Lightening the Load

[ChickenLicken]

I thought it might be a good idea to suggest a few tips for lightening your BOB's up. I have hiked out with a full 65ltr pack over hilly terain and its no joke. If you're carrying more than 20k in your pack you're going to be crippled, unless you do it for a living. The skin will peel of your shoulders and your back, your spine will be compressed, and you will want to die. Save yourself some pain and suffering by lightening up your pack. Here's some tips. Feel free to add more.

1. Lightweight 45l rucksack. Save 500g.
2. Lightweight Sleeping Bag (Vango Venom good price). Save 500g - 1kg
3. Half size inflatable mat. (highlander do cheap ones). Save 200g - 500g
4. Spork instead of knife, fork, and spoon. Save 100g
5. Lightweight Stove (eg. MSR Pocket Rocket). Save 100g
6. Lightweight cooking pots. (millets do good set for about £20). Save 300g-1kg
7. Headtorch instead of big D cell maglite. Save 300g
8. Lightweight Tarp instead of tent. Save 2-4kg
9. Keep food in Ziplock bags not containers and tins. Save 100g
10. Lightweight clothes. (goretex and fleece instead of fur lined duffles) Save 1kg

The weights are guesstimates really, but 10kg can make a lot of difference.

AJ

[Carrot Cruncher]

Thanks for the tips....i'm carrying everything for 2 people so need all the help I can get

[diamond lil]

I think also you get two types of people. Those who go on holiday with 2 humungous cases on wheels plus all they can carry ....and those who take one small backpack. You don't need a three piece suite and the kitchen sink in a BOB ! Learn to KISS!
Food is just something to keep your body fuelled up & going. You don't need a 3 course meal 3 times a day, or even once. Learn to simplify things. You need something filling and you need something hot. So the means to make a fire and tea/coffee, and a loaf of bread each with something to slap on it is enough.

[pol76]

Chicken you are so right i have lugged a bergen for many miles over hills and valleys all over the world and it is no joke I have tried to forget about the burns caused by heavy packs and webbing

If we could get away with a small patrol pack for 48hrs+ we would take them giving away comfort to save weight going real light made sure we could move fast and were more alert whilst moving

To all the folk who think they can pack a rucksac and just leave please think again practise then see how far and how fast you can move you will be very on how hard it can be

The other problem is room if you keep your pack small you cannot fill it with crap that you might need you will be forced to take only items that you realy need

max

[janso]

Chicken you are so right i have lugged a bergen for many miles over hills and valleys all over the world and it is no joke I have tried to forget about the burns caused by heavy packs and webbing

If we could get away with a small patrol pack for 48hrs+ we would take them giving away comfort to save weight going real light made sure we could move fast and were more alert whilst moving

To all the folk who think they can pack a rucksac and just leave please think again practise then see how far and how fast you can move you will be very on how hard it can be

The other problem is room if you keep your pack small you cannot fill it with crap that you might need you will be forced to take only items that you realy need

max

SO RIGHT!!!! Memories of lying on the ground, squirming into my bergen and a lad either side to pull me upright because of the weight - up to (and mostly over) 120lbs easy!! If only issued kit was more lightweight then... and 7.62 link was less.... and radio batteries were lithium..... and yomping meant 'method of travel to AFV's'!!!

Pack kit that you need and can possibly double up for another use. Stoves are great if small and light for drinks, food can be eaten hot or cold, the body needs calories more than a 'warm, comforting meal'. When your BOB is packed, WEAR IT!! After years of carrying kit, I'm still evaluating what I carry and the chance of using most of it. check out articles on going lightweight for hillwalkers and a character called 'McFarlane' I think... bit of a lightweight walking guru.

Remember, on you bug out, you may 'find' useful items on route, i.e., open clinic, access to antibiotics, deserted garage with one diesel pump still working. Plan for room to carry some essentials you may find

[southernPrepper]

Bivvy bag, water bottle, an axe and a jar of peanut butter

Perhaps not.

I favour the alternative route of motorised transport. I know that is almost heresy in some circles but TBH I can't envision an event that would make me bug out on foot, or where I would go to. Mind you I am fairly rural and live amongst friends.

If I HAD to go then the only viable direction is to the West Country and I can't carry that much food&water so it's forage on route or drive.

[diamond lil]

Surely the more you carry then the more calories or energy you use per mile ? There must be a balance in there, the correct weight to energy ratio lol

[Carrot Cruncher]

As long as I can carry mine to the campervan i'll be ok

In reality the need for me to bug out at any time, but especially now (dont ask) is remote, and on the slim chance I do ever have to bug out very few scenarios involve me walking anywhere

[diamond lil]

Yea I'm the same. It would have to be something huge to make me move and even then I'd only move to the daughters 4 miles down the road.

[pol76]

Southern that is not a bad kit list just add crackers and a 1st aid kit


max