Don’t go there… 😯 Be

[@chrishamilton2527]

My backpack for 3season use weighs in at circa 8.5kg with food and fuel but no water. This goes up by 2kg for winter with a warmer sleep pad, more robust tent, warmer quilt and extra clothing. The weight includes the dogs food at 1kg per day. The dog carries his own Thermarest, PJ’s and down quilt. For a waterproof jacket I use a DCF Timmermade smock - all year round. I agree with using the kilt. For bitter cold conditions I take a Simmond down parka (available at silly low price from Decathalon) - but it must be at least -10°C or colder to avoid overheating. Vivo Barefoot boots are also lightweight and a great addition to my kit. Oh yes, I moved from using a water filter to a water purifier - it increased my carry weight but my Grayl purifier is so much safer to use.

[@timmo971]

One of the first things I did was to remove all the compression sacks, pack cover and other bags. I weighed them all together and they were 750 grams. Replaced the lot with a dcf pack liner at 15g and a couple of little ditty bags about 20 grams each. Big difference right there. And I’ve not noticed less space either. Sleeping quilt and puffy etc gets squashed in regardless.

[@roberthammenrudh]

Agree, this is a great and easy way of reducing weight! I use 2 plastic liners, the inner one is for the down/sleeping clothes and the outer liner for the rest. Tent on top outside the liners. Very light and very little risk the down and the clothes meant to keep you warm at night get wet. DCF liner is great and lightweight, a bit expensive though!

[@RC-qf3mp]

I got a high quality compression sack for my quilt because it reduces the volume so much that I can much more easily use a lower volume frameless backpack which has lower weight than the alternative pack, this saving weight overall.

[@DroidHDAL-n2c]

5kgs but at what cost, considering most people already own hiking gear.

[@TennesseeSlim]

Nalgene can hold boiling hot water which can be slipped into the bag to make a cold night more comfortable and not worry about your water freezing overnight

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@TennesseeSlim that’s true, don’t use that feature myself and have all the down gear keeping me warm so never needed it. On the other hand I’ve heard some do so 🤷🏼‍♂️ if that is important they why not, but I would recommend adapting the gear properly than relying on a Nalgene keeping me warm. Just my opinion though.

[@TennesseeSlim]

@@roberthammenrudh thats true but colder than expected temperatures do happen. And having that ability can make the difference between barley sleeping in a fetal position and getting a healthy amount of sleep and comfortability. The opaque bottle version is also lighter than the others.

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@TennesseeSlim it’s an option at least and if one worried about that and want backup absolutely a good idea, especially for winter.

[@TennesseeSlim]

@@roberthammenrudh it could save lives especially if their down gets wet and becomes useless. I had that happen myself in -20°f temps in the gsmnp. The snow was waist deep on some ridges.

[@chrishamilton2527]

I generally agree with your synopsis on gear but with following comments; PET water bottles - many studies confirm that they shed micro plastics the more that they are reused. If you are happy to ingest those then no issues. For myself, I use silicone collapsing bottles for three season use and in winter time I swop one bottle for a Nalgene as it can take boiling water and double duty as a hot water bottle (wrapped in something to avoid scalding oneself). Secondly; I no longer use water filters. I have moved over to a water purifier as it’s much safer, albeit at a slight increase in weight. Even remote wild water can now show up as toxic.

[@tanvach]

That’s correct but apparently mainly from the twisting cap which has plastic on plastic sliding contact points. Sports cap greatly reduce this issue.

[@mlhm5]

The outside channels of that Flextail are not insulated.

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@mlhm5 totally true and something I brought up during my review some time ago.

[@Lucitt13]

Just for giggles, I didn't do a full pack load on a hike. I usually run 30lbs for training. I went out with 25lbs and holy cow was it easier and faster. It made me take a hard look at my gear again. I train with 30lbs due to it's the lowest weight I've gotten down to with 4-5 days of food. Training for the AT not 1 or 2 day trips. :) Love your videos. Thank you for your time and effort sharing your experience.

[@roberthammenrudh]

Hi and thanks 🙏🏻 glad you’re enjoying my videos! And… yes, makes a big difference and especially if hiking longer distances like you’re planning. Good luck with your preparations and future AT!

[@billb5732]

Yes, that's the best way to feel lighter on the trail... train heavy! :)

[@corleyoutdoors2887]

Informative and beneficial video

[@steveh5169]

There is no way you are saving 1Kg or more by swapping water bottles. A CNOC 2 liter bag, sawyer squeeze + syringe, and 2 Nalgene bottles weigh around 14 ounces or 410 grams. Water is where the weight is, not in the bottles.

[@nosensenononsense]

Agree. The 10 liter jug I use in my car weighs 396 grams for flips sake. So what kind of monstrosity would you need to bring to be able to save 1kg ?? 😅

[@roberthammenrudh]

I think you missed the point, “if changing water bottles and including a water filter” … that’s what I said, or at least it was my intention to 🤔 otherwise agree, saving one kg in just the bottles would be difficult! 😄

[@nosensenononsense]

​@@roberthammenrudh Well your average water filters these days are so small and lightweight anyway, I didn´t see the point.

[@steveh5169]

@@roberthammenrudh OK, so explain to me where you get 1kg savings. Please itemize for me. PET bottles vs Nalgene and whatever else.

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@steveh5169 if you read the above answer I made it clear in the video and here it’s if changing bottles and add a water filter solution… change Nalgene or Aluminium or any other to PET and the rest in less need to carry water due to introducing a filter.

[@dadassery8506]

0:50 don’t cook inside your tent

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@dadassery8506 I believe it to be perfectly safe, if well ventilated and a good amount of space to the outer. If a bit uncomfortable doing so you can always open one vestibule slightly for better ventilation.

[@chriscook3120]

There are pretty much 0 dangerous animals in Europe.

[@dadassery8506]

@@roberthammenrudh man, I appreciate you and what you do, and I have no doubt that you’re completely competent but people harm themselves (and their gear) all the time. It’s not at all worth the risk. Even if you do everything perfectly your stove can fail, I’ve even heard tale of canisters leaking below the threads and exploding. Here in north america critters are indeed a concern as well. My biggest concern is that while most tents may just get a whole burnt in them some can burn, that could be risky for you, obviously, but could be devastating for the environment

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@dadassery8506 I agree, yes… there can be a big difference depending on where you’re hiking and one should always follow the local rules. Smaller animals such as mice can be a problem off course and will chew though anything. Here most keep the food inside the tent though despite that course we don’t have much problem with this and no dangerous animals to worry about. The risc is also, like you say to start a fire or damage your tent. Something one should be aware about and take caution. I do it all the time, when it rains… so far so good.

[@billb5732]

_"Change_ your pack last"

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@billb5732 thanks 🙏🏻 and agree, if you don’t own anything and buying your first pack a good one able to carry a bit more is a good choice if not going 100%UL directly. Perfect for winter hiking or with kids that can’t carry it all themselves!

[@davidbakker-wester113]

The reason i don't go ultralight anymore is the absolutely disgusting prices brands ask for their flimsy chinesium rebranded temu grade clown colored nonsense. Why are there no natural colours? Doesn't have to be camouflaged. But at least colors that don't scare animals. And all the clothes swish and swoosh and rustle and crunch while moving. Basicaly you get less than half but pay triple.

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@davidbakker-wester113 I agree some things are overpriced when it comes to UL but it doesn’t has to be. Good options, ok prices in comparison to good quality gear exist, but you need to spend some time doing research before investing and you will end up spending less and get good quality gear! My experience using for example Atompacks, Soto, Bonfus, Cumulus, Thermarest, Nemo, BigSky, Evernew, Toaks, Altra, Zpacks, Senchi, Montbell, RAB to mention a few… this is good gear for sure! Some are expensive yes, but so are other high end brands like Hilleberg 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Cary-cgc98]

Thanks for your video. Is the Rab rain jacket/pullover durable enough for wearing under a backpack? The website refers to it as running gear.

[@roberthammenrudh]

You’re correct it’s a runners jacket, as well as the Halo… but I can’t say I see much of a difference compared to previous jackets I owned. No rain jacket works forever unfortunately 🤷🏼‍♂️ for me, the Phantom has been great 🙂

[@Cary-cgc98]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@willodaix5040]

No puffy hoodie, more useful w/o hood, use puffy as blanket under quilt or in sleeping bag, don't wear sleeping, 😅

[@roberthammenrudh]

I use also one without a hood and works fine, saves weight… but like wearing it if cold 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@nosensenononsense]

Hi Robert. Really enjoyed the video, mostly. Great tips for beginners and intermediates. But that savings list is just plane bonkers. 1 kg on the sleeping bag is plausible i´ll give you that but he rest of the claims is just ludacris and your credibility takes a hit. Sorry.

[@roberthammenrudh]

Hi 👋🏻 the point was do make beginners or ones not into UL react and go find their own info and if it the ends up just being 500 or 700 then a full kg 🤷🏼‍♂️ mission accomplished! 😄

[@nosensenononsense]

@@roberthammenrudh Really?

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@nosensenononsense yes. The point was to show big saves can be done on all of these items. To say an exact weight to be saved will only be outdated the next day… to highlight there is a huge possible saving, even if some are slightly exaggerated I thought to be a better idea especially since I left out talking and comparing specific gear. 🙂

[@miramoneric6988]

top présentation,what about your backpack reference ? Tks for your comment

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@miramoneric6988 hi and thanks 🙏🏻, yeah the backpack is from a UK manufacturer called Atompacks, it’s the EP50 made in Xpac VX21. Thinks it’s available at GarageGrownGear.com. The other a Danish manufacturer called BlindBananaBags, also available at blindbananabags.com.

[@johannesl.6850]

Hey Robert, great video! What is your opinion of the Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Poncho as ultralight raingear?

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@johannesl.6850 hi 👋🏻, I own one 😄 and don’t like ponchos! To much fuss and a sail when windy… but if you like a poncho then the STS could be an option. Best one what I’ve heard is the Gatewood Cape 🤷🏼‍♂️🙂 but never tried it.

[@memathews]

@@roberthammenrudh I have the Gatewood Cape and like it for both raingear and tent at just 14 oz. I live and hike in Oregon and Washington states, USA, where the winters are wet and cool-cold while the summers are very dry and quite warm-hot. I wear the Cape between April and November, switching to jacket/pants for the winter. Above treeline, the cape can be a sail, but it stays with the body well in wind using a length of paracord or elastic bungie around the waist at the hip belt and still breathes through the big open spaces. Below treeline is where the poncho is excellent for breathability and shedding water from shrubbery while the silnylon slides off most bushes. The Gatewood Cape is also a great tent, even though I am 6'3" (75" or 190cm). I've worked out a way to drop my pack under the Cape I'm wearing and pitch its tent configuration from inside while remaining dry, only exiting to finalize the tent peg positions. The Cape is not for everyone or every season, but it's a good piece of equipment for lightweight multiple use situations.

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@memathews I’m always a bit impressed with people managing this kind of solutions or using tarp setups, great and light if getting used to. 👏🏻👍🏻 But… I’m more kind of a tent person and don’t want to go down that route since today a DCF tent at 500-600 grams are light enough and gives superior protection in comparison. Not saying either to be better than the other!! The main thing is you’re happy and comfortable with the choices made. 🙂

[@memathews]

@@roberthammenrudh Haha, I'm far too cheap to pay for a summer DCF tent, even though I've spent similar amounts on winter tents.

[@Seamus3051]

❤❤