Ultralight backpacking is all the rage these days. Unless your hiking the Pacifici Crest Trail or some other mega long distant trail, you probably don’t need to be quite that extreme, but when planning to go backpacking, keeping the weight of your gear in mind is never a bad idea.

Since you will be carrying a lot of weight on your shoulders, it’s crucial that you know which items to take with you and which ones to leave behind. Lightening your backpack can be an overwhelming task, especially if you want to pack many things that you consider essential.

A lighter pack will help your backpacking trip, and you can enjoy the venture more. Here are some tips to help you pack light and make sure you will fit everything in your backpack.

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Choose Your Gear Carefully

Hitting the trails can be a daunting activity and it will take you a lot of time to prepare before you go outdoors.

Choosing your gear carefully meaning paying attention to its collective base weight. This means your backpack is loaded with everything except water and food.

To do this, you need to focus on the essential items for your trip: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and your pack.

To get the best possible experience and take some weight off your shoulders, choose ultralight options for these main items. To learn more on preparation and professional ultralight gear, check the guide at hykeandbyke.com.

If possible, try to weigh down every item you plan on taking with you to have a clearer perspective of the weight you’ll be carrying. This way, you can analyze the load and see where you can do some replacements. Replace heavy gear with lighter items that performs as well (or better considering lighter often means new and more technologically advances in other ways, too).

Lighter items are often more expensive (sometimes significantly so), but remember that you are making a long-term investment in your gear.

Sleeping Bag vs. Quilt

If you opt for the traditional backpacking experience, you can go with a sleeping bag. However, if you go with the minimalist style, then quilts are a better option. Sleeping bags are contoured and have a slim cut that allows you to take out your head and keep the warmth inside the bag. If you want to go down on weight, then down fill is recommended. Down packs are better than synthetic fill. The sleeping bags are easy and simple to use.

The quilts are alternatives for sleeping bags and are designed to be used on the top of the sleeping pad. They weigh less and eliminate the bottom insulation. Since there is no layer underneath you, most travelers complain of the rocky and uncomfortable ground for sleeping.

Make Your Sleeping Pad Multi Purpose

One of the tricks you can do with your sleeping pad is to use it as a frame. Many ultralight backpacks have no or minimal frames, so you can use the pad to add support and shape.

There are multiple ways to pack the sleeping pad. You can fold it up and place it inside the pack to create a frame. Or you can roll a closed-cell foam to form a tube and place that into the pack vertically. This way, you can stuff the rest of the gear in the additional space provided in the roll.

What Are You Sleeping In?

The traditional backpacking trip includes a sleeping bag or a tent. Tents provide sheleter form the elements, keeping you warm and cozy in the windy and rainy weather.

Double-walled tents have an inner tent body and an outer layer which provides better ventilation, more gear storage, and prevents condensation. Single-walled tents weigh much less but offer the protection of a traditional tent.

Either way, they’re typically the single heaviest item in a backpacking setup so going light here is helpful. Alternatively, if backpacking with friends, sharing tents can help you split the weight.

Tarp Shelters Are Minimalist and Lightweight

Tarp shelters are lightweight backpacking gear that you can use against the rain but won’t provide much extra warmth.

However, if you’re backpacking in mostly mild conditions, they’re a way to shave off tons of pack weight.

It may take some time and practice until you learn how to set it up, but once you do, it will become an essential gear item in your backpack.

Some of the tarp shelters have the shape of a pyramid, supported by a pole (typically your trekking pole if you use them) in the center and customized by adding a net on the floor.

Hammocks Make Camping Simple

You can easily set up a hammock almost anywhere. These items are versatile and do not require hanging off the ground or staking.

Sleeping in a hammock might not suit everyone, but it’s worth mentioning since many people like to carry it when traveling light.

Pack Lightweight Items at The Bottom

Your sleeping bag, the light or bulky items you will not need until later on the backpacking trip, can be packed at the bottom.

The packs do not usually have separate compartments, so you can ditch the sack or compress the sleeping bag into a stuffed sack.

Leave the bag uncompressed, so it’s filled on the bottom of the pack. You can add other soft and bulky items at the bottom, like clothing, sleeping pad, etc.

Before You Drive Away…

Ultralight backpacking makes the experience much more enjoyable, though there admittedly is somewhat of a cost entry barrier.

Try checking out online used gear stores first to score some secondhand ultralight gear on the cheap. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, take is gradually, buying what you can as you can. Prioritize the heaviest items in your backpacking setup. If you have a ten pound tent, it might be smart to replace that first.

But as with everything in the outdoor world, having the latest and greatest gear isn’t the only way to enjoy the outdoors. Get creative and get out there!

Tips to Pack Light for Long Backpacking Trips