Would you rather...

[123 4/8 P&Y]

Reduce your pack weight by 1 lb. for $40

or

Reduce your pack weight by 2 lbs. for $140

 

[Shrek]

Both , but 2lbs for $140 is a bargain.

 

[Birddog]

Or reduce my body weight by 20

 

[Muledeernv]

Both. Lose 20# and for 4 or do dollars an oz sounds good.

 

[BigSky]

I suspect that if you reduced pack weight by one pound for $40 it would be rather easy to replace other gear for the other $100 by more than an additional pound.

 

[luke moffat]

Both , but 2lbs for $140 is a bargain.

At this point that is a very true statement....but another 5 pounds in my pack will far from make or break a hunt.

 

[Shrek]

At this point that is a very true statement....but another 5 pounds in my pack will far from make or break a hunt.

Very true , I personally have taken the middle fork in this road and have quite a bit of luxury in the pack but I I paid for the lightest luxury I could afford. Next year I'll bleed some more green and loose a few more pounds but I just can't see myself sleeping on half of a thin foam pad like you do Luke. You are way tougher than I want to be.

 

[Manosteel]

2 lbs for $140 is a bargain. And worth it if you hunt high country for any distance. I also agree that getting as light and fit as possible is most important. Even during hunting season - between hunts I'll do a little cardio if I stay at home for more than a week. But my diet goes out the window during September and October, I eat what my body craves this time of year

 

[luke moffat]

Very true , I personally have taken the middle fork in this road and have quite a bit of luxury in the pack but I I paid for the lightest luxury I could afford. Next year I'll bleed some more green and loose a few more pounds but I just can't see myself sleeping on half of a thin foam pad like you do Luke. You are way tougher than I want to be.

HAHA.....I don't sleep on a thin foam pad....I'm all air all the time!!! Getting light is nice but at some point you gotta fund your hunts to actually go do the hunts rather than fret over the last couple pounds in my pack when the last couple pounds on my gut is the bigger hinderance.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Completely agree, at some point its just time to hit the woods!

My gear is under constant scrutiny, but in season nothing really changes. I may hate a piece by the end of the 30 days or so hunting, but gear gets replaced after the season. Sometimes its all about getting out there.

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

Both , but 2lbs for $140 is a bargain.

I would definitely spend $180 to save 3 pounds. My choices cannot be combined however, it's an either/or deal. I'm upgrading my shelter:

For $40 I could buy a footprint for my backpacking tent and use it in fast fly mode, leaving the tent body at the truck.

or

For $140 I could get a Mountainsmith shelter and a chunk of Tyvek.

 

[Shrek]

I stand by the first statment , 2lbs for $140 is a bargain. Why the tyvek ?

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

I stand by the first statment , 2lbs for $140 is a bargain. Why the tyvek ?

In case I have to set up on wet ground like I did this year.

 

[Manosteel]

Or you can make one of these custom bathtubs silnylon floors .. http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/diy/make-an-ultralight-tent-bathtub-floor.html

I am going to make one this winter but play with it for multi purpose use

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

Or you can make one of these custom bathtubs silnylon floors .. http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/diy/make-an-ultralight-tent-bathtub-floor.html

I am going to make one this winter but play with it for multi purpose use

That looks a little too advanced for my seamstress skills. But it sure looks nice.

 

[Ironman8]

I would definitely spend $180 to save 3 pounds. My choices cannot be combined however, it's an either/or deal. I'm upgrading my shelter:

For $40 I could buy a footprint for my backpacking tent and use it in fast fly mode, leaving the tent body at the truck.

or

For $140 I could get a Mountainsmith shelter and a chunk of Tyvek.

I just used my BA Lynx Pass 2 in fast fly mode this weekend for a scouting trip. It was actually my first time to go "floorless" (no tent body) and really enjoyed it. However, I will warn you, there's not much versatility in the setup. You'll likely have about a 3-5" gap between the fly and floor and there's nothing you can do about it. It did keep me dry in the thunderstorm/cold front that moved through overnight, but I think my site selection really helped there. But there wasn't much I could do for the cold drafts coming under the bottom since there was no way to pitch it tighter to the ground. Aside from the versatility and weight reduction, a tarp/groundsheet will be lower volume in your pack than the poles/footprint/fly, so that's something to consider as well.

My suggestion: If you've got the money, and like sleeping floorless, then go for the tarp.

 

[aron]

That looks a little too advanced for my seamstress skills. But it sure looks nice.

I picked up a silnylon bathtub floor from Bearpaw Wilderness Designs. Same as about but already made up. I got a custom size that ran about $70 shipped.
http://www.bearpawwd.com/shelters_floors/bathtub_floor.html

 

[doverpack12]

I've been thinking about eliminating the footprint and instead using small diameter lightweight rope stretched between the corners to keep them where the footprint would. Still would need tyvek if thats what you want and probably save weight.

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

overstock.com has the shelter for $99.99, not sure if that saves you a little or not. I've seen other places selling it for around $100.

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Mountainsmith-Mountain-Shelter-LT/7723059/product.html

Chad

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

I've been thinking about eliminating the footprint and instead using small diameter lightweight rope stretched between the corners to keep them where the footprint would. Still would need tyvek if thats what you want and probably save weight.

You know I thought about trying that with paracord. Setting up the tent to get the pole spacing correct, then cutting cords to the proper lengths. I like it.

overstock.com has the shelter for $99.99, not sure if that saves you a little or not. I've seen other places selling it for around $100.

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Mountainsmith-Mountain-Shelter-LT/7723059/product.html

Chad

Thanks!