Re: Cut That Kit!
Posted: 21 Mar 2011, 8:23am
Added a bit in line. I go on the 'less is more' mantra. We start with a list, make a pile each then we go through each others pile. After eac tour, we review/revise the list with what was used, what was not and what can be trimmed. I'm a bit anal about weight and am prepared to sink money into getting very light kit. Not everyone is. HOWEVER.... I assume you don't want a sufferfest, you're actually on holiday? You need to find a compromise between carrying stuff that you currently consider 'essential' and carrying just too much. This varies from person to person and the length of your tour. A weekend of suffering is easily doable, a year in far flung places, less so.
REVISED 2011
Camping 5625g
* Tent, Tent poles 975g repair 50g pegs 400g
Your pegs must be made of antimatter! Even a full set of Quasar pegs are only 280g.
* Trangia 900g+meths burner and fuel there are no pros or cons about meths or gas as we can’t buy either
This is heavy and bulky (cue Trangia vs the world discussion). A Pocket Rocket is 86g and a 1.5l pan/lid 250g. If you can't get gas, even an MSR Whisperlight only weighs ~400g. If you can't get meths, why are you taking a meths stove? Take a Dragonfly or Whisperlight. You can always get petrol if you are using roads/near habitation
* Swiss army knive 300g
Which knife is this? The 'standard' one with 2 blades, corkscrew, tin opener and various other devices for getting Boy Scouts out of horses hooves is ~100g
* Sporks x2 not much
* mugs x2 100g
* Sleeping bags x2 m825g j1200g
Is this a summer tour? If so 800g is a bit fat and 1200g OTT. Spend some money on a 400g down bag each and save weight and bulk. Do keep them dry though.
* Roll mats x2 j275g m150g
* *Head torches x2 150g
You should be able to get these down to ~70g easily (e.g. Petzl Tikka), I'd be discinclined though if you're already carrying bike lights
Clothes
* Cycle Shorts x2
Is this 2 each? If so good, one pair on one pair drying. If 1 pair each, you're relying on kit drying over night which it doesn't always and damp shorts first thing...uuugh.
* Normal Shorts x2
1 pair each? Flimsy running shorts weigh very little.
* t-shirt x2
1 each?
* Cycling top (base layer or jersey) x2
Is this 2 each? If so good, one on, one drying. Praps, 1 long sleeve, 1 short sleeve?
* Fleece x2
If summer spring, early autumn, make mid weight e.g. North Face TKA 100g. Lot less bulky and ~300g
* Waterproof x2
Each? Per Couple? I usually carry jacket and very lightweigh trousers
* Flip flops/crocks x2
Flip flops are more compact.
* Shoes x2
* *Socks
* *Underwear
* Sunglasses x2
* Helmets x2
* Gloves x2
No longs? You might be in an area with beasties, you'll regret not taking l/w longs the first time they feast on you
Food water etc
* Food-mostly bought along the way
* Water bottles x4
* steritabs
Bike kit
* Tool kit essentials pliers, 525g spanner 275g multi 150g cables 25g tubes x2 450g chain tool and spare links, spare spokes, lube,
What spanner weights 500g? More antimatter If it's a big adjustable, there will be garages en route, ponce theirs The chain tool looks heavy too, get a lighter one. I'd ditch the pliers. I've never had a job on the road where I've needed them and they are useless for cutting things as they flatten cable outer and leave cable inner mangled.
* Pump x2
* Lights x4
* Locks x2
Electronics 1200g
* iPod
* Phone x2
* Battery power supply we need a smaller, lighter, power supply
* Camera
* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly
If you can share a phone, you'll save another ~100g plus any chargers if you're not already sharing those.
Washing etc 750g
* Toothbrush x2
* Toothpaste
* *Wet wipes
* *Toilet paper (ziplock)
* *Sun cream
* Shower Gel in (ziplock)
* Blister kit
* Razor
* First aid+pain killers etc
* Vaseline
* Travel towel
* Dishcloth/sponge
I usually carry Sudocreme, Ibuprofen and Jungle Formula as well. Don't forget ear plugs if you're using sites and an eyeshade if you want early nights or are camping in Scandahooliganland in summer
General
* Maps and case each map is about 150g
A5 colour photocopies laminated back to back. Discard once ridden.
* Small drawstring bag x2 one each used for pillow when stuffed with spare clothes
* Money
* Notepad
* Pens
Be brutal with what you carry, you'll enjoy it much. much more
REVISED 2011
Camping 5625g
* Tent, Tent poles 975g repair 50g pegs 400g
Your pegs must be made of antimatter! Even a full set of Quasar pegs are only 280g.
* Trangia 900g+meths burner and fuel there are no pros or cons about meths or gas as we can’t buy either
This is heavy and bulky (cue Trangia vs the world discussion). A Pocket Rocket is 86g and a 1.5l pan/lid 250g. If you can't get gas, even an MSR Whisperlight only weighs ~400g. If you can't get meths, why are you taking a meths stove? Take a Dragonfly or Whisperlight. You can always get petrol if you are using roads/near habitation
* Swiss army knive 300g
Which knife is this? The 'standard' one with 2 blades, corkscrew, tin opener and various other devices for getting Boy Scouts out of horses hooves is ~100g
* Sporks x2 not much
* mugs x2 100g
* Sleeping bags x2 m825g j1200g
Is this a summer tour? If so 800g is a bit fat and 1200g OTT. Spend some money on a 400g down bag each and save weight and bulk. Do keep them dry though.
* Roll mats x2 j275g m150g
* *Head torches x2 150g
You should be able to get these down to ~70g easily (e.g. Petzl Tikka), I'd be discinclined though if you're already carrying bike lights
Clothes
* Cycle Shorts x2
Is this 2 each? If so good, one pair on one pair drying. If 1 pair each, you're relying on kit drying over night which it doesn't always and damp shorts first thing...uuugh.
* Normal Shorts x2
1 pair each? Flimsy running shorts weigh very little.
* t-shirt x2
1 each?
* Cycling top (base layer or jersey) x2
Is this 2 each? If so good, one on, one drying. Praps, 1 long sleeve, 1 short sleeve?
* Fleece x2
If summer spring, early autumn, make mid weight e.g. North Face TKA 100g. Lot less bulky and ~300g
* Waterproof x2
Each? Per Couple? I usually carry jacket and very lightweigh trousers
* Flip flops/crocks x2
Flip flops are more compact.
* Shoes x2
* *Socks
* *Underwear
* Sunglasses x2
* Helmets x2
* Gloves x2
No longs? You might be in an area with beasties, you'll regret not taking l/w longs the first time they feast on you
Food water etc
* Food-mostly bought along the way
* Water bottles x4
* steritabs
Bike kit
* Tool kit essentials pliers, 525g spanner 275g multi 150g cables 25g tubes x2 450g chain tool and spare links, spare spokes, lube,
What spanner weights 500g? More antimatter If it's a big adjustable, there will be garages en route, ponce theirs The chain tool looks heavy too, get a lighter one. I'd ditch the pliers. I've never had a job on the road where I've needed them and they are useless for cutting things as they flatten cable outer and leave cable inner mangled.
* Pump x2
* Lights x4
* Locks x2
Electronics 1200g
* iPod
* Phone x2
* Battery power supply we need a smaller, lighter, power supply
* Camera
* Speakers - 120g if I remember correctly
If you can share a phone, you'll save another ~100g plus any chargers if you're not already sharing those.
Washing etc 750g
* Toothbrush x2
* Toothpaste
* *Wet wipes
* *Toilet paper (ziplock)
* *Sun cream
* Shower Gel in (ziplock)
* Blister kit
* Razor
* First aid+pain killers etc
* Vaseline
* Travel towel
* Dishcloth/sponge
I usually carry Sudocreme, Ibuprofen and Jungle Formula as well. Don't forget ear plugs if you're using sites and an eyeshade if you want early nights or are camping in Scandahooliganland in summer
General
* Maps and case each map is about 150g
A5 colour photocopies laminated back to back. Discard once ridden.
* Small drawstring bag x2 one each used for pillow when stuffed with spare clothes
* Money
* Notepad
* Pens
Be brutal with what you carry, you'll enjoy it much. much more