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

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:47:05 +0000

In reply to Paul Mags. 10-4. Experimentation is one of the great parts of this endeavor. Thank you Paul!

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:05:06 +0000

In reply to Pete.

Hey Pete,

I must confess to dirtbagging it a bit. 🙂

I typically rinse out my socks and put a pair on the “drying rack” of my pack during the day. My shirt? Not so much.

I also just wear a single pair of boxer briefs.

Ultimately, though, it’s whatever works best for you. Looking at your system, an extra pair of boxer briefs probably does not make much practical difference weight-wise. In the desert, of course, water scarcity changes the equation a bit.

But overall? Comfort matters, too. If a clean shirt or extra underwear helps make the trip more enjoyable, I would not overthink it.

And you can always experiment with diet bagging it more and see if it works for you. 🙂

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 03:41:16 +0000

Hi Paul, this is super helpful and thank you. Question: I’ve struggled for years as to how much clothing to take. My current system is: 1 pair pants, 2 shirts, 2 pr socks, 2 underwear (UnderArmour “boxer jock”). I will rinse out 1 pr socks, 1 shirt, and 1 underwear in a stream, thus providing a clean shirt, socks, and underwear for each day. I usually rinse out the dirty clothes in the evening, hang to dry, and if not dry by morning I attach it to outside of pack where it will dry during the day’s hiking. Note this is for Sierra mountain trips where surface warer is plentiful. In dry camping/desert trips, this strategy is not an option.

I know I’m paying a weight penalty by doing this and would prefer to not bring any extras but man my shirt smells so bad by the end of each day that I don’t know if I can stand to put it back on in the morning. Maybe I’m not dirt bagging hard enough. Ha

Would you please share your strategy for this? Apologies if you already shared and I’ve missed it. Thank you!!

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 01:57:45 +0000

In reply to Kelly Carter.

Yep. Listed as ” P-51 Can Opener aka “John Wayne,” Swiss Army Classic, Photon Light combo 1 oz Good for EDC. Makes a quick and dirty tool kit off and on the trail.” https://pmags.com/light-versatile-and-cheap-the-p38-and-p51-can-openers

By: Kelly Carter

Kelly Carter — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 23:50:16 +0000

Surely you carry a knife. Or did I miss that on the page?

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 17:12:45 +0000

In reply to Joseph Buettner.

Some ideas and thoughts here that you may find of interest: https://pmags.com/going-stoveless-cold-food-for-thought

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 17:11:50 +0000

In reply to Devin Quince. I know some people who use those or similar as well. They seem to like them.

By: Devin Quince

Devin Quince — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 15:13:05 +0000

In reply to Paul Mags.

I am not a long sleeved person and am horrible at remembering sun screen, so I bought these for hiking and riding and they are amazing.
https://www.rei.com/product/894799/outdoor-research-activeice-sun-sleeves

By: Joseph Buettner

Joseph Buettner — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 03:59:09 +0000

Hi Paul. What are the items of food that you take when you go stove less?

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 01:49:38 +0000

In reply to Brianna.

They are water resistant as opposed to water proof. I pump out a lot of heat, so these pants and thermal bottoms work well for three-season conditions. At least for me. If you get colder easier, you may want to wear “real” rain pants.

Hope that helps!