Backpacks Hiking
Posted on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Hiking light is much more comfortable and enjoyable than hiking with a heavy backpack. Of course what is defined as light may not be light for another person. It also depends on the level of fitness and strength of the person carrying the backpack. Being fit does make your backpack feel lighter.
Choose gear that are lighter but perform the same function is the obvious solution. Or you can also choose gear that serves multiple functions.
So hiking light is about carry less equipment and lighter and smaller equipment. It’s not about sacrificing essential gear for a lighter backpack.
Benefits of Lighter Load
When you carry a lighter load you feel more comfortable and happier in general. There’s less stress on your shoulders, back and knees. A good backpack will distribute the weight to the different parts of the upper body and make the load feel lighter by reducing stress on the shoulders.
You can also move quicker and cover more miles in a day. In an emergency, you can move away to safety so much quicker without having to sacrifice your backpack.
Reducing Your Load
If you want to travel light by reducing the amount of gear you carry, it’s better to do it in stages than to cut down to bare minimum in one go. Take note of the things that you don’t need or can go without.
Take into account the weather too. You don’t want to leave your raincoat on rainy day.
Five Ways to Keep Your Gear Light
1. Get rid of extra clothing, pots, boots, etc if you can. Usually one pot and one pair of boots is enough but during cold weather extra clothing may be essential.
2. If you’re hiking with a partner or in a group you can share some equipment like tent, stove, cookware, first aid kit, insect repellent and more.
3. Use equipment made of lighter material. For example, use down sleeping bags instead of synthetics and use internal frame backpacks instead external frame backpacks. If available, use simple designs that functions well and minimizes weight.
4. Use equipment that can perform several functions. A poncho for example can be used as rain gear or rigged up as a tent.
5. Carry smaller portions of consumables such as sunscreen, soap, toothpaste and spices. Instead of using the original packaging, whenever possible pack in a small ziploc bag.
As a guideline, your backpack should be no heavier than 4.5 lbs, your 2 person tent should be no heavier than 5 lbs, solo tents tent no more than 2.5 lbs, your sleeping bag should be less than 2 lbs, hiking boots less than 2 lbs, rain gear less than 1.5 lbs and food no more than 2 lbs per day.
However, some hikers prefer to carry more equipment for convenience and ease of mind. It depends on how well you can go without extra equipment in return for a lighter backpack. Be sure that you reduce your load in stages so that you don’t have any regrets on the field.
About the Author:
Jonsky writes for Hiking-Camping-World.com where you’ll find camping gear such as
lightweight sleeping bags
and light
hiking backpacks
.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Backpacking Light – Move Faster, Further and More Comfortably
Backpacker Magazine Gear School: Fit A Backpack Right
|
|
Kurgo Wander Dog Back Pack $26.99 Kurgo Wander Pack Dog Backpack Kurgo Wander Pack is for Pets 30-85 lbs! Get your dog prepared for a hike on the trails or trip around town. The Kurgo Wander Pack is built strong to withstand rugged outdoor condition yet functional for a day trip. The ergonomic padded spine support contours to the dogs back for a comfortable fit and provides weight distribution for the two saddlebags. The two saddl… |
|
|
Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker Lockblade Pocket Knife (Black) $31.32 1 hand serrated locking blade. Includes: Phillips screwdriver, can opener, small screwdriver, bottle opener, large locking screwdriver, wire stripper, wood saw, reamer, toothpick, tweezers, and key ring. Limited lifetime warranty. Packaged in box…. |
|
|
JanSport Classic SuperBreak Backpack $45.00 Boasting a sturdy 600-denier polyester construction and a stylish exterior, the JanSport SuperBreak backpack easily and comfortably carries your gear for years to come. The utilitarian pack offers a single main compartment and a front pocket with an organizer, giving it enough space to store two to three textbooks, a large binder, two to three spiral notebooks, several paperbacks, a calculator, pe… |
|
|
50 Outdoor Skills Survive Survival DVD $10.00 Check out this action packed Outdoor DVD, ‘50 Outdoor Skills’…… |
|
|
Backpack the Grand Canyon-A Scenic Guide for the Bright Angel, South Kaibab and North Kaibab Trails $17.98 “This is the first video that truly covers all three of the main Corridor trails (Bright Angel, South Kaibab and the North Kaibab) in such wonderful detail.” Breathtaking scenery plus information and tips about backpacking or day hiking in the Grand Canyon. . .Animated trail maps. . . Detailed maps of the campgrounds. . .Travel and lodging information for both the South & North Rim. . .Perfect for… |
|
|
Hikers & Backpackers Guide To GPS $29.95 Make Getting Lost a Thing Of The Past. Your Hikes Will Be More Fun & Worry Free With the Right GPS. Learn HOW TO Pick the GPS That Fits Your Budget & Hit the Trail. GPS gives hikers the peace of mind of knowing where they are, where they’ve been & where they’re headed. Handheld GPS units are made for a variety of outdoor uses and operation manuals are not provided specifically for hiking applicati… |
|
|
Tech 4 O Accelerator Women’s Running Watch $84.99 Whether you’re a hardcore adventure hiker, an avid runner, or simply looking to count your doctor’s recommended 10k steps a day, an Accelerator Series watch fits the bill. Advanced accelerometer technology provides highly accurate readings of a user’s speed, distance, and caloric expenditure via a simple wrist watch sensor, eliminating the need for funny looking foot pods or belt clips. Accelerome… |
|
|
Kelty KIDS Diaper Daypack $65.00 Ready for rough, rugged trails as well as the urban jungle, the Kelty KIDS Diaper Daypack offers 1000 cubic inches of space to hold all the diapers, clothes changes, and toys for a day’s outing. It has one large main compartment and two outer pockets to hold smaller essentials, and it also includes a fold-out changing pad (with organizer compartment). The padded shoulder straps with a grab handle … |
|
|
Lifeline LF-04116 Adventure Pack (65 Pieces) $7.79 Take help with wherever you go with the Lifeline® First Aid Adventure kit. Inside this compact, light-weight kit are 65 quality First Aid items so you’ll be prepared no matter what…. |
|
|
Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus Pocket Knife $29.99 From the renowned company that created the Swiss Army Knife a century ago comes the Champion Plus, a complete set of tools for campers, hikers, hunters, fishers, picnic enthusiasts, and people all trades–all neatly contained in a single implement. Measuring just 3-1/2 inches long, the Champion Plus is stylishly cased in the famous red Swiss Army body that’s recognized around the world. More impor… |
