Sleep in shelters to save weight in your pack

A simple way to slim down your pack is to leave the tent at home and sleep in shelters. Utemagasinet has a short guide with seven tips, and it is a reminder of how much weight and space you can save. Without a tent you can carry a smaller pack, and the hike becomes easier to walk.

A shelter is a structure that protects against weather and wind, open on one side. They are often found along lowland trails, sometimes with a fire pit. But not all shelters are meant for sleeping in; some only have benches to sit on, so it is worth checking in advance. You can find them via Google Maps and the municipality's website.

It is first come, first served. If the shelter is large you may have to share the space with strangers, and city-near shelters in popular outdoor areas are often fully booked, so arrive early. Out of season you often have the place to yourself. Most cannot be booked, but there are architect-designed shelters with wow factor that can be booked in some areas.

The gear is minimal anyway: a sleeping pad, a sleeping bag and clothes suited to the temperature. Wool base layers work well as pajamas. For a little extra coziness the article suggests good food, a string of lights and a lantern, and a mosquito net if there are a lot of mosquitoes.

I like that the tip points in the right direction for anyone who wants to walk light: instead of buying yet another lightweight product, you hand the responsibility for roof and walls over to the trail. It is cheap, simple and suits an autumn hike well.

Source: Utemagasinet