Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
namhod
1991
Mar 2, 2018
I am a "beginner" I have noticed shaving weight here and there has helped me a lot. That and trekking poles have made climbing and descending a lot more bearable, more pain spread out on the body.
I don't claim to be ultralight, I like to carry too much crap :D
KitCarson61
106
Mar 8, 2018
namhodThink about it this way: Every pound you leave behind now is the equivalent of around a full ton of weight that's not doing damage to your body for every mile hiked. Shave off two pounds...that's two tons. I carried a cast iron skillet and canned chili in my 50+lb pack as a kid. What an idiot! At 57 years old, I'm wishing now that I'd have punished my body less when I was younger. It'd be nice to not hurt so much. I'm SURE that if I'd cut a few pounds per trip in my younger days, I'd be aching less today. New base weight runs at under 12lb (13.5 w/fishing gear) with a three night FSO weight of under 25lb and I'm more comfortable than I was 35 years ago. Yes, improvements in gear overall have helped, but just being smart about what I carry now makes more of a difference and going lightweight doesn't HAVE to be expensive. If you can't find what you're needing her on Massdrop, there's a LOT of great used gear out there on the cheap and a lot of great people willing to offer experience based advice. Take advantage of the mistakes others have made and you'll save yourself a lot of trouble, pain, time and money and have a much more enjoyable time on the trail.
search
namhod
1991
Mar 8, 2018
KitCarson61I try to stay under 25 ish as a rule. But I pack a camera, mini tripod, knives to take pics of (I know, nerdy)
I have a mix if good old gear and nice newer stuff. So I am definitely the middle ground, certainly not packing any cast iron with me!
The wall I have really run into is that I need to cut hobbies out of my hobby. If that makes any sense. So I guess I have chosen to carry a bit more weight to satisfy other itches at the same time. I am a weekend warrior, not a thru hiker by any means.
Petech
9
Mar 9, 2018
KitCarson61I'm in a backpacking club and most of my fellow backpackers are, quite frankly, overweight. So, by your theory, at a ton per pound per mile, if you're 10 pounds overweight you're carrying 10 tons extra every mile you walk everyday! By the way, I'm 60 years old and I carry 50 lb plus on every backpacking trip and I feel great at the end of every day. Too many people think they need to go lighter and leave important things behind simply because their pack doesn't fit correctly and they're wearing the wrong boots.. But just as important, is staying in shape and not being overweight. My advice, is to stop making excuses for why you ache and get better boots, buy a pack that has good support and fits you, and stay in shape. Works for me.
idoc72
1181
Mar 9, 2018
PetechAgreed - doesn't help much to shave ounces or grams from your equipment, when you need to shave pounds from yourself! I think a little bit of both is prudent. Get in shape and carry what you NEED for a safe and enjoyable outing.
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in More Community Picks