GEAR REVIEW and My Favorite Gear #2 Will Rietveld's Mountain SuperUltraLight Gear List

I launch my new Favorite Gear series by providing my summertime Mountain SuperUltraLight (MSUL) gear list. It’s focused on summertime backpacking in the mountains, as explained in my 7-part Backpacking Light article on Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking. Normally SuperUltraLight (SUL) backpacking has a base pack weight under 5 pounds, but MSUL adds an extra pound to provide the extra shelter, insulation, and rain protection needed to be comfortable and secure while backpacking SUL in the mountains. The target base pack weight of MSUL is under 6 pounds.

Category	Gear Selection	Weight (oz)	Details
Packing	Gossamer Gear Murmur pack	10.80	2014 model, 2200 cubic inches
	Lite Trail NyloBarrier Packliner	1.50	Plus oven roasting bag for front pocket
Sleeping	Montbell Down Hugger 900 #2 sl. bag	23.65	23F, 900 fill-power down
	Kooka Bay Inflatable Torso Pad	5.30	3/4 length
Shelter	Six Moon Designs Deschutes Tarp	10.30	Enclosed shelter w 6 Ti stakes, guylines, groundsheet
Cooking	Trail Designs Caldera Keg-F	5.80	Alcohol system. Includes plastic drink cup
	Sea To Summit Short Handled Spoon	0.30	Anodized aluminum
Water	Steripen Freedom UL	2.65	Filters to 0.1 micron
	1-gal Smelly Proof plastic sealable bag	0.40	For treating water with Steripen
	Sawyer flask, 1 Liter	0.80	For camp water or extra water on the trail
Ditty Bag	Photon II, toothbrush, pills, 1st aid, sunscreen, bug repellent, TP system, ear plugs, writing paper, pencil stub, backup water treatment	3.90	Misc. small items in a Cuben Fiber sack
Rain/Wind Gear	Montbell Versalite Pant	3.95	Rain pant
	Berghaus Vapourlight Hypersmock 2.0	3.20	Rain jacket
	ZPacks Cuben Fiber Rain Mitts	0.80	Rain mitts
Clothing Carried	Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket	4.80	1000 fill-power down
	REI Silk long john bottom	3.20	Lightest long johns available
	Rab MeCo 165 Glove Liner	1.00	Wool and Cocona
	WindTech Windstopper Hat	1.40	Ear flaps, Velcro chin tab
	Possum Down Socks	2.29	Midweight, sleeping socks
	Berghaus Vapourlight Jacket	6.00	Reversible insulated jacket
Subtotal	Base Pack Weight	92.04	5.75 pounds

As you can see my base pack weight is well under 6 pounds, so I can opt for a more comfortable sleeping pad if I want and still keep under the weight limit.

Following articles will focus on my selection for each piece of gear, and it will include good alternatives when they exist. I won’t restrict my gear picks to MSUL limits, so I will also highlight alternatives that will fit within the UL base weight limit of 10 pounds. With the gear choices we have nowadays, it is very easy to design a gear kit that is well within the UL weight limit.

GEAR REVIEW and My Favorite Gear #1 New Series Coming: My Favorite Gear

It’s been quiet here for about a year, but that’s about to change. After writing for Backpacking Light Magazine for 12 years, I have decided to move on and concentrate my efforts here. Backpackinglight.com has updated their website, and recruited a new cadre of writers, so we can look forward to some interesting content there.

At Backpacking Light I wrote hundreds of gear reviews and gear articles over 12 years. The articles are still there, but it requires a subscription to see them; use the website's search function to find them. I enjoyed my tenure with BPL, but now its time to move on. I still  get out backpacking as much as I can, and I still enjoy writing about it -- here. (Illustration credit: Mike Clelland!)

For me, I now prefer the independence of focusing on my own website, sharing what I know with those interested in reading up on lightweight and ultralight backpacking. Visiting here is free, of course, and you are encouraged to comment and add your thoughts.

I am launching a new series called My Favorite Gear, which will be a series of articles on my gear choices for my ultralight gear kit. Actually I will eventually post two gear lists: one for summer backpacking (warmer temps), and the other for the shoulder seasons (cooler temps). I will eventually get to my gear choices for lightweight backpacking and day tripping.

I realize, based on forum discussions, that hikers have very diverse needs and preferences for the gear they choose, so it’s always a lively discussion. However, most everyone is looking to lighten up more, and make improvements in their gear kit, and are looking for recommendations from experienced ultralighters. And that’s where this blog, and those of my fellow outdoor writers come in – we’re passionate believers in ultralight backpacking, and want to help others come over to the light side.

Articles coming in this series will focus on my selection for each piece of gear, and I will include good alternatives when they exist. I won’t restrict my gear picks to SuperUltraLight (SUL) limits; I will also highlight alternatives that fit within the Ultralight (UL) base weight limit of 10 pounds. With the gear choices we have nowadays, it is very easy to design a gear kit that is well within the UL weight limit.