If you like to hike or trek over 20 miles in a day you will know how the weight of the gear you carry with you is a very significant factor. Most experienced backpackers will know that you can reduce your weight by concentrating on the three most important items: your backpack, your sleeping bag and your shelter.
So you will want to leave your huge 10 pound tent and snug 5 pound sleeping bag at home and get yourself the lightest backpack you can find.
Believe it or not you can find some exceptionally high quality backpacks that weigh in at less than five ounces. This is no exaggeration. Most bags like this will have a capacity of around 1500 to 1800 cubic inches which will enable you to carry about 15 pounds of equipment. This capacity should be enough for your lightweight sleeping bag, a tarpaulin for shelter and a few vital necessities including a first aid kit and some energy bars. And you mustn't overlook the need to carry some water with you.
When packing for a lightweight trek you're likely to find that the water you need is the heaviest item you need to carry. You can reduce the amount of water that you need to carry with you by planning your route to take you via locations where you can refill.
Another big benefit of going ultra light weight is that the equipment tends to be much cheaper than the heavier, tougher alternatives. For example, you can find some perfectly usable lightweight backpacks sold in bargain discount stores for only a few dollars. They may be simple designs with only one or two external pockets, but easily adequate for most lightweight backpacking expeditions. They may be cheap but they can be excellent for lightweight hiking trips.
If you are lightening your load it's really worth paying some attention to your clothes and footwear. Forget your all weather outdoor clothing and instead go for an ultra lightweight rain and wind proof fold-up cagoule and some light weight sports shoes rather than heavy walking boots.
If you lighten your load by reducing your clothing weight, equipment and using a lightweight backpack you should find that a 20 mile hike is suddenly much easier to complete.
. BACKPACKING GEAR REVIEW: Gregory Z45 Backpack
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A backpack fitted with pocket(s) that are suspended on the wearer"s front side (chest) and loaded in such a way that the load in the front and the load in the back are about equal is called a bodypack. The majority of the load on a bodypack is carried by the hips.
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Check out the Amazon Backpacks Backpackers products below too.
Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Commuter Backpack Bottle TherMax double wall vacuum insulation locks in temperature to preserve flavor and freshness. Unbreakable 18/8 stainless steel interior and exterior withstand the demands of everyday use. Drink lid opens with push button ease and locks closed for leak-proof travel. Light and pact design for effortless transport and storage. Bottle stays cool...
The JMW500 is the big brother to the JMW350. The Thermos Nissan Leak-Proof Backpack bottle is a cross between a travel tumbler and a briefcase thermos bottle. The slender compact size fits in backpack, duffel bag or purse. Leak-proof for no-spill transport. To drink, simply press the button. The easy opening push-button lid is spring loaded and pops up, uncovering the sipping hole. Always cool to ...
The Hudson NeverPump Bak-Pak is a convenient, easy way to carry enough fluid to handle larger jobs. Its high-performance, rechargeable battery-powered pump sprays for 10 continuous hours on a single charge. The long spray wand has a curved tip for greater accuracy. Chemical resistant shoulder straps with adjustable pads make it more comfortable to carry. The large tank opening for easy filling ...
With its carbon steel teeth and extreme portability, this survival saw is an essential tool for snowmobilers, campers, hikers, mountain bikers and all other outdoorsmen. The extensively field-tested carbon teeth cut all types of wood and stay sharp, outperforming other saws when clearing trails or gathering firewood. Whether camping for fun or surviving the freezing cold, this saw will never let y...
The Zubat is Silky's most popular curved pruner. Ideal for all pruning tasks. High performance fast cutting curved blade with a comfortable molded-rubber rubber handle. Curved blade means greater cutting speed with less effort. Comes complete with sheath Product Features: 6.35 teeth per inch (7.5 teeth per 30mm) 13" (300mm) length blade Approximate weight 1lb (635 grams) Chrome plated,...
Musician, rock climber and edible plant guru Roy Whelden will acquaint you with ten edible plants common to the eastern U.S. By the time you're done watching the video, you will be able to intelligently forage on your own. Review sections allow you to absorb the finer details of identification effortlessly. Recipes keep you, the backpacker, in mind since they are quick, lightweight and easy. Educa...
Thirty-six thru-hikers look you right in the eye and tell you the right way to do it. Subjects covered include preparation, finances, feet, food, gear, security, partners, trail wisdom, resupply, lightweight backpacking, "zero weight" backpacking and much, much more. The video features a visual tour of 144 resupply towns and points along the trail. Advice applies to short trips as well as thru-hi...
To make BEHAVIORS OF THE BACKPACKER, Sandor Lau, a Chinese/Hungarian-American film student and Fulbright scholar, walked 500km alone from Auckland to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's geographic and spiritual tip. This black comedy road trip documentary records the stories of backpackers from around the world, organic farmers, hostel owners, tour operators, Maori communities, and the filmmaker himself. ...
The Sawyer Squeeze Filter is the lightest and most versatile filtration system on the market. With a total field weight of 3 ounces and ability to roll up, it takes up virtually no space in your pack. This product includes 3 pouches (0.5 liter, 1 liter, and 2 liters) that can be reused hundreds of times. A larger 2-liter capacity bag is also available. The Squeeze filter is perfect for trav...
November 30th, 2004 | 
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