I thought I've been a somewhat savvy lightweight (if not ultralight) backpacker for a few years…but it turns out my backpack has been fooling me for years!
Just removed 6 OUNCES from my ~2.5-lb. pack (a Mountainsmith Ghost) by eyeing her suspiciously, and then ruthlessly trimming off everything I have never used.
– Compression straps are now gone. I didn't use them – and they've always gotten in the way of the side pockets. Good riddance!
– Trimmed excess strap from shoulder strap tightener, belt tightener, etc.
– Cut off some attachment points – to which I could theoretically attach something, but to which I have never *actually* needed to lash anything.
– Hang loop is now gone
– Cut out the small, zippered inside pocket that I'd used to store tp. I liked it, but it was heavy-ish material and I didn't need it.
– Ripped out a mesh bag I'd sewn to the outside of the pack, and into which I had often stashed just-washed socks, undies etc. to dry in the sun as I walked. The mesh material was too heavy. I figured out a way to lash my mosquito headnet to the exact same spot. (Now that headnet has *three* functions: Mosquito repellancy; ditty bag to carry around camp; and mesh dryer for clothes outside pack.)
Now, my pack just LOOKS cleaner. (I wish now that I'd taken a "Before" photo.)
Lotsa fun, and a great exercise for those of us who do not (yet) have absolutely minimalist packs.
So, c'mon and join me. How many ounces can you trim off your pack??
Elizabeth
