Lightweight hiking is getting more popular each year. Light backpackers cover more miles and enjoy more for obvious reasons. Lighter and multifunctional equipment makes ultralight backpacking so much more easier to do today than ever before.
1. What backpacking equipment do you currently have?
Write down what you have and the corresponding weight. You need to weigh your gear to find the actual weight. You may find that the actual weight is not the same as what the manufacturer states. This will help you calculate the weight cost of your gear selection.
2. Take everything that you need and no more
Luxuries are allowed but don't carry unnecessary stuff that you will never use especially when they are not related to safety. Luxuries like books, binoculars, camp chairs, camping mats are common among backpackers. Use lighter alternatives if you can or go without them.
3. Plan your gear according to the weather and season
A really warm down sleeping bag is not suitable in summer. Your other backpacking gear should be right for the season as well.
4. Buy lightweight equipment
If you can find lighter alternatives, replace your heavier gear. Put priority in finding lighter alternatives for your sleeping bag, backpack and tent. When choosing an ultralight backpack, make sure it can handle the whole weight of your gear.
5. Find items that have multiple uses.
Your overall gear should be able to work together. Multi-functional gear and the ability to recognize the synergistic relationships between your gear is one of the key skills to reduce your pack weight. One common approach is to use a poncho as both raingear and shelter.
6. Use down.
For the same amount of warmth, down is far lighter than the best synthetics. However, one big disadvantage with down is that they lose their insulation when wet so you need to be careful. Replacing your synthetic sleeping bag with a down alternative can save you as much as two-and-a-half pounds.
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. This bottom line is that a windbreaker extends the comfort range of your clothing system.
8. Sharing your camping gear
Hiking a group allows you to share your camping gear within the group. If you're creative enough there are many things you can share to keep the pack weight low.
9. Develop your outdoor skills
If you have good outdoor skills you can get by easily with minimal camping gear. Acquiring outdoor skills can help you to comfortably reduce the weight of your safety kit, food, clothing and other gear. There are backpacking clinics and survival programs that can help you.
10. Measure out portions of all consumables
Travel-sized soap, toothpaste, etc are lighter than standard sizes. Try to minimize packaging and pack spices in small miniature bags.
Reducing Your Pack Weight in Stages
Gradually reduce your pack weight over a number of hikes rather than in one go. Find out on a hiking trip which gear you can live without. Going light is more of a process than a one-time task.
