Minimalist/ XUL/ 3 season gear list

[Ryan Faulkner]

Here is a very usable gear list that(with similar gear) has worked for me comfortably without a sleepingbag down to 45 degrees and if I want to go 35-40 (or extreme of 30 with assistance of leaves for bottom insulation) I add in that top bag.
It was designed by me, for long distance, weekend fastpacks. We are talking 40mile days here. so I found some of the lightest gear including a pack with a minimal hipbelt for some running on the trails.

CLOTHING WORN OR CARRIED
01.50 Head sweats visor
03.50 Golite lite-weight long sleeve TOP
04.20 Starter polyester shorts with liner
01.20 Wrightsock double layer coolmesh socks
26.00 Inov-8 Terroc 330

OTHER ITEMS WORN OR CARRIED
06.40 BMW Stix pro trekking poles carrying duct tape
01.30 spectra lanyard with photon light, whistle, swiss mini champ,
02.60 Garmin Foretrex GPS watch
00.50 banana boat spf 30 faces in pocket

PACKING SYSTEM
02.75 Mountain laurel designs prophet 20 w/ hipbelt
00.10 homemade stake bag
00.10 no see um mesh stuff sack for essentials

SLEEPING AND SHELTER SYSTEM
04.70 BMW spinn poncho
01.70 BMW hi vis tent stakes (6) &Air core spectra 2 guy lines
16.00 Nunatak Arc ghost***3season
10.90 MLD Devotion***Summer
01.70 thinlight 1/8
06.50 BMW Vapr bivy

COOKING AND HYDRATION SYSTEMS
NO COOKING
01.80 platypus 1 liter bottles (2)
00.50 20feet dyneema bear bag cord
00.30 NANO bear bag

OTHER ESSENTIALS
01.00 homemade first aid kit essentials
00.50 , finger tip toothbrush, tp
00.50 Dr. bronners for washing and toothpaste
01.00 ID, money, information

CLOTHING PACKED
05.00 montbell ul thermawrap vest
04.00 Golite lite weight tights
01.20 wrightsock double layer coolmesh socks
02.00 Outdoor research PERUVIAN Hat

worn or carried 2.9 lbs
in pack
3 Season 3.2 lbs
Summer 2.9

[Michael Wands]

Ryan – Great List! – Light & Simple.

My gear list is very similar. I also add a few essentials – a bug headnet and a ground cloth. Would rather get pinholes in a $10 piece of material than subject my $200 bivy to the bare ground.

What do you use for a water bag/bear bag? I have been keeping my energy bars in a hard-sided nalgene 32 oz. bottle, but this is hard to fit into my 700 ci weekend pack. Could use an alternative from a person who enjoys the simple life.

[Ryan Faulkner]

Michael,

I use something very similar to this
Waterbag

It can be made from cuben or NANO and bemade lighter.

what pack do you use?
have you posted your gear list, I am interested?

[Ryan Faulkner]

..

[Michael Wands]

I have a G6 and love it, but it is just too big for weekends in fair weather.

I now carry an Osprey Stratos 12.

I noticed that your gear list did not have any water purification method. Do you MP1 or AM?

[Ryan Faulkner]

I like MP1
I consider it a consumable though
If I used AM then I would count dropper weight, but the MP1 wrapper weighs less than a gram, so I dont count it

[Michael Wands]

I figured. I’m an MP1 man myself.

I’ve considered putting together a gear list, but I seem to alter my gear for every trip. Mostly because of expected temperatures at night, but seems like every trip requires less and less.

I really only have two criteria for selecting gear: 1) Do I really, really want to carry this? Figure I will be hiking alone so no chance to show off my kit. Doesn’t matter if it was a gift from Uncle Max or if it is the “in” thing that everyone is carrying, it boils down to the justification of carrying this particular piece of gear. 2) Will I use it every day? Doesn’t matter how useful it appeared online or how clever it seems to be, if I don’t use it every day then it is useless weight.

This really seems to boil things down to the essentials.

P.S. I know that the Osprey pack is decadent at 1 lb. 12 ounces for only 700 ci, but it just feels sooo good. I have trouble accepting the fact that my pack (just a gear container) is 20% of my load. However, I knew that I had to have it from the moment that I strapped it on! Love at first sight.

[Ryan Faulkner]

I change my list as well because of temperature. I will sometimes bring my cocoon jacket instead of vest, and of course for lower temps I add in the devotion top bag. It is kind of confusing to post a gear list

[J R]

“It is kind of confusing to post a gear list”

When your lists are based on weight as a primary factor, rather than multiple (including multi-season) functionality, in order to make a decently representational gear list you would more than likely need to create 3 (or 4) seperate lists for each season.

You might even have to localize your gear lists to particular trips only.

Your calling this a 3 season list that doesnt skimp on clothing… and for your area you might be right. But at 12K feet in one of the Colorado Wilderness areas, Id be loath to use this list for anything but high summer.

[Ryan Faulkner]

True true,

I dont plan my gear based on the season, I plan on the expected temperatures. I live at sea level and most of my hiking doent go much above 4000 feet. so three season where I live is basically nights not much below 35.

so here is what I think

including all the clothing on my list.(two long sleeve shirts, long tights, shorts, warm hat, and a full wind suit)

temps down to 45 degrees at night:
Just vest

down to about 40:
vest and top bag

temps down to 35 at night:
cocoon and top bag

temps down to 30:
cocoon and Nunatak Arc Ghost

down to 25
long pants instead of shorts for hiking
extra tights cocoon and ghost

It may differ from time to time, But it basically goes like this.

I understand my list is more for the summer. But I have Used my vest and a 40 degree bag down to 35 no problem.
I am a very cold sleeper.

[Ryan Faulkner]

Changed my list.

My goal for weekend trips is simplicity. So I now have a warmer sleeping bag and less clothing. that will work for temperatures anywhere from 30-40 degrees at night and for temps 40+ I will switch to a Devotion top bag

less stuff

[Michael Wands]

My gear is also greatly influenced by the anticipated nighttime temperature. However, my main gear focus is on my reason for being out there in the first place – THE TRAIL. Rather than have a bag that I can bail into if the temperature drops, I would rather have the extra clothing layers to keep me moving down the trail in comfort and be able to extend my hiking day.

I live in the Southwest and can generally plan on a minimum of 45 degrees at night for three seasons. I pack accordingly. If I’m lucky enough to find some getaway time in New Mexico where it is freezing at elevation even in July, then I bring what is needed. But that is not my normal kit.

[Author]

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