Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby rcaffin » Mon 04 Nov, 2019 2:40 pm

Is it fabric or plastic film: that is the biggest Q.

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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby north-north-west » Mon 04 Nov, 2019 2:44 pm


Not bad if you get the red/white although it probably looks pink at a distance. I'm tempted. Good thing there's no Ikea in Tassie.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Kickinghorse » Mon 04 Nov, 2019 10:02 pm

Roger100% polyester. Plastic film??
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby rcaffin » Tue 05 Nov, 2019 6:13 am

Polyester fabric? OK
There are some extremely cheap 'ponchos' on the market which are little more than a Space Blanket. They shred easily. They are mainly intended for single use - eg at a football match.

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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Kickinghorse » Tue 05 Nov, 2019 6:44 am

Experience with these. Realised starting the West Highland Way in shocking weather that we had left our pack covers back in Oz, so bought a couple of those flimsy ponchos from a camp ground shop. Needless to say they lasted about 5 mins before shredding into pieces, even with some serious applications of duct tape. Our trail name would have been interesting!

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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby rcaffin » Tue 05 Nov, 2019 8:25 am

Yeah, wet place.
We were part way along Offa's Dyke Path without pack covers - we didn't even have any back here in Oz! So we bought some proofed nylon ones in Avon (I think). Still have them (intact), but they are bit heavy compared to current stuff.
Also bought some sit mats as the ground was forever wet when we sat down. The mats were lovely.

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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Tortoise » Tue 05 Nov, 2019 8:56 am

Kickinghorse wrote:The Dark Side!
https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/40283422/
Phil

The first two suggested uses give away a fair bit, I reckon: shopping and visits to the gym. :roll:
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby wallwombat » Wed 06 Nov, 2019 7:06 pm

It's not really that cut and dry.

Different situations and activities call for different approaches and gear.

I love going as light as possible but as I'm into walking , climbing, canyoning and packrafting, the same set up won't always suit every situation. This is probably the reason I own nine packs.

I think it's going to be a while before you can get the Appalachian Trail or PCT experience, here in Australia.

I do believe, however, that in any situation that involves carrying a load of gear on your back, going as light as possible is the best option.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Warin » Wed 06 Nov, 2019 7:28 pm

wallwombat wrote:I think it's going to be a while before you can get the Appalachian Trail or PCT experience, here in Australia.


Already have a PCT ... Penguin Cradle Trail :lol:

The PCT can be strung together with the OT ...
For distance then the BNT .. though it is a poor choice for walkers as it is a long way between resupply.

The main difference is one of population density that reduces the resupply points and the number of walkers. Given the density of walkers on the AT I am not certain that I would truly appreciate it given the normal lack of people here in Australia.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Neo » Wed 06 Nov, 2019 7:44 pm

Hmm the BNT is the Big Gig of Bushwalking!
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Zapruda » Wed 06 Nov, 2019 7:49 pm

Neo wrote:Hmm the BNT is the Big Gig of Bushwalking!


An Austrian (maybe) bloke walked the whole thing earlier this year. I couldn’t deal with those road walks...what a walk though.

Here are his photos - https://instagram.com/teddymetzler?igshid=4t9k9u1s8aqc
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Neo » Wed 06 Nov, 2019 7:56 pm

Awesome, thanks Zap.

Love his used pegs photo.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Petew » Sat 09 Nov, 2019 7:35 am

Ha! We bumped into this guy on the OT in August along the side of lake St Clair. Super nice and friendly guy, said he had done that walk from Melbourne and couldn't reccomend it.

Funnily enough, his pack was freaking huge!
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby beardless » Tue 12 Nov, 2019 8:22 am

I have some lightweight gear and some heavier.
Alongside durability, comfort, cost and weight one of the factors I take into account is bulk.
Often an advantage of lightweight gear is it takes up less room in the pack so you can fit more (food for longer trips and for me a heavy camera with a couple of lenses).
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Petew » Thu 21 Nov, 2019 7:07 pm

Yes, less bulk makes a huge difference, particularly in tight spots and scrub bashing.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Ms_Mudd » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 4:58 pm

slparker wrote:
alanoutgear wrote:What I really need to do is work out how to dehydrate the 700ml of Port that I want to take with us on the KIWW in a week or two. Suggestions welcomed.


Dehydrated port? = Cognac

All the taste complexity, half the weight.

Genius. slparker, I shall thank you on many trips yet to come. I love wine, but seldom indulge, there is something really lovely about port and cheese while out walking though. As not much of a drinker, my knowledge of spirits is poor, so I am delighted with this cognac tip.

Out of interest, what is your method of choice for carrying your alcohol? I usually just use nalgene plastic containers for my port and only take 60ml if just overnighting as a method of self control- because I have none :lol:
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Moondog55 » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 5:13 pm

I dunno about slparker but when I take spirits along I use those small screw-top yoghurt/ pureed baby fruit sachets, there is a slightly amusing story to go along with that.
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Zapruda » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 5:23 pm

I always bring some brandy or wine and I always store the booze in the lightest supermarket water bottles I can get. Cheap, easy and you can use the bottle the next day for water after you’ve finished all your St Agnes ;)
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Ms_Mudd » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 6:32 pm

Moondog55 wrote:I dunno about slparker but when I take spirits along I use those small screw-top yoghurt/ pureed baby fruit sachets, there is a slightly amusing story to go along with that.

Don't leave me hanging - do tell!

Zapruda wrote:I always bring some brandy or wine and I always store the booze in the lightest supermarket water bottles I can get. Cheap, easy and you can use the bottle the next day for water after you’ve finished all your St Agnes ;)


See, here be the problem. I would be rolling drunk and laughing myself silly with such potent spirits in a water bottle sized container and really, it would make sense to drink it in one go so then you have the water vesicle ready for the next day.
Although if I did drink it all in one go, I wouldnt be walking anywhere the next day anyway. I would be laying in my tent feeling sorry for myself :oops:
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Lamont » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 7:26 pm

On the rare occasion I'm not using the flagon I have a range of sizes of wee plastic bottles from the absolute champs- Litesmith.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Zapruda » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 7:32 pm

Lamont wrote:On the rare occasion I'm not using the flagon I have a range of sizes of wee plastic bottles from the absolute champs- Litesmith.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Lamont » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 8:39 pm

Mine's the ultralight flagon. No finger holder on the neck-saves 8 grams.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Zapruda » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 8:40 pm

Lamont wrote:Mine's the ultralight flagon. No finger holder on the neck-saves 8 grams.


I should have known! Stupid light imo ;)
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Lamont » Wed 10 Jun, 2020 8:44 pm

You have to draw the line somewhere!
You should see my ultralight chalice!
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Moondog55 » Thu 11 Jun, 2020 1:24 am

Ms_Mudd wrote:[quote="Moondog55"

Don't leave me hanging - do tell!

I often used to carry pureed apples as a high calorie sugar hit, reached into the food bag on getting to the campsite, took the top off and scoffed 85ml of Old Grandad OP.
A bit too much bourbon on an empty stomach for somebody who doesn't drink much
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby slparker » Thu 11 Jun, 2020 9:31 am

Not UL, but it is just so cool: Stanley hipflask.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby wildwanderer » Thu 11 Jun, 2020 5:38 pm

Does anyone else have a piece of ultralight gear that is to expensive and delicate to use?

I have a very warm and very expensive down jacket. Its ultralight and because of that the fabric is delicate

Im now to paranoid to take it on most of my trips as im often in areas that even moving about camp expose me to spikey shrubs.

:oops: :oops:

I think this definitely qualifies as stupid light :lol:
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Petew » Thu 11 Jun, 2020 5:43 pm

7 denier is surprisingly resistant to abuse. I say use it and take some repair tape:)
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Mark F » Thu 11 Jun, 2020 6:06 pm

I have a Mont Bell Plasma 1000 down jacket (7d ripstop, 137g in L) that classifies as possibly the lightest on the market for just under 3 years. While I take care with it, I treat all gear as functional and use, and to some extent, abuse it without particular regard for its long term preservation. I have had no issues with it on my various trips (sct, Frenchmans, knp, cycle touring Denmark etc). If I hadn't picked it up on very deep discount I most probably wouldn't have purchased it but who can resist a 20% weight reduction :roll: . The jacket it replaced was a Mont Bell Ex lite (7d fabric) which I have had since 2011 and is still perfectly usable. Similarly I have a Mont Bell wind shell (83g) purchased 2010 which I think is 7d fabric and gets far more abuse. It is still fine but has just been relegated as I decided I would prefer one with a hood.

As @Petew says 7d is surprisingly resistant to abuse.
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Re: Australians slow on the uptake of lightweight gear?

Postby Petew » Thu 11 Jun, 2020 6:17 pm

Montbell Plasma! Nice bit of kit. I was close to buying one last year but $600!

Ended up buying a Mont Zero instead. Still pretty light but not as fancy ( but fancy enough).

I have total faith in 7d fabric and it's oh so silky.
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