Table of Contents
overnight ultralight bushwalking shelters and equipment
see also:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1GRbEBRPv8 Youtube clip of more options to consider for your ultralight hiking
- I don't sell any of these nor do I receive any remuneration if you buy them, and I have not personally reviewed all of them, they are listed here to give you perspective
backpack
- IF you can get your weight to ultralight levels, a frameless pack MAY be a possibility and further save weight
- BUT heavier loads > 9kg weight will be uncomfortable in a frameless pack
- overnight walkers should not carry more than:
- 25% of body weight if female
- 1/3rd of body weight if male (eg. around 20-25kg max, preferably 14-18kg)
- one should carry 2L water per person per day and 3L if hot weather although most hikers carry 1-1.5L as well as water sterilisation gear IF they know that water WILL be available to collect during the hike.
- one set of dry clothes is sufficient along with wet weather gear, good shoes, map, EPIRB, shelter, sleeping mat, etc.
- preferably, the backpack design and packing should distribute the weight 80% to hips and 20% to shoulders - too much on the shoulders and you will have sore shoulders, sore neck and back, and tend to walk bent over which is not how we are designed
- the hip belt thus becomes a key factor in comfort:
- it needs to efficiently transfer weight to the hips to take it off the shoulders
- they should not sag in the lumbar region causing it to slide off and this generally requires a horizontal metal lumbar plate
- the hip belt should fit snuggly over the top of your pelvis - should be well padded with dual adjustments on each side
- to maintain an upright gait with a heavy load, the centre of gravity should be high and close to the body (heavier gear such as water should be high and central rather than on outside bottom pockets) - load lifting compression straps can aid with this and a rigid structure is then needed to transfer this load to the hips
- examples of ultralight back packs:
- how to load a backpack:
shelter
- fly and floor material:
- nylon is weighted by the Denier scale with the lightest tent fabrics being 10D while a tent floor might be made of 70D
- waterproofing is rated according to head of hydrostatic pressure in mm that it can resist
- many ultralight tents are rated at only 1200mm
- polyurethane coated nylon (PU nylon)
- cheaper, heavier option and as PU coating is generally applied to the interior surface to protect it from UV and abrasion, it is hydrophilic and becomes waterlogged and takes longer to dry out so you end up carrying a heavy wet tent and you need to ensure it is completely dry before storage. Wet, humid environments such as the tropics will quickly hydrolyse the PU causing it to degrade, become sticky and peel off.
- some also have an external Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating (eg. MSR Hubba Hubba' Durashield PU/silicone)
- some add polyether to reduce hydrolysis “PeU nylon” (eg. Nemo)
- flooring can be made of double-sided PU nylon for extra waterproofing as UV resistance is not an issue (unless fly is not in place to protect it from the sun)
- silicone nylon (silnylon)
- lighter, more slippery,more UV and temperature stable, and stronger than PU and unlike PU it becomes embedded in the nylon not just coating it, and being hydrophobic, it rapidly sheds water by shaking it rather than the water being absorbed but these too eventually break down with UV exposure if left in the sun for very long periods. It does stretch when it gets wet and thus guy lines will need to be re-tightened, and it can sag in rain.
- it is slippery so:
- snow slides off it easily in winter conditions
- silnylon seams can't be taped
- one can't easily tape things to silnylon with duct tape and thus some flys are made with silnylon or outer surface and PU on inner surface, but these are heavier and less durable than double sided silnylon
- SuprSil is same weight, but 2x more waterproof and has 50% stronger tear strength than generic silnylon although is very slippery and attracts dirt which is not so easy to remove.
- in heavy rain, you may also need a groundsheet to reduce moisture seeping through the SuprSil or silnylon floor and wetting your sleeping bag
- Kerlon
- made for Hilleberg tents, it is silnylon with both sides coated with 3 layers of 100% silicone for more waterproofing and tear strength. Kerlon 1000 is 20D nylon and 2000mm waterproof.
- cuben fibre or non-woven Dyneema (NWD)
- very expensive (~4x cost of silnylon), but is lighter (half the weight of silnylon), much stronger and UV resistant, more translucent, more vulnerable to abrasion and puncture but are easier to repair than nylon and doesn't stretch which can make it harder to pitch. It is not as slippery as silnylon but this makes it not quite as good for snow conditions. It is also less resistant to high temperatures so don't cook inside the tent.
- most one or two person hikers will be best served by a good 1.3-1.5kg 2 person tent that is easy to set up and gives good room and more livable than a 1 person tent, plus better storm proofing than an extreme ultralight setup.
- be aware that during the night while you sleep, native mice can eat through a tent tub floor, through a cuben fibre stuff sack and through a zip lock plastic bag to access food that their sensitive noses have detected! Consider using Loksak Opsak waterproof bag to reduce this temptation as they are designed to block any odors
- many hang their food on a tree well away from the tent in the hope that this will reduce the risk of a predator such as a bear investigating their tent - fortunately we do not have bears in Australia, but goannas, rats, dingoes, etc can be troublesome and wombats can destroy your tent if they smell food or deodorants, etc inside the tent!
poncho emergency shelters
- can also act as very large “ponchos” for groups to huddle under in the rain
- Sea to Summit Ultra-sil tarp/poncho for one person 230g 1.45 x 2.65m tarp $A135
- Gatewood Cape Shelter ($A249) - can also be used with Six Moon mesh bug tent
bivy
- the main advantage of a bivy is compact size and ultralightweight (but some are actually heavier than some tents!)
- the next advantage is that they allow you to set up in places where you couldn't set up a tent
- it can add up to 5-7degC to your sleep system which can be great in winter
- best for dry, arid areas with cold nights or as an emergency shelter
- there are many cons:
- not great in the rain - you need a tarp otherwise the inside is going to get wet as you get in and out
- they are too hot on warm summer nights and you will get sweaty
- they are essentially single wall tents and so condensation can be a major problem no matter what season and you are highly likely to wake up damp - for multi-day hikes, you will then have to dry it out each day as well as your sleeping bag
- if you fully zip up to keep out bugs, you will create more condensation with your breathing
- very confined - you have to get changed lying down in a tight space
- there is no room for your gear
- protection level:
- full protection bivy
- heavier Gortex material for more waterproofing or similar material plus insect proof mesh
- 850-1000g
- this concept is extended further with swags which are much heavier again as they tend to be made of canvas
- partial protection bivy:
- heavier Gortex material for more waterproofing but no mesh to keep out bugs
- 850-1000g
- limited protection bivy:
- ultra-lightweight, splashproof nylon shell only thus need to use with a tarp
- 250-350g
- structure level:
- structured
- usually have a metal wire to create some space around your head end to hold the material away from your face
- un-structured
- no support frame
- most you have to crawl into from the end, some have a side zipper like a sleeping bag
tarp as shelter
- light, compact, versatile - as long as you know how to pitch them
- can also use a ground sheet to reduce risk of water (even if using an enclosed tarp tent)
- tarps require use of mosquito nets or a bivvy to keep you from the bugs, but in the desert can be used primarily as a windbreak without a bug net
- flat tarps in A-frame pitch takes longer than with catenary cut tarp
- in storm mode, flat tarps only provide 3 sided protection which can be more problematic compared to pyramidal tarps
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp
- 2.5m x 2.5m 280g cuben fibre $US340
- 16 LineLocs are spaced around the perimeter of the tarp, and five guy out points are located in the middle
- Sea to Summit Escapist 15D
- 15D Sil/PU coated Ultra-Sil® Nano fabric
- eight Hypalon tie-out points will each hold the tip of a trekking pole
- medium 2 x 2.6m 270g
- large 3 x 3m 350g
- Wilderness Equipment's Overhang Shelter
- engineered tarp 30 denier high-tenacity nylon 66 fabric with a silicone elastomer coating on BOTH sides
- 3m guy lines supplied on corners, 2m on sides - strong reflective fleck, with sliding cleat adjusters
- Tear drop guy cord pockets
- small 2 x 2.95m 550g
- medium 3 x 2.95m 700g
- large 4.5 x 2.95m 1060g
300-400g 1 person trekking pole single wall tent
- examples:
- Big Sky Wisp tent - available in 300g-600g designs although the 300g version is $US300 more expensive as it uses lighter, stronger, more UV resistant, Let-It-Por Cuben fibre fabric
- not recommended for high humidity areas as poor ventilation
- Sea to Summit Specialist Solo tent
- 625g with poles, 445g when used with trekking poles; packs to 25x10cm
- Duo version for 2 people, 846g and 663g w/o poles;
- not easy to set up
-
- at 433g, 100g lighter than the Zpacks Duplex but much less room, similar packability, only 1 entrance, more condensation risk and more difficult to pitch
400-550g cuben fibre trekking pole single wall 2 person mesh tent
-
- perhaps the most popular tent for long through-hikes in America
- A-frame style tent; 1.0 oz/sqyd 20,000mm Dyneema® Composite Fabric floor (1.14m x 2.3m which is more than twice as thick as the fly) and .55 oz/sqyd DCF 15,000mm fly; inner mesh;
- sets up with 2 trekking poles set to 122cm;
- 2 entrances / 4 storm doors;
- 539g excl. the 8 stakes
- packs to 18 x 33cm
- like any single wall tent you have to select your tent site carefully or you could get condensation especially if you have two people in the tent
- $US649
- opt. 290g freestanding pole kit extra $US129
500g Cuben Fibre tarp tent
-
- 500g with guy ropes gives more height than most tents but also need a bivvy
- see bivvy under sleeping (below)
540g 360deg tarp/poncho and 1 person bug tent
- very handy as an ultralight emergency shelter but cramped and you need to take off your rain gear while setting it up as the poncho becomes the tarp
- Six Moon Serenity Net Tent ($A229) with Gatewood Cape Shelter ($A249)
- 540g, 106cm high, 213cm long x 66cm wide, requires a trekking pole, 6 stakes for the shelter which gives 360deg shelter
580g cuben fibre 1 person dual wall tent
- Terra Nova laser ultra 1 tent ($A1199)
- tunnel style tent but with single side door - double-ended outer zip lets the steam out and stops the cold coming in
- packs very small and light (576g) - dimensions are the same as the Laser Photon 1
- fly and floor is 3000mm waterhead “Ultra” fabric
- canopy is nearly all yellow nylon (presumably 10D) except for half mesh door and the small mesh vents at each end
- Scandium Alloy main central curved pole with carbon fibre short end poles
- ventilation is via the half-mesh inner door and the adjustable end panels
- optional but included 58g pole covers can hep improve weathersealing the pole section
- comes with very thin titanium pegs but most will want to use their own pegs for the 13 stake out points
- not freestanding but much more UV resistant and waterproof than other ultralight tents not made from cuben fibre and apparently less wind noise
- vestibule is quite small though - backpack will need to lie on its side to fit
- current version is Terra Nova Laser Pulse Ultra 1
- 490g, poles now clipped on rather than thread through tunnel as with original version and placed to the head in (similar to a swag-style) and not as high as the Photon 1
600g single wall Dyneema 2 person tent
-
- $US649 539g designed to use trekking poles but can be bought with $US125 290g Duplex Freestanding Flex Kit which includes poles
-
- $US699 577g; designed to use trekking poles
800-1000g A-frame tarp and 2 person bug tent
-
- uses trekking poles or trees
- needs practice to set up and requires 8 pegs for tarp and 4 pegs for tent
- bug tent is 385g and 2.2 x 1.2 x 1m with mesh upper and 15D ultra-sil tub floor and is ~$A229
- tarp is 350g 15D Ultra-sil 3x3m with eight Hypalon tie-out points will each hold the tip of a trekking pole and have cord adjuster and reflective guy lines pre-attached and costs ~$A199
- in heavy rain, you may also need the Escapist Groundsheet (2.2 x 1.2m) which is an extra 165g
- for a little extra weight, consider the similarly sized Big Sky Soul 2P tent which works nicely as a free standing bug tent as well as 360deg weather protection and much easier to set up.
- Mont BatCave 2 UL tent plus Mont Batwing Ultralight Thru-Hiker Tarp
- https://www.bogong.com.au/mont-batcave-2-ul-tent.html $AU290 for 600g bug tent and pegs
- https://www.bogong.com.au/tents-3/tarps/mont-batwing-5.html $AU299 for 500g tarp and pegs
750-850g freestanding tent incl. bug tent and tub floor
-
- SuprSil version with carbon fibre poles comes in at 730g
- can leave fly off and use as bug tent
- single vestibule and vent, easy to set up and provides full 360deg 3 season protection
- Soul 2P version available for same weight but need to get the expensive Let-It-Por cuben fibre version otherwise it will be 1-1.1kg for SuprSil version
- Terra Nova Laser photon 1
- SilNylon fly, small pack size
-
- 852g with the .55 oz/sqyd 15000mm Dyneema® Composite Fabric material fly and floor is made from 1.0 oz/sqyd 20000mm Dyneema® Composite Fabric. Carbon fibre poles;
- $US749
750g-1kg 360deg shaped tarp shelter and 2 person bug tent
- shaped tarps are easier to set up than a flat tarp like the sea to Summit Escapist but not as easy as a freestanding tent such as the Rev 2P (below) or the Soul 2P
- Six Moon Haven Tarp Shelter ($A299) and dual pole Net Tent ($A249)
- uses two trekking poles, has dual doors
- 560g shaped tarp 112m high ($US200) or 280g cuben fibre version ($US475)
- 450g mesh tent
940g single wall trekking pole 2 person tent
-
- 940g; 20D double-coated silicon nylon - inner wall and fly are connected together; 20D floor;
- the seams cannot be glued, you need to glue the sutures yourself
- $US157
1.1kg 1 person tent
- these generally have their own carbon fibre or aluminium rod frames - either internal or external (exo-skeleton design)
- external frame designs allow setting up the outer shell first then completing the inner shell under the outer shell and out of the rain, and vice versa for taking them down - very handy indeed.
-
- double wall: SuprSil outer wall, nylon mesh inner wall with 2 doors/vestibules; 17“ poles
- bug mesh or breathable fabric inner options
- 2.3 x 0.75 (0.6 and 0.92m ends) x 0.99m plus vestibules
- see Rev 2P below
- MSR Hubba
-
1-1.8kg 2 person options
- for the minimally extra weight, a 2P tent is more livable for a single hiker and worth considering instead of a 1P tent
- these generally have their own carbon fibre or aluminium rod frames - either internal or external
- dual door designs are better for two people as they don't have to climb over each other to exit
- most have a insect proof inner mesh (some have optional breathable wall instead of mesh for cooler conditions)
- some allow pitching with just the fly (eg. Rev2P, MSR Hubba Hubba NX)
- most in this weight range have thin materials and need to be treated with care
- generally avoid a footprint as is extra weight - better to carefully choose the camp site
- the ones below are all relatively easy to pitch
- external frame designs allow rapidly setting up without inner tent getting wet in the rain
-
- double wall: SuprSil outer wall, nylon mesh inner wall; 17” poles; 4 pegs minimum +/- 4 storm guys
- 2.25 x 1.25 (1.2 and 1.35m ends) x 1.07m plus vestibules +/- optional porch style
- bug mesh or breathable fabric inner options
- packed size 6“x19”
- can pitch the fly by itself if the corners are pegged down and then lay out a groundsheet and later attach the inner tent via the buckles
- great design although the SuprSil is very slippery and it attracts dirt
-
- internal frame, fly over the top of the frame design which allows fly to be removed on warm, dry nights:
-
- 1.08kg; semi-freestanding; 10D fly but doesn't cover tent fully; 10D canopy with white mesh om sides for privacy and black mesh on top for stargazing; 15D 1200mm floor so not great in the wet!;
- 98cm high; 2.6sq.m floor; narrow spreaders means sides slant in substantially making headspace much less than most other tents; 8.7mm DAC poles with single hub; smallish D door but zips much better than the Tiger Wall;
- $AU649
- Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2:
- 1.13kg; semi-freestanding; 2 door; compact tent head height only 99cm less and narrower at foot end;
- fly and floor are rated to 1200mm waterhead; orange mesh; large centrally opening door but requires opening 2 zips in different directions; more difficult to set up than Nemo Hornet but more spacious; zips get snagged easily in fly;
- Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Platinum:
- 1.19kg; 1200mm waterhead fly and floor;
- Nemo Dragonfly 2P:
- 1.4kg; tapered compact tent; 2 door; 20D floor; 15D fly;
-
- single front door design but same poles as Rev2P apparently
- 1.4kg in 40D PU fly or 1.16kg in SuprSil fly and UL poles, or 724g for cuben fibre expensive option
-
- dual door design, optional porch design
- 1.67kg with porch in 40D PU (162g less if buy SuprSil nylon option)
- Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2
- a favorite amongst reviewers but can't be used as fly alone
- 1.5kg, 6“x18” packed size, dual door design, 11 guy points, 20D silnylon fly with 1200mm PU coating
- also: new BIG AGNES 2020 COPPER SPUR HV UL 2 PERSON ULTRALIGHT TENT version
- upper half is mesh, lower half is nylon
- NEW awning-style vestibules with double-zippers
- NEW 3-D bin ‘mezzanine’ at the foot provides elevated storage
- NEW proprietary tent corner construction with unique TipLok Tent Buckle
- NEW proprietary ultralight nylon double rip-stop, mixed denier fabric
- NEW pre-bent span pole with 4-way high-volume hub design
- 1.22kg (1.42kg packed to 50x15cm)
- MSR Hubba Hubba NX
- a favorite amongst reviewers
- 1.6kg, 6“x18” packed size, dual door design, 8 guy points, 20D silnylon fly with 1200mm PU coating
-
- a favorite amongst reviewers
- front door/tunnel design
- 1.6kg, 4“x17” packed size, 17 guy points, 2000mm Kerlon 1000 20D silnylon fly, 20D nylon solid inner (not mesh), 5000mm double 50D PU floor
- more durable than the above tents and better for colder alpine conditions as more weather resistant but a touch heavier and for 300g more you can buy the GT version and get almost double the space thanks to a big vestibule
-
- semi-freestanding; can set up without inner tent getting wet in the rain; 1.46kg;
-
- freestanding; can set up without inner tent getting wet in the rain; 1.66kg
-
2 man 1.8-2.2kg 3 season options
- Mont Moondance 2 tent
- freestanding, dual vestibule
- 9.6mm DAC Featherlite NSL main pole and 9mm DAC Featherlite NSL ridgepole
- tub floor 40 denier Nylon with 25,000mm waterhead PU laminate, 20D silPU 2000mm fly, 20D canopy;
- Internally Accessed Roof Vent & Door Vents
- can pitch with just fly and the optional footprint
- option to buy white mesh inner or full nylon inner
- 1.87kg
- $AU829
- LUXE HABITAT NX3
- similar to MSR Hubba Hubba NX
- Unique one piece frame design with 3 way hubs and rotating ridge pole
- Internal access to vents which are at each end
- Yunan 7001-T6 8.5mm poles
- fly: 68D/210T Seam sealed Rip Stop Polyester PU coated with 2000 mm waterhead rating
- floor: 210T Seam sealed nylon taffeta PU coated floor with 4000 mm waterhead rating
- inner is mostly 185T 40D Breathable Polyester taffeta with No-See-Um Bug black mesh doorways, central ceiling and end vents giving excellent ventilation but not great for star gazing
- 210 cm L x 135 W x 112 H cm + 70 cm vestibule each side (packed: 48 cm L x 16 cm)
- 2.2kg with included footprint
- can be set up with just fly, poles and footprint
- $AU449
heavier tents
sleeping
- there are many factors that affect your warmth and comfort in a sleeping bag:
- use a good insulating mat, so your body heat isn't drawn into the cold ground you are sleeping on
- your tent or shelter
- gender and metabolism, your daily calorie intake, clothing
- sleeping bag liner
- use of the hood
- sleeping bag characteristics
- people generally do not sleep as well on the 1st night in a new environment as the brain is designed to half stay awake (the left hemisphere stays on night watch during the deepest sleep phase to alert the sleeper to potential danger) 1)
sleeping bag
- factor in weight, compressed volume, durability and breathability of the outer shell and comfort rating
- Synthetic filled bags are cheaper than their down equivalents and perform better when wet. However, down models have a superior warmth to weight ratio, as well as being lighter, more compressible and more durable.
- consider a down quilt instead of a mummy bag as they are often up to 20-30% lighter, less restricting and more versatile
- make sure you pick one that isn’t too narrow, has a warm neck collar and a good attachment system as they need several straps to secure it around a sleeping pad to improve warmth, and issues with side sleeping, etc, hence a quilt is not just a sleeping bag opened up!
- you may need to wear a beanie to keep your head warm
- consider taking a 2nd quilt which is larger with higher down content to layer over the top of your lighter quilt and provide winter warmth - combining a -1C and a 10C quilt can get you down to minus 12C when used on an insulated mat - see also layered sleep systems
- Sea To Summit Ember EB1 quilt = 415g, 2.1L for regular size, 750+ loft, 15D outer, rated to 4degC comfort
- Sea To Summit Ember II quilt = 560g, 3L for regular size, 750+ loft, 15D outer, rated to 2degC comfort
- Sea To Summit Ember III quilt = 747g, 4.2L for regular size, 750+ loft, 15D outer, rated to minus 4degC comfort
-
- 600g, very versatile and compact (2L compressed) for temperatures 30degC down to 2degC
- opens to a duvet and can open foot end as needed
- 850+ Loft Eastern European Goose Down with WATERPROOF Ultra Dry Down which retains over 60% more loft and absorbs 30% less moisture, and dry out 60% faster when compared with untreated down
- 2D NanoShell providing the lightest most breathable water resistant shell
- the MC III adds 110g and $100 but allows temperatures down to -2degC
- Mont Zero SL
- 437g, mummy style, comfort down to 2degc, DWR 800+ loft, compresses to 1L, 7D mini ripstop nylon, 1/4 length zip, $AU489
- Mont Prolite 250
- 538g, comfort down to 2degc, DWR 850+ loft, 15D nylon, 90cm zip, downless base, $AU489
- Mont Helium 300
- 640g, comfort down to -1degc, DWR 800+ loft, 15D Pertex, full length zip, $AU499
- Mont Helium 450
- 800g, comfort down to -7degc, DWR 800+ loft, 15D Pertex, full length zip, $AU599
- Rab Neutrino 400
- 820g, mummy style, comfort down to -4degc $AU679 (Pertex endurance shell extra 80g and adds 2deg warmth)
bivvy
- bivouac sack to keep you a little warmer, and safe from the bugs if sleeping under a tarp
- the more waterproof it is, the more condensation you are likely to get, the lighter ones may be best if used under a tarp
- need to sleep on your side else the mesh gets in your face
- if raining and no tarp shelter, sleep with opening underneath
-
- only 210g, 200cm x 76cm, Waterproof and breathable with taped seams, comes with insect mesh, but costs $AU220
- tapers quite sharply to the foot and isn’t wide enough for a sleeping mat and not great for tall people
- packs down to 21x6cm!
- Terra Nova survival bivy
- 340g, 215x74cm, no insect mesh, Waterproof and breathable with taped seams, packs down to 21x11cm $AU99
- RAB Ascent Bivvy
- 650g, 235cm x 70cm x 30cm H, insect mesh, $AU449
- Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy
- 650g, 214 x 64, 3 layer GORE-TEX, insect mesh, $AU449
- Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy Sack
- 4 season hooped style, 214 x 66 x 50, 890g, 3 layer GORE-TEX, insect mesh, $AU529
- RAB Ridge Raider Bivvy
- similar to RAB Ascent but adds a single hooped pole, bathtub floor, 6 stakes and weighs 1033g but packs to 30cm x 16cm
- $AU575
- Black Diamond Bipod Ultralight Bivy Tent
- 4 seasons, 975g, 234cm long x 76cm wide at shoulders x 51cm high at head,insect mesh, 10,000mm waterhead rating
- ~$AU650
mattress and moisture protector
- Thermarest Neoair XLite
- one of the best ultralite sleeping mats for 3-seasons
- as packable as a water bottle and weighs only 346g for the regular size but does cost $A290
- Nemo Astro Insulated Lite 20R
- very comfortable but not ultralight and some don't like its bouncy feel
- one of the best all purpose mats for sleeping although a little heavier at 540g but packs to 8“x4” and is less noisy than the foil-like internal baffles of the Neoair and cheaper at $A160
- Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm
- one of the best ultralite sleeping mats for winter and still only 430g but costs $A379
fire and cooking
- animal proof food storage bag (eg. Ursack)
- waterproof fire lighting
- stove
- cooking gear
USB power
- NB. turn phone off or at least put in airplane mode to reduce power consumption with poor reception
- USB power pack - by far the BEST weight, reliability and cost solution for multi-day hiking easily beating solar power or electricity generators for personal use on multi-day hikes
- if you are going off grid for LONG periods then consider:
- take even more USB battery power packs
- take high end USB power banks:
- Omnicharge Ultimate - 34,800 mAh (128Wh) with AC, DC and USB out
- USB solar power but personal hiking solutions are UNLIKELY to be of much use and power banks are more useful
- thermoelectric generators with USB outputs (probably a waste of time - just take power banks)
waste management
- see also: toileting when hiking or camping
- trowel to dig holes for toilets (at 50m away from water ways to avoid contamination by giardia, etc)
- rubbish bags to bring your rubbish back home - leave no trace
example of minimalistic 7-day 40L backpack gear for Overland Trail
- ultralight tent or bivvie bag (for emergency use - there are huts along the trail)
- ultralight sleeping bag
- Silk liner
- Sea to summit sleeping mat ultralite
- 2 x sock liners (eg. injini brand)
- 2 x pairs walking socks
- 2 x thermal tops (one for walking one for sleeping)
- 2 x thermal pants (same as above)
- 1 x shorts, 1 x Tshirt
- Rain pants, coat
- Fleece jacket
- Thinner jacket (mostly worn at night)
- Beanie, neck warmer, gloves
- Head torch
- Bowl, spoon, cup
- X 3 underwear
- 36L waterproof bag liner
- 4L dry bag (used as compression bag for food)
- gas, gaiters, pot, stove, EPIRB, map, compass, first aid, +/- battery power pack for iPhone
- 2 x bottles of water: 1 x 1.5 L strapped to side of my bag and carry a 750ml bottle by hand (assumes there is ready supply of fresh potable water en route as is generally the case on the Overland Trail, but most recommend you take and use water purifier tablets (buy from Chemist Warehouse), Steripen or a filter for around the Labyrinth and on the Du Cane traverse, because the water sources are marginal and not fast-flowing up that high)
Minimalistic food: Breakfast: 7 x quick oats (one per day) Bag of powdered milk Greens powder
Lunch/snack: Wraps (x2 per day) Muesli bar (1 per day) Baby food (1 per day) Small block of cheese (enough to last all week) protein powder to drink at end of daily hike
Dinner: 7 x pack cous cous/instant rice ( enough for one per day 2 x Dehydrated peas packets (about 2 servings per pack) 7 x instant soup for snack before dinner Chocolate
another very ultralight outfit used by Matthew Maag
Superior wilderness designs 35L backpack Water bottles Carbon fiber tent pole and stakes. Peanut butter jar for soaking. Misc stuff in jar like toothbrush etc. Frogg Toggs. Montane primino thermals. Montbell plasma 1000 jacket. Down booties Rab gloves. Spare socks. Zpacks hexamid and polycryo groundsheet. Zpacks 20f bag. 1/8 inch sleeping pad.
Fanny pack includes: Spoon. Water filter. 10000 mah battery.
Clothes worn plus shoes and knife (carried on person) NOTE he doesn't take cooking gear and just eats Picnic bars and peanut butter for maximum calories per weight, although not much protein there