Current SUL Kit

  •   Category Weight
  • Worn
    3.69 lb
  • Sleep System
    1.63 lb
  • Shelter
    0.91 lb
  • Communications
    0.56 lb
  • Pack
    0.39 lb
  • Water
    0.32 lb
  • Carried Clothing
    0.31 lb
  • Tools
    0.26 lb
  • Kitchen
    0.26 lb
  • Ditty Sack - kept in bug head net)
    0.16 lb
  • Miscellaneous
    0.13 lb
  • Trip dependent (marked consumable)
    0.4 lb
  • Total 9.01
    lb
    • oz
    • lb
    • g
    • kg
  • Consumable 0.4 lb
  • Worn 3.69 lb
  • Base Weight 4.92 lb

Check out my hiking equipment book!

Notice: this is an active list, and there may be changes over time. Here's my video series where I talk about each aspect of my summer kit and how these items make themselves worth their weight.\

[This kit has changed since completing the AT. You can see the kit I finished the AT with on my Youtube Channel (link below) - my OR H2 (2 layer light rain jacket) will likely be replaced with a wind-shirt (Houdini or similar). Legend: Gold star - Favorite Gear. Red star - experimenting with / thinking of lighter options.

To see reviews of these equipment items check out the review videos

This kit is intended for use where the low temperature is consistently warmer than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. (Because people have told me online that this irresponsible or 'stupid light':) Note that depending on the weather I would pack more items for safety and comfort such as a puffy jacket, puffy pants, top and bottom base-layers, extra wool socks, a 30 degree sleeping bag, thin gloves, rain pants, and goretex-lined sneakers may be added in colder conditions where appropriate- ( I haven't remade my dedicated gear list for very cold weather yet.)

The Poncho tarp was originally intended to primarily serve as a back up shelter in case there was no space in a shelter for me on trail. It has turned out to be a great shelter itself when used in combination with my bivy sack. I still love just throwing my stuff down and getting to sleep in a shelter though. After months of setting up tents, hammocks, and rigging up tarps it gets a little old setting up and breaking down camp when you don't really have to. When camping in nice weather, and if I'm feeling super lazy, I can just "cowboy camp" by laying my poncho tarp as a large ground sheet, stuffing my sleeping setup in the bivy, and getting to bed. Sleeping on the ground with no enclosure like a tent took some getting used to, but man is it awesome to wake up IN the woods.

I've changed my sleeping pad to a regular length version of the same inflatable pad. I don't have enough extra equipment to pad out my legs and extend my sleeping pad anymore!

[Currently Disabled] I have started adding prices to give an idea of what the kit cost me. Prices are going to be the best I could find online, including shipping where appropriate, from reputable sellers. Some items like resealable sandwich bags will not have prices given for them. Items purchased used in this kit include: Poncho Tarp.

Thanks for checking out my gear list. If you like hiking, camping, and minimalism come check out my content: | Instagram @Songbird_Ultralight | Youtube - SongBird Ultralight |

If you have no idea what equipment you need check out my gear guide. You can read it free on amazon with a trial of kindle unlimited It's really hard to know what you don't know. I did months of research before my first hike and still ended up with a strange and clunky kit. My guide will give you explanations for each of a vast pool of equipment options you can choose from and impart to you the knowledge that you'll need to get out on trail with a lighter pack.

If you want to see what would be my absolute dream gear/wish list check it out here. The weight of this setup would just be insanely low. Even the full kit with the colder weather items included would be lower weight than my current summer base.

Thanks for checking out my stuff! If you make hiking equipment and need something tested in the field I am easily contacted at songbirdultralight@gmail.com.

Curt (Songbird)