Is 16lbs too heavy for the big three

[AlabamaDan]

Question for y'all with more experience than I about the weight of packs, bags and tents.  I've got a good line on Alps Mounteering.  The cost for their bag, tent and pack is too good to pass up, but the combined wieght is 16 lbs.  I'm not hiking the AT or anything, but as my son gets older in scouts we might lenthen weekend trips to week long trips.  Is 16 lbs to heavy?  I'm trying to think, how much more stuff would I need?  If I have 10 more pounds that bring me up to 26 lbs.  Now while that's 1/3 of my son's weight, it's just over 1/10th of mine. 

We wouldn't both need a tent, so that drops his pack to about 9 lbs.

I would think I can carry 26 lbs and he could carry 15, but I thought y'all might have better input.

[squidbilly]

I'm not familiar with that brand of equipment, but 16 pounds does seem a bit heavy. My total weight for a weekend trip,including food and two liters of water is around 23 lbs.

Before you get hung up on weight, here is something you might enjoy readinghttp://www.tothewoods.net/LightweightHiking.html

[ednotmilkman]

You shouldn't have to take out a loan to get a sleeping bag under 4#, a tent for 2 under 6 # and a pack for 6# ??  there you have your 16# !  Also the pad to put under your bag always adds a couple more #'s.

just start walking with whatever you have or can get cheap and see how far you can go. Then upgrade later.

[dogwood]

I totally agree with Ed!  Just make sure that you have a good, waterproof tent, warm sleeping bag and pad, and a good pair of hiking shoes/boots.  If you really get into backpacking, you'll always want to upgrade gear....

[Verduretiger]

In my younger days I tended to be somewhat of a pack mule but now that I am in my 60's I keep changing out my gear to get lighter.  Unfortunately unless you are good at making your own gear the cost for lightweight is high.  So my advice is to use what you have and when you find opportunities to move to lighter gear take it.  It is all about the experience and not about how much or little weight you carry. 

[Mountain Dog]

My big three weigh less than 7 pounds, that includes a two person tent and a 20 degree bag.  Weight is very dependent upon what you plan to do.  Long mileage days will kill you if you carry the weight you listed.  But, I'd think you would be OK if you stay short, say less than 10 mile days.  If you have the gear and are just starting out then I'd suggest you plan short hikes and see how it goes.  You do not want to invest in a lot of gear until you know what you need on the trail.  For example, I only boil water.  Some people need to cook.  My gear will not suffice for them.  Also, I need a full length 1 1/2 inch sleeping pad, others do not.  You will not know what you need untill you have been out there.  BTW, take inventory of what you take and what you use.  No need taking unused stuff on the second trip.  Read a lot on Backpacker.com before you buy.  Do not go to a big box store and think those people can give you good advice.  Go to Neels Gap in the spring and look at all the NOBOs regrettting taking the advice of those at big box stores such as Academy Sports.  Last but not least, do not overdo it for the kid.  Let him learn to enjoy backpacking before putting him on a really difficult hike.

[Nalgene Ninja]

My big 3 fall/winter is 8 lbs (15 deg bag, larger pack)
summer weight 6lbs

But go ahead and start w/ that setup you described, you can upgrade w/ higher quality/lighter stuff later.

[AlabamaDan]

Thanks guys!

[Magic City Matt]

kelty Cosmic Down 20 Degree bag - 2 lbs. 9 oz - $89.98
Very similar to the Light Year which is the only bag I own. It has been great.

Gossamer Gear Nightlight Torso Length pad - 0 Lbs. 4 oz. - $16.00
The Torso light is crazy warm, comfy, and light. It does require you to put your empty pack under your legs though.

Jansport Bigbear 63 - 3 lbs 3 oz - 59.97
I have actually seen one of these in the field and was a bit jealous. You can get a life time of use out of this thing and then will it to someone else so they can do the same. It weighs about the same as my gregory and is tougher than a coffin nail.

Kelty Teton 2 person - 4lbs 10 oz - $89.97
I'm assuming you want a two man tent. We have had a Kelty Tent for 5 years that has not even started to wear. The best way to get lighter is a tarp and bivy system but We can address that later.

So grand totals - 10 Lbs. 10 oz - $245.92

Please feel free to try to do better than this anybody.

[AlabamaDan]

Thanks Mat.  That is certainly a good setup for a significant weight savings.  It costs about $100 more than the 16 lb setup.

[southmark]

My big three weighs 3.7 lbs. My base weight for the 100 mile wilderness in Maine this past August was 9 lbs 7 oz. It as taken years to whittle down to this but at 63 my knees really appreciate it. And yes in some cases it is expensive but DIY can go a long way to lighten the load. Quite often the fear of safety and comfort keep people from lightening their load.

[Magic City Matt]

Southmark are you in a hammock?

m

[southmark]

Hey Matt, yes I'm in a hammock most of the time. The big three of 3.7 was with my tent. My big three with a hammock in winter is still less than 4 lbs. In bug season it rises to around 4 lbs 4 oz. My winter under insulation is usually 29 oz. My three season under insulation is around 8 oz. I use a TrekLight Nano-7 hammock in winter and a Hennessy Adventure Racer in summer. I used the AR in the 100 mile wilderness this summer with an 8 oz Isultex under quilt and an 8 oz spin tarp.

[Magic City Matt]

I thought the nano-7 was by grand trumk?

[southmark]

Grand Trunk, right. I have too many hammocks to keep them all straight.