What they’re NOT telling YOU! 😱 UL-Hiking EXPOSED

I love Ultra-Light hiking, but there are a few things people don’t talk about that much and things that can increase the weight of your backpack by 100% or more! These are the things we will talk about in today’s episode about Ultra-Light EXPOSED!
To say that the 10p or the 4,5 kg in the metric system is an illusion might be harsh and controversial... but it is true! Your backpack will never way that little and it’s just a number used for your gear set up and excludes a lot of things including things that can happen along the way like wet conditions.
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[@ronaldrose7593]

Thank you my friend for sharing another information filled video. Always stay safe out there. 🤗

[@marriedguydoingstuff247]

I ❤UL gear. It allows me to carry MORE gear so that I am always comfortable on the trail. I love the backcountry, but I also love comfort. I rarely leave home without close to 45lbs. on my back. Haven’t once regretted having “extra” anything while on trail. Especially when I’m able to help those who left something home who went Ultra-UL 😂 Great video.

[@chrishamilton2527]

Totally agree. I only changed a few years ago - to a limit of 10kg in total including food and water (I carry 1.5kg in water + a filter and an Cnoc 2 litre empty bottle). My trail runners are great with waterproof socks.

[@jayv.8298]

Very very good points. 👍🏾 I still go for a 10 lb base weight but I also keep in check the total weight that I am carrying

[@nanciparoubek3256]

Good video and attitude, testing out options instead of being obsessed over numbers brings back more of the fun, while admitting that some changes to lighten up mean more of us who aren't as physically able can still get out there

[@Oldsparkey]

You covered the basics quite well and explain what some have to learn over time. The best thing that happen to me was three cardiac arrests in 1993 the day before I had a camping trip planned and then months of recovery. . Weight restriction ( what I can carry ) made me switch to UL Backpacking and the weigh (Basic ) had to be 10 lb or less. I did not lose on the comfort in fact gained comfort with the lighter pack. I hammock camp and saved weight with the hammock. Here in Florida heavy clothing and sleeping gear are not really needed so another weight savings. Repacking the food into single servings. The heaviest item , water is easy to get on the go. My stove is a titanium wood burning and free fuel ( dead , dried , wood ) is always around because of the trees for the hammock and rain fly.

[@dagnolia6004]

i love how you turned a frightening, life altering health event into a POSITIVE. your outlook is an inspiration.

[@Oldsparkey]

@@dagnolia6004 A old saying that I like. "When life gives you Lemons , Make Lemonade.

[@roberttrinies7698]

Before weighing my base weight,i put on my sleep clothes, trail clothes, rain gear, fill my cargo pants with toiletries, first aid, cooking kit ,and electronics. Works great at reducing my base weight. 😁😉✌️

[@roberthammenrudh]

😂👍🏻 perfect

[@Jermeister]

ROFL!!!!!!

[@hakan0176]

Bra förklarat, där finns det en del missförstånd.

[@Direct19681]

Yep base weight is everything except consumables.

[@NealBenson]

Do you add olive oil at home or on the trail?

[@roberthammenrudh]

Hi 👋🏻. I don’t always ad oil but if i do, I do it at home while repacking the food.

[@NealBenson]

@@roberthammenrudh Thank you! I brought a small bottle on my last trip but it was too much

[@wyregrasser7540]

Enjoy your work and content. Thanx. My guess is most ultralight hikers don't take pistols, bear spray... but these could be considered base weight. Now, my tip... do your thang, take what you want, get as light as you want. But above all else, have fun, be safe. 👴

[@roberthammenrudh]

Thsnks and glad you do, and letting me know 🙂🙏🏻 regarding guns/bear spray I don’t know… here in Sweden we don’t and aren’t allowed but guess in some parts of the worlds it’s a necessity, ultralight or not. 👉Wise words 👌🏻

[@Im_With_Stupid]

Within reason, I don't really worry about weight. I have a light pack and usually a nylon tent and down bag, whatever food I'm going to need and not a lot of useless comfort items. I throw it all together and go and it weighs whatever it weighs. My one guilty pleasure is a chair.

[@philsmith2444]

Exactly, I just can’t imagine stressing over 2 or 3 pounds you will NEVER notice you’re carrying in the first place. You’d think their only options are a 10lb base weight or a 50lb base weight.

[@Im_With_Stupid]

@@philsmith2444 Well, I don't begrudge people for trying to get as light as possible. I suppose it has an appeal. I'm not a fan of the elitist fashion show attitude that often surrounds the practice, though. For me, I try to be as efficient as possible, which brings my weight down without even trying. I guess I average about 22lbs all in in fair weather, which is plenty light enough for me, and I probably have less invested in my entire loadout than some people have in just their tent.

[@philsmith2444]

@@Im_With_Stupid I wouldn’t say I begrudge them, I just think it’s silly to throw money away for a weight reduction you’ll never feel just so you can join some club. I defy anyone to demonstrate that they can feel a 2-3lb increase in pack weight, and that their body will be noticeably adversely affected by it. The 10lb BW cultists are part of the reason it’s almost impossible to get a 2P tent that fits 2 rectangular 25” wide pads. If you want that you have to spend extra for a 3P.

[@jeraldheinrich3589]

Most ultra-light backpacks are rated for a certain weight, when that weight is exceeded the pack does not handle the extra weigh well. Have a pack that will handle the weigh and have your food and water included, go on training trips to check all of your gear, to see what works and what doesn't. See what you need and what you can do without.

[@roberthammenrudh]

Absolutely true and very good tips 👍🏻 I hope you don’t mind me using them in the future 🙂

[@temeraire6313]

Anyone know what jacket he is wearing in this video?

[@roberthammenrudh]

Hi 👋🏻, its a jacket i bought a couple of years ago from a company called CRAFT, the ADV Windjacket. I think it’s not in production anymore 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@petergilbert72]

I always bring clean underclothes and socks to wear at night /next day. If people don’t bother, what’s the risks?

[@roberthammenrudh]

I too bring one pair extra to change and to wear while washing the others. And sleeping socks/base layer. The risks… hmm, well for a start the obvious risk of chafing if using your undies for too long and not very good for the hygiene.

[@andersg262]

Bra filmsnutt men när man pratar UL och tält nämner man inte vattenpelare som jag förstår är 3000mm räknas som vattentät och det är det lägsta dom rekomondera på fjället?//Anders.

[@roberthammenrudh]

Tack 🙏🏻 och ja, det där med vattenpelare på tält med en spänd duk är en intressant faktor framförallt på silnylon där det finns tillverkare som verkligen använt sig av tunna tyger för att få med vikten. På DCF eller nu också ultra tält är detta inget problem men man ska absolut vara observant på vad man väljer baserat på förhållandet man ska vandra i. Exakt vart gränsen för vattentät vågar jag inte gå in på, mycket som spelar in där.

[@canadafree2087]

You have to understand when people are talking about base weight, or skin out weight, etc. The standard should be weight of all gear including what you are wearing minus consumables. Day 1 the food will weigh more the more days you plan to be out. As the days go by the weight of food goes down to close to nothing as you consume it. That is why people talk about base weight, it is a more honest judgement on the weight of your gear.

[@roberthammenrudh]

I totally agree, love the term BW and use it all the time… and people in the UL community often or most of the time have this understanding… but not all who are new to hiking or UL understand this and therefore get the wrong idea about what weight a UL hiker carries. I often get the response “ahhh” when explaining this to hikers outside the UL bubble. That’s the idea and reason for this episode. 🙂

[@GamingLoadown101]

what was the bag thingy at 2:07

[@roberthammenrudh]

Its a meal cozy from Big Sky 🙂, see link below 👇 bigskyinternational.com/sv/products/big-sky-insulite-insulated-food-pouch-freezer-bag-cooking-cozy

[@GamingLoadown101]

@@roberthammenrudh Thank you :)

[@ericdavis3046]

I also don’t like how people cheat themselves under that 10 lb threshold by ignoring food and other packaging weight, and especially fuel can weight (can only). Just seems really silly to chase an arbitrary number in the first place, and then ignore certain inconvenient facts to shimmy yourself under it.

[@roberttrinies7698]

I see what you're saying, these are non consumables. ✌️

[@philsmith2444]

Exactly. It seems like a lot of them get more enjoyment from sharing their pack weights on LighterPack than they do from the actual trek.

[@dagnolia6004]

brilliant

[@roberthammenrudh]

🙂🙏🏻

[@joshuagravel2565]

A tent's stuff bag and a puffy make a really good pillow.

[@roberthammenrudh]

That’s a really small pillow?! 😄 but yeah, if you don’t use the puffy sure, can be used as a pillow.

[@NordenzurZukunft]

That sounds like my neck would be so kinked I’d be in pain all the next day 😂. Most people are side sleepers and unless you have no shoulders at all, that’s not going to cut it.

[@davids9549]

I'm not sure we're not told these things. Most people understand the concept of Base Weight not including food, fuel, water and clothes normally worn (although it does include the containers used for carrying them). And your assertion is the first time I've ever heard of things carried in pockets not counting. Food will generally add c700g per day, fuel 50g per day (in my case) and carried water is dependent on terrain. My baseweight is between 6kg and 7kg, depending on season. I am content with that.

[@roberthammenrudh]

You are absolutely right that within UL and different groups these are talked about often, but new to UL many times are not in a group and I often get the response “ahhh” when I first tell then my base weight is 5 kg… and then it’s not including food, water and fuel and that my pack weight is more like 8-9 kg depending on the trip. Many traditional hikers don’t use base weight and are only interested to know what they are carrying so… that’s the reason for this episode.

[@davids9549]

@@roberthammenrudh Fair point - I wasn't looking at it that way!

[@hoser7706]

Most posts I see DO talk about these things. They all state base weight minus food and water. They also praise Dynema and mention Sil and water gain or stretch. And all of the variables you mention apply to any style of backpacking.

[@roberthammenrudh]

That’s completely true, but quite often when I mention this face to face talking to new hikers interested in UL I often hear an “ahhh ok” so I’m aiming this to the ones maybe not in a group or an already active UL hiker and for those that have heard of people saying their pack weighs in at 10p. A lot of traditional hikers don’t care about the separation between pack weight and base weight, so 🤷🏼‍♂️ that’s the reason for this episode.

[@MarieSunesen]

The 4,5 kg goal weight is more of a guideline for me. But totally unoptainable. I'm 177 cm and close to 100 kg. Everything has to be bigger. Clothes, wide pad, x-wide quilt ect. There's a huge weight penalty in that. Given, that I live in Denmark and like to hike most of the summer half of the year, I need to bring gear for winter half of that time. Again a weight penalty. So I try to land around 10-12 kg with 2 days of food and a liter of water. And can carry that quit comfortably. If I try to go lighter than that, I just start adding fresh fruit and veggies.

[@roberthammenrudh]

To have it as just a guideline seems wise, like you say it’s a big different between different sizes and slight bigger/taller pays a penalty for sure! About 10 kg is fine and nice to have a bit of luxury as well 🙂👍🏻

[@PhotonCherades]

It's almost as if the goal for pack weight should be a proportion of body weight, or height.

[@roberthammenrudh]

@@PhotonCherades absolutely 👍🏻

[@6foot8jesuspilledpureblood82]

Tell me about it, I am 6 foot 7.5 and everything is bigger and heavier and more expensive (custom) eventhough I have top of the line gear my base weight is even higher than yours. At 177cm your gear should be extremely light compared to mine

[@johnnyappleseed6960]

Lol...Everything you've talked about is also an added weight penalty if you're also carrying a 50 pound base weight. Food, Water, Fuel, and added weather dependant itens always add weight beyond any base weight...Period! If you start at 10lbs, you'll most definitely add another 10 pounds of food and water. If you start at 50lbs, you'll most definitely add another 10 lbs of food and water... Your choice!! However, i would rather start with a lower base weight, and then strategically add necessities to an already low base.

[@Rabbagazten]

Maybe put the same video out like " How to calculate and adapt your UL hiking weight easier?"

[@roberthammenrudh]

Finding a good title for people to get curious and watch is difficult 🤷🏼‍♂️ but yeah, it’s also a possible title.

[@philsmith2444]

I mentioned this in another video, that you can get a 12-13lb base weight for a fraction of the cost of a 10lb BW that a backpacking version of L Ron Hubbard sold you on, and you will NEVER, EVER notice the extra weight. You can spend $600 for a 14oz Plex Solo or $190 for a 13oz SMD Deschutes that does the exact same thing, and you can carry it in a $150 Granite Gear Crown2 60 (961g & 55l without lid) instead of a $380 55l HMG Windrider at 896g. You’ll have a pack that won’t barrel on you because it actually has some structure to it. Leave the frame sheet out and just use the back pad and you’ll be down to 795g. And your checking account will be up $640 between the two. Do this for the rest of your gear and you’ll be carrying 22-25lb instead of 20-22lb, and only the scale you use to weigh your pack will notice the difference. If 2-3lb makes a noticeable physical difference to you maybe you need to train a little more or take up a more suitable hobby, such as stamp collecting.

[@whereisthemessiah]

Nice click bait title. Its commonly known and talked about that base weight is base weight. Nobody is keeping it a secret

[@easternmenace]

Just gain weight before a trip and bring less food. The fat will be worn weight and you will get even lighter as you hike.

[@roberthammenrudh]

😄👍🏻

[@philsmith2444]

Or take a whole box of ExLax the night before your trip, you’ll be able to leave the first 2 days worth of food at home because you’ll be too afraid to eat it.

[@williamfosnaugh3293]

Should be called How to cheat and still call yourself ultralight. Take what you want, why are you trying to fit into a category?

[@roberthammenrudh]

The only one you cheat is yourself and one have to carry what we put in there 🤷🏼‍♂️😄but yeah, guess it could be called that. I don’t see UL as a must or pushing myself to fit into the category but I like the idea and philosophy behind it and enjoy a lighter pack, but if I reach the 10p or not well, that’s not the main target for me.

[@williamfosnaugh3293]

@roberthammenrudh I appreciate the response. It's just that I've met a lot of UL people, and many of them seem to be more about the weight than the experience.. It's almost an obsession for many. And frankly, many of them are obnoxious about it. Why are you carrying that? This is so much lighter! I don't carry a stove, I just eat cold oatmeal. It saves me 6 Oz! I mean, you do you. I enjoy a hot meal and coffee. I can see trading for a lighter piece of kit , all other things, being equal. My weight is give or take 25lb food and water of 3 days, and I always have an extra days' worth of food just in case. But I'm not obsessing about the weight. For example, I like to read books, and I carry whatever book I happen to be reading at the time. Yes, I could read it on my phone and save the weight, but I do not enjoy that experience, so weight is not the concern. I hike to relax and enjoy nature. Most UL people I've met make it a competition, how light, how far. And that fine for them. Just don't preach to me about how much weight my stove cost me, as I'm relaxing in my hammock, drinking my coffee, reading my book.. this is why I here.