Best Ultralight Gear List — Trailsauce Edition
There was a forum thread started over at Trail Forums in November of ’08 about what ultralight backpacking gear was best to take on a long trek. I’ve summarized the responses below, but it looks like the original thread didn’t make it past page 1. I’m interested to hear what Trailsauce readers consider must-have ultralight gear. I’d like to compile a substantial go-to list, complete with specs and stuff, to add to a new resources page.
Backpack:
- GoLite Breeze (discontinued)
- GoLite Speed Pack
- Gossamer Gear Murmur
- Gossamer Gear G-5 (discontinued)
Sleeping Bag:
- Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20
- Marmot Helium 15
- Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15
- Phantom 32 Degree Sleeping Bag – In Your Choice of Sizes
Shelter:
- SixMoon Gatewood Cape
- Hilleberg Rajd
- Hennessy Hammock
- Tarp tent
Add your picks for the “big three” (pack/bag/shelter) in the comments section!
2 Responses
I used a Gossamer Gear Whisper last year in the French Pyrenees. Worked well with a Tarptent Contrail, Western Mountaineering Ultralite amd Balloonbed/foam pad combo. For cooking I used a meths stove
This year on the GR20 I’m planning to use the WM Ultalite again, with a home made spinnaker tarp, the GG Murmur, the Neoair regular pad and the Honey Stove (woodstove) for cooking.
I alternately use a Gregory G-Pack or a ULA Catalyst for my pack. The ULA, while very light, is still heavier than the Gregory, but it’s far more awesome. The awesomeness reduces the perceptual feel of its weight, so that’s fine.
For shelter: If I’m with my wife or with my dogs or both, I use a Shires Tarptent. Its weight is negligible compared to big brand tents, no matter how they’re marketed. If I’m alone I’m in a Hennessey Explorer.
Sleeping bags: get a Western Mountaineering, or two.
Pad: With any weight savings that you’ve gained from reducing your shelter or bag or whatever, get an Exped downmat. It’s rectangular so a lot of it is useless, but the comfort and warmth is so great that it brings tears to my eyes.
Cooking: Alcohol stove. Titanium mug. Freezer bag cooking. I think that this might be the headiest subject. I like to dehydrate my cooked food beforehand and rehydrate it in a cozy.