The Gear List Thread

[NealMustard]

This list is in desperate need of an update, and expanded description. It's served me well over 2 sheep hunts and 2 goat hunts.

https://lighterpack.com/r/3xk8o7

 

[Tmoore19]

This is one of the more useful threads I have come across on this site. Thanks.

 

[Jbriley56]

Great thread. Thanks for contributions.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

https://lighterpack.com/r/tzpio9

For upcoming spring bear. This was my list last year. I’ll have to see if I’ll change much for this year.

 

[apieceofwork]

Bringing this old thread back to life.

https://lighterpack.com/r/ubirxv

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.

 

[vingiu]

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.

 

[chasekregor]

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.

https://lighterpack.com/r/g8hahu

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.

 

[Macintosh]

@chasekregor I’ll be curious to see what folks say. List looks pretty dialed to me, most items yeah, maybe there are options to save an ounce or two but nothing major—just cumulative ounces there. If you arent in love with specific items theres clearly options to cumulatively shed a half pound or so, but no one glaring thing imo. Example, sharpener AND backup knife? Lose one for a whopping 1.5ish ounce savings.

What I did see, and feedback.
1) the only obvious “bigger” weight loss I saw not already mentioned was optics. If you could use a bino/rf combo you eliminate both the rf and the pouch, for a combined 12oz. Then you have to decide if the IS binos are worth it, etc. Since youre carrying a spotter and a tripod, maybe a set of 8x or 10x rf binos would work? Or start saving for future rangefinding IS binos (which afaik dont exist?).
2) aziak ridgeline: you only have a couple ounces of potential savings here. I have a ridgeline, its nice and light and I love it for shooting, but being tall I miss a little height adjustment for glassing, especially if glassing upwards. Your center column counts for something, so the juice may/may not be worth the squeeze. I’m personally considering switching out my ridgeline for your exact combo or something like it. (Trade?)

 

[mtwarden]

Few things, but not many

can shave ~ 1/2 lb with a Thermarest Xtherm; not sure what the R value is of your current pad is, but the Xtherm is one of the warmest at 7.3

if you're out for a week or less, I found a 10k power bank is sufficient, the Nitecore 10k weighs 5 oz

a few ounces w/ a lighter stove/pot

what's in the custom first aid kit and unchartered possibles pouch?

 

[chasekregor]

Few things, but not many

can shave ~ 1/2 lb with a Thermarest Xtherm; not sure what the R value is of your current pad is, but the Xtherm is one of the warmest at 7.3

if you're out for a week or less, I found a 10k power bank is sufficient, the Nitecore 10k weighs 5 oz

a few ounces w/ a lighter stove/pot

what's in the custom first aid kit and unchartered possibles pouch?

Yeah I can upgrade my sleeping pad at some point this upcoming year. I am pretty amazed by people who are able to only take 10k on a backcountry hunt. Maybe I am on my phone too much idk. The ultralight stoves drive me crazy burning myself etc so I’ll keep that firemaple until I buy a rough ridge stove.

First aid kit is custom and is my attempt at balancing unforeseen events, practical backups, and gear repair. Snake staff systems small TQ and quick clot, hope to never need it. Ultralight backup headlamp in case mine dies as a critical hunting moment. Luekotape, bandages, ferro rod, sleeping pad repair and aquatablets etc. I can’t really see myself getting rid of any of these items but I could be talked into it!

 

[chasekregor]

For the gear nerds interested. This is the modular system I have come up with to keep all my small loose items organized. White ultra dirty bag is what’s in my tent with me at night and in the mornings. Red is the first aid I hope to never open. Orange is my kill kit. This system helps when I am quickly packing in between bunts versus scouting or in and out of various bags etc. it’s obviously a balance between weight and organization.