Lightweight hiking is getting more popular each year. Light backpackers cover more miles and enjoy more for obvious reasons. Lighter and multifunctional equipment makes it much more easier to do today than ever before.

1. Analyze your current equipment kit
The key to change is to analyze your current situation first. What available gear do you have and how much do they weigh?. This will help you calculate the weight cost of your gear selection.

2. The minimalist approach
It’s ok to carry luxury items but don’t take everything with you. Books, camping mattresses, fishing poles, binoculars and camping chairs are some of the popular luxury items backpackers frequently carry. If you can find lighter alternatives than use those instead. Balance between what would make comfortable at camp versus how much weight you can comfortably carry.

3. Plan according to season and weather
A zero degree sleeping bag won’t be suitable in the summer. Carefully look at your clothing, shelter, and sleeping bag, to make sure that it’s appropriate for the season.

4. Buy lightweight equipment
Replace your heavier gear with lighter ones if you can afford it. Try first to find lighter alternatives for your backpacking pack, sleeping bag and shelter. An ultralight pack may not be able to withstand load that is too heavy so make sure you reduce the overall load too.

5. Look for multi-functional equipment.
Your gear should be compatible to each other. The key to reducing your backpack weight is to recognize synergistic relationships between your gear and using multi-functional items whenever possible. One example is the use of your trekking pole as a tent pole.

6. Use down.
Down still has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetics. However, carrying down assumes that you possess the necessary skills and attentiveness to care for it in inclement weather - down provides precious little insulating value if it gets very wet. You can save as much as 2.5 pounds if you use down sleeping bags instead of synthetics.

7. Windbreaker as an alternative to heavy coats
A lot of good windbreakers or wind shirts weigh as little as 3 ounces. Windbreakers give you tremendous comfort and warmth and allows you to wear lighter base layers. The bottom line: a wind shirt extends the comfort range of your clothing system.

8. Sharing gear
Hiking with a friend, you can pool resources, especially shelter and cooking gear. There are also other things you can share in a group that can keep the groups overall pack weight down.

9. Get better in your outdoor skills
Reducing the amount of camping gear becomes easy when you an expert in backcountry hiking and camping. There are many ways to acquire these but nothing beats experience. You can also attend backpacking clinics, survival programs and first aid courses to aid you.

10. Go Small
If you use travel-sized versions, not only will you save weight, you’ll also save on precious space. Transfer all your food and other consumables into smaller packaging if the travel size version is not available. Sleep out in the backyard a lot. Especially on rainy or snowy or windy winter days.

Gradually Reducing Your Pack Weight

Reducing your pack weight should be done gradually over a number of hikes. It takes experience for you to take note of the things you can leave behind and only carry what you need. It also depends on the weather and trail conditions. These tips will help you reduce your pack weight without sacrificing too much comfort and safety.

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