Walked the JMT last summer and my partner's ultralight setup was way better than my standard pack

She was carrying 28 pounds total including water and I was lugging around 45 pounds because I brought a heavier tent and extra clothes. Every uphill stretch I was falling behind while she was cruising and I had to stop way more to adjust my straps. Has anyone actually made the switch to ultralight and not regretted giving up some comfort items?

2 comments

2 Comments

thompson.xena11d agoMost Upvoted

Oh wow, 45 pounds is a lot for the JMT. I think your numbers might be a little off on standard pack weights though - most "standard" backpacking setups are more like 30-35 pounds base weight. Ultralight is usually under 20. So you were definitely carrying more than average but it sounds like you brought some luxury items too. I switched to a lighter setup a few years ago and honestly I don't regret it at all. The key is figuring out what comfort items you actually use versus what just sits in your pack. Like I bring a thin sleeping pad to sit on during breaks but I ditched my camp chair because I never used it anyway. One thing nobody tells you about ultralight is that it's not just about weight loss. You have to change how you pack and how you move on trail. Your partner probably had her weight distributed better too which makes a huge difference on your back. But honestly everyone's different. Some people really need that extra layer or a heavier tent to sleep well. If you're happy with your setup and just want to shave off 5-10 pounds there's easy ways to do that without going full gram weenie.

nora73511d ago

Did I carry 45 pounds of bad decisions or just my ego?