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Packing and flat packing
I am an advocate of lightweight and ultralight backpacking, and flat packing.
If anything in a backpack is angular or heavy hitting against you, or perhaps water or fuel is sloshing in their own container, or perhaps the contents of the cookset are constantly rattling and making a repetitive metallic clanging noise at every step on the trail, the answer usually is to repackage and pack it flat. If not, a little creative padding may help.
Repackage
Nevertheless, everything should be repackaged: the weight of most packaging is useless and difficult to pack bulk and weight for lightweight or ultralight backpacking, plus you will need to pack it out. By selection of the container, it is possible to repackage nearly everything flat, or at least in a rectangular stuff sack like that of Granite Gear Air Space and Granite Gear Air
Pockets or Granite Gear compression sack for the sleeping bag. This utilizes nearly all of the volume in the backpack. This also prevents movement. It is undesireable for the load to shift at awkward moments.
I also like how the new Granite Gear stuff sack material slides over the sleeping bag so nicely. Perhaps this is why my "big" synthetic sleeping bag now packs to a smaller size. The Granite Gear medium stuff sack even compresses my roomy Sierra Designs Dreamweaver sleeping bag, so it all fits nicely into the bottom of my huge Lowe Alpine Attack 50 pack.
Before this, I was using the Lowe Alpine Attack Summit pack for the sleeping bag stuff sack. This pack still remains my summit pack, when I am carrying the Lowe Alpine Attack 50 pack. The use of a summit pack in this manner is quite common.
More often, I will loosely pack some high volume item, down jacket, half bag, or the like. This makes a nicer, and more flat load, with all the more lumpy gear nestled inside.
I also like the Eagle Creek Pack-It Compressors, but their medium and large are only for my largest pack ever, the Lowe Alpine Attack 50.
The large size fits inside the Lowe Alpine Attack 50 pack.
The Pouch Space Bag is 12 x 14 inches and the Coleman Space Savers small compressible roll-up is 14 x 20 inches. The Travel Space Saver Space Bag Roll Up & Go carry on size is 13.75 x 19.5 inches included in the package of two sizes may be right for your pack.
The small and extra small are nicer for my older GoLite Breeze and my much older front-opening North Face Big Shot pack.
These size and brand guidelines may help you develop strategies for packing the higher volume items.
The newer comparable packs however have padding specifically for ventilation between the pack and your back. This is highly desireable, because you do not want wet inner clothing soaked from your own sweat.
Difficult items
The Platypus containers are for liquids also pack flat and the excess air inside can be squeezed out and the liquid inside will not slosh.
Inside my "cookset" I pack a cut-down-to-size scrubbie and put a small Lightload travel towel to keep the little items I have put inside from rattling around.
The big exception, of course, is the stinky used stove and the fuel. Previously worn socks, or just washed socks, may be in this category. This is a good argument for
quick-dry socks.
These items go in outside pockets, and wet socks may go in outside mesh pockets or hang off the outside of the pack.
I use my older North Face Big Shot, plus matching waistpack, I wear around in front for balance, for easy walking on groomed forest duff trails and my gourmet cooking, using the Outback Oven Ultralight system. The entire kitchen, stove, fuel, and cooking pot items go in the matching North Face Big Shot waistpack, the waistpack worn in front to balance the load front and back.
The ultimate ultralight baking system is the subject of much consideration. The Outback Oven Ultralight cozy and thermometer and corresponding lid and pan have my vote.
In an attempt to find the ideal a backpacker stove, I have purchased every stove for backpacker's in the marketplace. I also have just about every white gas and multifuel backpacking stove sold. I have quite a collection.
My older model brass MSR alcohol stove had been my only experience with an alcohol stove for backpacking: it never got any duty. I do reside at rather high altitude. For this reason, the fuel tabs are also relegated to the emergency bag, as wood fire firestarters. The white gas stove that got used is the little Svea 123. I never used diesel fuel. But just in case I get to go somewhere only diesel fuel is available, I was ready.
I avoid all "football size" stoves, cookware, and hard-edge fuel containers.
I admit I loved the brass Svea 123 stove, at 19 ounces, because it reliably made hot meals in the rain or snow and in windy conditions. I purchased a little pressure pump for it. I bought nesting pots at the old Smileys store, in San Francisco. It had individual fitted lids and nesting cotton bags, for each pot, for soot. Someone filched it.
I'd rather the little Optimus blue box had been taken. I was told it would overheat the fuel tank, if I tried to use a bigger cooking pot, so I never used it.
Since then, I purchased almost every stove that has been made. It's just that they don't get used. The reason for that is that all the components have to work together: stove, base or stand, windscreen, pot, lid of course and maybe a pot cozy. One stove doesn't let you get a windscreen around it, another is tippy no matter what, another won't support a pot, any pot, another is difficult to light and get that fire going, the canister stoves do not allow using the Outback Oven Ultralight I like, white gas isn't as easy to find as it once was easy to find, and so it goes.
Maybe a hanging pot would be the answer? Yes and No. I have seen stove flareups: I am too scared to bring the stove inside the tent.
It is still amazing to me how, nevertheless, I would backpack something I truly admire like that Swea 123 stove and nesting pots.
I do think the Jetboil has, however, revolutionized the backpacker's 'kitchen'. The Jetboil combines every component in one well thought out package.
My Jetboil fits in the GoLite Breeze flat pack exterior side pocket, balanced by a thermo mug on the other external side pocket.
I do regard the Jetboil cooking system as a nerf football. The neoprene helps this rationalization. I also have neoprene on the outside of my thermo mug.
If on the heavy side, for lightweight and ultralightweight backpackers, The Jetboil will always have a place for the trailhead, in my truck.
The MSR Reactor is recommended for in a stiff wind and efficiency at elevation.
The Primus EtaPower EF Stove or the Primus EtaExpress Stove is recommended for use by more than one backpacker because the components may be carried in one another's backpacks.
Here is review by a kayaker.
This stove system may be used with the Outback Oven Ultralight. An insulated storage bag is included that protects the stove for transport and also acts as a pot-cozy, keeping food warmer after heating. This feature allows foods to continue to cook after removal from the stove, saving even more fuel.
It's fuel efficiency means that less fuel need be carried - which can very quickly mean a large saving in the weight and bulk of gas cylinders on multi-day trips.
Ultralightweight Cooking systems
As an ultralight backpacking enthusiast I have been searching for a highly efficient lightweight portable stove cooking system, where the cooking pot is stable, the system is complete, windscreen, pot, lid, cozy and all, plus it has attractive good looks, while operating and while packed. I do not want soot all over my pack. It is important to keep food odors off your clothing and your pack.
The cookset would need to be selfcontained.
The good news for lightweight and ultralight backpackers is there are lightweight high efficiency alcohol stove complete sets available now and there are improvements in efficiency of Esbit chemical fuel stoves, the improvements achieved by stove height and effective windscreen efficiency are also available.
Recently, Trail Designs produced the "jetboil" of esbit and alcohol stove systems.
I suggest select the cooking pot. Next, select the system.
The cooking pot may be the AGG, Alpkit, BPL, Brasslite, Evernew, MSR, REI, Snow Peak, Vargo Titanium, or K-Mart Grease Pot, each one having different dimensions and features.
My selection is the Antigravity Gear 3-cup Caldera Cone, Caldera Kitchen, Hard Anodized Pot, pot cozy and handle.
Sleep Systems
The Artiach Skin Mat ¾ length sleeping pad goes into my everyday pack, while ounces heavier than my next heavier sleeping pad, this sleeping pad has never skidded out from under me while asleep. However, the new GossamerGear NightLight Sleeping Pad (Torso length) has pushed it off my gear list for all the ultralight backpacking.
The Outdoor Research Bug Bivy combined with a Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape, completes my so far my lightest weight and most versatile purchased shelter.
Normally in mild weather, I carry only my ¾ length down sleeping bag, which was only sold some years ago, but new half length or full length and hoodless sleeping bags are being sold that are used together with a parka.
This year, I added a ¾ length Mont Bell U.L. Down Inner Jacket for a summer lightweight bivy sleep system. These are often loosely packed, in an oversize thin nysilk, ballistic nylon or silnylon bag, to protect them from dirt and from punctures or a snag.
I could warm this sleeping system more, with a silk or other sleeping bag liner. Much easier, is to sleep in my first layer.
The first layer, contrary to belief, is not underwear. The first layer has an integral role in the layering system. My first layer, over underwear, may be silk longjohns pants and a soft fabric or lined windshirt. My first layer may be "ski pants" and Pàramo Mountain Vent Pull On. However by then, I am in a sleeping bag rated at least for 20°F.
If I am going up to higher altitude in the mountains, especially in the Spring or Fall, I at least have along my 20°F version of ¾ length sleeping bag and Mont Bell Alpine Down Jacket. This down jacket, usually called a "belay jacket" allows me to enjoy the evening outside, while sitting around, or for a non-strenuous nighttime stroll. There are some who like a parka, with an attached hood. I like my Polarwrap Exchanger balaclava. If really cold, have both.
Bozeman Mountain Works has three Polarguard Delta top bag quilts.
There is also the ultralight 12 ounce Nunatak Arc Ghost rated for 32°F, however the weight and bulk of the full length sleeping pad needs to be considered for the extreme ultralight enthusiast.
The really adequate No Snivelling "top bag" and "sleeping pad" packed size moves this option over to kayak camping, or on to the winter season, for me.
I pack, using a Pulk sled, for winter camping bulk and volume.
For Spring or Fall, the Marmot Helium 15°F rated, the Western Mountaineering Ultralight and the Feathered Friends Hummingbird 20°F rated traditional "mummy" sleeping bag are highly regarded.
For warm weather, a MontBell U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger #7 sleeping bag and Outdoor Research Bug Bivy are my new luxury camp for summer. I can wiggle, sleep curled up, side sleep, belly sleep, or gloriously stretch.
The sleeping bag you choose should fit, having no large interior areas to have to give up warmth.
The MontBell stretch mummy-style sleeping bags have the "fit" and allow different positions for sleep.
If a person experienced in the outdoors highly praises a certain model sleeping bag or sleep system, find out what is so great about it.
Is that person simply a warm sleeper, so that person can pack a lighter weight sleeping bag?
In rescue situations, we judge a rescuer's warmth by putting an ungloved hand on their belly: who is warmest? The warmest rescuers give up some warm clothing and/or get in a large sleeping bag with the rescued, when necessary for warming the individual.
If a "warm-sleeper" tells you a few ounces less insulation is warm, don't you believe it!
But, maybe you are a warm sleeper? Find out in advance: do your "testing" in a sleep system rated for one temperature and have a "minimum tempterature" thermometer outside the sleeping bag, maybe inside the tent. If the ambient temperature is lower than the rating for that sleep system, maybe you are a warm sleeper.
I recommend all "testing" be close to warm and dry shelter.
If only moderately cold or chilled, the Psolar.EX face mask is specialty-item well worth the money. PolarWrap ExChanger II facemask may be your preference. If I feel cold, I wear a hat. Next, I adjust my layers. If I still feel cold, I use one of these special "preheat the air" face masks.
This is not only for "guides" and "sportsmen". Often, the inexperienced person feels coldest. The facemask is embarrassing only until you get chilled-through the first time. The rest of the time, a facemask takes up little space in the pack or a large pocket.
For the sake of ultralight backpacking, I will only compromise to the extent my bivy or some shelter system will keep me safe and warm. This depends on the terrain, the worst possible weather, and what is available.
There is more information addressing this aspect at shelter and several alternative lightweight and ultralightweight shelters are also listed at gear.
Other Essentials
I have a baseball-style cap and the one-size-fits-all Bug-Me-Not Head Net "no-see-um" mesh covering the entire face and throat and secured by putting each arm thru the attached elastic straps. I also practically always wear my stretch ankle gaiters. This stops even the nasty bot flys, on Marias Pass, from burrowing thru my socks and biting my ankles.
I prefer windstopper gloves.
I have a Suunto M9 wrist compass, with a sighting slot.
I carry and use a Gecko 301 GPS.
The Photon Freedom Micro keychain LED has adjustable brightness for preserving night-vision and for long battery life, as well as strobe settings, SOS and even Morse Code. I can also recommend the Princeton Tec Eco Flare / Sea Star for useful features and long burn time for kayaking.
I am not an advocate of sweet drinks: sugar is surprisingly heavy to carry for ultralight backpacking. Fructose is a lightweight carry, however pH post digestive effect and electrolyte balance is important for physical exertion. Dilute naturally sweet drinks are not an impediment, and I have found that only calamansi juice or tamarind drink (see food) are okay at full strength.
I also drink plenty of water and even some Cranberry Harmony to stay well hydrated in and out, or tamarind or calamansi juice, for example Tamarind Nectar and Luzona Calamansi Juice Drink or Cool Choice Calamansi Fruit Juice Drink, as these each have an overall cooling-effect in warm weather.
I have also found CytoSport Cytomax Performance Drink cool citrus rehydration and exercize drink, taken as directed, lactic acid levels are lower and oxygen uptake is apparently increased. If I have to power up a trail, I dose myself following the directions on the Cytomax Performance Drink.
I use the Platy Holster for carrying water, in good weather. I use a neoprene insulated tube and neoprene insulated water bag for freezing weather. Platypus collapsible bottles, pocket bottles, and water tanks pack flat.
Water is regarded as the pack heavyweight: 1 pint = 1 pound. I carry two 1-liter Platypus collapsible bottles: 1 liter = 2.2 lbs. plus water filtration or water purification. I carry one container full and one to fill.
I like the two-bag gravity fed Platypus filtration system. I put together a lightweight 1 liter Platy version, plus an additional clean 1-liter for an extended tour.
Lightweight or Ultralightweight Kayak Camping
For kayak camping, I can carry any reasonably low volume items I may want to have, like my heavier 0°F synthetic sleepingbag.
This is for kayak camping, for the early season breakup.
I also use the spectacular silver and magenta Black Diamond Equipment Betamid shelter for kayak camping.
These are low volume items for sleep and shelter.
For kayaking, packing volume is almost more important than weight distribution fore and aft.
Have a look at this nice web page Top Kayaker.net has for packing your sit-on-top kayak for camping, and touring. The information found there applies equally well to other kayaks used camping or touring.
Kayak camping can use lightweight and ultralightweight backpacking principles: at times of low water flow you may have to portage.
The kayaker can plan trips involving portage, like canoeists.
In addition, the kayak needs to sit in the water on it's design lines, and not too low in the water!
Modify
I did have to replace the shoulder straps on my GoLite Breeze, to narrower and shaped shoulder straps using the shoulder straps made for my Metolius Rope Ranger rope bag, a mountainclimbing approach rope bag, the shoulder straps available separately.
Modifying an existing pack may be desired, however there are so many lightweight and ultralightweight packs to choose from now, as well as custom-builders of lightweight and ultralightweight packs, there is more likely to be a pack that has a "just right" fit off-the-shelf.
Comfort
If you are getting the idea hiking, backpacking, and the activities I mentioned at first in the introduction are pretty comfortable, you are right. These activities can be made comfortable, from the standpoint of the real comfort of a healthy natural outdoor environment.
More important, I take only what I will use. I take more for the worst case weather I can anticipate. I also take a little "insurance" in the first aid kit and "10 essentials".
I carry or transport ultralight items every intelligent way I can, because this makes it possible for me to walk with my head up, looking around and really enjoy getting out in the natural world.
In summary
In fact, water, food, and fuel may be the heaviest items inside the pack.
Nevertheless, the heavyweights in backpacking are popularly known as The Big Three, that is,
1. the "pack" with nothing in it,
2. the "shelter" including either tent, tarp, bivy, or bivy and tarp,
3. the "sleep system" including either sleeping bag or half bag and parka bivy, or both "shelter" and "sleep system" weight of sleeping bag, hammock and sleeping quilt.
My information is what to have. Here is a much more direct article on packing the backpack, in terms of weight and weight distribution.
If you are still stymied about how to start where to start? can help.
The packs I have listed at Products: gear are by capacity, from least capacity for a jacket and small items up to all a lightweight backpacker could need and then some.
Do feature comparisons: features are important. Some of the manufacturers will allow you to place the order and check pack comfort in your home, returning the item clean and undamaged if you choose another pack: so ask.
Don't miss the information about effective lightweight shelter at 10 essentials: shelter
and the shelters and other gear listed at Products: gear and specialized clothing at Products: clothing as well as the recommendations at 10 essentials: food and the backpacking food items listed at Products: specialized food.
copyright © 2008 Connie Dodson. All Rights Reserved.
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