Lightweight backpacking is all the rage, but just how light can you get your backpack on a budget? Typically, lightweight gear can get expensive very fast. A lot of the times the gear doesn’t last long enough to make it worth the cost. I am a very strong proponent of “afford what you can” to get you out on the trail. Over time, you will eventually start getting lighter and better gear that works the best for your hiking needs.
That is exactly what I have done, and I’m sharing my personal setup with you. While my setup may not work for everyone, it could help you to come up with ideas of putting together your own setup. That’s the fun part of backpacking.
Toaks 750 ml Titanium Pot
The Toaks pots are some of the most popular pots on the market. They are made from titanium and extremely lightweight, coming in at 3.6 oz for the 750ml options. I have found that the 750ml is the perfect size for me. From making a box of mac and cheese to simply boiling water, it works perfectly. The Toaks can also store a 3.5 oz fuel can and a stove to save space.
Sea To Summit Long Spork
I have a titanium spork to match my titanium pot. This spork is lightweight at just .4oz. There is a short handle option at .3oz, but i stick to the long handles to reach the bottom of freeze-dried meals like Mountain Houses. This is a personal preference of mine as I don’t want to get food all over my hands. I also like the spork version, so no matter if I’m eating chili or ramen noodles, ill be ok with eating whatever i decide to bring.
3rd Party Backpacking Amazon Stove
I was surprised at the prices when shopping for a mini stove. After a bit of research, I was even more surprised that there is a budget option on Amazon for a fraction of the price. For the price, I didn’t think it would last long and I would eventually end up splurging on a name brand. Fast forward four years, and this little pocket stove is going strong with no issues. For under $15 and around 3.4oz, you can’t beat this budget option.
Backpacking Fuel Canisters 3.5oz
There are many sizes of fuel canisters on the market. For a typical 3–5-day backpacking trip I’ll stick with the 3.5oz fuel canisters. For one, I don’t want to carry extra weight, and secondly, the 3.5oz canister fits perfectly in my Toaks750ml pot. While you can order these online, it’s extremely cost effective to go to a local outdoor store and grab one there.
While this setup may not work for everyone, it works for me and my budget. This entire setup will run you around only $60-$70 and weighs in at 13.5 ounces. Modify this setup to suit your needs. The fun part is trial and error toreally dialing in your pack for you and only you.
