I am new to the world of ultralite backpacking. I am trying to assemble a respectable gear list using the lightest products I can afford.

So far I have the following:
??oz Marmot Equinox tent (2 person, 3 season)
Vargo titanium tent stakes
54oz Osprrey Aether 60 backpack
31oz Mountain Hardware Phantom 15 sleeping bag
Thermarest Prolite 3S sleeping pad
Ultralight inflatable pillow
Lightweight plastic backpack liner

I am stuck with the pack and bag for now, though I would be open to suggestions for a 2 person, 3 season tent that is better.


Evernew non-stick tintanium cookset:
1.9L pot with 750ml fry pan lid.
1.3L pot with 650ml fry pan lid.
(18 oz for the full kit)

MSR dragonfly stove with MSR fuel bottles in two different sizes. Includes foil windscreen.
Titanium spork
Orikaso fold out plate/bowl


Lightweight emergency whistle
Lightweight bear bag
bear ball noise maker
Black Diamond Spot headlamp
small roll of duct tape
Ultra light rope 50'
Aloksaks for many items

Patagonia capilene silkweight t-shirt x2
Patagonia capilene 3 crew shirt
light weight, fast dry pants that convert to shorts
Patagonia lightweight underwear x2
Midweight hiking socks
Marmot essence wind/rain jacket
Lightweight, breathable, quick dry hat
Lightweight bug face net
Lightweight first aid kit
emergency blanket
Polarized sunglasses
MSR ultralight packtowl

Steripen adventurer water purification
Nalgene collapsible wide mouth 1L bottle
Steripen prefilter attachment
Camelback 3L bladder



I need suggestions for lightweight but effective ankle socks that provide good moisture wicking properties.

I also need suggestions for a trekking shoe that is a step down for a hiking boot, is lightweight, breathable, and stable.

I also need suggestions for a lightweight basic featured polar fleece jacket that is reasonably priced.

What am I missing? What should I change?

Is the cooking gear for one or two or three people? If just one person, scrap most of it. The 1.3 L pot without lid would be more than enough. A Ti kettle of some sort would be lighter and big enough too.

Skip all ideas of liquid fuel stoves if you want light weight. Either a Snow Peak GST100 with a 100 g canister, or go alky. But watch out for the weight of the alcohol fuel if you are going for more than a couple of nights: it adds up quickly.

Discard Ti spork, take Lexan spoon. Lighter and more convenient.

Too many lightweight tops, and no warmth layer?

> I am new to the world of ultralite backpacking. I am trying to assemble a respectable gear list using the lightest products I can afford.

I'm just past the new stage. What helped me tremendously was to focus first on:

1)shelter
2)pack
3)pad
4)bag

This year, the weight of those four items for me will be quite a bit less than the weight of my original pack when empty.

Next, I worked on stove/pot (kitchen) and water treatment.

Then trailrunners. Now I'm working on my clothing.

Good luck.

This is gear shared between 2 people.

I can't afford to buy separate gear for different types of trips. Therefore most of my gear is multipurpose or multiseason. As a result it is a little heavier but I am trying to cut down on weight where I can.

I purchased the tent a while ago and would consider a better tent at some point, however, I have no interst in using a tarp for a tent.

The sleeping bag was purchased recently. I got a good deal on it and it was about the lightest I could find that I could afford.

The backpack was a recent purchase. I got a good deal on it, considered the weight of it, and the overall quality and temperature rating. I am pretty happy with it.

The sleeping pad is about as light as you can get without going ultra lite which means it has some nice support.

I plan to also purchase a solid fuel, ultralight stove for shorter trips or solo trips. However, the stove I purchased has a lot of features and isn't that heavy. It is good for preparing food with multiple fuels for multiple people.

The pots came as a kit and were about the same price as buying half of it separately. I like the fact that they have black painted bottoms and are non stick. This helps conserve heat and make them easy to clean. I would likely just take one pot/lid on a normal trip. If multiple people had to share the one burner, I might take the second pot/lid as well. The pot also acts as a possible reservoir for sweetwater for the steripen before I pour it into the camelbak reservoir.

I have plastic plate/bowl combo because with only one pot, it isn't possible for two people to eat directly ot of a single pot.

The ti spork is just as good as the lexan one and since I already own it I will keep it. The weight difference is akin to cutting the labels and pockets out of my clothing which I don't plan to do.

I forgot to mention I am looking for a lightweight fleece or other jacket.

Edited by oldskool on 04/15/2007 11:51:13 MDT.

The Marmot Equinox weights 6# 9oz.

> open to suggestions for a 2 person, 3 season tent that is better.

My first choice would be a tarptent double rainbow. It's a single wall shelter that is less than 1/2 the weight of your current tent. I would also recommend checking out the Six Moon Designs Europa. These shelters are more tent link than tarp like. If you really want a double walled tent, you find find numerous options that are 4lbs or less.

I would recommend planning your meals so you only need to bring one of your pots. For two people, 1.3l is typically large enough.

The Orikaso stuff is pretty nifty. You might consider if you need both a plate and a bowl. On group trips, I have found the the large size bowl works pretty well by itself (e.g. no need for plate). On solo trips just eat out of your pot.

You didn't have a cup or mug which is fine if you only drink water. If you want tea, coffee, or some flavors drink you will want something. I switch between a plastic cup from my original boy scout mess kit, a Styrofoam bowl which holes around 10oz (we had extras from an ice cream social), or a plastic bowl that some instant noodles came in.

Unless you do a lot of winter camping, or extended trips where your stove is being used to cook for 4+ people, I would recommend considering returning your dragonfly (or ebay it) and pick up a decent canister stoves. You might actually end up with money in your pocket, and just saved yourself 1/2 lb of weight.

I would second the lexan over titanium spork. Why? Lexan won't scratch your pots. Titanium can.

When the Aloksaks wear out (they will pretty quickly) I would suggest a small number of sil-nylon stuff sacks.

Drop the emergency blanket.. you are carrying shelter and a slepping bag

I would switch from the camelbak 3L to a 2l playtpus because it's lighter and because most trip (at least the ones I go on) 3L is too much to carry.

Are the clothing listed what you are wearing and carrying? I am assuming that is true, because a single part of parts should be good enough.

Personally I would only bring on light tee shirt and one pair of underwear. They will dry quickly... and you can wear other things if you need to wash them out.

I would bring rain pants if the temp was going to be below around 50F. I would bring insulating tights if the temp was going to drop below 30F.

> ankle socks

Lots of choices. By several and try them.

> trekking shoe that is a step down for a hiking boot

I would check out trail runners such as those made by Montrail, Inov-8, Soloman, and New Balance. Feet are very different. Find what works for you,

> lightweight basic featured polar fleece jacket

No such thing. A down or high loft synthetic jacket will weight less than 1/2 an equivalently warm fleece, and pack down to 1/3 or less the size. If you don't might a kit, you could get a jacket for around $50, or try to get a high loft sythetic jacket on an end of season close out for around $70 (watch for patagonia memorial day sale... look for a micro puff jacket or vest).

If you want to go with a fleece get a decent 200wt from target, lands end, etc. Should be around $20.

Add warm hat... on colder trips, bring something that will keep your neck warm and protected.

You might want to look at my Outdoor Clothing Recommendations


Add a compass / map
Add a small knife
Add TP or some sort of wipes
Add a camera if you want pictures

I totally agree with George Matthews' post cuz (1) so many issues and pieces of equipment to think about that it's easy to get sidetracked and (2) saving weight most efficiently = focusing first on where the biggest savings can be had. Besides, there can be years of enjoyment in the acquisition of your new UL equipment if you space it out, hee hee.

Personally been backpacking for eons although there have been some barren years, now making some adjustments to go more and more UL. There is simply equipment on the market now that couldn't be had 'way back when. If you're a bit "opportunistic" like me, you may make a purchase when the right price swims by. For example, I recently got a Granite Gear Vapor Trail for significantly less than list and would have otherwise waited, since my old Lowe pack is not bad, not one of those newer behemoths. Got a Big Agnes insulated pad when I found one that's 60" long and 2 1/2" high (sounds like a mountain) - that I really did need. On the other hand my 30-year-old Ascente down bag was top of the line then and still is. (But I did have to try one of those Wallcreeper thingies anyway when price was right.)

It will take you some time to navigate your way through all the staff and reader reviews and various forums. So I'd say keep your eye on the ball and enjoy a slower trip, to mix a couple of semi-metaphors.