The little things in a pack can add up, so it’s those little things that sometimes need addressing. In this case, the little things I have addressed are my stuff sacks which seem to weigh very little already. But rather than getting rid of them completely, I simply replaced them with cuben fiber stuff sacks from ZPacks, and now they weigh even less! Granted it is not a huge weight savings, but on the trail where every ounce is counted, it is worth your while to evaluate everything. So, I have evaluated my stuff sacks, and here are my findings, as well as my savings:
So, in case you missed it from the video, here is the breakdown:
Sierra Designs “Ditty Bag” 0.5 oz ~~> ZPacks Mini CF SS: 0.07 oz = 0.43 oz savings!
Evernew Cook Pot SS: 0.5 oz ~~> ZPacks Cook Pot CF SS: 0.1 oz = 0.4 oz savings!
Mont-bell Down Parka SS: 0.3 oz ~~> ZPacks Small Plus CF SS: 0.2 oz = 0.1 oz savings!
MYOG Sil Clothes Bag: 0.6 oz ~~> ZPacks Medium CF SS: 0.25 oz = 0.35 oz savings!
OR Dry Sack: 2.6 oz ~~> ZPacks Large Blast CF Food Bag: 0.8 oz = 1.8 oz savings!
Total Before Change: 4.5 oz ~~> Total After Change: 1.42 oz = 3.08 oz savings!
Let me say here that I don’t expect to put my pack on and feel a difference in my overall weight from saving 3 oz from my stuff sacks, but like I said, it all adds up. I start by cutting a few oz here, then a few oz there, and before I know it, I am counting the savings in pounds. And I may not even notice a difference in only a couple of pounds, but then again I may. Ultimately though, it will be lighter, and that much closer to being even lighter as I continue to adjust all of my gear.
Right now, I am around a 15.5 pound base weight for temps down to single digits, and during the summer months, I will be around 11 pounds and I am super happy with this weight. I have a few items that can be called luxury items, such as a pillow and there are things I could continue to do to drop even more weight (such as leave the stuff sacks at home) but this is what works for me. I am sure that time will change these things, one way or another, but this is the path I am on for now…
As for the stuff sacks, Joe at ZPacks is a great guy, and his products are just as awesome. His cuben fiber stuff sacks are of great quality and his prices are rather easy on the wallet (especially when compared to other similar stuff sacks)! So, if you are looking for some sweet stuff sacks to lighten your load and not your wallet, be sure to go check out ZPacks.
Thanks for reading!
~Stick~
