Gear list under 6kg for Spring to Early Autumn

August 07, 2020 — Jim De'Ath

GEAR FOR OVERNIGHT CAMPING IN THE UK

This is my typical gear list for one or two nights of backpacking in the UK. I adjust some items based on my preferences or the weather forecast before each trip.

I've refined this list over the years and included links to items available in our online store. While it's designed for short trips, it can also be adapted for longer journeys by adding more clothing and a larger backpack to accommodate extra food.

This is a Fast and Light Gear list, balancing comfort and minimalism. Some hardcore backpackers may choose to leave out certain items to reduce weight further. Although I haven't weighed every small item individually, they are all included in the final total. Alternative suggestions might slightly exceed the 6kg weight limit.

The total weight includes 636g of food, sufficient for an overnight trip with one main meal, breakfast, snacks, tea, and coffee. I prefer to snack during the day rather than stop for a formal lunch, so you might need more food than I do. Note that water and fuel are not included in this weight. While some people exclude food from their gear lists, I have included it here.

I always carry the OMM Trio Pouch mounted on my chest, though its weight isn't included in the total since it primarily holds my Sony A6500 camera with a Sigma 16mm Wide Angle Lens. This item may be optional for those who prefer to use a mobile phone for photography. Similarly, I don't count the Pacerpole Trekking Poles as part of the carried weight since they are used continuously while walking.

This list is for backpacking in the UK during the 3 seasons period of April until generally mid September, although if the weather is mild either side of these dates it will be OK. It is assumed that weather will be mainly fair and mild with nights dropping no lower than 5-6 C and in the height of summer with warm weather probably not dropping much less than 8 C even in the mountains.

For Spring days and nights, I would use a Quilt or Sleeping bag that took me down to 2-3°C and add some clothing to supplement if colder to wear in the evening and inside the sleeping bag/quilt. I open up the foot box of my quilt stick my head through in and I have an extra layer of insulation at no added weight.

SHELTER

  • PreTents CoastWing Tarp - 6 pegs included  - 350g
  • Valley and Peak Ultra J Zip Bivy - 230g
  • 4  x 6.5 " Lawson Titanium Tent Stakes for Ultra Bivy- 26g
  • 2 x Easton Backpacker 9"  tent Pegs - 30g

TOTAL - 636 g

Alternatives with 2 skin tents

These might be useful in high midge season or those who prefer more protection.

Sleeping

*Piece of 3mm CC foam mat for sitting on and can be used as an emergency mat should you have an issue with any sleeping mat. Worth carrying as sleeping on a flat mat is no fun. This has happened to me with at least 3 well known brands of sleeping mat over the years - 67 g

Alternatives for sleeping

  • Sierra Designs Cloud 800 35 - 660g - I have included The Cloud as this is a zipperless sleeping bag and great for mild weather.  You can throw open easily on warm nights. A mid point between the Valley and Peak Classic Quilt and a full - on sleeping bag
  • Big Agnes Torchlight UL 30 -  840g  For those who like a traditional mummy style, the Torchlight UL series has expandable panels to give more room when you need to.

Alternative Sleeping mats

  • Klymit Insulated Static V Ultralight SL - 451g - Great value for a warm, lighweight sleeping mat with a R value of 4.4
  • Big Agnes Insulated AXL Air Regular - 371g - With a R-Value of 3 this will be good for all but the coldest weather

TOTAL - 1269 g

Backpack  

Total weight of pouch (chest mounted and fits many backpacks) with items shown in photo below - 900g

Items carried in OMM Pouch. Sony A6500 with Sigma W.A. Lens. Spare camera battery. Garmin InReach Sat Communicator. Adventure UL Med Kit with medicines. Aloksac for Iphone

Kitchen

 

All the items above fit into the Vargo Ti - Litre 750 

Total - 613 g

Alternative Stoves

  • SOTO Windmaster gas stove - 67g (+ weight of gas canister).
  • Eifel Outdoors - Colbatum Remote canister stove -146g (+ weight of  gas canister)

Clothing Carried

  • *Insulation - Berghaus Hyper Light Hoodie -  This is one of best lightweight insulated jacket I worn in 40 years of hiking. This is not available any longer which is a great pity. I purchased another one when I heard they were being discontinued and will use once my current one has worn out. - 247g
  • *Rain jacket -Marmot Essence - 192g  Use if I know the weather is going to be largely dry. If it is unlikely to rain or forecasted small showers, I what take a very light, functional jacket, as I'm going to be carrying this most of the time, the Essence fits the bill.
  • Alternatives- where the forecast suggests more rain I take the *Rab Myriad Neoshell, an excellent Jacket also no longer available! - 413g
  • *Rain Trousers - Rab Drillium pants - again no longer available! 288g
  • *Spare socks- 50g
  • *Light top + bottoms (various brands) for sleeping in- 235g
  • *spare boxer shorts- 67g
  • *Extremities Beenie - 28g
  • *Rab Primaloft Gloves - 40g 

TOTAL - 1147g 

Personal Care/ Bits & Bobs

  • Small Ditty bag (MYOG DCF bag). See photo below. Toilet paper, hand gel, Toothbrush and paste, comb, small swiss army knife, spare cord, gaffer tape, Smidge tick remover , pack of tissues, small compass & thermometer, eLITE Petzl headlamp & small mirror.  

TOTAL -  295g

Carried  in DCF packing cube (see photo below).  Cube is stacked onto top of dry bag in the backpack.

  • Pyramid Biox Aqua Water Treatment  I always take these as a backup to treating water, should my filter fail, I can then ensure I have safe water to drink. The tablets weigh next to nothing.
  • Pyramid Trek Midge and Tick repellent 60ml
  • Vargo Titanium Dig Dig Tool - 36g  Excellent tool that is used for digging catholes for toilet trips. Serrated edge cuts through roots. If you have ever struggled to cut through heather roots when digging a hole, (and who hasn't) - this is the 'tool'
  • Valley and Peak Insulated Pouch. Ideal for keeping batteries and gadgets warm to maximise power output. Double ups as a insulated food pouch - 27g

Other items (including food) stored in the (Tread lite DCF Packing Cell Large - 29g)

Additional items to consider

  • Add a Midge Head net in midge areas.
  • Don't forget a small plastic bag for rubbish
  • J-cloth
  • sunscreen
  • ear plugs
  • face covering/mask such as the Fizan one for travelling to and from your trip.

Total weight 5.9 kg including food for overnight backpack- see above for details.

Without food the total is 5.26kg

All packed ready to go!

August 07, 2020 — Jim De'Ath
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