There are 3 ways to go lighter:
1. Smaller, more skimpy kit like 2/3 pad or cut in half tooth brush - I hate this option as I really like some level of comfort and not just survivability in the outdoors (also I'm a big guy).
2. Shed load of cash on ultralight, space age, very hip gear - it's what I call "brute force" way. Money can help lighten your load but you need to find your sweet spot. For example I love my upgrade to a silnylon tarp (80 pounds) but I will never go cuben fiber (3 times lighter, about 250 pounds) because it's really prone to punctures and abrasion.
3. Carry less/only what you need - for example tarp/hammock combo will be much lighter than a tent (with comparable living space), most of the time you only need one pot and a mug for your cook kit (you can safely skip StS kitchen sink or primus coffe expres).
In other words pay some money for a decent kit with the right value (like down bag or silnylon tarp) and substitute the rest with experience.
Two techniques help:
- kitchen scales will help you get a grasp where those kilograms come from (just don't turn in to a gram junkie counting matches).
- make a note what have you actually used on each trip. Worst thing you can do is to read forums (sic!
) and think and then fill your bag with crap. Reality will always verify your setup.
My road to lighter load: Bushmoot 2013 and over 30kg (thirty kilograms) pack. After two weeks my bag was 2/3 empty and I have shifted most of my stuff in the swap shop. Now I'm upgrading what's left to better version.
Turns out you need very little to keep you alive and well:
-Sleep system (tarp, sleeping bag, mat, hammock)
-food (pot or two, stove, spoon/fork)
-maintenance kit (1st aid, washing stuff, kit repair bits)
-clothes (1 set of waterproofs, something warm like fleece or wool, underwear)
AND THAT'S REALLY IT! Maybe few toys for various activities like a knife, compass or gps. That's why the most experienced travellers are happy with a cheap tarp, a blanket and a pot of some shape and don't really care about gear.