The Bibbulmun Track
A gear guide
Gear on the Bibbulmun
(and why you probably want less of it)
It is safer, more comfortable, the same price if not cheaper and ultimately a whole lot more enjoyable than the traditional Australian hiking approach.
To be honest the Bibbulmun is a very safe trail. There are frequently shelters, phone service, friendly hikers, generally safe weather conditions, the trail is in good condition and is peppered with dirt road access and if all else fails, our rescue services are fantastic. Its not without risk, but as far as trails go, its very accommodating. You don’t need to ‘pack your fears’.
Why
In the last 25 years military organisations have funded a heap of studies into the effects of loaded carries in an attempt to reduce injury rates among troops.
“…lower-back pain, metatarsalgia, stress fractures and knee pain are due to increases in load and the kinematic adjustments to compensate for it.” (Musculoskeletal Lower Limb Injury Risk in Army Populations)
Each 10% increase in body-plus-pack weight (i.e. a 70kg person carrying a 7kg backpack) increases the forces on your knees by 20%, hip by 9.5% and foot by 7.5% (source) and also increased the metabolic demand (energy requirement) by 25% (source).
I’ve walked a bit over 4,000 km on the Bib in sections and end to end twice as well as another 10,000+ km on other trails. Something that is immediately clear is that many Bib hikers are carrying way too much and would be better off dropping a lot of pack weight. I’ve hiked the Bibbulmun very light and very heavy - carrying all of my food from start to finish. The former is much to be preferred.
On my unsupported hike, after the third day (14 days of food remaining) I was getting compliments on my small pack. This was concerning.
The average age on the Bibbulmun is around 50. If there’s one trail cohort that would benefit from lower weight, and therefore less impact, load, wear and tear, energy expenditure, discomfort etc. its this one. But for some reason we’re steadfastly sticking to traditional hiking gear and philosophies.
Outdoor gear in Australia is massively overpriced and just not that great. But lightweight gear doesn’t have to be any more expensive. Half of what can be accomplished will be simply leaving things at home. If youre just getting into hiking and researching gear - then go straight to what you should end up getting. Upgrading a tent twice is more expensive than just getting a high end one once.
What should I carry then if you’re so damn smart?
You should carry two shelters on the Bib. Whaat? A trekking pole tent and a mozzie net is an ideal, safe, comfortable setup for the Bibbulmun specifically. Tents are lightly used given the huts, but you still need one. Some temporary campsites might have no shelter, huts may be full, you might need to stop early, you want to avoid those snorers or you just prefer tents. But you commonly need mosquito protection when your in the huts. Its possible to set up trekking pole tent in a shelter but it can be annoying and takes up a lot of space.
A cheap, light, well designed tent is the Durston Xmid. $370 and 720g for a 1 person or $448 and 880g for a 2 person.
And your other “shelter” should be the sea to summit nano bug net (90g - 1 person, 155g - 2 person) or similar. They are light, tiny, easy to set up and take up no more space than your pads. they also add a tiny tiny bit of warmth and wind protection.
So shelters would be 810g for a single person, 517g per person for a 2 person setup! (Plus stakes)
Advanced/ultralight A solo hiker, especially one mainly staying in huts can pair the nano net with a ground sheet and tarp or a bivy with a tarp to save quite bit more weight by sacrificing a bit of rain protection and ease of use
A critique of the foundations gear list
DO NOT bring an 80 L pack. I forbid it. If you have the space, you tend to fill it.
Liners have a TERRIBLE warmth to weight ratio! Get an appropriately rated (comfort rated) bag. Wear all your clothes, sleep in your tent (warmer than huts). Ship this to a town express as a last resort if you need it.
general gear notes/tips
Beginner (applies to everyone)
Footwear
Boots are a poor choice for 99.9% of hikers on the Bib.
Popular footwear include Altra Lone Peaks, Hoka Speedgoats and Topo Ultraventure
Initial comfort when tried on is the best indicator of if a shoe will work for you.
Lace up and tap the end of your toes onto the ground. This mimics your foot sliding forward on steep descents. If your toes smacks into the ground hard, size up and save your nails.
Pull the insole out and put your foot on it, you want a decent match.
If you get blisters between your toes, use toe socks and/or tape.
If you get blisters on your heel, stop using boots, try a heel lock with your laces and check the edges of any in-soles
Do not bring a chair. Even if you usually do, there are chairs in shelters.
Take a pillow (one that works for you).
You wont need more than one set of hiking clothes and one a set of camp clothes (at most).
Check the rating of your sleeping bag - what you are interested in is the “comfort” rating - not limit or anything else. Woman generally take a few C off this.
There is no reason for a pack to be more than 40L (internal) on the Bibbulmun. If it cant fit in a 40L you are just bringing too much stuff. (Most pack volumes include external pockets).
Choose a pack after all your other gear is refined so you can gauge what volume is actually required.
Sleeping bag liners have a terrible warmth to weight ratio. Your bag may get slightly dirty but you can wash it after the hike.
Plan to get water at every shelter and resupply at every town.
A spoon or spork is the only utensil you need.
Don’t bother with deodorant. You and everyone will smell.
Shampoo and body wash shouldn’t be used in natural water sources and can be often scrounged in town when you need it. Don’t carry it.
Bring at least some Luekotape and apply over any hot spot immediately. Pre-tape known problem areas.
Guys - we chafe. I used up-sized compression shorts and take a small amount of body glide.
10K mAh batteries will suit all but influencer load requirements.
Carry some kind of EPIRB/GPS locator device
Intermediate (not necessary but recommended)
Basically everyone will benefit from trekking poles
I’ve never once worn snake gaiters on the Bib. The trail is clear and well maintained. But make your own call.
Physical maps and a compass aren’t needed if you use phone GPS and have an EPIRB.
Pants or shorts, either is fine, both is unnecessary.
Books might be nice for slower hikes but they’re very heavy. Read on your phone.
Jet boils are too heavy.
Quilts are warmer than sleeping backs for the weight and work well on the Bib.
Camp sandals are very heavy for the amount of comfort they give. Borderline acceptable in winter, but not otherwise.
Advanced (helpful for some)
Carrying a shelter isn’t needed if you plan around closed shelters etc. A bug shelter is often required.
If you’re mostly hiking and sleeping you wont need a puffy for camp and can just use a fleece.
Outside of winter, you might not need a fleece either.
If your fleece has a hood you dont really need a beanie.
You dont need a spare shirt for sleeping or in town. Hike and sleep in the same clothes.
Thermals have a very bad warmth to weight ratio. If you can sleep in your hiking gear or nothing, they’re not necessary.
I find rain or wind pants not necessary.
| Category | Traditional (not recommended!) | Lightweight | Ultralight |
|---|
| Category | Traditional (not recommended) | Lightweight (recommended for most) | Ultralight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack |
Osprey Atmos AG 65 $570 2200 g |
Mariposa 60 $480 970 g Kakwa 55 $405 860 g Long Haul 50 $500 920 g |
SWD SL40 $530 620 g Cutaway $560 520 g Pa'lante V2 $370 510 g |
| Shelter |
MSR Hubba Hubba NX $999 1470 g Mont Moondance $790 1490 g |
X-Mid 1P $373 720 g Lunar Solo $405 740 g The One $390 500 g |
X-Mid 1P Pro $995 440 g Plex Solo Lite $914 330 g Grace Solo DCF + Bivy $754 280 g |
| Hut Sleeping |
Tent inner $0 0 g |
S2S Nano Net Tent $80 90 g |
Make do $0 0 g Bug head net $0 20 g Bivy $0 0 g |
| Sleeping Bag |
Kathmandu Zenter -8C (actually -2C) $700 1100 g |
EE Revelation Apex -1C $350 700 g Neve Gear Waratah -2C $350 650 g |
Neve Gear Waratah Pro -2C $520 600 g EE Enigma (950, 7d) 4C $565 360 g |
| Sleeping Mat |
Therm-a-Rest Pro-lite $270 650 g MD Airlite 5.5 $180 600 g |
NeoAir Xlite $495 370 g NeoAir XLite RW $520 450 g |
Thinlight $34 76 g |
| Pillow |
Aeros Premium $70 100 g |
Trekology UL Pillow $45 76 g |
Stuff sack w/ clothes $0 Negligible |
| Cook System |
Jetboil Flash $180 400 g |
BRS-3000T + Toaks 550 $100 200 g |
Cold soak jar $15 100 g |
| Water Filter |
LifeStraw Flex $70 250 g |
Sawyer Squeeze $60 100 g |
Aquatabs $20 Negligible |
| Rain Gear |
GoreTex shell + pants $450 1000 g |
Zpacks Vertice $320 200 g |
Visp + skirt $200 150 g |
| Clothing (Extra) |
Fleece + thermals $250 1200 g |
Grid fleece + down vest $300 900 g |
Thermals + EE Torrid $330 600 g |
| Footwear |
Asolo TPS boots $400 1800 g |
Altra Lone Peak $250 900 g |
Altra Superior $250 700 g |
| Headlamp |
Petzl Actik Core $90 100 g |
Nitecore NU25 $60 50 g |
Nitecore NU25 $60 50 g |
| Pack Liner |
Ultra-Sil Dry Sack $60 100 g |
Trash Compactor Bag $5 60 g |
Nylofume Bag $3 30 g |
| Toiletries |
Full kit $30 300 g |
Minimal kit $15 150 g |
Dr. Bronner’s + tape $10 100 g |
| Electronics |
Phone + large powerbank $150 600 g |
Phone + Anker 10k $120 400 g |
Phone + NB10000 $130 300 g |
| First Aid |
Full kit $60 400 g |
Compact kit $40 200 g |
Essentials only $20 150 g |
| Misc. |
Notebook, compass, multitool $80 500 g |
Pen, tape, knife $50 300 g |
Mini knife + duct tape $10 200 g |
| Total Base Weight | ~13.7 kg / $3,920 | ~6.75 kg / $3,000 | ~4.03 kg / $2,398 |
| Category | Traditional (not recommended) Item – Price – Weight |
Lightweight (recommended for most) Item – Price – Weight |
Ultralight Item – Price – Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack | Osprey Atmos AG 65 – $570 – 2.2 kg |
Mariposa 60 – $480 – 0.97 kg Kakwa 55 – $405 – 0.86 kg Long Haul 50 – $500 – 0.92 kg |
SWD SL40 – $530 – 0.62 kg Cutaway – $560 – 0.52 kg Pa’lante V2 – $370 – 0.51 kg |
| Shelter |
MSR Hubba Hubba NX – $999 – 1.47 kg Mont Moondance – $790 – 1.49 kg |
X-Mid 1P – $373 – 0.72 kg Lunar Solo – $405 – 0.74 kg The One – $390 – 0.50 kg |
X-Mid 1P Pro – $995 – 0.44 kg Plex Solo Lite – $914 – 0.332 kg MLD Grace Solo DCF + Borah DCF Bivy – $754 – 0.28 kg |
| Hut Sleeping | Tent inner – $0 – 0 g | S2S Nano Net Tent – $80 – 90 g |
Make do – ~$0 – 0 g Bug head net – ~$0 – 20 g Bivy – ~$0 – 0 g |
| Sleeping Bag | Kathmandu Zenter -8C (really -2C) – $700 – 1.1 kg |
EE Revelation Apex -1C – $350 – 0.70 kg Neve Gear Waratah -2C – $350 – 0.65 kg |
Neve Gear Waratah Pro -2C – $520 – 0.60 kg EE Enigma (950fp, 7D) 4C – $565 – 0.36 kg |
| Sleeping Mat |
Therm-a-Rest ProLite – $270 – 0.65 kg MD Airlite 5.5 – $180 – 0.60 kg |
NeoAir Xlite – $495 – 0.37 kg NeoAir Xlite RW – $520 – 0.45 kg |
Thinlight – $34 – 76 g Thinlight (cut to torso) – $34 – 30 g |
| Pillow | Aeros Premium – $70 – 0.10 kg | Trekology UL Pillow – $45 – 76 g | Stuff sack with clothes – $0 – Negligible |
| Cook System | Jetboil Flash – $180 – 0.4 kg | BRS-3000T + Toaks 550 – $100 – 0.2 kg | Cold soak jar – $15 – 0.1 kg |
| Water Filter | LifeStraw Flex – $70 – 0.25 kg | Sawyer Squeeze – $60 – 0.1 kg | Aquatabs – $20 – Negligible |
| Rain Gear | Gore-Tex Shell + Pants – $450 – 1.0 kg | Zpacks Vertice – $320 – 0.2 kg | EE Visp + Skirt – $200 – 0.15 kg |
| Clothing (Extra) | Fleece + Thermals – $250 – 1.2 kg | Grid Fleece + Down Vest – $300 – 0.9 kg | Thermals + EE Torrid – $330 – 0.6 kg |
| Footwear | Asolo TPS Boots – $400 – 1.8 kg | Altra Lone Peak – $250 – 0.9 kg | Altra Superior – $250 – 0.7 kg |
| Headlamp | Petzl Actik Core – $90 – 0.1 kg | Nitecore NU25 – $60 – 0.05 kg | Nitecore NU25 – $60 – 0.05 kg |
| Pack Liner | Ultra-Sil Dry Sack – $60 – 0.1 kg | Trash Compactor Bag – $5 – 0.06 kg | Nylofume Bag – $3 – 0.03 kg |
| Toiletries | Full Kit – $30 – 0.3 kg | Minimal Kit – $15 – 0.15 kg | Dr. Bronner’s + Tape – $10 – 0.1 kg |
| Electronics | Phone + Large Powerbank – $150 – 0.6 kg | Phone + Anker 10k – $120 – 0.4 kg | Phone + NB10000 – $130 – 0.3 kg |
| First Aid | Full Kit – $60 – 0.4 kg | Compact Kit – $40 – 0.2 kg | Essentials Only – $20 – 0.15 kg |
| Miscellaneous | Notebook, Compass, Multitool – $80 – 0.5 kg | Pen, Tape, Knife – $50 – 0.3 kg | Mini Knife + Duct Tape – $10 – 0.2 kg |
| Total Base Weight | $3,920 – ~13.7 kg | $3,000 – ~6.75 kg | $2,398 – ~4.03 kg |
Resupply