Archive for the ‘Light Weight’ Category
Hiking Tent Weight
Campers who tote their gear along in cars don’t have to worry about weight so much as space, but a backpacker needs to be concerned with both. Backpackers weigh their packs by the ounce and consider each item carefully before including it wit their gear. The most weight-conscious backpackers will generally carry a quality two person tent that weighs in at five to six pounds, or a solo tent that can weigh as little as three pounds.
If you’re planning a ip with several people, there are backpacking tents available that will suit your needs. A backpacking tent can sleep four people, fold down small and are a lightweight at eight pounds. Larger tents that sleep six to eight people can start weighing in the teens and even twenties. If you want everyone to sleep in the same tent then you may consider sharing the weight during the trip; however, it is probably easier when traveling with multiple backpackers that everyone, or every other person, carry a one to two person, lightweight tent.
Tips For Lightweight Backpacking
People who backpacks often know that cutting down on the weight of the pack are the most important aspect of backpacking. When you are carrying a lot of weight, you become tired more quickly, are more likely to stumble, and tend to be sore after resting. Backpacking equipment is all designed to be as lightweight as possible, but backpackers have developed a few simple practices of their own to cut down on the weight. For example, water and all fluids weigh a lot, and instead of carrying more than a bottle full of water, backpackers have started to prefer the use of a water pump with a filtration system that can take water from streams and alpine lakes. In addition, carrying powdered food, like Humus, is a great meal idea.
In addition to practice, it is important to have the right equipment. Backpacking tents can weigh less than five pounds, and when compared to many standard tents that weight double or triple that amount, that’s a lot of weight saved. It’s also a good idea to have backpacking packs which are designed to support significant weight, reduce chafing, and store all supplies.
Tips for the Novice Hiker
When it comes to hiking, it’s important to reduce carried weight as much as possible. Having extra weight from unneeded supplies is one of the most common problems that affect hikers and backpackers. This unneeded weight could stem from carrying too much water, cooking supplies, or even clothing and accessories. As such, it’s important to seek out lightweight backpacking tents and other compact gear. While some amount of weight is necessary, it’s also important to know how to carry it.
Hiking backpacks are essential for hiking because of their design to distribute the weight in equal amounts between the upper and lower back. When a hiking backpack is snug to the back it means that the weight distribution is equal, and that the carried weight won’t have a huge effect on the hiker. It’s important to remove unnecessary supplies from the backpack as well, and remember to never carry items like hardbound books, cast iron cookware, and extra shoes.
Having a lightweight hiking backpack makes hiking all the more enjoyable, especially on those steep uphill inclines. In addition to carrying a light load, carrying a hiking stick will also make your journey easier and more pleasurable.
Our Annual Backpacking Adventure
My brother and I take a couple weeks off from work every summer and go backpacking through the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. We have a strong disdain for technology despite the fact that we both work for an IT company, so it’s a good opportunity to disconnect and reacquaint ourselves with nature. Since we carry our packs with us everywhere, we bring nothing but the essentials: backpacking tents, emergency rations, tools and a few other miscellaneous lightweight supplies.
It may seem irresponsible to head into the great outdoors with such minimal equipment, but my brother and I were both Eagle Scouts and spent time in the Marines, so we’re well versed in the ways of the wild. Much of our food comes from fishing, which is one of our favorite activities on these journeys. On particularly good days, we dry some of the fish to save for later when they may not be biting.
Pointers for Picking a Hiking Tent
Portability is key when selecting backpacking equipment, especially if you plan on taking extended day hikes. Toting massive quantities of supplies just isn’t an option, so it’s best to pick and choose wisely. Which items can you not live without? One of the most essential items you’ll take on any outdoor excursion is a tent.
The main selling point for a backpacking tent is its lightweight construction. After all, you’ll be hauling it around all day before setting it up at night. Ease of use is a secondary but also immensely important consideration. No one wants to wrestle around with a tent after a long day on the trail. When scanning the market for tents, factor in the total weight – not just the trail weight, which often doesn’t include the stakes and poles.
Trimming Down on Backpacking Weight
When it comes to backpacking, any experienced backpacker knows that cutting down on the weight is essential. Backpackers go to extreme lengths to remove even a few ounces from their packs because backpacking becomes much more difficult with a heavier pack. When backpacking, it’s important to carry as little weight as possible, and this often means shying away from the standard camping equipment. For example, two person backpacking tents might weigh as much as ten pounds less than a standard two person camping tent because a backpacking tent will have plastic poles and lightweight fabric.
When backpacking it’s also important to leave behind those items that weigh too much. Cookware and dishes, for example, are items that backpackers prefer to remove from their packs. Food and water is essential outdoors, but both can add a lot of weight. Backpackers tend to eat a lot of powdered food like humus, and instead of having a potable water supply, backpackers often use a portable water filter and carry just a single bottle of water for each person.