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A place to chat about gear and the philosphy of ultralight. Ultralight bushwalking or backpacking focuses on carrying the lightest and simplest kit. There is still a good focus on safety and skill.

Forum rules

Ultralight Bushwalking/backpacking is about more than just gear lists. Ultralight walkers carefully consider gear based on the environment they are entering, the weather forecast, their own skill, other people in the group. Gear and systems are tested and tweaked.
If you are new to this area then welcome - Please remember that although the same ultralight philosophy can be used in all environments that the specific gear and skill required will vary greatly. It is very dangerous to assume that you can just copy someone else's gear list, but you are encouraged to ask questions, learn and start reducing the pack weight and enjoying the freedom that comes.

Common words
Base pack backpacking the mass of the backpack and the gear inside - not including consumables such as food, water and fuel
light backpacking base weight less than 9.1kg
ultralight backpacking base weight less than 4.5kg
super-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 2.3kg
extreme-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 1.4kg
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Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Tue 16 Apr, 2019 7:09 pm

Can you guys recommend me one?

Thanks :)

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 12:53 pm

It's not Wool sorry but I couldn't recommend anything more highly than the MH Micro-Dome https://www.mountainhardwear.com/micro-dome-OM5792.html
Very Light, stupidly warm, really comfortable.

Take note of sizing though, it's 'Snug' fit so you might want to upsize depending on how tight you like your beanie.

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 1:34 pm

I use a icebreaker skull cap.

It was a bit hot for walking so I cut out the liner and now its just single layer merino with part of the liner remaining as a sweat band.

The only negative is I need to avoid getting it wet. As being wool takes ages to dry.

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 2:19 pm

Icebreaker pocket hat. As long as your head is not gigantic it should fit.
It's only 200gm merino so it's super light and thin enough to wear when active. Dries reasonably fast too. I use it as a liner beanie in more serious weather.
Super comfy. I just bought my second one as I've lost the first.

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 2:47 pm

You can always use a buff as a beanie. Meets all the ultralight requirements - lightweight, multi-use, not as good as a specific item :) .
There are heaps of tutorials online about how to do this.

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 4:27 pm

I don't like wool for beanies due to the need for washing after most trips (body oils from hair) and as already commented, slow drying. I had a good lightweight fleece beany from ZPacks (28 grams) which has disappeared and now have use either a buff or a Decathlon fleece balaclava (48 grams and $5) which has great coverage of the throat area and seems to be about 100 weight fleece. A couple of rolls and it functions nicely as a beany.

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 5:49 pm

The little icebreaker beanie is tiny and light, very warm. Not very big though, so you can't pull it right down over your ears in the cold.

Also worth considering the Mont powerstretch fleece beanie, super comfortable and even warmer.

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 6:23 pm

The aldi ones are pretty decent, being a chromy I wear one to bed most nights in the winter, I can't get the hang of a cold draft across my skull. Otherwise, I agree on the merino buff, much more useful bit of kit overall.

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 7:48 pm

ChrisJHC wrote:You can always use a buff as a beanie. Meets all the ultralight requirements - lightweight, multi-use, not as good as a specific item :) .
There are heaps of tutorials online about how to do this.


Thanks! I like MacGyver hacks. Got a merino buff. This is how it is done:

http://www.buffmalta.com/files/howto_cap.png

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 8:42 pm

A Buff is a bit U-S-A for general headwear for me but makes good nightwear because you can pull it over your nose and ears which keeps the cold at bay.

I got a HH beanie from Paddy's I like. It's UL but not Merino.

Actually thinking about it. I do use a buff under my hat when my ears get cold. Normally I use it to wipe the sweat off my brow.

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Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 8:57 pm

I like the Smitten beanies. You can get them in either a midweight or a light weight type from their online shop

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Wed 17 Apr, 2019 9:49 pm

I like my Kathmandu merino beanie. 38 grams

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Thu 18 Apr, 2019 10:31 am

CasualNerd wrote:The little icebreaker beanie is tiny and light, very warm. Not very big though, so you can't pull it right down over your ears in the cold.

Also worth considering the Mont powerstretch fleece beanie, super comfortable and even warmer.
How big is your head? Lol no offence. It completely covers my ears.

Re: Light 100% Merino wool beanie

Fri 19 Apr, 2019 9:41 am

+1 Ice breaker. Although now its mentioned, mine seems a little tight on the head...
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