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.
 
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