Adding (a little) weight back in gear choices

i added maybe an ounce (or 2) to my hammock setup by getting rid of my whoopie slings and going back to the strap and biner setup. i just find the convenience of ease of it to be too good to not use.

I pushed hard to get a base weight as low as possible… for me this was ultimately 4.2lbs. Then I asked, I am enjoying this, or is the weight savings hindering enjoying my trips I slowly added things back until I found what was the right balance for me… and ended up with a base weight of 8.5lbs for 3 season trips. I don't feel like I am deprived while keeping my load pretty light.

From the lowest weight items to what I am using now:

gossamer gear whisper 4oz -> gossamer gear gorilla 24oz. more comfortable, better volume for longer trips

foam torso pad / ballonbed 5oz -> NeoAir 14oz. Way more comfortable, warmer, more durable.

pocho/tarp 9oz -> driducks + hexamid 13oz. More room, bug free!, easier camp life, better rain protection when moving

dri ducks 5oz -> event jacket 11oz if I really expect rain for added durability, better breathability, and less water soaking in at the wrist.

bear can pot / stove system 3oz -> caldera cone + MLD 850ml mug/pot 4.5oz because it was more durable, easier to use, and worked better in nasty weather.

eQ headlamp <1oz -> zebralight h51 3oz much brighter light. useful for wayfinding, not just around camp

No camera or Pentax S4 Digital Camera 4oz -> Canon S90 -> Sony RX100 8z much better image quality

Micro Knife .4oz -> SOG Flash 1 Lockblade 1.2oz more useful

Added Thermarest Fleece/SilNylon Pillow/Stuff Sack 1.5oz . Much nicer to lay my head on sol-nylon stuff sack.

Added iPhone 4.8oz for GPS maps and entertainment on nights not sleeping.

Sleeping pad. 16 oz vs 2.5 . Much better nights sleep!!!

Supportive pack. Over 15lbs I use Ohm, over 20 I use circuit

In last few hundred miles I havent even used a razor blade, so I dont know if I will ever need a heavier knife.

I dont find my ridged fosters fragile at all. Of course it goes on top in mesh pocket on pack, with no pressure on it from anything. I think its all in the pack volume and how you store it.

I put a foam coffee cup inside my fosters so i can have hot coffee. Weighs 0.1oz. Its what I drink out of everyday at office, why be different on trail.

Bear spray is one heavier wt Ive carried. Agonized over doing it too.
Warmer long john bottoms. A 2 extra ounces makes a big difference.

I am going that way also. I don't think I would mind an extra pound or two to save money, have extra durability, more comfort and ease of use.

As with most decisions, it doesn't seem to come down to a black and white answer; trade offs are trade offs.

Mine:

Lumix LX3(9.35oz) vs. Camera phone(4.01oz)
—the quality of image heavily outweighs the… well… the added weight =)

Finnish Puuko(3.3oz w/ sheath) vs. razor blade (.1-.3oz)
—This choice is purely aesthetic–razor blades just don't look cool. I don't do bushcraft, or throw it at small game, but it is fun to toss around the campsite playing mumbley peg. This is by far the most shallow choice I've made concerning gear selection and is definitely not a mindset I take toward the rest.

Big Agnes IAC(24oz) vs. foam mat(7-1oz depending on source/thickness)
—A good night's sleep, again, outweighs the foam mat. I am, however, experimenting with a 2/3 airmat(8-10oz?) for summer/early fall setups.

Peak Season/Location – Early Spring-Late Fall/ Southern Appalachains
Base weight ~9-10Lbs
FSO +/-12Lbs

…puns intended…

I frequently find myself hiking before dawn or after dusk. Having a reliable headlamp for night time navigation is key.

I used to use a BD ion 1 oz headlamp. A few years ago, I was hiking off trail in the north woods and set up my tarp as light began to fade. I went to hang my bear bag and darkness fell faster than expected. Retracing my steps, I somehow went off on a tangent and missed my camp. I ended up wandering around in the dark for what seemed like an eternity before my grid search finally got me back to camp. During that episode, I had a lot of time to contemplate what it would be like to spend the night in 30 degree drizzle without any of my gear. I learned a few lessons that night, one of which being that I would not compromise on illumination (or personal survival kit) after that. I went back to my EOS headlamp really quickly.

Very interesting to read what others added back to their kits for safety or comfort reasons. I got down to a 9.5 lb base last year and have since settled on a 12-13 lb base that makes me quite content. The heaviest item I added was a Nano 7 hammock with a tulle bug sock (all in about 12 oz). I break every few hours from hiking and hang in the hammock for 15-20 minutes. My back and feat are thrilled with the decision. It's also my camp chair.

No pad, 0 oz –> Klymit X-lite, 6.1 oz
No knife, 0 oz –> Leatherman Style, 0.8 oz

Changes I'm in the process of making:
Poncho-tarp–> poncho-tarp+bivy
Iodine tablets–> Sawyer Squeeze (mostly to save money)
No camera –> lightweight compact camera

After this weekend I will be bringing a far better stocked first aid kit :-)

careful … this kind of thread will get you burned at the BPL UL stake ;)

function over lightness … if the gear doesnt do what you want, last as long as you want and cost what you want … it doesnt matter how light it is

often thats the pack for many people