Forum rules
Ultralight Bushwalking/backpacking is about more than just gear lists. Ultralight walkers carefully consider gear based on the environment they are entering, the weather forecast, their own skill, other people in the group. Gear and systems are tested and tweaked.If you are new to this area then welcome - Please remember that although the same ultralight philosophy can be used in all environments that the specific gear and skill required will vary greatly. It is very dangerous to assume that you can just copy someone else's gear list, but you are encouraged to ask questions, learn and start reducing the pack weight and enjoying the freedom that comes.
Common words
Base pack backpacking the mass of the backpack and the gear inside - not including consumables such as food, water and fuel
light backpacking base weight less than 9.1kg
ultralight backpacking base weight less than 4.5kg
super-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 2.3kg
extreme-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 1.4kg
Gaiters for fastpacking?
Tue 14 Dec, 2021 11:42 am
Intending to do some fastpacking in Tasmania over the near future, I was wondering if gaiters would be a must and if so which one I should get. I'm thinking Western Arthurs and South Coast track at this stage.
I am not too concerned about weight, it's more about function and comfort.
I am not too concerned about weight, it's more about function and comfort.
Re: Gaiters for fastpacking?
Tue 14 Dec, 2021 12:11 pm
Are you after ankle length or full length?
I have recently got some RAB scree ankle gaiters, only used them once so far but I couldn't tell they were on and nothing got in my shoes so I'm happy with them.
Full length I have Moxie shin gaiters, again I haven't used them much because I haven't done much that require such a heavy duty set but they offer alot of protection with the foam on the front.
Interested in what others have to say. I'm going to get a waterproof set for winter, so far the sea to summit alpine event look good.
I have recently got some RAB scree ankle gaiters, only used them once so far but I couldn't tell they were on and nothing got in my shoes so I'm happy with them.
Full length I have Moxie shin gaiters, again I haven't used them much because I haven't done much that require such a heavy duty set but they offer alot of protection with the foam on the front.
Interested in what others have to say. I'm going to get a waterproof set for winter, so far the sea to summit alpine event look good.
Re: Gaiters for fastpacking?
Tue 14 Dec, 2021 4:45 pm
Quality on S2S gaiters keeps going downhill. OR Crocs are pricier but last longer; not too heavy, deal well with both scrub and mud.
Scotts Peak to Junction Creek to Alpha Moraine, you need gaiters unless you're going to try to bypass all the bogs - ie help make them even worse - or you don't care about leeches and filth to the knees. The SCT has been improved a lot but there are still some grotty stretches, especially east of the Ironbounds.
Scotts Peak to Junction Creek to Alpha Moraine, you need gaiters unless you're going to try to bypass all the bogs - ie help make them even worse - or you don't care about leeches and filth to the knees. The SCT has been improved a lot but there are still some grotty stretches, especially east of the Ironbounds.
Re: Gaiters for fastpacking?
Tue 14 Dec, 2021 8:05 pm
Not sure if I'd consider gaiters absolutely essential for Western Arthurs - friends have run the circuit before without them fine. Track is wide enough to see snakes coming in most places. You're gonna get mud and crap in your shoes regardless - just suck it up, and empty out as required 
That said I recently got a pair of Moxies and they proved themselves well on a Ben Lomond traverse... pretty decent protection (albeit only at the front) and very comfortable. Obviously won't have the same protection against wiggly sticks like 'proper' heavy duty gaiters, but they do an admirable job of saving your shins from getting ripped up by encroaching scrub.
That said I recently got a pair of Moxies and they proved themselves well on a Ben Lomond traverse... pretty decent protection (albeit only at the front) and very comfortable. Obviously won't have the same protection against wiggly sticks like 'proper' heavy duty gaiters, but they do an admirable job of saving your shins from getting ripped up by encroaching scrub.
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