Lightening The Load Part 1 - Sleep Systems
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- čas přidán 12. 05. 2015
- How do you reduce the weight of your sleeping kit and bivvy set-up? I receive a lot of questions about kit, which is a little ironic as bushcraft, at its heart, is about nature and the natural resources you can make use of. But we do all take some equipment with us when we head out. If we are making a journey, we simply don’t have the time to construct shelters from natural materials. We will be carrying a shelter such as a tarp or tent and some sleeping kit. This is an area where we can significantly reduce the weight - and the bulk - of our equipment. This video is the first in a series of videos on reducing the weight of your kit - lightening the load - and sleeping kit and sleeping systems is the place to start….
For more information on what to include in your pack, see the following articles and videos on my blog:
A Bushcraft Camping Outfit - Equipment For Living In The Woods:
paulkirtley.co.uk/2011/bushcra...
How To Pack A Bushcraft Camping Outfit:
paulkirtley.co.uk/2013/how-to-...
The Value Of A Tarp In Your Day Pack:
paulkirtley.co.uk/2011/bushcra...
"we don't go out in our underwear and built a shelter"
Primitive technology: "hold my clay mug"
Spoken in the gentlest tone possible: Most people will spend £500 to loose 10 lb from their backpack, while refusing to save £500 loosing 10 lb from their waist.
Morten W. im not catching on, sorry.
He means, sometimes the best place to lose weight is not from your kit but from you. Unless of course you are already a 4% body-fat whipper-snapper :-D.
Also spoken in the gentlest tone possible: Sometimes people are at the opposite end, and want to lose 10 lb from their pack because they’re so small and weak that they don’t (yet) have the physical capacity of carrying heavier gear. Also, small body means small backpack which means there isn’t much space for bulky gear.
Also spoken in the gentlest British tone possible: The woods are beautiful mate and so are you. Sweet dreams lil dumpling... sweet dreams.
Morten W. much like fitness cycling, overweight bikers will spend lots to cut weight,....so they can more effectively lose weight??? 😂
Definately the Gold Standard of best philosophy.
Wow quite incredible. I was definitely erring on over specification. Great video as always!
Practical ,sensible ,concise ;well done that man .
Excellent advice again from a true outdoorsman. I have watched this back to back with your video on layering and I really enjoyed the presentation. Even though my knees are no longer with us I still believe "travel light, freeze at night". Excellent work, carry on.
Top notch! Sleeping kit is next on my list, this video has been essential for me.
These videos are brilliant, they're so helpful. Thanks. Hello from Toronto Canada! :)
Extremely informative... Thank you : )
This was incredibly useful to watch. Thank you very much.
Great discussion and equipment choices. Thanks for giving some better clearer choices Paul. atb Opal
+Opal Preston Shirley Hi Opal, thanks for your comments. I'm glad you found this useful. Warm regards, Paul
Excellent !!
Thnxs for uploading and sharing
Good stuff man!
invaluable information, thank you
Fantastic mate, great information well done and no blah blah ☺
Thanks so much, great info.
A very good explanation of shelter systems and their weight. I think the main problem with folks who do not camp a lot is central heating. They are used to temperatures of 20 degrees or more at home and find themselves wanting to sleep in winter bags even in the summer. Turn your thermostat down people - the money you save can be used for lighter, better equipment. (My stat is set at 14 degree celsius, whatever the weather is outside)
You make another good point, take the lightest bag you think you can get away with and if the weather turns cold wear clothes. I take a battered old cashmere jumper everywhere. It rolls up small, weighs next to nothing and is warm even if it has got damp. I wear it in my bag or knocking about camp if the weather turns chilly.
I use three different bags during the year, for autumn/winter I use a DD Jura II. It is synthetic and weighs 1.7kg but, laid on a Thermarest mat, I have never been cold.
Very good ideas. Thank you very much
Thanks Paul. Great video!
+J.L. Callaway Thank you Sir.
Great discussion, looking forward to the rest of the series.
kbbjedi Thanks. More coming soon.
Cheers for this,I do bike packing and this has given me some great lighter options and ideas!
+pedallin raw Glad it was helpful. Thanks for the feedback. :-) ATB, Paul
Thanks Paul, just what I needed!
Luke Smith Glad that was useful Luke. Cheers.
Full of facts you are you man. And you facts are all on the ball.
thanks paul
SCOTTISH WANDERER No worries.
Another great video Paul, thanks.
SwtSmith Thanks for the feedback.
I'm a retired military pilot and sere instructor who is now on the far side of 50 and looking to lighten the load.
Excellent information - many thanks from me and curses from my bank manager!
Hi Fin, glad to be of help, if not to your bank balance ;-)
Great video Paul looking forwards to part 2 atb Chris
Chris down in the woods Thanks Chris. Part 2 coming soon.
Some great information and kit ideas Paul, thanks for sharing mate, ATB Shaun
Hawkeye Bushcraft My pleasure Shaun. Glad this was useful.
great video
Great overall coverage of all the topics, i make all my own gear now, and a total convert to a karo step down top quilt for sleeping, mine is 700g tiny pack size and i have been down to - 12 deg c no problem at all without layering. I also made a synthetic one.
There are some great lightweight hiking resounces online now and plenty of small custom companies to make what you need. :)
Thank you for a great vid and sharing your knowledge. Clint
chelseafeth My pleasure Clint. ATB, Paul
Would be great to see the rest of this series
Thanks for the helpful advice Paul, :)
No worries.
How The Hell Have I only Just found your channel ,excellent stuff.
Great vid, has given me a few. Ideas for summer trekking, thanks
Atb jason
+grizzly jay Glad to hear it! :-)
I love the MEC reference.
I've been trying to lighten my kit of late, thanks for sharing those options Paul. ATB Jeff
Mint Outdoors Hope this was useful then Jeff
Great video.
***** Thanks!
very useful! thank you
+Darignobullseye Thanks for the feedback.
Great video Paul. Didn't realise our hoochie came in a lighter weight …unless the one we are issued with is the lighter version! Will have to enquire at Darwin Squadrons "Q" store when I get back to oz!
There are some sleepingbags rated for -30 to -40C ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 kilograms, but they can cost €300-€1000. Tried a much cheaper one during autumn, and while i survived the night, i was quite cold in the morning. Wasn't hypothermic though. Like you i now got a balaclava and extra gloves + extra set of clothes i could use if i should experience some unseasonal cold.
What i've realised as an individual with a partially bad back is that i can fit a pouch with MOLLE attachment system around my belt to reduce the weight in the backpack. This does wonders to "lighten the load" for me which is mostly a medical issue.
As a beginner, i need all that kit - for now, though i've started to remove some of the stuff, and i've gone for walk with it for ~20 kilometers and if i take regular breaks - it works.
i understand but i love my sleeping system , thanks but no thanks . but i agree with this on practicalbushcraftandsurvival . i found this guy more practical in my thinking ...
Cobbled together surplus sleep kit for most ranges I'll venture into., and adjust for weight & convenience thanks for tips on tarps bivy, & inner bag layering
Cool video I’m really missing the country side when I back in Groombridge I’m off camping x
great video again paul hope to see you at the bushcraft show this year
Ted Mears Thanks Ted. Couldn't make the show this year. Hope to catch up another time.
great to see the lightweight kit compared to the heaviest. I also have the snugpak SF bivi bag and am very impressed with it, it adds to the warmth of the sleeping bag too. My sleep set up is near identical to your lighweight one, except for the tarp as I still use the DD tarp 3x3. Will look into the silitarps as have often heard good things about them. As for sleeping bags, agree with the over specification we easily fall for. Though, also find quickest way to get warm in the sleeping bag is to do 3 mins of aerobic activity before going to bed... sitting by a campfire for two hours does no favours in getting body to generate heat!.. well thats what i found! Thanks for making this vid. a.t.b. vee
Wildsoul62 Glad you liked this Vee. Agree regarding activity before bed. Works particularly well in sub-zero temperatures when your body warmth will be sapped just to warm up the sleeping kit from the ambient temperature. You need to start with a surplus of heat so you don't sleep cold....
hello, i am looking a good lightweight tarp. Can you give me the name of yours ?
Very informative Mate. TYVM. ATB.Reeco
Reeco Rees Thanks Reeco.
very helpful paul thank you for sharing atb mo
Mo and Gill Outdoors My pleasure Mo.
An awesome video, I have spent years researching lightweight gear and this video explains it beautifully. The bivvi bag is something I haven't come across so can't wait to grab one.
+Richard Graham Thank you for your kind words Richard. I'm glad I was also able to provide some additional information for you too. Warm regards, Paul
nice one p.k.. informative!
Terrific survey! great diction and audio makes the viewing enjoyable. I have the Int. Designs Micro Bivy, must check out their tarp. I use the MEC Penguin liner sleeping bag with a bag liner for warm weather.
Such a great and informative video, I fit into the first category of using an ex military sleeping bag, dont get me wrong it works great but is simply way to big and bulky. I've been looking around for lighter versions and have been eyeing up the snugpak special forces system, a tad pricey but looks very compact & of good quality so will wait and see how that works out. Many thanks for taking the time to share this Paul and very much look forward to the future episodes of this series ~Peace~
Zed Outdoors Thanks Zed. More in the series coming before too long....
Zed Outdoors I converted from an army surplus sleeping bag (very warm, very heavy) to the snugpak sf1 last year; it packs absolutely tiny (about a litre and a half of space) and when layered properly (with sleeping mat, bivi bag, silk liner) will keep you comfortable. I do find in colder months that my toes get a bit cold and I haven't used it in winter so I'd advise keeping your warm and heavy as an option, but not your go-to. If you go for the full SF system I dare say that'd treat you just as well in terms of comfort, but I don't know how well it packs by comparison.
@@Jedwoods hey! Cool name!!!
Great kit video Paul. I am glad you addressed this issue. Seems like instead of Bushcraft, there is a big trend toward playing army man. The military stuff is usually well made, but the target audience of "Bushcraft" the hobby is mainly, in my opinion, older gentlemen that already have health issues. I hope this will start a trend to lighten up and get more out on some real exploration rather than driving to a field.
Take care
Bruce
Nature Calls Let's hope so Bruce :-)
Great video as usual! Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. :)
zsd101 Thanks. Glad it was useful.
Hi Psul, new subscriber, if over prescribed so I need to lose weight on sleeping kit, thanks for the tips, great dvd.
for my summer camping, and a lil either side, i got a summer bag from charity shop, cut it and re-sewed to waist level, put some elastic cord in, and use that with a light insulated jacket and a light bivi bag. so the jacket does double duty, as my sleeping bag top, and as the general jacket.
Ultralight 3 season + system: 1) hoop bivi / 1 man tent 2) silk / cotton sleeping bag liner 3) wool layer (hat, sweater, pants, socks) 4) cotton layer (thermal underwear or long johns). I prefer the blow up mats, they insulate WAY better than the others.
Don't forget to change socks often. Jungle rot kills, and you can get it in the arctic. ;)
What's jungle rot, please?
Hello Paul i actually got to try it all out last weekend . I absolutely love the Zpacks bag it's so fluffy and feels like there must be 3 to 4 in of loft but like you have only a sheet on . I'm going out this weekend and test the stove some more, i used it Esbit makes a mess and stinks it's not fast at all but it did work just fine took the entire block to boil 700 ml and that is with the aluminum foil wind screen around it . I found out i also like having the second cup that is 300 ml with it i used it for my dog's water and his food .
Always fancied a down bag but cleaning it put me off.
So I use Snugpak sleeper lite for Autumn/Winter and Snugpak Jungle bag for Spring/Summer.
Looking forward to the next vid, taa.
Zeus Channel Thanks Zeus. More coming soon.
. Great video!
Reply 1
Hello :-) I have found your guidance really helpful,clear & well presented* Thank you so much for sharing & I'm really looking forward to your future posts*Also,because I found you to be so helpful I have just subscribed*Sending best wishes from Scotland :-)
Hi Paul
Thank you for all your videos. Many years ago I did a Bushcraft course and was taught how to neatly pack away the Australian hoochie tarp that was given to us. I've since bought a similar tarp but have forgotten how to neatly pack it like how it's been packed in this video. Could you please do video on how to fold and neatly pack the hoochie? Thank you.
excellent video paul, Are you still going to be doing more on lightweight kit?
Very informative video! Went the same route, never go back to the "army surplus" equipment with 80+ liter backpack and 20kg+ loads. Hiking 3 season / 0°C and up in rainy Germany - never exceed 5kg baseweight nowadays. Hiking & camping in full comfort & safety while merely noticing that you carry a backpack due to its low weight is just so much better than hauling heavy loads...
+19ghost73 Hello and thanks for your comments. Good to hear you are on a similar page now. Agreed - so much better :-)
I've slept out in early Spring where the nighttime temp dropped to about +4C in a cheapo Chinese £10 sleeping bag, optimistically rated at ''+15C comfort'' which only weighs about 500g...however because it was inside a bivvy bag, and I had a cheapo (Eurohike) fleece liner (weighing 700g) inside I reckon the extra layers - particularly the 2 trapped air layers - added at least 10 degrees and as it happened I was toasty warm, just in a T shirt and boxers and without having to wear a hat. If I'd been cold I had thermals and hat to keep me warm.
Having said that, I just splashed out £90 on a Snugpak Softie elite 4, comfort rated to -10. I will still use it with a liner albeit a thin one as I don't want to have to wash the bag itself. I know it weighs 2kg but I don't have the money to buy a full range of sleeping bags for every season so I don't mind the extra weight.
My Sea to Summit Spark1 sleeping bag packs to the size of a grapefruit and weighs 13.8 oz/391 grams. My Termorest NeoAir Xtherm sleeping mat is the size of a large coffee mug and weighs 15 oz/425 grams. It's incredibly warm and reflects heat very well. My Integral Designs Silwing tarp is also the packed size of a grapefruit and weighs about 12 oz/340 grams (but I'd push that to 500 grams with the para cord, etc., attached to it). I also use an SOL Escape Bivi that packs down as small as my silwing and is great for creating the micro-climate to retain body heat. It weighs 8.5 oz/240 grams. So, altogether, my very flexible sleeping system that can be used in SW Canada from May to Oct is very compact and weighs a mere 3lbs 1oz/ or 1.4 Kg. I always have my Snugpak puffy jacket with me, so if the temperature does ever get cooler than I'd like, I simply drape that over my torso. For the rest ofthe year in to colder months, I take a Snugpak Softie Elite sleeping bag (56 oz/1.6 Kg) which can be combined with the Spark 1 in extremely cold conditions for a good warm option, but in those conditions, I am also liely to use a small tent, such as a Big Agnes unltralight single person tent, plus a siltarp over the top of that. The tent wight about three pounds/1.36 Kg. Still all pretty lightweight and if I'm traveling long disance in the winter it probabaly by snowmobile anyway, so weight is no longer an issue (unless flying-in by small plane first).
Greetings and thanks from the west coast of Canada. Am working on lightening my wifes bug out bag which I am working on to be good for 7 days.
Welcome and I hope this material is useful to you :-)
MAN PAUL, That's really getting the weight down alot.
The new materials today that works as good or better than the heavier materials that have been used for so many years.
The cost of the lite weight is always more money, that's technology for yaa.
Of course in time prices will come down when they learn how to make the same items even lighter. Lol
Then we can all buy the lite weight ones cheap that are high today, lol
Good video Paul, THANKS
i've got the Integral Designs Siltarps, the 1 and 2 and I have been using them for a few seasons now, I think they are excellent, although it seems difficult to set up a bivy under the small one when you've got it freestanding(that is with two poles at the ends.) :)
Dutch army bivvie is a shelter & a breathable waterproof protective layer that can house your sleep system..
Thermarest inflatable mats are the size of 2 coke cans & if it's protected inside a bivvie you can sleep on ice.
I use a small Marino whool blanket & a sleeping bag liner then if I need more warmth I add thermal bace clothing layers as that's the lightest smallest way to add warmth.an important item is hat & I also have a few heat pads (meant for back pain) but I use one in the evening they stick to the outside of your inner most layer on the chest or lower back they last 15 ish hours & really add heat.i also use one under my dry suit when diving.
Big tip is don't use down sleeping bags as they compress under you & then give almost no insulation under you & you don't need much if your using a thermarest pad.but it's still bulk to carry.
Down blankets are ok but watch the stitching design as the fill can migrate to the edges if it's not stitched to keep filling in place.
im glad to see someone who is in the bushcraft start to make some sense it drives me nuts to see all the stuff they take without real thought to how heavy it's going to be . I'm always thinking of how to be lighter . last week i have changed 2 different things . my sleeping bag i received in the mailbox 10 deg f. Zpacks custom made ultralight sleeping bag on my scale at home 25 ounces this is the extra wide 900 down fill handmade sleeping bag . the rest of my system is a Terra nova solar competition 1p tent 2.3 lbs combined with the thermarest neo air x light regular size mattress 12 oz.
+Dan Leasure Thanks Dan.
Great video! I love to see people mixing UL and bushcraft. This was a reasonable and detailed breakdown as well. I will be going on a trip this weekend (here in south west Sweden) and will be taking my silnylon poncho/tarp (290g, no guylines, 5ft x 9ft), Nemo Zor short sleeping pad (270g), Zpacks down sleeping bag size wide/long (415g and rated for comfort of 5C), silnylon drysack for the sleeping bag (30g), and my Borah gear Dimma bivy (240g with guylines and stuff sack). So that's shelter and sleep system sorted for 1245g--not too shabby if you ask me.
Keep up the good work! And if you are interested in my UL kit and such, check out my channel and blog and such. Peace.
Perhaps it's because Queenslanders like me just don't *get* cold winters [I can hear basically every Queenslander screaming "bugger off we don't! It actually got below twenty the other night!" as I type this], but I've never had call to bring a thick sleeping bag. At most, I'll grab my fleece liner, but most of the time the cotton liner does the job just fine.
It was always worth a good giggle seeing new cadets going out on biv with three weeks of equipment strapped to their back. Got to the point where everything I needed for a week in the bush could be carried on my belt (hootchie, ground sheet, cord, cotton or fleeced liner, first-aid kit... the essentials) and in a small day pack (for rations and spare uniform).
Always surprises me how much inexperienced campers and bushies will overpack for the environment. Of course, the key word there is inexperienced. It's a mistake via agnosticism, not deliberation.
Thanks Paul. Excellent video. I'll have to add this to recommended study for my AAFC squadron before their next biv.
I just ordered the new LL BEEN 20° synthetic bag.
1 lb 15 oz.
I need to test it out. I thought to carry a down quilt and use it as s pillow and back up.
and the us Army bivie. it's bomb proof. 2 lbs.
Some great advice there. I see loads of people who use over rated sleeping bags. One of my past hobbies was specimen carp fishing loads of tackle companies sell 4season plus rated bags. Far to warm and bulky for any conditions there likely to be used in. Seem the trend is the same with bushcraft.
Steves Outdoors NE People worry about being too cold. And if people are not moving very much, it doesn't really matter if the bag is too heavy. But as soon as it needs to be carried anywhere, then there is a problem....
Superb, thanks for sharing, Paul. Makes me wonder why, except perhaps for the down bag, you'd ever use anything heavier than the ultra lightweight kit you showed at the end. I suppose the answer might have to do with cost, and that perhaps it matters less if cheaper kits gets damaged. Although the lighter kit seemed no less rugged.
It's great to have an updated overview of the various options currently available. For any new set up I might invest in, I'm now thinking perhaps an ultra lightweight kit with an alternative, synthetic bag. The sleeping mat, that amazing bivvy, the terrific tarp (220 grams?!), even the down bag if you look after it... can't see many reasons to ever use anything heavier.
Also, I wanted to ask, do you still use hammocks much, Paul? I'd like to look into any new options there soon. In any case
thanks again for the video. Really great stuff.
I appreciate the video. But the problem is that lighter and more compact gear cost more and then is oftentimes needing to be sent in to be cleaned. I can't afford multiple systems for different seasons, I have to plan for the worst and then hope it is modular enough to break down. I have a big bulky sleeping bag (can wash at home) that I use year round and just add liners and such to help it in even lower temps... but honestly as a stomach sleeper that moves a lot because of chronic pain, I mostly lay on the bag and then unhook/zip everything else and use things like blankets... so unfortunately my sleep system is the biggest and heaviest part of my kit... thermarest (sometimes use a cheap twin air bed that takes up less room, but requires a battery powered air pump), reflectix pad, sleeping bag (rectangle that unzips all the way), cotton liner that unhooks/basically a sheet, fleece liner that unhooks/basically a blanket, and a wool blanket (with pins I rarely use). And now I've switched from ground sleeping to hammock sleeping and I'm still trying to figure everything out... thought it would reduce weight, but it might not (hammock, bug net, hanging systems, tarp, cordage, stakes, etc weigh about the same as my tent and take up the same amount of room)... and as a stomach sleeper I'm still trying to figure out how to deal on long stays in the hammock... but it is supposed to be good for chronic pain. We shall see. I just don't know how to reduce my sleep system without a lot of money... so unless I get a raise or can work more, I'm probably stuck lugging the extra weight and bulk around (and doing less traditional backpacking).
Do you have a link to all the light gear detailed in this video, if not would this be a possibility?. Cheers mate, great video
hi as a ex serviceman, im quite used to trying to keep my kit to a minimum to save what i have to carry.
i personlly prefer to use my 2 season down bag time of year depending or my 4 season down bag, i always use 100% silk liners each bag has its own liner and a exped sleep mat, the only difference betwwen me and my mrs she feels cold more than me so she has a 3 season bag and a artic bag. a few years a go i also got given a 'spanish' sleeping bag while with spanish solders on exercise i for got to hand back!
would guess 1 season infact it is as thin as a blanket with very thin lining! lol
although for hight of summer in med or such ideal
Great vid as always.
If I get cold camping in my relatively thin sleeping bag (Jungle snugpak, 900g), I drape my Gore-Tex coat over my core... Snug as a bug. Plus I always pack a Bivvi (Just a cheap one from Mountain Warehouse 250g) in with my over nighter equipment, tho I do own a British army Gore-Tex bivvi (800g) which I carry in my day pack equipment, It's very bulky compared to the Mountain Warehouse one but it's nice to have the good one for an emergency in a day pack when it's the only sleeping equipment in my pack, as well as a poncho/tarp. I like Bivvis mainly because I prefer tarp camping in general and a bivvi is simply the best way to stop the wind and damp coming in. Tho a big wheelie bin liner could do.
You are right about the Dutch, i'm 6ft and I felt like a midget last time in Amsterdam lol.
05Rudey :-)
Don't get why if a tarp is so good why do you need a bivi as well as bivi are generally heavy and not that breathable from my experinice
Thank you very much for the great advice.We are off to northern Finland with the wife and we will be spending a week in the bush and i was just checking ways to lighten Our loads.Your video was just the thing to help us as your other advice as well.Cheers from Finland.
yawara600 Glad this came to you at the right time. Hope it proved useful.
In my peer of the world in the spring and summer the bugs eat you alive under a tarp.
There are some really good nets or for that matter small tents that provide protection.
Working a net into the equation makes some sense
Another good video, thanks Paul :) - one question though, - if mainly being outside in the spring, summer and early autumn in a temporate climate, is the bivy bag really a must (given that you also have a tarp to keep you dry, as well as a the sleeping bag and mat + hat and socks for warmth) ?
try a merino woll buff for a head gear itz very versityle . my gear setup is almost the same so i ejoy ure viedeos alot thx keep up the good stuff
Have you ever seen the sleeping system we carry in Swiss Military? Our Bivy bag is insane heavy and large.
It's taken me a lot to even consider leaving my British Army Basha (tarp) at home, it's seen me through some vile storms without even the slightest grommet tear or leakage and it's one of my oldest bits of kit along with the Osprey 58 Pat and British Army mess tins, oh well, sentimentality doesn't get your kit weight down. An (eventually) money saving (but a bit time consuming) way to get your kit weight down is buy a dehydrator the other cheap way is loose some weight (myself included).
can you recommend a good winter down sleeping bag for Scotland. Around -5 comfort at least . The smaller pack size the better.
thank you.
Maybe you could do some vids about recognizing trees (especially in the winter), eatable plants.
What about bacteria of chicken...is that something you consider?
What about pooping in the wild? 😂
What is the make of the smaller synthetic bag you use please Paul.
@@paulkirtley did you ever continue this series I dont see any more episodes...
Can you provide a link to the last tarp you talked about. Would like to purchase
great info here.
I tend to check out the ultra light hiking channels to see where to lose weight. The bushcraft scene definately does not generally consider weight in gear. Most bushcraft focus on long term durability as a foremost feature which often means weight. Heavy canvas, leather and brass as opposed to nylon, synthetics and plastics.
Personally, I think those canvas tarps are just crazy in an age of synthetics, thats huge amounts of weight and volume wasted.
Its really all about finding a balance that suites your needs much like choosing what to wear for your specific conditions, there is no best or right and wrong.
If you are making a semi permanent camp then heavy duty tarps make sense but for hiking, I generally choose as light as I can afford.
It doesn't take long for weight to get out of hand if all you look at is high quality cottage industry "bushcraft" marketed stuff where a 30L daypack weighs nearly 5lbs and you are hauling a massive heavy wool blanket weighing 4lbs when you could have more modern alternatives that function just as well or better at hald the weight and it doesn't take long to see how easy it is to save vast amounts of weight.
Hi Paul, I'm looking for the lightest possible sleep system, I like the idea of the down bag combined with the snugpak bivvy, along with thermals do you think this would suffice for winter camps In the UK? I'm looking to do my first winter camp this year (hopefully also in some snow!) But the lighter and more compact, the better! Thanks so much this video has been incredibly useful. Ps, do you have a link to your latest book? Thank you 🙏
Are there more videos to this series?
I use my rain gear, or my jacket, as a cover ovet my sleeping bag in cold weather.
Just throw the clothes - if they are reasonable dry - on top of the sleeping bag.
By doing that, in combination with some warm clothes on my body, I have used a three season sleeping bag quite comfortable in - 10 celsius here in Sweden.
Erik Granqvist Yes, that's a good system. I use my Swedish M90 jacket as an extra cover when bivvying in the north of Sweden in winter. Lars Falt also taught me the nice trick of breathing through the sleeve of the jacket like an elephant! Works very well....
So... don't bring my -20F synthetic bag in the summer? ; ) Another great video Paul.
+shanes channel Yup!
This might be overkill in itself, but I recently bought a Snugpak Torrent Extreme jacket. The low rating on it is -17 Celsius. My sleeping bag is a Snugpak Softie Elite 3, low rating of -10 Celsius. Saves a lot of weight and pack space by just taking that jacket and maybe a wool blanket to keep my legs warm. Also doubles as a good waterproof with lots of insulation if the weather turns on me, but for hiking in I generally just use an old fleece and a cheap lightweight packable waterproof.
fantastic video. going Galloway next month end Nov any good advice
Yup - enjoy it! :-)
what I have found in lightening loads is money if you have money you can get the lightest gear possible synthetic 20 degree bag 4 lbs 20 degree down bag 1 and a haif pounds $200,00 c0mpared to $50.00 sil tarp $50.00 tarp $5.00 4 to 6 ounces compared to 2 pounds
Do you have an update for the lightweight sleeping bag. I.e. actual spec name