Need to lighten up

[pattio60]

LOL actually... We had big problems with a very friendly big black bear. Dealt with him for over 20 minutes before he would leave. Cooked and ate 1/4mile away and left food there. He still came back to camp during the night.

[pattio60]

We have weighed everything. Shelter components were one of the heaviest portions. We decided to start there.

[kev138]

Not much that I could suggest that hasn't already been said. Maybe switch out the ropes and carabiners on the eno for some amsteel continuous loops and some woopie slings and straps from Dutchware. I use the titanium dutchbiners and woopie slings with the poly/dynema straps myself. A little bit of a learning curve, but very adjustable and light. Also there are buggets out there that weigh less and won't cost you and arm and a leg. I am a fan of attached bug nets, becuase here in Florida I need a net 9-10 months out of the year. My hammock and suspension are both diy because I couldn't afford the good stuff. If you or your husband have basic sewing skills you can make a hammock and bugnet for an affordable alternative. The plus side being that using gear you make yourself is very satisfying.

[BenJa]

Little things add up.

General rules I've found to be legit:

1. The more knowledge you acquire, the less gear you require. Could be general tasks. Could be knowledge of the places you hike / bike.

2. Most people bring a lot of "nice to have" things rather than "essentials". Even then, "essentials" are usually questionable.

3. There is a trade-off between comfort and weight, and durability and weight, and price and weight.

The only way to figure out what works best for you is to try stuff and get out there.

??

[OneClick]

It's tough if you hit that invisible barrier. I'm stuck at about 17lb base for my typical 45-65/30-45° weather. I'm OK with that but it would be nice to get a little lower.

I could easily cut out the 22oz chair, but I just wouldn't enjoy myself as much. I love sitting in that by a fire. Another pound with a lighter pack, but I'm having a hard time giving it up and it's comfortable too. I didn't like the cuben tarp, I usually carry a saw, so it all adds up.

The best thing is to keep getting out there and listing/weighing everything you took. Also note the temps/weather you saw. Use that same list over and over and identify what you didn't use or what can be adjusted for next time.

[pattio60]

Thank you everyone.

[dirtwheels]

It shouldn't be too difficult.

For example:

11' netted hammock, 1 lb. 12 oz. $140.00
http://www.simplylightdesigns.com/ca...roducts_id/486

Tree hugger/whoopie hook suspension 4 oz. $62.00
https://dutchwaregear.com/whoopie-ho...uspension.html

12' tarp 15 oz, $80.00
http://ugqoutdoor.com/tarps/penny-pincher-tarps/

30' Continuous Ridgeline, 1 oz., $28.00
https://dutchwaregear.com/continuous-ridgeline.html

7'x3' ground tarp, tyvek, 5 oz, $7.00
https://dutchwaregear.com/tyvek.html

4 Ti Shepard hook stakes, 1 oz, $10.00
https://dutchwaregear.com/ti-hook-stake.html

3.3 lbs, $327.00

But the ways are endless and getting there is both an adventure and great fun!

Thank you. When I say traditional, I mean gathered ends and hangs head to foot between the trees. (My 90 degree hammock hangs so my sides are between the trees)

He has:
ENO double nest 1.25
Eno Atlas Straps 1.1 lbs
Chinook Tarp 12x9.6 silnylon 1.8 lbs. With diy silnylon doors
Bug net. 1.7 lbs
Ground tarp .75 lbs
Stakes 12oz
Snakeskins 3.2oz

Its too complicated. He needs something light and easy.

[Wkerber]

Here's my backpacking setup in ounces and it weighs in at a total of 3 pounds.

Ground Cloth: DIY Tyvek 4.8 (I could get by without this)
Hammock: Dutchware Halfwit & stuff sack 13.8
Hammock Suspension: Kevlar Huggers and Kevlar Mule Tape 2.4
Stakes: 4 aluminum Y, 2 titanium shepards hooks, stuff sack 12.8
Tarp: DIY Silpoly w/stuff sack, guylines & Ridgeline 13.6

[historyteacher]

There have been great suggestions here that will serve you well. I wanted to follow up with the 'more bang for your buck' model mentioned above. For me, I can only upgrade a piece at a time to spread out the cost. So, I have a spreadsheet of my current gear, and then keep track of the newest and lightest gear (this is, after all, a hobby). I know what my gear weighs, and I know what the new gear weighs plus cost. I then create a 'saving's per ounce' category by taking the weight savings of a piece of gear divided by the cost. For me, I now have a numerical calculation to add to my internal dialogue (coverage, comfort, etc.) of 'what's next'.

[pattio60]

Thank you for the ideas. Hubby wants to use the tarp (because I made doors for it.) And the ENO stuff for now. (Don't tell him I'm getting him new stuff for Christmas.). So I found an old bugnet for sleeping on the ground and altered it to go over the hammock. I attached it to some shock cord, to the carabiners thinking it wouldn't sag when he got in it. Am I correct? I put the whole thing in snake skins. MUCH easier to hang. I also made a silnylon ground cloth to replace the heavy one.

With the small changes I made I saved a little over 2.5lbs.

Went through other stuff not discussed... And might have weight down to mid 30s.