WHY TRY LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING?
Hiking in beautiful places is better when our shoulders, knees, and feet don't hurt. These backpacking tips will help you enjoy the wilderness pain-free while still carrying all the gear you need to stay safe and comfortable.
LEAVE BEHIND UNNEEDED GEAR
1
What do deodorant, pillows, and towels have in common? You don't actually need them while backpacking! Learn how to make the most of multi-use gear and stop packing your fears.
PLAN YOUR MENU CAREFULLY
2
Food is heavy! Optimize your backpacking menu by choosing calorie-dense dehydrated foods, packing the right amount, and removing extra packaging.
CHOOSE LIGHTWEIGHT GEAR
3
Not all lightweight backpacking gear is expensive. Look for weight-saving alternatives like sleeping quilts and tarps to save weight while staying warm and cozy on the trail.
TRY LIGHTWEIGHT SHOES
4
An often overlooked source of energy-sapping weight: your feet! Try backpacking in trail running shoes to save energy with every step and help keep your feet dry and blister-free.
KNOW YOUR WATER SOURCES
5
Water is really heavy, and running out is bad. Carry enough, but know when your next refill opportunity is so you don't carry many pounds of extra water for no reason.
Because backpacking is supposed to be fun!
Find these and many more actionable steps at Exploring Wild's guide to