How to lighten the load on a budget

[WileECoyote]

I HATE to carry heavy packs. I will do anything I can to get out of it. I carry only what is necessary and then some things I do without just because I don't want to carry it. I would much rather do without something than to carry all of that heavy junk around. You should have seen my wife when we went to Disney world of all places. She took a back pack with two or three cameras and a video camera. She was very sore the next day and made me carry it instead. I left half of it in the room and she never noticed.

[northernbushape]

Great article.

I am one who carries too much weight I think. I have a "what-if" mentality so I tend to pack for the what-if scenarios which results in a heavy pack - around 25 pounds for a day trip in the back country. But, if I am just tooling around a local forest preserve or not entering a remote area, I pack much lighter. My basic EDC comes it at around 15 pounds as my core survival pack is part of it. No matter what, I have that stuff with me. Add to that some food, clothes, implements, and a few extras, and the weight increases quickly.

For an extended or multi-day excursion I may easily carry 40-45 pounds in my pack and another 5-10 on my belt.

I am working on getting some lighter gear alternatives, but like you mentioned, some of this stuff is just too much money. I cannot justify $200 for a back packing stove no matter how light weight it is! For $15 my little solid-fuel folding stove works just fine at any altitude that I would visit.

Any more weight reduction tips are appreciated. Some of my Colmans gear is 20 and 30 years old and the materials are not so weight-efficient any more

[IndianaHiker]

Want to drop alot of weight get rid of the MREs. Go with Mountain House or some other freeze dried foods. Lighter and for the most part better tasting.

[Refrigerator]

What Indiana Hiker said is true. Also look at Enertia meals and Mary Jane Freeze Dried foods.
Here are some excellent web sites for a good start.
Welcome to TrailCooking.com and FreezerBagCooking.com | Trail Cooking
One Pan Wonders - Home


BACKPACKING LIGHTWEIGHT - Backpacking & Hiking Resources
BackpackingLight.com -- Home Page

[hikinboot]

Wow, that was a very informative post, thank you for taking the time to research that out and post it for us. I find if I go alone I take less than if the family comes along.

[le Metis]

I carry little more then 12 to 15 lbs when backpacking - to cut more weight get rid of the heavy boots. Unless I'm in cactus country they're not needed, instead I use my mesh river shoes with no socks,

In warm weather ( late Spring to early Fall) I carry a Haglof LIM 5 sleeping bag, packs to the size of a loaf of bread, and weights 1 lb.

For a stove, I've found the home made alcohol burners worthless, and more trouble then they are worth....I carry this one instead ...SIERRA STOVE, or a pocket rocket if I'm headed above the tree line....

For shelter if needed, a sil tarp - very light...

My backpack is a NRS Paragon Pack ... NRS Paragon Pack

The majority of time the Paragon carries a stripped down Adirondack pack basket,http://www.adirondackpackbaskets.com/

however during wet weather it's easy to swap it out for a waterproof drybag....

For treating water - the Steripen .... SteriPEN Adventurer Opti Water Purifier at REI.com
a few coffee filters added allows to clean out any sediment before use...

[Michael]

If you're building fires instead of using a camping stove, it's worthwhile to bring a small saw. I use a Coleman saw that weighs less than a pound, and it really eats through wood. I find it to be faster than a heavy knife and lighter than a hatchet. The thing costs ten bucks, and you can find comparable ones at a similar price.

For water, I use coffee filters and chemicals. They take up less room and weigh less than any water filter I've seen.

[sherbearski]

I always end up bringing more than I need. After hiking for a few miles, every bit of extra weight takes it toll, especially upon returning from your trip and realizing you didn't use half of it! I will try your idea of making the three piles. I really like that idea, thanks!

[Benny]

There are some things you just can't do without, but the more inflatable things or compact things you can bring, the better. It seems like you can find more and more things like these at your local army/navy surplus store.

[hikingshoes]

Originally Posted by IndianaHiker

Want to drop alot of weight get rid of the MREs. Go with Mountain House or some other freeze dried foods. Lighter and for the most part better tasting.

Ill second that on the MH meals!!!