| Lightweight hiking is getting more popular each | | | | poncho as both raingear and shelter. |
| year. Light backpackers cover more miles and | | | | 6. Use down. |
| enjoy more for obvious reasons. Lighter and | | | | For the same amount of warmth, down is far |
| multifunctional equipment makes ultralight | | | | lighter than the best synthetics. However, one big |
| backpacking so much more easier to do today | | | | disadvantage with down is that they lose their |
| than ever before. | | | | insulation when wet so you need to be careful. |
| 1. What backpacking equipment do you currently | | | | Replacing your synthetic sleeping bag with a down |
| have? | | | | alternative can save you as much as |
| Write down what you have and the | | | | two-and-a-half pounds. |
| corresponding weight. You need to weigh your | | | | 7. Use a windbreaker |
| gear to find the actual weight. You may find that | | | | A lot of good windbreakers or wind shirts weigh |
| the actual weight is not the same as what the | | | | as little as 3 ounces. Windbreakers give you |
| manufacturer states. This will help you calculate | | | | tremendous comfort and warmth and allows you |
| the weight cost of your gear selection. | | | | to wear lighter base layers. This bottom line is |
| 2. Take everything that you need and no more | | | | that a windbreaker extends the comfort range of |
| Luxuries are allowed but don't carry unnecessary | | | | your clothing system. |
| stuff that you will never use especially when they | | | | 8. Sharing your camping gear |
| are not related to safety. Luxuries like books, | | | | Hiking a group allows you to share your camping |
| binoculars, camp chairs, camping mats are | | | | gear within the group. If you're creative enough |
| common among backpackers. Use lighter | | | | there are many things you can share to keep the |
| alternatives if you can or go without them. | | | | pack weight low. |
| 3. Plan your gear according to the weather and | | | | 9. Develop your outdoor skills |
| season | | | | If you have good outdoor skills you can get by |
| A really warm down sleeping bag is not suitable in | | | | easily with minimal camping gear. Acquiring |
| summer. Your other backpacking gear should be | | | | outdoor skills can help you to comfortably reduce |
| right for the season as well. | | | | the weight of your safety kit, food, clothing and |
| 4. Buy lightweight equipment | | | | other gear. There are backpacking clinics and |
| If you can find lighter alternatives, replace your | | | | survival programs that can help you. |
| heavier gear. Put priority in finding lighter | | | | 10. Measure out portions of all consumables |
| alternatives for your sleeping bag, backpack and | | | | Travel-sized soap, toothpaste, etc are lighter than |
| tent. When choosing an ultralight backpack, make | | | | standard sizes. Try to minimize packaging and |
| sure it can handle the whole weight of your gear. | | | | pack spices in small miniature bags. |
| 5. Find items that have multiple uses. | | | | Reducing Your Pack Weight in Stages |
| Your overall gear should be able to work | | | | Gradually reduce your pack weight over a number |
| together. Multi-functional gear and the ability to | | | | of hikes rather than in one go. Find out on a hiking |
| recognize the synergistic relationships between | | | | trip which gear you can live without. Going light is |
| your gear is one of the key skills to reduce your | | | | more of a process than a one-time task. |
| pack weight. One common approach is to use a | | | | |