Talked to a older hiker on the PCT and now I feel dumb about my gear choices

Ran into this guy who's done the trail like 4 times and he told me he carries a 3-pound tent and a foam pad. I've been hauling an 8-pound setup for 2 seasons thinking I needed the comfort. Makes me wonder how much weight I could actually drop without hating my sleep.

2 comments

2 Comments

max_jones2d ago

I hit a similar realization last year when I was packing for a four day trip and my buddy showed up with a frameless pack that weighed half of mine. It got me thinking about how much stuff we carry just because we think we need it, not because we actually use it. That older hiker probably figured out years ago that most discomfort comes from hauling a heavy bag all day, not from a slightly softer pad at night. I notice this same pattern in my normal life, like how I keep buying bigger water bottles when really I just need to drink from a tap more often. We trick ourselves into believing more gear equals more comfort, but the math doesn't work out when your back is killing you by mile ten.

jessicad982d ago

Swap out that 8 pound tent for a 2 pound trekking pole setup and a thin foam pad underneath your inflatable one. You'll save 5 pounds right there and your back will thank you after a long day of walking. Trust me, once you get used to a simpler sleep system, you won't even miss all that extra weight.

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