One of the biggest backpacking trend in recent years is hiking light. It’s easier on your knees, shoulders and back and often results in a more enjoyable hike because of the comfort. The availability of lighter and multifunctional equipment can make your hiking backpack so much lighter than was possible ten years ago.
1. Look at your current gear
Take note of how much each of your gear weighs. Once you know what you have and how much they weigh you can see how much gear selection impacts the overall weight of your pack.
2. Take no more than what you need
If you think something is necessary then take it with you but you don’t have to take everything with you every time. Books, camping pads, fishing poles, binoculars and camp chairs are some of the popular luxury items backpackers frequently carry. Use lighter alternatives if you can or go without them.
3. Plan according to season and weather
Look at the temperature rating of your sleeping bag and make it is suitable for the season. Your other backpacking should be right for the season as well.
4. Buy lightweight equipment
If you can afford it, replace heavier gear with lighter ones. Try first to find lighter alternatives for your hiking pack, sleeping bag and shelter. Be careful with choosing a lightweight backpack because if the rest of your gear is still too heavy, it might cause damage to the pack.
5. Look for multi-functional equipment.
Your backpacking equipment should be treated as a system of components that can work together. The ability to recognize synergistic relationships between your gear, or to select gear that performs multiple uses, is a key skill in reducing your pack weight and increasing the level of simplicity in your approach to lightweight backpacking. One common approach is to use a poncho as both raingear and shelter.
6. Use down.
Down still has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetics. However, carrying down assumes that you possess the necessary skills and attentiveness to care for it in inclement weather – down provides precious little insulating value if it gets very wet. Down sleeping bags can be lighter than synthetic sleeping bags by as much as 2.5 pounds.
7. Wear a wind shirt
Wind shirts from GoLite, Montane, Marmot, and Ibex now weigh less than 3 ounces. Adding windbreakers to your clothing system can provide you with better warmth and comfort if you wear the right base layers underneath. The bottom line: a wind shirt extends the comfort range of your clothing system.
8. Share your backpacking gear
If you hike with a friend are many things you can share to reduce your overall pack weight. Try to be creative and you’ll find many things to things to share including sleeping bag, light, map and camping mat.
9. Develop your outdoor skills
If you have good outdoor skills you can get by easily with minimal camping gear. Facing challenges, and working through them, can allow you (over a period of years, probably) to comfortably reduce weight of your first aid and emergency kits, clothing, food, and other items. Attending backpacking clinics, survival programs and first aid courses helps.
10. Travelize
If you use travel-sized versions, not only will you save weight, you’ll also save on precious space. Use a smaller container than the original packaging if possible. Pack spices in miniature bags.
Reducing Your Pack Weight in Stages
Don’t cut down to the bare minimum in one go but gradually reduce your pack weight over a number of hikes. Be aware of the stuff that you really and the stuff that you don’t need at all. Going light is more of a process than a one-time task.
