Honestly, I was a total snob about ultralight gear for way too long.

Tbh, I spent like 5 years and probably over $2,000 chasing the lowest base weight, thinking it was the only way to do a 3-day trip right. The moment I knew I was wrong was last fall on the Superior Hiking Trail. My buddy, who carried a heavier pack with a real chair and a bigger stove, was just... happier at camp every single night. He was warm, comfortable, and making hot drinks while I was huddled on a foam pad trying to stay out of the wind. It made me see that saving 8 ounces isn't worth being miserable for hours. Has anyone else switched from ultralight to more of a 'comfortable light' setup and been way happier for it?

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anna_nelson5mo ago

My rule now is to only cut weight if it won't hurt my comfort at camp.

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david_martin5mo ago

Totally agree, that's the smart way to do it. I used to cut my sleeping pad weight and froze all night, which just wrecks you for hiking the next day. Now my camp shoes and a real pillow are the last things I'd ever drop. Being miserable at camp makes the whole trip worse, not better.

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samf954mo ago

Lightweight isn't always comfortable, but my ultralight setup never made me miserable on trail.

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