How to reduce your backpack’s weight?
Looking back at my backpack from two years ago, I wish I had known some more tips on keeping my backpack’s weight down. On a long distance hike, you will spend the majority of your day hiking. Even an extra 500g is very noticeable especially on uphills! This guide will provide tips to reduce your backpack weight whilst also indicating the cost required for each step (most steps will not break the bank!)
The size of your backpack should also reflect the duration of your trip. Day hikes will naturally require much smaller backpacks than long distance hikes.
Sleep system is key
Your base weight is largely controlled by the three key items:
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Tent
The largest weight savings can be found in these three items. Safety tip: do not compromise your safety to save weight. Always make sure to have a sleeping bag for the correct temperatures, and the same with sleeping pads and tents. Hiking in colder climates will require a much more robust sleep system.
Sleeping bag:
Down sleeping bags or quilt liners aren’t cheap but will save you heaps of weight whilst providing excellent insulation. I am currently using the Rab Alpine 400 down sleeping bag with great satisfaction.
Sleeping pad:
Lightweight sleeping pads are great not only for saving weight but also that they can compress down to a very small size to fit easily in your backpack. I am currently using the Big Agnes Rapide SL.
Tent:
The foundation of your sleep system, tents can come in all shapes and sizes. Trekking pole tents are the lightest available, using your trekking pole as a support for the tent. Hiking outside of winter in Europe allows you to bring a three-season tent. Three-season tents are thinner, smaller and lighter than four-season tents. Check your trail however, for example the Laugavegur trail in Iceland is notorious for high winds and cold temperatures that requires a sturdy tent. I am currently using the Nemo Hornet 2P.
2. Re-use an item for multiple purposes
Why carry two items when you can carry one item to do multiple tasks? Some examples are:
Cooking pot - used for boiling water and also eating from;
Trekking poles - for hiking and to provide support for your shelter
Compression sack - instead of a pillow, why not stuff your clothes into a compression sack and use it as a pillow instead;
Bandana - use as a towel, pot holder, head covering or even a sling for injuries.
Underpants - swimming during the hike? Why not swim in your underpants instead of carrying swimming trunks.
Look at each item in your backpack and think: how many uses could it have and could it be replaced by something more versatile?
3. Only pack the essentials
Long distance hiking can be long and exhausting, not packing items you won’t fully use is a really easy way to reduce the weight of your backpack.
Books - bulky and often you may be too tired to read them after your hike, e-readers are preferred if necessary.
Toiletries - going on a 3-day hike? You don’t need a full loo roll or 100ml toothpaste.
Excessive cooking gear - read my blog on what size gas canister to bring. You can save weight by eating in refuges where available. I have often found after a long day of hiking, a meal at a refuge can be hard to resist.
Gadgets - do you need a camera or is a phone fine? Do you need a tablet or nintendo switch? All these items add weight whilst not contributing to the execution of the hike itself.
Big towels - travel towels can pack down to a small size and dry much faster.
Heavy bottles - why bring multiple large thermoflasks, when a light plastic bottle with a water purifying system can do the job just fine?
4. Extra clothes
The fact is, your hygeine won’t be perfect on a long-distance hike. You will be sweaty and smelly, as will everybody else! So what does it matter if your clothes aren’t all new? Pyjamas as well aren’t needed when you can wear your hiking clothes to sleep. Check the weather forecast of the hike. Whilst it’s important to bring waterproof clothes, you don’t need to bring two of everything.
This has been my biggest saving in the last two years. I realised all I really need is two tops, one pair of trousers than convert to shorts, a down jacket and waterproofs (for spring / summer European hiking).
5. Reduce packaging
Essential for minimising bulk and weight together, eliminate packaging where possible. Some examples include:
First aid - remove all unecessary packaging and put items in one plastic bag;
Camera / drone - a dedicated bulky camera bag is not needed. Use a dry bag instead;
Food and snacks - remove packing where possible (i.e. you have a pack of 5 energy bars, remove the packaging keeping them together).
6. Plan water ahead of the hike
Some areas like the alps are heaven for glacial streams providing fresh water. Here, you likely can reduce your base water level and plan regular stops to use your water filtration system and top up your water. This can save a lot of weight. Always ensure you have enough water however.
In dryer areas, this may not be possible, check for your specific hike.
7. Pack heavier items closer to your back
The further away a heavy item (like your tent) is from your bag, the more it will push you backwards as you hike. This may give the impression that your bag is heavier and less stable than it really is. In addition, this is an important step to minimising strain and injury in the long term.
Once you have packed your bulky, heavier items close to your back, the smaller items can easily be fitted in the backpack after.
8. Add up your backpack’s weight
A great sense check before leaving for your hike is to add up the weight of all your items and see what is causing the most weight. By putting it into a spreadsheet, you will be able to clearly see where weight should be reduced.
Weighmygear is a great tool that does this for you.
