Buying Guides : Lightweight Backpacking

The ability to walk in the hills without the need of getting back to civilisation every night and so explore further has appealed to many over the years. There is a great sense of achievement to be felt after a multi- day walk, having coped with worst the land and weather has thrown at you as you stride back into the urban sprawl.

Yet what puts many off is the thought of all that bulk and weight to be carried up hill and down dale to be able to do this. Traditionally the average size of rucsac for even weekend trips has been not less than 65litre in capacity. Fortunately modern equipment means less weight and less bulk. Such is the advance in lightweight products that all those 100g savings soon add up to kilos in reduced pack weight.

Too many people though pack to many extras just in case, which even with lightweight kit can push the weight to needlessly tiring amounts. The key to going light is to look at what you really need to carry then justify any extras extremely strictly.

Start off by looking at your pack base weight: this includes sleeping: sleeping bag and mat; shelter: tent, pegs and guylines; packing: rucksack and stuff sacks; cooking: which includes stove, pan, utensils and water treatment. Other essentials- such as first aid which might include sun cream and insect repellent, plus map, compass, torch and toiletries. Also included in the base weight is spare clothing.

This base weight should weigh between 6 and 14 kilos. What it doesn’t include is food and fuel i.e. the time variable products. What can be seen from the chart is that base weight can form only around half of the overall weight, so it’s easy to see why lightweight and dehydrated foods are so popular.

Lightweight products do make a difference. The new Paclite fabric is a great option for those who weight and breathability are key factors. The Berghaus Infinity lite top has great warmth to weight ratio like all good synthetic fill garments and twice as warm as the same weight fleece. It used to be thought that to go light meant being a hardy sort that put up with less comfort – yet I can see little discomfort in the very light list. True there is no espresso maker but the only changes that might be made for the more general user would be a tent with greater head room such as the Terra Nova solar minor.

I would recommend a rucksack that carried the load better , takes it off the shoulders and allows better posture when walking. This would make the pack heavier but your back would thank you at the end of the day.

In both lists are included sets of walking poles. When carrying heavy loads these will aid posture and make your walking more energy efficient, which should more than compensate for their extra weight.

These lists show what can be done if you are very focused on weight. In reality I would expect people to mix and match to their own needs. Also these lists imply solo backpacking,  so in pairs there should be a further reduction in weight.

So if you want to go light but your base weight is over 15kg then come in either store and talk to our staff-we can help take a load off your shoulders.

VERY LIGHT KIT LIST

 

LIGHT KIT LIST

  

THE NORTH FACE MOUNTAIN MARATHON TENT

1600g

TERRA NOVA SOLAR 2 TENT

2600g

   

GROUND SHEET PROTECTOR

370g

RAB QUANTUM 200 SLEEPING BAG

450g

JOUTSEN 1000 SLEEPING BAG

990g

SILK BAG LINER

112g

COOLMAX BAG LINER

275g

THERM A REST ULTRALITE æ SLEEP MAT

540g

THERM A REST GUIDELITE

960g

MSR POCKET ROCKET STOVE

86g

GO GAS SUMMIT STOVE

326g

GAS CYLINDER 225ml

228g

GAS CYLINDER 225ml

228g

WINDPROOF MATCHES

10g

WINDPROOF LIGHTER

64g

MSR TITAN KETTLE  850ml

118g

MSR STOWAWAY PAN 775ml

356g

MSR TITANIUM FORK & SPOON SET

28g

PRIMUS KIFE FORK SPOON SET

100g

TREKKING DEHYDRATED FOOD BREAKFAST X 2

340g

WAYFAYRER FOOD BREAKFAST X 2

660g

MAIN MEAL X 2

230g

MAIN MEAL X 2

660g

LUNCH & SNACKS X 2

800g

PUDDING X 2

660g

PERONIN VANILLA ENERGY DRINK X 2

230g

LUNCH & SNACKS X 2

1000g

WATER 1L

1000g

WATER 1L

1000g

CHLORINE TABLETS

5g

KATADYN WATER FILTER

250g

PLATYPUS 2L BLADDER

36g

PLATYPUS 2L + DRINK TUBE

102g

SILVA TYPE 7 COMPASS

22g

SILVA TYPE 4 COMPASS

35g

MAP SECTION PRINTED FROM MAP SOFTWARE

10g

OS AQUA 3 EXPLOER MAP

198g

LIFESYSTEMS TREKKER FIRST AID KIT

225g

LIFESYSTEMS OUTDOOR FIRST AID KIT

355g

LIFESYSTEMS WHISTLE

12g

LIFESYSTEMS WHISTLE

12g

SPARE SOCKS

72g

SPARE SOCKS

72g

LOWE ALPINE FLEECE HEADBAND

23g

EXTREMITIES POWERSTRETCH HAT

31g

EXTREMITIES THINNEYS GLOVES

31g

EXTREMITIES STICKYWINDIES

61g

THE NORTH FACE  HYDRENALITE WIND SHIRT

260g

LOWE ALPINE MICRO GRID FLEECE

265g

BERGHAUS INFINITY LITE  TOP

270g

BERGHAUS FURY MICRO FLEECE LINED WINDPROOF TOP

335g

BERGHAUS PACLITE SMOCK

275g

BERGHAUS SULVIAN XCR WATERPROOF JACKET

616g

BERGHAUS PACLITE O/TRS

185g

BERGHAUS STORM  OVER TROUSERS

324g

PETZL ZIPKA HEADTORCH

57g

BLACK DIAMOND MOONLIGHT HEADTORCH

112g

SALOMON RAID RUCSAC

670g

DEUTER AIRCOMFORT 45+10

2200g

LEKI TITANIUM WALKING POLES

400g

LEKI TITANIUM ANTISHOCK WALKING POLES

510g

TOTAL WEIGHT g.

 8327g

(18.5 LB)

TOTAL WEIGHT g.

15717g

(35 LB)


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Tel: 017687 - 72178 Email: customerservice@georgefisher.co.uk