Trying to get lighter

[Ignacio S]

Hi guys, it is a honor to be part of this helpful forum.

Let me introduce myself:

My name is Ignacio, I am 24 years old, a begginer hiker from Chile that has being hiking in the heavy side for some months.

After reading some of the posts, documents, gearlists, commentaries, and watch some videos I want to join the lightweight side, hopefully a base weight under 15 lbs.

To be brief, I am in LA until April 26th (Thursday) and I am trying to get some new lighter gear, regarding to the stores that I have here I just found REI as the biggest one, if you have information about other stores let me know please, I do not really consider the possibility to buy online because of the amount of time that I have before leave, even if I pay for the fastest delivery I will be scared and do not want to put in risk my budget.

All the hikes that I have done are on summer, so my gear is for 3 seasons, and this is what I had:

Osprey Atmos 65 AG
Vango Tempest 200
Sea to Summit Ultralight Comfort
Marmot Lithium
Jetboil Flash

Here is my gear list attached to see the rest of the gear:

https://lighterpack.com/r/9b5nod

As you can see those items are in the heavy side, and yes I was considering going into winter, end-spring hikes.

Now what I want is get gear for summer trips, and the items that I have on my wish list are the following:

Osprey Exos 58
Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 / TNF Mica FL 1
Therm a Rest XLite (Short)
Snow Peak Trek 900 Titanium cookset
Ultralight Microfiber towel (Any recommendation?)

And I have already got these items:

Marmot Phase 20
MSR Pocket Rocket 2

Also I have been carrying the big toothbrush and at least a half of the big toothpaste container, but I got some knowledge from your posts and I will be carrying only what I need.

As you noted my english is not the best so sorry about that, I am still learning, so feel free to correct me, I will be really thankful.

Hope to read your recommendations guys.

Thanks in advance.

[Ben C]

Welcome, Ignacio.

Many of your choices are matters of opinion.  But there are some items I would definitely look at”:

• Those boots are really heavy.  Consider light trail runners that breathe well and do NOT have Gore-Tex.  You walking will be easier and your feet won’t always be wet with sweat.
• Lighter socks.  You can do well with lightweight merino or syth socks if you are wearing breathable trail runners.
• That first aid kit is a bit heavy.
• The pack cover is heavy and extraneous.  Consider a trash bag for a liner for your pack.
• Use a disposable bottle instead of that heavy Nalgene.
• Those rain pants seem really heavy.  I would look to replace if you have the money.
• That’s a lot of sunscreen, deodorant, etc.
• You can get nice, cheap, light poles at Costco.
• Carry a handkerchief instead of a microfiber towel; it’s a lot lighter.
• Ditch the bowl and cook and eat from your pot.
• Replace the mug with a cheap easy mac container.

These recommendations don’t require a lot of money and will cut a lot of weight.  Weight is more often cut by deciding what you don’t need than by buying extra stuff.

Good luck.

[Ignacio S]

It looks like I did not explain it really good.

The gear in the list was bought thinking in winter trips, so for summer I will not use the big 3 listed, those boots amd heavy socks, for summer I can use my Bushido trail running shoes.

Regarding to the other items, I have to cut weight from my FAK, towel, water bottle, that I used to keep my feet warm, but will not need that on summer.

Thanks for comment.

[James Marco]

I think I would disagree on the whole attitude, here. For example: there are many reasons to use hiking boots in summer months. 1) they protect your ankles from off trail scrambles, pokes from fallen trees. 2) They attach firmly to your feet not letting go in knee high mud pits or stream crossings. 3) They get wet, so? They do not cause blisters the way light weight trail runners do. 4) Inserts can be changed to meet trail conditions and pack loads (arch supports, and gell insoles.) 5) The heel rise adds to your stride length nearly canceling any advantage to zero drop shoes on a trail while walking. 6) Weight compared with many trail shoes is only a few ounces different (Merrel Moab @ ~1# vs Timberland Chocoura 1#6 or about 6oz.) Anyway, this is only one example.

The range between winter and summer gear usually requires a complete change of gear. For example I use a full, double walled tent for two people in winter. It weighs about 5 pounds. I cannot use this in summer because it is too blasted hot. I use a tarp for maximum ventilation. Another example: Would I take a set of insulated pants, heavy long johns, out in spring? No. Long socks and a second set of mid long johns in spring.

Every trip out needs to be evaluated for temps/conditions. For example, taking a full set of rain gear (pants and jacket) doesn’t make any sense when the temps call for above 70F at night. I’ll want to BE WET to cool off at the 80+F daytime temps, or, I’ll shortly be that way from sweating. 50F is comfortable hiking during the day, but I would want rain gear for that, because when temps dip at night, I would not want to be soaked and cold. Follow?

In that context, I would say you can lighten up only by dropping gear you don’t need, but when it gets cold (ie <20F) you shouldn’t worry too much about weight. If you have an extra layer of clothing you use once, so be it, you don’t want to take the chance of being without it and catch an early snow storm or very cold day. You could end up dangerously cold without it. Upright canister stoves start failing at around 40F, and fail completely at around 25F. (Not counting special enhancements, Moulder strip, water baths, etc. These all require carrying extra stuff, anyway.) A WG stove is suitable for winter, but an upright canister might not be without skills and additional gear.

In many cases, you will need to replace gear you have with something more suited to the conditions. This applies going from summer gear to winter gear or visa-versa. There is a continuum of gear that will overlap, but will probably not be the lightest for the season. You can either live with it or replace it with something lighter. Packs, for example. A good winter pack will have at least a 4500ci/~75L volume. It will be extra rugged to handle snowshoes or skis, etc. In summer you need a 2200ci/35L pack. Spring/fall it might go 3500ci/~55L. Yes a winter pack will work, but you really want to replace it with a smaller pack for summer. The summer pack probably *won’t* work in winter. A three or four pound(about1.5-2kg) winter pack is not the same as a 1/2kg summer pack.

Anyway, there is probably no good way to convert from winter gear to summer gear and stay in the light weight mindset. Plan on replacing most or all of your gear.

[Ignacio S]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Nice to see another point of view abiut boots.</p>
In all the hikes that I have done I used those boots, no complain, I have those for more than 2 years, and are still waterproof.

As you said is hard to convert winter gear in summer gear, that is why am asking for recommendations lf new lightweight gear. In this case I have the possibility to use my trail running shoes, I have used those in some short trails, but not carrying a load of 20 or more pounds, so I should think about the weight that I will be carrying with new gear and try to adapt my ankles with those shoes.

Thank you so much guys.

Any recommendation about specific gear or store in LA?

[Ben C]

Sorry, Ignacio.  You got responses from Kentucky and New York.  But good luck on the gear buying.

James and I have different footwear preferences.  I would at least try the lighter shoes, though.  So many people on this site have have moved to light non-waterproof trail runners and will tell you it was the best change they made.  If it doesn’t work, go back to the boots and you have a good pair of all purpose shoes for other stuff.

[James Marco]

Sure, try different shoes. There is no such thing as one size fits all.

I used trail runners (Solomon, Merrell, Keen, Asolo) on a couple thru hikes and several week long hikes over the span of a couple years. Nope, not for me unless I am strictly on trails and placing my feet only on rocks, never between them. For my week to three week trips, I bring my mids. I still use flat shoes for around the house and for short two or three night hikes.

[Ignacio S]

Thank you guys.

I have already bought the gear, so in a couple weeks I will be here again asking for help.

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