2021 Full Comfort Thru Hiking Gear
- Category Weight
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Packing
1.15 lb
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Shelter and Sleep
3.08 lb
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Extra Clothing
1.48 lb
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Water and Cooking
0.62 lb
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Hygiene, Med, Repair
0.09 lb
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Safety and Communication
0.1 lb
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Electronics
0.61 lb
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Worn Clothing
0 lb
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Sometimes yes. Most times no.
0 lb
All my Gear - https://mattshafter.com
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/MattShafter
This year I added a 2 person tent, gas stove, rain jacket with pit zips, mid-weight gloves, and a backpack with improved storage pockets and water resistant pack material. All still at 7lbs of gear, not including food and water.
Already working on next years ideas and it's going to be even more comfort focused but still around 7lbs!
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Packing
Weight qty -
Backpack
KS Ultralight KS40 (2021 version - trimmed) - Total weight is 16.3oz with Rockwest Composite carbon frame stays. I consider the KS40 the perfect pack when the max load is +/- 27lbs. I keep looking, but no bag has as much carrying ability for such low weight. A high level of cushion is available through the foam in the pad pockets.
16.3
oz1
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Backpack padding (+ much more)
Gossamer Gear 1/8in foam pad - Adds pad warmth, blocks sharp stuff on ground, is a backup pad, sit pad, seista pad, keeps air mattress from slipping, emergency torso insulation, and emergency warm skirt. No other piece of gear does so much.
1.3
oz1
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Pack Liner
Nylofume bag, cut down a bit. Make sure you can still get a few rolls on the bag, this is very important for river crossings.
0.7
oz1
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Cuben Ditty Bag
Weighs the same as a plastic bag but lasts for years. Picked it up from Zpacks at PCT Days.
0.1
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Shelter and Sleep
Weight qty -
Shelter
Zpacks Duplex 2 Person tent- Cross ventilation for hot nights and to decrease condensation, room to keep all gear inside the tent to avoid mice etc, plenty of room while sitting out rain.
19.3
oz1
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Sleep Pad
Thermarest Uberlight - WIDE VERSION (Cut Down to below knees.) R value = 2.3. Will use along with the Gossamer Gear 1/8th inch CCF pad for comfort to 30F and low limit to 22F. I have over 20 nights on one and it's been great. I wouldn't reccomend it in a desert setting due to all the needles/stickers there
7.9
oz1
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Quilt
Nunatak Arc UL Vertical Baffle Quilt 30F Reg/Wide - 12.4oz of 900 fill, tapered vertical baffles, custom foot box, neck baffle, side drawstring, double neck snaps, and wpb neck strip.
19.15
oz1
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Pillow
Big Sky Pillow - Buff as pillow case, doesn't skid as much on mattress.
1.5
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Stakes 2020
Ruta Locura Carbon x 3, Easton Nano x 3 on main points. Trip dependent.
1.45
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Extra Clothing
Weight qty -
Rain/Wind Top
Skylight Gear Silnylon in size L/XL - Perfect for afternoon thunderstorms in the mountain west. If it's raining all day I'll bring heavier protection.
3
oz1
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Rain/Wind Bottom
Montbell Versalite Pant - Sometimes it is nice to have full rain protection, especially at altitude. They weigh 2oz more than windpants, but are undoubtably warmer. Would not use in hot conditions.
3.3
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Stop Top Insulation
Borah Hooded Down Jacket - 3.3oz of fill and larger baffles
6.25
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Walking/Sleep Insulation
Skylight Gear Alpha Direct Hoody. Can be used under a hiking shirt when you wake up to a cold morning. Just throw your hiking shirt on and go. Needs a shell over it for true warmth in windy conditions. Upper limit is 55F and lower limit is 20F. This piece is NOT for bushwacking, but I don't bushwack.
5.1
oz1
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Walking/Sleep Bottom
Patagonia Light Capaliene long underwear - Usable to 25F while walking, comfort is at 35F-45F. I regularly leave these behind on warmer trips.
3.7
oz1
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Gloves
Patagonia Midweight - This is the second most left behind item, but on extended hikes, they're in my pack.
0.65
oz1
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2nd Socks
Injinji Liner Calf size XL. From a skin vs water managment perspective I like the thinnest socks possible.
1.25
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Mosquito Head Net
Also used as a stuff sack for my loose clothing
0.38
oz1
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Water and Cooking
Weight qty -
Cook Stove - BRS-3000
Toaks 550 UL 1.5 - Ruta Locura Lid 0.25 - BRS3000 0.88 - Canister 3.3 (Yes, you must include the weight of the canister)
5.9
oz1
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Water Purification
Katadyn BeFree 0.6L. Very fast flow that decreases but stays reasonable. Bag opening is WIDE and acts as a water scoop at low flow sources. Easy to put in your sleeping bag on a freezing night. Unlike the Sawyer Squeeze, there's no O-ring to loose and doesn't tip over in a side pocket. Vinegar clean it during town stops. Patch the bag with Flex Tape.
1.9
oz1
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Water Bottle
1L crinkle bottle. This bottle plus the Katadyn filter 0.6L bag gives me 1.6L of capacity, which will normally get me 8-10 miles. Add bottles as needed.
0.6
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Food Storage
Plymor 12 x 15 inch bags. Way cheaper than the Loksak Opsaks.
1.1
oz1
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Spoon
HandmadeRecycled.com Ultralight Hiking spoon. You can customize your handle length.
0.45
oz1
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Hygiene, Med, Repair
Weight qty -
Cutting tool
Westcott 2.5in Scissors. Need to trim Tenacious Tape Flex Tape.
0.25
oz1
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Pad Patch
Tenacious Tape Flex Tape. Good for 6 pad repairs. There, but not as critical when I have a CCF pad backup. Finding an air leak in the field can be a pain. Yet another reason to carry a Gossamer Gear 1/8in thinlite.
0.1
oz1
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Soap
Dr Bronners in a Litesmith squeeze bottle. Soap cleans far better than hand sani.
0.17
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Toothbrush
Bamboo Kids Toothbrush - Keeps your nasty fingers out of your mouth.
0.19
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Firestarter
Always a book of matches and often a mini bic. Fires are rare for me due to LNT and I am usually in bed early.
0.2
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Leukotape
For the rare blister or cut. Wrapped on a straw. Probably better to put it on silicone release paper
0.1
oz1
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Gauze
Gauze Sterile Prepack x 1. Use it with Leukotape to make a
0.17
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Anti-poo/Histamine/Ibuprofen
Of these 3 drugs, I have maybe used ibuprofen twice.
0.14
oz1
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Sew Kit
Only ever used to help others! One needle, bit of Tex 40 100% polyester thread
0.03
oz1
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Cuben tape
Never used, but I will always keep for shelter and miscellaneous repairs
0.14
oz1
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Safety and Communication
Weight qty -
Lighting
NiteCore Nu25 - 360 max lumens, rechargable, red light. There are lighter options, but this allows for 4 hours of night hiking with 190 lumens; good if you're forced to hike out of a situation.
1.1
oz1
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Compass
Silva Compass + Thermometer
0.45
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Electronics
Weight qty -
Phone
Samsung S9 - The S9's 3000mAh battery lasts me 4 days with moderate use and on airplane mode.
5
oz1
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Power Bank
Novoo/Xcentz 5,000mAh USB-C PD Power Bank. I tested it at 2700mAh of real capacity (to my phone;) which seems bad, but even the best banks are only 66% efficient. Power bank recharges in just 1 hour and 50 minutes, perfect for quick town stops. On trips with less cell service, I use about 1500mAh a day with normal use, so this power bank get’s me 4 days until I can hit the next town stop.
3.5
oz1
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Wall Charger
Anker Powerport III Nano - The lightest charger that still has fast charging 18w capability for both Apple and Android
1
oz1
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Wall Charger Cord USB-C
6in usb-c to usb-c cord - The phone and battery are usb-c
0.2
oz1
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USB-C to Micro Adapter
For Nu-25
0.09
oz1
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Worn Clothing
Weight qty -
Shirt
Something Nice... Usually REI Sahara Shirt or sun hoody
0
oz0
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Shorts
All in Motion cheap shorts
0
oz0
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Shoes
Hoka Speedgoat 4 WIDE. My forefoot is 110mm wide and these are working well. The Vibram Megagrip is real!
0
oz0
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Socks
Injini Liner Calf size XL. They're a bit annoying to put on, but they let your toes splay out. I'm considering knee high socks. Some research says knee high socks help blood flow and they would add enough warmth I might be able to leave thermal pants at home.
0
oz0
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Hat
Trucker hat and experiementing with Patagonia Forge Hat for real sun
0
oz0
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Sun Sleeves
Permethrin Treated - Keeps sun and bugs away; adds warmth
0
oz0
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Sunglasses
Something cheap! Brown lenses more flexible
0
oz0
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Earbuds
Panasonic - Also use them as night ear plugs
0
oz0
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Watch
Casio W-800H
0
oz0
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Buff or Fleece Tube
Neck cover + ear warmer + pillowcase + eye mask
0
oz0
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Trekking Pole
Locus Gear CP3 x 2 - After years I am amazed I haven't broken one
0
oz0
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Sometimes yes. Most times no.
Weight qty -
Satellite Communication
Garmin inReach Mini. Weights are finally low enough to get one. Great for setting up rides, keeping in touch when needed, and calling for help.
3.5
oz0
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Suncreen Stick
Sunscreen stick is MUCH easier and cleaner
0.88
oz0
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Sleep Pad
Thermarest Xlite Reg-Wide
15
oz0
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Cook Stove - 550 Minibull Elite
Toaks 550 UL 1.5 - QiWiz Screen 0.5 - Minibull Elite Stove 0.4 - Ruta Locura Carbon Lid 0.3 - Fuel Bottle 0.3. This entire kit weighs one more ounce than a cold soaking jar. You can also zip lock cold soak in the cup. Alcohol/Esbit is not legal everywhere I hike, so a gas canister setup may join me then.
2.95
oz0
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Power Bank
Nitecore NB10000 10,000mAh
5.3
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Warm Gloves
Enlightened Equipment Stronghold Mittens. 2oz/yd Apex Insulation. These allow you to keep your hands outside of pockets, ensuring safe walking. They weight the same as thin poly gloves but are much warmer.
1.2
oz0
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Hard Shell Top
Arcteryx Alpha SV
18.8
oz0
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Down Hood
Goosefeet Gear "Matt Shafter" Balacalava - A Balaclava is MUCH better hood than standard jacket hoods in terms of lateral face coverage. It also keep your head warm while sleeping. Extends your cowboy camping ability as well.
1.3
oz0
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Bug Spray
Sawyer Picardarin 15ml Tube
0.5
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Sleep Sock
DeFeet Woolie Boolie Ankle - thick and they cover just the parts I need covered
1.75
oz0
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Lip Balm
For cold weather
0.21
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Hiking Pants
I'm looking for a new pair, as I am getting reports the new NW Alpine Volos may have a zipper that's sharp enough to puncture an airpad.
7
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Microspikes / Crampon
Snowline Light Chainsen
8.5
oz0
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Bear Canister
Bearikade Scout - Good For 6 days. 5 days in the can and 1 day outside.
28
oz0
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Solar Panel
In Testing - Finally good enough?
0
oz0
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Vapor Barrier Liner for Feet
Important to keep feet warm in fringe seasons. SS? TM?
0
oz0
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Walking/Sleep Bottom
MYOG Melanzana tights - Significantly warmer than the Patagonia LW. Walking good to 15F with medium wind.
6.25
oz0
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Ice Tool
Suluk or Camp Corsa
5
oz0
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