We've all made rookie mistakes while packing our backpacks before a first-time hiking trip. Backpacking is not about replicating your home comfort on the road but carrying essentials for the trail. But that doesn’t mean you have to cut all your comfort while on road. Here are 3 tips to help you out to cut your pack weight, without compromising too much on your comfort!
Opt for Multipurpose Gears
A cooking pot can be used as a bowl, a bandana can be used as a sun-protection, a dish cleaner, a coffee filter, a potholder, etc. Also re-wear your clothes to save backpack space. Look for professional multipurpose trekking gears, if you need them.
Hydration Is Key
A single-liter water bottle can add a significant amount of 2.2 pounds to your pack weight. So, ditch multiple water bottles and carry a filtration solution instead. Plan out water stops along your trail, refill your bottle, and keep filtering your water periodically as you hike. Collapsible water bottles are handy here to save extra space and weight.
Keep it Organized
The first and foremost thing is to weigh everything you are carrying, including your water and food. Beginner backpackers should not carry more than 20% of their full-body weights while walking. It’s smart to create a spreadsheet to log down everything. You can use the spreadsheet for your next trip too. If this sounds tedious, simply weigh your backpack after packing using a luggage scale and reorganize accordingly.