Ultralight gear for international travel?

Curious, James, will your trip be the hosteling type — or do you plan on wild (unsupported) hiking/camping?

Both Ben and I now travel with 30 liter backpacks and everything we need is there. But I second Ben's question: hosteling or wild camping? That makes quite a difference.

Miguel and Benjamin,

We'll be doing both – so we will need to carry sleeping gear and shelter. We will also be staying in campgrounds and with friends. We'll be crossing Europe and parts of Asia.

In true wilderness we normally use a tarp, but for EU campgrounds we'll need a tent for privacy.

Hey, thanks for the fast response.

jim

Ultralight principles certainly work for travel– taking only what you will use, multiple use gear, etc. Rick Steves promoted much the same 20+ years ago– still does. My wife and I spent three weeks in Europe in 1986, each of us with only a carry-on convertible suitcase/backpack and it was Winter too.

One thing about travel in a "developed" country is that you can just buy whatever you need on the fly. We encountered unexpected snow and bought boots. Shed and buy new books as you go and so on.

Hey there-
I recently returned from a 4 month hitchhiking trip through Africa where I used the UL philosophy, before knowing that it was used by many people (before seeing this site!). It worked great. Example: Using a tarp gave me shelter in places where I could not find any, and with a light/small pack I was able to keep it on my lap in all rides. This was the original purpose. Go for it! You will be much more comfortable and fast paced then those with huge bags.
Evan

Take a look Here.

Depending on where in Asia you travel if you will be going through areas with rough riding, like on buses in poorer countries, you may want to invest in a tougher backpack that can handle rough treatment. Unlike with backpacking where you can pretty much watch out for your gear all the time, travel often means having to let others handle your pack and you never know how they will treat your gear. I wouldn’t bring a silnylon pack for such times; I just wouldn’t trust that it could survive.

Most of the other principles, as Dale said, pretty much follow UL backpacking. There are just some considerations, like the style of your clothing, that might make a difference in what you bring. I went to walk the Tour de Mont Blanc three years ago and first went with black tights…only to have women whistle at me wherever I went. I got so embarrassed that I quickly visited the nearby outdoor store and bought a pair of more street friendly nylon cargo pants. I used a Mountainsmith “Ghost” for that trip, and did a lot of camping in the Alps, and found it just about right for holding my MontBell #3 sleeping bag, change of clothes, other basic camping gear and up to three days of food. I also found the panel loader useful for customs at the airports. Last summer I traveled for a month to Vancouver, Canada and used a GoLite Jam 2, and think I may have found my perfect travel pack. Since it cinches down when not completely full, it was useful on city and day walks and I didn’t need a second pack. I did a week-long backpacking trip with it and it had enough room for souvenirs and any outdoor gear that I found in the great outdoor stores there when I went home.

For safety’s sake and just for simplicity I’d keep the pack just about the size to fit under your plane seat, no bigger.

Unless you’re planning on doing some walking way up in the Alps or Himalaya, your shelter doesn’t need to be substantial. I’d say any of the shelters by the cottage UL shelter makers would work fine. I do agree with you about privacy in public campsites in Europe (and in other places where people’s idea of “privacy” may be non-existent!) and the kind of shelter you use, especially for women. You will want a place to be able to change your clothes out of sight of prying eyes. But also remember that if you will be traveling in hot places you will want a shelter that ventilates well, and in cold places you will want something to keep in the warmth.

Dale,

Glad to hear you’re a Rick Steves fan – that guy has done more to promote international travel than anyone I know. Thing is Rick travels lightweight, as do we. And from what I’ve got from lurking here there is a different level of reality when it comes to ultralight. For example, we spent five months traveling last year with bags that weighed about 18 lbs. I’m reading weights of like 5 to 7 pounds here – which makes my ancient heart beat faster.

Oh, also, if you haven’t spent much time in the eurozone lately, the idea of buying as you go is one you need very deep pockets to support. Last year I had to buy a pair of walking shoes in Strasburg, cost 120 euros, about 190 US. Same shoes sell in the US for 90 dollars. Spending our pathetic dollars in the eurozone will lead to poverty, unless you’re one of theose folks who travels in their own Gulfsteam, all moot then.

Evan,

Sounds like we’re on the same page. What pack did you use? Was it made silnylon, or…? One of my main concerns is our packs getting ripped to shreds by those luggage racks with the little things that stick out.

A few thoughts:

1. When hiking and traveling, I like to pack like I am hiking — and add a second change of clothes, guidebook(s), passport/tickets, extra credit cards and a small stash of emergency cash. Pick light weight boots or trail runners in dark brown color so you can wear them in town as well. Select your clothing so EVERYTHING can be used for both purposes.

2. I would NOT carry a silnylon type UL pack, but go for something that’s still reasonably light and reasonably robust. To get away with not using tough, heavy pack cloth kind of a pack, you would want one that doesn’t require checking in. Maybe do something like this:

a. use one carry-on size pack each.
b. check the stuff you can’t carry on (blades, hiking poles) in a postal tube and check that instead.
c. stuff a UL packable backpack for day trips.

Do you (or can you) pack everything inside a carry-on size pack? If not, would you like more info. on techniques and such?

Here is an interesting site about packing and traveling with one carry-on bag: http://www.onebag.com/

Lots of good ideas — but it is geared towards the traveler and NOT a hiker/backpacker.

Further, the author reviews several bags and two sites look interesting (again, similar to "Rick Steves" and not for hiking):

http://www.tombihn.com/

http://www.redoxx.com/Default.aspx

Miguel,

That onebag site has good stuff on it. That’s pretty much how we travel- when we’re not camping. The notion of being able to also camp, and keep pack size to 30 liters like you said, and under 10 pounds as I’ve heard here, is very interesting to me. I’m not sure how to manage that, but I sure would like to. How do you get by with 30 liters? What do you have in there? Is the REI Flash a good bag? At my age with my knocks and dings pain avoidance is something to look for.

Reading your response further, you anticipated one of my main concerns. Those packs at Gossamer Gear are very seductive, but I wonder how they would do in the rough and tumble of local 3rd world bus travel. From what you say about silnylon, they wouldn’t be suitable. Is that correct?

I had a look at the Golite Jam. It looks pretty tough, and light. But the one I saw seemed really big when the collar was extended. I’m with you on the having it under the seat size. The last time we did something like this I used an old, really old, Patagonia Klettersack, from back when Patagonia was an outdoor company. It weighed about 2lbs and contained about 2700 cui. That seemed about right for me then. I wasn’t using a tent or doing any cooking, just foraging along the way. But with the new gear it looks like I might be able to get by with something in that size range. Do you miss having a lid on your Jam?

We won’t be in the Alps, except passing through. But we will be walking in the Apennines in Italy and the Central Massif in France. We’re starting in SE Asia, then Japan. Not sure were we’re going next- don’t like to over plan. But for sure we’ll be camping on the Turkish coast before going into Europe.

Tents, I was thinking about one of the Tarptents, seems like it would do everything we need it to do, and we won’t be in it all the time.

Jim

Benjamin,

Thanks much for your info; sounds like you have thought this through. We normally travel very light with only carry on size bags, although we always check a bag, sometimes an Ikea shopping bag strapped up, with stuff we can’t carry on. The give the Ikea bag to someone who wants it.

What I’m not hip to are the real world uses of the current ultralight camping gear and backpacks. GG and some of the others sound great but from what I’m hearing that level of gear should not figure into my plans. Obviously in SE Asia we won’t need bags at all. But we will need them as we go along. I was thinking maybe JacksRbetter or Western Mountaineering.

I have no experiences of the new tents, pads, bags, etc and would welcome any info. We’re trying to get as light as possible without finding ourselves with busted bags and destroyed gear a 1000 miles from re-supply.

Although, as I think about that wouldn’t be so bad either. Shake up our thinking a little. Heck I once traveled for months boat hopping through the Philipines and Indonesia with a market bag; slept under a sarong. On the other hand, I was thirty years younger then.

Jim

Miguel,

Tights? Whistles? Is that a bad thing?

Jim

Hi Jim:

Methinks your chances are good that a UL type backpack will not stand up to the rigors of travel — not six months' worth anyway. Even carry-on size packs need to be robust enough for all the times they get tossed up the bus racks or down into the cargo hold.

I'm sure you and your wife don't want to spend thousands of dollars and six months of your lives to be pack mules. Therefore, IMO, spending a few hundred to get the lightest and most compact gear that will serve your needs will be well worth it. The bulky things are: shelter, bag, clothing, shoes.

Shelter – Tarping is an excellent idea. Make sure you will be protected against insects though. As for tent, do as suggested above — get a tarptent. I recommend the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo for two people sharing.

Bag — Go with a high fill power (800fp) down bag to get the lightest and most compact bag for your required temperature range. If you two are slim to moderate build, Western Mountaineering's UL bags are excellent choice. But if you are a big guy or gal — consider MontBell's superstretch bags — same UL properties, but these allow you much greater body movement.

Clothing — I assume you are familiar with 'layering' concept? If not, please ask. As with bag, get high fill power down jacket or parka for your insulation layer. DO NOT bring fleece. They are light, but very bulky! Also get ultralight waterproof/breathable rain jackets. For max. breathability, get something made with eVENT — and stay away from Goretex.

DO NOT bring jeans! Instead, choose synthetic base layers (undies) and synthetic shirts (or tees) and pants. Choose simple styling in neutral colors (avoid silly Indiana Jones or loud sporty styles) — so ALL of your hiking clothes will do double duty for in-town wear. Ditto for shoes. You can bring a lightweight pair of flip flops to wear in camp, hostels and on the beach (Old Navy has the very lightest that will still work well).

With synthetic clothing, all you need are two sets of clothing each. Wash at night and your clothes will be ready to wear the next morning. Mix and match mean 4 different outfits! No need to ever haul dirty laundry around the world.

Go over every single piece of your gear carefully:

1. Do you really need it?
2. Can something else do multiple duty?
3. If you really need it and nothing else will work — then is it the lightest most compact version available?

Finally, jettison that heavy toiletry kit bag — and any other small bags or sacks — and replace with silnylon ones for a small fraction of the weight. I like the ones made by Granite Gear.

Getting very long winded now… Hope this helps.

James,
I think the heaviest thing I had was my pack. I carried a 24 Liter osprey pack. I chose this because I felt it was harder to slice through with a knife, and I could lock it with a small lock (compared to my ULA Catalyst's roll top). This was not needed very often, however I was glad that I had it in really cramped areas. Would probably carry the same pack again. All depends on the location though. My trip was aimed at reducing pack volume first, then pack weight. I didnt want to put my pack on a rack or anything, I always kept it with me. By nature of reducing volume, I was reducing weight, however this was not the primary concern. Even if it was, I probably would not have gone with a sil pack.
Great advice here! Never seen that onebag site, very cool.
Evan

Hi James

As you have gathered by now, other BPLers have done similar things, my wife and I as well. Yes, UL gear is fine, with discretion.

I agree that you should select a reasonably tough pack – certainly stronger than silnylon. But there are quite a few packs with good fabrics.
The next question is frameless or internal frame? I favour an frame myself, but others prefer frameless.

On shelter – yes, take a tent which can be closed. You will need to be able to camp in public places. But a Tarp-tent might be fine.

Clothing? We take ONE layer of good Taslan clothing with us and wear it everywhere – even on the plane! But we also take a very light windshirt (eg Golite Wisp) and some very light rainpants 9eg Golite whims). I have worn these when taking ALL the restof our clothing to a laundromat!

Socks – the best. I recommend Darn Tough Vermont Full Boot Socks.

Towels – YES! Try some Wicker Warmup towels – they do work and are light.

Cheers

Miguel,

Tights? Whistles? Is that a bad thing?

:-D Well, in most cases it would be great! But the times when the women let forth their yodels was right out in front of everyone. I was in the youth hostel in Zurich (by the way, a FANTASTIC place to stay!) standing by the front desk when the woman behind the desk cooed, in a voice loud enough for the entire, crowded lobby to hear, “Ooo LA LA! Just LOOK at that tight little TUSH!” Every face there stopped whatever they were doing and looked up to stare. I think that’s the first time in my life that I wish I DIDN’T have an exclamatory behind!

I spent six months traveling and hiking in Asia last year. Brought a Golite Jam2 pack, a Shires Tarptent Rainbow, a Marmot Helium sleeping bag, foam pad, ultralight rain gear, the whole kit and kaboodle. Great times. Pack was durable and functional. And just big enough for all my stuff, including my shoes to fit inside. It's great to travel with less though, which means no camping gear. Did that for a few countries. The Jam cinches up nicely for that. I couldn't keep my pack on my lap on bus rides, I just put it wherever it needed to go. Often times bus drivers won't allow you to keep your pack on your lap anyways, unless it's TINY.

A buddy of mine traveled for six months in Asia with a GG Mariposa. It survived with only a few roadside repairs. Not the pack that I'd choose though. I know other people who use the Jam to travel, and I've seen a few others on the road.

The next question is frameless or internal frame? I favour an frame myself, but others prefer frameless.

I recently discovered that the aluminum u-frames that come with Gossamer Gear packs fit perfectly into the closed-cell back pad sleeve inside my GoLite packs. When I need a little more support in my GoLIte packs I just insert one of the frames and it works great.

Benjamin,
Thanks for all the gear recommendations. I’m not familiar with much of it, so will check it all out. You got it right that we don’t want to be standing on the side of the road in Tashkent with blown out bags, although I’m sure we would survive. Layering, yup. eVent I didn’t know about, will look for same. You don’t think Indy’s leather jacket is just the thing? What about the whip? ☺

Evan,
24 liter bag sounds pretty cool to me. If you don’t mind could you tell me what you had in it? I would love to travel cross continent with that small a bag.

I know exactly what you mean about keeping your bag in your lap. Last year we left our bags with a friend in Italy and traveled for about a month with just our daypacks, a change of clothing, a book, a journal, a pocket camera, and a toothbrush. When we got into cars or on buses all we ha dto do was swing the packs around in front. This was a Good Thing on crowded local buses. Also, it was a wonderful feeling of total freedom. We’re trying to recapture that, but with camping gear.

You mentioned a tarp. Were you camping? I’d love to hear anything you might care to share about your trip. We travel outside of the US six to eight months a year, have done so for about thirty years, partially for biz, but really because I always want to see what’s over the horizon. If you’re interested in another traveler’s tales my website is: http://www.jamesmorganayres.com

Roger,
Yes, I do see others have gone before on this path, and that you are all willing to share your experiences and knowledge. I feel fortunate to have stumbled across this site. ML, my intrepid wife, is also very pleased to hear that there are other wives who do these things. Our stay at home friends think we’re nuts.

As to packs, I haven’t carried a frame pack since the days when I had to hump 80 lbs in an Alice. Weight transfer to the hips is not anything I want. I have old spinal and pelvis injuries and cannot tolerate weight on my hips, or hip restriction. If I can’t carry it on my shoulders I just don’t carry it.

Taslan? Is that like nylon? Like the stuff Ex Offico uses?

Miguel,
I think you were just being shy. Heck, you had the moment working for you. Should have done a couple of steps, probably got a date ☺ When were you in Zurich? We spent a year there one week last November ☺ One of our friends took us to lunch in a food court in a mall – ninety one Swiss francs for three hamburgers with fires and salad. We drank water. Wish I had a tush that the ladies noticed. Maybe I should try some tights. Oops. My lovely wife says forget it.

Jack H
That sounds like an equipment list we should explore. Thank you. Where did you travel, mountains, tropics??? di you find you had too much at any time?

As a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Philippines) I must caution you to take two excellent lightweight water purification products.

Be sure to carry both Katadyn Micropur chlorine dioxide tablets and a SteriPen UV water purifier. Bad water will give you the "Green Apple Quick Step" and you'll be miserable if not seriously ill with dysentery. Get the new SteriPen that uses the readily available AA batteries, not camera batteries, as in the SteriPen Adventurer. Do not rely on iodine tabs. They will not kill tough bacteria and many viruses.

Also, NEVER eat ice, take ice in your drinks, eat popsicles or ice cream in Asia. In the case of ice cream, you don't know if the dairy herd has been inspected for tuberculosis or if the ice cream was melted and refrozen after being contaminated. Melted and refrozen ice cream gave me a bad case of food poisoning in the Philippines.

With the other frozen water stuff you have no way of knowing if it was purified before freezing. Freezing does not, of course, kill bacteria and viruses, just puts them to sleep until they awake in your nice warm, dark wet gut, where they multiply happily. (Don't ask me how I know this.)

In Uzbekistan, be sure to take in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.

Visiting the Colosseum in Rome, it’ hard to imagine the Roman Empire days with cars practically running you over from all sides! No such problem in Uz. No thanks to Vasco de Gama and Magellan, etc. — Central Asia went from being the center of international trade to the middle of nowhere almost overnight — 500 years ago! The mosques, madressas, etc. are all there — practically unbothered by modern development. Bad for the locals but good for tourists.

Click HERE for an excellent forum for international travels. The branches are by destination — with one dedicated to RTW traveling. There are also branches for activities — and one for gear! Go to that one and click the first thread (“sticky”) — for good reads on choosing backpacks, what to buy, where to buy, how to pack, etc.

Remember to always register online with the U.S. Embassy when traveling. It helps. I was U.S. Consul in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and did a fair amount of "emergency" services for hikers and climbers who got in a bind. I also got in some hiking and backpacking binds myself, but that's another story.

Eric,
Thanks for the heads up; it’s been a while since I’ve traveled close to the ground in 3rd world. Your post brought back memories of dysentery in SE Asia, typhoid in Mexico, cocyomytosis (sp?) in Guatemala. I’m planning to be a little more careful this time out. I did not know about the products you mentioned and will look into them. They sounds like a prudent investment- thanks again.

Benjamin,
Sounds like you’ve been there and done that, voice of experience speaking. Central Asia will be new territory for us. Would you mind telling me what 30 liter pack you use and what other gear allows you to get by with that size pack? I got the one change of clothing, synthetics etc, but can you also get camping gear into a 30 liter?

Evan McCarthy
Great advice! I haven’t contacted local embassies or consulates in years. But I remember that when I did I often was invited to various parties and it was good to meet those people. Back in the day (as my sons refer to my life) I always packed a blazer and tie so I could show up for dinner etc. Is that necessary today? I know dress standards have changed quite a bit, but the past few years I’ve been in a specialized business environment and am a little out of touch with these matters.

James,
yeah the 24L pack was pretty cool, I really loved it! It was the Osprey stratus 24. There is mesh in side which hits your back for cooling purposes, but you can fill it up if you need the space. Lets see… I had a marmot helium very compressed, primus omnifuel stove with small fuel canister(no alcohol in many countries) inside an aluminum pot with windscreen, my S2S poncho/tarp, OR bug bivy, spare boxers, toothbrush/paste, TP, small sleeping mat on outside, spoon, extra batteries, duct tape, FAK, and probably some other small things along in there. 2 trash bags too. And I wore a LS shirt with a SS shirt over it which did triple duty as shirt, hat, and towel. Extra rope. Camera strapped to shoulder strap near hip belt (locked with small lock) for easy access. 2 trekking poles too, but 3 section ones that fold up really small. And I usually had a book or 2. And my MP3 player and headphones. Wow, I brought a lot in that pack! I could have gone with a much smaller pack . I am actually planning on traveling without a pack next time, that is after the PCT. Packless backpacking. Just a toothbrush in my pocket- maybe a fanny pack if I want to go camping and dont need too much food. Oh I also had a water bottle and blanket I picked up in Ethiopia in the pack (but later lost. Darn it!) Picked up a Mursi lip plate as well. Ahh ok now I'm rambling.
Traveling with a small pack is the best, but I will be using an even smaller pack next time. Can you say hooked? I did a lot of camping, including in mountains and below freezing temps. I usually camped or stayed in villages I passed through along the way. Sounds like you do a lot of traveling!
Ending the ramble…
Good luck!