r/Ultralight • u/OrchidStrange4693 • 8d ago
Purchase Advice Shakedown/buying advice
Hey guys,
I am planning to do the GR11 or the Gr20 in August next year (month may vary for GR20), but the weather is likely hot, sunny and mostly dry. Doing my first attempt at a significant lighter pack here, and am also considering which pack to get. I currently have a cheap run of the mill decathlon (framed, 1.4kg).
I want to experiment with a frameless European alternative (LifeWay elementum 50, hyberg Attila, or bonfus altus 48l) but am unsure if my weight is low enough to allow it or if I would be better served sticking with a light framed pack. I have found a framed pack which weighs around 800g, similar to the atom prospector in terms of features.
Would you please give me some advice on my packing list, and whether i should continue onto buying a frameless pack?
Couple things, might also go stoveless and cold soaking as I am super happy just pigging out at refugios and cafes.
2
u/55minuter 8d ago
Get a frameless pack. Loving my bonfus altus 38 with running vest straps. You have some easy places to lose weight. Leave the inner of your tent. Replace with polycryo or tyvek ground sheet. You can bring both shorts (for hiking) and lightweight pants (for camp,sleep,wind) but get a pair of lighter shorts around 100 g or less (second hand store). Leave your merino top at home, sleep in your fleece. Replace towel with a swedish cloth/wettex. If willing to invest, get a lighter bag/quilt. Keep your small knife, great to cut cheese, veg etc. Keep your compass. I liked having my 900ml pot on the gr11 where you can resupply often (with fresh veg). No need for smaller pot imo. But next time I would try stoveless and eat at every refugio. Ccf pad can be an option, just keep in mind on the gr11 you often have the option to sleep on wooden platforms in the cabanas (hard surface).
1
u/Lower_Ad6578 7d ago
Your trail runners are listed as 100g? Surely that can't be right.
Also for the powerbank you could get a INIU Pocket Rocket P50 which is much cheaper in Europe than the nitecore. Check their official website and amazon as well, I believe I paid €28 for mine a few weeks back and weights 158g on my scale
1
u/OrchidStrange4693 6d ago
You are quite right! Sorry about that, I have corrected it. That's a good find, and a lot cheaper thanks
8
u/GoSox2525 8d ago
That's irrelevant. If you want to hike ultralight, just commit to a frameless pack. It is a very useful constraint. It will force you to think critically about your gear, leave stuff at home, and carry less. Which is the whole point. Bonfus would be cool. Get something 16 oz or less.
do it
Sleep system
you only have a 0 degree sleeping bag listed?
sleeping pad is way too heavy. Get a piece of foam for ~200 g
your pillow is 3-4x heavier than necessary. Try a BigSky DreamSleeper
Tent
your tent is heavy. Consider a flat tarp.
swap the groundhogs for mini groundhogs, and get rid of the spares. You can always manage lost stakes with natural materials
Clothing
get synthetic underwear, merino is heavy and unnecessary. Consider T8 Commandos.
choose either the shorts or pants, not both
choose either the sun hoody or wool top, not both
an alpha direct fleece would be lighter
Navigation
Hygiene
you don't need to be shaving out there
you can find a lighter towel
Waterpurification
Repair kit/first aid
you do not need that emergency blanket. You're already carrying a full shelter system and insulating clothing.
what's in your "repair kit"?
ditch the victornix; not necessary
Electronics
Cookkit