The Gear List Thread

Bringing this old thread back to life.


This list is very much a work in progress. Haven’t backpacked in a few years and never done it seriously. Headed out this weekend for a quick scouting trip to see what stuff I can cut. At first glance I know the sleep system is heavy, and I still need to weigh much of my hunting gear. Will be hunting early Sept. here in NM, temps from 45-90 with possible daily rain storms.

Oh and the fly rod is only for the scouting trip.

Roast my list!
Two things come to mind:

I ditched my water bladder after my second or third backpacking trip, and I never went back. I use smart water bottles instead.

Switching to lighter boots was the biggest improvement I ever made. I backpack in Altra boots. They might not work for the absolute steepest terrain, but they have served me well across the west on backpacking trips and on my first elk hunt.
 
Some adjustments and upgrades yet to be made, but here is my packing list for anyone interested. This is built from Exo's packing list template, set up for a mid-season backpack hunting trip (late September through early November) in the mountains and foothills of Alberta. ~7 days, foot access only, no resupply. Temps vary widely from 0F to 60F, but I generally run very warm. If temps are looking stable below freezing, I will trade rain gear for insulation.

  • Checked items are included for a grand total weight of 50.3 lbs.
  • 32.6 lbs of "base weight" not including food, fuel, and water.
  • Worn weight (bino harness + worn clothing) is not included in my total weight. I will likely change this in the future, as this is still weight on my body.
  • My partner carries a spotter, I am set up for glassing exclusively with my binos.
Open to any critique! I have found many of your packing lists helpful with my choices over the years. Hopefully mine can be helpful too.

Screenshot 2026-03-22 at 18.26.38.png
 
Help me cut unnecessary weight from my 2026 generic hunting gear list. This is the list that I will start off with all my hunts. Shelters, boots, insulation, sleeping pad etc are hunt/weather dependent.


I want to cut weight, not capability.

A couple ideas:
- get a lighter weight sleeping pad
- eventually upgrade to the aziak Ridgeline tripod
- only carry one knife for kill kit and turn game bags into my pillow within a stuff sack
- eventually upgrade to a lighter stove setup
- try and cut things out of ditty bag and first aid kit IF POSSIBLE.

I have spent years dialing in this list so I am really curious to hear people’s thoughts. For context I live in Colorado and do archery all the way to 4th season rifle.
 
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