The Gear I Bring – And the Exact Order I Pack It

Main Compartment

1. Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 Quilt
   My first item into the pack is my ultralight sleeping bag: the Vesper 20-degree quilt from Therm-a-Rest. With 900-fill down and weighing just 1.3 lbs, it offers excellent warmth-to-weight performance.

2. Sleep System: Shelter & Pad

   • Hyperlite Flat Tarp paired with a splash bivy for ultralight shelter.

   • Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad for comfort and insulation.

3. Med Kit
   My first aid kit is a modified Adventure Medical Kit from Cabela’s. I’ve customized it by removing excess items and adding supplies I trust in the field.

4. Food Packs
   Two 1-gallon Ziploc bags filled with food, each weighing roughly 2 pounds. These hold two days of backcountry fuel, including freeze-dried meals, trail mix, and calorie-dense bars.

5. Pillow
   The Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow adds a surprising amount of comfort without much weight or bulk.

6. Cook System

   • MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe Stove

   • Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot
     My stove and pot go near the top of the main compartment for quick access when I get to camp or want hot food on a break.

7. Puffy Jacket
   My First Lite Brooks Down Puffy is also packed at the top of the main compartment for fast access if temps drop suddenly.

Once everything is in, I zip up the main compartment.

Exterior Storage & Side Pockets

• 48 oz Nalgene goes in the dedicated Exo K4 Nalgene holder on the hipbelt.

• Hipbelt Pockets:

  • One side holds quick snacks.

  • The other houses my Ivory Holsters pistol holster, fitted for my Sig P365X Macro.

• Side Zip Pocket:
  I store my Swarovski STC spotting scope here—it fits securely and stays protected.

• Side Stretch Pockets:

  • One holds my Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ trekking poles and Therm-a-Rest Z Seat.

  • The other carries my Peak Design Carbon Fiber Tripod with the RRS PT Scout Pan Head.

Lid Storage (Blaze Orange Add-On)

I use the optional blaze orange lid from Exo (sold separately), which adds valuable top storage space. My Swarovski 14x52 NL Pure binoculars are secured under the lid when I bring them as a second set of glass.

Large Zippered Lid Pocket:

• Battery pack

• Paracord

• Phone Skope adapter

• HydraPak Seeker 3L water filtration system

• Wet wipes

• Beanie

• Extra food for Third Day (1-gallon Ziploc)

• Swarovski TA tripod adapter

• Extra headlamp battery

• Rag wool gloves

• Titanium spoon

• Ultralight pistol holster for sleeping in bivy

Small Zippered Lid Pocket:

• Fenix HM62-T lightweight headlamp

Additional Gear

• Digital Thermometer: I keep an AcuRite digital thermometer clipped to the outside of my pack to monitor real-time ambient temperatures.

• Rain Gear: If rain is in the forecast, I pack my Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket and pants. If not, they usually stay in the truck.

Bino Harness Setup

I run a Marsupial Gear bino harness, which allows me to keep critical tools on my chest:

• Swarovski NL Pure 8x42 binoculars

• Sig Kilo 5K rangefinder

This setup lets me access optics, tags, snacks, and emergency tools without digging into my pack.

The Philosophy: Minimalist, Not Miserable

My strategy is simple: bring only what I need—and nothing more. That means trimming down redundancies, packing ultralight, and selecting high-quality, multi-use gear. Even with optics, food, and shelter, my setup remains nimble, fast, and adaptable for 3-day adventures in the mountains.

This packing method allows me to stay efficient, comfortable, and fully capable of handling the backcountry while relying solely on a “day pack.” It's not about roughing it—it's about packing with intention.

Watch the Full Breakdown

🎥 Click here to watch the full video breakdown on YouTube

Gear Up with Ignited by Nature

Looking for the exact gear I use? Visit the Ignited by Nature store to find outdoor-tested essentials, curated kits, and gear that keeps you connected to the wild.

Thanks for reading, and remember to stay connected to the wild!
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— Chris, Ignited by Nature