The current issue of
Outside Magazine has an
article listing "Ultralight Backpacking Gear". While some of it is indeed lightweight there are even lighter alternatives so I thought I would post my own list as contrast. My goal is to only list items that function very closely to what Outside has chosen.
1. POLES I have to go with the GossamerGear Lightrek 4 here. These are a 2 piece pole where the Komperdell C3 chosen by Outside is a 3 piece. The Lightreks come in at 3.4 oz per pole in regular or 3.3 oz per pole in the short. I find them just as sturdy as my REI Peak UL (rebranded Komperdell) poles. $155;
gossamergear.com
2. PACK The Exos is a good choice for the lighweight backpacker but we can do better. To be fair we need something with an internal frame and around 58L. I've chosen the ULA Ohm (57 L) here. For comparable options you would need to add the interior backpad, both hip pockets, and the hydration sleeve. This configuration lists at just under 26 oz. $164;
ula-equipment.comBonus: I'd add the interior stash pocket in place of the hydration sleeve and keep your water bladder in a side pocket. I find this carry method better for refills.
3. SHELL The NorthFace Triumph Anorak and it's 5.4 oz weight are hard to argue with. I like a more featured shell myself and carry an older NorthFace DIAD which is 8.7 oz in size large. The Marmot Mica which lists at 7 oz and $130 might also be a good choice.
northface.com &
marmot.com
4. TENT Outside lists the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 at 3.4 lbs but the manufacturer spec is closer to 3.8 lbs as delivered. My choice would be the TarpTent Scarp 2 with mesh inner and no extra poles. In that config it should be around 3.25 lbs as delivered. You could argue that the Scarp is not freestanding without the extra poles which add cost and weight. However, with the added poles the Scarp can handle a lot more abuse from Mother Nature vs. the Copper Spur. $325;
tarptent.com
5. BOOTS The RocLite 390 GTX is another good choice and hard to argue with weight-wise. For most cases where boot is necessary I'd go with with the RocLite 370 instead at 13 oz per foot. Gore-Tex lined footwear only works well in very specific instances. $120;
inov-8.com
6. BAG The Marmot Hydrogen is a nice bag at a good weight and price. I'd spring for a Western Mountaineering Summerlite instead. It's speced at 32 degrees and 19 oz. The Marmot is listed as a 30 degree bag but Western is known for conservatively rating their bags. I chose the Summerlite over the Highlite because the Hydrogen boasts a full zipper. $315;
westernmountaineering.com
7. PAD This is where I have to differ some in specs. We need a self-inflatable that's winter capable and full-length ground insulation to compare with the Prolite Plus. For that I'd carry the BackpackingLight TorsoLite at 10 oz in combination with a GossamerGear Thinlight 3/8" foam pad at around 5.5 oz. Total weight would be just under 1 lb. $70;
backpackinglight.com & $20;
gossamergear.com
8. STOVE Outside chose a canister stove/pot combo in the EtaExpress and then also chose a separate pot for the cookset below. I'm pretty sure the Dualist pot won't work with this stove. To stick with the auto-igniting canister theme I'd choose the SnowPeak Giga Titanium Auto at 3.5 oz. You can fashion a windscreen from aluminum foil if necessary. $75;
snowpeak.com
9. COOKSET Since Outside chose the Pinnacle Dualist I have to assume it's for actual cooking. Titanium is out since most people will burn their food in such a pot. For cooking and to stay around 2L I'd choose the AntiGravityGear 2 Qt. Aluminum Non-Stick Cook Pot which is 5.9 oz (7.3 with a clamp handle). Throw in a couple of FireLite SUL Titanium Spoons from BackpackingLight at .32 oz each. If you really need separate cups recycle some large cottage cheese containers. I'm not sure what those weigh but it can't be much. For a bonus you even have a lid. Store the plastic containers in your pot to keep them from getting damaged. Please don't use hot water in them either. I won't be responsible if you get burned. $13;
antigravitygear.com & $10;
backpackinglight.comIf my calculations are correct I'm figuring a savings of around $248 and 4.25 pounds.
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