EQUIPMENT FOR MOUNTAINS - HOW TO REDUCE THE WEIGHT OF YOUR BACKPACK FOR A MULTIPLE-DAY TRIP?

One-day trips that end with a return home or a stay in a safe and comfortable shelter, along with the acquired experience, become routine and cease to be a challenge. It's no wonder that you begin to crave longer and more demanding outings. However, the decision to go on a multi-day hiking trip with overnight stays in the field also entails additional equipment. How to pack so that your backpack doesn't weigh as much as a small elephant? There are several effective ways to reduce the weight of your gear.

BIG THREE - THE TRIAD

Three things have the biggest impact on the total weight of your equipment:

• shelter, which includes a tent or hammock with a tarp;
• sleeping bag and sleeping pad;
• backpack.

By reducing the weight of each element of the triad, you will have the greatest impact on lightening the load you carry.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR MOUNTAIN HIKING

The weight of your equipment is one of the most important considerations when embarking on a longer mountain hike. The number of items to take with you increases rapidly when you decide to extend your trip from one to several days: a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cookware, gas canister, food supply, and more are just some of the items on the list. It's very easy to overpack - after all, everything might come in handy when you're away from home... However, you must remember that you'll be carrying all of it on your own back. Furthermore, with each passing day of hiking, you're likely to become more tired and start questioning why you brought so many things. So, what do you absolutely need to have and what can you leave behind to avoid adding extra kilograms?

The minimum set of essentials necessary for independent survival during a multi-day mountain trip includes a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad, accessories such as a gas cartridge, stove, knife and cookware set, water bottle, headlamp, trekking poles, as well as a map and compass. As for clothing, you'll need jackets with water and wind resistance, a fleece or a down jacket (or a combination of both: a warm and lightweight down jacket), comfortable hiking pants, and, of course, basic clothing such as shirts, underwear, and socks. It's also essential to have a first aid kit on the trail, and it's recommended to have waterproof protection for your phone, a power bank, and spare batteries for your flashlight.

It probably goes without saying that packing underwear and clothes for every day, like you would for a hotel vacation, is not a wise idea. It's much better to rely on 2-3 proven sets of merino wool clothing and do laundry as needed. In good weather conditions, the underwear will dry easily while hanging on your backpack during the hike.

HOW MUCH SHOULD A BACKPACK WEIGH FOR MOUNTAIN HIKING?

It is said that the weight of the backpack should not exceed 30% of the hiker's body weight. However, this refers more to an ideal BMI than actual physique, so if you are overweight, it doesn't mean you can carry more. On the contrary, it's better not to overly strain your joints in such a situation. Additionally, women are advised to choose backpacks that are 10 liters smaller in capacity and therefore lighter when packed compared to men's models.

Thanks to modern equipment, you can significantly improve the ratio of your backpack's weight to your own weight, easily reducing it to 15%. With careful gear selection, you can pack for a 500-kilometer hike and achieve a base weight of 5 kg (a weight ratio of 6.5%). We're talking about spending over two weeks in the mountains!

Remember that during the hike, it's not just the weight that matters but also the distribution of the load on your back. After packing, put on the backpack and adjust the strap length. Make sure that nothing is overloaded on either side.

TIP 1: REDUCE THE WEIGHT OF STRATEGIC ITEMS

Extreme hikers seek savings at every step. They can file down a small knife or trim a toothbrush. Some even leave behind such "unnecessary" cosmetic items altogether. However, no matter how hard they try, they only save a few grams. But there are elements of trekking gear that cannot be eliminated. Reducing their weight, however, can bring tangible benefits. These include the tent, sleeping pad, and of course, the sleeping bag.

The simplest thing you can do is to switch from synthetic to a lighter and warmer down sleeping bag. Even an extreme conditions down sleeping bag like the Pajak Radical 16H doesn't exceed 1.5 kg in weight. There are even models weighing less than 500 g - it all depends on your needs and requirements. In addition, high-quality down (both duck and goose) has a high compression ratio, which means that a down sleeping bag takes up almost no space in the backpack. The same feature that ensures the sleeping bag's lightness and compactness also guarantees effective insulation: the more the down expands, the more warm air it retains, and that's what "warms" your body when you rest after covering kilometers during the day.

TIP 2: CAN YOU DO WITHOUT A TENT?

You want to be independent and not have to plan your route to end each day in a refuge or hut – that's fine. But does it really have to be a tent? There is an alternative: a camping tarp! A lightweight tarp, hung between trees or on poles, will protect you from rain and wind, and it weighs only a fraction of a standard tent. This is also a great option for those who prefer to sleep in the air, i.e., in a hammock (which, by the way, is lighter and more portable than the necessary sleeping pad in a tent).

TIP 3: HIKING IN A LARGER GROUP? SHARE THE LOAD

You won't give away your sleeping bag to anyone, but a tent can be divided. One person can take the frame, another the pegs, and the third the flysheet – and now instead of carrying 3 kg, you have 1 kg on your back. Similarly, you can distribute provisions among several backpacks. When hiking in a coordinated group, you can also do without personal items – for example, a few people can share one toothpaste for a couple of days. It's best to transfer it to a smaller container, as there's no need to take the whole tube! Use your head, and you'll find that you can practically share everything among the members of the expedition.

TIP 4: THE RIGHT BACKPACK GUARANTEES SUCCESS

Don't forget that the backpack itself has its weight and can increase the overall load by a few points. There's a solution for that – the XC3 by Pajaksport. This backpack is designed for lightweight trekking enthusiasts. It weighs only 600 g. With such low weight, it's hard to believe how durable and resistant to mechanical damage it is, how moisture-resistant it can be, and how many useful features it offers: strategically placed compression straps, clever pocket systems, and what makes it truly comfortable, optimal hip belt and EVA foam-padded straps straight from expedition backpack designs. All of these contribute to exceptional hiking comfort!

If you want your outdoor adventures to be filled with unforgettable experiences, don't forget about comfortable equipment. Your backpack, sleeping bag, and lightweight down jacket are waiting for you at pajaksport.pl!

Image source: pajaksport.pl