{"id":5109,"date":"2018-09-01T22:11:19","date_gmt":"2018-09-01T21:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/superligero.es\/?p=5109"},"modified":"2026-09-04T09:50:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T07:50:06","slug":"reduce-weight-from-your-hiking-backpack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/superligero.es\/en\/blog\/reduce-weight-from-your-hiking-backpack\/","title":{"rendered":"Reduce the weight of your backpack"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Reducing the weight of your hiking pack takes time, experience and a critical review of your gear.<\/p>\n
It is normal to start out carrying too much. The mountains can seem like a harsh environment where you need to protect yourself with all kinds of clothing, accessories and \u201cjust-in-case\u201d items. The result is usually an oversized kit that tires you out more, takes up more space and makes every stop more complicated.<\/p>\n
You do not need to buy everything new or chase an extreme weight. The aim is to carry what you need for the route, the forecast and a reasonable safety margin<\/strong>, without duplicates or items with no clear purpose.<\/p>\n There is no universal list that works for everyone. A tarp may work very well on a summer route, but it will not necessarily be the right shelter for someone starting out or when sustained rain is forecast. Likewise, a four-season tent may make sense in winter conditions, but it is usually excessive for a straightforward summer trip.<\/p>\n This approach is intended for three-season hiking: spring, summer and autumn. In winter, in high mountains or in adverse weather, needs change and the safety margin should be greater.<\/p>\n Before changing anything, ask yourself these three questions about each item:<\/p>\n The first step is to weigh your gear. A digital scale lets you see what each item \u201ccosts\u201d in grams. Until you weigh it, it is easy to assume that a cover, a bag, some straps or several accessories make hardly any difference.<\/p>\n You do not need to obsess over every gram, but it is worth identifying where the weight is. Saving several hundred grams on one major item is more useful than cutting a few grams from items that already do their job well.<\/p>\n Write down all your gear in a list, notebook or spreadsheet, and organise it by category:<\/p>\n It is useful to separate base weight<\/strong> from consumables<\/strong>. Base weight includes what you normally carry at all times: your backpack, shelter, sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping pad, cooking kit and clothing. Consumables are food, water and fuel, which vary according to the length of the trip and resupply points.<\/p>\n This distinction helps you compare your gear between routes and understand what you can genuinely improve. A backpack is not heavy for the same reason when you are carrying three litres of water through a dry section as when you are carrying an unnecessarily heavy shelter, sleeping bag and backpack.<\/p>\n Most heavy backpacks are not heavy because of one item, but because of accumulation: a second T-shirt, two similar tools, several containers, too many bags, or overlapping garments.<\/p>\n Checking for duplicates does not mean leaving out what matters. A spare pair of socks or underwear can make sense. What is usually unnecessary is everyday clothing, a full change for every day, or accessories carried \u201cjust in case\u201d without an intended use.<\/p>\n The largest weight savings usually come from three items:<\/p>\n These are the heaviest items, and a well-chosen change can significantly reduce your total weight in one go. It makes more sense to review these items first than to start cutting off labels or utensil handles.<\/p>\n A shelter does not have to be a traditional double-wall tent with poles. Depending on the route, your experience and the forecast, it could be a tarp or a hammock.<\/p>\n Tarps are light and versatile; some weigh less than 300 g. In return, they require careful campsite selection, an understanding of their limits in wind and rain, and being comfortable with more open protection.<\/p>\nReducing hiking pack weight: where to start<\/h2>\n
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Get a scale and weigh everything<\/h2>\n
Make a gear list<\/h2>\n
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Do not duplicate functions<\/h2>\n
The big three<\/h2>\n
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Shelter<\/h2>\n
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