Golite Ion how do you fit it all in

[Ali e]

I consider myself fairly knowlegeable when it comes to UL backpacking but the long skinny profile of my Ion has me miffed. I just got back from a 10 day business trip (in the city) and the Ion was great as my only bag. Now I am planning a 4 day trip to the coast in PNW and cant figure how to fit it all in. I have done countless trips in this Ci range but with packs that are shorter and wider. Please help. Ali

[Don Meredith]

I use an Ion for my light trips. You have to be creative but its not too hard.

1. Deflate your pad and close the valve. Roll it up and expand it out to fill up your pack. I'm currently using a Prolite 3 short.
2. Stuff your sleeping bag and tarp in the bottom – don't use a stuff sack. I try to protect my bag with the tarp as long as the tarp isn't wet.
3. Put your bladder between the pack and the pad. I put about 1 to 1.5L in.
4. Put the rest of your gear in on top of the pack. You can't take much but that's the point, right?

My gear list is attached to my profile or you can PM me if you have specific questions.

[Ali e]

Thanks don, The sleeping bag thing was killing me. I use a 20×40 zrest but I migh have to resort to my kids size inflatable as it will take up much less space. Is the Ion fairly water resistant? I have a down WM 30 but Im not sure what its called. I bought it because it was purple and squishy and after over 180 consecutive nights in it I am quite impressed. Ali

[Tim F]

Jamie Shortt had a thread about an SUL trip he took last year that has some excellent step-by-step photos of packing his equipment in his Ion. Excellent thread that I still go back and look at when I want some inspiration to simplify my kit. Sorry I'm on my mobile or I'd give you a link. I think it was in May, at Pisgah(?).

[Ali e]

Ha I found it. SWEET THANKS

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=13855

This is why I love this place even if we are all crazy.. WORD Ali

[Mike Clelland]

A short inflatable pad has MUCH LESS volume than a closed cel-foam pad (like a ridge-rest).

You'll have better luck fitting it all in with an inflatable pad (like the BPL torso-lite or the Montbel half pad)

Are you solo camping?

[Nick Gatel]

Although I usually use an inflatible pad, a CC of the same length weighs much less. On extended trips I use a CC, as I get used to it over time. But on weekenders I take an inflatible.

[Ali e]

My solo days are over. I have a Jam2 but it is way too big for me. I know I can make it smaller but I just love the simplicity of the Ion. I think my alltime favorite pack was the Kletter pack but those days are long gone. Ali

[Ali e]

Ive been at around 8 lb base weight for over ten years and happy as a clam now you fer's have gone and shown me the light to sub 5lb. This is a whole new game for me and I think i'm starting to freak out. I cant even look at my J2 anymore. I feel kinda dirty like i'm having an afair but I dont really care. Infact I like it, If I ever go as far as buying a ti spork I'm going to have myself commited. Thanks for nothing, or at least thats what it feels like. Ali

[te – wa]

haha welcome to the sub 5 club – you may not be there yet, but fwiw stay away from Ti sporks… way too heavy
chopsticks: free, 6 grams

[Matt Lutz]

I have two UL packs – a GG Vapor Trail and now a Z1. Unless I need to carry a tent or a winter-weight bag, I will avoid taking the VT at all costs. Life ruined.

[Ali e]

Its a conspirasy I tell you, or a cult. Next think you know we will be eating freeze dryed food and washing it down with cool-aid. Its a fine line between a pink sheet and a poncho tarp. People, our friends and familys think were freaks but here on the inside everything seems normal. Or is It? Ali

[Unknown abc]

Michael, if you wittle those chop sticks out of native material, free, 0 oz!

cheers

[W I S N E R !]

On a side-but-Ion-related note, would anyone care to share the dimensions (HxWxD) of a size large?
Last I looked, the Golite site only lists volume.

I was drooling over the new black ones (In this economy you never know when you're gonna have to get "tactical", eh?) but would prefer sewing 3 or 4 of my own for the same price.
Thanks

[Jason Griffin]

Oh cool they make it in black now….

This pack would be soooo much cooler if it had the shoulder straps from a GG pack so you could stuff them with things.

[Dale Wambaugh]

I have an Ion with added grosgrain loops and a zig-zag of shock cord. I can stash my closed cell pad there and relieve the interior space of that bulk. Or stash rain gear or insulation layer there, etc.

I can pull off a summer overnighter with an Ion, but with a Winter weight bag and clothing, I opt for my Jam.

It's fun to get a kit down as small as possible just to see what can be done, but it really crushes my insulated items and it gets so fussy to pack everything just so.

[Dave T]

.

[te – wa]

i did some good mods to my ion, then sold it. it would easily do a sub 5 trip and in mine there was a prolite 3 full length, a 45° DIY quilt, a cook kit and 2 days food with some sort of fleece/windshirt combo. the mesh back pocket i added was great and the bungee system held up fine, Id say with a couple of water bottle (strap mounted) holsters it would be a great weekender. i did a couple of canyoneering trips w/ it and water sources were not an issue. carrying any more than 2L might be pushing it tho…hope the guy who purchased it from me can chime in and tell us what he thinks. mike

[Brian UL]

I have a modified Ion as well, The biggest problem with packing the Ion is finding space for the pad. I also didn't like the zippered opening so I replaced it with a silnylon extention w/ drawcord and added a strap to hold a pad.
I may sell it since Im still not sure about the Ion..

Oh ya, it weighs 8.5 oz on my cheap spring scale.

[Mike M]

here's my take on the matter- this is a four day load out

Tim Marshall was gracious enough to add a mesh top pocket and mesh side/fron pockets which made all the difference

the top lid pocket holds map, compass, water tabs, headlamp, first aid kit, repair kit, notebook/pen

I start w/ neoair- folded in half, then in thirds placed against my back

then in a pack liner goes quilt and clothes, pushed to the bottom w/ the liner top twisted and tucked in

bivy, poncho/tarp, windshirt, toiletries and kitchen next

last goes the food (and bear hanging) bag

fishing rod/gear in the rear pocket, liter water bottle in side pocket, 1/2 liter in the other

ready to roll :)

[Larry Dyer]

Do you mind telling us what the cost and turn around time was for this from Tim Marshall?

It looks like my dreams of being able to sew in the near future are going out the window and I'd really like to be able to use my Ion to better effect.

[Mike M]

I hear ya- I wish I had even just a little sewing talent, sadly I have none

I can't recall exactly what it was, but it was very reasonable and turnaround was ~ 30 days- this was some time ago before Tim went public w/ his new company so I'm not even sure if he still does this kind of thing (his turnaround time might have increased significantly as well)

probably best to email him

[email protected]

MIke

[non yep]

On the northern 1/3 of the AT I got it all to fit inside (no mods), and it's not bad once you find the packing system for your kit. I didn't even cram it (ok maybe on some of the longer resupplies with fruit and veggies and bagels). However, I'm done with small packs on long hikes. It killed the loft on my nice down bag.

Dale W really summed it up for me, "It's fun to get a kit down as small as possible just to see what can be done, but it really crushes my insulated items and it gets so fussy to pack everything just so."

I'm done with small bags when I'm taking down items and gone more than a weekend.

Edited due to the temptation of previous pictures: However, if my ION wasn't trashed, I'd probably mod it and take it on more long hikes ;)

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