Equipment

Here i will add a list of my kit as i get organized. For now i still use my old faithfull karrimore pack and am looking  for lighter alternatives for many of the items. Much about equipment suitability will no doubt be learnt along the way.        

Already have the most important items, a compas and tin mug.        

Would really like to keep my total pack weight including food/water down around 10kg.        

Foot wear: A subject with many variables and supporters of different choices so a personal thing, realy it’s a trade off between comfort , weight, protection and water resistance. I’m presently using all manner of old boots/shoes that may toughen my feet in different area’s. For lejog i’m planning to take hiking boots and sandals, which get worn the most is going to be interesting. So far i’m finding the leather boots perfectly comfortable, the only problem being they eventually get wet through (so i’m applying lot’s of waterproofing gel to them). The sandals are obviously the lightest to walk in, also obviously get wet feet on grass but they seem to dry quite quickly on tracks/roads (when weather is dry) so not a great problem .        

Socks: I tend to like cotton socks, having read many an account of rampant blisters (on feet) i am willing to try anything to minimise/avoid this problem so will purchase some 1000 mile and waterproof socks to trial through the Autumn/winter (should be enlightening).        

Cooking: I’m planning to take a small  gas stove and at least cook some of the time,  this will increase my pack weight at times the trade of being it will allow more flexibility on when and where i stop. The ideal would be a meal in town early afternoon and collect enough food for evening meal/breakfast. Tinned spaghetti may feature often as it can be warmed in the tin and is reasonably nourishing (spaghetti sandwiches now there’s a breakfast to dream of!).  Tinned potatoes contain enough water to cook them in and dried peas/beans could be added, this along with a tin of meat should fill the belly. Also the stove will be good for boiling river water if i run low on water at any stage.        

Keeping dry: That’s something to aim for, at the moment i have a hi viz jacket that has a quilted linning and hood that tucks into collar, (in humid weather this could be way to hot), though my pack will have a waterproof cover i will wrap spare clothing in bin bags and trinkets such as mobile phone, plasters, tea and coffe will be in plastic sandwich box. The met office web site contains plenty of historical information on climate averages and the SW of britain shows 1/3 days as having rain >= 1mm for April/May.       

Directions: I don’t plan to carry a lot of maps, more page printouts with copious notes on village/street names, road numbers etc,  and pick up trail guides when i get near their start, at the trail end passing these on to the first person i meet coming in the opposite direction. “wheres the path” an internet programme has proved excellent for looking at and measuring parts of the route.        

So Far: Small items weighed on kitchen scales, now i have hanging scales of higher capacity for larger items and loaded pack to get a real figure of weight.    

Item	weight grams
Back pack + cover	1360
Sleeping bag	800
Gaffa tape	120
Mess tin and mug	260
Compass	38
Stove with gas cylinder **	560
Pack disposable razors	20
Mobile phone / charger	240
3 x 500 ml water**	750
Tent	1800
Cutlery / tin opener	180
2 pairs cotton socks	120
2 pairs underpants	140
First aid / vaseline	200
Fleece	280
Map sheets /trail guides**	250
Plastic bags *	40
wp Jacket / trousers	600
Spare batteries	60
Jumper	340
2 shirts	420
Comb / tooth brush etc*	120
Coffee **	200
Camera / usb lead	280
Hat / gloves	160
Food **	750
Glasses / case	80
Total	10168
Wearing
Beanie Hat	60
shirt	210
underpants	70
socks	60
Body warmer	800
Jeans	420
Boots	1320
Total	2940
Equipment total	13108

* = gesstimates , no doubt a few more items to add .        

** = variable so figure = average (e.g. no need to carry food all day).        

Looking for weight savings is turning into a passion, i have suprised myself in now trying a smaller/lighter backpack, (45L, 1360grams), will it be big enough, comfy and durable remains to be seen but so far looks and feels impressive. The lighter pack would also have lower capacity,  to reduce weight and volume i’m now considering not carrying spare trousers (i can wear waterproof pair whilst trousers are washed/dried). (24 Aug).        

45L pack

  

The side nets for water bottles are a nice touch.        

padding

  

If this proves suitable the weight advantage is obvious.

The sandals now seem to both be failing in the same place, so may come of the list though despite the weight penalty i do still fancy two pairs of footware rather than live in one all the time.

   

           
                                                                                                                                                   I now have taken delivery from Amazon a pair of Gelert waterproof trousers (240 grams), certainly light and seem good, (will test in rain during Autum), on the look/price of these i  have ordered jacket to match.  (29 Aug).     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

With the possibility of kit failure and need of replacement en route i have been thinking of sources along my route, i believe there are camping shops at Taunton, Cheddar, Bristol and Fort william, certainly here in the south many towns have a Millets and Argos can be useful, Charity shops are good for shirts/jumpers which can double up as towels.

I have just taken delivery of a pair of karrimor boots, (sept 12) most of my kit is cheap and these were so hightly discounted on Amazon that i couldn’t resist . They are 1.320 grams (280 grams less than my leather boots) so not a huge weight saving but will trial both on mixed terrain in the wet to see if these prove more water proof, i’m going to use gaiters (yet to purchase) with them as when it is not raining these will keep water from foliage out of boots and keep trouser leg bottoms dry.

   

karrimore boots

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 A quick 4 miles (pack on) with these showed they are apparently comfortable straight out of the box, maybe a little hot.                                                                       

   

Have at a gess done 200-300 miles in the karrimor boots so far and they are showing some wear on the soles/heels, and they sure are muddy, so far nothing but praise for them as they have proved comfortable and kept my feet dry, with wear in mind i have ordered a couple of pairs of Hi-tech boots which have chunkier tread on them to see how they compare (Dec 12th).

The midsole of the karrimor boots seem to have collaplsed and causing foot problems so have switched to a pair of Hi tech pathfinders (Feb 1st). pity as the karrimor’s are certainly not worn out but at the price i still wouldn’t complain. The Hi tech pathfinders have covered 500 miles in excellent comfort, the soles are looking well worn but i will be using them on small walks for some time.

 Also have purchased a pair of Berghaus explorer boots and some air-pillo insoles.

 

      

    

    

    

These Berghause explorer boots always felt a bit narrower fitting, but they have now covered over 1000 miles and are not worn out, once i remember getting socks damp patches while wearing them on a wet and windy day (SWCP) other than that it’s all praise (£76 from Amazon).   

   

    

   

The Coleman Kraz x1 tent, i cannot say it’s the best tent around, but i can say it’s light weight, cheap, easy to pitch/pack and so far has kept me dry, the side awning has proved excellent for storing  all my clutter and if need be with care it’s possible to brew a drink without opening the awning (oh yes i’ve done it on wet mornings).