Backpacking in France Gear List

This 3 season gear list setup is for small to longer hikes anywhere in France in moderate altitude mountains and backcountry. It works well for daytime temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 degrees. Overnight temperatures can be between 30 and 45 degrees. I've been using it comfortably for about three years in various conditions and terrains, from hot summers to moderate winters at sea level. I may add a sub 0.5oz polycro rain skirt in the future. Also pictured is 5 days worth of food.

5 day backpack
Category Selection Weight (oz) Details  
Packing Gossamer Gear Kumo 17.4
Gossamer Gear Pack Liner 1.2
Ziploc 8x6" (with slider) .2 For small items
Sleeping Valandré Mirage 3/4 Sleeping Bag 29 Rated to 32°F comfort, in Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil XS compression pack
Gossamer Gear Thinlight Insulation Pad 4.5
Aluminum Car Sun Visor 2.6 Optional, under the Insulation Pad
Shelter Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis Tarp 14.7 Seam sealed, shortened compression pack, 1,5mm Dyneema guylines
Polycro 5x8' Ground Sheet 2.8
4x Vargo Titan UL / 2x SMD 6" L-Stake 2.1 V-Shaped stakes for back and front, in DIY stuff sack
Packed Clothing Quechua Inuit2 Fleece Pants 5.6
Patagona R1 Pullover Microfleece 10.9
The North Face Point Five Jacket 14.9 Breathable rain jacket (could find something lighter)
Black Diamond Midweight Gloves 1.7 Fine, until they get wet
Cooking Fire Maple Titanium Stove FMS-116T 1.7 Cooking in the shelter, no need for windscreen
MSR Titan Kettle 4.4
Light My Fire Spork .2 Shortened
Electronics Black Diamond Spot 90 Headlamp 3.3 Could find lighter
Nokia C1 Cellphone (or iPhone 4S) 2.7 Powered off
Fujifilm X30 Camera 16.1 Optional, in backpack when not in use, heavy!
Garmin eTrex 10 GPS 4.6 Optional, mainly for tracking
Small Essentials Repair/Utility Kit 2.9 Nashua 357 duct tape, sewing kit, cord, lighter, etc.
First Aid 2.2 Bandage, antiseptic, tweezers, lipstick, etc.
Hygiene 1.9 Microfiber wipe, toothbrush, soap, cotton swab
Red Bull MERE 001 Sunglasses 1.9 In DIY Case
Toilet paper, antibacterial 3.1 In 8x6" slider ziploc
Map 3.3 Protected by a ziploc when not in use
Micropur Forte Water Purifier .3 Optional, in film container
Silva Ranger S compass 2.2 With mirror (could find lighter)
Blackfox UL Thermometer .3
Papers .7
Opinel N°6 Knife 1.1
Total Base Weight (oz) Not Including worn items or consumables 160.5
Total Base Weight (lbs) Not Including worn items or consumables 10.0

This gear list was contributed by Gossamer Gear customer Mickael Kenikssi.

Back to blog