There's no denying it: backpacking is more fun when your backpack is lighter. To help you decide what you can live without, here's a list of things I used to carry but don't anymore. Learn from my mistakes!
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No matter how many days or weeks your trip is, you only need one base layer shirt. It helps if that shirt is merino wool, which is very breathable and naturally stink-resistant.
Extra Shirts
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Cute and absorbent, but solves a very temporary problem. Now, when I do my mini-shower at camp I just towel off with a spare layer or wait to air-dry. There's usually no need to use that much water anyway.
Camp Towel
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Let's be clear: it's important to bury our poop (and pack out used TP). But you don't usually need a trowel to do it. Rocks, shoes, and hiking poles all work, unless the ground is super hard and rocky.
Potty Trowel
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Unless needed for water crossings, I've stopped carrying camp sandals while backpacking. I wear lightweight trail running shoes which are comfy and breathable, so I rarely feel a need to take them off at camp.
Camp Shoes
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This interactive trip planning guide is packed with checklists, key questions, and recommendations to take the worry out of planning your first or biggest backpacking trip.