Ultralight backpacking

[Cowardly Toaster]

I wish ultralighters didn't take themselves so seriously. It's just hiking - you get on a trail and you walk til you get to the end. Use that extra 10lbs of capacity and carry a book, or a deck of cards, or a couple beers and a pizza. Maybe bring enough first aid to help someone else, even if you'll never use it on yourself.

It's amazing how little people can get by with, and sure some people need to learn that lesson. It's also amazing how much more fun you can have with a bit more than the bare necessities

Yep. If I was doing ultimate high performance speed climbs I'd take a real look at my weight. As it is now, I use my old heavy but very durable Lowe Alpine pack, throw in a book to read, plus some sticks of butter, maybe even a couple apples, whatever I feel like bringing. Comfort, durability, and preparedness while outdoors take precedence over "OMG you have to cut half of your plastic spoon off to save weight!"

However, i'll throw a bone to the UL guys and gals. Recently went on hike with an inventive guy who had taped tents together made of tyvek. He was making them in the conical megamid style with his big walking stick as the tent pole. No floor. Neat idea and very warm and water proof.

[Bateaux]

I'll never be an ultralight backpacker.  I've culled it down to about 35 pounds for winter and 25 pounds for summer.  In winter weather or high altitude I want some survival gear.  I don't want a lawn and leaf trash bag for rain gear.  I want my Marmot Precip.  I don't want a 1.5 pound sleeping bag. I want my 5 degree down bag. I want a real stove and enough canister or white gas to run it for days.  I want my dry long johns and thick socks for sleeping in.  I want my camp shoes (holeless crocs) to rest my feet in camp.   I want my Warbonnet Black Bird hammock when there are trees so I rest better than at home.

[kpd905]

I'll never be an ultralight backpacker.  I've culled it down to about 35 pounds for winter and 25 pounds for summer.  In winter weather or high altitude I want some survival gear.  I don't want a lawn and leaf trash bag for rain gear.  I want my Marmot Precip.  I don't want a 1.5 pound sleeping bag. I want my 5 degree down bag. I want a real stove and enough canister or white gas to run it for days.  I want my dry long johns and thick socks for sleeping in.  I want my camp shoes (holeless crocs) to rest my feet in camp.   I want my Warbonnet Black Bird hammock when there are trees so I rest better than at home.

I think you could definitely have most or all of those things and still be ultralight or fairly close.  Are you counting 25 pounds with all of your food and water for a multiday trip?  Everyone goes by base weight which doesn't count food, water or fuel.

Also, these days you can get a 0 degree down quilt that weighs less than 1.5 pounds.

[Bateaux]

I'm 6'4" and 250 pounds.  The gear I use is rated for me.  It's been in service for years.  I do have a lightweight 35 degree down bag for summer use.  It's also a 6 foot six bag.  I did just shave 1 pound off my pack weight by buying a new pack.  My pack weights do include 2 liters of water and food for 3 days.

[Lmoot]

 Your gear should depend on what the goals for that particular trip is. Is camping meant to be a big part of the experience? If so, then more items that will help you enjoy the experience more, might be more desirable. However if your goal is hiking/distance/timing, then camping out might just mean sleeping as a means to get to the next hiking day, and you're willing to sacrifice camping comfort for hiking comfort.  Most people don't have just one type of outdoors interest, which is why many hikers, backpackers, climbers, campers, have different types of equipment that are better adapted to different situations.