How to reduce your backpacking pack weight - 10 ways
Lightweight hiking is getting more popular each year. Less weight doesn't mean that you leave essential equipment behind and that you have to sacrifice comfort. Even with less equipment or lighter equipment you can be in much greater comfort than the average backpacker. Lighter and multifunctional equipment makes it much more easier to do today than ever before.
1. Have a closer look at your current gear
The key to change is to analyze your current situation first. What available gear do you have and how much do they weigh?. This will help you get the big picture of how much gear selection impact the weight of your backpack.
2. Take everything that you need and no more
Don't leave behind what is necessary for your comfort; just don't take all of them. Backpackers like to carry luxury items such as camping mats, binoculars, books, camping mattress and electronics.. If you can find lighter alternatives than use those instead. Balance between what would make comfortable at camp versus how much weight you can comfortably carry.
3. Make sure your gear applies to the season and weather
A zero degree sleeping bag won't be suitable in the summer. Not all clothing, shelter and sleeping bag are suitable for every season.
4. Buy lightweight equipment
Next (financial resources permitting), begin to replace your heavier gear with lighter items. Try first to find lighter alternatives for your backpack, sleeping bag and shelter. An ultralight pack may not be able to withstand load that is too heavy so make sure you reduce the overall load too.
5. Look for items that have multiple uses.
Your backpacking equipment should be treated as a system of components that can work together. One of the key skills in reducing your pack weight is to recognize the functional relationship between your gear or to select gear that has multiple functionalities. You can, for example, use a poncho as a shelter as well as raingear.
6. Choose down sleeping bags and down jackets.
Down is still the best insulation for sleeping bags and clothing because they're warmer and lighter than the best synthetics. Down, however, lose their insulation when wet and drying them on the field is close to impossible. You can save as much as 2.5 pounds if you use down sleeping bags instead of synthetics.
7. Use a windbreaker
A lot of good windbreakers or wind shirts weigh as little as 3 ounces. Windbreakers give you tremendous comfort and warmth and allows you to wear lighter base layers. A windbreaker extends the comfort range of your clothing system.
8. Share your backpacking gear
Hiking with a friend allows you to share some gear like a tent or cooking gear for example. With some creativity you can extend the concept further - sleeping bags, ground sheets, light, maps, camera.
9. Develop your outdoor skills
If you have good outdoor skills you can get by easily with minimal camping gear. There are many ways to acquire these but nothing beats experience. It helps if you attend backpacking clinics, survival courses and and first aid courses.
10. Pack your camping supplies in smaller portions
People often carry too much of their personal hygiene stuff like shampoo and soap. To save weight and space you can instead put them in smaller containers or use travel-sized versions.
Reducing Your Pack Weight in Stages
Reducing pack weight should be done in stages. Be aware of the stuff that you really and the stuff that you don't need at all. It takes experience for you to be able to cut down to the bare minimum.
1. Have a closer look at your current gear
The key to change is to analyze your current situation first. What available gear do you have and how much do they weigh?. This will help you get the big picture of how much gear selection impact the weight of your backpack.
2. Take everything that you need and no more
Don't leave behind what is necessary for your comfort; just don't take all of them. Backpackers like to carry luxury items such as camping mats, binoculars, books, camping mattress and electronics.. If you can find lighter alternatives than use those instead. Balance between what would make comfortable at camp versus how much weight you can comfortably carry.
3. Make sure your gear applies to the season and weather
A zero degree sleeping bag won't be suitable in the summer. Not all clothing, shelter and sleeping bag are suitable for every season.
4. Buy lightweight equipment
Next (financial resources permitting), begin to replace your heavier gear with lighter items. Try first to find lighter alternatives for your backpack, sleeping bag and shelter. An ultralight pack may not be able to withstand load that is too heavy so make sure you reduce the overall load too.
5. Look for items that have multiple uses.
Your backpacking equipment should be treated as a system of components that can work together. One of the key skills in reducing your pack weight is to recognize the functional relationship between your gear or to select gear that has multiple functionalities. You can, for example, use a poncho as a shelter as well as raingear.
6. Choose down sleeping bags and down jackets.
Down is still the best insulation for sleeping bags and clothing because they're warmer and lighter than the best synthetics. Down, however, lose their insulation when wet and drying them on the field is close to impossible. You can save as much as 2.5 pounds if you use down sleeping bags instead of synthetics.
7. Use a windbreaker
A lot of good windbreakers or wind shirts weigh as little as 3 ounces. Windbreakers give you tremendous comfort and warmth and allows you to wear lighter base layers. A windbreaker extends the comfort range of your clothing system.
8. Share your backpacking gear
Hiking with a friend allows you to share some gear like a tent or cooking gear for example. With some creativity you can extend the concept further - sleeping bags, ground sheets, light, maps, camera.
9. Develop your outdoor skills
If you have good outdoor skills you can get by easily with minimal camping gear. There are many ways to acquire these but nothing beats experience. It helps if you attend backpacking clinics, survival courses and and first aid courses.
10. Pack your camping supplies in smaller portions
People often carry too much of their personal hygiene stuff like shampoo and soap. To save weight and space you can instead put them in smaller containers or use travel-sized versions.
Reducing Your Pack Weight in Stages
Reducing pack weight should be done in stages. Be aware of the stuff that you really and the stuff that you don't need at all. It takes experience for you to be able to cut down to the bare minimum.
