Lightening the load

[jacko1066]

Look at the weight of your gear you need to carry light weight gear to have a light load

dont not take things because its to heavy look for lighter replacements

awesome site is http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/index.html

great forums for information on going lighter mate

Iv been spendng hours on BPL lol drooling over some of the lovely kit!!!
I didnt realise they had a forum??
Im definately gonna treat myself to the Honey stove, it looks like a great little veratile system, and certainly alot lighter than my Swedish army trangia!!!
That has its place and it certainly aint lightweight backpacking lol
Cheers
Steve

 

[Tengu]

Whats this `washing` business?

 

[youngbushcrafter]

For the record on scout camps i only wear 1 or 2 sets of clothes for the whole week!

 

[jacko1066]

Ok cool, well I think I get the jist of the clothing aspect of going a bit more lightweight, it would appear I take way too many clothes and that for a weekend a set of day clothes and night clothes and a spare set of undies are the way forward!!
Defo looking into the morino wool baselayers though, I have loads of lightweight fleeces, lightweight waterproof and a slightly better Northface waterproof shell so Im good on that aspect I think!!
Would you say morino or woolen socks work as well as the layers??

Next think up is my shelter, Im not quite into the whole tarp and bivi/hammocking yet, nor can I afford the small fortunes for these 'techncal' tents I see about!!

Do any of you have any experience of these :-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Peak-Minilite-Two-Tent/dp/B0017HO182

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Solo-One-Man-Tent/dp/B00322QRQE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_1

Both weigh in around the kilo mark which is less than half the weight of my current tent (but lot less room mind) and bth are within my price range for now, i fully appreciate that you get what you pay for, but the beauty of you guys and the font of knowledge in your possesion is that you forever suprise me with little bargains andgreat bits of kit!!!

Thanks for all the help so far guys (my back,hips and knees thank you too lol)
Steve

 

[Shewie]

A pal uses the Gelert Solo now and then, it's okay for sleeping in but that's about it, more hooped bivvy than tent. Tough as hell in strong winds though.

No experience of the other

The Terra Nova Laser Comp is a`great little tent, Wild Country do the exact same tent called the Zephyros, worth a look

 

[chris_irwin]

Clothes is one of the biggies for folk over loading, four days in the Lakes last week and my spare clothes bag consisted of two pairs of socks.

+ 1 Life is a lot easier once you ditch your cottons and wear a baselayer top (and bottoms if needed) + base layer boxers. I only take socks with me now, it's a little dirtier, but a lot lighter.

I only started to lighten my load about a year ago. First thing I did was ditch every unnecessary item, remove all spare items (i.e. just headtorch, no backup torch) and lighten up the cheap stuff.
I also cut down by finding smaller bottles for contact lens solution and taking a simple waterbottle instead of a bladder.

Once that was done, I bought a decent down bag that is relatively light for it's comfort rating (alpkit pipedream 600), a new light-ish rucksack (Osprey Atmos) and a new tent (Wild Country Zephyros 1).

Now obviously those were fairly expensive bits of kit, but a significant amount of my weight was lost just by leaving stuff at home. If you don't have money to spend, don't worry, just cut what you can.

A pal uses the Gelert Solo now and then, it's okay for sleeping in but that's about it, more hooped bivvy than tent. Tough as hell in strong winds though.

No experience of the other

The Terra Nova Laser Comp is a`great little tent, Wild Country do the exact same tent called the Zephyros, worth a look

+1 again, I bought the Gelert Solo first as a cheap lightweight tent. I tried it out on a 3 day ridgeway hike and it was a little small for me. Fine for sleeping in, but you can't sit up in it to get changed, and the major problem is that you can't cook in it. This was OK for me as it was summer, but I knew it would be a problem in the rain. I ditched it and spent a bit more money on the zephyros instead. It's a great tent.

 

[udamiano]

As above, however for longer trips where water is not a problem, One spare set of underwear which can be washed (i use a nature friendly liquid soap), while the other is worn.
I use Icebreaker base layer of different weights depending on the temperature.

It brings it down to simple once you get the knack. Experiment have fun doing so as well, it what its all about

 

[cbr6fs]

A lot depends on where your out, what type of activity your doing and the weather.

If i'm hiking then personally i carry a light weight pair of clothes for around the camp at night, but then i've spent days in sodden clothes that i couldn't get dry so i'm happy to put up with the extra few grams a spare tee-shirt and jogging bottoms add.

I'm not a fan of wool myself, personally i'd sooner stay at home than wear anything wool.
The newer merino wool clothing is a million times better, but still i prefer man made fibres like coolmax.

The advantage with polyester mixes and cool max is that i can wash a pair of grundies at night and even on a cool night they'll be dry by the morning.
If i'm out for say a week I'll schedule in a few days where we strike up camp earlier near water, that way i can wash my clothes, wring them out really well, hang em near the fire and they're dry within an hour.

I've even had times ive put on damp clothes in the morning and they've been dry by the afternoon.
That is where man made fibres are better than wools for my uses.

I'm also with you on the tarp, again i'd sooner stay at home than spend the night under a tarp.
Now i'm older if i can't take a tent with me, with a sewn in ground sheet then i'd sooner not bother.

Have you considered Hamocks?
I don't own one myself for the simple reason that i can't guarantee there will be trees every night stop where i hike, but if your baseing yourself around woods they seem like a comfortable nights kip, plus your off the ground and away from most things that bite you at night.

 

[Sappy]

Cotton stinks in my experience, and it's slow to dry and heavy whilst wet.

At 3 t shirts for a tenner its great lol


I don't ever have any problems with it.

You can give your clothes a good shake to get rid of dead skin cells which should make it a bit fresher and warmer because you've not got so much carp filling up your insulation.

Getting as much short wave radiation on it for a good few hours will help steralize it further.

The longer you wear something without cleaning it the colder it'll get.

Nip down to a charity shop you can usually get a few woll jumpers cheaply

 

[SpareX]

Shelter and sleep systems
• MLD TrailStar
• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite
• MLD UL Ground Cloth
• Alpkit PipeDream 600
• Mountain King Expedition Carbon
• Oookworks inner for trail star


Cooking and Hydration systems
• Evernew Solo Cookset Cooking Bundle
• Platypus plus bottle
• Katadyn Vario Micro Filter Water Filter
• Lifesystems Chlorine Tablets
• Fold away bowl

Fire starting pack
• Flint and steel
• Zippo Lighter
• Cotton wool balls in Vaseline
• Char cloth
• Tampons
• Meths 500ml x2
• Esbit solid fuel x10



Clothes
• Rab Filo Insulated Down Jacket
• Keen Men's Targhee II Mid Walking Boots
• Montane Terra pants
• Marino boxers
• Cirrus Wind Top
• Mount Asguard GORE-TEX PRO SHELL
• Regatta Packaway Over Trousers
• Beartooth hoody
• Marino wool hat
• Marino wool socks
• Goretex socks
• Gloves


here my ultra light Gear List i put together you can Google any item and find it this is like a months worth of debating and information to put this together

i like the honey stove but the solo cook set is really nice and comes with everything i needed and for a cup and pot its very light weight

the shelter system is awesome weighs nothing

 

[sandbender]

What Shewie said. Wear your clothes don't carry them.

I get a lot of use throughout the year from my Buffalo Teclite shirt I can wear that for the getting from A to B and put on a wool jumper or shirt when I have stopped for the day.

On longer trips I try to wash my clothes regularly and keeping yourself clean only makes sense.

The Woolpower range of thermals, socks and underwear are worth looking at, pricey but they last a long time and are very comfortable.

Remember, even at the height of summer and hot countries the nights and the mornings when you are getting your self organised can be very cold. A set of 200 gram woolpower thermals can make those mornings more pleasant.

Edited to add:

I wear all terrain sandals from spring to autumn which (IMHO) makes for healthier feet and means fewer socks are carried or need washed.

 

[jacko1066]

+ 1 Life is a lot easier once you ditch your cottons and wear a baselayer top (and bottoms if needed) + base layer boxers. I only take socks with me now, it's a little dirtier, but a lot lighter.

I only started to lighten my load about a year ago. First thing I did was ditch every unnecessary item, remove all spare items (i.e. just headtorch, no backup torch) and lighten up the cheap stuff.
I also cut down by finding smaller bottles for contact lens solution and taking a simple waterbottle instead of a bladder.

Once that was done, I bought a decent down bag that is relatively light for it's comfort rating (alpkit pipedream 600), a new light-ish rucksack (Osprey Atmos) and a new tent (Wild Country Zephyros 1).

Now obviously those were fairly expensive bits of kit, but a significant amount of my weight was lost just by leaving stuff at home. If you don't have money to spend, don't worry, just cut what you can.



+1 again, I bought the Gelert Solo first as a cheap lightweight tent. I tried it out on a 3 day ridgeway hike and it was a little small for me. Fine for sleeping in, but you can't sit up in it to get changed, and the major problem is that you can't cook in it. This was OK for me as it was summer, but I knew it would be a problem in the rain. I ditched it and spent a bit more money on the zephyros instead. It's a great tent.

Its good to no the Solo tent did ok for you mate, I do love the look of the Zephyros tent but for now its a little out of my price, I think I may treat myself to the Solo for now, Im sure in the future when I upgrade it I will be able to do someone else in a similar situation a favour and sell it on cheap!!

I still seem to be struggling with an answer on the wool base layers, is that something you can wear all year round or just when its a bit colder?

Rucksack wise, now the 1 I have at the mo is very heavy indeed, Im not sure off the top of my head but I no that it is, again In my opinion thats summit I can get later once I have got the pack weight down a bit!!

Sleeping bag is a whole different story lol, I have been using 2 Tesco down bags and a microfleece liner for when its cold, 1 bag on its own is fine for summer use, in fact its prob too warm, but it does pack down very small and Im happy with it, I have been looking on various websites for a 4 season 1 that I can use this time of year and believe it or not go outdoors own make 4 season bag comes in at pretty good value for money, its a litle on the heavy side but after spending nights out being way too cold and ice on the outside of my bag that is a comprimise Im happy to make!
Cheers
Steve

 

[jacko1066]

Shelter and sleep systems
• MLD TrailStar
• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite
• MLD UL Ground Cloth
• Alpkit PipeDream 600
• Mountain King Expedition Carbon
• Oookworks inner for trail star


Cooking and Hydration systems
• Evernew Solo Cookset Cooking Bundle
• Platypus plus bottle
• Katadyn Vario Micro Filter Water Filter
• Lifesystems Chlorine Tablets
• Fold away bowl

Fire starting pack
• Flint and steel
• Zippo Lighter
• Cotton wool balls in Vaseline
• Char cloth
• Tampons
• Meths 500ml x2
• Esbit solid fuel x10



Clothes
• Rab Filo Insulated Down Jacket
• Keen Men's Targhee II Mid Walking Boots
• Montane Terra pants
• Marino boxers
• Cirrus Wind Top
• Mount Asguard GORE-TEX PRO SHELL
• Regatta Packaway Over Trousers
• Beartooth hoody
• Marino wool hat
• Marino wool socks
• Goretex socks
• Gloves


here my ultra light Gear List i put together you can Google any item and find it this is like a months worth of debating and information to put this together

i like the honey stove but the solo cook set is really nice and comes with everything i needed and for a cup and pot its very light weight

the shelter system is awesome weighs nothing

Wow!!! you have some top gear there mate!!! and some top price tags too lol!!
Im not tight but for now thats a little out of my range, I do like the idea of how you do your trekking though!!
What do you think your pack weight is all loaded up??
cheers
Steve

 

[Teepee]

I still seem to be struggling with an answer on the wool base layers, is that something you can wear all year round or just when its a bit colder?
Cheers
Steve

Year round mate. The lightweight is stuff great for summer. Aldi do some really well priced lightweight merino thermals, they should be back on soon.

The summer can be cold too, it hit -2 C a couple of years ago in the Cairngorms at the end of July, we were freezing at night as we weren't expecting it to get that low.

 

[Shewie]

• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

What do you think to the new mat? Is it any better than the regular NeoAir? I've got the PO Elite AC 2/3 and the NeoAir short, one will be up for sale soon but I can't decide which one.

 

[Shewie]

Its good to no the Solo tent did ok for you mate, I do love the look of the Zephyros tent but for now its a little out of my price, I think I may treat myself to the Solo for now, Im sure in the future when I upgrade it I will be able to do someone else in a similar situation a favour and sell it on cheap!!

You could carry a small tarp to use as an admin area around the Gelert, Unsponsored makes some nice lightweight Sil versions at around 200g.

I still seem to be struggling with an answer on the wool base layers, is that something you can wear all year round or just when its a bit colder?

See posts #16 and #19

 

[jacko1066]

Thanks for ALL the replys chaps, I really am starting to get a good idea of exactly where Im heading and certainly what Im doing wrong lol!!!
I think it would be rude to not get the old bank card out and start trialling some goods lol!!
Im starting to make a list of so called 'essentials' and then go out with them and whittle it down from there, I really would like to try and cover some distance but that would be near on impossible with the weight at the mo!!

Ok, sorry for keeping this thread going on and on, but how about food?
I have recently bought myself a vacum packing machine and still havnt got round to using it, I have often thought about the freeze dried foods, but they are incredibally expensive ( edit,I think I am tight lol)
Again this can be a right mass of weight if you let it, I do like JErky and the supernoodles type stuff but there has surly gotta be a better way to eat out there?
For me, a good meal and a good nights sleep make all the difference between a good trip and a great trip!!
Cheers again for the help guys
Steve

 

[Shewie]

Get a £30 Westfalia dehydrator and a box of pour&store bags from Morrisons for a £1 and you're good to go.

Avoid dairy, chop stuff small and that's all there is to it really. Curries/chilli/stews/pasta/rice/noodles etc etc

 

[udamiano]

Best purchase I ever made was a vacuum sealer machine. i pre-prepare all my meals to a trip at home then just seal them, and if needed freeze them. for breakfast I make up a bowl of porridge add 3 tablespoons of coffee whitener, some sugar, mixed fruit, and a bit of maple syrup. vacuum seal it. make one for each day. that breakfast sorted.

Dinner = Mattersons sausage sliced and diced, pasta, with so dried veg and a bit of sauce, three little bags, open boil pasta, add sausage, and sauce and veg, lid on 20 mins done.

Dinner 2 = frozen turkey (sliced) and curry paste added in one bag, sliced onions and in another, and a pack of remeasured rice. Add turkey mix to pot and cook until starting to brown, add onions and water or coconut milk lid on. put on rice, 20 mins done

Dinner 3 = Chorizo Sausage, cannellini beans (these need soaking overnight, before use, or just pre-soak and seal) Olive oil, finely chopped oinions, chicken stock from a cube, some cooked chicken or better still a breast of pigeon, or any game bird. Fry sausage until just going brown, add beans to soak up that nice red oil, add oinions, chicken stock and cook down for 30 mins, add breast, and enjoy.

Snacks- any chocolate you want or GORP (Good Old Raisins, and Peanuts)

Lunch -Bannock (premixed and sealed into portions).


I find that those insulated freezer bags that you put your shopping in help keep any frozen stuff cold for a Day or two max.


Hope that give you some ideas


Da

 

[Spaniel man]

I went through this process quite a few years ago now, mainly because I tend to camp high, or on summits these days. Lightening up my load made a HUGE difference on how much further I could travel, and how long I could stay out. I still take a few 'creature comforts', but this is offset by how much lighter everything else is.
To be honest, it cost a few quid, but I get my moneys worth out of my kit, and use it hard. Most items are available cheaper if you dont buy the 'big' brands.
Merino wool and silk layers can be found cheaply enough if you look around. Even down clothing can be cheaply had sometimes, and can be used to upgrade a lighter weight sleeping bag.
Water is one of the heaviest things that we carry, and a waterfilter is a lightweight option if you know you can find a good supply of water.
There's some excellent advise above, especially from Rich, who seems to have travelled on a similar path to me (except the hammocking thing, which I can't get on with!) The food dehydrator is a good idea, I never bought 'camping food/ration packs ever again after buying mine.
Half the fun is doing the research, getting a bargain, and trying it all out, and it's meant to be FUN

Edit: what's all this about washing?!