Last updated: 17 January 2023

OK, I’m a little obsessed.  Ever since I started reading thru-hiker blogs, I’ve been fascinated with the ultralight philosophy of backpacking.  Most people who hike hundreds of miles come to realize that every ounce counts, and they figure out how to cut down what they need to the bare minimum.

Of course, everyone’s bare minimum is different, but many hikers can safely (though maybe not cheaply!) get their base weight below 10 pounds.  That’s exactly what I have done, though depending on the trip I sometimes have to carry specialized equipment like an ice axe or a bear canister that puts me over the top.

I do not get paid for any of the links on this blog, so feel free to click away.  The gear list for my current trip includes the following:

PACK, SLEEP, AND SHELTER

Backpack: ZPacks Arc Blast (22.9 oz)
This is a bare-bones cuben fiber backpack with no hip belt pockets (they are optional) — just one main pocket that everything fits in, two side pockets for water bottles, trekking poles, or micro spikes, and a mesh back pocket for stashing jackets, maps, and so on.  I love it!  I especially like the way it arcs away from my back, which greatly improves ventilation.  There is also room to fit my Bearikade Expedition bear canister inside.  I was a little worried about its durability because it weighs over a pound lighter than my ULA Circuit, but so far it has held up nicely, even after sliding down cross-country scree.  I’ve had to repair it seven times, four when I broke a strap clip (ZPacks immediately sent me a new one two times and after that they changed policy and I had to buy them), once when my cat scratched up the mesh pocket (repaired easily with floss and then later replaced by a local tailor) and twice when one of the carbon fiber poles that arch the bag away from my back busted through the bottom strap that supports it (easily fixed with duct tape, and Zpacks repaired it free-of-charge to permanently fix the problem!).  My only other complaint is that the bag is very tall, which forced me to reduce the brim size of my Tilly AirFlo hat.  But that tallness keeps the bag close to my center of gravity, which reduces the impact of the weight on my body.

Sleeping Bag: ZPacks 20 degree quilt plus stuff sack (20.8 oz)
The ZPacks quilt has a zipper that rests underneath me when I sleep (it’s designed to be comfortable to lay on) so I can close it up when it’s cold and drafty and keep it open like a quilt when it’s not.  The neck baffle is not quite as deluxe as my Katabatic Sawatch 15, but the difference is not worth the 3.5 ounces of weight reduction I get from the ZPacks when the weather stays above 30 or so.  I have used this bag during cold desert nights in SoCal and I am usually comfortable down to about 20 degrees.  However, 1) I sleep very warm, and 2) when it gets below freezing I usually put on all my clothes and also my down puffy jacket.

Tent: ZPacks Duplex plus stuff sack (19.6 oz)
I can’t believe how light this tent is!  It is made from cuben fiber (which does not sag when it gets wet) and uses my trekking poles to set it up.  There is a bathtub floor, netting for insects, doors on both sides, and four retractable storm doors which I almost always keep open so I can see the night sky.  My first tent was also a ZPacks (Hexamid Twin), but I changed to the plex series because I did not like how one of the poles needed to be inside the Hexamid tent.  I think the Duplex design gives me more room for my stuff, which all fits easily inside my tent with me.  I also own the Solplex version of this tent, but it only has one door, and the Triplex version of this tent, which has two doors and also feels like a palace even when my wife and I and all our stuff is inside.  One possible downside to these tents for some people is that you occasionally have to be creative to get them up (I often use rocks to weigh down 2 or more of the stakes), but adjustable tension cords on the corners make this pretty easy, especially now that I have experience doing it.

Sleeping Pad: NeoAir Xlite (11.8 oz)
I love this pad!  It is super comfortable and easy to blow up and pack away.  It also doubles as a flotation device! It was a little crinkly sounding at first, but it got less over time (or I just got used to it).  My only complaint is that two of these that I owned developed very slow leaks that I couldn’t quite find, so I had to give them a couple of puffs of air once or twice a night.  When it got bad enough, I sent them to Cascade Designs to repair and they sent me two new ones for free!

Pack Liner: Generic Trash Compactor Bag (1.9 oz)
I only bring this if I think there is a chance my bag will get wet (I often leave it at home in SoCal).  It kept all my stuff dry on the day Fish Creek almost killed me!

Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros (1.8 oz)
I got really tired of my clothing bag with a down jacket in it going flat in the middle of the night under the weight of my big fat head.  I’ve used the Big Sky Dream Sleeper for a few years, but it developed an irreparable slow leak on the PCT, so now I use this one and I love it!

Stakes: Titanium hook stakes (8 x 0.2 oz)
These are very basic and very light six inch stakes with hooks at the end.  I’ve actually tried a variety of other stakes, including V stakes and thicker carbon fiber stakes, but those stakes are heavier and harder to get in the ground.  The downside of the lightweight stakes is that they need to be held down with rocks in loose soil, but they do fine once they are adequately reinforced. So I usually carry two V/carbon stakes and six hook stakes. But I lose one every now and then and find another one every now and then, so it’s quite the mix-and-match set at this point.

FOOD AND WATER

Water purification: Aquamira treatment drops (3.0 oz)
I tried using a Be Free filter for a few months, but its performance tended to decline quickly in time, even during a short trip, and I got tired of drinking water like it was a milkshake.  I really like being able to gulp water!  So I’m back to drops.  It only takes 15 minutes to treat most water with these drops (longer if it’s colder).  I also have chlorine dioxide tablets, but those take up to four hours for treatment.

Water Bladder: Platypus 2L (1.3 oz)
SoCal is pretty dry, so I sometimes need to carry several liters of water between sources.  These water bladders work great and actually have a lower weight per liter of capacity than even the Smart Water bottles.  One downside to these is that they are somewhat hard to fill because they collapse, but when paired with a harder-sided bottle they work great.

Water Bottle: Smart Water (1.4 oz)
I was originally really surprised to learn that thru-hikers typically do not use Nalgene Bottles.  As an avid day hiker and car camper for many years, I felt like the Nalgene Bottle was a fixed part of my experience.  But they are heavy!  Ordinary plastic water bottles seal well and weigh just over an ounce.  You shouldn’t reuse them too many times because the plastic tends to break down with UV exposure into estrogens with unknown effects, but I usually get a few trips out of each one and then recycle them.  The Smart Water bottle is great for its tall shape because it fits nicely into my pack side pockets and it can (usually) be reached without taking off my pack.

Spoon: TOAKS Titanium Long Handle (0.7 oz)
Lightweight and durable!  Some thru-hikers just use ordinary plastic spoons, but I like not having to worry about breaking this utensil.  I also like the texture of the polished bowl better than the unpolished titanium spork I used to take with me.

Bowl: Talenti jar (1.8 oz)
I usually go cookless, so this is a good way to cold soak meals that need hydration.

CLOTHING IN PACK

Puffy Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Hooded Ghost Whisperer (7.8 oz)
I love this jacket!  It is extremely lightweight and easily keeps me warm down to 20 degrees or so, and might even work at colder temperatures when paired with a base layer and wind layer.  So far the durability has been great, and it is also a great item to add warmth while sleeping at night for extreme comfort.  I definitely recommend the hooded version of this jacket because the extra weight is negligible and the hood adds a lot of warmth.

Rain Jacket: ZPacks Vertice (6.0 oz)
I got this jacket after I ruined my Marmot Essence with DEET (d’oh! rookie mistake!).  It’s cut a little strangely, but it’s definitely super light and good for wind and light to moderate rainfall. I have not yet tested in a downpour or in all-day rain hiking.

Baselayer Shirt: Capilene Lightweight Crew (3.5 oz)
I am a warm sleeper, so this lightest long sleeve base layer made by Patagonia is plenty for me (my wife uses thermal merino wool, which is warmer but heavier).  I try to only wear this top at night when I am sleeping, but I have occasionally used it as a base layer while hiking when temperatures were below freezing.

Baselayer Pants: Capilene Lightweight Bottoms (3.5 oz)
These are super comfortable and warm, but my sleep set-up is pretty warm already, so I leave these at home unless I expect the temperature to go below freezing.

Extra Hiking socks: Darn Tough (1.5 oz)
I own three pairs of these wool socks and they lasted about 100 days worth of hiking trips. Then Darn Tough replaced them for free!  I’ve had almost no problem with blisters wearing these.  I usually wear one pair and carry one pair dedicated for sleep and then wear that pair on my last day for a little boost of freshness!

Rain Pants: Zpacks Vertice (3.0 oz)
These are lightweight pants that I take as an extra layer if I will be walking through wet underbrush or in cold rain.

Gloves: Zpacks Possum Down Gloves (1.4 oz)
These gloves are full of holes but they still sort of work. When I finally replace them I will probably just buy some generic thin gardening gloves and cut the tips out of my thumb and index finger

Neck Gaiter: Buff (1.1 oz)
I only wear this at night when it’s nice to get just a little more warmth around my neck since my head sticks out of my sleeping quilt.  I also use this as a beanie, to keep my face warm when it is really cold, or as a light block for my eyes when the moon is extremely bright. And during the pandemic I have been using it as a face covering.

Head Net: Sea to Summit Insect Shield (0.7 oz)
It’s a little hot to hike in this net, but it’s great protection from bugs.  Sometimes it’s the only way to stay sane!

MISCELLANEOUS GEAR

External Battery: NiteCore 20,000mAh + Anker Nano Wall Charger + Mini Cables (12.8 oz)
This is a simple battery that will fully recharge my phone about 4 times.  I used to carry a smaller one but I got tired of working so hard on battery management.  With this one I have more than enough power to use my phone with the brightness (partially) up for maps, photos, and reading. The wall charger ensures it will charge quickly and my USB-C cable is only 4 inches long and also works with my USB-mini and Lightning adapters.

Satellite Communicator: Garmin inReach Mini (3.5  oz)
I used to take an inReach Explorer that a friend of mine gave to me when he no longer needed it (thanks Barnfinder!), but Garmin recnetly came out with a new device that does everything I need and it weighs just 3.5 ounces!  Now I never leave without it.  When I do solo trips in areas where I don’t have cell reception, it gives my family peace of mind because it allows me to send periodic texts with my location.  It holds backup GPS maps and I also like the ability to do two-way communication in the event of an emergency.  It pairs via bluetooth with my iPhone and I think it’s worth the weight and the $12/month service plan….

Repair: 6x safety pins, needle, sleeping pad patches, cuben tape, tenacious tape, duct tape, spectra cord (3.0 oz)
It’s true, duct tape will fix anything.

Mouth Care: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, chapstick (2.0 oz)
Yes, I cut down my toothbrush handle….  I also stash my needle (which is hard to stash) with the floss.

Pee Bottle: Nalgene Cantene (2.0 oz)
This is a luxury item, but so worth it when it’s cold or crowded in camp!

First Aid: 20x Ibuprofen, 5x bandaids, leukotape, alcohol wipes, antibiotic pads, sting pads, gauze (1.5 oz)
Pretty basic, yes, but did I mention that duct tape will fix anything?

Headlamp: Nitecore NU25 (1.0 oz)
I recently switched from the Petzl elite to this headlamp because it has a brighter setting for night hiking and it can be recharged via USB. I hardly ever need this wonderful little light, so I am glad it does not weigh much.  If it’s dark I am usually sleeping, and even if I am not, moonlight is usually sufficient for me to see a trail or my way around the tent (I climbed Whitney before dawn without ever turning it on).  However, I do sometimes stay up for a bit reading my maps, and it’s nice to be able to see what I am eating if I happen to get a very early start or a very late finish.

Hygiene: toilet paper, ziplocks (1.0 oz)
Pack it out!

Wallet Stuff: ID, Credit Cards, Cash, Permit, Pen (1.0 oz)
I call this my “link to civilization” kit!

Sunscreen: Generic (1.0 oz)
This is just for the back of my hands — everything else is usually pretty covered.  I will also take it if I expect to hike long distances on snow.

Pocket Knife: Victorinox Classic Swiss Army (0.8 oz)
I use this great little multitool to cut meat and cheese, open my bear canister, scissor leukotape, remove splinters, clip my nails, and even clean fish.

Trowel: Deuce of Spades (0.6 oz)
My punniest piece of gear.  Extremely light and works well, though the sharp edges can be a little hard on the hands in tougher soils.

TOTAL BASE WEIGHT: 9.2 lbs

So that’s everything I am carrying in my pack or my pockets besides food and water.  To calculate total “skin-out” weight, though, we need to add clothes and my trekking poles.

ITEMS WORN AND CARRIED

Shoes: Altra Lone Peaks (24.4 oz)
This is my favorite set of shoes out of three that I have tried, and I really love the new version, the 5.0s. Before I started backpacking I wore New Balance 990 running shoes most of my life because I have a very wide toe box and flat feet. Then I wanted to get a New Balance trail runner, but when I tried them all they slipped in the heel. So for the first few trips I just wore my 990s.  Then they upgraded the New Balance Leadvilles to reduce heel slippage and I owned a pair of those for a time.  But on the High Sierra Trail my right foot got blisters for the first time. It was probably a sizing issue, so if I just went up a notch the Leadvilles would be fine, but my friend BarnFinder spoke highly of the Altra Lone Peaks, which seem to have been built not only for thru-hikers but for feet like mine.  I love that the front of the shoe goes wide and there is velcro and a hook especially for attaching ultralight gaiters.

Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z (10.2 oz)
I originally bought some Black Diamond adjustable aluminum poles that I really liked, but they are pretty heavy compared to these poles.  That’s important if I want to switch off not using them occasionally just to mix things up, because then I have to carry them.  I was worried that their lack of adjustability would be a problem for my tents, which have no poles of their own.  However, the full height of the pole is perfect for most of the supports and I can fold down one section of the pole when I need less height for the back of my Solplex.  I once broke a pair of these and because they were still under the one year warranty, Black Diamond sent me a new pair free!  I’ve now worn one of the poles down past the replaceable tips, so I twisted a screw into the bottom.  We’ll see how long that lasts….

Phone: Pixel 6 Pro + case + EarPods (10.1 oz)
I used to own iPhones but then Apple screwed me by refusing to fix batteries that went bad within a year on two (!) of my laptops. I know Google is just another big evil corporation, but for now I am still mad at Apple, and I have been enjoying the new phone. I keep it in my pants pocket except during high risk stream crossings and I have a basic case (included in the weight total) that protects it from breaking when I drop it.  I primarily use the phone as a camera, MP3 player, and a mapping device (with Caltopo and/or FarOut apps).  I have also used it on mountaintops to text friends and family that I am safe, and sometimes I play a game of Polytopia at the end of the day. Going forward, I also plan to try editing photos and blogging from the field, though the WordPress App seems a little frustrating to deal with when it is offline.

Long Sleeve Shirt: REI Sahara (8.2 oz)
This is an extremely billowy and airy button down shirt with ventilation under the arms.  It also has a collar, which I really like (which is weird, because I NEVER wear collared shirts). It keeps more sun off my neck and when it’s buggy I can put up the collar to get just a little extra protection for my neck.  Like my pants, I had Insect Shield treat this shirt with permethrin, and mosquitoes have not gotten through the shirt yet.

Hat: Tilley Airflo (4.0 oz)
I originally started backpacking with a ULA Circuit pack and a broad brimmed Tilley AirFlo hat that I loved.  It was stylish, extremely light and cool, kept the sun off my whole head.  But when I switched to the ZPacks Arc Blast, it had no room for the back brim of the Tilley.  So I tried the OR Sun Runner, but I hated the wind flaps for the side and I didn’t want to have to apply sunscreen to the side of my face all the time.  Then I went with a Sunday Afternoons, which is light and cool but it’s a pretty goofy looking hat.  Then, I got an idea for how to modify my Tilley – just cut a one inch pizza slice out of the back rim and safety pin the cut edges together.  That pulled the back rim down out of the way of my backpack and worked but it looked weird. So I eventually replaced it with the standard brim version of the Tilley (LTM6), which works better in the wind, anyway. I love it!

Running Shorts: Pudolla (2.8 oz)
Ever since I hiked the John Muir Trail I have started hiking in short shorts. They are so much cooler on my quads and more comfortable. And they double as a swimsuit or town day garb. I cut out the liner inside because I prefer my comfy underwear.

Underwear: Ex Officio Give n Go Sport Mesh Boxer Briefs (2.5 oz)
I’m ashamed to admit that I wore tighty whiteys for decades.  I had no idea how comfortable underwear could be.  These are not only great for preventing chafe and improving ventilation, they are just amazing everyday underwear.  This might be the biggest benefit backpacking has brought to my life!

Hiking socks: Darn Tough (2.3 oz)
I own three pairs of these wool socks and they lasted about 100 days worth of hiking trips. Then Darn Tough replaced them for free!  I’ve had almost no problem with blisters wearing these.  I usually wear one pair and carry one pair dedicated for sleep and then wear that pair on my last day for a little boost of freshness!

Gaiters: Dirty Girl (1.2 oz)
Lovely, durable, lightweight, and effective.  These gaiters keep rocks out of my shoes and reduce the number of times I need to stop to wash my feet.  My first pair lasted for 2000 miles and I now have a second pair with smiley faces (yay!).

Sunglasses: Generic (1.0 oz)
I had a pair of Happy Lenses that I really liked, but they are expensive and the backcountry tends to be hard on sunglasses.  So I just prefer to buy any old cheap pair from the mall or wherever.

Pack Towel: Lightload (0.3 oz)
I use this highly absorbent towel like a handkerchief mostly, keeping it in my pocket.  Athough it’s not nearly as aesthetic as a regular towel, it does a very good job of drying me after a Sierra swim.

TOTAL SKIN-OUT WEIGHT: 13.4 lbs

TRIP-DEPENDENT GEAR

Some items don’t make it into the “always carry” category.

Traction: MSR Lighting Ascent Showshoes (64.0 oz)
I have not gotten to try these out much yet.  I bought them for a winter trip to Sequoia that got canceled.  I would only use these if I expected unconsolidated snow.  Otherwise crampons or micro spikes are probably better (and definitely lighter!).

Bear Canister: Bearikade Expedition (37.6 oz)
This is a very large capacity (900 cubic inches) and (relatively) lightweight food canister that is approved in Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon.  It also doubles as a camp seat at the end of the day.  It fits in my Arc Blast backpack, though it is a bit of a pain to get in the bag sometimes and its rigidity puts pressure on the arc of the pack.  I’m hopeful that at some point rules will change and I never have to carry this thing ever again, but I am not holding my breath…. I also recently bought a Bearikade Scout which holds 500 cubic inches and weighs 27.5 ounces.

Traction: Kahtoola K10 Hiking Crampons (21.5 oz)
If I think I will be climbing steep ice fields, these are my new choice.  I used them on my trip to Sequoia with MixMaster and several trips since and they have worked very well.

Camp Chair: REI Flexlite Air Chair (15.8 oz)
Not an item for when I am going solo and trying to make big miles.  But on more relaxed trips this can be a very nice luxury item for lounging at breaks or in camp.

Sleeping Pad: NeoAir Xtherm (14.7 oz)
I bought this for winter trips — it is only 3 ounces heavier than my Xlite and it has a much higher R value (5.7 vs 3.2).  In my experience it’s not only warmer but it also seems more durable than the Xlite.

Pants: Prana Stretch Zion (14 oz)
I run really hot but I like protection for my legs when I expect to go off trail.  These Prana pants stretch but they are incredibly durable.  I had Insect Shield treat them with permethrin and I have had no bites on my legs through these pants.

Traction: Kahtoola Microspikes (13.1 oz)
These are great traction devices for on-trail hiking in consolidated snow.  However, I felt like I needed something more secure when I climbed Forester Pass during the big snow in early June 2017.

Sleeping Pad: Thermarest Z Lite Sol (12 oz)
I use this pad for cold weather trips where I plan to sleep on snow in conjunction with an inflatable pad. I am only 5’8″ so I cut two rectangles off this, reducing the weight from 14 to 12 ounces and the height from 72 to 62 inches.

Ice Axe: Corsa Nanotech 60cm (9.9 oz)
This axe saved my life on Forester Pass.  The adze is not the best digging tool in the world, but it’s fine for relatively non-technical uses like mine.  I am happy with a shorter axe, but others prefer longer ones or whippets.

Food Bag: Ursack Major (8.7 oz)
I usually just keep my food with me in my tent, but I take my Ursack whenever I head into bear country.  It has a 925 cubic inch capacity and is made of bullet-proof Spectra fabric and approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) for food storage.  All you have to do is tie it as directed to a nearby tree or rock (though leaving it on the ground is fine too — you just risk a bear running off with the bag).  You can use this bag almost everywhere in bear country because most National Parks like Denali accept the IGBC’s recommendations.  But it is not (yet) approved in Yosemite and some parts of Sequoia and Kings Canyon.  This is really annoying, but c’est la vie.

Umbrella: Golite (8.0 oz)
This is arguably the weirdest piece of gear I own.  Every time I use it on trail, I pass at least a few people who comment on it because they have never seen anyone backpacking with an umbrella.  It is also heavy, which is frustrating because I sometimes bring it on trips when I never use it.  But I have made peace with this “luxury” item because it gives me the greatest joy in three situations where I am at my lowest.  First, I use this as sun shade when it is hot, especially on multi-thousand foot climbs.  Second, I use this in the rain and it keeps me much dryer than “water-proof” gear which either wets through or creates a nice sauna underneath.  Third, it is absolutely wonderful to have when I have to get out of my tent to pee in the middle of a rainy night.  I use a Zpacks kit to attach the umbrella to my pack so I can use my trekking poles at the same time, and in the rare case when it is too windy I either put one trekking pole away or I rely on my hat and/or rain jacket.

Down Pants: GooseFeet Gear (8.0 oz)
For winter, have not used them yet, but my wife has!

Pot, Stove, and Lighter: Jetboil Stash (7.8 oz)
I used a Jetboil Sol for a long time, then went cookless, then switched to the lighter Soto Windmaster, and now a friend recently gifted me this new stove from Jetboil (thanks Flower Power!). I love it for both its speed and fuel efficiency, and it’s also about 3 ounces lighter than my Sol.

Stove: Soto Windmaster (3.0 oz)
Hikin’ Jim wrote a wonderful review of this stove and I have also been very happy with it so far.  It fits perfectly inside my TOAKS pot, along with an isobutane container and a lighter.  This set up shaved about 4 ounces off my previous Jetboil stove/pot combo, but it is only about an ounce lighter than my current Jetboil set up and it is less fuel efficient.

Pot: TOAKS 750 ml Titanium Pot (3.4 oz)
I sometimes go stoveless when I hike solo because it removes both fixed (stove) and variable (fuel) sources of pack weight.  I’ve always been a cold pizza kind of guy anyway, so this was a natural choice for me.  But lately I have been thinking I should build more break time into my hiking, and one way to do it is to add breaks for cooking.

Water Filter: Platypus QuickDraw (2.8 oz)
After my Aquamira drops twice evaporated without explanation, I jumped on board the sawyer squeeze bandwagon. Now platypus makes a similar product that I have recently switched to.  I like the lack of a chemical taste and the immediacy of being able to drink as soon as I collect water. It has some of the same issues as the BeFree in terms of reduced performance over time, but backwashing the filter in the field is pretty easy, so my flow rate has always been good.

Water Filter: Katadyn BeFree (2.3 oz)
I saw this filter in Backpacker’s Gear Issue and thought I would give it a try.  The filter works by gently squeezing an attached soft bottle and I’m surprised at the flow rate when it is new — you can’t drink it fast enough to keep up!  I like the added benefit of removing larger particles of sand and silt from more turbid water, and the ease of just grabbing dirty water for storage and filtering/drinking whenever I’m thirsty.  The main problem is that its performance noticeably declines over time, even within a given trip, and I got really tired of drinking water like a milkshake.  So I only take this on day hikes or to places where I expect the water to be clear now.

Pillow: Big Sky International DreamSleeper (1.4 oz)
This was my original backpacking pillow. It worked for several years, but it developed weakness in a seam near the valve that caused it to develop irreparable slow leaks, so I replaced it with the more durable Sea to Summit pillow. I still have a newish one that I use when I do trips with my wife.

Wind Pants: Copperfield (1.2 oz)
These are great to pair with my hiking short-shorts. I put them underneath when I start hiking for the day, take them off when I get warm, and then put them back on in camp for bug protection and warmth. And they are comfy to sleep in, too. I know from shredding two other pairs of pants like this that I need the shorts on the outside to protect them when I sit on rocks and logs, but for walking they seem pretty durable.

DEET: Generic 100% solution (1.0 oz)
Only needed in mosquito season.