Preparing for next Hiking trip, mostly with minimal woolly DIY equipment, what’s in my Pack in 2024

[@SOEAgent1]

I would take the bushcraft knife and the Opinel saw.

[@spookycrow1]

Interesting 3rd option to consider, thanks.

[@eprohoda]

How u doing?- cool trip~:)

[@adrianhyde]

Hi again, just managed to see this. I was wondering what you would use to saw if you only took the bushcraft knife? I think I would want to take the saw, whichever knife I took. I would go with the bushcraft knife, and I'd usually have a smaller Opinel for things like cutting food. Can't wait for the trip, exciting :)

[@spookycrow1]

Yes, looks like this option, combine the bushcraft knife and taking the Opinel saw as alternative to the Khukuri is the way to go for lightweight reason for the next trip.

[@robertwood6297]

how heavy is all that stuff?

[@spookycrow1]

Once basic issue about total weight up front, don't underestimate the weight comparison between classic and modern equipment ;-) Yeah, had it all on a scale, every single item individual and came to the conclusion that my setup is way more suitable than the modern synthetic kit nylon rucksack and plastic equivalents. My "total" travel weight, full up with everything, containing 12Kg base equipment, 4Kg food and 3Kg water, 800g consumables like fuel, tissues, soap, and so on, just everything, is about 20-21Kg but getting lesser during the trip, depending on the availability to top it up again it will be getting up to 21Kg again. This is my calculated and comfortable trained up pack weight for a trip that can last up to three weeks without much change. That's about 14% to 15% dry-Pack-weight in conjunction to my body weight, quite a good result for easy carrying, while taking into account that a total pack-weight between 20%-25% in relation to the body weight is considered a good goal for a trained up person without being overloaded. And yes daily or every few days at least, some Rucking-training, like physio exercising with the pack strapped on helping to keep it that way. I had modern equipment before I moved over to use the woolly stuff and know the differences in weight. For instant, the Fjällraven Kaipak 58 Rucksack weights 2125g empty, but my DIY wool Loden Rucksack with leather straps and equally capacity weights only 1680g, and it's going on like that. My wooden spoon weights only 10g compare to a Primus Titan spoon with 21g, just a few samples. Yes I'm aware of the three parts concept, Dry-weight, base weight, shelter weight, consumables weight, that has to be balanced and be carried in the pack, making up the total travel weight. Don't get me wrong, but I had to get into the weight issue in deep for my own health reasons, because I have a spine issue with a broken vertebrae bone, supported and bridged over by fore titanium screws and two rods to keep it stable, stuck in my back. Still, that doesn't hold me back from hiking and bushcraft enjoyment, but systematically train up my muscles to be able to carry the needed weight comfortable. Knowing my weakness but strength as well to cope with it. And well, there is another aspect to take into account, it's not all about saving on weight by using ultralight synthetic products, they may or may not promising lesser weight and convenient in maintenances, but do not provide any additional properties like additional insulation or multipurpose abilities. As a sample, take an ultralight and waterproof expensive outdoor jacket that should keep you dry from outside rain, but as soon you move around you get condensation on the inside too from sweating and start freezing as soon you stop moving, does not provide any insulation at all, so you have to add additional insulation equipment just dedicated for that goal you have to add on extra weight and bulk. Compare that with a classic wool jacket, that may weight a bit more in the 1st place, is not as waterproof as a plastic bag, but water-repellent and can take up to 35% of water of its own weight before it feels wet, but still perform well for insulation, even if it feels wet you would not freeze and would not need an additional insulation layer to carry. The very same takes place with an ultralight nylon Hammock and tarp which only serving one purpose and does not help to keep warm at night, so extra insolation is needed as well, adding on weight and bulk to be carried at all time to make up for it. Compare that with a woolly Hammock that weights a lot more, but serving as a plain blanket as well in a different situation too, keeps warm and can cope with sweat and body moisture during the night, without feeling cold.

[@robertwood6297]

what do all your small bags weigh?

[@spookycrow1]

This woolly bags don't weight a lot, but help to keep all its contents well-organised inside the pack, helping to stabilise the rucksack static and everything got its place without things permanently shifting around while walking, helping to know where things are and not loosing anything during a trip because things got their dedicated place. But to answer your question on the bag's weight.. I have this sizes in my pack: 2x Hubertus Brotzeitbeutel Gr.3 = 30x19x10cm each weights 93g www.hubertusloden.com/shop/brotzeitbeutel-977 6x Hubertus Pfiffikus Gr.2 = 20x15x3cm each weights 76g 3x Hubertus Pfiffikus Gr.1 = 10x8x3cm each weight 20g www.hubertusloden.com/shop/utensilienbeutel-pfiffikus-979 Add a few of the Sea-to-summit Ultra-Sil Nano dry-bags to keep the food dry, adding up to another 60g, all together. PS. I did use the larger Ultra-Sil nano Dry-bags for all the larger things before, but they damage easily rendering useless, instead of buying new once after every trip, the woolly bags are much more environment friendly and definitely more robust and long-lasting, absolute silent handling too, compared to the noisy nylon bags.