The Shoestring Alternatives

Shoestring Alternatives

Category Weight
Tents
0 lb
Packs
1.06 lb
Quilts / Bags
3.32 lb
Sleeping Pads
0 lb
Pillow Options
0 lb
Utility Items
0 lb
Cook Kit
0 lb
Clothing
0 lb
Food / Water Options
0 lb
Other
0 lb
Total
4.38
lb
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg

Description

INTRODUCTION

The "Shoestring Alternative" list might have other options that are less durable, more expensive and/or heavier and are deemed to be less optimized in some respect. That being said, these items sometimes make for nice substitutes to the primary list if you're looking to save on weight and/or price, at the cost of quality and/or durability.

You are currently viewing this list

⠀

PRIMARY LIST

The primary list list is comprised of items which are affordable, lightweight, and of decent quality - and sub-$500. If you have any questions, feel free to contact /u/roflwoffles on the /r/Ultralight subreddit.

Found here:

https://macon.me/shoestring

⠀

Hammock Shelter + Alcohol Stove Options

I have made another list with a Hammock Shelter and Alcohol Stove style cook kit, which can be found at the following link:

https://macon.me/shoesinahammock

⠀

Disclaimer and Disclosure

Disclaimer: Please be diligent in your gear research and become educated on your outdoor endeavors. Test all of your gear before your first trip. This guide is simply meant to provide guidance, and is not meant to replace critical thinking. Further, it is not meant to replace high quality gear, rather it's meant to enable people to get outdoors at lower cost. Educate yourself, make good decisions, and don't use gear outside of its intended use. Be responsible - I am not liable for your mistakes.

Disclosure: You might notice that I work with some mfgs to provide you with steeper discounts than retail, but I do not accept money from manufacturers for the purpose of shilling their products on this list. You're getting my actual thoughts and opinions and I won't hesitate to select another more suitable option. You will notice some affiliate links through AvantLink (an aggregator) and through Backcountry. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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- Tents
  Weight qty
- Great 2P tent alternative - ditch the footprint Paria Bryce 2P
  49
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 2p Pyramid tent (versatile!) ASTA 2p silnylon Pyramid
  18
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Pyramid Bug Net Bug net to be used with ASTA tent above
  4.2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Lightweight 2 person tent Big Agnes Fly Creek knockoff
  43
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 2 person tent Double layer, unknown comparable design
  31
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0
- Packs
  Weight qty
- UL 40L Backpack Montbell Versalite 40L Pack
  17
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- UL 40L Backpack Gossamer Gear G4-20 Ultralight 42 (EXCELLENT)
  20.9
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 60L Pack Drop x Granite Gear Crown X60
  40
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 40L Backpack Osprey Talon 44 OR Osprey Exos 38 (high quality)
  30
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 35L Backpack Klymit Motion 35 - search around, you can regularly find this for approx. $60... this is the best option if you can find it for less than $80
  25
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 50L Backpack (best option) 2014 SMD Fusion 50 [SOLD OUT]
  36
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 55L Backpack 3FUL Gear 55L Pack - normally 33.5oz, can trim to 28oz - try rolled/folded CCF inside and outside the pack see what you prefer
  28
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 40L Pack GoBackTrail Rolltop Pack - Untested by UL community, but looks like it could be promising. If you buy, please review and contact me. Can be trimmed to reduce weight.
  38
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 30L Pack Alps Mountaineering Canyon Trail Pack
  29
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL 30L Backpack REI Flash 30L knockoff
  27.3
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 1.06 lb
  
  1
- Quilts / Bags
  Weight qty
- UL Down 0F Quilt HG Premium 850FP +1oz fill (code MACON for 10% off)
  29.07
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Down Quilt (easily found on sale) Alps Mountaineering Down Quilt (35F)
  24
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 30F Down Quilt Paria 30deg quilt - 700FP down
  33
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL Synthetic 40F QUILT EE Revelation APEX 40 - Synthetic Insulation - best alternate
  24
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Down 40F (4C) Sleeping BAG Kelty Cosmic Down 40
  28
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL Down 40F QUILT Aegis WindHard Quilt - low quality Revelation Clone
  16
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- UL Down 45F "quilt mod" (breathability issues) AegisMax M2 "Blue Wing" (800FP)
  22.3
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 3.32 lb
  
  2
- Sleeping Pads
  Weight qty
- Insulated Sleep Pad (R = 4.5) Klymit Insulated Static V Lite, 4 szn
  25
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Insulated Pad (R = 4.3) Paria Insulated Sleep pad, 4ish szn
  13.4
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Inflatable Sleep Pad (R=2.2, 14.5oz) Sleepingo pad - no real insulation outside of baffling, great amazon reviews, fair price
  14.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Inflatable Sleep Pad (R = 2.4) Rikki Tikki Insulated Pad - claims 20oz and R2.4, solid warmth to weight ratio for the price
  20
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- CCF Sleep Pad Therm-A-Rest RidgeRest Classic (strap to bottom of pack)
  14
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- CCF Sleep Pad Therm-a-rest Z-Lite Sol Knockoff (R~2.5) - anytime I link this the price goes up $10... a Therm-A-Rest RidgeRest is only $25 via Amazon, in which case I'd recommend that.
  14
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0
- Pillow Options
  Weight qty
- Pillow Trekology Ultralight (optional)
  2.75
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Pillow FlexAir Pillow
  1.1
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0
- Utility Items
  Weight qty
- Survival Knife Opinel Folding Locking knife
  1
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Survival Knife Mora Companion 1095 Carbon Steel [optional]
  3.9
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Carbon Trekking Poles (x2) Monoprice Carbon + Cork (high qual.)
  15.15
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Trekking poles Cascade Mountain Tech (aluminum or carbon, pick your poison)
  15.8
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Budget Headlamp NatureHike, 2x CR2032 button cells, no red light
  0.88
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 12L Dry Bag Sea-to-Summit Knockoff
  1.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0
- Cook Kit
  Weight qty
- Ti Stove Monoprice Micro Titanium Stove - likely more reliable than BRS
  2.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Stove (canister) Soto Amicus (excellent in high wind, no windsceen needed)
  2.9
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0
- Clothing
  Weight qty
- Primaloft Down Jacket CMP Fix Hood
  15.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Comfort Wool Socks WigWam Merino Wool, more durable than Kirkland
  3.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0
- Food / Water Options
  Weight qty
- Water Purification Sawyer Mini Filter
  1.7
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Water Treatment Polar Pure (4.5 oz w/water) - treats 1,890L
  4.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Water Treatment Aqua Mira - treats 113L
  2
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0 lb
  
  0
- Other
  Weight qty
- 0 lb
  
  0