Boilification station

[Fishtales]

The Ultralite bag isn't down, it is synthetic.

My pack for 6 days is 18Kg which I got down from 20 by getting a lighter sleeping bag and rucksack.

This is my list with weights.

http://www.ftscotland.co.uk/articles/camping-carry.php

The basic pack for a one night would still be around 12 Kg with the bulk being taken up with tent, sleeping bag, rucksack, fishing gear and camera gear I think my minimum basic camping weight, without food, is about 8/9Kg.

[SoldierPmr]

Instead of cutting back on small amounts of weight why don't you condition your self and build up a natural resistance? Start off with a 10kg bag and cover 8 miles every other day trying to cover it as quickly as possible when this feels natural add some more weight. I've known people to constantly carry a day sack with added weight every where they went to build up a resistance. After acouple of lazy years i have only started adding weight to my back again I'm no where near as fit as I was but I can carry the essentials and more comforts.
It's nice to be able to carry any extras you want and not to worry about scrimping kit fo weight especially for day trips.

[Fishtales]

I used to carry 25/28Kg when I was thirty and working in the PO carrying 16Kg bags every day made sure I was able to do it. At 65, retired and spend most days sitting on my a**e means I can't do that anymore. The recommended weight to body weight ratio is only 8/10% of lean body weight to limit fatigue but that is for army special forces. The recommended weight is   usually 25/33%. I am 80Kg so my 18Kg means I am on the lower limit but I have carried it for 13 miles which I couldn't do now.

[SoldierPmr]

I used to carry 25/28Kg when I was thirty and working in the PO carrying 16Kg bags every day made sure I was able to do it. At 65, retired and spend most days sitting on my a**e means I can't do that anymore. The recommended weight to body weight ratio is only 8/10% of lean body weight to limit fatigue but that is for army special forces. The recommended weight is   usually 25/33%. I am 80Kg so my 18Kg means I am on the lower limit but I have carried it for 13 miles which I couldn't do now.

It's not so much the weight these days more the distance and incline :lol: in Afghan I weighed my self in full rig before going out and it came to 7st before that I had no idea it was all that heavy. Body armour adds a fair bit of weight and helps to spread it around the body which is another key to carrying weight is to have it spread rather than just your shoulders doing all the work, Comms equipment was also another killer. Like your self anything over 20kg and it's starting to feel uncomfortable (a sign that I need to get my arse back into gear at 27)

[Fishtales]

When you have to carry something and have trained to do it you can. This isn't a war zone though and we are out to enjoy the experience not turn it into a route march At Christmas time I could be going out on delivery with 160Kg spread over six bags every day for ten days walking approx ten miles up and down stairs, hills and bending and straightening to low letter boxes for 4 hours. Fair enough each bag got lighter as I approached the next one but I couldn't do that now

[Wildfisher]

The most effective thing many of us (including me) could do to get the weight down would be to lose about 6KG. That would make a hell of a difference.   :lol:

[Fishtales]

The most effective thing many of us (including me) could do to get the weight down would be to lose about 6KG. That would make a hell of a difference.   :lol:

I've lost 10Kg since Christmas :makefun

[SoldierPmr]

When you have to carry something and have trained to do it you can. This isn't a war zone though and we are out to enjoy the experience not turn it into a route march At Christmas time I could be going out on delivery with 160Kg spread over six bags every day for ten days walking approx ten miles up and down stairs, hills and bending and straightening to low letter boxes for 4 hours. Fair enough each bag got lighter as I approached the next one but I couldn't do that now

I know it's abit of fun but getting your body use to carrying weight will help you enjoy your time out rather than suffering I don't mean go out and thrash your self up hills all day but even like you said carrying sacks around conditioned you. Just having a little backpack in work with some added weight will help.

[caorach]

When you have to carry something and have trained to do it you can. This isn't a war zone though and we are out to enjoy the experience not turn it into a route march

I think this, certainly in part, sums up my problem in the sense that I'm around 10 stone and although I can when fit walk for ever I'm neither designed nor trained to carry stuff and I'm now nearly 50 so I'm never going to be designed or trained to carry stuff. This year various things also conspired against me, mostly in the shape of a nasty chest infection thing which took the legs out from under me in July and from which I've not completely recovered. It is also the case that in winter when you work long hours in town and it gets dark just after lunchtime there is simply a lot less scope to maintain fitness through the winter months.

As I see it my options are go lighter, or give up, so I'm going lighter.

[SoldierPmr]

I think this, certainly in part, sums up my problem in the sense that I'm around 10 stone and although I can when fit walk for ever I'm neither designed nor trained to carry stuff and I'm now nearly 50 so I'm never going to be designed or trained to carry stuff. This year various things also conspired against me, mostly in the shape of a nasty chest infection thing which took the legs out from under me in July and from which I've not completely recovered. It is also the case that in winter when you work long hours in town and it gets dark just after lunchtime there is simply a lot less scope to maintain fitness through the winter months.

As I see it my options are go lighter, or give up, so I'm going lighter.

Your never too old I knew plenty of older gentlemen who could run me into the ground. I'm sure if you keep at it your body will soon adjust.