| Backpacking involves walking long distances with | | | | provide light. A candle can be used to help start a |
| heavy gear on your back. That is the essence of | | | | stubborn fire and works as a great waterproofing |
| the sport, but it does not have to be the reason | | | | agent. They are lightweight and you will barely |
| why you give it up or can no longer do it. You do | | | | even notice if you add them to your pack. Plus |
| not have to struggle with heavy equipment. | | | | they are much better than carrying a heavy |
| There are things you can do to make your | | | | lantern. |
| backpack lighter and reduce the strain on your | | | | Duct tape is commonly know around the house |
| body. | | | | as the ultimate 'do-it-all' tool. Duct tape is strong |
| By using items that can be used in multiple ways, | | | | and durable. A roll can last you a long time and it |
| you will lower the number and, thus, the weight | | | | has many helpful uses. It can be used to insulate, |
| of items in your backpack. This is great for | | | | as a wrap for a bandage and repairing tents, |
| someone who simply can not handle the weight | | | | backpacks and almost everything else. Duct tape |
| or who is suffering from back problems due to | | | | should always be a part of your backpacking gear. |
| the weight of their backpack. | | | | Another lightweight and easy to pack multiple use |
| It is actually quite easy to figure ways to get | | | | piece of gear are safety pins. Safety pins can |
| more than one use out of some typical | | | | come in helpful to secure bandages, act as |
| backpacking gear. You can likely use many of the | | | | clothespins or hooks to hang items and as a stand |
| items you already carry and be able to eliminate | | | | in fish hook. |
| the use of other items you carry. Additionally, | | | | Plastic placemats are also lightweight and easy to |
| there are other pieces of gear that have multiple | | | | pack. Plastic placemats can be used in a variety of |
| uses, too. In fact, you probably already are using | | | | ways. Instead of sitting on blankets and getting |
| pieces of your gear in more than one way | | | | them wet, use a placemat. Use it to set your |
| without even realizing it. | | | | shoes on, so you do not get dirt and mud in your |
| You may not be parachuting on your backpack | | | | tent. You can also invent other uses, like a fly |
| trip but a parachute cord is a usefully piece of | | | | swatter or to prepare food on. |
| gear is lightweight and offers a few different | | | | You may find that you can cut your gear down |
| uses. It can be used as a clothesline or to tie your | | | | by several pieces by simply using multifunctional |
| food bag up when camping overnight. You can | | | | gear. You can also take out items that the |
| also use it in case of an emergency to tie a splint | | | | multi-use gear is replacing. The idea is to go with |
| in place. To pack it you loosely wind it up and | | | | items that are lightweight and can be used in |
| hook it to the outside of your pack. | | | | many different ways. It takes some creative |
| You may have brought candles along just for a | | | | thinking, but you will be able to do it. |
| little extra lighting, but candles do more than | | | | |