Upgrading 1 of the “Big 3”

I'd say start with a new bag, as you get the most weight savings…

I have a Western Mountaineering caribou MF, its a little pricey (about $300) and only weighs 19 oz. with a pillow stuff sack…

1. Tarp, 8 x 10, from alpinlitegear.com or an equinox tarp

2. Pack, golite jam2

3. Bag, most expensive to upgrade and I don't have a suggestion immediately

Keep in mind you could upgrade your shelter and your pack for the same price as upgrading your sleeping bag.

But the sleeping bag will give you both weight and volume savings.

I would probably look out for a good deal on a Golite Ultra 20 quilt, or a Montbell #3 bag. You might be able to get one on Gear Swap, or else the Golite quilts can be had for $170-180 new if you hunt around. I'd also try and buy a cheap silnylon tarp off Gear Swap… you might be able to get one for $50 or so. I would replace the pack last, although you should be able to find one for $100 or under.

Figure out how much you have to spend, and then consider the various options you have. Pick the option which gives you the biggest weight reduction for the amount of money you have to spend. If you wanna spend under $100 then your best bang-for-buck will come from replacing the tarp.

I second what John says, Equinox or Alpinlite tarp, I was just looking around. If you think you can do with a 6×8 tarp, you can get by really cheaply, like $30-40.

GoLite Jams seem to be the bang for the buck on packs, commonly found on special for $100 shipped at various retailers.

Conventional wisdom says get your pack last, then you'll know if it will hold your other gear.

And as for a shelter I think the TarpTent Moment is just about the best solo shelter going, unless you want to go very UL and get TarpTent's tiniest Tyvek tent.

Eric

You can lose a lot of weight with the sleeping bag. If you're looking at synthetic bags, the Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 32 weighs 1lb 8oz and you can find them online for around $160. As for down bags…a mystery for me because I don't use them.

I'd go with the sleeping bag first even though it's probably the most expensive. If you replace your 30F slumberjack with a 32F WM Summerlite (1pound,1oz), you've just shed two pounds. I assume your Slumberjack bag is synthetic, yes? If so, then I think you'll love the Summerlite because it's going to pack down SO much smaller.

Then I'd replace your tarp.

After you've replaced the first two items, you can then have a better idea of how big of a pack you need.

By the way, 2pounds, 8oz isn't totally horrible. A lot of packs weigh 6 or even 8 pounds empty. I'm sure you can do better, but it's not like you're going to be able to cut four pounds off your pack. In other words, it's not "urgent" and you can afford to wait until you've got your other two "Big 3" items replaced and you know how much capacity you really need.

HJ

You could order a Equinox tarp, GoLite Jam pack, and down Campmor 20F bag from Campmor for less than a Western Mountaineering bag. I'm not really sure how small the Campmor brand down bags pack.

Thanks all for the awesome suggestions. I think I'll go get that 6'x8' equinox tarp, then get a new sleeping bag, because I don't want to get a pack that can't hold my synthetic bag with all the other stuff too.
Thanks

Since I know budget is an issue for you, one strategy on the sleeping bags would be to get a used summer bag on the Gear Swap forum for 40-45 degrees that is lightweight compared to what you have (about 1.5 lbs.). I have gotten two synthetic bags recently that pack down very small for under $50.- each (a Montbell and a Mountain Hardware). That may hold you for awhile for warm summer conditions. The bags may even work into some of the spring and fall conditions with clothing. I sold my REI down bag for only $50 this summer to someone in need. I expect someone is sitting on one they no longer need if you ask. For colder conditions you'll still have your current bag.

sounds good, Henry :)

I have also been eyeing a $60 40*F Slumberjack (synthetic)at my local sporting goods store. My Scouting friends bought some and they say they are good summer bags.

My MH Ultralamina 32 packs down to a size a little longer than a Nalgene bottle.

I'd go for the bag first… it could save you the most functional weight. Even some UL/lightweight packs weigh about the same as yours. You could save a pound on the tarp by switching to an Equinox silnylon of same size, but… you could save a good two pounds by switching the bag, and probably save a lot of volume.

If budget is an issue, I'd highly recommend picking up some Climashield from Thru-hiker along with some Momentum (awesome!) or 1.1oz ripstop. Super easy to sew up a basic quilt. Just a few straight lines! (And a few tabs sewn into the seams, or to make it really easy just right over the seam.)

Evan; can you post a couple pics of your pack, front and rear? It's kind of a classic – I don't think there are too many around any longer.

Dan, I will try!

yes, it is an old pack. I really do like it though because the strong hollow aluminum stays keep the pack relatively lightweight for it's class. It holds 5000+ c.u., and iss very strong.

In it's time, it was probobly one of the lightest packs around at only 2lbs8oz.

will try to post a pic as soon as possible.

Evan – I think a 6×8 tarp is maybe just cutting it without a bivy. If you can stretch to an 8×10, I think you will be much happier with the coverage. Just a thought.

I ♥ 6'x8' Tarps :D

Hey – how did you do that heart?

I hear ya – it works for you! ;)

LoL. I copied the heart from who knows where a long time ago.

David,
"Hey – how did you do that heart?"

Hold down the ALT key and press '3' on your Number Pad.

♥ ♥ ♥

wow, I didn't realize you could do that, I had just copied & pasted it from somewhere…

☺☻♥♦♣♠•◘○

I thing this thread needs to be bumped to Chaff ;D lol

First I learn to cut weight and then this. I ♥ you guys!

Take your sleeping bag and remove half.Now you have 2 "quilts"

My other bag is a WM 30 But I have been testing the Lafuma 30 down 99 bucks new 30 degree. I just hit day 100 and am completely impressed sure my $400 WM is better/warmer but by a very small margine. If money is a issue I would suggest further investigation into this bag. It has a water resistant coating which I have used many times and is much more durable than my WM at about ilb 5oz its light and super small. Ali