Backpacking
- The Two Best Wet Wading Shoes
These Shoes Keep the Gravel Out!
About ten years ago I was fishing the Railroad Ranch section of the Henry’s Fork. I was on a trip covering some of the most famous fly fishing water in the west, including such places as the Madison, Nelson Spring Creek, and Yellowstone National Park. I was wet wading the Ranch because it was mid-summer, and it was HOT! I had caught a couple fish earlier in the day a little lower down on the river where the water was broken and it was a little easier fishing. We were now in the smooth water and the fish were rising everywhere. As those of you know who have fished there before, these fish are extremely selective and difficult to catch. Downstream drifts are required or the line/leader will without doubt spook the fish. All my attention should have been on figuring out how to fool those big, beautiful, rising fish. Unfortunately my attention was only half on the fish. The other half was on my feet which were in pain. Real pain. As I said before I was wet wading. My customary apparel while wet wading was REI brand “quick-dry” pants, and Keen sandals. The problem I was facing was that the Henry’s Fork gravel was getting into my Keens between my feet and the soles of the shoes. When I emptied the gravel, which was not easy while standing thigh-deep in the river, it would return within seconds. Gravel would flow in, but it did not flow out. The arches of my feet were in great pain and there was nothing that I could do about it. After hours of frustration and discomfort I eventually left the river.
My wet wading shoes also frequently caused problems for me when I would go on backpacking trips. Often these trips involved walking from camp to an alpine lake several miles away. I almost always leave my boots and waders at home on such trips because of their weight. Instead, I take wet wading shoes on my backpacking trips. In the past I would take my Keen sandals because they are are relatively light, durable, and solid enough to hike in. They did well in almost every aspect except that I’d inevitably end up getting pine needles in the sandals while hiking. Like my Henry’s Fork experience described earlier, this would hurt my feet considerably.
Keen makes great, high quality sandals. The front of the sandals have thick rubber that protects toes extremely well in rivers and on trails when banged against rocks. They are solid, durable, and last a long time. Despite their high quality construction, the fact that gravel and pine needles consistently get into them eventually became a deal-breaker for me in terms of using them for wet wading. This happened about 6 or 7 years ago. It was at that time that my quest to find a better wet wading shoe began.
I first looked to see what other products Keen offered, to see if they had a water shoe with mesh sides to keep gravel out. They had previously offered a version with mesh sides, but for some reason had just discontinued them. The only pair I could find online were ones that were a size to small. I decided to give them a try anyway, but just as you would suspect, they functioned well but my feet hurt because they were too small. Next I settled on a pair of Body Glove water shoes I thought might work. They were light, which appealed to me from a backpacking standpoint. I used them for a couple summers, but in the end they weren’t solid enough. My feet would get sore if there was any hiking involved. That’s not a knock on their quality because I really wasn’t using them as they were intended to be used. Last summer (2023) I went back to the Keen sandals because I still hadn’t found anything better.
This year I finally had a breakthrough. Not only did I find one great solution for wet wading shoes, I found two! They are quite different from each other, but are both far better than the Keen sandals I’ve used in the past. I used them both extensively throughout this last summer. What follows is a quick review of both of them.
Simms Pursuit Shoe
What I really like about the Simms Pursuit is that they are specifically designed for fisherman, and you can tell. They are lightweight shoes (24 oz. per pair) that keep the gravel out. They are very comfortable to wear, much more so than any other wading shoe or boot I’ve ever worn. They are solid shoes, not like some of the water shoes on the market that are really designed for the deck of a boat. These are designed for fisherman, to be used wading rivers. They are breathable and quick-draining. At times this summer I wore them barefoot. At other times, if the water was colder or if I had to do a little hiking, I wore ultra-thin neoprene socks with them. The attribute of Simms Pursuit shoes that I’d like to emphasize the most is that they are very comfortable wet wading shoes.
My only concern when I first bought the Pursuit shoes was the tread on the bottom. Would they slip on wet rocks, and would they hold up while hiking in them. I understand wet wading shoes aren’t necessarily designed to also be hiking shoes, but I sometimes need them to function that way. The answer to the first question above is that the Simms Pursuit shoes function well on wet rocks in rivers and in lakes. They have a better grip than all the wet wading shoes I’ve used in the past. Now, no shoe is perfect, and a slippery rock is a slippery rock. You have to be careful no matter what wading boot or shoe you end up with. That said, they performed well for me while wading. The answer to the second question above, their use while hiking, is that they were not as sturdy as I’d hoped, and that they can slip on rock and gravel when scrambling around alpine lakes. In fairness, they’re not hiking boots! However, if that is something that you sometimes may require, there may be a better solution that I’ll discuss in the next section below.
In summary, I highly recommend the Simms Pursuit wading shoes. I believe you will really like these shoes if most of your time will be spent in the water or on a drift boat, as opposed to hiking or scrambling around high mountain terrain. They look great, they are extremely comfortable, they keep the gravel out, and they function as they should. Simms Pursuit shoes typically retail for around $140 and can be found at many retail outlets. They really are a high-quality wet wading shoe!
Salomon Techamphibian 5 Water Shoe
The other wet wading shoes I used extensively this last summer were the Salomon Techamphibian 5. I gave them a try because I’ve used Salomon hiking boots for years and I believe in the quality of Salomon products. Also, the Techamphibians have a sole that is essentially the sole of a hiking boot. That stood out to me when I was doing my research. A typical scenario for me is to begin wet wading near where I park my truck, but then to finish the day several miles away. It is very common for me to have a long hike back that requires sturdy shoes. Another common scenario for me where my selection of shoes is important is on our backpacking trips. The high mountain lakes we fish are often several miles from our camp. In situations like that I either need to wear my hiking boots and carry my wet wading shoes with me, or I need water shoes that can also function as hiking boots. Salomon Techamphibian water shoes work perfectly in both of the situations I just described.
Salomon Techamphibians are relatively light (21 oz. per pair). The outsoles are solid, durable, and have excellent grip on slippery terrain. The upper section is made of a mesh that dries quickly and keeps the gravel and pine needles out. The heel is collapsible for versatility and ease of getting in and out of them. As with any Salomon product, these are high quality shoes. They typically retail for around $110 which is not terribly expensive.
One comment that I frequently read while researching these shoes was that they are quite narrow and that they are not as comfortable as other shoes. I agree with this comment. When I first tried them on I felt they were too uncomfortable to keep, but here’s what happened. Some of you may know that my “day job” is working for the Colorado Rockies baseball team. When I placed my order for these shoes I used my Rockies email address. That fact did not go unnoticed by the person filling my order. Whoever filled it, their child wrote Go Rockies and drew the Rockies logo all over the shipping box. They were so excited to send it to me that I didn’t have the heart to send the shoes back. I kept them, and I’m thankful that I did! I’ve been able to adjust the straps, and break in the shoes to the point that they are no longer uncomfortable to wear. Still not as comfortable as my Simms Pursuit shoes are, but they do just fine. Especially if I’m wearing thin socks or neoprene socks while hiking. The key though, as I’ve said, is the treads on them. I went on quite a few trips last summer where I hiked many miles in them to high mountain lakes. They did a wonderful job on steep, slippery, slopes where it was absolutely critical that my shoes did not slide. They functioned extremely well on rough terrain and over many miles of trails. However, if you have wide feet these may not be the shoes for you.
Conclusion
I recommend both the Simms Pursuit and the Salomon Techamphibian 5 water shoes for wet wading. The best solution is to have both available so that you can pick which shoes make the most sense for the specific trip you’re taking them on. That’s pretty expensive though. If I had to choose only one pair, I’d probably give the nod to the Simms Pursuit shoes because of their comfort. On hiking trips to alpine lakes I’d wear hiking boots and pack the Simms Pursuits to the lake if I felt I needed wading shoes. What I recommend is to find a store that sells both, or order both of them and have them sent to your house. See which ones you prefer and that fit best, and return the other pair. That is how you will really know which ones to buy.
Simms Pursuit and Salomon Techamphibians are both high quality shoes, so you really can’t go wrong. They’ll both do the job. Still, make sure whichever ones you choose are comfortable and won’t hurt your feet. You will enjoy not having gravel and pine needles constantly in between your feet and the soles of your shoes. It has made a huge difference for me.
- Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker
An Ultralight Tent Perfect for Stargazing!
Imagine yourself high-up in the mountains, at 10,000 feet, surrounded by mountains rising above timberline. A few minutes ago, having put out the campfire, each member of your group has made their way to his or her own tent. Flat on your back, head on a pillow, cozy underneath a warm quilt, you stare-up at the magnificent sky. You can hear the wind whispering through the pine trees around you, as well as all of the other typical night sounds. The stars are amazing, far too many to count. They are brilliant and extend from horizon to horizon. Having a good night’s sleep and experience is such an important part of backpacking and camping.
My nephew told me about the company Six Moon Designs when I first started looking for an ultralight tent about three years ago. He suggested I consider their award winning Lunar Solo tent, a one-person ultralight tent that utilizes a single trekking pole. I looked closely at the Lunar Solo, as well as many other tents from well known manufacturers such as Gossamer Gear, Zpacks, Durston Gear, Big Agnes, REI, etc., etc. After reading articles, watching videos, and comparing specs, the tent that really caught my attention was one manufactured by Six Moon Designs, but it wasn’t their Lunar Solo. It was their Skyscape Trekker.
The Skyscape Trekker is a high quality, 27 oz trekking pole tent. It is lightweight and it packs small, which can be said of many ultralight tents on the market today. What I would like to highlight in this article are the three attributes of the Skyscape Trekker that I found to be somewhat unique. I didn’t see these three attributes in other tents that were available and each of them are important to me. Here they are:
Stargazing – Most of my backpacking trips are high-up in the Rocky Mountain west where the stars are amazing. I live in the Denver Metro area of Colorado where I seldom see any stars in my day-to-day life. As a result, seeing stars at night is one of the things I look forward to most on our trips into the mountains. The Skyscape Trekker, as the name implies, is designed so that you can see virtually the entire sky when going to sleep at night. The fly on both sides of the tent can be rolled-back which unveils almost the entire night sky. It is possible to achieve such views with other tents as well, if the fly is not set up. The problem is that if a storm rolls in with wind or rain, the camper has to get all the way out of the tent to put the fly back on. With the Skyscape Trekker it is easy to unzip the screen, reach out and release the rolled-up fly, and securely zip it shut. One never needs to even get out of their sleeping bag. There is a section of solid material directly overhead so there isn’t an entirely unobstructed view of the stars, but I have not found this to be an issue stargazing.
8 Ft. Long Floor – The Skyscape Trekker is designed to accommodate tall backpackers. The “bathtub floor” is 103″ long, approximately 8 1/2 feet. This was very important for me because I’m almost 6’3″. Other ultralight tent options would not have been long enough for me. With other tents my head would be snug against one wall of the tent while my feet would be pressing against the the far end. With the Skyscape there is actually room for me to store gear on the floor beyond my head, which I consistently use. Another interesting benefit of its dimensions is that the high point is slightly offset from the center which creates extra headroom while lying down. This gives the camper more sense of space around them while inside the tent. The Skyscape is wide enough for my 25″ pad so there is plenty of room for one person. It is not designed for two people. Two people will not fit.
Hybrid Double Wall – Most ultralight trekking pole tents are single wall tents. Condensation can become a problem with single wall tents depending on weather conditions and backpacking destinations. The issue of condensation kept coming up over and over while I was doing my research. I had never really dealt with it because I’d always used a double wall design (mesh tent and a separate fly) and I typically am camping in dry climates. Still, I was attracted to the fact that over 80% of the Skyscape Trekker canopy is separated by a mesh wall. This keeps that section of the wet canopy off you and also allows for excellent ventilation. However, I have found that the 20% that is single wall does have condensation build-up in certain conditions. That wet canopy will get on your bag with contact. Personally, I have not found that to be a very big issue. When I wake up I take a wash towel or t-shirt and swipe that part of the canopy dry. Problem solved. For those who are backpacking in wetter climates, condensation may become more of a problem.
Other characteristics and things to consider:
The Skyscape Trekker is a trekking pole tent. It does not setup as easily as a typical free standing tent with the traditional tent, poles, and fly. This is important to understand if you’ve never setup a trekking pole tent before. As with any trekking pole tent, it is highly recommended that you set it up a couple times in your backyard or a nearby park before taking it out for the first time into the backcountry. The Skyscape Trekker is not too difficult to setup, but it does take a little practice to get it pitched just right. Before I purchased mine I watched several videos on YouTube that showed it being setup. Those videos were helpful for me when I set mine up for the first time.
The Skyscape does not have a huge footprint, as some trekking pole tents do. Still, it is larger than most free standing tents. It is 120″ long, and 76″ wide, and is shaped like a diamond. I have found it to be stable, even in strong wind. The two poles are inside the tent and are near my elbows. I’ve found I have to be conscience of where they are so that I don’t knock them with my arms. I’ve bumped them plenty of times, and the tent’s never come down on me, but it’s something that I try to be aware of. The Skyscape Trekker has two side doors so it can be accessed from either side. There is a stash pocket on the inside as well as a clip centered on the ceiling where I hang a light. It has two medium sized vestibules between the doors and the fly for keeping addition gear dry.
Six Moon Designs currently prices the Skyscape Trekker at $275. They have another tent, the Skyscape Scout, that is the same design but utilizes a slightly heavier material. It sells for $160. These prices do not include stakes, poles, or a groundsheet. Those items are all sold separately. Also, when I weighed my tent in at 27 oz. (pictured above), that did not include stakes, poles, or a groundsheet either. When I pack in the stakes and a groundsheet the total pack weight is 30 oz. What I’ve learned with most backpacking manufacturers is that they will offer good deals around Memorial Day and Black Friday. So if you’re not in a hurry, and can wait until those dates, you’re likely to save a little money.
Lastly, and this is important, the price does not include having sealed, waterproof, seams! You can either purchase the seam sealer yourself, DIY and save a little money, or you can pay to have them seal the seams for you prior to delivery. I recommend having Six Moon Designs do it so that when the Skyscape arrives it’s completely ready to go.
Conclusion – I highly recommend the Skyscape Trekker if you’re a tall individual like me, and I especially recommend it if you enjoy looking at stars at night. I’ve been happy with mine and still look forward to using it each time I take it backpacking. Below is a link to Six Moon Designs where you can purchase the tent directly from them. You can also have fun checking-out all their other shelters and backpacking products.
- 10 Ways Fly Fisherman Can Lighten Their Packs
Conserve Strength for the Fishing!
When I first started backpacking my pack typically would weigh-in between 45 and 50 pounds. I had a lot of fishing gear, sometimes packing in boots, waders and even a float tube and fins. I was younger, stronger, and could handle a pack that weight. Still, my buddies often had smaller packs that were closer to 40 pounds. I was jealous, but didn’t really know what I could leave behind because I used everything I brought.
The recent trend of ultralight backpacking gear has created opportunity for all of us to lighten the weight of our packs. I talk in my book Spot Pack Fly Fishing about an overnight trip I took with my nephew that completely changed how I evaluate my backpacking gear. He had ultralight everything, his gear weighing-in at about 10 pounds, and I had a 40 pound pack. For an overnight! Even though it was just one night, I still needed a tent, sleeping bag, pad, etc., etc. I had brought everything I would have taken on a five night trip, the only thing different being that I didn’t bring as much food. Everything else was the same. That was it, I’d had enough. I decided then and there that I needed to change how I backpacked, especially if I wanted to continue taking backpack fishing trips in my 50’s, 60’s, and beyond.
Listed and described below are ten things that I did to lighten my pack. I’ve reduced my pack weight from 45 pounds down to just under 30 pounds, on average. This includes pack, food, water, camping gear, and fishing gear. I hope this is an encouragement for you to do the same, even if you only pick and choose a few of these ideas. If you currently backpack with a 40+ pound pack, I recommend to first focus on saving pounds. As you begin to get your pack weight lower you’ll begin to think in term of saving ounces. Decide what your target pack-weight is, and then develop a strategy where to cut weight to reach that goal. You will see that most of the suggestions below come with a disclaimer, or a trade-off. To save weight there is often something that is sacrificed. Please remember that when reducing weight, never sacrifice safety.
1 – Inventory your gear and weigh each item. You need to know what each item weighs so that you can begin to decide where to save weight. Certain items that you take for granted, may surprise you as to their weight. For example, I typically take two fly rods on each backpacking trip. The rod cases for each weigh 1.25 pounds each. I found a solution that saves almost two pounds (see point #6 below). The first step to lowering your pack-weight is to understand the weight of what you currently have. Once you know that you can begin to strategically lower the weight of your pack.
2 – Ultralight pack. The backpack I used in the past was a 70 liter Osprey pack. It’s a wonderful pack that can carry a lot of weight comfortably. It weighs 5.25 pounds. The pack I use now is a Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L backpack that only weighs 1.75 pounds including the customizations I’ve added. The Arc Haul can NOT carry as much weight comfortably as the Osprey can, nor can other ultralight packs. When you buy an ultralight backpack understand that you’re committing to cutting your overall weight down to 30 – 35 pounds, or less. Some ultralight packs have built in frames, some do not. Even if they do have frames the conventional thought is that they don’t do well carrying more than 35 pounds. With the Zpacks Arc Haul, I ended up buying from them a lumbar pad and shoulder pads that make the pack considerably more comfortable. Without that customization I would not want to carry the weight I typically carry. In summary, switching to an ultralight pack will save weight in two ways. First, the pack itself will save weight. Second, it will force you to cut weight in other areas to ultimately reach your pack-weight goal.
3 – Don’t carry excess water. Let me first preface this idea by saying that taking enough water is critical. Dehydration is a significant risk of backpacking, especially at high elevations. Always be fully hydrated and have water with you to drink at all times. That being said, don’t carry extra water you don’t need because it’s very heavy. One liter of water weighs 2.2 pounds. Early on in my backpacking career I had a water bladder in my pack that held 3 liters. I would routinely fill it up completely at the beginning of each trip – 6.6 pounds. Now I carry a 20 oz sports drink bottle instead. This cuts down my old pack weight by almost 4 pounds, about 10%. I then use a Katadyn BeFree Water Filter (2.3 oz) to replenish the sports drink bottle along the way.
The key to knowing how much water to pack-in is to know your route, and the water available along the way. If you are packing-in along a stream, or will be regularly encountering streams or lakes, plan on using them to replenish your water. On the other hand, if you will be packing away from any water sources all day long, you’re going to have to carry the extra water with you. It takes intentional planning to know how much water to take with you. Backpacking to fishing destinations will most often be on trails where water sources are present. As I said at the beginning, absolutely do not run short on water. Dehydration is a real danger.
4 – Ultralight trekking pole tent. Consider switching to a trekking pole tent if you’re already using trekking poles while you backpack (which I recommend using). There are so many wonderful trekking pole tents available. They typically weigh less, and they pack smaller. My old tent was considered a backpacking tent when purchased, but it still weighed-in at 8 pounds. It comfortably slept 2 adults, and could fit 3 adults if needed. We would split the tent up into its various parts. One person carrying the tent itself and the other person carrying the fly and poles. We’d split it up even further if 3 adults were squeezing in. Still, the weight was 3-4 pounds per person. I’ve used another one-person shelter that weighs about 3.5 pounds, but I wasn’t sharing that weight with anyone. My current tent is a Six Moon Design Skyscape Trekker. It’s a trekking pole tent that weighs 1.75 pounds.
5 – Ultralight DIY quilt. My traditional Big Agnes sleeping bag weighs 3.25 pounds. It’s warm, but as with most bags my movement is very restricted. It was the restrictiveness as much as the weight that had me considering other options. There’s been a movement towards quilts for both of these reasons. Quilts, however, can be difficult to get used to because of the drafts that seem to creep in during the middle of the night. I use a DIY quilt, one that my wife and I made, that weighs 1.5 pounds. It was not difficult to make, but I’m admittedly still trying to figure out how to keep all the drafts out at night. I like the weight savings and the ability to move my arms and legs. My sleep system includes a Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated 25 x 78 pad that I love. That is something I won’t sacrifice to save weight.
6 – DIY fly rod case. As I mentioned earlier, I take two fly rods on each trip. The cases for each weigh-in at about 1.25 pounds each. I was reading an article written by Janet George in the July/August 2022 issue of Colorado Outdoors titled Ultralight Fly-Fishing Gear. In it she recounted and experience where she was backpacking and met someone using a fluorescent light tube guard (size T12) to protect his fly rod. These can be bought on Amazon.com and only weigh a few ounces. You have to cut them to the correct length, and should insert some foam to cushion the rod tips. I also put my rods into a sock prior to inserting them into the tube. By doing this I save about 2 pounds. Now, understand that the weight savings comes at a cost. The fly rods are reasonably protected against things brushing against them or knocking into them. You can’t shut them in a car door or step on them. I wouldn’t stack other packs or gear on top of them in your vehicle while driving to the trailhead. Understand that the rods will not be as protected as they would be if they’re packed in the rod cases they came in. That’s the trade-off. Janet George’s article also mentioned a tube made by Bourne Outdoors that weighs 8 ounces. I haven’t used it, so I can’t personally recommend it, but it may be worth investigating.
7 – Don’t bring excess clothing. Slowly, over time, I’ve converted most of my backpacking wardrobe to Outdoor Vitals clothing. They specialize in offering lightweight and functional apparel for backpacking. I’m not sure the exact amount of weight I save but here are two categories that alone save me at least a couple pounds. I used to take a bulky fleece vest in the summer, and fleece pullover during shoulder seasons. I would also always take a lined sweater for the evenings. Now I leave all that behind and bring along a Ventus Active Hoodie made by Outdoor Vitals. It is warm, but very lightweight. During shoulder seasons I bring along their Novaul Mens Jacket.
The quantity of clothing to bring is also an area to consider. I used to bring several changes in clothing for multi-day trips. Now, by bringing lightweight clothing made out of odor resistant merino wool, I bring less clothing along. Plan to bring one set of clothing that is made-up of layers. Add layers when cold, take them off when hot. Also pack in a few extra articles of clothing that you make sure to always keep dry. In the event you get soaked, it is always good to have dry clothing to change in to. Really, that’s all you need. Read my Backpacking Apparel Checklist to see the exact clothing I take along. Clothing is a good category to take a close look at when it comes to finding ways to cut your overall pack weight.
8 – Food and cooking equipment. Food that contains a lot of water can be quite heavy. Fruit, for example, can taste wonderful while in the backcountry but it comes at a price from a weight standpoint. Dehydrated dinners are the common way to go. Experiment with the different brands and various meals and you’re sure to find some you like. I’ve found that I use so many calories in the backcountry, and get so hungry while fishing all day, that almost anything will taste good by the end of the day. Still this is an area you can have fun with in your planning. Food is a category that can add surprising weight if not planned. Don’t take just anything. Weigh your food, and make strategic choices of what to bring. One lightweight meal I enjoy is instant mashed potatoes combined with some form of protein. That can be either jerky that I bring or a fish that I catch. For more ideas, I discuss food in detail in my book Spot Pack Fly Fishing.
I use a Jetboil for cooking on all my backpack trips. There are more lightweight stove options available, but I prefer the convenience and the functionality of the Jetboil. Also make sure any cookware such as spoons, cups, and pots are made of titanium or lightweight aluminum.
9 – Leave the boots and waders at home. The key question to be answered with this category is how do you feel about wet-wading. Boots and waders are heavy, and often are not really needed if you are comfortable wet-wading. High alpine lakes typically can be fished effectively from shore. Still, sometimes wading-out onto flats is necessary in order to reach drop-offs where fish like to cruise. Streams are most often fished more effectively while wading, and at the very least, will at times need to be crossed. It is important to understand that wet-wading will likely be required if the boots and waders are left at home. Wet-wading, of course, entails bringing in wet-wading shoes and pants that will dry quickly. For many years I used Keens for wet wading, but this season I began using Simms Pursuit fishing shoes. They’ve been wonderful. They’re comfortable, and they keep the rocks and pebbles out.
10 – Reels and other fishing equipment. Packing in multiple reels can add weight quickly, but may be necessary on fly fishing trips where the destination includes both lakes and small headwater streams. On such trips it is nice to have a heavier 5 or 6-weight rod for the lakes and a 3-weight rod for the streams. This means that reels that match the rods will also be necessary. In addition, sinking line may also be required to fish the lakes effectively. A possible solution is to have multiple spare spools for one reel rather than packing-in two or three individual reels. The spools will weigh less.
Also consider combining your flies into lightweight containers or boxes. Flies weigh next to nothing so you should take all of them along that you think you might need. However, be careful of the weight of the boxes you keep them in. Empty boxes can weigh from two to four ounces. Surprisingly, you can add a pound to your pack if you bring three or four such boxes along with you.
Other ancillary fishing and camping equipment can add surprising weight to your overall pack weight. Weighing each item will help you to decide what to bring and what to leave at home. If items are necessary, bring them. If they’re safety items, definitely bring them! Otherwise, give each item thought and strategically make decisions so that you meet your pack weight goal.
- Backpacking Gear Checklist
Strategically Ultralight!
Typically, the ultralight backpacker’s goal is to have their pack weigh as little as possible. That’s pretty straight forward. This makes sense for those who are going to be hiking twenty miles a day along trails like the Colorado Trail, Pacific Coast Trail, or the Appalachian Trail. I’m not that type of backpacker, and I knew I’d never get my pack down to crazy ultralight levels. I have too much fishing gear and I never want to leave anything behind that I might need. I also want to have a certain level of comfort that ultralight packers are willing to give up. Instead of trying to get every piece of gear to weigh as little as possible, even leaving certain items at home for the sake of weight, I decided to pick and choose where to cut down weight strategically.
Strategically ultralight is a term I use to describe my backpacking philosophy. It means to pick and choose where to cut down weight instead of cutting weight absolutely everywhere possible. My pack weight goal is 30 lbs. on the way in, 26 lbs. on the way out with food having been eaten. By strategically saving weight in some areas, I’m able to carry a comfortable sleeping pad, camp chair, and fly fishing gear while still meeting my pack weight goal.
Below is a list of my backpacking gear, including the manufacturer and weight of each item. Look for future posts reviewing each of these items. I’ll discuss what I like and what I don’t like about each of them, as well as which other manufacturers I considered.
Ultralight (UL) Backpack – Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L backpack (20.9 oz). Pack customization includes Zpack lumbar pad (.99 oz), shoulder pads (.95 oz), and two belt pouches (1.7 oz).
One Person UL Tent – Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker (pictured above), hybrid double wall tent (28 oz, 103” long interior)
Two Person UL Tent – Durston X-Mid 2 Solid if I’m sharing a tent or if I feel extra space is necessary (39.9 oz, including tent, stakes & sack)
Trekking Poles – Leki ultralight soft antishock (16.6 oz)
UL Quilt – DIY project using materials purchased from Ripstop by the Roll (27 oz)
Sleeping Bag Liner – Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor (9.2 oz)
Pillow – NEMO Fillo Elite Luxury (4.2 oz)
Insulated Pad – Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated 25 x 78 (25 oz, 4.8 R Value)
Ultra Mini Air Pump and Tent Light – Flextail Tiny Pump X (1.7 oz)
Water Purification or Filtration – Katadyn BeFree Gravity Water Filter (6.0 L, 8.9 oz) at camp. Katadyn BeFree Water Filter (1.0 L, 2.3 oz) while out in the field.
Water bottles – Two empty sports drink bottles (1.3 oz each)
Cook System – Jetboil and Jetboil fuel canister (16.5 oz)
Chair – Big Agnes Mica Basin (2.6 oz) or Nemo Moonlight Elite (1.6 oz)
Bug Repellent/Net – Ben’s 100 Max Formula spray (1.25 fl. oz)
Headlamp – Black Diamond Spot 400 (2.8 oz)
Sattelite Communicator – Garmen In Reach Mini (3.5 oz)
Navigation – iPhone with downloaded offline map and printed map of destination using Caltopo.com (7.1 oz)
Bear Bag and Rope – Zpacks Bear Bagging Kit (3.4 oz)
Other Miscellaneous Checklist Items – Found at any outdoor store such as Jax Outdoors or REI
First Aid Kit
Bear Spray
Air Horn
Odor Proof Bag for food
Matches or Lighter
Titanium Spoon and a Cup
TP and Trowel
Knife/Multi-tool
Solar Battery Cell – Only if needed for longer trips
Kindle Book / Cards – Optional
Sunscreen/Lip Balm
Deodorant/Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Advil/Pepto
Polarized Sunglasses
Pack Liner/Pack Cover – I simply use a big trash bag to protect gear that must stay dry (sleeping quilt and clothing). In camp I store pack in the vestibule area of my tent.