My first backpacking weight

Henry

Henry

Section Hiker
I saved a load of weight by getting an osprey exos via second life; that would save you 500g without any compromises apart from the purchase cost.
 
dovidola

dovidola

Thru Hiker
A few random thoughts:

An easy win is the pack itself - take your time and find a lighter one. That said, I've been using my 1.1kg pack for 8 years while searching for a lighter one I'd be as happy with!

Your Speedster Stove system is rather heavier than mine, but without further details I can't say where the savings are to be made.

326g seems a lot for your First Aid Kit, as does 200g for your pillow.

Looks like you're using a Tarp+Bivvy setup, which I don't have experience of, but why both a 730g sleeping bag and a 900g 'Jungle Blanket' used in conjunction with Sleep Mat and Tyvek groundsheet?
Edit: Also, having seen how well you erected your tarp in a tent configuration, could you go without the bivvy (or do you plan to keep a traditional tarp configuration as an option)?

Do you need the Camp Shoes at all?

How long are your hikes between charging points and what sre you using your phone for - do you need a 10,000mAh Powerbank or could you get by with less?

On the other side of the coin, your Hydration kit is remarkably limited - just a 750ml bottle! It depends on the water availability where you're hiking of course, but in open country most of us need the ability to carry at least 2 litres (a Platypus bladder or similar will do this at low weight), plus a filtration system of some kind.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
dovidola said:
On the other side of the coin, your Hydration kit is remarkably limited - just a 750ml bottle! It depends on the water availability where you're hiking of course, but in open country most of us need the ability to carry at least 2 litres (a Platypus bladder or similar will do this at low weight), plus a filtration system of some kind.
Click to expand...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305064042026

I have several of these :)
 
Slowwalker

Slowwalker

Ultralighter
Many thanks @dovidola - this is a great start and I'll answer your comments

1 - Yes, I belatedly realised how heavy the Kyte is, but I love it as it's a perfect fit. I am thinking about a Deuter 60+10 but am loath to lose the fit of the Osprey. I'll have to think about this.
2 - My Speedster stove is the is the aluminium backpacker with the pan, I'll leave the pan at home.
3 - My FAK - I'm a Lowland Leader and have a kit to reflect this. I will look at streamlining this for solo use. And I'll change the pillow I think, this should be pretty low cost.
4 - Yes, my sleep system is a bit of a nightmare! I bought the Aldi sleeping bag as I didn't think the the jungle blanket would be enough, and the bivvy was if the tarp fell down! I was grateful for the Tyvek to keep my kit off the wet ground. I need to give much more thought to this area of my kit.
5 - Camp shoes, probably not for overnight camps but I was grateful for letting my feet breathe over the weekend. I'll lose this next time.
6 - Powerbank - yes, I have got a less powerful on that this replaced. I can go back to that for overnighters.
7 - Water, I was low as I knew that I'd have a tap at the site but I absolutely need a filter, I plan on getting a Sawyer mini before I go out again. And thanks @cathyjc for pointing me in the direction of the waterbags!
 
old-skool-lite

old-skool-lite

Thru Hiker
Not bad at all. I think you've identified the main areas you can streamline & lighten up. Always be mindful of what you're not using & think about leaving it unless it's a vital item of first aid or nav.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Slowwalker said:
Many thanks @dovidola - this is a great start and I'll answer your comments

1 - Yes, I belatedly realised how heavy the Kyte is, but I love it as it's a perfect fit. I am thinking about a Deuter 60+10 but am loath to lose the fit of the Osprey. I'll have to think about this.
2 - My Speedster stove is the is the aluminium backpacker with the pan, I'll leave the pan at home.
3 - My FAK - I'm a Lowland Leader and have a kit to reflect this. I will look at streamlining this for solo use. And I'll change the pillow I think, this should be pretty low cost.
4 - Yes, my sleep system is a bit of a nightmare! I bought the Aldi sleeping bag as I didn't think the the jungle blanket would be enough, and the bivvy was if the tarp fell down! I was grateful for the Tyvek to keep my kit off the wet ground. I need to give much more thought to this area of my kit.
5 - Camp shoes, probably not for overnight camps but I was grateful for letting my feet breathe over the weekend. I'll lose this next time.
6 - Powerbank - yes, I have got a less powerful on that this replaced. I can go back to that for overnighters.
7 - Water, I was low as I knew that I'd have a tap at the site but I absolutely need a filter, I plan on getting a Sawyer mini before I go out again. And thanks @cathyjc for pointing me in the direction of the waterbags!
Click to expand...
When you are "in funds" then I think you could improve your sleep gear for most effect.
 
el manana

el manana

Thru Hiker
Whilst the Kyte is 1.5kg its probably one of the last things i would consider changing. Its not a million miles from some lightweight packs that come in around 1.2kg (although a lot heavier than Ultralight packs).

If it's comfortable and you like it I'd stick with it for the time being. Choosing a new lighter pack will have a whole different perspective once your baseweight reduces and with it the volume needed.
 
echo8876

echo8876

Thru Hiker
that's interesting sleeping system.

jungle blanket? seriously? that's one big item that absolutely makes sense to me.

others- no need for a FAK more than 30g (ibuprofen + something from stomach)
torch and knife can save more than 100g.
another 100g for better powerbank
map and compass are very romantic, but can you use them? why for overnighter?
camp shoes
poles are not baseweight, they are wearable.
overall this is easily trimmable to 6,5 kilo, 7 max, especially if you replace backpack. Tarp can save you another 500g, even aliexpress one.

and you forgot water carry and filter.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
el manana said:
Whilst the Kyte is 1.5kg its probably one of the last things i would consider changing. Its not a million miles from some lightweight packs that come in around 1.2kg (although a lot heavier than Ultralight packs).

If it's comfortable and you like it I'd stick with it for the time being. Choosing a new lighter pack will have a whole different perspective once your baseweight reduces and with it the volume needed.
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Agree :thumbsup:
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
echo8876 said:
others- no need for a FAK more than 30g (ibuprofen + something from stomach)

map and compass are very romantic, but can you use them? why for overnighter?
camp shoes
poles are not baseweight, they are wearable.
Click to expand...
FAK - you don't know what medical issues she may have - my FAK is heavier than that for very good reason. I would not care to comment upon their needs.

Map and Compass = essential IMHO. Search and Rescue organisations and Scottish Mountaineering consider them and the knowledge to use them essential. Recovering "lost" walkers is the bane of MR.

Camp shoes ?? - depending on the trip they might be needed for a river crossing. Easy to cut your feet and slip/fall on a river crossing. Optional but not necessarily redundant.

Poles as "wearable" - ???? that's been debated both ways more times than any of us would care to count .......

The poster is early in their journey as a backpacker/camper and has a load to 'work out'. Bit at a time as their experience grows :thumbsup:.
 
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echo8876

echo8876

Thru Hiker
cathyjc said:
Map and Compass = essential IMHO. Search and Rescue organisations and Scottish Mountaineering consider them and the knowledge to use them essential. Recovering "lost" walkers is the bane of MR.
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i wanted to right an essay but then let opinions be opinions.
SAR organizations recommend stuff for the lowest bracket of clueless people. Aka dont go in the mountains with just bottle of water because you felt like it, be resposible citizen, boots will help you not to sprain your ankle, mountains can be dangerous!
Practical situations that scare me in mountains are far from that recommendations. One of them being milk\frozen milk on a ridge, thunderstorm, stonefall.
 
OwenM

OwenM

Thru Hiker
I wouldn't get to worked up about kit or whatever it weights. Far too many are so obsessed with having the latest flashy bit of kit they seem to miss the whole point. It's all about getting out there, it's not a fashion parade. Just go with what you've got. Over time you'll work out what works for you and what doesn't. You will swap things for better maybe lighter as you go on but 11kg for a couple of nights out isn't to off the mark.

P.S. take a map and compass, and don't listen to strangers on the Internet.
 
Norrland

Norrland

Thru Hiker
If a basic map and compass is no longer cool we're all doomed. While I have a maps app on my phone, a map and compass is a basic skill for outdoors folk. Using one on a regular basis is never a bad thing. Plus maps are fun! I enjoy spreading the map out in the tent in the evening and looking at my movements, and getting to know the surrounding area better. Playing around with the opisometer and so on. Weight is minor compared to utility. If you know the area like the back of your hand then that's another thing but..
 
echo8876

echo8876

Thru Hiker
Norrland said:
If a basic map and compass is no longer cool we're all doomed. While I have a maps app on my phone, a map and compass is a basic skill for outdoors folk. Using one on a regular basis is never a bad thing. Plus maps are fun! I enjoy spreading the map out in the tent in the evening and looking at my movements, and getting to know the surrounding area better. Playing around with the opisometer and so on. Weight is minor compared to utility. If you know the area like the back of your hand then that's another thing but..
Click to expand...
weight used to be a no issue for me.
then i started measuring my pack weight in snickers bars and my world changed.
 
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