AMC Outdoors, April 2003

By Michael Lanza

I remember well the many times I've wandered into the backcountry carrying an ungodly load on my back. Whether a long backpacking or climbing trip, a multi-day winter outing, or backpacking with kids, sometimes a heavy pack is unavoidable. But many were the times I also carried more food, clothing, or gear than I needed, or obsolete gear that was bulky and heavy. And the stories from those trips always begin with: "Yeah, remember those huge packs we carried?!"

On the other hand, the times I've carried a light pack conjure no memories of its weight — the pack's presence was inconspicuous, almost unnoticed. Instead of laboring along preoccupied with thoughts of the onerous load upon my back — and those thoughts forming much of my trip memories — I moved easily, enjoying the scenery and going much farther than I ever could with a heavy pack.

Outdoor adventurers are figuring out that it makes a lot of sense to lighten their loads, for many reasons: 1) you move more easily and comfortably; 2) you reduce your chances of the most common type of backcountry injury, a fall; and 3) lightening your load by many pounds will completely transform your concept of how fast and how far you can go. The exhausting eight-mile days with a heavy backpack become 15-mile days with a light pack, minus the pain.

Sure, there will still be times you carry a heavy pack. And "going light" isn't one specific strategy as much as a different way of looking at your gear and supplies, balancing the goal of cutting weight without making unreasonable sacrifices in safety (see a related article with some specific suggestions). But lightening up smartly translates to being more comfortable, not less, without risk.

On many multi-day three-season trips, you can cut your pack's weight in half by, first of all, leaving behind what you don't need, and second, using lighter, compact gear. I'll address the former first, then get into the gear side of the equation.

The Method
For starters, don't treat every backcountry trip the same. The season, weather forecast, terrain, group's fitness level and experience, and your itinerary all should factor into what you decide to bring or leave home. Adapt your gear checklist to each trip, and be discriminating. Don't take anything you don't absolutely need.

Weigh and scrutinize everything, especially luxury items. Ask yourself questions like these: Are the camp chair kit and rubber sandals (which, combined, weigh three to four pounds) so important that they're worth carting around all day? How much time will you spend on the trail versus in camp? Can the function of this item be performed by another item you have?

Don't carry anything whose solitary function can be performed by "gear" in nature (use a rock instead of a trowel, etc.).

Plan food precisely, down to exactly what you'll eat every day, and only pack extra if you're not sure when you'll finish the trip. Count calories per pound of food — dried foods are lighter than fresh. Repack everything at home in zip-lock bags to reduce packaging.

Don't carry more than you need of any item, including TP, toothpaste, sunblock, bug repellent, etc. Save those nearly empty toothpaste tubes for the backcountry.

The Gear
Packs. Trim your load from 40 pounds to 25 or 20, and you don't need the big pack with the beefy suspension — a more streamlined pack will do, and it alone may save three pounds or more. Modern packs employ lighter materials that are just as strong as older ones, and designs that cut ounces without reducing load-carrying capacity; in short, slimmer, lighter packs carry more weight comfortably today than in the past.

Footwear. Notice I use the term "footwear" instead of "boots"? Carrying a light pack, you can trade the beefy leather waffle-stompers for low- or mid-cut trail shoes that weigh about two pounds per pair. Lightweight shoes are much cooler than heavy boots (bonus: socks stay drier, buying you more days in each pair) and comfy enough to wear in camp (bonus: forgo the sandals). For wet weather, get shoes with a waterproof-breathable membrane and wear low gaiters. If the terrain or your ankles or knees demand a little more support, new boots are also lighter thanks to materials like Kevlar, carbon fiber, and nylon. The old adage that a pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back has recently been proven slightly inaccurate — it's more like six pounds on your back. Lighten your footwear and you'll go faster, farther, and longer. Sure, lightweight shoes don't last as many years as classic leather boots, but they're much less expensive. In winter, however, you'll be happier if you opt for the weight of a well-insulated boot.

Tents. Drop beaucoup pounds here. Newer models are getting lighter all the time. There are modular tents that can be pitched canopy-only or rainfly-only, letting you customize your shelter to the weather and possibility of bugs. In bug-free late summer or early autumn, if the forecast calls for clear skies on a short trip, leave the tent home and sleep under the stars, or bring only a tarp that pitches with your trekking poles.

Bags. Down and synthetic insulation keeps getting lighter and less bulky without sacrificing warmth. Today's 0-degree down bags pack smaller than 25-degree bags of years ago. Some models marry bags to pads and use other techniques to trim weight and bulk. But beware: Some bags' temp ratings are optimistic; a bag's thickness once fully lofted is still the best in-store measure of its warmth (see our October 2002 article on sleeping bags).

Pads. These differ by ounces or even pounds. But weight generally increases with comfort, and you (like me) may not think it's worth losing sleep to drop a pound of trail weight. However, on three-season trips, I shave ounces by carrying a three-quarter length self-inflating mattress and placing my empty pack or extra clothing under my feet.

Stoves. Modern canister stoves weigh just a few ounces and fit into your palm, yet crank out the BTUs. Don't bother with a bigger, heavier liquid-fuel stove unless you're camping in winter or unprotected from wind.

Cookware. Titanium and Lexan utensils, and titanium or nonstick aluminum cookware is pretty light these days. Bring only one spoon each, one pot and lid, and one mug; one person eats out of the pot.

Fuel. Don't carry fuel that goes unburned. Pay close attention to how much fuel you use to accurately estimate your needs on future trips.

Clothing. From base layers to rainwear, everything is ounces lighter than just several years ago. Today's synthetic shirts, underwear, pants, and socks are made to be worn for days on end, and dry fast enough to wear in camp and to bed. On dry, warm trips, you may not need more than one set of clothing (although socks need replacing more often to keep feet dry and blister-free). On wet, cold trips, consider a second base layer. Carry garments that work separately and layer together (you can wear everything in camp), perform for the conditions you'll encounter (warm or cool temps? wind?), and aren't too redundant. All but the thinnest base layers are as durable as your old stuff.

Accessories. From headlamps, cameras, and utility knives to water treatment methods and even stuff sacks, everything is getting lighter and more compact, usually without costing more.

Do yourself a favor: lighten up. Your back will appreciate it — and your backcountry memories, like mine, will grow even fonder.

—Michael Lanza is author of The Ultimate Guide to Backcountry Travel, from AMC Books.