Light backpacking gear advice

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solidfrontaxle

solidfrontaxle

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Looking for reccomendations on good brands and models of some light, durable, and not overly expensive gear (prioritized in that order). To be used in low desert, high desert, and dry mountainous areas throughout the Rocky mountains.

1. Small 2 person or large 1 person tent under three pounds. I don't want a tarp, needs to keep the bugs out. I don't plan on using trekking poles.

2. Comfortable 15 to 20 degree sleep system under three pounds. I prefer down. I hate mummy bags.
 
Go to whiteblaze.net It is intended to be a AT specific site, but they have some great info on UL gear. Go to the UL section and search.
 
Cool site. Tons of interesting info. Thanks for the heads up!
 
I would buy a Sierra Designs tent, the Clip flashlight... or another. I have spent many a night in them. They are awesome!!! A buddy and I did a couple 50 milers back when we were in scouts using the clip flashlight.

good luck
Ryan
 
A few tips in case you didn't know:

Down bags don't insulate much once they get wet and have absolutely no loft. In other words, you'll feel everything underneath you without a really good pad. And unfortunately, really good pads aren't light nor are they cheap.

Also, a lot of the very lightest tents are going to be not-free-standing. That may be a problem if you're gonna be in sandy conditions a lot. The Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight mentioned earlier, for example, is a great tent that is very light, durable and affordable but it has to be fully staked out to stand up.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck and have fun.
 
solidfrontaxle said:
2. Comfortable 15 to 20 degree sleep system under three pounds. I prefer down. I hate mummy bags.
Click to expand...


Doesn't keep the bugs off, but it is very light. My last few overnight hikes I just carried an Adventure Medical emergency bivi sac and sleeping pad instead of a sleeping bag, pad, and tent. That was so I could exchange the weight for camera gear.:D The sleeping pad is critical to make it so you are not in contact with the ground. Reflective insulation doesn't work when in direct contact like when compressed under you. The sleeping pad also serves as padding to line the backpack for extra protection for the camera gear. Condensation from body evaporation is the main problem with this system. I found it works best to change into dry clothes in the morning. Stick them in a dry sack and use em as a pillow. I also figured out that if I put the sleeping pad inside the bivi sac the condensation that condenses and runs down the inside of the bivi sac may pool under it and away from my body. Don't skimp on the sleeping pad. Use a good one. The one I use is a full body length 1/2" closed cell foam. Closed cell foam so it doesn't absorb condensation. It definitely is not as comfortable as a sleeping bag, but it will do when you want to really save weight. For me It works for overnight, but I'm not sure I'd want to use it more than a couple days. I've herad of people that have used it for extended periods, but then they were dedicated ultra light hikers.

On light pillows, a good dry sack is a good pillow. Empty it and fill it partially with air and close it up. I put the next day's clothes into it and some air.
 
I run a MoutainHardwear Skyview. It is nice and light. If you really need it lighter, you can go with the rain fly and footprint only and keep most of the bugs out. Awesome 3+-season freestanding tent. There are lots of options out there. You need to look around as you will probably not find all of your desires in one package. High quality ultralight gear usually isn't cheap. Good luck!
 
Tent I have Golite Shelter..mind yah it does have a bug net and a tarp on top of it.. it super light and super huge inside.. You can use a walking pole to set it up.. I have used it on snow and desert conditions and its awesome.. Packs.. look at Ospray packs they are not cheap but not too expensive either.. they have some of the lightest packs .... I use a BD Predator 50 it is a winter pack and its light at under 3 lbs.. but it can take the abuse...... Golite also has some of the lightest packs outthere.. O.R. has two super light packs that you can load up to 30 lbs both for under $70 bucks...they are water proof and both are top loaders and have a dry bag "like" closure...
Can't help yah with sleeping bags.. I have s TNF mummy bag and I love it...
Pads.. I got a heavy air pad but boy it is confy once its full of air and flat on the ground.


Good luck
 
Marmot Eos1P or Aura 2P... the 2P has a ton of room and is plenty light for a fully free standing tent. Big Agnes has some lighter tents but they cost a pretty penny... as for sleeping bags - go with down.

If you get your down bag wet you are either a moron, ill prepared or a poor planner... if you are in fact any of those three then you should avoid the great outdoors if at all possible. People like this will find danger, and possibly death, lurking in the wilderness.

If you aren't one of the three and have access to a good tent, a roll top dry bag stuff sack and or the Weather Channel you should be able to keep your gear dry.

Get a sleeping pad - Cascade Designs does the best work here hands down and they also have a nice range from "reasonably light/reasonably priced" to "really light/really expensive".

Good luck...
 
MANUCHAO said:
Packs.. look at Ospray packs they are not cheap but not too expensive either.. they have some of the lightest packs .... I use a BD Predator 50 it is a winter pack and its light at under 3 lbs.. but it can take the abuse...... Golite also has some of the lightest packs outthere.. O.R. has two super light packs that you can load up to 30 lbs both for under $70 bucks...they are water proof and both are top loaders and have a dry bag "like" closure...
Can't help yah with sleeping bags.. I have s TNF mummy bag and I love it...
Pads.. I got a heavy air pad but boy it is confy once its full of air and flat on the ground.


Good luck
Click to expand...

I looked at the dry sack style backpacks and most compromised the comfort. In the end I got an REI that fit very well and I use separate dry sacks inside it. This way the pack is absorbing abuse of limbs and rocks while the dry sacks are protected inside it. As for top loader, I'm a fan. It allows the pack to be made lighter for the same or even greater durrability. Zippers are a place where the pack can and often fails. Toploaders make a very good camera bag. Put your gear in neoprene pouches. Use your sleeping pad as a padding layer around the main compartment then pack your photography gear in up top.
 
Mr. Toad said:
Big Agnes Seedhouse 2 SL tent. Marmot hydrogen or helium bag. Thermarest Neoair (spendy) or ProLight small pad.
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Looks like the Big Agnes will be the winner. Its got just about everything I want. I already have the prolight small pad. Any other suggestions on light down sleeping bags?



As far as packs go, I'm not a fan of the osprey packs (am I the only one?). I have have some Granite Gear packs that I am in love with. Fairly light and ultra comfortable.
 
Solid
You'll be happy with Big Agnes - silly name and great product. Everyone I know has a lot of great things to say about their products and craftsmanship.

On the bag, go with Marmot down - they are the only company in the outdoor industry that has a lifetime warranty on their temperature ratings... i.e. after 30 years if your bag isn't as warm as it was when you bought it they will refill it with fresh down for free. They assume, of course, that you'll be taking care of it on a basic level during that time. The only other choice that I'd suggest is Western Mountaineering, but they are significantly more expensive than Marmot and both companies build their bags to the sames specs in terms of loft and down quality... they even use the exact same down suppliers and have their down verified at the same facilities in Salt Lake.

Sorry to geek out but this is my industry so I know more than is useful on the subject. Probably the only place on 'Mud where I can speak with any authority...

If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Thanks
 
I agree with the Marmot down bag (I own 2 outdoor stores - and their stuff is always fantastic, and rarely returned). The Marmot Never Winter is a favorite of mine.

For a tent, I love the MSR Hubba Hubba. It might be a tad heavier than a couple of the others, but it's the tent most of my employees grab whenever they want to be light AND comfortable. For solo trips, I like the MSR Hubba (1 person version). The Hubba series outsells almost everything else out there for a good reason.

If you want a really nice surprise - value-wise - Sam's Club is selling some of the best wool socks I've every worn. The brand is Omni-Wool and they have 3-packs for under $15. Don't do like I did and only buy one package - they always run out and you'll want more...
 
if your going to be back in slc anytime soon my friend owns a camping store and they have alot of options on packs, bags and basically anything else you need. let me know and i would be happy to go in there with you and you will get a screaming deal. Cruiseroutfitter has my number or pm me:cheers:
 
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