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Unpopular opinion: I think the obsession with ultralight gear is overrated for most trips.
I used to cut every possible ounce, even trimming my toothbrush handle, for a 3-day loop in the Smokies. Now I bring a small camp chair, and that 2-pound luxury makes evenings so much better that I hike happier. Anyone else find a little extra weight is worth the comfort?
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miller.thomas22d ago
Man, I feel this so hard. I used to be the same way, counting every gram. Then I brought a real pillow on a trip, not just a stuff sack with clothes. That one pound changed my whole sleep game. Now I happily carry a few extra ounces for stuff that makes camp feel like home. The joy you get from a comfy chair totally beats the pain of its weight in your pack.
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avery_flores22d ago
Totally agree, it's like a switch flips in your head. I carried a tiny stove for years, the kind that barely boils water. Last fall I brought my old two-burner car camping stove on a group trip (a total boat anchor, I know). Cooking an actual hot meal instead of rehydrated glop was a game changer. Yeah, my pack was heavier, but I was way happier at camp. Sometimes the gear that weighs more is the gear you actually use and enjoy.
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