The Static V’s 2.whatever R value and and the -7c sleeping bag definitely don’t go together. I think I’d personally drop the sleeper bag and look at an ultra budget quilt like something from hang tight. It would save probably 28 ounces.

Unless you’ll be out for a very long time, that heavy power bank is overkill. I haven’t used it much yet, but I’ve been happy with the charmast 10000 mah Powerbank. Right now it’s only $28 on Amazon.

The other budget friendly upgrade would be to your cook kit. The jetboil should have some decent resale value. Upgrade to a cheap BRS 3000t stove ($17) and a toaks pot. The 750 ml pot is only $27 on Amazon and the 550 ml is only $30. Skip the stuff sack and use two rubber bands to keep it closed. Either should hold the stove and a 100 gram canister.

What a Johnny-come-lately. Were you at peak level you would have already been a chef decades ago and had mastered this well before now.

Culinary course. Pffft. Next you’ll tell us all about that REI class that you’re taking next month.

Poser.

That last part is a good point 😅

Generally I’d agree that robic is a fine quality choice. I would also agree that people should understand, or at least try to learn more about, pack fabrics and the pros/cons. Ultra packs aren’t exactly cheap and I would also be frustrated if I had an ultra pack delaminate. I feel your pain.

Not trying to be rude but you literally said:

“He's going lightweight but also wants some things like a folding chair, cell charger and definitely will be carrying water as there's many many dry locations he's going to be hitting.”

Anyway, it’s not like 1-2 extra liters of water are going to take up much pack volume. If he’s sure that he’ll need a minimum of 65 liters, then that is what it is. But my general advice would be that if he’s just estimating volume, pack all the gear he’ll be bringing neatly and tightly (not loosely - this is key) into a big box, measure the dimensions (LxWxH) and just double check the volume to make sure. I’d also recommend weighing everything so that he’ll be buying a pack that can capably and comfortably handle that weight.

With that said, there are some good options in the 60 - 65 liter range that can carry heavier loads while still being comfortable. Granite gear makes some quality packs in the 60 liter range that are very reasonably priced. Moving up a level, the Osprey Atmos packs and the ULA Catalyst packs are well regarded for that sort of volume. And if they really want to go top of the line, the SeekOutside Gilla or Divide or the Superior Wilderness Designs Big Wild would be amazing packs for that sort of volume.

I get the feeling that, sometimes, people on the internet hear about an instance of something happening, and then they repeat that story, and then others repeat that story, and then suddenly a lot of people are repeating the same things enough to the point that it sounds common place and prevalent. I get this feeling whenever I hear people talk about ultra fabric and delamination. I don’t doubt that it can and does happen. Is it the major problem that sometimes it can be made out to be? I personally don’t think so. But then, I’m also just someone else talking on the internet. shrug

Anyway, no most people don’t necessarily need an Ultra pack. But it’s also ok want one.

No, its ok to not be ready for a shakedown. If you don’t think they you’re there yet - you may well not be there yet. Not everyone necessarily needs one either. You may get there in your own time and your own way without asking how to do it. I kinda feel like you get more out of the process by not relying on solicited advice but rather coming to your own understanding of pack weight, volume, and how it affects your hike.

But I would say that, with a 20 lb base weight, I would also be looking at a more substantial pack. 35 lbs is starting to push the comfort limits of a lot of lightweight packs. There are pack manufacturers that provide good suspension systems in lightweight packs (SeekOutside, Virga Packing Company, Superior Wilderness Designs, PBD Ultralight, KS Ultralight, Durston Gear, ULA Equipment) and I would consider something like that vs gossamer Gesr with your base weight and total pack weight.

Ironically, if you look at the current product specs for the Kakwa, 55 liters isn’t even listed as an actual volume measurement anymore. The interior pack bag volume is smaller.

Gossimer gear, however, measures their total volume in an odd way. I’d pay close attention to how they measure capacity in the product specs.

If the OP has a similar mentality that I’ve seen with some vets who get into backpacking as a hobby, I think r/ultralight might help to provide at least a different perspective for their consideration. I’ve seen some vets hang on to the idea that heavier, bulkier, more rugged gear and big, loaded down packs are the right way to go. But with recreational civilian backpacking, that definitely doesn’t have to be the case, since most lightweight, modern equipment can hold up fine with general recreational use. They might be surprised to see what’s achievable.

I’ll share someone else’s method of speeding up clothes drying in the backcountry. Note that I have never tried this method, so maybe experiment with it at home first. Anyway, they use their noseeum bug headnet as a drying bag for wet clothes. They put an article of clothes in the mesh sack and spin it rapidly, in a sense simulating the spin cycle of a washing machine. It sounds like a workout but I do know that clothing that goes through the skin cycle at home air dries much more quickly than clothing that was only washed by hand.

I would say that, if you’re at this point and you’re truly interested in cutting more weight, weigh every single thing and either create a lighter pack if you want a shakedown or a spreadsheet otherwise for your own reference. And then really start to micromanage all of it.

I know that you asked about more UL tents for taller people. Have you looked at Tarptent? Some of their models are quite roomy.

If you really want to stick with a fixed blade, what about a Mora Eldris?

That’s my reason for hating the company at least. I thought I had found a great budget pad for cold weather. Maybe a month or so after my return window closed, they published the ASTM testing results that showed their claimed R values were bogus. Wasted money. Otherwise it’s just another budget mild weather pad - nothing to hate I guess. But their faux 4.X (whatever they are claiming now) for me at least isn’t forgivable.

Seriously, who knows for sure without you letting us know what “this bag” even is. I can guess based on its age that it’s probably an external frame pack. Who knows how comfortable or heavy it is compared to modern packs, which can runs huge gamut in design. I’m considering an external frame myself (KS Ultralight Omega 56 pack), but it weighs less than 2 lbs and should hold up fine up to around 35-40 lbs of total weight, and then there are modern external frame load haulers (SeekOutside Gilla for example) that should be fine at 50+ lbs while also weighing around 3 lbs. so I mean even external frame technology has come a long way. Basically whatever you get will probably be improved in some way - whether it be comfort, weight, features, or all three. If possible, take a trip to reasonably close outdoor goods outfitter, try on a few packs, and see what you think. That would just be the tip of the iceberg, but at least it would give you an idea of what’s out there.

Well usually these pictures include a cat. I don’t find them complete without a cat laying about somewhere. Otherwise they seem dangerously incomplete to me.

But, for the rest of your question:

1) An appropriately sized pack to both carry the volume of gear that you want to bring and carry comfortably the amount of weight that you intend to bring.

2) A shelter - could be a tent or a tarp/bivy ir a hammock/tarp. You’ll want something to keep the elements off you and, if bugs are an issue, you’ll want something keep those off you as well (something with a bit mesh enclosure - agin could be a tent or a bug bivy or a bug net.

3) Some sort of a sleep system that will protect you from the cold ground (think sleeping pad) and protect you from the cold air (think sleeping bag or backpacking quilt)

4) A way to treat water. This may be a filter, chemical treatment, maybe a UV light, etc. But you’ll need to find a way to make water safe to drink on your trip.

5) Bring a clothing system based on layers that are appropriate for your weather conditions and season. So lightweight clothes that can be quickly put or or taken off and work together to keep you dry and appropriately warm or cool and protected from the elements (and bugs).

Those would be my top five. There are plenty of other things to bring as well (food and a way to prepare it and store it, first aid, lighting, navigation, communication, a way to charge your electronics, hygiene stuff, toilet stuff) but those would be what I’d consider my top 5 most important things

Honestly there are too many great comments in there to count. Unfortunately it’s buried toward the bottom, but I think this is my favorite:

“Unless you want to spend 1000's of dollars to shave grams off your pack weight I'd say carry what you can handle ….. My pack is heavy. I'm 6' 230 and stubborn as a mule, strong as an ox, and have the endurance of an Arabian horse and have done more walking than frodo with 50lb bags. I carry my tent a hammock fishing gear and everything else from rocket stoves to 4 inch thick sleeping pads and a hearty sleeping bag, cast iron, and stainless cooking ware.…..”

Yeah KS ultralight is a bit of a maze to navigate to place an order. But I think I saw an option for large should straps that were longer and wider than normal. So maybe worth looking into honestly if you just can’t get your other packs to fit right.

I guess I’m trying to figure out the Pilgrim Roan’s secret sauce to save that much weight. I assume with hip belt pockets, the 55 liter pack would come in at a little more than 24 ounces. That’s 8 ounces less than the Kakwa, which is pretty minimalist.

The volume seems similar. The Roan’s shoulder straps and hip belt are thicker than the Kakwa 55, and the Roan looks like it uses more webbing and more hardware with the vertical compression. It even has a bottom pocket, and the seams are taped.

Even if the kakwa’s frame only weighed 2 ounces more, and if the kakwa’s shoulder strap pockets weighed only 1.5 oz total, I’m interested where that 5.5 oz was saved.

Or compare to the SWD long haul UL 50, which is maybe more similar in terms of padding thickness, features, webbing and straps, included pockets, etc. The Roan’s side pockets and front mesh pocket look smaller, and the Long Haul does have the sit pad pocket, but the Roan does also have the bottom pocket. Even if the Roan’s frame is 3 ounces lighter, the pack is still around 8 oz less than the Long Haul. that’s a pretty big weight difference.

I don’t disbelieve Pilgrim’s specs. I’m just surprised at the weight savings and wondering what they’ve worked out in their design that brings the weight down that significantly. It’s an impressive weight difference.

I think the Pilgrim Roan pack looks interesting. This is the first time that I’ve seen it. It looks mostly solid at a glance but there also isn’t a lot to go on other than the pics and very brief specs. Without knowing more about its actual performance or seeing the pack in a little more detail, who knows. I personally feel like I trust SWD’s design, specs, and construction after exchanging a few emails with the owner.

I think that I’d personally like a little more detail or some reviews since they are claiming a fairly significant comfort carry and load limit and it’s not an inexpensive pack if you add in the hipbelt or other removable pockets. But I am interested in how the suspension system actually carries and how comfortable it is. If you get it, by all means post a review.

That’s a hard to hit set of requirements for a framed pack at least. Others have already mentioned the Flash Air and the Kakwa. Another one to look into, through I’ve not had personal experience with it, is the Gossamer Gear Gorilla pack.

Ok I’ll bite, just out of curiosity. How would it tell you if the water is good for drinking at all?

Or at a hostel…..

Or at the grocery store…..

Or at home…..

Or at the office……

Or in the car……

😅

The urge has definitely never struck me to not filter. The one time I got what we will just call “traveler’s diarrhea” from a non backpacking trip was god awful. I’m not sure what extra joy there is to be gained from drinking directly from a water source, but the potential outcome never seemed worth the risk.

The answer is that you don’t know. Crystal clear water can conceivably have viruses, microorganisms, or both.

A 30 minute wait isn’t going to tell you anything about whether there are microorganisms or viruses in the water.

I wouldn’t love it, and would much prefer a quilt, but a lot of people like Nemo bags so what do I know? The only thing I will say is, depending on your start date (and whether you’re through hiking, section hiking, or just planning a weekend trip) a 30 degree bag wouldn’t be the right choice to start with.

Just wondering - is your quit wide enough that you could almost fully encase yourself with it if you wanted to? Do you feel like it would help with your next quilt to go wider to keep the quilt fully under you and better sealed to the pad? I’ve not experienced major issue with drafts even though I’m a fairly active sleeper. I feel like, personally based on my own experience, it helps to have a quilt wide enough that, when it’s cold, I can tighten the pad straps to the point that the quilt is nearly fully encasing me.

For what it’s worth, for colder weather, as a slightly cold sleeper, I went with a 10 degree quit with enclosed footbox (extra insulation), draft collar, and edge tensioning control.