Lightweight and Ultralightweight Backpacking

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Panoramic view from a mountain top in Glacier National Park, Montana
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My Lightweight Backpack

This is a lightweight backpacking dayhike or overnight and weekend outfit I carry for me to be well-prepared and comfortable and safe for temperatures down to 40° F because the milder temperatures like this have the most frequent occurrence of hyperthermia.

I must also be able to be comfortable at 15° F if the temperature drops suddenly, because I hike in the mountains.

If I do not allow myself to get overheated or chilled, this is quite comfortable for me. I am a warm sleeper. If cold at night, I eat a Snickers candybar and drink a little water to kick-start "central heating".

I have Croakies for my eyeglasses, because it is so easy for even the smallest branch to remove eyeglasses: some people carry spare eyeglasses, I have Croakies.

Note: Most clothing is not really appropriate for staying outdoors.

My solution: I purchase nice looking, yet, highly specialized outdoor clothing.

[Note: These are my DIY/MYOG resources. I often sew, if the item is expensive and I only want to try the concept. I also make my own gear to test a concept. Sometimes, I just want a different fabric or a different color.]


    pack

  • Equinox, ARAS Eagle Pack

    • spring/fall shelter

  • JRB, High Sierra Snivler
  • Exped, DownMat 7 XS
  • Outdoor Research, Bug Bivy
  • GoLite, Shangri-La 3

    • summer shelter

  • Stormcrow, 20 F Incubator
  • Cascade Designs, NeoAir small
  • Ti-Goat, Raven Omni Bivy
  • Oware, AsymTarp 1

    • outerwear

  • Pearl Izumi, Tokyo Tight
  • Mont Bell, Dynamo Wind Shirt
  • Mont Bell, U.L. Thermawrap Vest
  • Mont Bell, Super Merinowool Action Zip Neck
  • Thorlo, Trail Running Mini Crew Sock
  • Pearl Izumi, Attack Low Sock
  • REI, LED Trail Cap

    • rainwear

  • Cedar Tree, Packa
  • Equinox, Full Moon Ultralight Chaps
  • Outdoor Research, Mohave sun hat

    • toiletries

  • Eco Select, travelsize biodegradable wipes
  • Wysi Wipe, Biodegradable Towelettes
  • Sea to Summit, Pocket Soap
  • MSR, Nano Towel
  • Charmin, Basic To Go
  • Puffs To Go, tissues
  • Toothbrush, travel size
  • Desert Essence, Tea Tree Oil toothpaste drops
  • Aim, floss toothpicks
  • fingernail clippers

    • kitchen

  • Zelph Stoves, Folding Wood Stove and Companion Stove
  • Zelph Stoves, Ring of Fire Stove and Ridgeline Foster's
  • Zelph Stoves, mini Fancee Feest
  • Vargo, Titanium Sierra 750
  • Snow Peak, titanium Short Spork
  • 2-liter Platypus, Big Zip SL
  • 1-liter Platypus, plusBottle
  • Sawyer, in-line water filter
  • Katadyn, Micropur MP 1-Water Purifyer Tablets
  • AntiGravitygear, TreeLine Spectra 725 Line
  • aLoksak, OPSAK food trash bag
  • aLoksak, OPSAK food bag
  • Ursack, bearbag

    • Sufficient Food, Water, and Fuel

Items Worn, carried or in pockets

  • Merrell, Moab Ventilator and Good Feet MAX insoles
  • Thorlo, Trail Running Mini Crew Sock
  • Pearl Izumi, Attack Low Sock
  • 1-liter Platypus, plusBottle Holster
  • Speedo, water shoes
  • Outdoor Research, Exos Beanie
  • Outdoor Research, Transcendent Beanie
  • PolarWrap, Exchanger II
  • Mountain Laurel Designs, Bug Head Net
  • Kafka, Original Kool Tie
  • simBLISSity, LevaGaiter
  • Lip Rescue, Tea Tree Oil lip balm
  • Bolle, Vigilanti sunglasses, w/prescription, w/Croakies
  • Manzella, Silkweight WindStopper gloves
  • Timex, Expedition watch (alarm, light, compass)
  • Silva, Wrist Sighting 424 Compass
  • Photon, X-Light Micro
  • Trango, Piranha Alpine Knife, mini folding sissors
  • Storm whistle, Orion Orange Smoke Signal
  • Walgreen's, oil-free sunscreen SPF 30
  • Adventure Medical Kits, Adventure First Aid .5 plus extras
  • National Geographic, TOPO! 7.5 series maps printed on waterproof paper
  • aLoksak, map case, w/Stormproof, matches inside
  • Firesteel, 3/8 by 3-inch rod and striker
  • Sea to Summit, eVAC Dry Sack
  • iPod Touch 2G with Orange Systems iGPS360 and xGPS
  • Money, prepaid credit card, ID
  • permits

I practically always choose a midweight layer that has a mock turtleneck and a deep zip front. I choose tight-fit at ankles. I choose a wind shell that is somewhat close-fitting and reasonably water-resistant. In fact, all my outdoor clothing choices are somewhat close-fitting and made for ease of movement and reach.

The total carried weight, of course, depends on the amount of food, water and fuel carried.

I know how much I can comfortably carry. After you weigh each item of clothing and gear, you can use the Gear List Weight Calculator to find out how much weight is remaining (if not volume) for food and water.

 

Continued





copyright © 2012 Connie Dodson. All Rights Reserved.