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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: NeilC on 10:44:27, 13/11/17

Title: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: NeilC on 10:44:27, 13/11/17
Off the back of another thread I was thinking about items one carries that don't fit the minimalist, weight-obsessed paradigm that permeates the backpacking community, but are worth every gram to you. Mine are:


Booze: There are few things more lifting than a slug off rum in my coffee or a swig or two in a shelter seeing off some horrid weather. OK I minimise the weight by decanting out of a glass bottle but whatever, it's worth it. There's are reasons booze is so important to the Northern European cultures and I'm pretty sure crap weather is one of them.


Kindle: for winter overnights, limitless reading material with it's own light source is essential for a bored mind.


Bothy Bag: it's bulky and fairly heavy but so welcome when the heavens open.




What are yours?

Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: fernman on 11:12:41, 13/11/17
One thing I could leave out would be my little Braun battery shaver, that would save me 150g / 5.3oz (with lithium batteries, of course, which are lighter than alkaline ones).
However I hate having a stubbly chin, it feels itchy and uncomfortable, and apart from that it somehow gives me a psychological boost to set off clean-shaven in the mornings.
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: sussamb on 11:50:34, 13/11/17
I just take a normal razor, weighs hardly anything, or use one of the disposable plastic ones ... lighter still  O0
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: harland on 11:53:40, 13/11/17
Agree with Fernman but I take an old Gillette safety razor 21gms! That is only because I tried an electric razor once 55 years ago and didn't like it so have used a safety razor ever since, never tried an electric/battery one since!  Just as well I enjoyed my first LDP (PW) otherwise I may have never been out again!
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: April on 11:59:46, 13/11/17
Wine and a chair. Defo worth the weight  O0 The chair is 720g but being able to sit comfortably in the tent is so important, much easier drinking the wine  :)
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: fernman on 12:42:38, 13/11/17
@ sussamb and harland: I use a mains/rechargeable shaver at home, I haven't used an ordinary razor for more years than I dare mention. Anyway, don't you have to make your face wet and soapy first, then clean what's left off afterwards? Seems like a lot of messing about to me when I can just pick up my battery shaver and get on with it!

@April: I don't think I'd have room to sit on even the smallest chair in my Zephyros 1, and even if I could I'd be worrying about what it might be doing to the groundsheet. One thing I always look for in a pitch is boulders I can sit on or a bank I can dangle my legs over, because I find it really uncomfortable sitting on flat ground. But when I do have something like that to sit on, it invariably starts raining which prevents me from using it.
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: harland on 12:49:00, 13/11/17
But if you are washing anyway?   However not tried the modern gadget additionally whilst I have a mobile phone it is kept in the wardrobe unless I am out walking!
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: sussamb on 12:56:10, 13/11/17
@ sussamb and harland: I use a mains/rechargeable shaver at home, I haven't used an ordinary razor for more years than I dare mention. Anyway, don't you have to make your face wet and soapy first, then clean what's left off afterwards? Seems like a lot of messing about to me when I can just pick up my battery shaver and get on with it!


True but I don't mind, and am washing my face anyway, so an electric razor wouldn't be worth its weight to me  :)
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: NeilC on 13:07:23, 13/11/17
Wine and a chair. Defo worth the weight  O0 The chair is 720g but being able to sit comfortably in the tent is so important, much easier drinking the wine  :)


Now that is definitely in the ethos of the thread - a chair and a bottle of wine!  O0


Wish my tent was tall enough to accommodate a chair.
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: April on 14:41:10, 13/11/17
I don't think I'd have room to sit on even the smallest chair in my Zephyros 1, and even if I could I'd be worrying about what it might be doing to the groundsheet.

Wish my tent was tall enough to accommodate a chair.

We use the chairs with the legs folded up when we are inside the tent, the seat part of the chair is great as a back support without the legs. We use the chairs on top of our mats so there is no damage to the groundsheet. Being a titch, if I wanted to I could use the chair with the legs deployed in the MSR but beefy is too tall.The chairs are a similar design to this one.
https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/chair-one-p1188
Ours were £28 I think from Ebay and are 720g without the bag which is 80g, we use a plastic bag instead.
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: gunwharfman on 19:13:54, 13/11/17
A little plastic shower head from Lifeventure, just pushes into a standard plastic water bottle. It means I can more or less shower anywhere, if there is water nearby of course.

My home made elasticated cuffs for wet weather. I lopped off the lower arms of an old Goretex jacket, they fit over my wrists and overlap the end of my fingers. Result dry hands when its raining hard. No good of course, if I hold my arms up to the sky.

My around the neck spectacle holder, holds two pairs if necessary.

My £2.50 waterproof phone case.
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: fernman on 20:59:45, 13/11/17
After sussamb's and harland's latest comments re. mine about using an electric shaver, you're now all going to think I don't wash! :o
Be assured that I do, but you don't get much froth for a shave from a little bar of hotel soap (especially as I've used the same one on my last 4 trips) even in Welsh soft water  :)
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: Sloth on 19:13:38, 15/11/17
I'm with Neil, slug of rum night cap and also wet wipes but as im getting older those chairs seem like a good idea!

Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: edraconus on 14:12:36, 19/11/17
I cant do with out my small three legged stool which fits into one of my loops on the side of my backpack, my light weight electric razor, and specially my portable battery charger. Can charge the phone 10 times and batteries for cameras and other items.
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: fernman on 20:01:16, 19/11/17
my light weight electric razor

I'm pleased to know I'm not the only one (refer to my post of 11:12:41, 13/11/17, on this thread)  O0
Title: Re: Things that are worth their weight
Post by: ljmeerkat75 on 19:51:57, 20/11/17
Ginger, I have ginger in my hot chocolate it's great for helping to keep your hands and feet warm on cold walks and belays