6 Fundamentals to Cutting Backpack Weight
Your plans for that great adventure are set. A remote destination is awaiting. You’ve invited your best friends and the food has all been purchased.
Now the question comes, where are you going to put everything? You want all that food, but you also need to bring the first aid kit. And your back can only handle so much.
So how can we lighten your pack?
Well, heres the 6 fundamentals to cutting backpack weight:
Fundamental #1 - Big things first. If you replace a 3 pound sleeping bag with a 1 pound bag you save 2 pounds! if you get rid of your 9 pound tent and use a 1 pound you save 8 pounds! That’s 10 pounds and we’ve only just begun.
Fundamental #2 - Find multiple uses for one item. The more uses you can find for one item the less items you’ll have to take.
Fundamental #3 - Find the lightest and smallest gear you can. Take a smaller LED flashlight or headlamp, consider taking an old Gatorade bottle instead of those big wide- mouth Lexan bottles. And don’t forget lightweight cook pots or just one pot and use zip-lock bags to mix and eat in. By themselves these substitutions may not seem like much, but in combination they add up.
Fundamental #4 - Use a smaller backpack. We have a tendency to use the space if we have it, but if theres no room than you wont bring as much. I remember when I finally stopped use the big multi-day packs and how much easier it was to pack. Basically, I started using only one pair of clothes and socks became by only extras.
Fundamental #5 - Just don’t bring it. If you don’t pack it you cut the weight for that item by 100%.
Fundamental #6 - Analyze what you take. Finally, take time before, during, & after each hike to inventory your gear and packing habits. Keep equipment lists and analyze what you used and didn’t use at the end of every trip. You may be surprised at the amount of unnecessary weight that you carry. In time, you will see patterns and ways to shave weight, but keep in mind it is a process and takes some time to get the hang of it.
I remember this one guy who would pack extra of everyhting. It got to the point where I quit bringing half my stuff, because I knew I could borrow it from him.
I remember I was almost to the point of just bringing my pillow in my pack, when he figured it out and decided to go lightweight. Well, all good things must come to an end.
In closing, I hope this article helps you lighten your load!