One of the biggest backpacking trend in recent years is hiking light. They put less stress on your body and results in a more comfortable and enjoyable hike. The availability of lighter and multifunctional equipment can make your hiking backpack so much lighter than was possible ten years ago.

1. Analyze your current equipment kit
Take note of how much each of your gear weighs. This will help you get the big picture of how much gear selection impact the weight of your backpack.

2. Only pack what you need
It’s ok to carry luxury items but don’t take everything with you. Books, camping mattresses, fishing poles, binoculars and folding camping chairs are some of the popular luxury items backpackers frequently carry. 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. Base your gear on the season and weather
It doesn’t make sense to carry a zero degree sleeping bag and a four season tent on the Appalachian Trail in July. Your other backpacking should be right for the season as well.

4. Select the lightest equipment
If you can find lighter alternatives, replace your heavier gear. Try first to find lighter alternatives for your backpacking pack, sleeping bag and shelter. But don’t go too light with your pack until reducing the weight of the rest of your load - or your musculature will pay the price for an overloaded “ultralight” pack.

5. Use multifunctional gear.
Your overall gear should be able to 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 example is the use of your trekking pole as a tent pole.

6. Use down.
For the same amount of warmth, down is far lighter than the best synthetics. Down, however, lose their insulation when wet and drying them on the field is close to impossible. Down sleeping bags can be lighter than synthetic sleeping bags by as much as 2.5 pounds.

7. Wear a windbreaker
Many good windbreakers weigh less than three 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, you can pool resources, especially shelter and cooking gear. 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 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. You can also attend backpacking clinics, survival programs and first aid courses to aid you.

10. Travel Size
Travel sized versions of everything are lighter and smaller. Use a smaller container than the original packaging if possible. Sleep out in the backyard a lot. Especially on rainy or snowy or windy winter days.

Reducing Your Backpack Weight in Stages

To reduce your backpack weight, you need to do it gradually in stages. It takes experience for you to take note of the things you can leave behind and only carry what you need. It also depends on the weather and trail conditions. Just do it and eventually you’ll probably going to stick to hiking light.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!