Hiking with a light backpack is steadily increasing in popularity over the years. Less weight doesn't mean that you leave essential equipment behind and that you have to sacrifice comfort. Even with less equipment or lighter equipment you can be in much greater comfort than the average backpacker. With lighter modern gear, it's so much easier to do than before.
1. Look at your current gear
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 get the big picture of how much gear selection impact the weight of your backpack.
2. Take everything that you need and no more
I don't advocate leaving luxuries behind; just don't take all of them. Books, sleeping pads, fishing poles, binoculars and folding camp chairs are some of the popular luxury items backpackers frequently carry. Always be on a lookout for lighter alternatives and decide if you can really go without these luxuries.
3. Base your gear on the season and weather
A zero degree sleeping bag won't be suitable in the summer. Carefully look at your clothing, shelter, and sleeping bag, to make sure that it's appropriate for the season.
4. Take lightweight gear
Next (financial resources permitting), begin to replace your heavier gear with lighter items. Try first to find lighter alternatives for your backpacking pack, sleeping bag and shelter. When choosing an ultralight backpack, make sure it can handle the whole weight of your gear.
5. Use multifunctional gear.
Your gear should be compatible to each other. It's an important skill to be able to recognize the relationship between your gear and to select multi-functional items. You can, for example, use a poncho as a shelter as well as raingear.
6. Select lightweight insulation.
Down still has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetics. You need to be careful with down though because if it gets wet, it provides you with zero insulation. Replacing your synthetic sleeping bag with a down alternative can save you as much as two-and-a-half pounds.
7. Choose a windbreaker
Wind shirts from GoLite, Montane, Marmot, and Ibex now weigh less than 3 ounces. Addition of a wind shirt to your clothing system can add tremendous comfort and significant warmth, allowing you to wear lighter base layers. A windbreaker extends the comfort range of your clothing system.
8. Sharing your backpacking equipment
Hiking with a friend allows you to share some gear like a tent or cooking gear for example. There are also other things you can share in a group that can keep the groups overall pack weight down.
9. Improve your outdoor skills
Reducing the amount of camping gear becomes easy when you an expert in backcountry hiking and camping. Acquiring outdoor skills can help you to comfortably reduce the weight of your safety kit, food, clothing and other gear. Attending backpacking clinics, survival programs and first aid courses helps.
10. Travelize
Travel sized versions of everything are lighter and smaller. Get an insect repellent in smaller bottles, use travel-sized soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Sleep out in the backyard a lot. Especially on rainy or snowy or windy winter days.
Reducing Pack Weight in Stages
Gradually reduce your pack weight over a number of hikes rather than in one go. Take note of the things that you can never leave behind and which ones you can live without. Once you have your pack weight down, you'll be enjoying your hike a lot better.
