The Lightweight Backpacking Philosophy

  • Look as everything and strive for choosing things that have Multiple Uses
  • Saves weight by allowing you to pack less items
  • Save money by buying fewer but more useful items
  • Less to fuss with because you have less items
  • Buy items that are NotOver Built for the trips you will be taking them on.
  • Doing so often leads to lighter items
  • You will save money with more simply constructed items
  • Over building can often make gear too complex to easily use properly
  • Reduce number items you bring
  • Less to buy is often cheaper
  • Bringing less makes for a lighter load
  • Simpler life from less to demand your attention
  • Share equipment when practical
  • Cheaper because you can share expenses
  • Lighter because you can share the carrying
  • You can make friends though sharing ;)
  • Be knowledgeable with what you will be using and doing
  • Allows to cut weight and cost without risking your safety
  • Allows you to make smarter choices about what you do bring
  • Allows you to use more fully the weight you bring
  • You will be more aware of how you impact the environment you are visiting
  • Leave no trace
  • Pack it in, pack it out; bringing less means less to leave
  • Lighter steps are less impactful to the environment
  • Conduct yourself in camp is a way that is not harmful to the area

Online Stores

They sell good kitchen setups for verygood prices. Theirs is what I use. I recommend their "Mama's Kitchen 3 Cup Original Hard Anodized Set" for $35, add aempty soda bottle for fuel ($1), a lighter ($1), and a lexan spoon ($1) and you have a complete kit.

I purchased their G4 backpack four years ago and it has carried me through around 1000 miles of hiking. I now use the Mariposa.

I have never shopped here but many other have and have good things to say. They are a discounter with good pries. You can buy gear and clothes here.

I recommend them for nearly anything. They have great deals on sock, undies, next to skin/polypropylene, sleeping bags, tents, and most anything else.

I have gotten many good deals on clothes and they carry virtually anything you would need.

They makethe No Sniveller down quilt which I use. Not necessary cheap but very useful and light.

They make very light tarps in a wide range of sizes and features of which I own one. Also they are starting into other very light, manly sleeping and shelter gear.

minibulldesign.com

They make just about any type of light alcohol stove you could want.

Informative websites

Do you want to buy something but want reviews of real (not paid) people who actually have used it. This is the place to go.

Lots of information for people getting started.

Moretips here.

Great place to finding good prices on what you want to buy

A very good resource for learning more about lightweight backing. They do active research to help people have a more enjoyable and lighter trip. Unfortunately it cost $25 a year for this. Also they have a store with some very unique gear.

Brick amortar stores

Walmart and Target

You can buy a lot of clothes here cheap. The clothes often are lighter, less complexconstruction with is good. Itmakes them lighter and cheaper.

Backpacker outfitters.

REI

Standard sporting goods stores.

They often sell some thing for less. However they will generally have unknowledgeable staff and poorer quality gear than the outfitters.

Sports Authority

Books –A selection of my favorites

The Complete Walker IV by Colin Fletcher and ChipRawlins

By far my favorite. If you read this book or at least skim it you can learneverything you need to hike. Greatwriting style that’s easy to read.

The Backpacker's Handbook 2rd Eddition by Chris Townsend

Next to “The Complete Walker” this is one of the must own books. I might rate this as my top book but I read “Walker” first.

Beyond Backpacking by Ray Jardine

Many great ideas with some crazy ideas. Read if you want to learn more from the person who really started the craze ofultra-light but be prepared for some of his ideas because they are plain nuts.

Bear Aware 3rd Eddition by Bill Schneider

Afraid of bears? This book will give you theknowledge to camp in bear country safely and easily.

Secrets of Warmth: For Comfort or Survival by Hal Weiss

Very very informative about how to keep comfortable in the woods. Writing style is not perfect though. Can be a little repetitive and occasionally nutty.

Sample list

This is not a complete list but it covers most of what you need to give a rough idea of cost. I haven’t bought or tried most of this stuff so be sure not to take these as a recommendations they are just an example. Also remember you may already own some of this stuff or could borrow from friends, family, or the group to save even more.

$0 / Tent / Borrow, make a friend, and save weight
$50 / Sleeping bag / Kelty Stratus 35°, 2.5 lbs, Found at Campor
$15 / Sleeping bag sack / Outdoor Research # 3 Hydroseal Dry Sack at Campmor, could also use a plain sack lined with a trash bag
$10 / Sleeping Pad / Pack-Lite Closed Cell Foam Pad, found at Campmor
$5 / Stove,pot,fuel / Find someone to share with and save weight and money
$40 / Backpack / Outdoor Products Pinnacle at Campmor
$1 / Bowl / I bought a plastic cereal bowl at Walgreens
$2 / Water bottles / 2 X 1L bottles of grocery store brand fizzy water
$11 / Water Treatment / Aquamira™ Water Treatment at Campmor
$5 / Food bag / 9 in. x 19 in. Stuff Bag at Campmor
$2 / Spoon / Lexan Soup Spoon at Campmor
$6 / Undies / Duofold VariTEC™ Boxers at Campmor
$8 / Polypro shirt / Duofold Varitec™ Short Sleeve Crew at Campmor
$20 / Fleece pants / Campmor Polartec® 200 Fleece Pants
$18 / Fleece vest / Campmor Polartec® 200 Fleece Vest
$29 / Shorts/pants / Campmor Trekmor Convertible Pants
$30 / Wind jacket / Look for thin light jacket
$25 / Poncho / Cascade II Backpacker Poncho Regular at Campmor
$10 / Sock liners / 2 X Wigwam Gobi Polypropylene Liner Socks at Campmor
$22 / Outer socks / 2 X Wigwam Merino Light Hiker Wool Socks at Campmor
$125 / Hiking boots / Get at a local shop with a knowledgeable sales person
$12 / Balaclava/Hat / Gordini Lavawool Stretch Balaclava at Campmor
$17 / Gloves / Campmor Windban Gloves
$2 / Bandana / Cotton Bandana at Campmor
$7 / Clothes Sack / Campmor 12 in. x 22 in. Stuff Bag
$8 / Toiletries and misc sacks / 2 X Heavy Duty Dunk and Stuff Bag 7 in. x 10 in
$6 / LED headlamp / As seen on ebay, price includes shipping
$6 / Toiletries / Sample sizes and children’s toothbrush
$12 / Pocket knife / Victorinox Swiss Army Classic at Campmor, all you need
$4 / Rope / Nylon Backpacker Rope at Campmor

This list is $571 plus $7 S/H from Campmor