View Poll Results: What is your Priority?

Voters
150. You may not vote on this poll
  • Weight of the Object.

    49 32.67%
  • Bulk or Packed Size of the Object.

    33 22.00%
  • Neither, I just Pack What I need.

    26 17.33%
  • Not Worried about Luxury Items.

    1 0.67%
  • It Depends ... No Concise Answer.

    41 27.33%
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Results 1 to 10 of 44
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    South Texas
    Hammock
    11 foot gathered hexon1.7
    Tarp
    11 ft winter dutch
    Insulation
    TQ and UQ
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    Spider Straps 1.5
    Posts
    591

    Question Priority?? Weight or Bulk?

    There is a large subset of our forum that is fascinated
    on the weight of their pack. These people want to lighten
    their load, while attempting to attain Ultra-Light status.

    Every single piece of gear is weighed and evaluated. Can I
    lighten this piece? Should I cut holes out of the handle of my spoon?
    Do I even need to take this along?

    These people are often called Gram Weenies, and load their
    pack with a precise digital scale. There is nothing wrong with
    being a Weenie!

    My question is this ..... Do you place more of a priority on the
    Weight of the Bulk of an item?

  2. #2
    Senior Member SGT Rock's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Maryville, TN
    Hammock
    Argon X90 Experimental hammock
    Tarp
    7'x9' cuben tarp
    Insulation
    Pads and quilts
    Suspension
    Kevlar + dynaglide
    Posts
    2,178
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    92
    Weight, but sometimes I choose something heavier than a lighter option due to bulk. That said, my stuff that is lighter is usually smaller too.
    NO SNIVELING!
    www.hikinghq.net - Hiking H.Q.
    www.bmtguide.com - the BMT Thru Hiker's Guide

  3. #3
    They sort of go together most of the time. A light item usually packs smaller than a heavy one.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    South Texas
    Hammock
    11 foot gathered hexon1.7
    Tarp
    11 ft winter dutch
    Insulation
    TQ and UQ
    Suspension
    Spider Straps 1.5
    Posts
    591
    Quote Originally Posted by SGT Rock View Post
    Weight, but sometimes I choose something heavier than a lighter option due to bulk.
    Yep, for me that choice is close
    in regards to hammock and rain gear.

    Quote Originally Posted by xcrazydx View Post
    They sort of go together most of the time. A light item usually packs smaller than a heavy one.
    True, except for metals
    and cookware and such, plus some specialty items. Some heavier items
    fold up and store nicer than the lighter ones, but this is a rarity.

    I guess a subpoll would be:
    Which Pack Would You be PROUDER of:
    1) A Lightweight Pack - regardless of Bulk
    or
    2) A Low Bulk Pack - regardless of Weight

    for this subpoll, I would go for the low-bulk for ease of hiking
    and less trail snags. Plus, exercise wouldn't hurt, I could use
    a few inches off my waist.

  5. #5
    Senior Member FireInMyBones's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Piedmont, SC
    Hammock
    Bonefire™ Bridge
    Tarp
    Bonefire™ Shadow
    Insulation
    Bonefire™ UQ
    Suspension
    Bonefire™ Deluxe
    Posts
    2,795
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    46
    Both weight and lack of bulk are important. However, with light gear usually comes less bulk.
    -Jeremy "Brother Bones"
    Quote Originally Posted by FLRider View Post
    ...he's a mountain goat crossed with a marathoner.

  6. #6

    Re: Priority?? Weight or Bulk?

    Quote Originally Posted by FireInMyBones View Post
    Both weight and lack of bulk are important. However, with light gear usually comes less bulk.
    That's what I'm talkin bout!

  7. #7
    Senior Member somniferous's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Watertown, MA
    Hammock
    Depends on the day
    Tarp
    HG Hex, WBSF, WLTP
    Insulation
    HG UQ / UDQ TQ
    Suspension
    Dyneema Straps
    Posts
    706
    Since I'm still a car camper, I go with items that are less bulky or pack up a certain way to fit in a certain area. Although since I've been looking into backpacking, I might start thinking about weight once I move on to longer hikes.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Gonzales, LA
    Hammock
    DH Darien/DIY
    Tarp
    WL Big Daddy
    Insulation
    JrB, HG, WL
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    2,388
    Now that I am backpacking and improving my equipment weight is more important. But if two things weigh the same the less bulky normally gets the nod.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Boston's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Georgetown, KY
    Hammock
    DIY w/ Net
    Tarp
    DIY 11'x10' Hex
    Insulation
    DIY UQ/TQ
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    DIY Whoppies + TS
    Posts
    1,760
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    44
    Usually a lighter item is also less bulky. There are exceptions of course. My first priority is to fit everything in the pack. The smaller the load the smaller the pack you need, and thats a big weight savings, also.

    Cost is also a factor. $300 for a tarp that cuts 0.25 lb off my $40 or $50 diy isn't worth it to me. I plan to weight out my current pack then evaluate an ideal set up on a cost vs weight and\or bulk stand point and improve from there.

    I also really enjoy DIY, and that helps a lot on the cost front. Especially if I can sell some diy gear to fund better gear.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Near North, ON
    Hammock
    DIY Bridge db layer 1.1
    Tarp
    DIY 12'
    Insulation
    DIY Climashield
    Suspension
    amsteel/tree strap
    Posts
    812
    Comfort comes first, followed by weight. That's not to say that I don't want the lightest I can have, just that I'd rather have my bridge hammock and the comfort it affords me, than have a gathered end that's lighter. The same principle went into my tarp, it's huge and has full doors on it, but I'd rather carry the few extra ounces than not.

    I'm still less than half the weight I was carrying into the bush 40 years ago so I'm happy!!

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