Budget Ultralight Complete Load Out
There are a lot of reasons to lighten your pack weight, such as:
to keep up with younger, faster, stronger hikers
to cover more ground in a day
to get into camp less exhausted
to get into camp with time and energy to fish, nap, soak feet, etc.
to negotiate tricky crossings of snow, ice, rock and streams more easily
-—This is not Ultralight, not even light at all.
Often the last few items that reduce your pack weight by a few ounces are expensive. I can get a pack down to 11.5 lbs base weight, and have full comfort and some luxuries. Base weight is the weight of the gear not counting water, fuel, and food. So the base weight for an overnight could be the same as for a 7 day trip, with the only difference in total weight being food and fuel.
This post is about a budget pack that is “pretty light”. I’m calling an ultra light pack as below 10 lbs, “pretty light” is below 15, reasonably light is below 20, and around 35 is what we used to carry when we were 25 years old and gear was heavier. The pack in the picture to the left is about 70-75 lbs, and includes climbing rope, crampons, climbing gear, heavy tent and other gear. Circa 1987 on the Ptarmigan Traverse.
My budget pack load is for temperatures in the mid to low 20s, which is typical in alpine mountain ranges in the Western U.S. in 3 season backpacking. This is gear that I have taken on the John Muir Trail at one time or another, and is time proven by my experience. That experience includes hiking the JMT 3 times while in my late 60s, once when I was 21, some 40 5-7 day hikes, 3 Ptarmigan Traverses, and 200+ peak climbs which involved an overnight pack in. This list also assumes that money is spent judiciously, with some new gear and some pre-owned gear where appropriate. The new gear is budget, but worth the extra money for performance and comfort, and of a quality that will be durable for many years. The used gear is readily available on ebay, internet sources, consignment or used gear stores. Boise is a town of about 120,000, and has 4 pre-owned outdoor gear stores, so pre-owned gear is a reasonable option for the budget shopper, but it helps to know what you are looking, for. You would not be too unhappy with this set of gear, and the total weight comes in at 11 lbs, and the price $315. A few necessaries like chapstick, compass, sunblock, etc brings it to 11 lbs 5 oz. My lightest pack configuration can weigh 11.5 lbs, but it costs (new prices) $1800. This post describes the budget alternative loadout.
REI Flash 45 backpack, pre owned $50 if you are lucky, 3 lb. Not super ultralight, but durable and has substantial shoulder straps and waist belt. This won’t rip when you set it down on rocks, as I have seen some “ultralight” packs do. Shown via the link is the very similar Golite 50, if you can find it. The REI Flash 65 or 62 will be needed if you have to carry a bear canister. If you can’t find any of these packs, look for Gregory or Osprey packs of 45-60 L. Many backpacks which are sold as preowned are in almost new condition.
Big Agnes Bootjack 24 or 25, new or used, down sleeping bag $60-80 (I’ve seen them for sale new for $80), and used down sleeping bags, as long as there aren’t big rips and the zipper works, can be cleaned to be like new). Other brands to considers are Marmot, REI, or North Face, rated at 20-25 degrees. Don’t buy off brands, duck down, or higher or lower temp rated bags (they’ll be not warm enough, or needlessly heavy). Down quilts by Enlightened Equipment or Thermarest are also great options if you can find them.
3F ultralight Mini Tarp, new $24, 8.2 oz The 3F is a generic version of my MSR Wing Tarp, which runs for $120. A mesh bug net can be added for mosquito season.
Polycyro ground cover $7, 62 g (2.2 oz) by Gossamer Gear. This stuff is lighter than Tyvec.
Caldera Sidewinder Solo stove system by TrailDesigns, pot, windscreen and stove: new, $55, 209 g (7.4 oz). Its worth it to get this new, and probably use Esbit fuel for the lightest weight.
Frogg Toggs rain poncho: new $8.88, 9 oz
Thermarest Z Rest foam pad for sleeping $30, 10 oz
aluminum or cheap carbon hiking poles, $20, 11 oz My cheap carbon fiber poles cost $35, and weigh 15 oz. You need hiking poles for tarp setup and I would never hike without them anymore, for stream crossings, steep downhill, and uphill.
Versa water filter $35, 8 oz
Total Cost:$315
Total Base Weight: 11 lb
Altra Lone Peak trail runners, new, $83. These aren’t part of the base weight, but an important part of the kit. Its worth it to have new shoes because the foam of used shoes is likely smashed down. Add some insoles to these shoes, and therefore order a size larger than you need. Preferably try them on in the store, wearing the insoles and the socks you’ll hike with, and buy them there.
That leaves some room for miscellaneous things like clothes. The clothes you wear don’t count in base weight, and the only clothes you would be carrying in your pack would be 1 pr underwear, 1 nylon T shirt, extra socks and an insulation layer, like a down puffy or pile sweater. You’ll also need minimal toiletries, a small repair kit, sunblock, and bug head net. Optional: cell phone, Spot Beacon or equivalent, hat, sunglasses. These bring the pack total weight to around 13 lbs.