The 1 Euro tent pad - protection for the tent floor
Some swear by them others think they are unnecessary ballast. They come in all sorts of variations and weight classes. Nobody likes a leaking tent floor. On the other hand, not many ultralight hikers are willing to spend 100-200g+ on a tent pad.
Minimize blisters and sores while hiking
Gaiters serve as protection from pebbles, sticks and other annoying companions while hiking. These range from Ultralight Gaiters that rise just above the ankle to the extreme heavy-duty gaiters that are knee high. In most cases, the short thin gaiters should suffice for thru-hikes. The purpose of the gaiters is to keep small debris from entering the shoes. Pebbles, sand and more cause increased friction on the feet which in turn leads to more blisters. More frequent stops to clean the shoes is…
Which hydration system for hiking?
Different drinking systems all have their advantages and disadvantages. On longer hikes most people use a generic 1.5-2 L PET bottle from the supermarket. Even if the Nalgene drinking bottle is highly stable, it is almost as difficult to destroy a standard PET bottle.
Poncho vs Rain Jacket
More and more ultralight hikers rely on ponchos. The point is that the poncho also serves as protection for the backpack. Thus, there is no need for an additional raincover. The ventilation is extremely good depending on the model because they are open at the bottom and often have very wide openings at the sleeves. Therefore, the poncho can also be made of 100% waterproof material and does not need a waterproof and expensive membrane like Gore-Tex. See also: Shoes, Gore-Tex and Gaiters.
