4 Great Lightweight Backpacking Tips

Lightweight Backpacking is all about taking only the necessary items with you, while on the trip, and making use of them to the fullest. The catch, however, is that lightweight backpacking is not easy pickings for everyone. You need to develop the knack of packing light and still being able to carry all that you would need on your trip- something that comes with experience and expertise.

There are, however, a few things that you can take care of in order to ensure that you pack light and pack well for the trip. All through the remainder of this write-up, we will be examining some steps which should see you through. For the readers' convenience, I have divided the article into five questions (or steps) that you should ask yourself every time before packing.

-What can I possibly do to make it lighter?

This question should be asked each time you intend to carry an item. For instance, if you can leave the sleeping-bag carry bag and accommodate the sleeping bag as-is in your backpack, you should leave the carry bag behind. You can shorten the toothbrush, leave some accessories and you should see a pound or two lightening up from your backpack.

-Ask yourself if there is a lighter version of the stuff you are carrying

Now, this question might seem obvious, but this is probably the most important aspect of lightening the load off your back. The tent, the shelter and the sleeping bag are the three heaviest materials that need to be examined carefully for lighter alternatives. Picking lighter clothing, lightweight tarps, lightweight tents, lightweight rucksacks and lighter but stronger gear can go a long way in reducing the overall weight of your backpack.

-Do I really need this?

Ask this question for every item that you put into your bag. This becomes all the more important if you happen to move about in a group. There are certain things (chess boards, cooking utensils etc.), which can be shared by all the people in the group. Ask yourself if one T-shirt would suffice or would you need more. This can help you in preventing yourself from carrying a few additional pounds on your back.

-Finally, remember:

The motto of cutting down on weight is simple- do not over do it and try to ensure that you are covered for all the eventualities that you might face on the trip, while ensuring that the weight is still relatively lighter than it would otherwise have been. So be it backpacking in European alps or in the deserts of Mid-East and Morocco, these tips should keep you in good stead.

Tom Shurville is the main contributor to this website about backpackers in Europe. It contains loads of useful hints and tips to ensure your backpacking adventure is one you remember for the rest of your life.

To find an updated version of the lightweight backpacking article, please follow the links provided.

By : Tom A Shurville