Backpacking Checklist (Gear List): 3-Season, 3-Day

by Ryan Jordan on October 11, 2011 Gear Lists

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
(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)

Comments

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Author
Posts
Oct 11, 2011 at 8:47 am #1280445

Ryan Jordan
Admin

@ryan
Locale: Central Rockies
Companion forum thread to:
Backpacking Checklist (Gear List): 3-Season, 3-Day
Revised and updated for 2011.
Oct 11, 2011 at 9:09 am #1789138

Justin C
BPL Member

@paintballr4life
Locale: East Coast
It looks good.
Oct 11, 2011 at 10:20 am #1789157

Elizabeth Tracy
BPL Member

@mariposa
Locale: Outside
never mind
Oct 11, 2011 at 6:18 pm #1789343

Michael Johnstone
BPL Member

@mjohnstone
Locale: Midwest
I appreciate the updated suggestions, Ryan. I searched for items in your book and previous articles in BPL, but they are difficult if not impossible to find. Your easy to find examples are a great help. Thanks.
Oct 12, 2011 at 8:20 am #1789521

David Ure
Member

@familyguy
No bug protections? Or did I miss it?
Oct 12, 2011 at 9:21 am #1789537

Philip Werner
BPL Member

@earlylite
Locale: New England
Ryan – a canister stove! you're getting soft in your old age. No seriously, I carry one too. they are really convenient on shorter trips.
Oct 12, 2011 at 9:32 am #1789544

Chris W
BPL Member

@simplespirit
Locale: .
A canister stove generally wins out in weight versus an alcohol stove on trips longer than 2-3 days when cooking for two, and 5ish days when cooking solo.
Oct 12, 2011 at 9:52 am #1789561

Andy F
Spectator

@andyf
Locale: Midwest/Midatlantic
@ryan: Thanks for the updated list.
@david: There's DEET on the list, but no bugproof shelter. That bugs me too. ;)
Oct 12, 2011 at 11:13 am #1789602

Michael Byrne
Member

@mikerbyrne
Locale: New York
Great list thanks. Do you think the Gossamer Gear LT4 poles are robust enough for winter camping and backcountry skiing? I have a set of black diamond alpine carbon cork which are robust enough for winter activities but are 16 oz.
Mike B
Oct 12, 2011 at 11:23 am #1789610

Gabe Joyes
Member

@gabe_joyes
Locale: Lander, WY
Looks like an all around solid list to me. Good article.
Oct 12, 2011 at 11:23 am #1789612

Michael Ray
BPL Member

@topshot
Locale: Midwest
> A canister stove generally wins out in weight versus an alcohol stove on trips longer than 2-3 days when cooking for two, and 5ish days when cooking solo.
But this was a 2-night, 3-day list. I'll take a canister with Scouts or in winter.
Oct 12, 2011 at 11:29 am #1789614

Chris W
BPL Member

@simplespirit
Locale: .
Yeah, it is. It really comes down to number of boils, but Ryan REALLY likes the new Sol Ti.
Oct 12, 2011 at 11:45 am #1789622

David Ure
Member

@familyguy
I used one on a recent test. We had two folks that were showing early signs of hypothermia. The easy set up, quick to ignite, and rocket fast boiling was a godsend – instant hot food, instant hot drinks.
(don't let Eric see this note, but I like mine)
Oct 12, 2011 at 12:11 pm #1789630

Rich Mendelowitz
BPL Member

@mendelowitz
Locale: Arlington, VA
Wonderful list and well thought out presentation. Thank you
How about a knife. I never leave home without one no less head out onto the trail without one.
Oct 12, 2011 at 12:15 pm #1789632

joe newton
Member

@holdfast
Locale: Bergen, Norway
Nice work lads! That's a solid, easily accessible list that I'd be perfectly happy to use without any substitutions.
(but I'd swap out one stuff sack for a head-net…)
Oct 12, 2011 at 12:21 pm #1789637

Joseph R
BPL Member

@dianoda
Locale: Chicago, IL
For bug protection, just replace or supplement the ground cloth with a net-tent and you're all set; depending on the destination the 5-7oz hit is completely worth it for the comfort provided (no one wants to wake up covered in mosquito bites). Or do what I do and try a bivy – I've been using a full net hood Ti Goat Ptarmigan bivy plus Golite poncho tarp for most of this past season and the combination has been great.
Benefits of the bivy are many:
– you can avoid setting up your tarp/shelter altogether when the weather is cooperative. Cowboy camping is something everyone should experience at least once.
– bivy adds warmth/wind resistance
– bug protection works
– additional spray protection in inclement weather (this becomes more important when using a small tarp)
Cons:
– ingress/egress can be difficult when vertical space is limited (ie., under a low-pitched tarp)
– not necessarily the best solution for those who have trouble with the concept of sleeping in a relatively enclosed space.
Oct 12, 2011 at 12:32 pm #1789642

Perry Hock
BPL Member

@hphock
Locale: Midwest
Thanks for the update. I have referenced these lists many times.
Right now my only hiking partner is my 11 yr old son, so there are things we carry that make life easier for him and I (any two of the three: deck of plastic cards, a tiny word search book and pencil, yatzee), as well as things 'he can do as we setup camp' The platypus gravity is one of those things he can easily do. We leave the clean bag at home, filtering into the his platy 1 liter and my 1/2 liter bags.
I love my Ti Alc stove, but I find I go through a lot of fuel to heat enough water for my son and I. So I pack a pocket rocket and GSR 2 person for him and I. One thing we have done to make life easier is elminating the bowls, cups, and sporks that came with the GSR, and carry Ti cups, and Ti sporks so we eat out of the bags.
I know I'll get hissed at, but I love my Tarptent (Henry Shires).
I NEVER thought I would say this, but the TP can be left behind. I forced myself on the AT to leave it behind and to be honest, I'm still alive. My son still carries his TP though… The only thing was trying to find something in Yellowstone, other than the shrub brush that was all around us, when the urge hit. I tried to use a whistle pig, but couldn't catch one. (obv. joking).
I know someone will say use a stick, but I carry a metal trowl (homemade) to dig the hole, not all soil is easily dug in with a stick! Our food tends to be heavier… I guess we just like to eat.
Oct 12, 2011 at 12:44 pm #1789646

Väinö Vähäsarja
BPL Member

@vvsrj
Great list! But LMF Ti Spork?!? You could save whopping 8 g by switching to Spork Original! :D
Oct 12, 2011 at 1:02 pm #1789656

David Link
BPL Member

@sierracanon
Re: Merino wool shirts. I usually carry a short-sleeved light or mid-weight merino t-shirt, and then merino armwarmers (Smartwool) which are lighter than carrying a separate long-sleeved top. Works great.
Oct 12, 2011 at 2:04 pm #1789667

Mary D
BPL Member

@hikinggranny
Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge
Missing a few things that most people carry: Extra pair of socks in "Other Clothing." Bug protection while sleeping. In "Other," no bandanna or piece of pack towel. And I never understood why nearly all gear lists omit a camera yet show photos of the trip!
Interesting to see the differences between this list and the one in "Lightweight Backpacking and Camping" (2006). "Mid" and ground sheet instead of tarp and bivy, framed pack instead of frameless, ball cap instead of wide-brim sun hat, much heavier stove and cook pot combo.
It did give me a few ideas to pare half a pound off my base weight, though!
Oct 12, 2011 at 2:11 pm #1789671

Donna C
BPL Member

@leadfoot
Locale: Middle Virginia
I think I would change out the slim-fitting support briefs. Is that the same as tighty-whiteys? : )
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:11 pm #1789691

Mary D
BPL Member

@hikinggranny
Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge
This is obviously a male gear list. We females need to substitute our own undies!
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:26 pm #1789697

. .
BPL Member

@biointegra
Locale: Puget Sound
Thanks Ryan – the list strikes a nice balance of function, versatility, comfort and weight.
Where is Mike Clelland?
Oct 12, 2011 at 4:13 pm #1789716

John S.
BPL Member

@jshann
Ah, the ole "camera is journaling gear" or "camera is always being carried" routine where that weight has been transferred either off a gearlist (have seen on even some SUL lists) or transferred to carried weight.
Oct 12, 2011 at 4:22 pm #1789722

Eric Lundquist
BPL Member

@cobberman
Locale: Northern Colorado
If it's good enough for Ryan does this mean everyone can not count camera gear? SUL here I come!
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