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Just realized ultralight gear is actually worth the hype after years of being a skeptic
I used to think ultralight backpacking gear was just for people with too much money who wanted to brag. I spent 5 years hauling a 45-pound pack through the Cascades and thought it was fine. Then I borrowed a friend's 2-pound tent and 10-ounce sleeping bag for a 3-day trip in Oregon last month. My total pack weight was under 15 pounds and I felt like I was cheating. Now I'm looking at my old stuff wondering how I ever managed. Anyone else switch teams on a piece of gear they used to hate on?
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ninal911mo ago
Man I had that exact same moment of clarity last year when I traded my 8-pound tent for a one-pounder and nearly cried tears of joy on the trail. It's like suddenly realizing you've been carrying a couch on your back for no good reason. Now I look at my old gear and think "what was I, a pack mule in denial?
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@ninal91 Right there with you, that first night under a 2-pound tent made me feel like an idiot for all those years of heavy gear.
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