Backpacking Light

The lightest gear is experience - and it's the hardest to earn.

One objective of your backpacking kit: control discomfort. The better you understand your body, terrain, and conditions, the less ‘stuff’ you need to feel comfortable.

The best ultralight gear isn’t the lightest - it’s the lightest thing that still does the job.

The weight of your pack doesn’t just come from gear - it comes from fear. Confidence in the backcountry is the ultimate weight saver.

The most overlooked skill in ultralight backpacking? Knowing when to say ‘I don’t need that.’

If your gear list isn’t shaped by experience, it’s just a shopping list.

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what's your M.O. for staying organized under a tarp?

Weight distribution science plays a vital role in backpack design. A lighter pack with no (frameless) structure may contribute to instability that increases fatigue and muscle strain.

One of the main reasons to reduce your pack weight? A lighter pack lowers metabolic cost - hike more hours, cover longer distances, or conserve energy and feel better at the end of the day (and the next morning).

You can argue with the philosophy of ultralight backpacking, but you can't argue with its biomechanical benefits: a lighter pack minimizes the physical strain on joints and muscles.

Your pack weight might be bottoming out (optimization plateau) because you've saved as much weight as you can already. Now, focus on the versatility and performance of the gear. There's usually room to improve performance with more strategic gear selections.

Efficiently reducing pack weight in less-essential areas—like hydration or shelter or stove systems—can allow us to add weight for items that increase safety and comfort - i.e., warmer clothing, more comfortable sleeping, more comfortable backpack.

Trekking poles improve stability on uneven terrain. Loss of coordination and strength as we age means more risk for trips and falls.

Aging backpackers face unique challenges. Prioritizing comfort over extreme weight savings can improve long-term health and enjoyment on the trail.