So as a fat hiker, I could drop over 100 pounds off of my hiking weight just by going on a diet. Instead, I've dropped about 25#s off my pack by increasing the amount of titanium, swapping for some "cottage vendor" made gear and getting rid of a bunch of stuff I don't need. There are some great cottage vendors out there who build better gear than the mainstream camping stuff.
If you are careful about it...it doesn't have to be super expensive to have a high quality, low weight setup.
My pack during our first Shenandoah trip was 48+ pounds. During a hike last week, my total pack weight was 18 pounds- food and water included. Base weight without food and water is about 8#s.
We would have had a much better time hiking SNP had I known how to pack light. A light base weight setup also allows you to carry more food, so you can be out on the trail longer.
Backpack:
I quit carrying my 5.5 pound pack that was one of my first purchases (recommended by the guy at REI) and I've switched to 2 Gossamer Gear Packs:
For Winter hiking with alot of gear I carry the G4:
http://gossamergear.com/g4-ultralight-backpack-all-bundle.html
If you keep an eye out they run periodic sales. The G4 is just a bit over a pound total weight. And since it doesn't have a frame, it can't handle as much weight as a beefer backpack. But think about it. If you put 25-30#s in a G4...that would be like 30-35 in a heavier pack. When your backpack is 25 pounds or less...it's gonna feel pretty good compared to 35+ pounds.
For some winter hiking, and the rest of the season, I have the Gossamer Gear Rukus Climbing Pack, also called a "Day Pack."
http://gossamergear.com/the-rukus-daypack.html
It may be called a day pack, but I can easily fit all the gear in it that I need for multiple nights on the trail. And at only 12 ounces....it's crazy light. Plus, I got it on clearance for about $40. What a steal.
Both packs have a wonderful feature. Large stretchy pockets on the outside. I added some 1/8" shock cord to help hold things in. Those outside pockets will swallow a ton of gear, and are a great place to keep items you need to access while on the trail.
Hammock
There are lots of good hammock choices. I have not tried most of them. I recommend browsing www.hammockforums.net for reviews, recommendations and links. Most of my experience is with cheap Yukon Outfitters hammocks purchased on sale from www.woot.com
The large "double" hammock from Yukon periodically goes on sale for $20. It is large, a bit heavy and very comfortable. I had one tear on me during a cold, wind trip, but I think it was my fault for not clearing all the brush from underneath. Lesson learned.
My current favorite hammock is the Yukon Outfitters Freedom v1. Woot sells them for $25..which is a screaming deal when they have them. It weighs 10.4 oz (confirmed on my scale) and is nice and wide, and long enough.
http://www.yukon-outfitters.com/products/freedom-hammock-v1
Details
- Dimensions: 119" L x 60" W
- Weight: 10.4 oz.
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
It's light, long enough, wide and well made. Hard to beat for $25. www.hummingbirdhammocks.com has some good looking hammocks that are big and lighter...but they cost more. Which leads me to my next theme.
Hammock Suspension
Eno Prostraps / straps with loops. Yuck. I have a couple pair. That was a big mistake, sure, they work, but they are heavy and they even stretch more than my whoopie slings. My current favorite suspension is:
http://www.hummingbirdhammocks.com/shop/tree-straps/
$30 and they weigh 2 oz for the pair. Awesome. Coupled with my cheap Yukon Freedom v1 plus some dutchwear Titanium beaners and I'm at around 13 oz for everything I need to hang my hammock.
http://www.dutchwaregear.com/dutch-biners-pair.html
Yep, they're made of titanium..weigh very little and work great.
Incidentally...If I were starting over knowing what I know now...I'd probably order a hammock and everything to hang it from Dutch. He has some good looking hammocks for $35.
Tarp:
My tarp weighs 16oz and has pretty good coverage for a diamond cut tarp. It is the Yukon Outfitters tarp that is periodically offered on woot, and sells out very quickly. It goes for $20...and works great. I aspire to a better tarp...but this cheap little thing is so good I've just been saving my money instead. I also have a 12x12 Kelty Noah's tarp which was my first tarp. Its actually a very good tarp, but at 2 1/2 pounds...a poor choice for backpacking. It was one of many reasons my pack weighed so much hiking SNP. But for a windy, cold winter night, it's huge, and still a good choice.
Yukon Rainfly review:
http://theoutdoorreview.com/yukon-outfitters-walkabout-rain-fly/
Noah's Tarp 12 on amazon: (great tarp for $55...just a pound too heavy)
http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Noahs-Tarp-12-12x12-Feet/dp/B009R9FUI2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442542517&sr=8-1&keywords=noahs+tarp+12
As for cookwear, I use the Toaks 600ml titanium pot. It's small enough to be a mug, but large enough to cook a pot of ramen. Sometimes I wish I would have bought a 750ml...but really, this thing is pretty good for $28. It is good for cooking for yourself, and has just enough room for a small fuel canister and stove inside.
http://www.amazon.com/TOAKS-POT-600-Titanium-600ml-Pot/dp/B009B5E39O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442542598&sr=8-1&keywords=600ml+titanium
Stove and spoon:
Just get something you like and light. I tried the plastic stuff and it broke. So I now prefer a titanium spork.
As for my stove, any cheap canister stove will do. I found a good deal on a titanium stove on Sierra Trading post that has now become my primary stove.
If I were buying a new stove, I like the looks of this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Olicamp-329015-Xcelerator-Titanium-Stove/dp/B007S3MHI0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442542858&sr=8-1&keywords=titanium+canister+stove
It's light and the remote hose allows you to invert the fuel. Which is very helpful for winter camping, my stove acts up when temps get into the 20s or below. And since we do alot of winter hiking..that's a regular occurrence. I make due by keeping my canister warm inside my jacket.
Trekking poles
We have used ski poles and they work quite well...durable and cheap. But I've now use Komperdell poles that collapse and work great. The cheap ones at wal-mart just didn't survive the abuse from my son. We got them cheap on Sierra trading post.
And finally...how could i forget...my favorite item of gear:
The Incubator 0 degree
http://www.hammockgear.com/incubator-0/
This thing is awesome. Crazy light, and feels like an electric blanket it is so warm. I stayed warm one night in SNP when it got down to about 11 degrees. Not cheap though. They run a 20% off sale on black Friday every year, so that is when I got mine. I'd love to have a matching Burrow 0 degree wide top quilt to complete my set. Until then I use everyone's favorite bargain down bag, the Wal-mart Ozark Trail "32 degree" down bag that weighs 1 pound 5 oz. I got it on clearance cheap.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-32-Degree-Down-Mummy-Sleeping-Bag/22008955
With that bag and my Incubator, I can go down to mid 20's without too much drama. Colder than that and I need something warmer on top.
What is also nice about the above bag is that I can get it in a very small stuff sack. My local walmart sells the following set of dry sacks. The Ozark Trails Down bag fits in the middle sized one
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Recreation-Group-Set-of-3-Ultimate-Dry-Sacks/10928125
As for clothing, I suggest wearing it. Day after day. Bring a spare pair of socks, and perhaps underwear. Even a change of shirt. But think layers. Is there any reason to bring a second pair of pants? (hint: no) If you want to take clean clothes for a walk in the woods..by all means, load up your pack. But I'll be walking past you...smelling a bit...but definitely enjoying the hike more.
Layers. Go for layers. I have a cheap compressible down vest I got at Costco for $20...it works great both as added warmth and as a pillow. Need extra warmth? Wear your rain jacket. Obviously, bring enough gear to stay warm when you stop. And make sure you can stay dry. But nothing more.
Poly and wool...everything should be one or both of those.
Water:
Water is really heavy. I do not recommend bringing it with you on the hike. Ok..that's not very practical. But what you can do is make sure you drink ALOT prior to getting on the trail. If you are well hydrated when you hit the trail, that's less water you need to carry.
But I'm guessing the reader is one of those sort of people that must drink water to maintain life. I currently flip flop between two options. I have a 100oz Camelback that I mostly like. It is nice to freeze the thing before a hike so I can drink cold water for a while. (Not always necessary on the winter hikes...lol). Alternately, I'll carry disposable water bottles. The "Smart Water" bottles are nice and thick, but still pretty light. Nice shape too.
For treating water, I really like the sawyer squeeze filters. They are sold cheap at wal-mart and the mini is very light. The only downside is the bags that come with it are a bit fragile. Squeeze gently or you will cause a hole. Other than that, great setup. I carry 2 32oz sawyer bags with me on the trail and use them to fill my water bladder or water bottles. Sometimes I'll also carry unfiltered water in the bags and just drink from the filter as needed. You can suck right from the filter end and drink like a normal water bottle.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sawyer-Mini-Water-Filtration-System/29273210
Ok, that's a quick run through of some of the themes that have gotten my pack from over 40 to under 20 pounds for a multi-day trip. Feel free to ask any questions on things i forgot to address.
