What You Should Know about Lightweight Backpacks
Ultralight to lightwieght backpacking gear part 1
If you like to hike or trek over 20 miles in a day you will know how the weight of the gear you carry with you is a very significant factor. Most experienced backpackers will know that you can reduce your weight by concentrating on the three most important items: your backpack, your sleeping bag and your shelter.
So you will want to leave your huge 10 pound tent and snug 5 pound sleeping bag at home and get yourself the lightest backpack you can find.
It may be hard to believe but there are some really good quality backpacks that weigh in at less than four ounces. This is no exaggeration. Most bags like this will have a capacity of around 1500 to 1800 cubic inches which will enable you to carry about 15 pounds of equipment. This should be more than enough for a lightweight sleeping bag, a tarpaulin and a few vital necessities like some food and a first aid kit. And of course an adequate amount of water.
In fact the water that you need to carry when trekking can become the heaviest item. It is worthwhile planning your route so that you can refill your water bottle and reduce the amount of water that you need to carry.
One key benefit of going ultra lightweight is that much of the equipment is so much less expensive than the more robust, heavier duty items. For example, you can find some perfectly usable lightweight backpacks sold in bargain discount stores for only a few dollars. These are often very simple with only a few external pockets. They may be low cost for they can be ideal for lightweight backpacking trips.
If you are trying to go lightweight it’s worth paying some attention to your choice of clothing and hiking boots. Forget your all weather outdoor clothing and instead go for an ultra lightweight rain and wind proof fold-up cagoule and some light weight sports shoes rather than heavy walking boots.
When kitted out with only light weight clothing and equipment you’ll find that 20 miles over hills and through valleys will seem like no distance at all.