you;'ll learn a lot about what proven hikers use, and probably dump 10-20 lbs from your BOB, too. For instance, I added velcro seams to a $50 "breathable" space blanket Mylar "bivvy sack", (with hood and drawstring) so that I can use it (reversed) as a poncho, and as my sleeping bag. i can also open it flat for use as a blanket or a tarp. It weighs just 3/4 lb. my "sleeping bag liner" also serves as my pack frame. it is made of 'heat bubbled" tyvek and weighs 1/2 lb. Because I keep the gear weight light, and because I don't require a pack frame, the pack itself can weigh only 1.5 lbs. Many "think" that their pack has to weigh 4 lbs, to handle the "stress" of being a BOB, and it's just not true. I use a hammock normally, with a ridgeline above it, as my sleeping set up. It and the suspendion cords total 3/4 lb. My shelter (has many other uses) is madek up of a pair of Tyvek bags, with velcro seams. They are 3 ft wide. One is 4 ft long, the other is 3 ft long. If need be, I can just stuff them with debris, unused clothing/gear, and sleep on the ground. Often, tho, I just "telescope" them from each end, around me and my hammock. Tarp clamps hold up the bags to the ridgeline. their total weight is 1 1/4 lb. 1 lb on your feet tires you just as much as 4 lbs in your framepack. By using 1.5 lb hiking shoes, as vs 3 lbs of boots, I save the capacity for 6 lbs in my pack, where it's a lot more likely to do me some good, as compared to heavy boots on my feet. So, the clothes that I normally wear, 2 more lbs of cold weather gear, and 3.5 lbs of sleeping/shelter gear, and I'm ok for 4 seasons, any place I'm going to ever be, these days. People can keep places where it's sub zero for long periods of time, or deserts, or swamps, or where there's 2 or more feet of snow (that lasts for more than a day or so). I will never again subject myself to the potential hazards of such climates or terrain. it's quite possible to be better armed, safer, and more capable with 40 lbs of gear than 90+% of survivalists are with 70 lbs of gear. For instance, by having a silencer on your rifle, or having a silenced .22 pistol, for foraging and quiet removal of "problem" people, post shtf. Or by having 5 lbs of concealable armor (to include boxer shorts made of kevlar, 18 layers). Ask any soldier with combat experience, or any cop who works a tough beat, if he thinks armor is worth having! Ditto a set of luminous night sight inserts and NVD goggles. It's dark half of the time, and without such gear, you're pretty much helpless.
