So good question Bob.

My gear buying (and bringing) has gone through a real evolution..

I'm now really all about purging. Not necessarily bringing less but bringing lighter versions of the items I consider essential.

For example ..One of the big items on my Xmas list is a rain jacket that weighs 6 ozs so I can shave 7 ozs there.

I increasingly find myself shopping at ultralight backpacker stores for my canoeing equipment.

My big Black Friday purchases today were a waterproof bivy (14 ozs) and a solo tarp ( 8 ozs) .

I bought a bushbuddy last year but didn't use it very much this year. I think i will change that next year and leave most of the fuel canisters at home. When I'm solo at least.   

I must have looked at really nice photography equipment  a dozen times but I just don't think I could ever see myself carrying it. I absolutely see why others would  see it as essential but I don't think I ever will.

I carry Ursacks (different sizes) for bear food protection on all trips solo or not. Way easier to pack and hang. A lot lighter too.

I do bring an ultralight  chair or stool on every trip.  I could never see myself not bringing one of those.
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Last edited by ShawnD (11/24/2017 4:35 pm)

Heya!
I've definitely gone through an evolution and am even considering a slight de-evolution now as time has gone on.
Gone are the days of me saving a few sheckles on buying cheaper equipment that weighs a ton.  But, I've also been gradually replacing these items over time.
But down to the 'guilty pleasures' list I have of Luxury Items:
- Fishing Equipment.  While not necessary to enjoy the out of doors, I still manage to bring at least 3 lbs worth of tackle (depending on the trip I've dropped to almost nil).  Even though it adds weight and the rod can add an annoyance to either carry or run along the gunwale of the canoe.  It still comes with me.
- one litre of Scotch/burbon.  This still adds weight, but it's great to have a few drinks around the campfire. 
- DSLR.  Even packing this around and the effort of it swinging from it's carrying case on my neck is a pain in the butt, but when I get some great pictures or video. It can make it all worth while.  Mind you, I'm really considering just bringing a simple point and shoot as they've come a long way.

Purged:
- kitchen knick-knacks.  I'm talking about a separate and in my view unnecessary items in general e.g. kettle (yes I did this and attached it to a friends pack), spoons (if you have a fork or a mouth... use that), flipper/spatula - we have a fork for this or I use two sticks like chop-sticks.
- Plates.  I also go rid of these because they take up room and a bowl can serve you just as well.
- Extra clothes.  We've all done this and sometimes I'm sure we still do.  I've paired down my trip wear and just wash-up more than usual.
- Hatchet/saw - I have only ever really needed this once on the trail, and with that I ended up just moving the whole broken down tree to clear it away.  The simple stomp method can produce for you plenty of average sized pieces of wood for fire making as well.  Also, the deeper you go into the back country and a short walk in other cases, you can EASILY find enough wood for your day or two stay that's lying on the ground or standing dead.

I have been considering bringing a chair along, but for me the price for the ultralights and my need for them just isn't necessary.  BUT, to each their own right!
JB

Interesting thread Uppa :-)

On my luxury list would be:
-A power bank (but only for longer trips for taking photos on phone)
-Probably a little more clothing than I need (I really dislike being cold, so have extra layers)

Purge list:
-Food to some extent.  We certainly don't starve, but don't bring all fresh meal prep - If in a group, then about half dried food, half 'real' food.  Lean more towards powdered if soloing.
-Shoes.  They seem so bulky and I only ever used to wear at camp.  What I do now is wear a pair of keen sandals (H2) all the time, then at camp put on a nice pair of socks, followed by a pair of waterproof goretex socks before putting sandals back on.  I'm sure the wet sandals suck some heat out of my feet, but I've been okay thus far...  Keeps feet warm and dry, but also don't have the bulk of carrying shoes...
-Dish soap / cleaning utensils - Simply use sand/rocks

:-)

Splurge: bridge hammock instead of lighter bivy bag (--that's for backpacking)
              apples, gotta have an apple every day
              small down pillow  for hammock (can't stand folded clothes etc)
              pyjamas and sleeping socks (double as my if-i-get-soaked clothes)
              solo stove (bushbuddy clone)
              a physical book
              camp shoes

Purge:  no alcohol
             no water filter; just use aquatabs
             sometimes don't bring a backup paddle (I use a kayak paddle; if it breaks i have a single blade ;)
             flashlights/ headlamps....Ive got two tiny led lights that clip on my ball cap. good enough.
             real coffee and french press attachment for my pot; those Starbucks Via things will do

The continual evolution and consideration of the packing list is one of the essential joys of canoeing and hiking.
             

When I return I go through my gear, sometimes formally, sometimes informally - what did I use, what turned out to be just ballast on the trip.  Clothes and food are my leaders in that department.  I'm expecting to knock out some extra redundant extras clothing this year.  I carry an extra days' food, which to me makes sense, but when I get in the car I always seem to have a good bit more than that remaining. 

Specific to the post - my purge last year was to leave my Nikon D90 at home, instead taking a much smaller Nikon Coolpix.  Less space, weighs nothing, but still takes a very good photo.  My splurge is a chair.  In part I take it for the soft landing, but in part because you never know what you will end up with at a campsite.  rotted logs, pointy rocks, soaking wet stuff...I like to know I have a dry comfy place upon which to deposit my backside.

Uppa wrote:

On the flip side, there's no chance I'm heading into the interior without my kayak, and yet if I were to trade that in for an ultralight packboat I'd take 25-30 pounds off my portage weight.

So stubborn!!!! 

Then again there is no way you would ever see me in a Packboat. Guess I'm stubborn too.
 

dontgroandaddy wrote:

When I return I go through my gear, sometimes formally, sometimes informally - what did I use, what turned out to be just ballast on the trip.  Clothes and food are my leaders in that department.  I'm expecting to knock out some extra redundant extras clothing this year. ...

Depending on the time of year you are tripping, cutting back clothing is one of the biggest risk factors. I've seen folks in some significant discomfort, if not quite real danger, from cutting back on clothing because there was unusually nice weather the year before, or even back home the week leading up to the trip. 

I've even had to fight to get family members to pack appropriately in the middle of a cool wet summer. That one went from "why the hell would we carry a tarp, we don't need the weight" to "thank god we brought the tarp". (Strangely, it was also considered reasonable at that time to make me carry a wooden wannigan across the portages. That doesn't happen anymore either.)


 

Uppa wrote:

kayakcamper.com is paid for until 2020. My YouTube channel is /kayakcamper. I've painted myself into a corner here.

Oh and also I love my kayak and would prefer paddling a hollowed out whale carcass over a canoe (although they're both equally bloated). But really it's all about the branding - you think I can just walk away from my 500 subscriber YouTube empire?  ;)
 

LOL!!! 
Some people run, some cycle, some paddle a kayak, others ride a motorcycle. It's an aesthetic, none of it matters. You are exactly where you are supposed to be! No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. (with a nod to both dcmcelroy and the Desiderata).