2015 Assessment of gear for adventure and mountain hunting

Hummer3T · January 20, 2015, 05:22:00 PM

This year I wanted to start with a look at some changes I can and may make to parts or all my gear. To start this process I bought a scale and I have created a electronic calculating gear list in excel. My goal was not only to deal with weight in the pack but also to manage the size of my gear. I sure was surprised with weights of some items (both + and - what I had expected) and the difference from what the manufacturers state. I have some reasoning behind some of my selections ie. sleep pads, etc. " I will not compromise a good sleep for a couple ounces".

Please feel free to make suggestions and comparisons other have in their packs, Always open and interested in seeing what others are doing /using.

KSdan · January 20, 2015, 08:19:00 PM

Excellent.

eidsvolling · January 20, 2015, 10:04:00 PM

Right off the bat I noticed the Lowe Alpine Contour III. I have a IV, and I fully understand why you might be wedded to that pack.

However, have you thought about any of the newer alternatives in order to reduce some weight? I'm thinking particularly of the newer mountain hunting packs. For instance, the Dana Design founder went on to found Mystery Ranch.

I don't have a recommendation for any particular brand or model. (Last pack I bought was an Eberlestock X2, which suited my needs at the time but is too small for what you are hauling.)

Maybe someone will chime in here with some personal experience on this point.

Hummer3T · January 20, 2015, 10:24:00 PM

Charles, I have looked at many packs. most are not a lot lighter, as an example kuiu's 7200 is the same weight. I was looking for a load sling pack, but not sure about the 6000 ultra or Stone glacier. leaning to SG if any but still worried about giving up something good for something unknown.

This pack has been good to me and fits me very well, I always look at can I make do for the $ for the difference, save money can go towards a goat tag and I can make do with my Lowe Alpine.

eidsvolling · January 20, 2015, 11:01:00 PM

I take your point entirely about not giving up something good for something unknown. I would never buy a pack I couldn't load with weight and spend some considerable time wearing before buying. (I used to sell them.)

It's amazing to me how well that Alpine Contour design has withstood the test of time.

Hummer3T · January 21, 2015, 12:32:00 PM

If your having trouble reading you can click on the item and it will show up in PB, then you can zoom in on it, also is not blurred like on here.

Iowabowhunter · January 21, 2015, 01:39:00 PM

I really like my Stone Glacier Sky 5100 pack. I can compress it down to 3500 cu or go all the way up to 5100+ including the load shelf.

Handles loads very comfortably, and is small enough to where I can hunt with it on my back easily.

Really like your list, I need to put something like that together!

RookieBwhunter · January 21, 2015, 02:37:00 PM

Take a look at exo mountain gear site for backpacks. Lightweight but can handle heavy loads with its load shelf. I am pretty sure they have a few videos of putting 100+ lbs sandbags and walking around with them. Not to mention several customer pics with elk meat/head gear being hauled. Comes in 3500 or 5500 cu in. I've yet to put mine to the test other than simple day/weekend hikes but its well constructed with the backpack hunter in mind.

Kevin Dill · January 21, 2015, 02:46:00 PM

Interesting for me to see this thread pop up here. Just a few days ago I was thinking how I need accurate weights on my gear, and that an organized list would make selections a lot simpler. I just today received a digital postage/shipping scale which is accurate to 1/10 ounce, and have been mentally prepping to do exactly what H3T has just done. Perfect!

gringol · January 21, 2015, 03:27:00 PM

Good list. I have 3 observations. Mostly just for your consideration. I think food is the area that will really tip the scales...

1. What kind of dry bag is that? Looks pretty heavy...I would avoid the rubber, marine style dry bags and go for one made of a light weight fabric like gortex. OR makes good ones...

2. You've got a ground pad and a sleep pad. I've never seen the need for a.ground cloth under a tent. Some guys swear by them, but for me it isn't worth the extra weight. The sleep pad seems heavy to me...

3 That's a lot of batteries. Do you really think you'll need all those?

gringol · January 21, 2015, 03:56:00 PM

I'd keep the pack if it fits well.

Hummer3T · January 21, 2015, 05:50:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by gringol:
Good list. I have 3 observations. Mostly just for your consideration. I think food is the area that will really tip the scales...

1. What kind of dry bag is that? Looks pretty heavy...I would avoid the rubber, marine style dry bags and go for one made of a light weight fabric like gortex. OR makes good ones...

.

2. You've got a ground pad and a sleep pad. I've never seen the need for a.ground cloth under a tent. Some guys swear by them, but for me it isn't worth the extra weight. The sleep pad seems heavy to me...

3 That's a lot of batteries. Do you really think you'll need all those?

1.dry bag is a very light weight one but it big, mostly use for animal parts

2. I like a good sleep, ground pad is for some hunts only, it is actually a extra pad under my sleep pad, sleep pad is Exped ultra light but I got it the wide because I side sleep and I hate sliding off at night.

3. those batteries on my list are not just extra but account for weight in the equipment as well.

Thanks for the ideas

V I Archer · January 21, 2015, 06:58:00 PM

I had one of those rubber hybrid, air-purge style dry bars, but wow are they heavy! I got a couple sil-nylon compression sacks instead.

I traded up my stainless steel cook pot for a titanium 1 litre pot out of the scratch and dent bin. A great deal and far lighter than the stainless model.

I am looking for a new sleeping bag right now. I currently have one of those MEC hybrid bags. A great dollar value but quite bulky and heavy. I am seriously looking at the Sierra Designs dri-down line. I am also considering a lighter tent. Currently the only tent I own is a Mountain Hardware Trango 2. Bulletproof tent, but a tad heavy, pushing 10 pounds.

Along that same vein I recently upgraded to a neo-air xtherm. I am thinking I can now get away with a minus 7 bag for most early fall hunts until mid to late October moose season anyway.

How do you like the Steri-Pen? I am currently running a Katydyn Vario. Great filter especially for extended hunts, but a little heavy and I have left it at base camp on more than one occasion to bivy out for a few days.

Depending on length of stay, 2 pairs of socks may be a bit light.

Staying under 50 pounds is a goal of mine each year, but I do tend to run heavy of that. When you start with a Mystery Ranch 7500 bag, your handicapping yourself a few pounds right off the bat. I think if I shed a few ounces from my sleep system and clothing, I will get much closer to that goal.

md126 · January 22, 2015, 12:52:00 PM

Man you guys sure do have a lot of time on your hands.

Personally I think all that numbers crunching complicates things. You want to stay light weight as much as possible but Don't overthink it. Just stick with your proven quality gear and go by your experience. Numbers only tell part of the story.

Just my opinion

Hummer3T · January 23, 2015, 08:54:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by V I Archer:
I had one of those rubber hybrid, air-purge style dry bars, but wow are they heavy! I got a couple sil-nylon compression sacks instead.

I traded up my stainless steel cook pot for a titanium 1 litre pot out of the scratch and dent bin. A great deal and far lighter than the stainless model.

I am looking for a new sleeping bag right now. I currently have one of those MEC hybrid bags. A great dollar value but quite bulky and heavy. I am seriously looking at the Sierra Designs dri-down line. I am also considering a lighter tent. Currently the only tent I own is a Mountain Hardware Trango 2. Bulletproof tent, but a tad heavy, pushing 10 pounds.

Along that same vein I recently upgraded to a neo-air xtherm. I am thinking I can now get away with a minus 7 bag for most early fall hunts until mid to late October moose season anyway.

How do you like the Steri-Pen? I am currently running a Katydyn Vario. Great filter especially for extended hunts, but a little heavy and I have left it at base camp on more than one occasion to bivy out for a few days.

Depending on length of stay, 2 pairs of socks may be a bit light.

Staying under 50 pounds is a goal of mine each year, but I do tend to run heavy of that. When you start with a Mystery Ranch 7500 bag, your handicapping yourself a few pounds right off the bat. I think if I shed a few ounces from my sleep system and clothing, I will get much closer to that goal.

VI - steri-pen is great, they make an adventure model now that is even lighter. just remember to carry a small water bottle for treating.