Gear suggestions for newer backpackers

"I suggested aiming for a 10-15lb overall base weight minus expendables."

Getting to a 10-15 pound base weight PLUS expendables is a good target.

–B.G.–

I worded that wrong, thanks for catching it. Fixed.

As Will have written, I think it is better to consider the sleeping system as a combination of quilt + insulation jacket + insulation pants.

Looking back on my gear changes I would suggest going with a tarp rather than a tent. This achieves 3 things – 1. Tarps by definition are light weight. 2. They are also cheap – whether you go for PU coated nylon for ~$40 or silnylon for ~$100. 3. Tarps get you closer to nature and the outdoors which I have found to be very enjoyable. I am in California so more buggy climates might be problematic but that's my suggestion for those starting out with gear.

Pack: cost-wise (assuming you're buying new gear and not used stuff from this site), I think the Granite Gear Vapor Trail is a great transition pack. It can handle heavier & bulkier gear as one tries different options through the UL-SUL spectrum. It's also almost always available for around $100.00 – $110.00 online and is available at REI where folks can try it on.

Bag: Montbell, some Marmots or a Sierra Designs Nitro would be good intro bags.

Pad: maybe POE Ether Thermo series, especially b/c price is a lot better than a NeoAir.

Tent: probably a Tarptent or a SMD Lunar Solo/Duo, whatever model seems to fit the buyer's needs. I'd err on the side of slightly bigger tent or tarp, just to make the trip a little more comfortable.

I've just gone this route down from a baseweight of 22.6 lbs last summer to 9.7 lbs now, and my trail weight for 6 days is less than last summer's base weight.

I'll second your WM 15F Badger, and while it might be a bit of a stretch for someone brand new I'd suggest they look at the quilts. I picked up a Nunatak off the gear swap and shaved 20oz from the Badger.

If he's going for 2.5-3 season packs he might could get by with a smaller volume. The biggest challenge for me was simply NOT CARRYING all the redundant stuff. I downsized from a 70L to a 42L. Of course, not having to carry the BearVault is a huge boon. An Osprey Exos 58 is 42oz, and an Exos 34 is 35oz. I just picked up an Osprey Hornet 46 (42?) that weighs 24 oz.

+1 on the NeoAir. I've added a cheap-o Wal-mart pad to the top and slept in comfort -10 in my Badger + down jacket. I'm a bit of a warm sleeper so ymmv.

I just bought a Tarptent Sublite (tyvek) at 18.5 oz. Where I live in New England I've got to have bug netting and I've not found any other lighter options with netting. We'll see how it holds out in continuous rain.

Hey Ryan,

it seems like you have a very solid setup there for him. THose are great suggestions.

Are you sticking just to the big 4?

If you go clothes, my "wouldn't miss" suggestions for 3 season camping:

—> A good wool beanie. Buy one from Kat on here, hers are beautiful.
—> Thin Merino wool baselayer. I'm a fan of Smartwool and IceBreaker. The Smartwool Microweight Zip T…6.9oz.
—> Marmot DriClime Windshirt
—> A synthetic insulator. (I have the Patagonia Nano Puff, love it)

The rest is all bottom half, people get pretty individual about that. I'd go with those. :)

Dug
http://thf2.wordpress.com

Well, others have the gear selections for you.

I would suggest loading up your brain. Start thinking in SYSTEMS for everything.
First aid for example: What can you use? What do you need? Eating charcoal??

Tent poles can double as a pack frame, for an example.
Your sleeping bag can double as a warm jacket for very cold weather, for another.

Some things are not amenable to multiple purposes. When everything you bring has a single purpose than can only be filled by that item, you have to bring it.
A very breif description:

By combining the various components to do various camping chores, you will lighten your pack. By minimizing those things you have to carry, you will lighten your pack. Sometimes minimizations can be taken to extremes. Using your spoon for a tarp stake is not a good idea when you are cooking under a tarp. Don't take "maybe's" or "what if's."

Knowledge is the key to a comfortable lightweight excursion. Know about your terrain. Know about water sources. Know about special views and sights. Know about animals. Know about edible plants. You may not need all of this, but you will be a LOT more comfortable in the woods.

Tent:
In my opinion a lightweight, versatile 1P tent has to be under 1,5 kg, have a solid inner (none of that mesh nonsense for me) and have sufficient porch space store some of my stuff and to be able to cook in bad weather. Tents like the Scarp or several models from Vaude seem like pretty good choices. Personally I would prefer a tent that uses trekking poles to set up. These tents are usually a little smaller as far as headroom is concerned, but because you don't have to carry extra poles they are a little lighter. Plus you get the satisfaction of having multi-use items. Of the top of my mind, I think Six moon designs makes a few interesting tents, but I don't know whether they have a solid inner and I'm too lazy to check.

Backpack:
This is a difficult one to give a specific advice for, because a backpack just has to fit. I would suggest your friend to go to a good store and simply try all models with weights in them. If the best fitting bag happens to be 200 or 300 grams heavier than another pack, so be it. The extra carying comfort will be worth the extra weight. Also keep in mind that food takes up a lot of space. For a trip where you have to carry enough food to last you a week, I'd look at a pack of arround 60L. This may be on the large side, but I prefer my bag to be too big, rather than too small.

Sleeping bag:
As long as it has 300-400 grams of 700+ cuin down, a full zip and a total weight of under 800 grams, I consider it to be a decent bag. One brand in particular to look at would be Alpkit. Their Pipedream 400 is pretty light, it gets raving reviews and it's cheap. I think they're sold out right now though, so you'll have to wait for them to come back in stock.

Sleeping pad:
The Pacific Outdoor Equipment Ether and Peak series are pretty interesting. A lot cheaper than Therm-a-rest and just as good. The peak elite ac that comes out later this month in particular is very interesting. Although, if you want to save some money, you might want to take a look at a discounted Ether elite/Ether thermo 6.

All very good suggestions thus far and are appreciated. A few comments:

Shelter: Tarps have been considered, especially MLD 'mids with an inner net tent. That would certainly be light but maybe not a good all around shelter for a casual backpacker who is willing to sacrifice a little weight for comfort and head room. I am not sure if he will be using trekking poles or not so it is still undecided. Full bug protection is a priority where we are though.

Pack: Granite Gear has been suggested for their decent balance of ruggedness and minimal features along with custom fitting. There are no huge have it all gear malls around here so fitting different packs is difficult.

Sleeping bag and pad: Quilts have been suggested but a bag is preferred since we both tent to roll around at night. The new POE Peak Elite pad looks very interesting, maybe worth waiting for.

Clothing has been discussed and I have gone through most of my gear with him. Big suggestions were a 100wt fleece or MB Thermawrap for fall/spring, a good windshirt, and some merino layers.

I do believe in making things a system as James shows above as it maximizes utility and minimizes weight. This is all well and good for those of us who get a little extreme but maybe not quite for new backpackers looking for a best fits all solution who will probably not be going out in the woods or mountains as much as some of us.

In the past few years I have rediscovered hiking. After much trial and error I decided on equipment that would keep me warm, dry and bug free on the East Coast and what ever park I visited. Three season down to 30 degrees with a clothing margin.
I now use a Montbell bag, KookaBay pad, Tarptent Sublite or MLD Solomid and Aarn Marathon Magic 33 pack. I plan to be in northern Yosemite late Aug this year and have been to many other NP in the past. I think a one tent option for me would be the TT Sublite Sil. I have tried many packs and shoes. Comfort and fit where most important to me.

oo

Golite still has a few different nests (bug netting with bathtub floors) available in their clearance section. Depending on their size needs, perhaps buying a nest then adding a tarp or matching shelter would work for a reasonable price.

It is nice you are helping your friend to start light, it is expensive to buy things twice.

My input for a "middle of the road" versatile big four would be:

Shelter: Tarptent Rainbow, rated 3+ seasons, roomy for one, can sleep 2 (or bring the dog), sets up without poles (but poles help with different pitching options ) lighter and less expensive than the Scarp.

Pack: The only one I have actual experience with is the REI Flash 65. It carries well, is a good balance of size (works for winter or base camping, holds Bear Can). It also does well with frame removed and top part removed, I don't have a scale but REI says 32oz without frame and top, I have cut stuff off mine. Got it on sale for $125.00, not super light but is durable and has a great warranty. There are a lot of nice packs to choose from.

Pad: The Thermarest Prolite 3/4 length is 11oz, packs small, is comfy and warm and less expensive.

Bag: I would just set a budget and buy the lightest one with your temp requirements. I like the Golite ultra 20 quilt though.

These end up at 6.3 pounds and cost about $600.00 if you watch for sales.

This is good thread, the 12-14 pound area is not too hard to achieve and having versatile gear makes getting out easier.

I know you were just mentioning the big four but I would also recommend the GSI Minimalist for a cookware package and it is only $25.

I'll pass along some of the suggestions from this thread to my friend.

Getting the pack last is very wise but he picked up an internal frame 70L GoLite at discount. Hopefully it fits well but it will probably end up being overkill in volume.