10 Ways To Reduce Your Backpacking Pack Weight

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 calculate the weight cost of your gear selection.

2. The minimalist approach
Luxuries are allowed but don't carry unnecessary stuff that you will never use which are not related to safety. Books, camping mats, fishing poles, binoculars and camping chairs are some of the popular luxury items backpackers frequently carry. Use lighter alternatives if you can or go without them.

3. Base your gear on the season and weather
A zero degree sleeping bag won't be suitable in the summer. Carefully choose clothing, shelter, and sleeping bag that are appropriate for the season.

4. Buy lightweight equipment
Lighter alternatives are usually available as long as you can afford them. Put priority in finding lighter alternatives for your sleeping bag, backpack and tent. When choosing an ultralight backpack, make sure it can handle the whole weight of your gear.

5. Find items that have multiple uses.
Your overall gear should be able to work together. Multi-functional gear and the ability to recognize the synergistic relationships between your gear is one of the key skills to reduce your pack weight. For example, a poncho can be used as a shelter as well as raingear.

6. Choose sleeping bags and jackets made of down insulation.
For the same amount of warmth, down is far lighter than the best synthetics. The main disadvantage with down is that you need to be careful not to get it wet because they don't provide insulation when they do. Using down sleeping bags can save you up to 2.5 pounds compared to synthetic alternatives.

7. Windbreaker as an alternative to heavy coats
Windbreakers from brands like Marmot and GoLite today weigh less than 3 ounces. Wearing a windbreaker allows you to comfortably wear base layers underneath providing you with improved warmth and comfort. This bottom line is that a windbreaker extends the comfort range of your clothing system.

8. Sharing your camping gear
If you hike with a friend are many things you can share to reduce your overall pack weight. 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
If you have good outdoor skills you can get by easily with minimal camping gear. Acquiring outdoor skills can help you to comfortably reduce the weight of your safety kit, food, clothing and other gear. You can also attend backpacking clinics, survival programs and first aid courses to aid you.

10. Go travel-size
Travel-sized versions of soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc are lighter and smaller than full-sized versions. If you can't find these smaller-sized versions or refuse to buy them, transfer everything into smaller packages.

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. It takes experience to really become a true ultralight backpacker.