SuperUltraLight (SUL) backpacking, by definition, calls for a base pack weight less than 5 lbs (2.27 kg). It's fallen out of favor because of the perceived difficulty of achieving such a low pack weight. Back in 2005, Backpacking Light Editor Carol Crooker published a series of articles on going SUL in different locations and styles to show how it's done. But undeniable drawbacks about SUL then were undesirable compromises and going without. Many of us concluded it is best suited for warm/dry conditions. Fast forward to the present; going SUL is much easier now, with no compromises, and less going without. We now have over 40 small companies designing and selling ultralight backpacking gear, and the big outdoor gear companies are in the game too. Now SUL is easier and better than it's ever been.
But there's one more hurdle to deal with: going SUL in the mountains, where more shelter, insulation, and rain protection are needed. All of us want to backpack in the mountains in the summertime, so SUL needs to evolve beyond secure warm/dry conditions to better meet our needs. It needs to be adapted for mountain conditions - Mountain SuperUltraLight backpacking (M-SUL).
In this series I discuss the concepts, scope, expected conditions, and appropriate ultralight gear and techniques for Mountain SuperUltraLight backpacking in four parts as follows:
- Part 1: Concepts and Scope. I present my rationale for M-SUL and define its scope.
- Part 2a: Selecting the Lightest Most Functional Gear-Backpack, Shelter, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad I identify the best gear options in each category - those that provide the functionality needed with minimal weight.
- Part 2b: Selecting the Lightest Most Functional Gear-Rainwear, Insulation, Headwear, Handwear, and Footwear
- Part 2c: Selecting the Lightest Most Functional Gear-Cooking, Water, Trekking Poles, and Accessories
- Part 3: M-SUL Base Weight Gear Lists. I present 5, 6, and 7 lbs base weight gear lists that demonstrate how easy it is to "make weight" for M-SUL and at the same time have all the shelter, insulation, and rain protection to stay dry, warm, and comfortable in the high country.
- Part 4a: Reviews of Selected Gear-Backpacks, Shelters, Sleeping Bags and Pads, Cooking Systems, Water Treatment and Trekking Poles.] (this article) Reviews of gear tested for this series of articles.
- Part 4b: Reviews of Selected Gear -- Rainwear, Insulated Clothing, Handwear and Headwear, Footwear, and Gaiters. Reviews of gear tested for this series of articles.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Overview
- Introduction to Part 4a: Reviews of Selected Gear - Backpacks, Shelters, Sleeping Bags and Pads, Cooking Systems, and Water Treatment
- Index
- Backpacks
- Gossamer Gear Murmur Hyperlight Backpack
- Gossamer Gear Kumo Superlight Backpack
- Laufbursche HuckePÄCKchen
- ZPacks Blast 22
- Shelters
- Gardner Outdoor Lightweight Designs Solo Tarp with Vestibules
- Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
- ZPacks Hexamid Twin
- Sleeping Bags
- Marmot Plasma 30
- Montbell UL Spiral Down Hugger #3
- Mountain Hardwear Mtn Speed 32
- Sleeping Pads
- Gossamer Gear Nightlight
- Klymit Inertia X-Frame
- Klymit Inertia X-Lite
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Short
- Cooking Systems
- Gardner Outdoor Lightweight Designs Fanatic Solo Cook Kit
- Trail Designs Caldera Keg-F and Trail Designs Caldera Keg-GVP
- Water Treatment
- Aqua-Mira Water Treatment Drops
- Aqua-Mira Water Purifier Tablets
- Potable Aqua
- Sawyer Squeeze Filter
- SteriPen Freedom
- Trekking Poles
- Black Diamond Ultra Distance
- Gardner Outdoor Lightweight Designs GOLD FL
- Gossamer Gear LT4
- Preview of Part 4b
# WORDS: 10270
# PHOTOS: 25
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Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking â Part 4a: Gear Reviews
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the Hexamid Solo Plus and Twin have identical footprints. The difference is the rear pole to raise up the back of the tent and create more usable space for a second person.
Can a link be posted for a description of the "Overall Rating" system.
Thanks.
Doug
The Nalgene 1 quart Cantene weighs 63g and comes in a wide mouth version suitable for use with the UV device. It actually holds a lot more than one quart. It's very strong and can be used with the Sawyer Squeeze as well with this mod.
And here I was thinking the MLD Solomid would finally get a BPL review/rating. ;)
Those are useful short reviews. I waited for this Trail Designs vs GOLD stove review, before pulling the trigger on a stove, and it made my mind up. Thanks.
Similar to Jim's mod above, I have stuck two soda bottle lids back to back with a hole between them, this dispenses with the syringe and allows you to routinely back-flush from your clean to your dirty bottle. Particularly useful with very muddy water.
Sucking the thing is not the way I drink from it. I use a small "dirty" Evernew bottle(filled from a little flattened soda bottle when scooping water from puddles)and push it into a large "clean" soda bottle via the filter. That way I can gulp, I know how much I've had, I can add rehydration salts etc and I can have a look at what I'm about to drink before drinking it!
Will, Good gear reviews.
Since the first iteration of the Murmur '12, Gossamer Gear revamped the straps on the pack. It now has poly straps instead of the nylon which would slip if the pack was overloaded. 5-6 days is a very conservative estimate for a trip with the Murmur. I have had two food bags in it and a small compression bag for the sleeping bag & cloths. I took this for about 2 weeks over the Northville-Placid Trail at about 23 pounds total pack weight at the trail head. Food, of corse, was the single bigest weight at about 16-17 pounds. The small pack is certainly capable of longer than 5-6 days.
The Steripen can be difficult to recharge in the ADK's. I prefer the battery operated Opti. A little heavier, it lasts much longer in the back country.
That is cool. What did u use to make that. I usually use the wide mouth canteen to scoop water then pour it into the sawyer bottle and squeeze from there…your set up saves the use of the sawyer bottle
You can get those caps premade now at
http://jetflow.com/product-detail/?pid=247
SCORE!!! Thankyou very much for that…just ordered it.
Will, thanks for sharing your ideas on Mountain SUL and reviews of appropriate gear. They've inspired me to cut some weight. I'm thinking of adding the Caldera Keg F to my cook kit. Does anybody know if the lining of a Fosters beer can contains BPA?
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