Backpacking Lite Weight-Loss Plan
Last night (30/09/06) I was over-nighting in the Brecon Beacons using a tent and was wondering how it could be that 10 years ago I was carrying a pack that weighed in at 16+Kg and now my full pack weight including food, water, 'winter' gear and luxury items was only 8Kg. Somewhere along the line I had lost half the weight and none of the capability. Even more strange was the fact that some items were actually heavier than the ones that I used to carry.
In practice I have mixed items from the Light and Ultralight category to produce something that is suitable for the conditions. In the Summer I will choose more from the Ultralight column and in the winter I will choose more from the Light column.
| Traditional (15+Kg) | Light (5-10Kg) | Ultralight (under 5Kg) |
| 65L framed rucksack | 45L 'Daysack' (600-130g) | Gosssamer Gear 100g pack |
| Karrimat | Karrimat Thermarest Prolite 3 Reg | 'Egg-crate' Torso Pad |
| 4-Season Sleeping Bag | 2/3 Season Synthetic Bag | 3-Season Down+Pertex bag |
| 2-Man Tent | Light 1 Man tent | Tarp + u/l Bivy Bag OR Gore-Tex Bivy Bag |
| Trangia | MSR Pocket Rocket + Ti Mug | [Vargo Triad / DIY Stove + Ti Mug] |
| Gore-Tex jacket + Trousers | Basic Gore-text or PacLite Jacket + Dri-Lite Trousers | Windproof smock |
| Petzl 4.5 Head-torch | Petzl Tikka | LED Keyring Torch |
| Spare Clothing | 1 pair Underwear + Socks | 1 Spare sock! |
| 35mm Compact Camera | Camera Phone | |
| Mobile Phone | Camera Phone | |
| Whistle | Whistle | Whistle |
| Map+Cover+Compass+GPS | Map+Cover+Compass | Map fragment (laminated)/ Thumb Compass |
| Polythene Survival Bag | ||
| Knife/Fork/Spoon | Titanium Spork | Plastic Spork |
| Plates + Cup | Plastic Plate | |
| Rigid Water bottle | Platypus | Fizzy drinks bottle + Tablet |
| Telescopic Trekking Poles | Carbon Telescopic Trekking Poles | 1 Rigid carbon Trekking Pole |
In general moving from the Traditional to Light column involves no compromise in functionality, only in weight. Moving from the Light to Ultralight column usually requires a drop in durability and some compromises in functionality.
In general it would be fair to say that the 'Traditional' column involves lots of equipment that is either engineered with cheap and heavy materials or is vastly over-engineered for what most people will do with the equipment.
In the Light column the kit tends to be engineered for the designed purpose with some margin for 'abuse' or harsh conditions.
In the Ultralight column the kit requires the user to have some skills and to treat the equipment with some care.