Okay, here goes…

I suspect you use the 2 section of Z-Lite for added support / padding in pack. Personally I use my GoLite Race pack for feet.
I’m still working on getting my clothing and sleeping gear reduced, but otherwise I have some of the same gear. I have gone from 35 lbs. to 17lbs., which is amazing for me (Mr. Gadget).
I still use the polypro and nylon layers as the basics.
I combine my Snow Peak Ti Mini Solo kit with Brunton Crux for 8.5 oz. I like the separate pot from mug.
I thought the Platypus Hoser felt a little flimsier than the Platypus 2+ liter I carry. Have you had any problems with leaks?
I found A&H Tooth Powder was the lightest form of teeth cleaning I could locate.
I use a Tissot T-Touch Ti watch with compass, baro, alt, temp. It weight is twice the Suunto vector, but offers a smaller profile.
I opted to not wear my gps and went with the Garmin Geko 301.
I would like to hear more about your robust first-aid kit. It being almost the heaviest non-shelter item, it is still less than half the weight of mine.

Very nice list. Seems like it could handle even the worst 3-season conditions, if you changed the stove (or are very skilled with alcohol stoves). For calmer three season conditions, when precipitation and serious wind is less likely, you could save over 2 pounds by using a poncho-tarp:

+8.95 (ID SilPoncho)
-1.3 (pack cover)
-24.0 (shelter)
-12.0 (rain jacket)
-4.5 (rain pants)

Because your bag is Epic shelled, you could probably be fine with out a bivy. You’d have to add a groundsheet and a headnet if your don’t carry one already. 2 pounds is pretty serious weight savings, but if the weather turned bad you would definitely be giving up some comfort.

To Mike:

My Gossamer Gear Mariposa has no back “padding.” So I do use the 2 section Z-Lite on top of my fully deflated Prolite 3 Short as additional pack support. I put it on top so that the Z-Lite contacts my back. It feels great and provides additional air flow with it’s dimpled design. Plus, it’s super convenient to pull out any time I stop to rest – and just the right size for sitting or kneeling. Typicaly, I’ll insert it into the footbox of my quilt at night so I don’t lose it while I move around.

As for the Platypus Hoser, I just switched from a Big Zip, so I’ll have to see how it goes. I did have a Big Zip leak around the hose attachment in the field but repaired it with seam grip and duct tape. Although it didn’t fail along the zipper, I just wanted to go lighter and simpler. Plus, I can use a smaller silt filter when filling (Besides, Glen Van Peski showed me how to fill up a Platy using a zip lock bag when water sources are shallow so I’m anxious to try it).

On the subject of GPS, I went to REI to spend my divident check on a Geko 301 only to discover that they no longer carry it and apparently Garmin has stoped making it. So I begrudgingly bought the Foretrex 101 (albeit, quite a bit cheaper than the Geko 301 at $130). Well, I like the wrist mounted setup, especially with trekking poles. The 101 takes AAAs, so you can put lithiums in it. All in all, I’m happy with it.

As for my first aid kit, here’s what’s in it:

MAJOR WOUND SUPPLIES
2″ X 75 ” sterile stretch gauze bandage
compression bandage (ACE style with Velcro)
small role clear plastic medical tape (custom rolled)
2 doses of Percacet in small flip case
tincture of benzoin in mini dropper bottle
1 packet of Burn Jel

BLISTER SUPPLIES
Moleskin (2 squares – use benzoin tincture to stick)
(Also duct tape stored around trekking pole)

MINOR WOUND SUPPLIES
2 antseptic towelettes
2 packets of triple antibiotic ointment
2 packets of Ivy Cleanse towelettes
2 Spenco Second Skin Self-Sealing Cut Closures
1 Band-Aid (medium)
1 Band-Aid (small)
5 Band-Aid Steri-style wound closures
1 Band-Aid Liquid Bandage applicator stick
Band-Aid Liquid Bandage in micro dropper bottle
Corta-Gel in mini dropper bottle

GENERAL MEDS
2 packets (2 pills each) of Benadryl
3 packets (2 pills each) of Imodium A-D

TOOLS
small folding scissors (key for Moleskin)
tick pulling tool
mini magnifying glass (for ticks)
mini tweezers
2 safety pins (small & medium)
2 needles

Now, I know I have a range of minor wound options (and I’m starting to notice the excess after typing them all out), but there’s nothing like having the right tool for the job when the job is dealing with a medical situation.

To Dana:

My journey toward “en-lightenment” is an ever evolving one. I’m just thrilled to have recently cracked the 10 pound barrier with a kit that’s ready for most 3 season conditions. In even milder conditions, I’d definitely ditch a few items like the down pants, hat or balaclava, possum down gloves, and possably a lighter jacket.

And while I agree that switching to a poncho tarp or even a lighter pad offers significant weight savings, I presently still put an emphasis on comfort and cleanliness. Bottom line, I like a nice comfy pad and I HATE sleeping in the dirt. I never manage to stay put on a tiny groundcloth and just end up annoyed at having to try to. I’m a real sucker for TarpTents and Six Moon Design shelters with floors…

“I never manage to stay put on a tiny ground cloth”

I’ve woken up at night having slid half way out from under my tarp while it was raining because my groundcloth was too slippery to stay on…good thing I was using a synthetic bag. So I bought a BMW Vapr Bivy that I could stake out to keep me put and everything inside nice and clean and under me. I absolutely love floorless shelters…you never feel like you’re “indoors” after having spent so much time and money to get outdoors.

To Justin:

I noticed that you do not include a pair of gloves in your first aid kit (latex or non-latex medical gloves). IMHO this is a valuable addition to a good kit, so you can protect yourself in the event that you need to provide aid to someone else on the trail.

Of course, one could go overboard on the protective measures (I doubt the need for a mask and face shield), but the gloves seem like a good compromise.

Ken B

I agree that a pair of latex gloves is a good idea. I just figured that since I already carry hand sanitizer that this would suffice. I’m curious to know what a pair of gloves weighs, though.

Just weighed some gloves around the lab:

Nitrile Exam Gloves, Large, each: 6.75 g
Latex Exam Gloves, Large, each: 8.35 g

so ~ 1/2 ounce for a pair.

Interestingly the nitrile weigh less than the latex, in addition to being tougher, more chemical resistant and avoiding potential latex allergy problems. Plus, they’re less likely to have defects that cause so many of the latex ones to “pop” as soon as you put them on. Less stretchy and a little smelly though.