Ultralight Gear
In Scouting, we teach Scouts to Be Prepared. This means having what you need for any type of outing. We also want to ensure that gear is durable enough to survive use by Scouts, and honestly - a lot of gear won't. This means that Scouts and their accompanying adults are often carrying more gear than less knowledgeable folks on the trail who might also not be prepared for adverse weather or emergencies.
Ultralight gear means different things to different people. For those who got caught up in the Ultralight craze that really took off in the 1990s, it's about minimalism. Carry the minimum gear you need to stay alive and then find lighter versions or new ways to further lighten your load. This can drastically reduce gear loads, reduce injuries and increase the distance you can travel on a given day. It also reduces or eliminates any safety margin you might have should the weather turn bad, you become injured or one of your pieces of gear is damaged.
For extreme ultralight trekking, you need enough experience to know what you can get away with, when to end a trip and know how to survive when things turn bad. This is NOT a good approach for novice backpackers which most younger Scouts and newer Adult Leaders are.
For others, Ultralight has become a way of finding lighter gear made from premium metals and fabrics to reduce weight. This will often increase the price of gear significantly and necessitate that you are a little more careful with your gear. Lighter gear means that you have a better chance of keeping up with the older Scouts on longer treks.
If you are considering Ultralight Gear, come talk to our Hiking Team. We can share information and resources with you.
Hyperlite UltaMid 4
Hyperlite 4400 Porter
Now known as Porter 70
Ultralight Backpacking and Scouts
Ultralight techniques and Gear can enable many to travel easier, further and more safely. This requires a certain amount of maturity, knowledge and experience. Most younger scouts lack the maturity, knowledge and experience to make Ultralight Backpacking work.
Consider that younger Scouts are:
Extremely rough on their gear - less rugged gear may not last a trip or season
Don't appreciate minor weight savings
Will grow out of gear quickly
Extremely rough on their gear - watching a Scout destroy expensive gear isn't fun
Traditional gear:
Generally more durable - Scouts can focus on the trip and not on maintaining gear
Can be recycled and passed down to other Scouts as they grow out of them
Allows Scouts to learn the basics of backpacking - allows them to appreciate shaving weight
We don't recommend starting scouts out with ultralight gear.
Ultralight Gear
There is so much gear out there. Before you go out and purchase the lightest weight gear available, do your research. Stated weights are often NOT accurate. Durability, fit and utility are always a concern. What works for one person may not not work for another.
Big 3 - Pack, Sleep System, & Shelter?
An extreme amount of weight can be shaved off your total load buy carefully selecting the Big 3.
Big 3 Subpages:
Ultralight Backpacks Ultralight Shelters Ultralight Sleeping GearPack
After learning the basics of Ultralight Backpacking and reducing the weight and bulk of gear you need, consider the smallest and lightest pack you can get away with. Most important - it MUST fit.
You don't have to get a pack made out of fancy materials such as dyneema, but this helps ... a LOT. Not only are expensive fabrics strong and light, packs made from them are generally designed and engineered for those looking for an ultralight pack.
Sleep System
Bags and pads vary greatly in function, fit and weight.
Bag insulation on the bottom of a bag is generally crushed, significantly reducing the insulation potential. Consider a quilt, which is used to insulate you from the top and sides. A pad used on the ground will provided far more insulation per weight than lofty bags.
Down provides far more insulation per oz over synthetic material. Down is also far more compactable and takes up minimal space in your pack. Higher quality down will also save weight at a premium price. That all said, the big downside of down is that is loses all of its insulation value if it gets wet. It takes a LOT of maturity and care to use this in the Pacific Northwest. Down is NOT recommended for Scouts. It should be used with caution for adults and is NOT recommended for use on the wet side of the Pacific Northwest.
Shelter
Tents are Heavy! Costco Tents are NOT designed for backpacking.
If using a tent, do your research and choose a tent that is well known to the backpacking community.
Consider these alternatives:
Tarp - ultralight weight version
Tarp tent - saves a lot of weight over conventional tent - generally uses hiking poles for support
Hammock - obviously needs trees for set
UL Resources
Darwin onthetrail
Darwin is a well known hiker, backpacker and bikepacker. He shares his experiences on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and PinhotiTrail and gear he has used.
Website: darwinonthetrail.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/DarwinOnthetrail/videos
Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget
Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! 2017
Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 2 2017
Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 3 2017