3 Tips To Keep Your Backpack Light For Your Next Hike
Learn 3 ways to effectively reduce the weight of your backpack without sacrificing comfort.
The weight of the pack you carry on a backpacking trip will directly affect how much you enjoy the trip. Learn 3 ways to effectively reduce the weight of your backpack without sacrificing comfort.
1. Bring a sleeping liner to reduce the weight of your sleeping bag As a general rule, down sleeping bags will weigh less than synthetic. Summer sleeping bags also weigh less than winter bags simply because they use less insulating material.
One big weight saving tip is to bring a sleeping bag rated for warmer temperature than what you prefer. For example, instead of getting a 3 lb bag rated for 0 degree, you could get a 2lb bag rated for 15 degree instead.
But you might ask, "But I tend to get really cold at night...".
Well, a sleeping liner can add up to 10 degree to the temperature rating of your sleeping bag. It's very lightweight, and it packs small... less than the size of a Nalgene bottle. An added benefit is that it keeps your sleeping bag clean. It's also easier to wash than your sleeping bag.
Splurge for the silk one as it give more warmth for your bucks.
2. Bring easily available dehydrated food from the grocery store I've been on backpacking trips where I saw people opening canned tuna and fruit (and yes, they even brought a can opener). Their reasoning is that dehydrated-backpacking food is simply too expensive.
Eating cheap and delicious food during a backpacking trip is not a myth. It's more than possible to enjoy a warm, hearty meal without spending a fortune on those 5 dollars per pouch meal.
Coucous for example, is the most backpacking friendly food you can ever find. It doesn't require any cooking. Simply pour a cup of boiling water to a cup of couscous, and let it sit for 5 minutes. It's whole grain and very feeling.
Dehydrated soup, 2 minute pasta, tuna in a pouch, chicken in a pouch, baked ramen noodles, and 1 minute rice are also easily available at your local grocery stores. They're cheap and the combinations are limitless. Often all you need is a cup of hot water.
Which brings us to the next tip.
3. Invest in a water filter or water purification tablets and get water as you go Water is without a doubt, the heaviest thing per volume that you will have to carry. It is therefore worth investing in a light-weight water filter to give you the ability to filter water as you go. Unless your trip is in the desert, there will usually be plenty of spots where you can refill your water bottles -- drainage, rivers, lakes, etc.
The most lightweight option is a pack of water purification tablets. The only downside it that it takes time to prepare. But in terms of weight? It's unbeatable.
There are many other ways to lighten your load. Following these 3 tips will give you a good start on your way to become a much happier and faster hiker.
About The Author:More adventure tips can be found at Jack and Jill Travel The World and backpacking Denali National Park
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