Many of us lust after something like the Cuben MLD Skyscape X tent.
Or the lightest NeoAir mattress
Or a mostly Cuben pack - or rain chaps
Etc., etc.

But we have budgets so we buy items similar to mine:

TENT> TT Moment
PACK> REI Cruise UL 60
BAG> WM Megalite (Sized for me)
MATTRESS> Thermarest Prolite reg.(a "luxury" item v.s. a RidgeRest pad)
Stove> Brunton Crux

So we end up with a heavier - but more affordable) load.

Yeah, I've been the tarp/groundcloth/bug net route but the TT Moment seems as light if not lighter and I need only 2 MSR Groundhog stakes.

So now it comes down to the little things like potty kit, 1st aid kit, headlamp, toilet kit, carried clothes for sleeping and rain, gadgets (GPS, camera, Steripen, etc.) Some are essentials like the Steripen which replaces a filter, some not, like the camera.

Also light but adequate shoes (Merill Moab Ventilator low cut), and multi-purpose gear like eVent parka/wind parka.

So, besides perhaps food re-packaging, where else do we cut weight??? Some pole supported solo tents are a bit (4 to 6 oz.) lighter. Poles of carbon fiber are lighter but $$$$!

What's a geezer to do to avoid pricier gear?

Edited by Danepacker on 05/02/2012 22:26:32 MDT.

MYOG

My pack, quilt, 9x7 tarp and bathtub floor bug shelter all weigh less than 30oz together. (less than the TT moment)

Edited by KalebC on 05/02/2012 22:29:56 MDT.

KC, yeah, I can do it, I've done it before for modifications of tents, packs, etc.
Good suggestion.

If you go that route, though, make sure you do your research first. Prototyping from scratch usually winds up costing more than buying gear outright, since the store- (or cottage-)bought gear has that already ameliorated by sales volume.

Anyway, that's been my own experience with it...