. For me it’s worth an extra couple of ounces.
Erik, as others have commented, I’ve tried to slim down my base pack weight to under 12 pounds with your equipment recommendations. As an avid “ounce counter”, I noted the weight listed for the Montbell UL vest (according to REI) is actually 6.6 oz (med). Thanks again for all the helpful advice on UL backpacking and resources. Much appreciated!
@Mike Kratt: Thanks for pointing that out. The Montbell vest has undergone a few revisions since I bought mine. The insulation on the sides has been removed and replaced with a stretch panel and the weight has increased slightly.
Thank you! Love this site!
Great site! I haven’t done this in many years, and now I’m taking my kids. Question: how important do you think the sleeping pad is? We’re going on an over night guided hike. 5 miles with gear to the campsite (all uphill), then 5 miles back down the next day to go home. I’m trying to lighten up as much as possible, especially for the sake of the littlest one (she’s 8). I was thinking just tarps instead of pads for a single night, inflatable pads cost a lot. But maybe they won’t get any sleep without the cushion underneath. It’s a campsite (a rustic one, not a “family campground,” if you know what I mean). So, it’s not real wilderness camping. Love to hear your opinion. Again, great site! We expect to visit it a lot.
@Jessica Valiente: In addition to cushioning, sleeping pads also provide insulation from the cold ground, so I would recommend using one. You can find inexpensive blue foam roll-up camping pads at places like Walmart or Big 5 Sporting Goods that will work fine for a short family outing and they are not very heavy. They can be rolled up and strapped to the top of your backpack. They cost $10 – $15. You can also buy them from Amazon.com.
Erik,
Just came across your blog. What a wealth of information! I have hopes of long trail thru hiking in retirement (mid-50s now). This is a great resource to help me achieve my goals. Many Thanks!
Erik
I just got back from a 5 day backpack trip in the Grand Canyon, it was a Great Trip. I used a lot of your suggestions with food and how to pack my gear. I was a little bit much on the food but I will correct that for next time. I walked down with about 26 lbs but this was less as time went on. I bought a ULA Circuit, it worked out great as well. Lots of room for stuff. I used the sea to summit and Granite Gear bags for the gear. I did about 48 miles all told in that 5 days. Heaven on Earth.
Thanks again
Good list, compared to other ul lists you have the extras I refuse to part with (only lighter!) gives me something I can work towards. Thanks
Hey Erik how about a post on how to pack for a photography excursion. As you know we photographers need our gear along with the back packing stuff. Any ideas?
@Nick: I’m not a photographer, but if I wanted to make room for heavy camera gear what I would do is choose really ultralight, compact hiking and camping gear for everything else and carry it in a slightly heavier-duty backpack. For example: if your gear, food and water weighs about 25 lbs and you pack it in a backpack designed to carry up to 40 lbs (like the ULA Catalyst), you could add 10+ lbs of camera gear and your total pack weight would still be very reasonable.
Thanks Erik that sounds like a good way to handle it. Thanks for suggesting a specific pack too.
Hi Erik,
Been on your web-site and have bought the Circuit pack. Have walked the Grand Canyon 3 times and now have done the Fiery Gizzard south of Nashville TN.and went right out to find the ultralight way of life. We would like to hike the Tahoe trail. We can’t do it all in 5 days. Seeing it is a loop type trail . Can you tell me the best way to hike it?
Thank You
Randy
@Randy: It takes 8-12 days to thru-hike the Tahoe Rim Trail at a pace of 15-20 miles a day. I think the best way to do it is to start at the Mt Rose/Tahoe Meadows or Spooner Summit trailhead and resupply at Echo Lake and Tahoe City. That breaks the trip up into three segments so you don’t have to carry more than 4-5 days of food at a time. But you can park at any of the eight trailheads and hike either direction and end up back at your car 170 miles later.
I did the AT in the dry spring and summer of 1977. Jan Sport D2 expedition pack, Svea123 stove, metal fuel bottles, big ass Galibier Vercor boots. Dang pack weighed almost 80 pounds when we started and after learning what we didn’t need, around 45 when we finished. I’m getting back into things and your site has helped in researching and choosing the new high tech and incredibly light gear. Heading out now my base weight is 9 pounds 5 ounces including an enclosed tent.Thanks for all your helpful info!
Erik, do you know the Nordisk Telemark 2 tent 990 grams.
@Harm: I have never heard of Nordisk before, but I will google them.
Sir,
You recommended a pack to purchase over a year ago, I just ordered a ULA catalyst last week. Thanks much
I used your light gear list to hike the John Muir Trail last year. It worked great. Only issue was UAL pack was uncomfortable against my low back since I am slim and lost some weight on the trail. I put a camping pillow between the pack and my back and that worked ok. Curious how much weight do you lose on a typical long hike eating 2 lbs. of food a day. I was never hungry just missed some stuff. Your map guide was great, I was able to plan each night for the next days distances and was able to stay on track. I saw multiple copies of it while hiking. Thanks for the great info.
@Richard: I typically lose 5-7 pounds per month on a long hike, eating 2+ pounds of food per day. On the Pacific Crest Trail I lost about 30 pounds. Near the end I was eating close to 3 pounds per day (and pigging out in trail towns at every opportunity). I usually start off about 15 pounds overweight so I have some extra fat to burn (and because I spend a lot of time on the computer in the off season 😉
Any tips for someone attempting to day-hike the Great Range Traverse? I ordered the 50L Jam pack from Go Lite, and various other lightweight gear. What would you suggest are the absolute MUST haves for a day-hike where I start and end up back at my car?
Not sure if I want to buy trekking poles which might end up just being extra weight/bulk for my pack.
Thank you for your help
@David: This article shows the essential things I recommend packing for day hiking: Day Hiking Gear List
My goodness, thanks for the quick reply! It is so helpful! I was wondering if Equinox had made some changes to their ultralight covers.
Thanks so much.
Erik: Just to confirm from your packing lists (gear list #2 lightweight) — the equinox silnylon small pack cover will fit the ULA circuit? Thanks!
@Mary: It appears Equinox has made some changes to their pack covers since I last saw them. Their ultralight cover is called the Stingray now and it comes in two sizes: One for packs measuring 1,800 – 3,500 ci and one for packs 3,500 – 5,500 ci. The ULA Circuit is advertised as 4,200 ci, but much of that capacity is in the external pockets and extension collar. The main pack body of the Circuit is only 2,400 ci. I don’t have my Circuit anymore so I can’t measure it, but I do believe that the smaller size cover is still the correct size for that pack. The smaller cover is 25″ tall so as long as your Circuit is shorter than that it should fit. If you plan to put a lot of stuff in the extension collar you might need the larger size.
Thanks.
my friends spent 6 weeks hiking and camping in Colorado last year and there were several problems with bears.
Great Site, Erik! Love all of the resources.
Have recently converted to the UL Way, and plan to do the last 75 miles of the Colorado Trail from Molas Lake to Durango. When you did that part of the trail did you carry bear repellant? I have hiked thousands of miles in the Colorado wilderness, and have never seen a bear, but have not been in country in over a decade. Maybe things have changed? What do you advise? I will be going in August.
@CJ: I did not carry anything special for bears and didn’t see any on the Colorado Trail. I’m not an expert on Colorado bears but I do not believe they are known to be as brazen as the “park bears” in places like Yosemite who are used to stealing food and harassing campers. If you want to be careful you may want to hang your food at night. Aside from that I wouldn’t worry about the bears too much.
Hi Erik. I have been referring to your site often. I am new to light weight backpacking and have found your site to be tremendously helpful. In fact it’s the best of all the once I’ve been to and I’ve been to a lot. keep up the good work.
Hi Eric, total weight can’t be any more than 5lbs. Can you help me??? I won’t pack fuel. I won’t be able to do more than couple weeks if that at a time. My surgeon says the new shoulder won’t be able to handle it.
@Patty: Perhaps you could look into some other method of packing gear that does not put so much stress on your shoulder. Something like a fanny pack or cargo vest/pants that distribute the weight more evenly to different places on your body come to mind.
My pack weight can’t be more than 5lbs. Do you have any suggestions?? I have it at 10lbs but surgeon says to much. I have ultralight hammock. I have so much gear I can’t use any longer.
Patty: Do you mean 5 pounds total weight (including food and water) or 5 pounds base weight (just the weight of gear)? For day hikes it would not be a problem to get your pack weight under five pounds. See my ultralight day hiking pack list. But for multi-day hikes involving camping I think it will be difficult to pack that light without sacrificing safety. I know of some extreme ultralight backpackers whose base-weight is under five pounds, but when you add food, water and fuel and their packs still weigh 10-15 pounds fully loaded.
Thanks Eric. I’m pretty well sold on that method.
But, that does bring up another kind of off-topic, but hopefully related-enough, point, maybe you guys can lend some wisdom to… I’ve never crossed water deeper than my hips or so. But, we’re trying to put together a Zion’s trip (Parunuweap Canyon) and it looks like there is just one deep water crossing. It looks like a short swim is going to be required just in one part.
Has anyone ever dealt with short canyon water swims, and if so… what ultra light method would you use to do that?
Hey Erik… Amazing resource you have here. Thanks for doing this. I’m just starting to look at lightening my load and this is a huge help.
On the GG Air Zipp bags, I love the shape as well. But, notice they aren’t waterproof. Isn’t that a consideration, so you don’t need to increase weight with other bags inside of those? I want to be light, but also able to weather rain or deep water crossings without concern for the important dry stuff inside. Any thoughts? I guess you have a packcover for the rain. I’m just thinking about some canyon stuff for this spring that might require me to just swim my backpack across.
@Todd: It is true that the Granite Gear Air Zippsacks are not waterproof, but they are highly water resistant. I have had them outside in the rain for short periods before with no penetration. The weak spot is of course the zipper. I do not use a pack cover when hiking in the rain, but I keep my food bag in the middle of my pack (underneath a waterproof dry bag where I keep my clothes and on top one one holding my sleeping bag). Also a lot of my food inside the food sack is stored in ziploc baggies. I’ve never had a problem with food getting wet before, even in long periods of extended rain. However, if the pack is going to be submerged then I would recommend a roll-top dry bag instead.
I’ve never used “cubes” for tinder. A possible alternative is to cut up old bicycle tubing into small squares. Light a corner of the square and it will burn hot and that is what I use when wood is wet etc.
Thanks, Erik. Once again, you’ve been most helpful! 😉
Erik,
First, thanks so much for putting this out. These are great lists and very helpful for those of us without a lot of thru backpacking experience. One thing that would be helpful for we women out here would be some hints for women’s backpacks. I find the rest of your suggestions excellent! Thanks again! 🙂
@Lee Ann: Most the female hikers I know carry packs made by Ultralight Adventure Equipment or Granite Gear. ULAs packs are unisex, but they are shaped in a way that is comfortable for both men and women. Granite Gear offers female-specific versions of most of their backpacks. I believe what sets them apart from the men’s packs is they have shorter back-pads, are narrower at the shoulders and wider at the hips and have a bit more padding in the hip belt (and they are available in girly colors like purple) 😉
Hi Erik & Wally,
The Osprey airmesh is brilliant, but to get any element of panel loading, you would have to go from Atmos to Eather (the bigger the pack, the less you want to take everything out to get to what you need?)
The reason I have been looking at that HMG Porter 4400 is that some reviews say that Ospreays soak up water and even in putting them down you have to be very picky about the location if the ground is wet.Very few reviews available, so I am still undecided (can anyone chip in on this?). ULA Camino and Fjallraven Kajka are big enough and panel loading, but both are expensive and not sure how advanced the airmesh of the Kajka80 is.
Those “Polar” packs sure look sexy!! And before making the following comment, I disclose that I have never even put on a Polar, ULA, or similar pack. That said … look at that Polar pack, or any of the others. They are plastic bags with shoulder straps and hip belts … literally. As an engineer, I am compelled to believe that some “structure” will provide much greater comfort when the loads get substantial … 45+ pounds as they must for some sections of the PCT, and almost certainly on other long hikes as well. Erik says the ULS Circuit worked for him. I sincerely believe that. But I have doubts it would “work” for me. And I don’t want to put $200+ out out a limb to find out that what I “know” is, in fact, the way it is … for me anyway.
@Wally: I’m not familiar with Polar packs, but both the ULA Circuit and the Granite Gear V.C. 60 do have an integrated suspension and they use heavier duty materials than the ultralight rucksacks. The ULA has a carbon fiber and delrin hoop and the Granite Gear has a plastic frame-sheet in the back. Both do a good job of distributing the load and helping maintain the structure of the pack. My current pack, which is a 21 oz ULA Conduit, is more like a sack with straps on it. This is more for ultralight hikers with a sub 10 pound base weight. It uses my folded up sleeping pad as a pseudo backpad/suspension.
Keep in mind that you will not have to carry 45+ pounds very often on the PCT. Only for a week or two in the high Sierra (if you decide to do the entire section without resupplying) and a few times in the desert (where you might need to carry more than six liters of water). But, overall it’s less than 10% of the entire hike. For the majority of the PCT you will be carrying your gear, 1-5 days of food (2 – 12 pounds) and 2-4 liters of water (4 – 8 pounds) and maybe 6 oz of fuel. With a base pack weight of around 15 pounds your total pack weight will fluctuate between 20 and 35 pounds. One of the great things about food is that it’s only really heavy the first day or two out of town (which unfortunately usually involves a long climb back up into the mountains). But, every day after that you get to eat a couple of pounds off your pack weight 🙂
without packing it full, this might do the job
http://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/packs/4400-series/4400-porter.html
A bit expensive, but I am tempted (fully water-proof, so no more religious deviding of stuff between pre-determined stuff-sack sizes, as you go along the trail
– anyone already using it, please let us know!
Thanks, Erik! If I had gotten this a bit earlier, I probably would be going down a different track. But, fortunately, or unfortunately(?), I went to a local REI “garage sale” last Saturday, lining up at 7:00 AM for a 9:00 door time – which got me in 8th position and in the first group let in the door, with one object in mind … a Atmos 65 pack … with very low expectations. They had three huge boxes of pack “returns”. I and a couple others started through them, but I went much faster because of my very limited criteria. Lo & behold … about the fifth pack I got hold of was an Atmos 65 that looked brand new. An attached card on all the returned items explains why it was returned. For this pack, it was something about not liking the “feel of the fit”. I bought that pack for $109, have used it twice already hike-testing for about 8 miles total in the mountains in north Scottsdale, and love it. I weight it on a calibrated electronic scale … 3 lbs 7 oz … so about a pound heavier than some, but definitely up to the load. I hope I don’t ultimately regret that pound. Thanks again for the good insight. I’ll likely be asking more questions. BTW … Great website & blog.
Thanks, Erik! I’ve collected many highly-qualified gear lists over several weeks while working on pack weight issues, so I have a solid basis for judging yours as best.
However, yours seems to suffer from the same fault as all the others in one area – according the the manufacturers themselves, none of the recommended packs will comfortably carry the weight needed for many sections of the PCT where consumables alone will be 25+ pounds. The lightest pack I’ve found that is actually rated for the necessary weight is the Osprey Atmos 65.
@Wally: I don’t put much weight in manufacturers specs. Ray Jardine had a theory about that, that manufacturers are ultra-conservative in their estimates of durability and prone to bulking up gear unnecessarily because they want to reduce the costs associated with returns and repairs. But, I can say from experience that the 2 lb packs (like the ULA Circuit or Granite Gear Crown VC60 will do fine for the entire Pacific Crest Trail as long as you keep your base weight under 15 pounds (even in the Sierra and in the hot desert sections when you have to carry lots extra gear, food, water, etc.). These packs are very popular among thru-hikers and you will see a lot of other people carrying them. I’ve used both packs extensively and carried up to 50 pounds in them before. I wouldn’t want to do it for months on end, but they can handle the extra weight for a couple of weeks (and they carry the load surprisingly well). The ULA Catalyst (which is the big brother to the Circuit) is also a very popular thru-hiking pack. In my opinion it is a bit overkill, but if you want more durability and capacity it has room enough for the kitchen sink and is designed for heavier loads, for only about an extra pound of weight.
Hi Debra, I have roughly the same problem (to give you an idea about how flat, my feet have gone up in size – European from 42 and a half to 44). I went from Superfeet (which try to force the feet with the stiffness) to Feetbalance, which are individually moulded.
But a question to Erik on a different matter: I notice that even the budget list does not include any army surplus. US stuff is unbreakable but heavy. I use the German Alpenjaeger rucksack (46-48 liters and sleeping pad comes as part of it)and the two man tent from their Austrian colleagues plus a Snugpack Softie Kilobag (UK, v popular in the forces where many buy it to replace the army issue). This makes the Big Three 5 kgs and $150. Not anywhere near ultralight, but certainly budget! And if I need to sleep in the snow -that’s never the plan – the small rucksack is able to take my good-to-minus 30C sleeping bag at the top. Some would say that makes for a balance issue, but when you are on skis, not restricting the hip movement is more important, I would say.
We are hiking to get ready. My left foot two toes are falling to sleep. And I have flat feet. What can I do to stop the pain. ??? Thank’s A Bunch
@Debra: I’m not really a foot expert, but if your toes are falling asleep I would look at your pack weight, the amount of room in the toebox of your shoes, and your insoles. Try to get your total pack weight under 35 pounds, make sure there is lots of room in your shoes to wiggle your toes (many hikers go up a shoe size or two and may opt for wider width shoes to make room for foot swelling). Some good insoles with arch support are Superfeet and Montrail Enduro Soles. The Superfeet are very popular, but also kind of stuff. The Enduro Soles are like the Superfeet but with a little more cushion. I use the Montrails.
That’s about all the advice I can give with my limited knowledge of how feet work. If the pain persists you might want to see a podiatrist and perhaps they can help you you pinpoint what is causing it. Good luck!
Just a quick note – a 2.4L water bladder – when full – will add 84.5oz as the water itself is quite heavy. The one liter bottle adds an additional 35.2oz of weight in water.
@Aaren: Pack weight calculations do not include the weight of consumables such as water, food, fuel, etc.
Great website Erik.. I am new to hiking and had no idea how to set my pack up until I found your site.So thank you. My dad and I are planning to hike the JMT in Aug 2013. Whats a realistic time frame to hike it. My dad(72) seems to think 20-25 miles a day should be good,Im thinking half that or less would be better.. Any opinions Erik? I anybody else has any advice of this please feel free to email me at mtb719@yahoo.com
@Michael: The John Muir Trail is very steep and high altitude. 15 miles per day is a good goal unless you and your Dad are in fantastic shape. Even Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers who reach the JMT after hiking 700 miles in the desert usually have to ramp down their daily mileage from around 20-30 to 15-20 per day because it is very challenging physically. Assuming you average around 15 miles a day with a couple days off and half days it will take 2-3 weeks to finish the entire trail. Good luck!
Great gear lists. I’m a little heavy right now at 29 pounds for a 5 day trip including a lot of water. I’ll be replacing things with great stuff one thing at a time.
please tell me which hiking u recommend for long distance!
@David: Depends on how long you want to hike. If you want to go for a couple of weeks the John Muir Trail in California (210 miles) and the Long Trail in Vermont (272 miles) are both very popular. If you want to go for a month or more the Colorado Trail (485 miles) is a good middle-size trail. If you want to go for five months or longer the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles) and the Appalachian Trail (2,180 miles) are the most popular long distance hiking trails in the US. Some other long distance hiking trails include the Continental Divide Trail, Florida Trail, Hayduke Trail, Arizona Trail, Alabama Pinhoti Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Te Araroa and Benton MacKaye Trail.
Thank you so much for the gear lists! I’ve been using a mixture of your budget list and your PCT list to plan a thru hike for next year.
Do you have any feedback or suggestions about heading southbound on the PCT compared to northbound? Its very hard to find detailed information on the trail.
I know the weather gets bad. I grew up snowshoeing though. Does the trail become completely impassible and/or too dangerous?
I live right near Manning Park, BC. It would just be so dang easy to head south.
@Stewie: The biggest difference hiking southbound on the PCT is you will have less of a “social” experience and more of a “wilderness” experience, with lots of time alone to think and enjoy nature. Your encounters with other hikers will be mostly day hikers, weekenders and brief meetings with thru-hikers who are going the other way. I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but I guess only about 30 thru-hikers do the PCT southbound each year (compared to about 400 north-bounders).
Most south-bounders start in June or July in order to give the snow in the Cascades time to melt. Depending on how much snow pack remains from the previous winter and how early you leave you might have to slog through some snow in Washington. After that it should be smooth sailing until you get to the high Sierra in Central California. You’ll want to get through the Sierra by the end of September if possible to avoid early season snowstorms there.
After that you are in the clear again weather-wise. It usually doesn’t get nasty in Southern California until after Thanksgiving. One thing you will have to pay close attention to in the final stretch is water. Many of the sources which were running earlier in the season will have dried up by then. So you may have to do some longer water carries.
As long as you time it right you should be able to hike southbound without too much trouble. It’s more challenging that going north, but not impossible.
Good luck!
@Alex: Check out the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter. Weight on my scale just for filter is 2.4oz and it fits with platypus bags too. Rated to 1 million gallons and filters to .1 micron.Comes with 16oz,32oz,& 64oz water pouch that resembles the platypus bags but 1/2 the weight!
I was wondering how effective the steripens are? Is it worth investing in or should I just get a filter instead. Any pros/cons would be nice. Thank You.
@Alex: I bought a Steripen a couple of years ago. It seemed to work fine (there really isn’t any way to tell other than not getting sick after drinking water) and it was easy enough to use (just turn it on and stir it around for a while). But my main problem was the battery life. Since I do long distance hikes I didn’t like having to buy new batteries for it in every town and carry replacement batteries in case it died on the trail. I know some hikers who like them and swear by them, but personally I prefer a more “low tech” solution like chemical drops or an inline filter.
Eric: Looks like I am pretty much on course to meet my goal of a sub-15lb pack for a thru hike of the Colorado Trail. I am new to this, and just bought a Nemo Elite 1 pr tent. Do you have any thoughts on it?
@Bob: Congrats on getting your pack weight down to less than 15 pounds. On a relatively short trail like the Colorado Trail (485 miles) that is a very reasonable pack weight. On a longer trail I would recommend trying to shoot for 12 pounds, but for a month or so on the trail you will probably be pretty happy.
I’ve never seen the Nemo Elite tent before or any of the air pole tents, but as long as the air pole is sturdy enough to withstand wind (which the website says it is) and it doesn’t spring a leak, then it looks like a pretty decent tent. The design is similar to a bunch of other bivy style tents which have been around for a long time, so the shape of it is pretty well-tested. The only downside of that type of tent is you don’t really have a lot of head room for sitting up, so you have to sort of lean on your elbow to prop yourself up.
When I hiked the Colorado Trail we got a little bit of rain every afternoon and then a little more every night. So it’s good to have a good shelter and rain jacket. But the rain never lasted long. A few hours at a time, and then it would clear up. This seems to be a pretty common weather pattern along the Continental Divide.
Have a great hike!
I noticed this when I was posting but as a southern gentleman, decided to not say anything,LOL!
Oops! Just realized that I included a cookpot with the mid-weight list with the Jetboil stove (which includes a pot). Removed the redundant pot, so now the base weight on that one is 14.24 lbs.
Eric,
Have been a learning as I go for a while now. Started out at 42lbs for a 4 day hike 4 years ago and every year I have managed it down considerably. My summer base is 6.5lbs and winter base is 8.4lbs. Both are for 4 days but could easily be pushed to a thru with probably only another 1/2 lb added. This is of course with the latest purchases including some cubin gear and an all down setup including down layers for winter. I do like your information and wish I could make the most out of my hobby and try to help others as you are doing here. I also enjoy that you aren’t condemning others that comment about what gear they have and that they have a long ways to go to light weights for backpacking. I’m not a member of BPL for this reason as some of the people that post their comments on that website are doing so at their own risk of being ridiculed and sometime asked why they are even on that website. Most people that are trying to learn this “lightway” of backpacking should be treated with respect and this is where I’m glad to say you are very respectful to everyone and there comments. My hat is off to you and the information you provide in such a professional manner. Thank you for your service to all of us to help us reach that unreachable goal of “lightweight”.
@Rebeldawg63: Thanks for the kind words and congrats on getting your pack weight down! I know how you feel about the elitism and snobbery that unfortunately some backpackers have. I remember when I first started out hiking I was mortified by all the negativity I read in online forums and mailing lists. When I decided to thru-hike the PCT my plan was just to not talk to anybody and mind my own business. I thought that if I had to interact with all of the judgmental pricks I read about arguing on the internet it wouldn’t be any fun. Luckily I discovered that they are only a small minority of the hiking population and the majority of hikers are kind, open minded and non judgmental.
I love your site, Erik. I’m also a lightweight junkie, especially now that I have developed some knee problems. I just wanted to mention how much fun a dehydrator can be when it comes to saving weight! If I have the time, I will make a little extra when I am cooking and put it in the dehydrator. It’s amazing what can be reconstituted with water and a little time! Particularly good are very flavorful, saucy things without dairy like Thai and Indian curries with vegetables or chopped greens. Keep it in a freezer bag and pour the hot water right into it and then set up camp. Add your pasta and bam! Yum! Super lightweight!
Lots of great tips.Thanks for the time to post them. But unfortunely my pack is allways running on the heavy side due to my climing gear just got to do the faces maybe see you out there this year.starting date May 17. coming in at lone pine’
I am planning to hike the new york state fingerlakes trail June 2012. And I hate walking..lol I am not an experienced hiker (1st time) Anyone out there who walked the flt and would like to offer me a few tips. Much appreciated. ptandrews2@gmail.com 702-7621798
Erik,
I’m new to your site/blog so first off, nice job on the content and site! Second, and it’s probably been answered somewhere, where/how do you account for a bear canister for food storage? Don’t parts of the PCT require a canister and not allow for hanging? I was told by rangers in 2010 while on the JMT that hanging wasn’t allowed and a canister was/is required.
Thanks,
VeganHippieBuddah
@Patrick: The only part of the PCT where bear canisters are required is in the Sierra where it shares much of the same route as the John Muir Trail. Most thru-hikers pick up their bear canister at Kennedy Meadows or Lone Pine and send it home from Bridgeport or Lake Tahoe. I carry a bear canister when it is required, and nowhere else. I use the Bearvault BV500. It sucks about as much as all bear canisters do (heavy, too small for my food, unwieldy) but at least it’s cheap, will keep the bears off your food and the rangers off your back. A lighter option is the Wild Ideas Bearikade which is made from carbon fiber, but they are also more expensive.
Erik
Our weights are similar. I have a MLD Prophet that I’d have trouble filling if I were so inclined. No tears after 1000+ miles and only 6-oz. Wearing it backpacking, I often get asked “Dayhiking?”
My question is for the PCT gear list, did I miss insect netting or . . .
I take it that your gear list isn’t skin out as it might be uncomfortable putting on wet underwear and/or socks the next morning after washing them if they don’t dry overnight.
Thanks
JD
I thru hiked the AT 2008 and used a down bag and never had a problem. Since then I am using a lot of Erik The Blacks ideas for lightening the load.
do you have a AT hand book out bi any chance?that would be great
@Scott I don’t have an Atlas available for the AT yet, but its in the works.
Eric; You know so much about hiking and ultra light etc. Have you ever given thought of leading a backpackers trip for people like me? I need all the training I could get for a fee of course? I found some for the AT but nothing for the PCT.
@Scott: I haven’t really thought about it before. My schedule is pretty full with book projects into the foreseeable future, but maybe someday. Thanks for the suggestion.
After a weekend backpacking I stop in Logan Ut. To see the ULA packs. I’m in love, going get the circuit.
They are not the lightest, so why do you use them so much in your list.
For me they strong lightweight and fit me like a glove. Plus they look great.
@Larry: I love ULA too. They are not the lightest, but they are the highest quality backpacks I have ever used. Some of the ultra lightweight gear on the market has to be treated very gently, and after a season of backpacking is falling apart and ready to be replaced. ULA packs take a beating and last for many years and thousands of miles.
To those finding themselves with heavy gear and a desire to go lighter, your gear is worth more than you think. I sold some old hiking equipment on eBay, hoping to make a $100 for stuff I hadn’t used in years. One month later I was the recipient of $830! People will buy your heavy stuff…giving you the funds to buy some of the things on Eric’s list. My last trip I was at a happy 10.8 lb base but felt a bit too close to the edge on safety and lack of comfort. I added back a camp chair, a more secure tent instead of tarp, and a couple of luxury items and still find myself at only 14 lbs of pure lightweight hiking bliss! Sell that heavy gear!
@Steve: That’s a great point. Congrats on selling all your heavy stuff. I too have sold a ton of used gear on Ebay and made back 70% – 80% of it’s original cost.
Erik – It felt like Christmas morning to find your site with different ultralight gear lists! Hubby and I did 200 miles of the AT this spring before getting off – I started Springer Mt. w/ 33 lbs, he with 43 lbs, and that is no fun for anyone! We’ll do the AT again and I was delighted to see that your gear lists are closely resembling my revised gear spreadsheet. Thanks for the great advice and happy hiking!
Hey, tried your recommendation for the Merrell Moab for hiking. I found they make the ball of my feet hurt compared to my Montrail hard sole boots that don’t flex. I am going to try to change the insole and see if that helps. The Merrells are great until I put on the pack. One thought, I am older than you (55) so my feet have seen more miles.
@Richard Szelat I had the same experience when I first started wearing them. One downside of the Merrels is that they have a very stiff midsole, so you will need some good insoles to go with them. I started out using Superfeet, which are popular with a lot of hikers, but they were too stiff. Then I switched to Spenco Hikers which solve the hardness problem because they are very cushy but don’t provide much arch support. Finally I discovered the Montrail Enduro Soles which provided the perfect combination of cushiness and support. I’ve been wearing the Merrels with Montrail insoles for about four years now and love em.
Erik, I’m running your 2.0 gear list on a mac, and it does some weird things. The pie chart appear miniscule. You can’t even see the percentages. Cut and paste weight/descriptions sometimes cause errors in calculation, particularly the summary at the top. The pie chart has diminished to a minuscule dot, and you can see the percentages or get a visual on where weights are better or worse. If you want a copy, I’ll be happy to send an attachment to an email address of your choice. Thanks for the work you do…and the fun you have doing your work.
@Jode Usually the pie chart looks like that when no information is entered, but when the first weight is entered it should blow up to 100%. I don’t have a Mac to test it on, but if you send me the XLS file I can take a look at it and see if it does the same thing on my computer. erik at blackwoodspress.com. Thanks.
Erik,
My wife and I love camping and hiking. We are planning in hiking the John Muir Trail this July, this is the first time we are doing a hike of this scale. I am excited and more confident now that we have purchased your pocket guide and the additional tools you provide us with. But I am worried because much of the equipment is not light I would like to know your feedback since it is in such a short time frame that we are planning this trip, yet I don’t think we will be able to have this opportunity again soon.
Thanks
Oscar
@Oscar Because the John Muir Trail is relatively short compared to some of the other long trails lightweight gear is not as essential as it would be on a several month hike (because the cumulative effect of carrying heavy gear are not as great). Of course, the lighter your gear, the more comfortable you will be. But it may not make sense financially to spend a bunch of money swapping out gear just for this one hike (unless you plan on doing a lot more backpacking in the future). If you decide that you do want to make some changes to your gear, focus on “The Big 3” (Tent, Sleeping Bag/Pad and Backpack). These are the things that will make the biggest difference. If not, you can still have a good time with a heavy pack by hiking fewer miles per day and taking more frequent rest breaks. Happy trails!
Hi there;
Great site with loads of valuable info! When is the ultra light book going to be available?
Planning on JMT in 2012, can hardly wait!
Kitty mom
@Patricia Thanks. I’m hoping to have UL Backpacking done by summer
I’m planning a thru-hike on the AT in 2012. The gear I’m looking at is as follows:Cat’s Meow with compression bag is 3 lbs.4 oz..A Hexamind tarp with bug screen & groundcloth, 15 oz: A traveler backpack by Six Moons at 25 oz. Thus, the big 3 come in at 5 lbs.8 oz. The bag is a bit heavy but I’m concerned with down getting wet and have opted for a synthetic fill. I have a Jetboil stove and I’m going to replace the mug with Ti from Jetboil(spring-2011) Any comments or suggestions. Thanks, John
@John Sounds good to me. Bag is a bit heavy, but you’ve made up for it with your other gear. By the way, I am also planning on thru-hiking the AT in 2012, so maybe I’ll see ya out there!
Wow, Erik, fantastic work here! I really like how you have your system set up!
Erik amazing site!!!I am new to backpacking and am currently purchasing my gear based largely off of what you show using on your PCT thru hike videos.Just wanted to say hi,and keep up the good work.IM HOOKED!!!
This doesn’t seem to work well for MS Office for Mac.
@Ceannie: Thanks for the heads up. I don’t have a Mac so I haven’t been able to test it. What happens on the Mac version?
Hey Erik,
I checked out your gear lists just to compare them to my PCT set up. I’m happy to say that even with a few extra items my list compares very well with yours as my pack weight (I actualy weighed every item on a scale)is right at 11.876 lbs. I could probably shave a couple extra ounces off my total but I really don’t see any reason why I should bother do that.
Thanks for helping me confirm that my pack planning has been a success.
Miguel
Your 2-part gear video was the best I’ve seen. I liked your gear selections so much I’ve gone out and purchased an Ohm Circuit and several other items. I also now understand better how to organize and pack everthing up so it’s organized and easy to get at at. I must confess, getting everything to fit (compact and organized) is an issue few people address. The only thing I haven’t solved either is the spoon.
I can’t figure out why you selected silk underwear, other than the fact it’s lighter than synthetics and wool. My gest guess is that it keeps your sleeping bag clean, provides some warmth and dries fast.
Thank you. Steve.
@Steve D: Thanks, glad you liked the videos. You are right about my reasons for choosing silk underwear. For the most part they are used as camp and sleeping clothes and I only wear them hiking if some unexpected cold weather comes out of nowhere. Because the weight for both pieces is only 6-7 ounces it is a significant weight savings over the lightest weight wool and synthetic alternatives.
In colder weather I will replace the silk long johns with wool (lightweight or midweight depending on the temperature). I am a big fan of Smartwool. I do not like synthetic fabrics for next-to-skin use because they stink, do not wick moisture well and, in my opinion, are inferior to natural fabrics in every way. They are fine for outerwear though.
Been backpacking now for more than 50 years (54) and have in my library, or have seen at one time or another just about everything on preparing for a thru-hike…I must say that your information and tools is perhaps the best out there for the way you\’ve condensed everything to what is absolutely essential,yet not missed anything of importance.
Thanks Bob, that means a lot coming from someone with your experience.
I am very new to backpacking – as in, planning but haven’t gone yet! Doing some day training hikes with the pack I have, with only about 13 lbs in it to get used to it. Here’s my question – how is it that your duct tape is on the trekking poles and weighs 0? Is that usable duct tape? I think I am missing something here!
Oh – and is that ground cloth in the 12.5 lb 2010 gear list going to hold up for a full thru-hike?
Thanks for all the wealth of info you
have put together!!
Thanks for all the great information on this site. I’m still amazed that your pack only weighs 12-15lbs. I don’t thru hike, but my pack is in the 30 range, but I found some tips on your site to get it down. We were staying at Warners last weekend and met a lot of great people hiking the PCT. We don’t have the time or freedom to do a long thru hike, so I was wondering if you can recommend some of the hikes in the big bear area since you live there. Like a 2-3 day trip in and then out. Or if you know of a great site to find this information on, I can look it up. Thanks again.
Trevor
@Rob: How far are you planning to hike? If you’re only doing weekend trips or the occasional week-long hike it’s probably not so important to go as light as some of the gear lists I’ve put up here.
But if you are planning a thru-hike or series of long section hikes I would definitely bite the bullet and get the lightest gear you can afford.
The good news is that your old gear doesn’t have to be a total loss. You can still use it for car camping and short trips when you want to enjoy luxury camping. Or, if you feel that you won’t need it at all, you can sell your used gear on Ebay. If it’s in good condition you can sometimes get almost as much as you paid for it!
I just had a look at your three gear lists. When i compare my gear to even the heaviest list of 15 lbs, my gear still out weights them by an additional 15 lbs. That is a 30 pound base pack. The annoying part is that all my gear is very good quality. Arc Teryx pack 65 litre is 6.5 lbs!!! Sierra Design 2 person dome tent with three poles, stuff sack and ground cloth and pegs is over 8 pounds.
The technology allowing manufacturers to make this gear so much lighter today is great to see and enjoy, but annoying in that i have to buy my gear all over again. For instance I definitely need a new pack aroudn 1.5 lbs and a new Tarp and ground cloth around 1.5 lbs = 3 lbs vs my present 14.5 lbs. that is a savings of 11.5 pounds on just two items. I’m just having trouble biting the bullet and spending the money all over again.
Any thoughts anyone.??
I downloaded your excel gear planning spreadsheet. I’ve made my own in the past but yours looks like a great tool. Thanks
Great lists! I was scoping your 15 lb gear and find that I am pretty close. I think where I am losing it is in the food/water. Somehow I always end up in the 30lb range for a weeks hike.
Bruce
I love your site. I have a 8lb tent and would like to stay with a tent however i wang one that can be supported with one trekking pole or no trekking poles. Can you reccomend one please. I am also at 10lbs without the tent so weight is an issue i prefer as light as possible.
@Darren: Most tarptent style shelters weigh around 2 lbs and have the option of using collapsible tent poles in place of trekking poles for support. The poles cost a little extra and add about 3-4 ounces to the total weight of the shelter. Check out the shelters offered by: Lightheart Gear, Henry Shires Tarptent and Six Moon Designs. I believe all of these have the option of using collapsible poles instead of trekking poles.