Monday, January 29th, 2007...4:00 am

“Pack This, Not That” … Don’t Do it

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As I began perusing the 2007 Backpacker Magazine Annual Gear Guide I was immediately drawn to a feature on page 144 promising to slash 11.4 pounds from my pack.

Just when I was beginning to think the editors at Backpacker really get light and ultralight backpacking, my hopes were dashed by their tip sheet. If you follow their advice, you will spend $1,555 and end up with a starter pack of more than 11 pounds, not counting the hiking shoes they recommend. That’s at least 3 pounds more than you need.

The truth is, from my perspective, you can get less (a lot less weight) for a lot less money.

Their tent recommendation is 3 pounds, 3 ounces and $370. These days you’ve got a gazillion choices that are just as good, weigh less and are cheaper.

One of my two base pack sets (pack, sleeping bag, pad and tent / shelter), which is very high quality gear, cost less than $500 and weighs about 7.5 pounds. You can achieve even lower weight with an even smaller budget.

Backpacker Magazine calls their advice “Ultralight 3.0″ a take off on the Web. 2.0. That’s fine. But the rest of us are at Ultralight 4.0 or beyond.

Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.

4 Comments

Filed under Backpacking tips and techniques, Reviews

4 Comments

  • Matt
    January 30th, 2007 at 7:31 pm

    Do you have your own version of “Pack this, not that”? I’d like to check it out.

  • Bruce
    February 12th, 2007 at 10:38 pm

    Matt,

    I do and will get it to you or do it as a post shortly.

    Bruce

  • Dave
    March 24th, 2007 at 10:13 am

    Hello,
    I’m a noob backpacker. About a dozen 8-12 mile mountan hikes last summer. Going for the 4 day overnight w/ friends. Planning to buy the lg REI Mars, 5 lb 11 oz.
    Any experience/advice with the REI packs?
    Thanks,
    Good hiking!,
    Dave

  • Bruce
    April 7th, 2007 at 10:13 am

    Hi Dave,

    Don’t do it! REI is okay for lots of stuff. But trust me you don’t want a 6-pound back. I have a 1 pound, 9 ounce pack, an Osprey Aether, and I have packed for a 7-day Sierra trip. It is about 3,000 cc. My other pack, with more pockets and storage spaces is my idea of splurging on weight and it is only 2 pounds, 2 ounces. It is an Osprey Atmos 35.

    There are so many really nice, light packs in the less than 3 pound range. And they aren’t expensive. The Atmos was about $160.

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