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
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)
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-
Worn
Weight qty -
Trekking Poles
(Marked worn wt. because they stay in my hands.) Carbon fiber trekking poles (mfx weight) [Awesome][Multipurpose - Used to set up shelter]
17
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Trail Runners
[new pair for trip] size 9.5
678
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hat
Favorite 'trucker' baseball hat with mesh back
106
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
running shirt
breathable and thin
89
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Boxer briefs
merino blend, 9 inch leg boxerbriefs
82
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
running shorts
synthetic running shorts with liner removed
76
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
'shock-proof' watch
Black watch (REWEIGH??? can't be right?)
57
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
spandex gaiters
Spandex gaiters for shoes to keep rocks/ sticks out
39
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Socks
(tan, light cushion) merino wool
35
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Prescription Glasses
With transition sunglass lenses
29
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Sleep System
Weight qty -
Full length inflatable sleeping pad
[NEW] also carry mfxs patch kit
342
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wearable Summer Quilt
[27.544 grams lighter than mfx stated weight for quilt] Synthetic insulation (45+ degree range) [New] [Multipurpose]
341
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pillow (inflatable)
Inflatable pillow for side-sleeping comfort
2
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Shelter
Weight qty -
Bug mesh-hooded light bivy
water resistant top. Waterproof bottom. "extra wide" including (7g) stuff-sack for dirty conditions [NEW]
194
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
reflective guy-line cordage
Reflective cord, holds knots well [Awesome]
10
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Poncho Tarp
Small (4.5'x8.3') 30 denier Silnylon Poncho Tarp [Awesome][Multipurpose - does a fantastic job as rain gear]
7
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Communications
Weight qty -
Smartphone charging cable
Just the standard phone cable
18
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
2 port usb wall charger
2.4A 5W charger with folding prongs (standard smartphone charger didn't fold up and poked holes in my ditty sack"
33
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
iPhone 8+
Replace SE for better videos/audio
202
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Pack
Weight qty -
Cuben fiber frameless pack
30L SUL pack
6.25
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Water
Weight qty -
Screw on bottle water filter
screw on filter [mfx dry weight]
3
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Plastic water bottle (dirty bottle)
Water bottle with flip cap to use with Sawyer filter
26
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Plastic water bottle w/ sport cap
Water bottle(s) kept clean for filtered water
26
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Backup Water Kit
Spare O-ring for filter & 8 treatment tablets (tablets could also be used in solution for small wound cleansing and care if absolutely necessary)
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Water Scoop
the cut off bottom of a thin water bottle
3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Carried Clothing
Weight qty -
UV buff (fabric tube)
A very versatile head-covering also used as sleepwear
39
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Windshirt/breaker
( Patagonia Houdini)
102
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Tools
Weight qty -
Rechargeable Flashlight
.5-900 lumens output. 15 DAYS of light on .5 lumen mode
58
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Knife
Spyderco Dragonfly 2 zdp-189
1.2
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Light Charger (included w/ light)
Magnetic charging cable for flashlight
15
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Small lighter (fire-starter)
very reliable lighter most smokers use
0.4
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Kitchen
Weight qty -
Bear Bag Line
very thin reflective weave, black, 50 ft [Awesome]
55
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Foodbag
Windowed 8L silnylon
39
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Spoon
Strong Plastic Spoon (I break spoons)
12
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Resealable gallon (trash) bag
for trash, carry two for breadbagging feet in cold weather
10
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Ditty Sack - kept in bug head net)
Weight qty -
Tooth paste tube
travel size (3/4 full at moment)
23
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Head net for bugs
basic with elastic removed - serves as misc. stuff-sack [Awesome]
17
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
CARDS / wallet
ID/CC/HIC with rubber band (Stopped carrying cash)
10
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Glasses cleaning cloth
keychain style
8
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Travel toothbrush
Small travel toothbrush
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Toilet paper resealable bag
quart sized resealable sandwich bag
6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Miscellaneous
Weight qty -
sit pad zlite
foam sit pad / also IF needed=pack back panel (MFX Wt.)
57
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Trip dependent (marked consumable)
Weight qty -
Power Bank
10,000 mah power reserve for heavy filming (MFX wt.)
6.35
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-