Pack Light for Backpacking

The best thing you can do for backpacking (a mix between camping and hiking) is to go as light as you can. You will feel the difference this makes once you are out on a trail. Here are a few things you can do.

Scrutinize each piece of gear you plan on taking. Figure out what is necessary and what can you can do without. A lot of gear can serve many uses. Ask yourself if these items are worth your back hurting if you decide to carry them. Then look for the smallest and lightest weight gear. Many of the more expensive items are better made and turn out to be better in the long run. Check for the multiple use of an item because often times it will save you from bringing extra items that you won’t need.

Here are some suggestions for proper placement when backing your camping gear. Pack camping gear in logical groups and stuff sacks in little bags. Be careful when packing smaller items, they can poke if packed too loosely or shift position when hiking and even get lost in your backpack. Start with putting sleeping bags on the bottom. They can help reduce the stress on your shoulders. Heavy items should be packed horizontally across the width of the backpack so the weight is equally distributed. Leave the heaviest items closest to the middle of your back. Water bottles go in the side pockets it is best to have one on each side of the pack. Poles for the tent should go in a side pocket and are secured with compression straps. These straps press the load closer to the frame of the pack for better balance and weight transfer with the majority of the weight being near your back. This helps have a more comfortable hike. The tent body goes nicely in an external mesh pocket or at the bottom of a backpack. Items that are used often during the day should be kept on a hip belt pocket or side pocket. Spare clothing is best kept at the top where you can get to them without unpacking. Fill all empty space in your backpack. This will give the pack structure and stop the gear from shifting when you walk. A fully loaded backpack should not tilt or twist.

Analyzing your camping gear before, during and after each hike, in other words, all the time is good practice. Looking through your gear piece by piece.to notice whether it was necessary to bring them at all. Look at how you wear your clothes to reduce the weight. In the process of camping or hiking find all the unnecessary items. I guarantee you that you will find new things to discard every trip. The more backpacking one does the more things you will find to discard. Of course starting out with manufactured lightweight camping gear is the way to go.

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