--- title: "Contents of a Lightweight Backcountry Pack" description: "Could you survive for a week with just the gear you carry on your back? That's the premise for a lot of backcountry hunting, and the promise of a lot of lightweight gear that we do-it-yourself hunters rely on. So this year, I decided to test the limits of my pack and my endurance. A Wyoming sheep tag was all the motivation I needed, and as you can see from this video, I decided to go minimal, keeping my payload to under 35 pounds." date: "2013-09-27" modified: "2013-09-27" authors: - name: "Andrew McKean" job_title: "Hunting and Conservation Editor" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/andrew-mckean/" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/master-class/2013/09/contents-lightweight-backcountry-pack/" categories: - "Backcountry Hunting Gear" - "Gear" - "Hunting Gear" --- # Contents of a Lightweight Backcountry Pack ![]() Could you survive for a week with just the gear you carry on your back? That's the premise for a lot of backcountry hunting, and the promise of a lot of lightweight gear that we do-it-yourself hunters rely on. So this year, I decided to test the limits of my pack and my endurance. A Wyoming sheep tag was all the motivation I needed, and as you can see from this video, I decided to go minimal, keeping my payload to under 35 pounds. I’m curious what’s in your pack – please comment below – but here’s a detailed list of my gear, and the weight for each piece: **1.** **Pack** This is Badland's Sacrifice ([badlandspacks.com]()). It weighs 4 pounds but features 3,800 cubic inches of capacity in an easy-toting steel frame. **2. Tent** I opted for a pair of tents this year. In the video, you'll see MSR's Solo Reflex ([cascadedesigns.com]()). It weighs slightly just under 2.5 pounds and is a great 3-season tent. But it's also just a little too cozy for extended backcountry tenting, so I also used Easton's Kilo tent ([eastonoutfitters.com]()). At 2 pounds, 11 ounces, I didn't give up much weight, but the 2-person design and expansive vestibule make this a great choice for hardcore hunting, especially if the weather turns and you have to spend extended sessions under nylon. **3. Sleeping Bag** My go-to early season bag is a 15-degree down bag by Brooks Range. Specifically, I like [the Alpini](). Total weight: *2 pounds* **4. Sleeping Pad** One of the most remarkable lightweight pieces of gear in recent years is this NeoAir mattress from ThermARest ([cascadedesigns.com]()). It packs to the size of a Coke can. Total weight: *12 ounces* **5. Clothes** Because I'd be hunting in early September, I went pretty Spartan on layers. In my cotton game bag (which triples as a pillow), I have two poly-prop shirts, long johns, a vest, and rain gear. Lots of Sitka layers here. Total weight: *4.9 pounds* **6. Stove** I simply don't think you can do better than the JetBoil (jetboil.com), specifically the self-contained Flash cooking system. A 1-liter pot and stove weighs 14 ounces, and with a fuel canister (another 8 ounces), you can boil 16 ounces of water in 2.5 minutes. Total Weight: *22 ounces* **7.** **Food** I opted for freeze-dried vittles, specifically Backpackers Pantry meals. I'm a big fan of the shepherd's pie and the chili mac with beef is pretty good, too. Each pack is about 10 ounces, and I packed 5 dinners, plus 5 lunches (ramen noodles, crackers, granola bars). Total weight: *4.3 pounds* **8. Water** Here, I skimped just a little, knowing that I'd be camping in the glacial-watered high country. I packed only enough water that would fit in my 2-liter hydration bladder, and packed a filter for on-the-go refills. Weight: *4.4 pounds* **9. Optics** I just can't hunt effectively without a spotting scope, and even my slimmed-down 15-45x60mm Bushnell Elite ([bushnell.com]()) weighs 26 ounces. I also packed a 10-power bino, for another 20 ounces. Total Weight: *46 ounces* **10. Tripod** I'm a huge believer in the lightweight tripod system from Outdoorsmans in Phoenix ([outdoorsmans.com]()). I use the medium tripod with the pistol-grip head. Weight: *45 ounces* **11. First Aid Kit** Just the basics, but included in here is a headlamp, batteries, firestarter, some rope, my water filter, a spare knife, and a roll of electrical tape. Weight: *23 ounces* **12. Hunting Gear** Here's where I struggled with weight. I like to take lots of elective gear, but I pared it down to the basics: a knife and sharpener, phone, satellite phone, camera, a GPS, and maps. Total weight: *30 ounces* **Total Weight: 32.8 pounds** However, you may notice that I haven’t included either a bow and accessories or my rifle. When I shot this video, I fully intended to bowhunt my ram. But as I got closer to the season, I had a reckoning. Because this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunity, I wanted to give myself my best chance of success. So, to the above, add this: **13.** **Rifle** Forbes Rifle in .30/06 with Leupold VX-III scope. Rifle weight: 5.5 pounds. Scope weight: 14 ounces. 20 rounds of Federal 165-grain Trophy Copper: 22 ounces. Total weight of arms and armament\_: 7.75 pounds\_ ## Author Andrew McKean is *Outdoor Life’s* hunting and conservation editor, drilling into issues that affect wildlife, wild lands, and the people who care about them. He’s also OL’s optics editor, helping readers to make informed buying decisions. He lives outside Glasgow, Montana, where he hunts every day and season he can. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]()