There are a few things I bring into canoe county that are either optional or not the lightest version of the item…basically, I am talking about the things that increase efficiency, and I’ll take the weight (or bulk) penalty. Not really luxuries - efficiencies.

Curious what others tote along for similar reasons?

First thing that comes to mind: Saw.

I will typically bring a heavier/bigger saw in the early season when I/we are likely to be the first through some ports, or when I am doing some bushwhacking. Can save considerable time when needed. Trips in the high summer or early fall with no bushwhacking I am bringing a 1.5oz tiny saw or no saw.

How about you?

Remember kids: Nothing weighs nothing.

If the weather forecast has a lot of rain and some cold temps, I'll pack my heavy duty fishing rain coat with gasket seals at the wrist instead of my light weight backpacking style rain jacket. Its significantly heavier, but will keep me bone dry and works great as an outer layer in cold windy weather.

I have a list of "fringe" items. They are in the truck but forecast and plan dictate if they make it in the boat.

>Hatchet - weather dependent (I always take the folding saw)
>Binoculars - Every time I don't take them, I want them. Ha!
>Eureka Bug Tent - leave most of the time.
>Canoe Seat - if many portages, stays in truck
>Back Up Stove - if fire ban, I may take (isobutane)
>3rd fishing rod - I love having a a trolling rod set up all the time. Will take if smallmouth is focus.
>Anchor Bag - later in the season fishing open water humps
>Camp Chair - typically comes with me
>Hip Waders - if portaging a bunch, they travel.
>Tent vs Hammock - this is really Jade or no Jade (dog)

I like to bring my Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Lantern - https://goalzero.com/products/lighthouse-600-lantern-usb-power-hub - it's 1.1 lbs, so there are much lighter lanterns out there, but I love the fact that this lantern seconds as a great power bank AND it's got a hand crank, so I know I'll never run out or power :)

Camp chair - every time
Hammock - when I’m not portaging much or with the family
Camp shoes - only when its cold, otherwise I am huge Chaco fan
Saw/hatchet - when weight isn’t an issue or cold enough to want a good fire.
Fishing gear - I always bring it. The net is the biggest luxury here but it only weighs 6.9 oz and Im thinking of making it lighter.

There might be a few others but these are the big ones

A second item I bring for efficiency's sake: the torch lighter.

Mentioned this in another thread: Mini Torch Lighter

Starts fires much, much faster than a regular lighter; no birch bark required.

At 1.5 oz, it is 4x the weight of a mini-bic...and I am still bringing one of those for backup.

But that extra ounce gives the gift of time.

The only things that might fall in that category for me:
E-vent compression sacks by Sea-to-Summit (there are definitely much lighter stuff sacks out there, but I love how easy it is to get all the air out, makes packing so quick and less bulky).
Merrill Moab boots (I’ve been asked why I don’t wear lighter footwear. My answer is I need my feet to be well protected by sturdy boots so I can move more safely and efficiently over the rough portages I seek out. Every time I’ve tested out something lighter weight, I am miserable).

I consider the weight, bulk and efficiency of every item I trip with. Weight and bulk contribute to my ability to single portage and efficiency impacts the success, comfort and enjoyment of the trip. If considering weight and bulk alone I would replace most of my equipment.

The most significant equipment items in which I allow efficiency to trump both weight and bulk are food protection and my shelter choices.

I prefer the security and convenience of approved bear resistant canisters to the lighter and more compact Ursacks or hanging for food protection.

I prefer freestanding shelters and tarps with poles and durable stakes.

Tomcat mentions preferring freestanding tents, and this got me thinking about efficiency thereof.

A number of us use trekking pole tents as they tend to be extremely lightweight. Mine (Durston X-mid Pro 2 @ 28 oz with poles & stakes) is also very fast to pitch....again, chose it in part to cut time setting up camp.

However it occurs to me that a freestanding tent can be more efficient if you want to reposition the tent on the pad or move it to another pad. Most trekking pole tents require that you stake it before putting the poles in place, so if you need to move it, it's a total do-over.

Food for thought.

straighthairedcurly: "E-vent compression sacks by Sea-to-Summit (there are definitely much lighter stuff sacks out there, but I love how easy it is to get all the air out, makes packing so quick and less bulky). "

I absolutely love my E-vent and how it is able to compress while staying waterproof. Decreasing bulk is the same thing as decreasing weight to me due to the effect of the weight being further from your body and the torque increasing the amount of force on your body to carry it.

The other tool I bring for efficiency is the Flextail inflator. The really understated use for this is deflating your air mattress so it packs smaller and quicker.

Additional stuff sacks that let me organize better and pack up camp quicker might fall in this category as well.

I pretty much feel like everything I take now is efficient. My Tarptent Moment ( semi freestanding) sets up in a couple of minutes, Ursack you just have a couple of knots, everything I cook just requires some boiling water, nothing really to clean just a rinse. Helinox zero chair my one luxury takes a minute to set up.

Good stuff!

Another efficiency item for me: Extra-large DIY pump sack for my sleeping pad. Basically, it’s a big leaf bag with the valve taped in. Fill the sac with air once or twice and that’ll fill the pad…takes 30-60 seconds, a nice timesaver over the much smaller inflation bag the manufacturer includes.

I actually have several DIY inflation/pump sacs for different pads/valves. They are all between 1 and 2oz.

The flextail inflator is interesting for the same reason - pretty quick, and as A1t2o points out, you can use to deflate as well (I had never considered that). And from an efficiency standpoint, you can do something else for that minute or two the inflator is operating. Downside: it is one more electronic item... Just spitballing; regardless - good discussion.

A1t2o: "The other tool I bring for efficiency is the Flextail inflator. "

I prefer the Flextail inflator to a pump sack. The weight and bulk difference is negligible and the Flextail is easier to use in the confined space inside a tent, especially a one person tent. I inflate and deflate my sleeping pad while inside my tent in order to keep it as clean and dry as possible. The inflator battery is also compatible with my headlamp.

I switched from using aluminum mini groundhog stakes to using titanium spike stakes. The titanium stakes are considerably heavier but I find the increased strength and durability worthwhile for use in the mostly rocky and hard conditions I often encounter in the bwca.

Last summer my partner accidentally center punched a hidden tree root.
This would have bent and damaged my aluminum stakes but we were able to remove his titanium stake undamaged except for the nylon line.

On the border route challenge I brought a heavier and bulkier headlamp than I normally bring. I brought a Nitecore HC65 headlamp which weighs 5.4 oz compared to my 1.5 oz Nitecore NU21. I knew I would be paddling, portaging, setting up and taking down camp in the dark during the trip and I wanted a headlamp bright enough to help me find portage landings and see clearly while portaging in the dark. It also needed a big enough battery to last a few hours on a bright setting between charges. And a bigger battery = more weight. So even though I wanted my pack to be as light as possible on that trip, the more robust headlamp was worth the weight and bulk for long travel days with the shorter daylight of mid September.

Another efficiency item that occurred to me:

Optics.

Binoculars are both for wildlife and also occasionally for identifying a campsite from a distance or even determining if it is occupied…this has on occasion saved me some unnecessary paddling at the end of the day.

While I am not willing to leave optics home, I may downgrade to a monocular for the weight savings.

In my experience monocular are close to useless in low light and even light waves, i.e. when hunting for an open site. For wild life I like binoculars with image stabilizer, but they weight a ton. Same goes for camera - the lighter it is the less reasons to carry it on the trip. In my opinion, minimalist travel style is bad for optics, or the other way around.