Is Packing Your Bikini Ultralight? I’d Say So!

I’ve never been a big gear junkie. I feel like everyone has formulated an opinion on the latest and greatest gear. I’ve always taken that with a grain of salt because what works for one person might not work for another. On the AT I learned that quick. I learned that I do not like to carry a lot. At the start of my hike I had bags tied to the outside of my pack dangling as I walked. See Exhibit A.

As I covered myself in 100% Deet, I threw on my bug net jacket and strapped on my sleeping pad and some leftover pizza. I hiked like that all the way from Maine to Pennsylvania. After 895 miles, I ran into Hambone and Captain. Their packs were so small and they barely carried anything! They were basically sprinting down the trail. I was pushing as hard as I could to keep the same pace even though I was carrying 30-35 pounds on my back. I was in need of a shakedown!

It was pouring rain and as we huddled into the surprisingly large privy the shakedown had begun. Hambone threw everything he said “I didn’t need” in a plastic bag and tied that bag so tight I couldn’t get into it! In the spirit of ultralight, I didn’t look in the bag. I hiked into Delaware Water Gap and shipped it home. I knew I had to make some sacrifices and that my body would thank me. I cut my foam sleeping pad so small that it only covered half of my back. That didn’t seem as extreme as Captain trading in his sleeping bag for two fleece blankets and an emergency bivy. See Exhibit B—Swan Dive 2.0.

The reality is you have to make a few sacrifices if you want to have a lighter pack. Believe me, your body will thank you! Being across the world, I won’t have the luxury of cross-shipping things I don’t need. I must have my pack dialed in by the time my feet hit the sandy beach of New Zealand.

What Am I Bringing to New Zealand?

My strategy is to pack items with dual purpose:

Bikini = bra and underwear

Buff = sleep mask and headband

Socks = gloves and socks

Antibiotic Cream = Chapstick and ointment

Luekotape = blister protector and repair kit for tent

Gold Bond Powder = chafing prevention and treating trench foot

Trekking Poles = hiking assistance and holding up tent

Tent Stakes = secure tent and chopsticks

Wet wipes = shower and toilet paper (but not used at the same time)

Toothpaste = brush teeth and treat bee stings and mosquito bites (no hydrocortisone cream needed)

On the AT I got tired of carrying a lot. When I would resupply I would barely pack out any food. That’s probably one of the worst strategies. I ended up hangry (hungry/angry) and depleted of the nutrition I needed. Lowering my base weight allows me to carry more food and water and still feel comfortable on my next trail!

For a more detailed description of what is in my pack, check out my video blog!

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 11

  • RestDatBFace : Dec 17th

    Did I miss more of your kitchen elsewhere? Cold soak or cook?

    Reply
    • DanWayne : Dec 18th

      People have been hiking around the planet since the beginning of time. You don’t need Ultra Clown shoes to hike successfully across great distances. My two cents. If Ronald McDonald was a Thru Hiker he’d wear a pair of red Ultras. I’m not a clown

      Reply
    • Sunney Mahalak : Dec 21st

      Hello! I will be cold soaking this time around. I’ve never gone stoveless before so wish me luck! I’ll be using a Talenti Gelato container to soak my delicious Ramen Noodles. The screw on lid keeps a good seal and it fits one packet of Ramen perfectly.

      Reply
  • RestDatBFace : Dec 17th

    No option for edit;
    What was sent home in your shakedown bag?

    Reply
    • Sunney Mahalak : Dec 21st

      I sent back a 26800 mah powerbank that I could never get fully charged (basically carrying extra weight and half the charge), hydrocortisone cream, bug net (didn’t need it in fall in the south), my towel, my thermal pants, extra shorts, half of my sleeping pad, bandanna, a foam sit pad, baseball cap, three carabiners, insoles, extra outlet box and electric cords, extra paracord, and my waterproof electronic case (I just used a ziplock bag instead).

      Reply
  • marypoppins : Dec 17th

    Limited my wet wipes by using a kula cloth. Brought a micro towel to was with and reuse.

    Reply
    • Sunney Mahalak : Dec 21st

      Good idea!

      Reply
  • Favi : Dec 17th

    Where do you get your 0oz smart water bottles?

    Reply
    • Sunney Mahalak : Dec 21st

      Special purchase on Amazon. Just kidding. I’m not sure if you’re supposed to count the water and food in your base weight. I listed the water bottles so I wouldn’t forget to pack them 🙂

      Reply
  • Ben Cox aka Bear Bait (AT) aka Paladin (PCT) : Dec 18th

    This is impressive, stripped down, ultralight list! You are very correct, everyone hikes differently. Even after first an AT thru hike and two years later a PCT thru hike, I carry a few extra lbs (not tones, but a few). I’m also not a huge gear head, but with a upcoming International section hike, it was time for some much needed upgrades and have cut almost 10lbs from my usual full pack load, but that not to say ALL of my gear is brand new. Questions; how many days of food are you packing at a time and what’s the total weight with full food and water? Just curious 🙂 This will be a super exiting adventure for you! Life changing even.

    Reply
    • Sunney Mahalak : Dec 21st

      Hi Ben! Wow, that is incredible that you cut 10 lbs from your pack. I typically carry 3-4 days of food. I just weighed my bag with 4 days of food, 2 Liters of water, and all of the packed items listed above = 19.3 lbs. I can’t wait to get out there! Less than two weeks away!!

      Reply

What Do You Think?