Revised and Updated: October 2011
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length of Trip: 3-Day Weekend
Context: The gear list provided below is an example of how a lightweight backpacker might select equipment for a 3-day weekend outing. Generally, the choices below are suitable for most ‘three-season’ conditions in the mountain ranges of continental U.S., recognizing that some level of skill and experience is required to successfully use this equipment kit in inclement conditions. More experienced backpackers can trim weight even further from this list, while less experienced backpackers will find that an extra pound or two of clothing, shelter, and/or food will give them a more acceptable level of comfort and safety.
Some examples of brands and models/styles are listed below for reference only. They neither represent an endorsement of that particular product nor a suggestion that the product listed is the best choice in the context of any particular situation.
(Right) Participants in Backpacking Light’s Wilderness Trekking School “2011 Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp” travel for a week on Montana’s Beartooth Plateau with starting pack weights of less than twenty pounds. Ryan Jordan photo.
Clothing Worn |
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FUNCTION | STYLE | EXAMPLE | WEIGHT |
hat with brim | wide-brimmed water-resistant nylon hat | REI Lightweight Fitness Runner’s Cap | 2.0 oz (57 g) |
hiking shirt | lightweight merino wool long sleeve crew | Patagonia Wool 2 Merino Crew | 7.4 oz (210 g) |
underwear | trim-fitting support shorts, boxer-style | Rail Riders Ultralight Boxer Briefs | 3.0 oz (85 g) |
hiking pants | soft shell stretchwoven long pants | Patagonia Rock Guide Pants | 10.5 oz (298 g) |
hiking socks | lightweight merino wool trail running socks | Darn Tough Merino Wool Micro Crew | 1.5 oz (43 g) |
hiking shoes | breathable synthetic trail running shoes | Inov-8 X-Talon 212 | 16.0 oz (454 g) |
Other Items Worn / Carried |
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FUNCTION | STYLE | EXAMPLE | WEIGHT |
trekking poles | adjustable, carbon fiber | Gossamer Gear LT4 | 7.2 oz (204 g) |
whistle | pealess whistle on Spectra cord | ACR Whistle, AirCore Spectra cord lanyard | 1.0 oz (28 g) |
watch | compass / altimeter watch | Suunto Core | 1.6 oz (45 g) |
Other Clothing |
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FUNCTION | STYLE | EXAMPLE | WEIGHT |
wind shirt | thin, breathable full zip, hooded wind shirt | Patagonia Houdini | 4.3 oz (122 g) |
insulation layer | high loft synthetic or down jacket | Western Mountaineering Hooded Flash Jacket | 9.0 oz (255 g) |
rain jacket | waterproof-breathable, full zip hooded jacket | GoLite Malpais Trinity | 7.5 oz (213 g) |
rain pants | waterproof-breathable, simple pull-on | GoLite Tumalo | 7.0 oz (198 g) |
warm hat | light fleece balaclava | Outdoor Research Wind Pro Balaclava | 2.0 oz (57 g) |
warm gloves | wool liner gloves | Outdoor Research Omni Gloves | 1.5 oz (43 g) |
rain mitts | waterproof-breathable shell mitts | Mountain Laurel Designs eVENT Rain Mitts | 1.0 oz (28 g) |
Sleep System |
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FUNCTION | STYLE | EXAMPLE | WEIGHT |
overhead shelter | solo tarp shelter | Mountain Laurel Designs Silnylon Solomid | 13.0 oz (369 g) |
tent stakes | titanium skewer style | Gossamer Gear Tite-Lite (8) | 1.6 oz (45 g) |
ground cloth | pallet shrink wrapping or similar ultralight/ultratough material | Gossamer Gear Polycro | 1.6 oz (45 g) |
sleeping bag | variable girth down bag | Katabatic Gear Palisade Down Quilt | 17.5 oz (496 g) |
sleeping pad | torso sized closed cell foam or inflatable pad | Gossamer Gear Nightlight Torso | 3.5 oz (99 g) |
Packing |
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FUNCTION | STYLE | EXAMPLE | WEIGHT |
backpack | lightweight internal frame pack | Hyperlight Mountain Gear Windrider | 25.6 oz (726 g) |
stuff sacks | Three (3) for insulating clothing, sleeping bag, storm clothing | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Cuben Fiber L & XL Stuff Sacks | 1.1 oz (31 g) |
Cooking and Water |
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FUNCTION | STYLE | EXAMPLE | WEIGHT |
stove & cookpot | integrated canister cookset | Jetboil SOL Ti | 8.5 oz (241 g) |
fuel container | canister, small size | Jetboil 100g fuel canister (empty) | 3.5 oz (99 g) |
utensil | spork | Light My Fire Titanium Spork | 0.6 oz (17 g) |
water bottles | 1L soft side bladders | Platypus 1L (two) | 1.8 oz (51 g) |
water treatment | chlorine dioxide | Aqua Mira Kit | 1.1 oz (31 g) |
food storage | bear bag | Zpacks “Blast” Food Bag, 12.5 x 20.5 O.P. Sak, 6″ x 6″ stuff sack for “rock”, and 50 ft 2.5 mm Spectra Rope | 3.0 oz (85 g) |
Other Essentials |
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FUNCTION | STYLE | EXAMPLE | WEIGHT |
maps | custom printed on waterproof paper | National Geographic Topo! | 2.0 oz (57 g) |
light | LED headlamp | Petzl e-Lite | 1.0 oz (28 g) |
first aid | minor wound care & meds | assorted wound & blister care and medicines | 2.0 oz (57 g) |
firestarting | emergency firestarting – waterproof | Light My Fire Firesteel Mini + Four Seasons Survival Tinder-Quik Tabs in 4"x5" Aloksak | 1.0 oz (28 g) |
sunglasses | 100% UV blocking, plastic lenses/frames | any old pair will do | 1.0 oz (28 g) |
sunscreen | 100% UV blocking, waterproof, paste | SPF 30+ in tiny tubes | 1.0 oz (28 g) |
insect repellent | 100% DEET | repackaged in tiny dropper bottle | 0.5 oz (14 g) |
personal hygiene | assorted toiletries | toothbrush, soap, toilet paper, alcohol hand gel, in 4" x 7" Aloksak | 2.0 oz (47 g) |
Consumables |
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FUNCTION | STYLE | EXAMPLE | WEIGHT |
fuel | canister, small size | Jetboil, 100g | 3.5 oz (100 g) |
food | 2.5 days | 22 oz / day | 55.0 oz (1559 g) |
water | average carried | half quart | 16.0 oz (454 g) |
Weight Summary |
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(1) | Total Weight Worn or Carried | 3.14 lb (1.42 kg) |
(2) | Total Base Weight in Pack | 7.83 lb (3.55 kg) |
(3) | Total Weight of Consumables | 4.66 lb (2.11 kg) |
(4) | Total Initial Pack Weight (2) + (3) | 12.49 lb (5.66 kg) |
(5) | Full Skin Out Weight (1) + (2) + (3) | 15.63 lb (7.08 kg) |