I'm not 100% sure where I'm going with this so apologies in advance
I was reading something and the author kept referring the their kit as being a system ... if he changed one part then that might have a knock on effect and he'd then need to alter something else he was carrying. He seemed to have it all worked out, almost like he had a mental flow chart. Each item had to work with and compliment all the other items.
A change of shelter may require a change of sleeping bag, which in turn might mean changing sleeping mat, etc, etc.
Anyone think / work like this? I think I might be too lazy :D
Yes, but I formed that habit from alpinism. Biggest issue thinking this way, the huge stack of gear sat in the attic! I've already got gear lists planned for WRT based on weather and shelter taken, is it quilt or sleeping bag, quilt rules out a certain mat, sleeping bag means it gets to be used. Some things though are a complete system in their own right, like my stove setup.
If your kit is so closely dependent on other items, isn't there a possibility that a single point of failure will render the whole thing useless? Not sure if what you're suggesting is quite that closely related as that, but it bears thinking about. E.g., if you use a hammock but have to sleep in the open, will your quilt be up to the job?
If my tarp failed, my bivvy bag isn't really designed to withstand 'substantial' weather so I would need to seek natural shelter of some form. If this then meant my down sleeping bag became wet it would be rendered pretty cold and a down vest isn't going to offer much emergency insulation either.
