What Was I Thinking?! My First Ever Ultralight Gear Loadout!

[@xmetal280]

Taking the principles and goals of ultralight but remaining flexible based on your preferences and hiking style is the way to go. After many years of adjustments I am close to that mythical land (11.5lbs or so) but also take a chair, a 3" pad, pillow, a roomy tent and more so while not technically under the limit, the spirit is there but I am also comfortable and safe on my trips.

[@chrismoore600]

Most channels don't do any kind of reflection on there gear. Outstanding job.

[@rootsandpeaks]

I love the self reflection and your ability to laugh at your mistakes. Thanks for sharing!

[@kylepec]

Loved the flashlight 2 when I started out

[@_crane_7475]

Not bad for a first UL load out! My first UL loadout was not even that good to be honest haha. Love the vids man! Keep up the great work! Happy Trails!

[@ktownc936]

Dan becker would never do a video like this, my life outdoors needs too, byrce newbold is close so cheers to you brother, its about the evolution not about being wrong. 👌

[@ChristianPaulPhotography]

I was looking at some photos from 2010 the last time I went to Red Castle and I can’t believe how heavy my pack was and all the unnecessary things I hauled with me. I am at least on my heaviest load these days 50% lighter than I was back then. 🤪

[@AtomicCitizen]

I fondly remember doing multi-day trips and carrying a white gas stove, stainless cookware and enameled bowls (the blue ones). But I don't miss them. 🙂

[@chrismoore600]

New subscriber. Over the years as I've gotten old I have cut back on the miles per day. My pack weight has gone up with the addition of more luxuries. But I enjoy the time more when on the trail.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@panhandlejake6200]

Always good to review gear choices to improve trail efficiency. I have the Altitude hoody. I like it BUT as I prep to hike a section of the JMT, I am very concerned about the mosquito population that is supposed to be out this year. I think the hoody is too light to provide needed bug protection so I am considering a heavier shirt.

[@tomlovesdiy]

Thanks for revisiting your gear loadout. 11 pounds is pretty good. Really good thought about considering all the gear together. I have been thinking about weight of individual items. Going to reexamine. thanks. I've been backpacking for about 40 years. My gear has changed so much. Everything is now about 1/2 the weight. My first major hike was 6 days in Agawa Canyon Canada. I carried 45+ pounds. Now, my 3 day loadout is about 21. I haven't gotten under 15 pounds base weight for shoulder season. Not willing to replace gear I love and spend hundreds of $ to save a couple pounds. For example, I tried a Tarptent Protrail LI tent. About 1.5 pounds lighter than my (beloved) North Face O2. Hated the Protrail. Sold it at a loss. I like zip off pants. Kind of a compromise that works. I also need and use a pillow. I've made a 2.5 ounce down/feather pillow that goes over the inflatable. Adds to warmth and and comfort. (See it on my channel.) I also used the short Thermarest 1" pad including those multi-day hikes during the winter in Canada. OK, that was 35 years ago. I make my own sleeping bags. (Also on my channel) Since I use 700 FP down, they come in at about 23 - 29 ounces depending on design. Might make one more and get some 800+ FP down. I'm definitely on Team Chair! Went from Nalgene to CNOC and Smart Water bottles. Editorial rant follows... The idea of "base weight" is useful but flawed. The weight of food, fuel and water varies a lot. While it's true that water, food and fuel are "consumables", the containers they are in are not. Gas canisters, water bottles/bags, food pouches, etc are packed in and out. So to be accurate, "base weight" should include them. A fuel canister's weight is mostly the steel canister. And unless all the fuel is used up, some fuel weight is also carried out. My Soto uses about 8g for a 3 cup boil. Two nights and 5 boils later, I'm still carrying about 175g. While water containers and food are now very lightweight, they do weigh somethin when empty. I'm not a "gram weenie", but we should be honest about these things. TomLovesDIY

[@UnlikelyHiker]

Great video! It can be hard to look back at how we used to be!

[@LuckyTown77]

Reduced my pack and body weight due to seniorism and a stroke. When younger i just carried what i wanted and enjoyed.

[@rodoutdoors]

That's fun. I've been wondering how it'd be like to take along some of the first gear I used. I still bring the same pot and ground tarp.

[@AtomicCitizen]

For me it has been a slowly evolving series of things being significantly lighter every time something gets replaced. Mid 90s I did Mt Hood on the regular and 12 day+ trips in places like the Bob Marshall (post fire) and longe sectioning. Packs loads then were 30+ and on 8D+ shoulder trips pushed 50-60#. Today, in my 50s everything seems obnoxiously light in comparison… so much so that the pendulum is swinging back a bit and am trying out a MR Bridger 55. Never thought I'd even consider a 5# pack again. But … That full 22# load on that suspension system has been very forgiving on older bones and joints. So comfy and well sprung the weight difference is imperceptible and my trail days are happiest in memory.

[@jerryg957]

No med kit, no poop kit. Nice video. Thanks for posting.

[@BackcountryExposure]

For the sake of brevity, I left a couple things out from the video. Thanks!

[@LuckyTown77]

Pine tar for cuts. Pine cones for the swipe. Two directional, depending.

[@frstesiste7670]

I think the original video was basically fine based on what was on the market at that time. Agree that the pack is too small though for a non-super-ultralight setup, both because of room for food and maybe water capacity too (depending on where you go). Also partly agree that the pants could be replaced by some thermals, but that could be needed if you expected high winds, overgrown trails etc (usually use shorts and rain pants htat I need anyawa). Personally, I don't bring a puffy for three season use and would replace that with a thin fleece that also could work as a mid layer. The pack cover would certainly have seen a lot of use where I live.

[@gregmortonoutdoors]

I still have my Flashlight 2P. Love that tent. Sierra Designs used to be extremely innovative and original but I think they lost their way over the years (Target products).

[@needtokeepwalking]

Hands up if you took 20 pounds extra weight of fear on your early backpacking trips. But at least I've got that down to 19 pounds of fear. Ultralight here I come😊

[@azclaimjumper]

V-e-r-y interesting, Devin. Those 2L CNOC bags are the cat's meow along with a Sawyer Squeeze water filter. My back support is wrapped around my XTherm air mattress, the MSR Trekker chair. Canister stoves is, in my mind, one of the all time BEST improvements in gear, the Soto WindMaster is my choice. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada

[@AntiAddick]

Man, how do you know what's in my pack? :D Yeah, CNOC + Sawyer is perfect, and the Soto WM is a great stove, however 2 things - 1. Get the triflex stand for it, you'll save grams, and don't trust the pizo lighter because if it's very wet with condensation, and cold, it doesn't work. I carry a Bic mini too just in case, and had to use it.

[@AntiAddick]

Also, I just put this up from my Summer thru hike kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKSTqGifpJp0gdE

[@azclaimjumper]

@@AntiAddick I cover my fuel canister with the toe box I cut off an old worn out pair of wool socks. It keeps condensation from forming on the canister exterior when being used + it is easier to sleep with inside my sleeping bag than the bare metal. I use the FireSteel brand of ferro rod to ignite my stove. No back up needed. It works anywhere, anytime.

[@azclaimjumper]

@@AntiAddick I just finished watching your video.

[@jeffcarrier7435]

I’d have more Creole Seasoning. It’s sort of ridic to have such a small container of it!!

[@MikeHacker]

What is your lay out now for ultralight...?

[@woodchip2782]

Sure it wasn’t 11 kilos?😅 Seriously much of my stuff was similar to yours… but heavier!…😅 example Exos 48. My base weight was 16 pounds.🤔

[@gabeswiatkiewicz3725]

Lots of stuff sacks

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

11lbs isn't ultralight. It's lightweight. Ultralight is

[@jays7318]

Listen to his video comments on this