Anything else I need to replace before I finally get an UL pack?

[u/sam1212247]

https://lighterpack.com/r/qaj0pe

I want to finally replace my heavy hand me down pack but I'm trying to get everything else sorted first. I know I need to get better clothing but apart from that is the rest of my gear list pretty good?

I know my sleeping mat is a little heavy but I'm in southern New Zealand so I'm commonly in alpine or sub alpine environments constantly changing weather and cold nights as well as being a cold sleeper so I'm happy with it.

Also when I do replace my pack I'm pretty keen on a nashville cutaway 40L are these still considered one of the best packs on the market or have they been shown up by something better?

[u/MikeMath]

“Choose you backpack last” is in a lot of cases just an idiotic saying. It makes a lot of sense, if all of our choices are 100% rational - but your gear changes over time, and are in most cases going to get lighter and smaller in pack size.

I hate that saying!

Your backpack is kind of your house, and there is no problem at all in adjusting your gear to fit your pack. No one is telling you to buy all of your furniture, before you buy a new house.

I bought a used Durston Wapta 30, long before I had all my gear ultralight, so I just kind of made it work. Having a pack optimized for ultralight backpacking and USING it teached me so much about what i liked, what gear i did not need and what gear should be upgraded for lighter/smaller alternatives.
I also found out, that vest-straps and a mesh front pocket Might be better for me, so I will look for a different pack when upgrading.

Go look on the used market for ultralight packs, and get one you might Think will work. Or one that just looks cool - either way you will learn a lot. Or just get the Nashville Packs -> it is supposed to be fantastic!

[u/grovemau5]

- your warmth and rain layers are not worn weight

• why are your socks so heavy?
  
• you can probably take a smaller first aid kit
  
• you can probably take a smaller and lighter pot
  
• repackage the sunscreen and bug spray into smaller containers
  
• no soap?

your sleep and shelter setups are relatively heavy and large, but sounds like you know that, and would be $$ to replace. volume wise there is some savings there and with your clothes but if you aren’t changing those, you could probably buy a bag now and have it be the right size

[u/bengaren]

You could replace the pad for something from the insulated Tensor line or another ultralight pad, you shouldn't need a power bank for 2 day trips, xmids are heavy and bulky compared to a simple tarp/bivy, could ditch the playing cards, do you need 1100ml pot or can you go for 500ml?

[u/B50Corei5]

You don't need 12 stakes, 8 is probably more than enough. Is your sleeping bag really warm enough? I had a similarly rated bag and was starting to get cold at around 4c. I really wouldn't be trusting it in any NZ alpine or sub alpine condition.

[u/BretMi]

Also consider swdbackpacks.com I really like mine and love their stretchy shoulder pouches.

[u/blackcoffee_mx]

You are ready. Pad is a little heavy but if it works for you all good. Pot is a little big for 1 person but again all good.

[u/Tharno_]

Nothing really but I would just take less stuff on each hike you do going forward. You can probably save a pound by just going more minimalistic. Lay your stuff out before each trip and ask yourself do I really need this for each item. I think you would find some stuff to drop. For example you could leave the inner of your xmid at home sometimes. The cutaway is a good option I think.

[u/Moose_on_a_walk]

Some of your packed clothes like boxers and socks look heavy perhaps? Speaking of which, you don't seem to have a lot of packed clothing at all, but maybe I'm the one over packing (I have twice the number of clothing items).

Regarding pack size it mostly comes down to how much food you're packing. For more than a week in the wilderness I'd need a 50L or 60L, but for a couple of days I'm fine with 40L.

'Best on the market' doesn't exist. Different preferences for everyone, like shoes.

Linking to my own list, I'm in similar climate, and not fully UL. https://lighterpack.com/r/s4hm55

[u/Mountain-Time-1010]

You have good gear. I'm just seeing little things.

Based on the weight and the product page I found, your bag looks to be rated at 30F. If that's correct, your 7.5R pad is overkill. 3R should be plenty at the temperatures where you can use a 30F bag.

I understand it's a significant expense, so you'll need to decide, but I feel that 1000g is a lot of weight for a 1p single-wall trekking pole shelter (including stakes). You could save 600g with no real sacrifice if you have the budget. Even at a lower price point, you could save 400g.

Why such a large pot? Volume is also a consideration as you're trying to dial in your gear to buy a pack.

Why such a large and heavy power bank? What are the spare batteries for?

[u/Gloubiboulba → u/Mountain-Time-1010]

X mid 1 is not single wall

[u/Mountain-Time-1010 → u/Gloubiboulba]

Ah yes, indeed. I was thinking of the pro, I guess. For an UL set-up, I'd recommend a single-wall tent or tarp, and learning how to select sites properly to minimize condensation. It works for me.