Camping Gear - Veteran Campers Go for Lightweight Backpacking

More campers today are now choosing lightweight backpacking style camping gear, which according to them is without a doubt more convenient with many more advantages. Backpacking on the other hand in its traditional form, still practiced by some, has been slowly losing in its popularity.

David, 38, has been backpacking for 12 years. For most of that time he carried a typical pack of gear that weighed in at 40 pounds. But after hearing about lightweight backpacking gear, a simple weekend long test run was all it took to make him switch and never go back.

David now uses running shoes and twenty-pound backpack, he doesn’t experience any more back and leg pains even after hiking many miles. Other than the convenience this style of backpacking brings, he even gets to enjoy more of the outdoors as the lightweight gear for  backpacking has given him more freedom and makes it easier to get around.

Tracy, 28, a backpacker for 4 years told researchers that safety is the main reason why she moved to the lightweight backpacking gear. Heavy backpacking gear increases risks of injuries like blistered feet, sprained ankles, and even muscle pains; but it also makes it hard to manage an emergency situation in the outdoors. “If there were a rockslide, it would be easier for me to run with a lighter weight pack,” she relates.

Many other backpackers state that lightweight backpacking gear allows them to take side trips from the hike much more easily without having to choose to leave gear stashed or without slowing them down like traditional backpacking equipment. This gives them more time to do other enjoyable camping activities such as swimming, fishing and even photography.

The key to lightweight backpacking that both David and Tracy revealed is to bring along the right camping gear. Knowing what is truly needed from what is not is the core idea behind lightweight backpacking. Also a backpacker should learn to bring along smaller versions of necessary things. A good example being, a camper should transfer plenty of sunscreen to a smaller container to save space in their pack and lighten up the weight.

Another technique used by many in lightweight backpacking is to remove the unnecessary weight in the things you need to bring along. Davis went so far as removing the handle of his pots and pans and replaced them with a light wire so he can still handle when cooking but they would weigh less. This removed weight for a lighter pan that reduced the load of his pack.

David, Tracy and other lightweight backpacking enthusiasts urge other backpackers to try this style of backpacking. They promise comfort, convenience, safety, and a much more enjoyable backpacking trip into the wilderness that you will surely love.