Last updated on November 30th, 2022 at 08:27 am
7 Ultralight Backpacking Tricks You Can’t Afford To Miss
There are a lot of different things that you need to think about when it comes to going on a backpacking trip. You have to make sure that you’re bringing enough food and water with you, that you don’t overdo your packing, and many more.
Although there are numerous things to be worried about before you go on your trip, there are also a lot of ways for you to minimize the weight that you have in your bag while still being able to enjoy yourself.
We have compiled some ultralight backpacking tricks that you can use to make your next trip more enjoyable and comfortable.
Table of Contents
What is Ultralight Backpacking?
Ultralight backpacking has become a popular trend in recent years. It is a branch of hiking in which the hikers try to travel as light as possible, reducing their load to the bare essentials. Hikers who practice ultralight backpacking aim to cover long distances with a minimum of weight. They do this by avoiding heavy equipment and carrying only the most essential items.
The idea behind ultralight backpacking is to reduce your pack’s weight without sacrificing safety. This is accomplished by removing unnecessary and non-essential items from your pack.
What are the Advantages of Ultralight Backpacking?
The benefits of ultralight backpacking are plentiful and undeniable. No matter how long or challenging the trip, ultralight backpackers are always happy to hit the trail because they know their packs will be light and comfortable.
- Ultralight backpacking allows you to go faster and farther than traditional backpacking. The less weight on your body, the easier it is to hike. You will cover more ground in less time and expend less energy. This is great for people who like to hike quickly, or just want to go farther than they could with a heavier pack.
- Ultralight backpacking also allows you to take on challenging terrain that would be impossible otherwise. It is easier to climb up a steep hill with a lighter pack than it is with a heavy one.
- You can carry more water on your back when you are carrying less weight overall, so you can make it to water sources that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- Ultralight backpacking gear is designed to be lighter weight and therefore can be packed in a more compact manner. This results in a lighter pack overall and means that the weight of your pack is more evenly distributed throughout your body, making hiking easier on your knees and back.
- Because ultralight backpacking gear is lighter, less expensive materials are used in its construction, and therefore less money needs to be spent on its purchase.
7 Ultralight Backpacking Tricks
To get the most out of ultralight backpacking, you’ll need to start with the right equipment and learn how to pack it effectively. Here are 7 key ultralight backpacking tricks, including what pack to choose and how to save weight in your backpack.
What Backpack to Choose?
Choosing an ultralight backpack is not easy. But, at the end of the day, you have to think about your own needs. Each backpack has different features, and that’s why it’s important to know what you would like in a backpack.
First of all, your backpack should be comfortable. If you are carrying it for hours every day, you want it to be as light as possible but very comfortable to wear. Some backpacks are designed in such a way that they force the weight on your hips and make the load feel lighter than it actually is.
The best way to know if the backpack is comfortable or not is to try it on and walk around with it for a while. If you can find someone who already has the same backpack, try that one on as well. Backpacks have different shapes and designs, so your back might be more comfortable with one design than another.
Another factor to look into is the weight of the backpack. The exact weight of your pack depends on several factors, including the season and how far you’ll be traveling. For example, in summer, you may only need a 20L backpack that weighs 3 pounds when empty.
Ultralight backpackers usually have a base pack weight (backpack + gear) of less than 10 pounds without food and water.
What Gear Do You Need?
If you’re planning on going ultralight you need to think carefully about what gear you take with you, how to minimize everything else, and how to make your life easier. And if you’re doing this with a buddy, it’s a lot easier to be ultralight than heavy.
You must first determine what your base weight will be. In order to do that, you need to know how much gear you will take with you on your trip. This can be done by planning out each piece of gear and weighing it individually or using an online backpacker’s trail weight calculator.
And finally, what’s the point of going ultralight? It all comes down to comfort and safety. If you don’t have enough gear, food, or water then you are at risk of dying out there. You need to carry the bare minimum for your own safety.
Be Creative with Food and Water
It’s not always easy to stick to your ultralight mantra when you discover that carrying everything on your back means no water and food for the day. Most ultralight enthusiasts will say it’s just not worth the extra weight to carry more food or water. And they may be right, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are several creative ways to carry water and food without adding much weight to your pack.
Carry Water in a Soft Bottle
A lightweight collapsible bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to carry water without adding extra weight. It also allows you to drink as you go, which can be very helpful on long hikes. Some people even use one of these bottles for all their water needs, including cooking and cleaning. However, the downside of this option is that you have to find a place to put it away while you’re hiking.
Bring an Empty Bottle and Fill it Up Along the Way
A more convenient option is to bring a bottle that you can fill along the way. This can be as simple as a one-liter water bottle, or something more elaborate like a folding metal cup. The latter is recommended for hot days when it’s easy to get dehydrated, but it’s up to you. Just make sure that whatever you bring is lightweight and collapsible.
Use Multi-Purpose Ingredients
Multi-purpose ingredients are the key to creating a good ultralight backpacking diet. You can use them in multiple meals and they usually pack a nutritional punch, too. For example, powdered milk can be used for drinking or cooking and also has lots of protein. Nuts have lots of calories as well as healthy fats and fiber. Pasta is high in carbohydrates and there are countless ways to flavor it.
Consider Dehydrated Food
Dehydrated food has become very popular in recent years because it’s lightweight, compact, and long-lasting. Dehydrated food is simply regular food that has been dried out in a low-temperature environment to remove moisture. The result is a light, airy product that doesn’t take up much space or weigh very much.
Dehydrated foods are especially good for backpackers and campers because they don’t need refrigeration and have a long shelf life. They’re also good for hikers who want to keep their load as light as possible because dehydrated foods weigh much less than their fresh counterparts.
Some Simple Clothing Considerations
A key component of ultralight backpacking is clothing. It may seem counterintuitive, but the less you wear, the better your experience will be.
There are a few caveats to this, though. You need to wear the right kind of clothing, and you can’t wear too little clothing. It is important to choose a base layer that wicks sweat away from your body so it can evaporate quickly. This will keep you from getting clammy and uncomfortable during the day or night.
Clothing for ultralight hiking involves using synthetic fabrics and lighter-weight synthetics instead of wool or cotton. Synthetic fabrics are lighter, dry faster, and don’t need as much space when storing them.
Shelter Ideas
Ultralight backpacking is the art of covering great distances while carrying as little weight as possible. There are several ways to accomplish this.
One way is by using a hammock to sleep in. Hammocks are lightweight, compact, and comfortable. You can even use them for rain protection or make a portable tarp shelter out of one. But the biggest downside to using a hammock is that if there’s no place to hang it, you’ll have to find a flat area to sleep on the ground.
Another way is using a tarp as shelter. Unlike tents and hammocks, tarps are the basic type of shelter. The most basic tarp has only two pieces: a material and an optional rope or stakes. You can use it as a ground cloth or simple shelter to protect you from nighttime weather. So consider ditching the tent and packing a lightweight tarp instead.
Fire Building Techniques that Work
Many backpackers don’t know that there is a way to use fire-building techniques to lighten their packs even more and leave behind some of those heavy fire-starting tools.
There are three main tools you need to light a fire. The first is newspaper, which makes excellent starter material. The second is kindling, which you gather from small dead branches that are less than an inch thick. And finally, you need firewood, which is what you will be burning. Firewood should be about the diameter of your wrist and as long as your arm.
To get a fire going, lay down some newspaper on the ground and cover it with kindling. If you’re starting a fire in a fireplace or fire pit, make sure to put the kindling directly on top of the newspaper so that it doesn’t burn up before your wood catches. Then pile on the wood and light it up.
Keep in mind that, depending on the type of wood you’re burning, it may take some time for your fire to catch. To help speed things up, light a few smaller pieces of kindling and place them around the larger logs. When those are burning well, add more wood.
How to Save Weight in Your Backpack
Ultralight backpackers generally travel with the bare minimum of gear. You can cut weight by using lighter versions of the basics.
- Use a tent made with super-thin fabric or a sleeping bag made with goose down instead of synthetic fibers.
- If you are a backpacker and you know how to pitch a tent, maybe you won’t need a tent at all. Same thing for the sleeping pad: maybe you don’t need it if you have a warm sleeping bag.
- Switch from full-size pots and pans to the ultralight versions.
- Use smaller plates and bowls for your meals.
- Get rid of the glassware. Use plastic cups instead. If you insist on having glassware, get smaller glasses that hold about 10 ounces (300 ml) or less.
- Buy lightweight flatware (knives, forks, spoons).
- If you want to get rid of the hiking boots, we recommend using trail running shoes instead. Trail runners will do the job just fine. Boots may be too heavy and hot for backpacking trips; however, if you are a person who suffers from ankle injuries from time to time, then it is better to have a sturdy pair of boots than risk your ankles on a trip.
Conclusion
Ultralight backpacking is the art of reducing your pack weight to an absolute minimum. When done properly, it can make your hike a lot more enjoyable and safe. You will not only be able to eliminate unnecessary items from your kit, but also save money on fuel and food as well.
We hope we have provided you with some great information today. If you enjoyed this article on ultralight backpacking tricks, then we hope you will take a moment to share it with friends online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you backpack ultra light?
When it comes to ultralight backpacking, every ounce counts. That’s why it’s important to choose gear that is not only ultralight but also durable and reliable.
The best way to backpack ultralight is to first determine what you need and then find the lightest gear that meets those needs. For example, if you need a tent, look for an ultralight tent that is durable and easy to set up.
Is ultralight backpacking gear worth it?
It’s no surprise that ultralight backpacking gear has become increasingly popular in recent years. This type of gear is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without sacrificing durability or function.
So, is ultralight backpacking gear worth it? The answer relies on your priorities and requirements. If you’re planning a long-distance hike, ultralight gear can help you save energy and reduce the risk of injury. However, this type of gear is often more expensive and may not be as durable as heavier gear. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use ultralight gear is up to you.
Where do you cut weight when backpacking?
When you’re planning a backpacking trip, one of the most important things to consider is your pack weight. The lighter your pack, the easier it will be to carry on your back. But where do you start when it comes to cutting weight?
There are a few key areas you can focus on to reduce your pack weight. First, take a look at your shelter and sleeping setup. A lighter tent and sleeping bag will make a big difference in your pack weight. Second, consider the food you’re bringing. Dehydrated meals are a great way to save weight and space. Finally, think about the gear you’re carrying. Multi-use items and items that serve multiple purposes will help you save weight in your pack.
By focusing on these key areas, you can start to cut weight from your backpacking setup.
How much weight do ultralight backpackers carry?
Ultralight backpackers strive to minimize the weight of their packs, often carrying less than 10 pounds of gear. This allows them to hike faster and farther with less effort.
So, how much weight do ultralight backpackers actually carry? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the backpacker’s experience level, the length of the hike, the weather conditions, and more. But in general, ultralight backpackers carry between 4 and 8 pounds of gear, including their shelter, clothing, and sleep system.
