In the pursuit of light weight.

[Fonly]

Hey guys.

As some of you know, Im big on the whole light weight scene, you know, knowing more and carrying less.
But I got to thinking today, I want to retrofit my gear, and tools that accompany me on my outings, and stay with me as my survival pack, or my version of a 72 hour kit.

First off, I wanted to ask you fellow light packers, and guy who have toyed with the thought is what you use as a Pack.
I've been looking at: (these photo's arent mine)

the camalback Rukus:

The North Face Chameleon:

And a few of the Maxpedition gear slinger models, with a bladder added.

Secondly, what experiences have you guys had with the Doug ritter survival packs. I see them around alot and like the idea of having those things in a small premade pack.

Thirdly, I would to get some type of bivy sack, one that can be used by its self, or with a sleeping bag inside, I've seen some from adventure medical kits, but in terms of one for late fall, spring and summer use, I have no idea what to look for.

Now, by the time Im done with the kit I want to have what I need in there.

1.First aid (allready covered)
2.Shelter ( bivy and tarp?)
3.Fire ( the survival kit, along with the many things I have now)
4.Water ( Going to pick up some purifacation tablets, or something like pestine water drops)
5.Navagation ( going to pick up a Brunton Classic, and have a Garmin now)

And last but not least, tools.
I would like to go with a balcho saw, or might just pick up a fiskars as I know them and have used them allready (mine broke by me) As for a fixed I would like to get, I have no idea. My master hunter and grohmann #3 are what I think Ill stick with. But if you guys have a knife in mind, I would like to hear sugestions.


Wow, thanks for reading guys. I hope I can get some input Im freggin lost going through everything again. Theirs alot more stuff around!:thumbup:

 

[LittleHairyApe]

I like the Ritter PSK. I pimped it out with a small buck knife and an LED light, but otherwise it's "factory fresh" and perfectly suited for dropping in a jacket pocket along with a heat sheet and an LM Wave. Of course I EDC a few other things on my cotton web belt, on my monkey-braided keyring and in my wallet, but if the weather's ugly or I'm headed far from home, it is a nice little reminder to myself to be cool and to take things a little easier than normal. I've never had to use it, and I never want to do so, but it's a nice little security blanket. I can easily keep it with me or hand it off to someone else and go for help. For me it is a good all-around solution. I hope that helps.

 

[Mikel_24]

I guess that if you want to go lightweight, you better stay away from ultra-strong ultra-reinforced military oriented gear. It is not lightweight by any means and seriously, how many times have you broken your backpack? I have been rock climbing, ice climbing, overnight alpine climbing, forrest hiking, etc... with they very same Vaude 40l pack for years. It only has a few cuts in the double fabric bottom due to a fall while climbing. Not funny, I was attached to that pack when we both fell , my butt got way more thrashed than the pack.

I don't know how much capacity do you need but I am sure there is plenty of alpine climbing packs that will suit you. And they are made with the newest, lightest, strongest fabrics.

If you are going to carry a tarp to provide you of some short of rain protection, then you will be better off with a lightweight sleeping bag instead of a bivy bag. Cheap bivy bags might be lighweight but are not warm at all, and you will get wet due to condensation. If you go for a pricier Gore Tex bivy bag, it will be heavy, they don't breathe so well and don't add much comfort. If you are determined to bring a tarp for cover, why do you need a waterproof bivy bag? You can get down bags rated for 0ºC that weight less than a kg (compresion bag included). I use a Mountain Equipment Marathon 300. Ain't cheap, but works great and is as bulky as a 1l Sigg water bottle (well, it is shorter but a bit wider, I can provide a picture if you want).

I would suggest ditching any kind of tarp as a ground cover and sticking to a RidgeRest insulating pad. I preffer the ones that you have to roll instead of those that fold on themselves. The seams are weak and you can rip them easily. It is very lightweight and the ridges and crevases keep the moisture (from perspiration) away from the sleeping bag. They are way more insulating than the self inflating ones.

I don't know what else to say. Instead of looking into surplus and military gear, go to a climbing store... stuff there will probably suit you better.

Mikel

 

[baldtaco-II]

I'm not familiar with that particular North Face bag, but I've been dragging round a little rip stop North Face for about the 5yrs or so and it works well. I think Mikel and I share a common view on those over-weight, over-built, pseudo military packs. Mine has been bashed through all sorts of stuff and works just fine. I'm pretty certain I sometimes carry much more weight in it than it was designed to too. Without weighing it empty I can't tell you the heft, but it is trivial. [If you've seen any of my photos with red pack in, that's the one].

For a tarp I can't recommend a good size Silnylon job highly enough. Sod the expense if you have to buy one off the peg. There's nothing else like it. If you economize and get something else and then one fine day you are stood next to your mate and he pulls out a Silnylon one, and you compare the bulk and weight to your economy job, you will kick yourself. There is no getting away from it. Invest here, your alternatives are a false economy.

Expanding one what Mikel said here; “I prefer the ones that you have to roll instead of those that fold on themselves. The seams are weak and you can rip them easily.”, that's the difference between chemically blown foam and physically pressure blown. Cheap mats are just a product from an industrial chemical soup, and they are shite no matter what brand name you have on them. Physically blown foam may look the same at first glance, so much so that you may wonder why they cost 4* or 5* as much, but they are far tougher. I've never seriously damaged a Karrimat and some I've had for years. Even those that I've cut down to make sit mats that get used on pretty much a daily basis just won't die.

As for bivvy bags, I'd strongly consider something like the Snugpak bivvy.

I am very strongly considering buying one of those for my playmate. In a different set up that wouldn't be the one I picked, I'd go with a big Gortex job with hoops in. But when using a tarp all that is required is just a good waterproof sleeping bag cover to protect from the ground and any stray water ingress [from scurrying around, off the dog, spillages .etc]. I've been a massive fan of Snugpak bags for years. They have an enviable reputation here both civilian and military, and I have every reason to suppose that their bivvy would be ideal to use over one of their bags.

Here's a better viewthough I know nothing of the store.

Noting that bivvy is only 340g, if you add in the Silnyon tarp, mat, and select a sensible sleeping bag you'll have a very light but well hardened nest.

I don't see anything wrong with the Master Hunter if you like it. My brother has one and I think the design is plenty good for a utility pattern. He certainly didn't need to mangle it to get cutting power from it like he did the SRK I gave him. I can't comment on the ax / saw thing. My choices in that department are very flexible to terrain, duration, and weather.

 

[HornyToad]

I like the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon pack but it takes bottles rather than bladder. I also have a Camelbak Hawg for a bladder type. I think the Equinox bivy (6 oz, $60, bottom waterproof, top breathable) from bushcraftnorthwest.com is a good choice. MacCat silnylon tarps from outdoorequipmentsupplier.com are very light and very well made. They come cantenary cut or standard cut in many sizes.

 

[Fonly]

awesome guys, thank you very much. You can easily get lost in all the stuff that is availibe now-adays.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

I love Osprey packs since they fit well and are super light. On my last outing I was able to carry a weekends work of personal gear and some water at 22 pounds. I hope to get below 20 pounds. With some specialized gear like a bivy sack I can easily get there by next spring.

 

[Liam Ryan]

I was looking for a pack today at wal mart, of course nothing good to be found, I actually toyed with the idea of a fanny pack for about .5 seconds.
I actually did what Mikel 24 suggested and grabbed a kids school bag at a second hand clothing store, it's small and has a NASA symbol on it.:thumbup:
I doubt it will ever break as it's just a simple day pack and won't be too heavy, but I have a mec bag for longer trips.
I did manage to get lots of psk stuff for my kit at wal mart, cotton balls, bandages, fishing and sewing kit, dental floss (good strong thread), immodium, hand sanitizer, fgot a deal on some decent rubber boots, and I snagged a canadian forces light wool jacket at the second hand shop, so it was a good gear day.

 

[Fonly]

I was looking for a pack today at wal mart, of course nothing good to be found, I actually toyed with the idea of a fanny pack for about .5 seconds.
I actually did what Mikel 24 suggested and grabbed a kids school bag at a second hand clothing store, it's small and has a NASA symbol on it.:thumbup:
I doubt it will ever break as it's just a simple day pack and won't be too heavy, but I have a mec bag for longer trips.
I did manage to get lots of psk stuff for my kit at wal mart, cotton balls, bandages, fishing and sewing kit, dental floss (good strong thread), immodium, hand sanitizer, fgot a deal on some decent rubber boots, and I snagged a canadian forces light wool jacket at the second hand shop, so it was a good gear day.

Yeah, im gonna make a trip around the city, go into various stores and just see what I can find.

Back east I used to take a tarp and a wool blanket and a pillow (blowup) for camping, and I really like not having to lug a tent I can ya that.