I have recently been on a number of 2 day hikes & after I got back I had a few friends comment on the relative small pack size and what was I carrying. Below is a list of what was taken minus my Arcteryx Beta LT Gore-Tex, spare thermals, undies and socks. This is by no means the perfect ultra light list as it includes some luxuries. The contents will also chop and change depending on the location, water situation and weather.

Pack

For light weight overnighters I have been using the Osprey Talon 33. When fully packed the Talon still supports the weight on the hips, has one large compartment for most items and has plenty of pockets for easy access to the small items when needed.

pack

Cooking System

I have been testing the MSR Windburner for the last few months. This revolutionary stove has been very impressive and now being released in Australia we have a thorougher review here.

cooking

Hydration

Arguably one of the most important items you will carry. Depending on the access to water at the camp site a combination of a Camelbak, Platypus reservoir & Nalgene will be used. The Platypus Platypreserve is handy if your like a glass of red with dinner.

hydration

Food

For a light weight overnighter I will lean towards packaged food to help cutdown on weight and bulk. Back Country Cuisine, Clif Bars & Bloks and some homemade trail mix tend to be staples (Bakery treats are usually purchased for lunch). Sea To Summit Delta Mug for a cuppa or above mentioned wine and Alpha Light Long Spoon to get to the bottom of the bag food. Wilderness Wash from Sea To Summit and a small Pack Towel to keep it all clean.

food

Going to the loo

Pocket trowel and nifty toilet roll holder are easy to carry, affordable and do not take up much space. For more tips on leaving no trace when hiking head to our post on the subject.

tp

Shelter

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 Person is a classic 2 person tent with the split weight coming in well less than a kilo each. Read Lachlan’s review on the tent here.

tent

Sleeping System

At under 1 kilo the Western Mountaineering Summerlite sleeping bag and the Thermarest Neo Air make a great compact sleeping system for the warmer temperatures in Spring, Summer & early Autumn. The Sea To Summit Compression Dry Sack helps bring down the bulk while keeping the sleeping bag dry and Silk Liner will keep the sleeping bag clean.

sleeping

First Aid and Personal Toiletries

Small 1st aid kit, sun screen and basic toiletries are all that are needed for a basic overnighter.

personal

Navigation

Suunto A10 & topographic map to keep me from getting lost on the trail and the Sea To Summit Guide Map Case to keep the moisture out. Renting a PLB through local Police or National Parks or a Ocean Signal RescueME PLB 1 will also be used if mobile reception cannot be guaranteed.

navigation

Other Small Knick-Knacks

SteriPEN to kill the bugs in the water, Victorinox Climber for cutting everything from toe nails with the scissors to salami with the blade and Black Diamond Storm to see at night.

knick-knacks

Dry Bags

Assorted dry sacks, compression sacks and pack liners keep everything dry if the heavens open or if I take a tumble when crossing a river.

dry-bags

Other items that I will usually take include Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z-Pole to save my knees, Thermarest Compack Converter Seat kit for some luxury when at camp and my Suunto Core Ultimate Black watch to tell the time and the altitude.

Below are the manufactures weights in grams. Note that some of these items are shared or split, all items are not shown as is the weight of the water. However total pack weight for 2 days sits under 10kg.

Osprey Talon 33L Daypack 907
MSR Windburner Stove 432
MSR IsoPro Fuel 110
Camelbak Antidote Reservoir 3L 195
Platy Bottle 36
Nalgene 1L 179
Back Country Cusine Dbl Serve 175
Clif Bar 68
Clif Blok 60
Sea To Summit Delta Mug 62
Sea To Summit Alpha Light Long Spoon 12
Sea To Summit Wilderness Wash 40
Sea To summit Pocket Trowel 87
Sea To Summit Outhouse 50
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 Person 1540
Western Mountaineering Summerlite 540
Thermarest Neo Air Mattress 350
Sea To Summit Silk Liner 145
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Pole 290
Thermarest Compack Converter Seat kit 191
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Hope the list gives you some new ideas for when next heading out into the outdoors next and I would love to hear your gear tips in the comments below.

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About The Author

Dave Casey

Dave has worked as an International Expedition Leader and in Outdoor Education for over 15 years. He has extensive travel and guiding experience in Australia, NZ, Asia, South/North America and Europe. In his spare time Dave is a keen bushwalker, mountain biker and climber while also dabbling in some mountaineering and sea kayaking.

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