How I lightened my pack before the hike

For a long time I hiked with a far too heavy backpack, but recently I read a guide to ultralight hiking that made me rethink things. The basic idea is simple: start with the big three — tent, backpack and sleep system. Choose lightweight options there and you can shave off several kilos right away.

What helped me most was weighing all my gear and entering the weights in a spreadsheet. That way you quickly see what your pack actually consists of. A good benchmark is 'three for three': tent, empty backpack, sleeping bag and sleeping pad should weigh no more than three kilos combined.

The sleeping bag is an easy place to save weight — down insulates better than synthetic at a lower weight, and an inflatable sleeping pad packs much smaller than a foam pad. The kitchen can get lighter too: if you're only boiling water, a small canister-top gas stove is enough.

The most important thing I've learned is to dare to take things out instead of adding them. Leave the 'nice to have' items at home, and you'll be able to walk farther and enjoy nature more instead of staring at your feet.

Source: Scandinavian Outdoor