goofus

i wanted to see if i could make an ultralight gear kit for someone that is just getting into hiking and interested in going ultralight. my goals were to make it significantly less than 10 lbs, include gear that i have personal experience with or felt was quality from well established ultralight manufacturers, and have it all be less than $1500. i think all goals were achieved.

total weight came in at 8.2 pounds. total price was $1491.50. i have experience with a lot of the gear on the list and just about all of it is from well known manufacturers that make high rated gear.

backpack: gossamer gear kumo 36 | 567 g / 20.0 oz https://www.gossamergear.com/products... liner: litesmith nylofume | 26 g / 0.9 oz
https://www.litesmith.com/nylofume-pa... tent: durston x-mid 1 | 810 g / 28.6 oz https://durstongear.com/products/x-mi... sleeping bag: enlightened equipment 30* enigma quilt reg/reg 850fp 7d/7d | 524 g / 18.5 oz https://enlightenedequipment.com/enig... sleeping pad: therm-a-rest neoair xlite nxt reg | 369 g / 13.0 oz https://cascadedesigns.com/products/n... poles: leki journey lite | 510 g / 18.0 oz
https://lekiusa.com/products/journey-... jacket: frogg toggs ultralight | 249 g / 8.8 oz fleece hoody: leve outdoor alpha 90 | 114 g / 4.0 oz
https://leveoutdoorco.com/products/al... beanie: leve outdoor alpha 90 | 23 g / 0.8 oz
https://leveoutdoorco.com/products/le... bug head net: litesmith bug head net | 29 g / 1.0 oz
https://www.litesmith.com/bug-head-net/ cookware: toaks light titanium 650ml pot w/lid, pouch | 91 g / 3.2 oz https://www.litesmith.com/toaks-650ml... cookware: toaks titanium polished bowl spoon | 18 g / 0.6 oz
https://www.litesmith.com/toaks-long-... stove: firemaple fms-300t | 45 g / 1.6 oz
https://firemaplegear.com/collections... water filter: hydroblu versa-flow | 57 g / 2.0 oz https://www.litesmith.com/hydroblu-ve... water bag: evernew 2 liter | 42 g / 1.5 oz
https://www.litesmith.com/evernew-wat... powerbank: iniu carry p50-e1 45w 10000mAh | 160 g / 5.6 oz https://iniushop.com/collections/port... charger: iniu a12-e1 dual port 30w | 65 g / 2.3 oz
https://iniushop.com/products/iniu-po... headlamp: nitecore nu20 classic | 38 g / 1.3 oz https://www.litesmith.com/nitecore-nu... trowel: boglerco ultralight trowel | 14 g / 0.5 oz https://www.litesmith.com/boglerco-ul... towel: packtowl face | 20 g / 0.7 oz
https://cascadedesigns.com/products/p... soap: dr bronner bottle | 40 g / 1.4 oz https://www.litesmith.com/dr-bronners... bamboo toothbrush | 7 g / 0.2 oz https://www.litesmith.com/squirt-bamb... lip balm | 13 g / 0.5 oz https://boodaorganics.com/collections...

Join me as I break down my 8.6 lb ultralight gear list for the John Muir Trail. I cover every item I’m carrying — including my 6.5 lb pack, 2.1 lb bear can, and why I’m keeping it simple.

🧥 What I’m wearing & why 🍫 My food strategy (focused on nutrition, not just calories) 🎒 Ultralight shelter, sleep, electronics & more

If you’re planning a thru-hike or just want to carry less and feel better on trail, this video’s may give you some ideas.

#UltralightBackpacking #JMTGearList #MinimalistHiker #JohnMuirTrail #ThruHike

Here is my Lighterpack link with all items names and weights!

Happy trails!!

lighterpack.com/r/v5gh0b

CDT 2025 ultralight gear setup. 7 lb base weight.

here's another simple recipe to help add some variety to your hiking meals. i go stoveless, but this could very easily be made with boiled water for a hot meal.

50 g couscous 15 g buttermilk powder 1/2 tsp dill 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp garlic powder (a packet of ranch seasoning could be substituted for those last 4) pinch salt 15 g bacon bits 20 g dried cranberries 30 ml olive oil 74 g chicken 30 g corn chips

870 calories 44 g fat | 396 cal 77 g carb | 308 cal 33 g prot | 132 cal

After hiking the entire desert section of the Pacific Crest Trail, I’m breaking down what actually works for sun protection when you’re ultralight backpacking.

This video covers the gear, techniques, and mindset that kept me protected without adding unnecessary weight. Whether you’re crossing the Mojave or planning a summer hike, these are trail-tested solutions that balance weight, comfort, and effectiveness.

Filmed directly after completing the SoCal desert on the PCT. Subscribe for more real-world ultralight tips and thru-hike gear insights.

In this video, we will revisit an easy poncho shelter setup in the rain. We will go step by step with this shelter while we are still wearing our poncho. Please join me to see if we can stay dry while we pitch this poncho tarp shelter in a plow point setup.

Heading into the Sierra on the Pacific Crest Trail means snow, creek crossings, and unpredictable weather. Here’s my 2025 super ultralight Sierra gear list — everything I carried through the most intense section of the PCT. Sub-base weight, dialed insulation, and smart choices for the snow and cold.

Whether you’re early season or peak snow, this gear list will help you go lighter without sacrificing safety.

Gear covered in this video: • Sleep system • Shelter setup • Bear can strategy • Layering for cold/snow • What I ditched from the desert