This is part six in a series about my $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List. Here, I’ll cover clothing and the miscellaneous gear that didn’t fit into other categories.
Headlamp
Ozark Trail from Wal-Mart | $1.00 | 0.95 oz.
Batteries from Extra Ozark Trail Headlamp | $1.00 | 0.21 oz.
I wouldn’t take it spelunking, but this $1 headlamp from Wal-Mart handles most backpacking needs. I’ve even hiked a few miles at night with it.
I bought two headlamps so I’d have a backup set of batteries. Buying a second lamp is actually cheaper than purchasing extra batteries separately.
I noticed a big difference in brightness between the lamps. One was almost three times brighter than another, so I used a light meter app on my phone to find the brightest ones on the shelf. If your phone automatically adjusts screen brightness, it has a built-in light sensor. Just search the app store for “light meter.” There are plenty of free options.
Buff Bandanna
DIY Buff, from Thrift Store Material | $1.98 | Worn
Buffs are incredibly simple and useful. They can be skull caps, neckerchiefs, sun protection, balaclavas, towels, gaiters, sleep masks, pot holders, and more.
If you haven't used one, they are essentially a stretchy tube of fabric. Commercial Buffs cost around $20, which is hard to justify on a $100 budget when they’re basically just stretchy pant leg material. If you've been reading these posts, you know where this is going.
Instead, I bought a pair of stretchy workout pants in the women’s clothing section at a thrift store for $2, and then cut off the legs to make two buffs.
Make sure the fabric has enough stretch and feels comfortable. As ridiculous as it sounds, if you put them side by side with a Buff, I promise nobody will know the difference.
Thermal Layer
Thrift Store Fleece, Cut Into Vest| $1.98 | 5.00 oz.
Even in the summer, it can get chilly at night, at high altitude, or in windy conditions, so I don’t like to go out without a thermal layer. I found this fleece at a thrift store for $2. Since a vest is all I need in warm weather, I cut off the sleeves to save a couple of ounces.
Towel
Dollar Store Shammy | $1.00 | 1.16 oz.
For a camp towel, I use a dollar store shammy you can find with the car wash supplies.
In addition to working as a towel, it’s also great for drying clothes. Just put a wet piece of clothing on top, roll it up, and squeeze. The shammy will pull most of the water out. To finish drying, I use safety pins to attach the clothing to a clothesline or to my backpack while hiking.
Click here for more information on cleaning clothes in the backcountry. Click here for more information on cleaning clothes in the backcountry.
Safety Pins
For Hanging Wet Clothing on Pack or Clotheslines | $0.00 | 0.04 oz.
Sit Pad
Back Pad Removed from Atka Backpack | $0.00 | 0.56 oz.
This could definitely be considered an unnecessary piece of gear, but I’m always glad I have it. In addition to giving me a softer, drier place to sit, it’s also useful to put on the ground by my hammock so I can get in and out without getting my socks wet or muddy.
Bug Repellent
DEET Spray, 1 oz (If needed) | $2.99 | Carried
Nothing will ruin a trip faster than a swarm of mosquitoes. If I expect bugs, I carry a small bottle of DEET in my pocket.
Notebook
DIY Waterproof Notebook | $0.00 | Carried
Not essential, but I never go on a hike without a journal. Any small notebook will work, but I like to make my own.
Other Clothing
If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on hiking clothes. Any athletic clothing will work fine, but you’ll want pieces that wick moisture and dry quickly, so avoid cotton. If you don’t already have something that will work, you can find plenty of options at a thrift store like the clothes above that I found for $2 each.
Shorts | Non-Cotton T-Shirt from Thrift Store | $1.98 | Worn
Shirt | Non-Cotton T-Shirt from Thrift Store | $1.98 | Worn
Socks | Use What You Have, but Non-Cotton Preferred | $0.00 | Worn
Extra Socks | $0.00 | 1.80 oz.
Underwear | Use What You Have, but Non-Cotton Preferred | $0.00 | Worn
Extra Underwear | $0.00 | 2.787 oz.
Rain Poncho (If Needed) | Frogg Togg Poncho | $4.99 | 3.99 oz.
Shoes | Start out just using what you have. Any comfortable running shoes, trainers, or tennis shoes will work fine | $0.00 | Worn
Please email any questions or comments to ryan@abackpackerslife.com. If you have an alternative idea for a super-ultralight, super-ultracheap gear list, let me know. I would love to share them in future posts.
