Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge
What if you could tour with just what fits in a single dry bag? No panniers. Just the essentials. On this episode, we take this as a challenge – borrowing from the ultralight backpacking folks, we cut off our toothbrush handles and weigh every gram for the ultralight challenge!
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp420.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
The Ultralight Challenge
Shelter
Options to debate:
Tarp + bivy sack (light, cheap, minimal bug protection).
Minimal trekking pole tarp (if you carry a pole or can use the bike).
Emergency bivy + bug net (super small but spartan).
UL single-wall tent (if you can compress to fit — ~1lb tents exist).
Hammock
Where I land:
Shelter Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp 5.2 oz Dyneema, no floor; packs to fist size
Groundsheet Polycryo sheet (cut to size) 1.5 oz Cheap and super compact
Bug Net Sea to Summit Nano Pyramid (solo) 2.9 oz Optional if mosquitoes likely
Stakes 6 titanium shepherd hooks 2 oz Can share with tarp
Guyline 2 mm reflective cord 1 oz Multipurpose (also for repairs)
Total Shelter Weight: ~12 oz (340 g)
Sleep Kit
Pad: short closed-cell foam (Z-lite cut down) vs ultralight inflatable (NeoAir Uberlite).
Quilt: 40°F down quilt packs to a grapefruit.
Sleep Clothing layering: puffy jacket + base layers to extend quilt rating.
pillow (there are some ultralight inflatables too)
Where I land:
Sleep Pad Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite (small) 6 oz Packs smaller than a soda can
Quilt Enlightened Equipment Enigma 40°F 13 oz Compresses to a grapefruit
Pillow Exped Air UL pillow (small) 1.6 oz Optional luxury
Sleep Clothes Lightweight merino top + boxer briefs 6 oz Doubles as camp wear
Total Sleep Weight: ~27 oz (765 g)
Cooking vs. No-Cook
No-cook: bars, wraps, cold soak jar.
Minimal cook: Esbit/solid fuel stove + titanium mug.
Coffee strategy: instant packets vs small UL brewer.
Space/weight trade-off: ditch cook kit for luxury (camera, extra clothes).
Where I land:
Cold Soak System Plastic PB jar 2oz
UtensilLong Ti spoon0.5 oz
Mug (if separate) MSR Titan 2.4 oz
Food for 2 daysWraps, instant oatmeal, nuts, bars, jerky, instant coffee~24 oz
Water 1 L Smartwater bottle (frame-mounted)
Total Cooking/Food Weight (excluding water): ~29 oz (820 g)
Clothing & Tools
No change of clothes on this one… one base layer, puffy jacket layer.
Rain shell = big payoff for little space.
Simple wool hat
Micro tool kit: multi-tool, chain link, tiny pump, patch kit instead of spare tube.
hygiene: Dr Bronner’s in smallest travel bottle, small camp towel, travel toothbrush.
Where I land:
Rain Shell Patagonia Houdini or OR Helium 6 oz Ultralight but reliable
Insulation Layer Montbell Plasma 1000 puffy 5 oz Packs to palm size
Extra Base Layer / socks Wool top + socks 5 oz For camp
Toiletries Toothbrush, mini paste, Bronner’s, wet wipes 3 oz Minimalist hygiene
Headlamp Nitecore NU25 1 oz USB rechargeable
Total Clothing/Personal Weight: ~20 oz (570 g)
Multitool Lezyne RAP II-12 3 oz Compact essentials
Mini Pump Lezyne Pocket Drive 3 oz Mount to frame if possible
Chain link / tape / zip ties / patch kit Small zip bag 1 oz Field repairs
Phone + powerbank 10 000 mAh Anker 6 oz Also powers headlamp
Map / ID / Credit Card — negligible “Ultralight credit card touring” insurance
Total Tools/Misc Weight: ~13 oz (370 g)
Packing Tetris
Bottom: sleep system (quilt/compressed pad).
Middle: shelter/tarp.
Top: food/clothing.
Outside: light rain shell/camp shoes?
Safety & Bail Out Options
Emergency bail plan: credit card, rideshare, motel.
Weather veto: if forecast turns ugly, change trip.
My Packed Total
Category Weight
Shelter 12 oz
Sleep 27 oz
Cooking/Food 29 oz
Clothing/Personal 20 oz
Tools/Misc 13 oz
Total ~6.31 lb (2.86 kg) inside dry bag
Conclusion
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge appeared first on Pedalshift.
View all episodes
By What if you could tour with just what fits in a single dry bag? No panniers. Just the essentials. On this episode, we take this as a challenge – borrowing from the ultralight backpacking folks, we cut off our toothbrush handles and weigh every gram for the ultralight challenge!
http://traffic.libsyn.com/pedalshift/psp420.mp3
Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge.
Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify
Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.
Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at [email protected] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109
The Ultralight Challenge
Shelter
Options to debate:
Tarp + bivy sack (light, cheap, minimal bug protection).
Minimal trekking pole tarp (if you carry a pole or can use the bike).
Emergency bivy + bug net (super small but spartan).
UL single-wall tent (if you can compress to fit — ~1lb tents exist).
Hammock
Where I land:
Shelter Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp 5.2 oz Dyneema, no floor; packs to fist size
Groundsheet Polycryo sheet (cut to size) 1.5 oz Cheap and super compact
Bug Net Sea to Summit Nano Pyramid (solo) 2.9 oz Optional if mosquitoes likely
Stakes 6 titanium shepherd hooks 2 oz Can share with tarp
Guyline 2 mm reflective cord 1 oz Multipurpose (also for repairs)
Total Shelter Weight: ~12 oz (340 g)
Sleep Kit
Pad: short closed-cell foam (Z-lite cut down) vs ultralight inflatable (NeoAir Uberlite).
Quilt: 40°F down quilt packs to a grapefruit.
Sleep Clothing layering: puffy jacket + base layers to extend quilt rating.
pillow (there are some ultralight inflatables too)
Where I land:
Sleep Pad Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite (small) 6 oz Packs smaller than a soda can
Quilt Enlightened Equipment Enigma 40°F 13 oz Compresses to a grapefruit
Pillow Exped Air UL pillow (small) 1.6 oz Optional luxury
Sleep Clothes Lightweight merino top + boxer briefs 6 oz Doubles as camp wear
Total Sleep Weight: ~27 oz (765 g)
Cooking vs. No-Cook
No-cook: bars, wraps, cold soak jar.
Minimal cook: Esbit/solid fuel stove + titanium mug.
Coffee strategy: instant packets vs small UL brewer.
Space/weight trade-off: ditch cook kit for luxury (camera, extra clothes).
Where I land:
Cold Soak System Plastic PB jar 2oz
UtensilLong Ti spoon0.5 oz
Mug (if separate) MSR Titan 2.4 oz
Food for 2 daysWraps, instant oatmeal, nuts, bars, jerky, instant coffee~24 oz
Water 1 L Smartwater bottle (frame-mounted)
Total Cooking/Food Weight (excluding water): ~29 oz (820 g)
Clothing & Tools
No change of clothes on this one… one base layer, puffy jacket layer.
Rain shell = big payoff for little space.
Simple wool hat
Micro tool kit: multi-tool, chain link, tiny pump, patch kit instead of spare tube.
hygiene: Dr Bronner’s in smallest travel bottle, small camp towel, travel toothbrush.
Where I land:
Rain Shell Patagonia Houdini or OR Helium 6 oz Ultralight but reliable
Insulation Layer Montbell Plasma 1000 puffy 5 oz Packs to palm size
Extra Base Layer / socks Wool top + socks 5 oz For camp
Toiletries Toothbrush, mini paste, Bronner’s, wet wipes 3 oz Minimalist hygiene
Headlamp Nitecore NU25 1 oz USB rechargeable
Total Clothing/Personal Weight: ~20 oz (570 g)
Multitool Lezyne RAP II-12 3 oz Compact essentials
Mini Pump Lezyne Pocket Drive 3 oz Mount to frame if possible
Chain link / tape / zip ties / patch kit Small zip bag 1 oz Field repairs
Phone + powerbank 10 000 mAh Anker 6 oz Also powers headlamp
Map / ID / Credit Card — negligible “Ultralight credit card touring” insurance
Total Tools/Misc Weight: ~13 oz (370 g)
Packing Tetris
Bottom: sleep system (quilt/compressed pad).
Middle: shelter/tarp.
Top: food/clothing.
Outside: light rain shell/camp shoes?
Safety & Bail Out Options
Emergency bail plan: credit card, rideshare, motel.
Weather veto: if forecast turns ugly, change trip.
My Packed Total
Category Weight
Shelter 12 oz
Sleep 27 oz
Cooking/Food 29 oz
Clothing/Personal 20 oz
Tools/Misc 13 oz
Total ~6.31 lb (2.86 kg) inside dry bag
Conclusion
As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.
Music
You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!
The post The Pedalshift Project 420: The Ultralight Challenge appeared first on Pedalshift.