During a long-distance hike, the weight of your backpack can make the difference between an unforgettable experience and a journey from hell. Nothing puts a damper on the spirits than a heavy burden on your shoulders. A lighter backpack makes hiking more enjoyable. With fewer kilos, you can also walk further. But how to get a lighter backpack without sacrificing safety and comfort whilst hiking?
“En largo camino una paja pesa”
“On a long journey, even a straw weighs heavy.”
(Spanish saying)
Broadly speaking, there are two types of long-distance hikers. The weight-obsessed Speedy Gonzales who dines on bars of granola – a gas fire weighs a lot! – and who has bisected his toothbrush to save a few grams. And the hiker who carries half his household with him, who folds out a camping chair in the evening and pulls a sixpack of beer from his backpack.
We exaggerate of course. Most hikers fall somewhere in between those two polar opposites. Still, before a trek, you better think about what you stow in your backpack. It’s a trade-off between luxury when hiking and luxury when camping. Much depends on the distance, the environment, the season and your personal preferences. Every hiker has to discover for himself how many kilos he can carry more or less comfortably over long distances.
Assume that you’ll make your first long hike with a backpack that is too heavy. That’s part of the learning process. Only when you drag 30 kilos across the Ardennes do you truly realise the importance of light packing. Do not be discouraged, because with the following simple interventions even a novice hiker can lighten his load.
The big three
The big three are the items that weigh the most: tent, sleeping bag and backpack. Nowadays, such light material exists that you can limit the weight of the big three well under five kilo. However, there is a price tag attached to that. Decent camping equipment tends to be expensive. As far as we’re concerned, that investment is only worth it if you plan on going hiking several times a year. You really shouldn’t leave thousands of euros in an outdoor shop for your first hike. Inspect what you have, what you can borrow or rent, and work things out from there.
That doesn’t mean you have to take Uncle Georges’ hefty antique army tent. As ever, common sense will get you a long way. You won’t need a sleeping bag for Arctic nights in the summer and it’s best not to camp alone in a three-person tent. Believe us, we speak from experience. When you start to enjoy long-distance hiking, you can gradually invest in more expensive – i.e. lighter – material. You can easily determine your priorities by converting potential weight gain into money.
An example: you want to replace your worn-out four-kilo tent with a lighter one. You eye a 2.5-kilo tent, which costs €300. Divide 300 by 1500 (4000-2500) = each saved gram costs €0,20.
Repeat this calculation for other tents and items – sleeping bag, backpack, mat, stove – and you will automatically get an indication of the most efficient investment. Do, however, note that not every tent or sleeping bag has the same function. During sales or in second-hand shops, you can sometimes find excellent items at a fraction of the price.
Marginal gains
Cyclist Michael Rasmussen was so obsessed with weight that he filed screws off his bike and shaves his head. Some hikers follow suit. They remove logos or unnecessary strings from their backpack and remove the cardboard from a toilet roll. You don’t have to go that far, but it’s a good reflex to question every gram. After all, you’ll have to carry it for hundreds of miles. Many a little makes a mickle.
Before your trip, make a list of all the things you want to take with you. Weigh them individually on a kitchen scale. With each item, ask yourself: what’s the worst that could happen to me without this item? That way, you put your priorities straight. A Swiss army knife with 45 functions seems handy, but how often do you need a nail file or a screwdriver? And will that deodorant still help after sweating for 25 kilometres?
This does not mean you have to turn your hike into a Spartan trek. It’s not a competition. In the end, you’re walking for fun, so feel free to sin against the previous rule. We ourselves never leave without a book. It doesn’t have to be a bulky Tolstoy or the Lords of the Rings trilogy, but a thin pocket or an e-reader fits in any backpack. One gourmand camping friend would rather carry a bag of rice, a bell pepper and a few cloves of garlic than have to chew ‘astronaut food’ in the evening. A hip flask of whiskey, a book of cards, a set of mini speakers: allow yourself such a pleasure.
Opting for a smaller backpack is often the best way to leave unnecessary things at home. Organise in advance and make sure weight is evenly distributed. Instead of one thick sweater or jacket, it is best to opt for several layers. Merino wool is light, dries quickly and does not smell easily. Let all your wet gear, such as a dewy tent canvas, dry at every break along the way. Even fifteen minutes of sunshine reduces weight. And perhaps our best tip: take a companion with you. This way you can divide things between two backpacks. A problem shared is a problem halved, in this case literally.
Food and drinks
It’s not because you aspire to a minimalist approach that you should endanger your own life. Always provide a first aid kit and sufficient food, water and clothes. What good is half a kilo less on your back if you’re so hungry that you fall from a cliff? Again, the guideline applies: what’s the worst that could happen to me without this item?
- Food. Hikers consume up to 4000 calories per day. Opt for high-calorie, fatty foods, such as nuts, hard cheeses, granola bars, dried fruit, and freeze-dried meals. If you walk in densely populated regions, such as Flanders, then nothing stops you from regularly entering a brasserie or a chip shop. A perfect way to combine the useful (saving weight) with the pleasant.
- Water. This destination is crucial. If you are going to walk through the Mojave Desert for two weeks, it’s best to ensure that you have enough H2O. In Western Europe, on the other hand, you can regularly refill your water bottles in a café or by knocking on a random door. You will also usually find a tap in a cemetery, whilst a water filter allows you to quench your thirst from rivers or sources. If you head into the wilderness, research where you can resupply.
This article first appeared in Dutch in Pasar Magazine.
Inspiration for long-distance hiking with a lighter backpack
Do you want to put the acquired knowledge into practice? Why not try hiking with a lighter backpack during the Transardennaise, the GR5A or the long hiking trail of Karula?
