I have always loved backing. And now that I bring my baby/toddler along, I really have to be careful not to overpack since I have a 20+lb kid to carry too. Here are some easy cut weight when backpacking that won’t cost you anything!
Don’t Bring a Change of Clothes
While it’s not the most hygenic, not bringing a new outfit for everyday really will help you save on space and weight. If you’re going on a particularly long trip, it might be good to bring an extra pair of underwear or shorts, but really not essential.
One thing I definitely do recommend bringing always, is a pair of sleeping socks. It’s important to get your feet warm and dry so bringing a pair soley for sleeping is great. If you are expecting rain, something dry to sleep in is also a good idea.
Choose a Hike Along Water
Hands down the heaviest thing you will carry on an overnight backpacking trip is water. One liter of water weighs about 2 pounds. If you can, choose a hike where the trail follows some kind of water source so you can filter water regularly. That way you aren’t packing in a ton of water and can still stay nice and hydrated.
Eat Dehydrated Foods
This goes along with not carrying a lot of water. Dehydrated or freeze dried foods have the water taken out of them. You add it back in when cooking before you eat it. There are a lot of brands out there that make freeze dried meals like Mountain House and Backpacker’s Pantry. But if you want to save some money, you can dehydrate your own food in a dehydrator or even your oven. Oatmeal, mac and cheese, instant potatoes are all great options for lightweight food that you just need to rehydrate to eat. They’re easy to make and are lightweight!
It’s especially convenient to camp near a water source like a lake, river, or even a small stream. That way you don’t need to carry in extra water to cook with. Just remember to always camp at least 200 feet from a water source.
Eat Out of the Pot You Cook In
The less items in your backpack, the less it’s going to weigh. Instead of bringing a seperate bowl to pour your food into it after you cook, just eat straight out of the pot. Another option if you have a Jetboil that’s only intended for boiling water, or your cooking a meal with friend and you both don’t want to eat out of the same pot is to bring food that’s already in its own container.
For example, Mountain House meals come in special sealed bags that are intended to pour boiling water directly into. You can also get oatmeal that comes in the cup so you can just add water. These take up more space, but don’t add much weight.
Go with a Friend
Backpacking with a friend or partner will really help you cut down on weight if you’re willing to share the gear. Sleeping in the same tent, sharing fuel and a cookstove all can really help save on weight. I always backpack with either my mom or my husband. It makes it really nice because one person carries the tent, one carries fuel and the stove, we even share Mountain House Meals a lot because the portions are so large.
Good gear and a lightweight pack can really make your backpacking trip so much more enjoyable. If you’re wanting to read more of my backpacking tips, check out these posts here!
