Paul Mags’ Gear List (Solo Backpacking, three-season)

UPDATE July 2025 – Some minor updates vs a 2019 list.

I update this list periodically because people like to know what tools I use.

But the trips I take range from structured rambles with Joan to treks with different types of gear, even within the trip.

In other words, the tools change from trip to trip.

Is the baseline for my trips still solo, three-season? Probably not. Joan and I backpack together constantly. I’m also swapping in different gear for the conditions, type of trips, and even the activity

What is true is what I wrote six years ago –

“Depending on the trip, all my solo gear can weigh up to 15 lbs (6.8 kg) or as little as 8 lbs (3.8kg) if I don’t take the good camera and just use my phone”

If you want to go down the rabbit hole, my most significant changes –

• I use the no longer-made Montane Allez Hoodie, sub-6oz/170g, it is similar to the Kuiu Peloton 97 pullover.
• I dropped the beanie because of the above, and I also use a sub-6oz sun hoodie for cool weather.
• And I take some sort of buff now vs. a bandanna
• I’ve grown to like Topo Terraventure shoes
• And I use a custom camera bag courtesy of West Desert Gear & Repair.

I’m just too lazy to weigh everything again, and the list has less and less meaning as I rarely do the same boilerplate trip.

Other gear I swap in regularly depending on the specific trip –

• The packrafting gear
• My Montbell Alpine Light for cold weather trips
• Ditto for an XTherm
• Other cold weather clothing I saw swap in from roughly November to early March are the Squak grid fleece hoodie and the Woolie
• Optimus Crux Lite for trips I do with Joan in three-season conditions; FireMaple for colder weather with our winter stove stand.
• The ULA Circuit for many trips with Joan
• A Gossamer Gear “The Two” for three-season trips in moderate conditions or a Copper Spur for winter trips (we recently bought a 2024 model on closeout after wearing out our 2019 model).
• And the luxury of the sub-3oz/85g Luci candle lantern during the longer winter nights

Consider the list below to be reasonably consistent, as it has not undergone significant functional changes since I completed the CDT in 2006, although individual items have undergone modifications.

I suspect I’ll continue to update the list above, but I’ll rarely update the list below.

Using my three-season solo kit at the end of my GJ > Moab walk.

Text from 2019 with some minor updates in the gear list since then as noted above  –

This list was initially put together in 2011. Based on some plans I have, and inquiries, perhaps it was time to update the list for solo, three-season, backpacking. This list is not 100% absolute as I will swap in and out gear as needs and preferences decide. Sometimes I want to bang out miles. Sometimes I want to enjoy a hot cup of coffee at a site overlooking a lake.

Hell, sometimes I’ll enjoy some decadent car camping trips, too.

Which trip is better? That’s silly. I like both! 😉

I also apologize for the wonky formatting, as the article has gone through different versions of my website. And I am too lazy to rewrite this information completely.

As I’ve said many, many, many times before, there is no “best gear,” just gear that fits your own needs, goals, safety, and comfort levels.

While on all my trips, I tend to go as light as possible, I do take different gear based on the type of trip I am taking.

More time in camp? Solo? A more technical trip? With buddies? Guiding? And so on. Using the same particular set of tools for every job would be silly.

For example, If I am taking significant other on a trip who prefers a more casual pace in the past, I would take the Lunar Duo, a canister stove, perform some more involved camp cooking, and will take a thicker pad.

Different trips do require various tools. At least for me.

I’d hate to take my minimalist solo pack on an overnight winter backpacking trip but don’t see the reason to take something that can haul a rope or ski gear out for a casual summer overnighter in the Indian Peaks either. 🙂

Having said all that, my baseline for backpacking is three-season solo trips. Backpacking is my first love, and I feel solo trips are the most intense for me and something I truly need in my life. Three-season (or even early shoulder season) means I can keep it simple.

So, the following is my list of gear for three-season solo backpacking. Aimed towards Intermountain West conditions in late-spring/early-summer to mid-late fall. I tend to go off-trail, scramble, or even bushwhack, so the equipment reflects those needs. I also tend not to replace gear unless I absolutely have to due to wear and tear.

As an observation, my base pack weight has been pretty consistent since 2006 (if I do take a heavier camera. Call it a wash with the lighter gear in 2017 vs. 2006).

The summary? With my mirrorless camera included, my base pack weight is under 10 lbs for three-season backpacking in typical Intermountain West conditions when solo. I’ll swap or add in different gear depending on expected goals, conditions, trip type, or season. The base pack weight can be as little as 8 pounds or as much as 15 lbs depending.

Ah…Classic Colorado backpacking terrain!

NOTES:

• All weights gauged originally with a scale accurate to 1/8 (.125) oz.
• Gotten lazy, however, since then and just round up a bit.
• I carry a ziplock with my ID, cash, Debit and Credit cards in my wallet
• I always have some sort of print map or maps.
• Once I wear out the quilt, pack, and shelter, I’ll probably go lighter. As long new gear performs the same, of course. I am not going to buy new gear for the sake of buying new gear. 🙂
• For many solo hikes, I typically go stoveless. More than the weights savings, it is the KISS principle I love. The weight savings is probably negligible as I do have to buy more (not all) non-dried food, but resupply and eating now has a minimal futz factor. I successfully went stoveless on the GDT as one example. Long days in grizzly country meant I enjoyed eating around 7 PM and them hiking to 9 or even 10 PM.
• During shoulder season, with a partner, trip goals, time of the year, etc. I may take different stoves, packs, or shelter.
• If I am hiking on-trail only at the height of summer, I will hike in shorts. This type of hiking happens less often than in previous years.
• Depending on the trip, all my solo gear can weigh up to 15 lbs or as little as 8 lbs (if I don’t take the good camera and just use my phone)
• Which is why there are different tools for different jobs! 😀