By the 1960s and a century later, people were carrying up to 50 to 70 pounds of backpacks. Modern materials however are lightweight and perform as a multitasking essential. Be it your food, your gear, or the clothing, it is important to pack lightweight so that it is easier to travel with.

What is ultra-light backpacking?

There is no definite definition for ultra-light backpacking. It is more a frame of mind and the arbitrary pack weight which helps you carry your belongings while your travel around and explore the wilderness.

If you are looking to lighten the load on the trail, here are a few tips to consider:

  1. Replace old gear with light gear

If you are carrying around old gear with more item weight, it is important to pay attention ro each of the item’s weight. You can start at a base weight of about 10 pounds. Once the weight gets overbearing, you can check which ones are the most important and to check the gear which is not required during the trip to loosen up a bit.

 

  1. Understand the tradeoffs

If you are trying to lose different items in order to curate your backpack in a little less heavy manner, you can check what kind of tradeoffs you are making. Ultralight gear would be durable or comfortable than the conventional gear.

 

  1. Weigh your gear

Your gear’s weight should be checked before starting the adventure. If you are willing to start with a light base weight, check for the base weight and then keep adding small items which are the most essential. Then keep putting new items as per the weight.

 

  • Go Light with the Big Four

One of the most essential items while backpacking is the big four, the backpack, the shelter, the sleeping bag and the sleeping pad. Consider checking the weight of the most essential items before the process of backpacking. If you are willing to curate your own pad with a non-professional kit, it is important to be thorough with the steps. You can also make use of various other items which will be useful such as the torchlight, snacks, and so on.

But, by far the most important things to consider while packing light are the different types of shelter including tarps, bivy sacks, hammocks, and more.

Check the weight of the sleeping back and the insulation. Most of the time, it is lighter and has a synthetic fill which makes it easier to pack it light.

  • Water, Food, and Fuel

The other items which are one of the most important aspects while packing are the food, the fuel, and the water. If there are options of tablet or canister stoves, you can take a note of the weight. Integrated canister stove system is one such backpacking item which can be useful for two or more people.

Coming to food, be conscious of calories and stay hydrated all the time. Do your own packaging and know what goes where, be it a sandwich or nutri-bar snacks. You can rehydrate some of the food using cold water and let it sit for an hour or two.

Leave the camp in the morning by drinking a good amount of water. It is also important to note that the source of the water should be searched or looked for after your reach the campsite. This is one way to carry your water whenever you feel the weight is a bit light and refill it whenever you are able to.

Use collapsible water bottles which are good to hold a large amount of water and do not take up much space when unused.