Early Winter Ultralight Gear List - SUB 20 POUND BASE WEIGHT FOR COLD WEATHER BACKPACKING

This is the complete description of the gear I typically carry on late season or early winter backpacking trips that I'm doing in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada.

I go ultralight for 3 season trips, so I apply the same principles for inclement weather.

Check out my cold wet weather backpacking footwear and boot system:

Why I use a liquid fuel stove in the winter:

One of my recent "failed" trips in winter conditions with wet snow and below freezing temperatures - these are when you really learn what you and your gear can handle!

What winter camping is really like:

Here are all the items from this video:

Worn Clothing (not counted in base weight)
LL Bean Mountain Anorak 13.3 oz
MEC stretch hoodie 13.5 oz
MEC hooded grid fleece 9.4 oz
Synthetic long johns 6.6 oz
Eddie Bauer Guide pants 16.2 oz
Icebreaker Underwear 2.4 oz
Defeet socks 2.5 oz
Thick fleece gloves 2.7 oz
Buff 1.3 oz
Merino wool hat 3.1 oz
Columbia ball cap 2.0 oz
OR Thru gaiter 2.0 oz
NRS neoprene socks 3.5 oz
TOTAL 4.9 lbs

Packed Clothing
MEC Synthetic parka 24.5 oz
Thin synthetic gloves 2.4 oz
Leather gloves 5.8 oz
Thick wool socks (sleeping) 4.0 oz
Plastic bread bags - negligible weight
Icebreaker underwear 2.4 oz
MEC Pertex shell jacket 11.8 oz
Microspikes 14.5 oz
TOTAL 4.1 lbs

Packing
MLD Exodus 18.0 oz
Trash compactor bag 2.2 oz
Silnylon stuff sacks (3) 3.0 oz
TOTAL 1.5 lbs

Sleeping & Shelter
Marmot Lithium -18C sleeping bag 47.0 oz
Gossamer Gear Thinlight (cut) 2.2 oz
Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm Large 26.5 oz
Yama Mountain Gear Cirriform 2P 19.4 oz
Tent pegs (mix) 4.2 oz
Treking pole 8.2 oz
Tyvek sheet 4.2 oz
TOTAL 7.0 lbs

Hydration & Cooking
Nalgene 1L 6.5 oz
Gatorade 500 mL bottle 1.4 oz
MSR Windpro Stove 8.7 oz
Fuel storage (4 oz can) 3.5 oz
Evernew 1.3 L cookpot 4.8 oz
Long handled TI spoon 0.3 oz
Mini bic 0.3 oz
TOTAL 1.6 lbs

Media
DJI Osmo Action 6.0 oz
Canon M50 15-45 mm 18.5 oz
Gorillapod 1K 5.2 oz
Homemade camera bag 1.1 oz
Feelworld FM8 microphine 3.4 oz
Extras batteries (3) 4.0 oz
TOTAL 2.4 lbs

Essentials
Iphone 8.2 oz
Garmin inReach Mini 3.4 oz
Small Outdoor Research stuffsack with zipper 1.2 oz
Silva Mini compass 0.8 oz
Prescription glasses and case 2.5 oz
Toothbrush 0.3 oz
Soap in dropper bottle 1.0 oz
Toilet paper kit with trowel 3.0 oz
Vaseline in balm jar 1.0 oz
Small emergency kit 5.4 oz oz
Bear spray (225g can) 10.7 oz
Victorinox classic knife 0.8 oz
RAT model2 folding knife 2.8 oz
Mini bic (backup) 0.3 oz
Streamlight USB 1.2 oz
BD Spotlight 160 2.0 oz
TOTAL 2.8 lbs

TOTALS
(A) ITEMS ALWAYS WORN 4.9 lbs
(B) ITEMS CARRIED OR ALWAYS PACKED (BASE WEIGHT) 19.3 lbs
(A) + (B) = FULL OUT-OF-SKIN WEIGHT 24.2 lbs

I didn't talk about camera gear since it doesn't really matter in terms of handling the conditions, but included all items for transparency in this list. Certain items will change from trip to trip but overall most of my gear stays consistent.

#backpacking #winter #gear #hiking #wildcamping #ultralightbackpacking #snow

[cooperativeconsumption]

Your channel is so refreshing. You talk about gear the way a real trip partner would. It's sincere. Not trying to prove anything, just sharing what works for you whether it's old or new. Not afraid to try new things, and not afraid to stick with what works. Like the old MEC insulated jacket (that you've stumped me on the name of). Also not afraid to deny the science of wicking and waterproof breathables ;) Your experience comes through without you having to brag about it. It's clear that what you discuss has been learned over years of trips. I'm not easy to impress when it comes to this subject, but you've done it. From the first video I watched. Best backpacking channel I've found. Especially for the winter content.
Here's my takeaway from this one: It's never occured to me to bring plastic bags in place of camp booties for shoulder-winter. Genius. It's one of those, why didn't I think of that? I've brought plastic bags and vapour barrier liner socks on winter trips, but only ever worn them under my wool sock in order to keep the moisture from my foot inside, and therefore out of the wool sock, ski boot, bootie etc. You've flipped that on It's head and are using them to keep the moisture from your already wet footwear outside of your dry sock. You said it's not an original idea, but I've never seen it. So Thanks!
Tony

[That_Guy_Outside]

Dude, great video. That’s practically my setup, although I like down pants + down jacket + quilt instead of sleeping bag - my backpack is different. Subscribed!

[jays]

Thank you for sharing your list I find your mid layer and outer/shell selections interesting

[iandnature]

Great, friend, thank you for sharing this beautiful video.

[chrisardagh]

Great gear list - many shared components as expect the unexpected in winter in AB!

[WhentheLightsgoOut]

Check out “hill people gear” or “first spear” Windcheater for your durable wind shell. Same ambush fabric in both just slightly different feature sets (Coyote ruff or arm pockets)

[SeymourThanU]

Thanks for sharing. I picked up some useful tips. Another suggestion for smock: Rab Borealis. I use one as part of my “action suit” in Winter. It’s a lightweight soft shell. Tough, very breathable, good wind resistance, and Rab stuff tends to work well for tall, lanky people. The Arc’Teryx Gamma SL is also excellent, if you can get it discounted - overpriced otherwise.

[chrishatton]

For winter, when you know it’s too cold to rain, a poly cotton or ventile cotton anorak works well as an outer layer, and it’s quiet, breathable, and tough. The Norwegians and Swedes use them in winter.

[SalmondOutdoors]

Definitely a lot of great gear choices there, and a lot of experience behind those choices. I just saw the other day someone was using their pack liner as a bag to inflate their sleeping pad. Not a bad alternative for people that don't have one. Especially in winter time when the moisture from your breath gets into your pad.

[gabbette]

I’m with you on the Whisper Lite in the winter….

[ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Well done! Nice gear load out. Great choices. That Marmot sleeping bag looks warm. New follower here. Crow✌️

[stuartsteele]

I also own the LL Bean Anorak, heavy and not water resistant, not used for hiking except in dry windy weather. My DIY Anorak is heat reflective, breathable, wind and water repellent/proof - coated. The DIY heat reflective Anorak is comfortable in 35 degrees F temp. dry weather with an Alpaca sweater over and the sweater under the DIY Anorak in wet weather

[SouthernHike]

Great info man. I pretty much just roll my sleeping bag and stuff it in the bottom of my bag. I do use a stuff sack on my Quilt because the material is so thin. LOVE the bread bag idea!

[simontate]

For a pure wind shell you could try the Parano Fuera windproof smock. It's a much thicker windshell but in not sure if it's available in USA or Canada. Here in the UK this layer can be worn across every season and layered when needed.

[artallen]

Kane. For an Anorak look at the Piragis Breathable Wind Shirt available from the Boundary Waters Catalog. I have been enjoying your videos, many useful articles and information. Thanks

[SanaurRehmanShahmir]

Great Sharing my friend! Really inspiring! Lot of love and respect from a solo mountain hiker from the Lower Chitral District of Pakistan.

[donnydread]

Helikon Tex(maybe spelled wrong) has an interesting line of bush craft clothing. I haven’t tried any of them, but they appear rugged and light. They may suit your need.
🙏🏻

[miken]

Used to just carry band-aids and minimal first aid, but I upgraded my first aid kit to include a tourniquet and Israeli Bandage. A couple years ago on the AT, a meth head got on the trail with a machete. One dead, one wounded.

[PerfDayToday]

Nice review, I’m always learning. Hey, your MSR stove, I thought I heard you say Windpro? If so, is that a duel fuel stove, or just the wisperlites? Cheers.

[yuriklaver]

How did you move. Snowshoes? Don't see skiing equipment.