Ultralight bros will eagerly boast about their itty bitty pack and teeny tiny tent, but you hardly ever hear them point out how astonishingly mild their pockets turns into after shelling out 1000’s of {dollars} on top-of-the-line backpacking gear. There may be definitely some extent to lowering the burden in your again, particularly for those who’re making an attempt to mitigate damage on a protracted hike, nevertheless it’s unrealistic to anticipate everybody to throw themselves into debt simply to fulfill the coveted sub-ten-pound base weight.
Fortunately, “ultralight” doesn’t at all times should imply specialised, costly gear. Over the course of many 1000’s of miles, I’ve discovered a number of items of “gear” that match the ultralight mindset (light-weight and minimal) whereas additionally costing lower than $50. As a bonus, I’ve scrounged up a few of these objects from round my home!
Funds-Pleasant Family Gadgets That Double As Ultralight Gear
Within the hopes of sending you off to a path with a light-weight pack and a heavy pockets, listed below are my favourite home goods that double as ultralight backpacking gear.
1) Trash Compactor Luggage
At about $0.50 a bit, trash compactor baggage are an exquisite substitute for a pricier pack cowl. And, as an additional benefit, they do a greater job at holding your gear dry. Not solely will they really defend your gear for those who by accident submerge your pack in a river (been there, accomplished that), however additionally they work higher than a standard pack cowl in a heavy or prolonged downpour.
If (when) you fall right into a river, a daily pack cowl will do little or no to guard the gear inside your pack.
Pack covers usually fail in heavy rain because of inherent design flaws. For example, they create gaps when worn in your again, permitting rain to creep beneath. Trash compactor baggage, alternatively, function a liner on the within of your pack. They permit your bag to get moist whereas holding your gear dry. So long as you’ve considerably rolled the highest of the bag when closing your bag, water may be very unlikely to get to your quilt and garments.
With trash compactor baggage weighing 2-5 oz much less — and being no less than $20 cheaper — than a pack cowl, this swap is an absolute no-brainer to me.
2) Dance Pants
Dance pants, usually manufactured from light-weight nylon or comparable artificial blends, are a implausible, budget-friendly stand-in for specialised rain pants. Pricy rain pants, whereas technically waterproof, are sometimes sizzling, clammy, and make that irritating “swish-swish-swish” sound with each step. In addition they sometimes value upwards of $70.
Dance pants, alternatively, normally retail for underneath $30, might be discovered nearly anyplace, and breathe much better. Whereas not “waterproof” within the technical sense, many are extremely water resistant, shedding mild rain and drying extremely quick after heavier downpours.
The important thing right here is breathability. While you’re mountain climbing onerous, waterproofing usually means you’re simply getting soaked from the within out with sweat anyway. These ultralight pants supply sufficient safety for many circumstances with out trapping all that moisture, making for a way more snug expertise.
Safety from the chilly, the wind, the rain, and the snow.
In the event you’re lifeless set on a regular rain pant, I’d suggest Frogg Toggs. They’re simply as low cost as dance pants, however let me warn you: they may rip for those who even have a look at them mistaken.
3) Tyvek
That crinkly white materials used for home wrap may look like an odd selection for backpacking, however Tyvek is an ultralight hiker’s greatest pal, particularly when changing an costly tent footprint or sit pad. A devoted tent footprint, designed to guard your tent flooring from tears and water, can simply run you $50-$100 and sometimes weighs upwards of 8-10 ounces.
Tyvek, alternatively, might be purchased by the yard at {hardware} shops for a fraction of the price, normally lower than $10, and can final you perpetually. It’s extremely sturdy, waterproof, and might even be silent for those who run it via your dryer on the no warmth setting for just a few hours with some tennis balls.
And, it will possibly serve a third function as a sled if you need to glissade however don’t need to get your butt moist. A real ultralight legend!
You chop it to suit underneath your tent (and even simply your sleeping pad for a minimalist shelter). As a bonus, you’ll be able to pull it out through the day to make use of on breaks as a sit pad or yoga mat for some stretches. Your butt stays dry and your tent flooring stays protected — all due to a cloth sometimes reserved for building websites.
4) Talenti Ice Cream
Why pay $100 for a specialised rehydrating container for a cold-soaked meal when you might get a jar that does the identical actual factor for $5? And, how usually do you get to purchase a bit of substances that comes with a pint of gelato so that you can get pleasure from?
Chilly soaking my lunches has completely modified the sport for me. I hit some extent the place I couldn’t even take into consideration choking down one other tortilla and tuna packet, and now I’ve a a lot wider number of meals to select from. Assume ramen, couscous, or prompt mashed potatoes – I simply add chilly water and let it sit for half an hour whereas I hike to lunch.
A chilly, dry tortilla is much less miserable when paired with one thing chilly soaked.
As a high-maintenance hiker, I cold-soak my lunches however use a range for my dinners. Nevertheless, for those who’re harder than I, this 2 oz jar may prevent the burden of a range, gas, and devoted pot.
5) Bathe Cap
You realize these flimsy plastic caps you discover in lodge loos? Don’t throw them out! These practically weightless covers are an superior hack for safeguarding your digital camera, telephone, or different small electronics from rain and filth. Devoted digital camera covers might be cumbersome and price upwards of $50, whereas a regular bathe cap prices actually pennies (or is commonly free!).
Not stormy sufficient for a rain jacket, however positively stormy sufficient for me to cowl up my digital camera. My digital camera might not be ultralight, nevertheless it’s too costly for me to fiddle with!
I preserve one in every of these in my fanny pack and stretch it over my uncovered digital camera at any time when a light-weight rain begins up. It’s the right in-between for climate the place I’m not bothering with a rain coat however I definitely don’t need to destroy my digital camera. It’s remarkably efficient and simple to interchange on the town if it tears.
6) Razor Blades
I’ve gotten some warmth earlier than for saying this, however I feel mountain climbing with a Swiss Military Knife is overrated. I can depend on one hand the variety of instances I’ve used any attachment apart from the knife, and even then I’m normally simply utilizing it to open meals packaging. As an alternative of carrying round a multi-tool that weighs a number of ounces and prices twenty bucks or extra, I merely carry a single razor blade.
I’m notoriously unhealthy at opening packaging; a razor blade simply makes issues simpler. I preserve mine inside my BearVault to stop it from slashing my garments or different gear.
For about $0.25 (when purchased in a multi-pack) and weighing virtually nothing, a razor blade does all the pieces I want: it effortlessly opens cussed Mylar meals pouches and cuts my Leukotape when my fingernails fail. There aren’t any shifting elements to interrupt, no bulk to hold.
Simply bear in mind to tape it safely to the within of your first-aid package for security; a free razor blade in a pack is certain to do some harm.
Not All Gear Can Be Hacked
On the finish of the day, you’re going to should spend some cash to dial in your excellent backpacking setup. There are particular items of substances — similar to a coat or a quilt — the place high quality is interchangeable with security. Nevertheless, the place you’ll be able to, minimize some corners! Not all the pieces you personal must be on the reducing fringe of innovation, particularly if some easy issues from round the home can accomplish the identical objective.
In the event you’re in search of some extra ultralight ideas, try this text about decreasing your pack weight by kilos.
Featured picture: Photograph courtesy of Katie Jackson; graphic design by Chris Helm.
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