2021 Full Comfort Thru Hiking Gear

Category Weight
Packing
1.15 lb
Shelter and Sleep
3.08 lb
Extra Clothing
1.41 lb
Water and Cooking
0.62 lb
Hygiene, Med, Repair
0.09 lb
Safety and Communication
0.1 lb
Electronics
0.61 lb
Worn Clothing
0 lb
Sometimes yes. Most times no.
0 lb
Total
7.07
lb
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg

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!

- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Cuben Ditty Bag Weighs the same as a plastic bag but lasts for years. Picked it up from Zpacks at PCT Days.
  0.1
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 1.15 lb
  
  4
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Pillow Big Sky Pillow - Buff as pillow case, doesn't skid as much on mattress.
  1.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Stakes 2020 Ruta Locura Carbon x 3, Easton Nano x 3 on main points. Trip dependent.
  1.45
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 3.08 lb
  
  5
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Stop Top Insulation Borah Hooded Down Jacket - 3.3oz of fill and larger baffles
  5.25
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Gloves Patagonia Midweight - This is the second most left behind item, but on extended hikes, they're in my pack.
  0.65
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 2nd Socks Injinji Liner Calf size XL. From a skin vs water managment perspective I like the thinnest socks possible.
  1.25
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Mosquito Head Net Also used as a stuff sack for my loose clothing
  0.38
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 1.41 lb
  
  8
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Food Storage Plymor 12 x 15 inch bags. Way cheaper than the Loksak Opsaks.
  1.1
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Spoon HandmadeRecycled.com Ultralight Hiking spoon. You can customize your handle length.
  0.45
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.62 lb
  
  5
- Hygiene, Med, Repair
  Weight qty
- Cutting tool Westcott 2.5in Scissors. Need to trim Tenacious Tape Flex Tape.
  0.25
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Soap Dr Bronners in a Litesmith squeeze bottle. Soap cleans far better than hand sani.
  0.17
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Toothbrush Bamboo Kids Toothbrush - Keeps your nasty fingers out of your mouth.
  0.19
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Leukotape For the rare blister or cut. Wrapped on a straw. Probably better to put it on silicone release paper
  0.1
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Gauze Gauze Sterile Prepack x 1. Use it with Leukotape to make a
  0.17
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Anti-poo/Histamine/Ibuprofen Of these 3 drugs, I have maybe used ibuprofen twice.
  0.14
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sew Kit Only ever used to help others! One needle, bit of Tex 40 100% polyester thread
  0.03
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Cuben tape Never used, but I will always keep for shelter and miscellaneous repairs
  0.14
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.09 lb
  
  10
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Compass Silva Compass + Thermometer
  0.45
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.1 lb
  
  2
- Electronics
  Weight qty
- Phone Samsung S9 - The S9's 3000mAh battery lasts me 4 days with moderate use and on airplane mode.
  5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Wall Charger Anker Powerport III Nano - The lightest charger that still has fast charging 18w capability for both Apple and Android
  1
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Wall Charger Cord USB-C 6in usb-c to usb-c cord - The phone and battery are usb-c
  0.2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- USB-C to Micro Adapter For Nu-25
  0.09
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.61 lb
  
  5
- Worn Clothing
  Weight qty
- Shirt Something Nice... Usually REI Sahara Shirt or sun hoody
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Shorts All in Motion cheap shorts
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Shoes Hoka Speedgoat 4 WIDE. My forefoot is 110mm wide and these are working well. The Vibram Megagrip is real!
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Hat Trucker hat and experiementing with Patagonia Forge Hat for real sun
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Sun Sleeves Permethrin Treated - Keeps sun and bugs away; adds warmth
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Sunglasses Something cheap! Brown lenses more flexible
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Earbuds Panasonic - Also use them as night ear plugs
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Watch Casio W-800H
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Buff or Fleece Tube Neck cover + ear warmer + pillowcase + eye mask
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Trekking Pole Locus Gear CP3 x 2 - After years I am amazed I haven't broken one
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Suncreen Stick Sunscreen stick is MUCH easier and cleaner
  0.88
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Sleep Pad Thermarest Xlite Reg-Wide
  15
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Power Bank Nitecore NB10000 10,000mAh
  5.3
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Hard Shell Top Arcteryx Alpha SV
  18.8
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Down Balaclava - 40F and under New for 2020 Goosefeet Gear Down Prototype V2 - For sleeping in; it cinches down so only your mouth and nostrils are exposed. But it's also for hanging out in and walking in when temps dip and winds kick up. It has far better lateral face coverage than any jacket hood. This piece allows you to get rid your jacket hood.
  1.3
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Bug Spray Sawyer Picardarin 15ml Tube
  0.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Sleep Sock DeFeet Woolie Boolie Ankle - thick and they cover just the parts I need covered
  1.75
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Lip Balm For cold weather
  0.21
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 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
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Microspikes / Crampon Snowline Light Chainsen
  8.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Bear Canister Bearikade Scout - Good For 6 days. 5 days in the can and 1 day outside.
  28
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Solar Panel In Testing - Finally good enough?
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Vapor Barrier Liner for Feet Important to keep feet warm in fringe seasons. SS? TM?
  0
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Walking/Sleep Bottom MYOG Melanzana tights - Significantly warmer than the Patagonia LW. Walking good to 15F with medium wind.
  6.25
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Ice Tool Suluk or Camp Corsa
  5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0

2021 Full Comfort Thru Hiking Gear

Packing

Shelter and Sleep

Extra Clothing

Water and Cooking

Hygiene, Med, Repair

Safety and Communication

Electronics

Worn Clothing

Sometimes yes. Most times no.