Saving weight when hiking – five key tips
Ruedi Thomi
Hiking is demanding enough: you don’t need a heavy backpack to make it even harder! We’ve put together a few tips for you so you can save weight and keep your backpack nice and light.
When your hikes involve making great gains in elevation, you don’t necessarily need to carry a heavy backpack. If your adventure entails carrying lots of equipment for a long time, it’s worth opting for lightweight models with a small packing size. Your backpack, tent, sleeping back and sleeping mat, in particular, are great places to trim down the weight.
Even on shorter hikes, though, you can save weight by packing your backpack correctly. We’ve put together a few tips so you can leave unnecessary items at home and keep your backpack as light as possible on your hike.
Our tips to keep your backpack light
Small packing volume
You’ll always fill a big backpack, so pick one with a small packing volume. This means you won’t even be tempted to try and add a couple of extra bits and bobs. You’ll automatically carry less and have a better overview of your equipment, too.
Leave rubbish at home
Cereal bars taste just as nice if you don’t transport them in their cardboard box, and toilet paper will stay rolled up even without its inner tube. Remove anything unnecessary and leave it at home: you’ll be amazed how much weight this saves! Getting rid of packaging, in particular, is a great way to save weight.
Plan your food and drink
Before you set off, find out where you can fill up your drinking bottle. If you can refill it, a one-litre bottle is more than enough for a multi-day hike. Are there huts where you can have a meal or shops where you can restock your supplies? If so, you only need to take what you require for the day. Plus, you’ll have the chance to enjoy regional delicacies and talk to locals.
Share things within your group
If you’re travelling in a pair or as a group, it’s worth discussing your packing list ahead of time. You can share a two-man tent, one first aid kit is more than enough and you don’t need more than one GPS device, either.
Put together the right combinations
Don’t pack much, but ensure that what you pack is versatile. You can wear tops on their own or with others, for instance. Use long briefs as pyjama bottoms, while the neck warmer that protects your neck from draughts during the day can serve as an eye mask at night. And if you’re out for several days, use a versatile, biodegradable all-in-one-soap for washing.
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