Help me cut some pack weight!

Tripod for 8x binos?
This list is not for a specific hunt and isn’t a complete list, I left out some other gear that I don’t feel the need to replace or anything. I only threw the tripod in here bc it is something I’m going to upgrade or replace. I don’t bring a tripod for most of my archery hunts here bc it’s big, Old-growth timber with a lot of still hunting.

The intent of this thread isn’t a critique of what I would or would not bring, more like if it were your list and you were looking to lighten up, how would you go about it? In what order would you start replacing items that would make the most sense, without dropping $1,500+ at once.
 
That’s a big one for me, I wear light weight hikers until I need the leather boots. I really notice it when I make the switch later in the season.


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Yeah, they say a pound on your feet or legs is the equivalent of 11 pounds on your back. I dont know if thats technically correct, but its fact that any given weight at an extremeity saps your energy a lot quicker than that same weight in a pack or at your center of mass.
 
A couple free suggestions:
  • Can you cut a tent pole where you hunt? - Saves 10 oz
  • Break out the med kit vs kill kit. Are there any items you can cut from either?
    • any items (IE tourniquet) that no one knows how to use and therefore dead weight?
  • Any duplicate items that you carry? IE knife in the kill kit, another knife in your bino harness, and a pocket knife? Reducing duplicates is a quick way to shed weight.
  • Any items that can be multi-purposed? See lantern example below.

The cheaper items I'd swap out would be:
  • Jetboil > Soto Amicus/BRS Stove with a Toaks 750ml pot - Saves ~8 ounces for $50ish
  • Lantern > Flextail Tiny Pump 2x (has lantern feature & inflate your pad) - Saves ~6oz for $35
    • Alternative: Goalzero collapsible lantern.
  • Tyvek > 1 mil Polycryo - Saves ~4oz for $11
That's saving 1lb for under $100.

Longer term/bigger items:
  • Sleeping pad. Lighter options with the same or better R-value - Save 8 oz for $200ish
    • A more insulated pad may allow you to get away with a lighter bag.
    • Examples: Nemo Tensor, Therm-a-rest XLite NXT
  • Sleeping Bag/Quilt - could potentially go lighter if the pad is good.
 
A couple free suggestions:
  • Can you cut a tent pole where you hunt? - Saves 10 oz
  • Break out the med kit vs kill kit. Are there any items you can cut from either?
    • any items (IE tourniquet) that no one knows how to use and therefore dead weight?
  • Any duplicate items that you carry? IE knife in the kill kit, another knife in your bino harness, and a pocket knife? Reducing duplicates is a quick way to shed weight.
  • Any items that can be multi-purposed? See lantern example below.

The cheaper items I'd swap out would be:
  • Jetboil > Soto Amicus/BRS Stove with a Toaks 750ml pot - Saves ~8 ounces for $50ish
  • Lantern > Flextail Tiny Pump 2x (has lantern feature & inflate your pad) - Saves ~6oz for $35
    • Alternative: Goalzero collapsible lantern.
  • Tyvek > 1 mil Polycryo - Saves ~4oz for $11
That's saving 1lb for under $100.

Longer term/bigger items:
  • Sleeping pad. Lighter options with the same or better R-value - Save 8 oz for $200ish
    • A more insulated pad may allow you to get away with a lighter bag.
    • Examples: Nemo Tensor, Therm-a-rest XLite NXT
  • Sleeping Bag/Quilt - could potentially go lighter if the pad is good.
Solid points.

I’ve got some of your recommendations on the way or in the cart. Looking at the Nemo Tensor all-season paired with a Featherstone Moondance quilt. Also about to pull the trigger on a carbon fiber tripod, blackovis to save money or try to find a deal on a used Aziak.

Thanks for the .02!
 
This is crazy light. $200 on Amazon



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sleeping bag is very heavy. Quilt would save 1.5 lbs easy.
Get a brs3000 and a titanium cup. Save around 10-11 oz.
6 oz fire kit seems like a lot. Mini bic and a couple Vaseline cotton balls(if you’re worried)
Depending on how wet the weather is, could save a pound on the rain jacket. OR helium is what I use if it’s not gonna rain a ton.
Tripod to me is 100% necessity, but definitely much lighter options. Ex. My backcountry setup is just over 2 lbs with the head, and I can stand if I need to…
11 oz lantern seems ridiculous to me, just use headlamp for everything
 
This is crazy light. $200 on Amazon



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I’ve got a Blackovis Alpine on the way!
 
sleeping bag is very heavy. Quilt would save 1.5 lbs easy.
Get a brs3000 and a titanium cup. Save around 10-11 oz.
6 oz fire kit seems like a lot. Mini bic and a couple Vaseline cotton balls(if you’re worried)
Depending on how wet the weather is, could save a pound on the rain jacket. OR helium is what I use if it’s not gonna rain a ton.
Tripod to me is 100% necessity, but definitely much lighter options. Ex. My backcountry setup is just over 2 lbs with the head, and I can stand if I need to…
11 oz lantern seems ridiculous to me, just use headlamp for everything
List has been updated, including a Soto windmaster and titanium pot (-7oz), X-mid setup (-12.5 oz). Much lighter Tripod is on the way and I think the next step is a quilt and better pad.
 
List has been updated, including a Soto windmaster and titanium pot (-7oz), X-mid setup (-12.5 oz). Much lighter Tripod is on the way and I think the next step is a quilt and better pad.
You carry your pistol in a fanny pack. Not being familiar with your specific fanny pack, how do you access it quickly? I ask because if it's zipped shut , that whole system can be left behind since it literally does no good that way; typically.
 
The gun actually sits in a kydex holster that I took the hardware off of within the fanny pack, with one in the chamber. I run the zip all the way over to one side and the holster is secured to a loop on the inside so I just zip and draw. I know my way around a pistola and have trained to the point my draw isn’t that much slower than my draw from concealment with my edc.

Definitely not the best nor my favorite way to carry but it’s the best solution I’ve tried that keeps that thang on me at all times. I am considering a chest holster but I feel like I’ll hate having it between me and my bino pack.
 
The gun actually sits in a kydex holster that I took the hardware off of within the fanny pack, with one in the chamber. I run the zip all the way over to one side and the holster is secured to a loop on the inside so I just zip and draw. I know my way around a pistola and have trained to the point my draw isn’t that much slower than my draw from concealment with my edc.

Definitely not the best nor my favorite way to carry but it’s the best solution I’ve tried that keeps that thang on me at all times. I am considering a chest holster but I feel like I’ll hate having it between me and my bino pack.
The Venandi holster is one of the purchases I regret the least, FWIW.
 
The gun actually sits in a kydex holster that I took the hardware off of within the fanny pack, with one in the chamber. I run the zip all the way over to one side and the holster is secured to a loop on the inside so I just zip and draw. I know my way around a pistola and have trained to the point my draw isn’t that much slower than my draw from concealment with my edc.

Definitely not the best nor my favorite way to carry but it’s the best solution I’ve tried that keeps that thang on me at all times. I am considering a chest holster but I feel like I’ll hate having it between me and my bino pack.
They have several (Razco?) holsters that sit below the bino harness.
 
Didn't read all of the replies, and not sure from your list, but do you run the pack lid on that exo 4800? I never run mine, there are enough pockets and it isn't worth the ounces to me.
there are lighter treking poles out there
 
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