Spares and back-ups

Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
I'm familiar with the idea of each bit of equipment fulfilling multiple roles however with an upcoming short trip, I find myself considering taking duplicate means of navigation, spare batteries and even a spare stove (albeit a 44g Alpkit Kraku). Add a spare pack liner clip, spare base layers for the entire family, extra fuel (had a full canister malfunction in the past) and a cut down closed cell foam mat for the tent porch and in case of NeoAir failure (had an undetectable slow leak on mine in Skye which was a pain.. literally).. it's a fair bit of additional stuff...

I'm a bit less belt and braces when solo as I can manage a bit of discomfort better than the kids!

Where do people draw the line between essential (say first aid and repair kits) and just in case?
 
EM - paul

EM - paul

Thru Hiker
i use meths as there is nothing to go wrong so it eliminates any spare needs, i carry a phone for main nav but printed sheets of area keeps weight down. ive used the same bag clip for 4 years and they seem impossible to break. for a short trip i dont carry extra power as nav checks are usually only needed a few times a day. cut down mat is my back panel in the pack and functions as sit mat / porch mat. i dont carry puncture kit for mat any more as ive never popped one since i started using them 4 years ago
 
el manana

el manana

Thru Hiker
What I interpret as my spares:-
- walking socks
- base layer and under crackers (both Rohan Ultra Silver)
- spare lighter (mini bic)
- spare torch (Silva's version of a Photon freedom, works as tent lantern as well)
- spare phone battery or portable charger.
I take a Neoair Fast & Light repair kit in case of mat failure. Maybe taking a bit extra meths could be construed as spares. I always take an FAK 50g and some gaffer tape wrapped around a pole.

If I was taking kids I might view this differently, an extra Kraku stove seems reasonable to me.
 
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Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
Cheers. We've not yet made the move to meths for family trips as Mrs Davy is sceptical about boil times for 2l of water... I'm working on it :meh: Aside from that our spares/backups now don't appear too ridiculous..

We've 4 head torches! so plenty of redundancy there.
Spare lighter in with poo kit.

We also have the added fun of due to being 4 of us, things are not always left where they are put down, and they can and do disappear.. usually found in a pocket once back at home.. :rolleyeses:


2 ibuprofen for the headache caused by worrying about things.

Compared to canoeing on the sea, or across a choppy bit of cold open water in the wind with the kids, this backpacking malarky is so far a lot less stressful.. but yes ibuprofen, and paracetamol in FAK (along with antihistamines, imodium, tick removal tool and umpteen plasters and a magic tube of savlon..) :D


So what are folks' luxuries? I'm sure I've seen a few cans of ultralight beer on some TRs :)
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Boiling 2l water on meths - the Evernew Ti burner is the beast for that job. A bit expensive and guzzly on fuel but is most powerfull meths burner I've used.
 
Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Luxuries are no stranger to my packing. :)

Sit mat
Alcohol (usually a hip flask or collapsible 500ml bottle, often a bottle of Rioja carried up to first nights camp in my drinks bladder)
Spare pants/socks ( I could wash them)
Umbrella
Plenty of bogroll
Sometimes Croc copies if it's a very wet trip.
Geigerrig instead of bottle/bladder
Gas stove
Sleeping bag and down jacket
Lots of food
Fresh ground coffee
Pen Knife

Spares that usually get carried-

Fak
PU glue and tenacious tape
Hippo tape
String
Compass
Pen
Sewing kit
4 lighters
Food bag clip
AA lithium batteries for GPS/headtorch/spot beacon
Spare base layer on some longer trips.


Often, when I hke with some people, I carry spare pebbles/bits of slate/cones/grass/twigs in my mesh pockets,even though I never packed them. :)
 
gixer

gixer

Thru Hiker
As long as you're not struggling to carry the weight then if it gives you peace of mind it's a decent compromise in my book.

But then i weighed my rucksack for a day hike recently and it came in at 10kg :whistling:

I like to keep my brew kit in my side pocket so usually have this extra to my Kovea spider.
Usually take a clean pair of socks and undies for each days hiking.

End of the day this is a hobby for most of us, so if taking something extra gives us peace of mind or a noggin more enjoyment then why not.
Only time it starts being a problem is if the weight starts limiting the ground you want to cover each day, as we don't tend to be in a race though who cares :whistling:
 
Shewie

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Thinking about my load out, I do carry a second pair of socks but they're worn in rotation so not really spare, I do carry a spare AA batt for my headtorch though :)

My repair kit is pretty basic, TAR patches and glue, a short length of gaffa tape, safety pins, needle and thread
 
craige

craige

Thru Hiker
Yeah, I will never skimp on socks, foot care comes right behind hydration, shelter and food in terms of importance whilst backpacking imo. Always 2 poly pairs for daytime and a merino pair for night. All lightweight though as I run hot.
I normally carry a couple of spare ziploc bags. My 4mm evazote pad (120x65cm) is a do all and goes under my xlite to give a wee bit more width for my big shoulders.
Summer in Scotland, a headlamp could probably be considered a luxury for backpacking. I prefer to have one though.
I always carry too much power. Will try and pare down for next multi-day.
I often carry a baselayer, especially if I'm taking shorts but almost never use the leggings and I think I could easily make do with one tee (Another rohan ultra silver user).
First aid kit is pretty light, 3 days of painkillers, 6 blister plasters, couple of reg plasters, a safety pin, small amount of transpore tape, tiny tube of savlon and a tick twister.
Repair kit is a patch for my xlite, tiny card of needle and thread (I think from a hotel) and a lithium battery for my zebra light (not april-august).
I stopped weighing my stuff and being careful a while ago but would like to get rid of some stuff I don't use often/non essentials for higher mileage trips so plan to go over everything again and get a bit geeky and ruthless :geek:
 
L

lakeshore

Trail Blazer
If you need it take it, if you just want it don`t take it.
I do take a lighter but have spare matches. Wood burning cone for my Caldera Cone /esbit set up.
 
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