Everyone Loves Gear!
My gear list consist of many of the same items I used on the AT and PCT. The biggest change is I decided to try out a a Nemo Hornet Elite 2p tent. This tent is one of the lightest in the semi-fresstanding category…the bonus being it has two separate side entry doors.
The total baseweight came in around 11lbs. I’ve found that I don’t really notice much of a difference from weight savings once I get much below 12lbs, and I can’t realistically get below 10lbs without sacrificing safety/comfort. Most people (including me) notice these additional weight savings on long food/water carries when total pack weight might be 28lb vs 30lb.
Ultimately, it’s usually a better use of mental energy and finances to save these final pounds by understanding how much food and water is actually needed for any given stretch. For example, reducing your carried water by 1- liter saves ~2lbs. Reducing gear weight from 12 to 10 lbs could cost you $1000. It always kills me seeing someone carry 4 liters of water and $600 ultralight tent…kind of like ordering a Diet Coke with a super-size double Big Mac.
2018 Colorado Trail Gear List…
(still amazed how all this stuff fits in backpack!)
Wearing:
Shoes: Altra Olympus
Gaiters: Altra
Socks: Darn Tough (crew-no cushion)
Compression Calf Sleeves: Zensah
T-shirt: 32 degree cool (Costco)
Shorts: Patagonia Nine
Baseball hat: quick dry amazon
Sunglasses: orange lens
Trek poles: Fizan
Packed Gear:
Bacpack: Osprey Exos 38
Tent: Nemo Hornet 2p Elite
Stakes: 5x V-stakes (12g ea)
Sleep Pad: Neo Air regular
Sit Pad: Cheapo eBay
Sleep Bag: EE Convert (20 degree w/overtstuff, 23oz)
Polycryo Pack liner (homemade w/inflator hardware)
Zpack stuffsack
Umbrella: Chrome Dome (attachment to pack)
Trowel: Deuce of spades
Homemade Polycryo Pack cover
Packed Clothes:
Hiking sleeves: Smart Wool
Leggings: 32degrees (4oz)
Down jacket: Montbell ultralight sweater (5oz)
Long sleeve: Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie (4.5oz)
2nd hike socks: Darn Tough
Sleep socks: Possum down
Rain pants: MontBell Versalite
Rain jacket : Berghaus Hyper 100 (3.5oz)
Glove: convertible fleece mit
Waterproof Mit: Borah
Bandana
Water/repair/Misc:
Filter: Sawyer Squeeze
Water bottles: 1L-Smart Bottle
Bladder: 1.5L Evernew
Homemade Dipping cup nests on smart bottle
200ml protein shake container
Hydration tube w/bottle adapter
Spoon, knife: lexan
Utility Razor blade
Head lamp: Petzel e+lite
Lighter/matches, Fire starter
Repair Tape (Tenacious)
Needle/thread
Hot Hands Handwarmers (1x)
Lithium Batteries for headlamp
Sil Wallet
Sharpie
Pen
Journal
https://atlasguides.com/colorado-trail/
Trails Illustrated Colorado Trail Map
iPhone (camera)
Earbuds
Power Bank: Anker 10,000ma+ cord
Toiletries/Meds:
Refillable Sunscreen container
Nail clippers (Nail File)
Chapstick
Toothbrush/ paste
TP
Ear plugs on cord
Neosporin
Advil / Naproxen/Imodium/Ambien/Allergy meds
Wet wipes
Purel
Bandaids
Duct Tape
GoBugJuice.com 
I’d love to see your polycro pack cover. I’ve been looking at options and that one sounds perfect since I already use it.
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Check it out here… https://gobugjuice.com/2018/08/06/day-20-8-5-26mi-m-452-near-salt-crk-jct/
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Thank you. I’ll see what I can come up with. My frogg toggs poncho conversion didn’t work out that well.
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How was longevity of cover? Did you basically follow this idea? Did you use gorilla tape to create the channel for shock cord? https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/101083/
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Polycryo is super strong. I made a pack liner/ inflater-bag that lasted the whole PCT. If you get a puncture just repair with some duct tape (or any packing tape).
I just folded edges over with shock cord in hem and taped with packing tape. The only hard part is figuring out what size piece of Polycryo to cut so it’s not to big/small (don’t want the thing flapping in the wind). Luckily, the stuff is cheap and there will be plenty in the box if you make a mistake.
Good luck!
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I ended up sewing the casing. It’ll be interesting to see how it works over time.
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