Backpacking Checklist (Gear List): 3-Season, 3-Day

An example of what a lightweight backpacker might take on a 3-day outing.

by Ryan Jordan | 2003-12-02 03:00:00-07

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length of Trip: 3-Day Weekend

Context: The gear list provided below is merely an example of how one lightweight backpacker might select equipment for a 3-day weekend outing. Generally, the choices below are suitable for most 'three-season' conditions in the mountain ranges of continental U.S., recognizing that some level of skill and experience is required to successfully use this equipment kit in inclement conditions. More experienced backpackers can trim weight even further from this list, while less experienced backpackers will find that a few extra pounds of clothing, shelter, and/or food will give them a more acceptable level of comfort and safety.

Some examples of brands and models/styles are listed below for reference only. They neither represent an endorsement of that particular product nor a suggestion that the product listed is the best choice in the context of any particular situation. Clicking one of the icons next to a particular item takes you to another page on our Website where you can find more information about the item:

Clothing Worn
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
hat with brim	wide-brimmed water-resistant nylon hat	Tilley LT	3.0 oz (85 g)
hiking shirt	lightweight merino wool long sleeve crew	Smartwool Aero	7.0 oz (198 g)
underwear	trim-fitting support shorts, boxer-style	Nike Spandex Running Short Tights	3.0 oz (85 g)
hiking pants	soft shell stretchwoven long pants	Cloudveil Prospector	9.0 oz (255 g)
hiking socks	lightweight merino wool trail running socks	Smartwool Trail Runner II	1.5 oz (43 g)
hiking shoes	breathable synthetic trail running shoes	Montrail Vitesse II	26.0 oz (737 g)
Other Items Worn / Carried
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
trekking poles	one piece, carbon fiber	Stix X1	6.0 oz (170 g)
whistle	pealess whistle on Spectra cord	ACR Whistle, AirCore Spectra cord lanyard	1.0 oz (28 g)
watch	compass / altimeter watch	Suunto X6	1.3 oz (37 g)
Other Clothing
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
wind shirt	thin, breathable pullover-style wind shirt	Montane Aero	3.0 oz (85 g)
insulation layer	synthetic high loft insulation pullover	Bozeman Mountain Works Cocoon	8.5 oz (241 g)
rain jacket	waterproof-breathable, simple jacket	Montane Superfly	8.0 oz (227 g)
rain pants	waterproof-breathable, simple pull-on	GoLite Reed	5.0 oz (142 g)
warm hat	wool beanie cap	PossumDown Beanie Hat	1.5 oz (43 g)
warm gloves	wool liner gloves	PossumDown Gloves	1.3 oz (37 g)
rain mitts	waterproof-breathable shell mitts	Outdoor Research Rain Mitts	1.1 oz (31 g)
Sleep System
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
overhead shelter	one person tarp	Bozeman Mountain Works 7' x 9' Catenary SpinTarp	7.5 oz (213 g)
tent stakes	titanium skewer style	Bozeman Mountain Works Hi-Vis Ti Stakes (8)	2.2 oz (62 g)
guylines	25 feet, thin diameter Spectra	Bozeman Mountain Works AirCore 1	0.1 oz (3 g)
bivy sack	waterproof bottom, breathable top	Bozeman Mountain Works Vapr Bivy	6.5 oz (184 g)
sleeping bag	variable girth down bag	Bozeman Mountain Works Quantum Arc X	16.0 oz (454 g)
sleeping pad	torso sized inflatable mattress	Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite	10.0 oz (284 g)
Packing
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
backpack	lightweight frameless pack	Six Moon Designs Moonlight	16.0 oz (454 g)
stuff sack	250 ci for clothing	Bozeman Mountain Works SpinSack S	0.25 oz (7 g)
stuff sack	250 ci for clothing	Bozeman Mountain Works SpinSack S	0.25 oz (7 g)
stuff sack	500 ci for sleeping gear	Bozeman Mountain Works SpinSack M	0.35 oz (10 g)
Cooking and Water
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
stove	canister	Snow Peak Giga Power Ti	2.5 oz (71 g)
fuel container	canister, small size	Snow Peak Giga Power 110g fuel canister (empty)	3.5 oz (99 g)
cook pot	21 oz titanium mug / pot	Snow Peak 600 Mug	2.8 oz (79 g)
cook pot lid	foil	to fit mug	0.1 oz (3 g)
wind screen	foil	heavy duty aluminum foil	0.5 oz (14 g)
utensil	spoon	Backpacking Light Titanium Long Handled Spoon	0.6 oz (17 g)
lighting	matches & lighter	Bic lighter & matches in 4" x 7" Aloksak	1.0 oz (28 g)
water bottles	1L soft side bladders	Platypus 1L (two)	1.8 oz (51 g)
water treatment	chlorine dioxide	Aqua Mira Kit	1.1 oz (31 g)
food storage	bear bag	UrsaLite Bear Bag Hanging System	3.0 oz (85 g)
Other Essentials
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
maps	custom printed on waterproof paper	National Geographic Topo!	2.0 oz (57 g)
light	LED headlamp	Princeton Tec Scout	1.2 oz (34 g)
first aid	minor wound care & meds	assorted wound & blister care and medicines	2.0 oz (57 g)
firestarting	emergency firestarting - waterproof	Sparklite & firestarter in 4"x7" Aloksak	1.0 oz (28 g)
sunglasses	100% UV blocking, plastic lenses/frames	Julbo	1.0 oz (28 g)
sunscreen	100% UV blocking, waterproof, paste	Dermatone	1.0 oz (28 g)
insect repellent	100% DEET	repackaged in MiniDrop bottle	0.5 oz (14 g)
personal hygiene	assorted toiletries	toothbrush, soap, toilet paper, alcohol hand gel, in 4" x 7" Aloksak	2.0 oz (47 g)
Consumables
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
fuel	canister, small size	Snow Peak Giga Power, 110g	3.8 oz (108 g)
food	2.5 days	20 oz / day	50.0 oz (1418 g)
water	average carried	half quart	16.0 oz (454 g)

Weight Summary
(1)	Total Weight Worn or Carried	3.61 lb (1.64 kg)
(2)	Total Base Weight in Pack	7.20 lb (3.27 kg)
(3)	Total Weight of Consumables	4.36 lb (1.98 kg)
(4)	Total Initial Pack Weight (2) + (3)	11.56 lb (5.25 kg)
(5)	Full Skin Out Weight (1) + (2) + (3)	16.22 lb (7.37 kg)

Citation

"Backpacking Checklist (Gear List): 3-Season, 3-Day," by Ryan Jordan. BackpackingLight.com (ISSN 1537-0364).
http://backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00234.html, 2003-12-02 03:00:00-07.

Share | Print