Lighten that Pack~ for backpacking & day hiking ~

Julie LePage & Philip Werner

(thanks to Mike Clelland for the awesome illustrations)

Why Go Lighter?

• Because that ——-> looks ridiculous :)

• Less wear/tear, less energy used

• Less stuff = more agile

• Cover more miles, see new places

• Gain comfort in your efficiency & skills with less

Heavy pack! Not as fun

What is Baseweight?The weight of ALMOST everything in your pack….

Copyright: Mike Clelland, Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips for Extremely Lightweight Camping 

Pack Weight

You Now? Future you!

Copyright: Mike Clelland, Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips for Extremely Lightweight Camping 

My Road to Light-Weight

AMC - Outdoors Magazine3 day backpack, June

I can barely lift this

2014: BW = 12 lbs

PW = 19 lbs

And it only took me 6 years (its ok to laugh)

Feeling light as a feather!

2008:BW = 30

lbs

PW = 39 lbs

Obstacles/Tradeoffs

• Lack of Knowledge

• Higher Co$t

• Fear of being unprepared

• Compromising Comfort/Safety

General Principles• Simplify & be more efficient

• Pack to be safe, comfortable, secure

• Bring items that are multipurpose, compact, useful & dependable

• Make big cuts first, little cuts second

• This is can be fun, creative & inexpensive!

1. Rethink

2. Repackage

3. Replace/Remove

How Do I Start?

How Do I Start?Gear Shakedown

• Buy a scale• Weigh, document• Set a goal• Rethink/

Repackage/Replace

Experiment / Test• Try out new system on a short

hike/backpack• Sort gear out & rethink:

• 1. Used • 2. Didn’t use much • 3. Didn’t use at all

Do Your Homework

• Look around, steal ideas• Read articles, books.. • Scour hiker blogs

Weigh & Document

http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com (search for spreadsheet)

Rethink, Repackage

82.4oz = 5.15 lbs

empty bottle = 6 oz x 2 = 12oz

2.5oz + 35.2oz = 2.36 lbs

2 empty bottles = 2.5 oz

empty

Replace, Repackage

0.3 ozboth full

14.6 oz 3.0 oz

Reduce Weight: Backpacking

Big Three• Shelter• Sleep System• Backpack

9 lbs (3 lbs ea)

Other Stuff• Water/Meals• Clothing• Cookware & water

treatment• FAK / Emergency gear• Toiletries

takes more time/experimenting to achieve lightness

Backpacking Weight Savers (Big 3)

Shelters:• Tarp• Lightweight tarp/tents• Hammocks• Bivy Sack

Benefits:• Great for tree-filled forest, good

air flow, super comfy, inner bug net

Tradeoffs:• Can be colder, still need pad,

not always light, $$$-$$$$

Benefits:• super light, compact, good

air flowTradeoffs:• Bugs*, can get wet from rain

splash-back, pole placemt, $$$

Benefits:• Easy set up, good air flow,

bug net, full coverage, $$

Tradeoffs:• Not as light/compact as tarp

Benefits:• Small footprint, no fuss w/

poles/tarps, some have bug net

Tradeoffs:• Can be TOO cozy, heavier

than tarp/not much lighter than LW tent

Tarp

Lightweight Tent

Hammock

Bivy Sack

Backpacking Weight Savers (Big 3)

Sleep System3/4 Sleeping Pad vs Full Pad

ZPacks QuiltNeoAir - Full sizeThermaRest 3-4 length

Sleeping quilt vs Mummy bag

Western Mountaineering Mummy bag

Benefits:• Lighter, more

compact

Tradeoffs:• Might be less

comfy/warm

Benefits:• Lighter, more compact

Tradeoffs:• Might be less comfy/warm

Backpacking Weight SaversBackpacks• weigh 1 - 2 lbs

• super light materials

• often no more $ than big-name backpacks

Benefits:• Light!• Simple designs, no fuss

Tradeoffs:• Less back ventilation• Weight limits/Capacity Limits• Treat with more care• some only good for summer

HyperlightZPack

GoLiteGossamer Gear

Multipurpose items…Bandana/Buff• Towel, water filter, neck protection, pot

cleaner, tent drier, hat, hairband, hanky, sand storm protection for face

Pot (Stove)• Can act as bowl, cup, washing vessel,

blueberry collector.

Hiking Poles• Tarps/Tent poles, helpful when crossing

rivers/hiking

Backpack• Goes under legs when sleeping on 3/4

pad,

Sleeping Pad• Makeshift backpad; small foam

models are good sit pads

Floss• Thread

Socks• Mittens

Ziplocks• Repackage everything, first aid kit,

wet weather foot protection/warmth, water scooper

Reduce Weight: Dayhiking

Daypacks• Most forgotten

about weight saver!

• 16L - 30L

Daypack - Kumo, GGear

Benefits:• Light! Nothing extra!• Simple designs, no fuss• Some have mesh pockets to

dry gear while hiking

Tradeoffs:• Less back ventilation &

padding• Weight/Capacity Limits• Treat with more care• some only good for summer

Daypack - Zero, Zpacks

Daypack - Flash, REIDaypack - Flight, SMD

Reduce Weight: DayhikingRepackage - Make things tiny!

• Bring only what you need for the time out

mini hygiene items

mini bug stuff

Reduce Weight: Dayhiking

Footwear• lighter footwear w/ your

lighter pack• test on short hikes first

hiking shoes

trail runners

Benefits• lighter, more airflow dry fast• excellent grip• more like a sneaker, more agile• should have a supportive/stiff underfoot• breathable, mesh panels, great for hot

feet

Tradeoffs:• less ankle support• not waterproof• not as abundant in stores

hiking shoes

Some cheap ideas…Water• Replace the Nalgene, reuse

plastic water bottles, repackage H20 treatment

Food• Dehydrated: Not just for dinner!

• One container for everything

Feet/Socks• Reuse, wash in eve, dry, wear

again

Headlamp• Use recharged batteries, leave

extra batteries at home

Get Skills & Practice!• Take WFA/CPR/AIARE classes

• Take leadership training classes

• Learn how to…

• make a fire

• a makeshift shelter

• hike in the rain & keep warm

• Test Runs: Hike on short trips with new gear

Share Gear!• Reduce weight by sharing

tents, sleeping bags (quilts) stoves, water treatment

DIY!Stoves• zenstoves.com

Clothes & Gear• http://jasonklass.webs.com/

• https://diygearsupply.com

• http://thru-hiker.com/projects/

• http://www.backpacking.net/homemade/

• http://www.backpackinglight.com/forums

Food/All sorts• http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-

Projects-for-Backpackers/DIY Pot Cozy

DIY Alcohol Stove DIY Stuff Sack

Hiker Bars

Basic, Pro, Loco

StoveBasic: share (-2)Pro: replace (-1)Loco: remove (-2)

ShelterBasic: replace (-2)Pro: Bivy (-1)Loco: tarp / poncho (-.5)

Sleep SystemBasic: remove pillow, replace bag (-1.5)Pro: 3/4 pad (-.5)Loco: remove pad (-.5)

How low do you want to go?

ClothesBasic: one of each layer (-2)Pro: remove camp shoes (-1)Loco: socks as mittens (-.5)

Water:Basic: Replace w/aquamira (-.8)Pro: take only what is necessary (-4)Loco: micro kit (-.2)

Daypack/BackpackBasic: reduce size (-2, -1)Pro: replace with LW pack (-2)Loco: modify/trim straps (-.2)

Resources, Blogs, etc

Hiker Blogs• SectionHiker.com

• BackpackingNorth.com

• Hikelighter.com

• Stick’s Blog

Forums• SectionHiker.com

• BackpackingLight.com

• thru-hiker.com

Lightweight Gear Makers/Sellers

See Sectionhiker.com for a comprehensive list, and wildbackpacker.com

• Anti-Gravity Gear (lots)

• Gossamer Gear (packs, shelters, accessories)

• Mountain Laurel Designs (lots)

• Tarp Tent (shelters)

• Titanium Goat (maker/store)

• ULA (bigger haul packs)

• Ultralight Designs (store)

• Western Mountaineering (sleeping bags)

• Zpacks (packs, accessories)

The End

After ditching the extras, now there’s room for kitty