Hiking lighter – how to reduce the weight of that backpack

The summer is here and it is time to make the most of the great outdoors. The rain won’t last forever, so why not make up your mind to put the drizzly start to the season behind you, pack a backpack and head off to enjoy all that nature has to offer. Anyone with experience of camping and hiking will have firsthand knowledge of just how much beauty there is out there to behold. From lush green forests to the cool lake depths you can find magnificence everywhere if you happen to turn the correct corner.

Of course if you are heading out with a backpack and not much else, then you will want to make sure that you are not weighed down and forced to shift about unnecessary ballast on your trip. Thankfully there are a number of ways to make sure your pack is as light as possible and I have outlined some of the best ways to shave off a few pounds below.

Invest in a lightweight tent

If you are planning on going camping on a fairly regular basis, at least a good few times a year, then it makes sense to invest in a good quality lightweight tent. Of course there are some splendid cheap tents available on the market that will more than suffice for some campers. For example, if you’re heading to a festival and are quite happy to leave your tent behind so it can go to charity, then that’s great. However, if you’re looking for a light tent that won’t be a pain to carry around, then plan to invest a bit of money and buy the best you can afford. More expensive tents will weigh less and last longer, meaning a saving in the long run.

Pots and pans

Find special pots, pans, plates and cutlery that are designed for camping. They will be made out of light material and will be perfect for travelling with. For goodness sake don’t take your kitchen saucepan with you!

Folding chairs

If you are taking a car on your camping trip, then taking a folding chair with you is no problem. However, if you are on foot then it can be cumbersome and unwieldy. Consider making do with sitting on a sleeping mat outside, or using your sleeping bag for some extra comfort.

Sleeping bags

Much like tents, cheap sleeping bags can be large and heavy. If you are planning on going camping in the future then consider investing in a decent make and model so you can save yourself having to schlep about the country with a bag that’s as big as you even when rolled up, and twice as heavy.

Invite a friend!

Camping is always better when there are a few of you to have some fun, and while it might sound obvious, many hands make light work. Taking an extra person with you means less for everyone to carry – good news all-round!

This post was contributed by Francis Lawson a freelance writer who loves the great outdoors and enjoys it with the help of their bike and pop up tent.