How to lighten a pack by 6-8 POUNDS for FREE

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How to lighten a backpack. ultralight hiking. How to lose weight from a pack. hiking. camping. backcountry trails. Lighter pack. Save weight from a backpack. What to bring backpacking. What not to bring backpacking.

[DanBecker]

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[Case]

Good tips!
One thing I’ll add is to look through your pack every now and then to see if there’s anything you really don’t need, but just haul around out of habit. I was going through my daypack once and found a fist sized rock in the very bottom of it, underneath my first aid kit. Parts of it had a glass-like polish from being in there so long. My son had collected it once during a hike; we put it in the pack and promptly forgot about it. I lugged that thing around for 3 years.

I just weighed it out of curiosity. 357 grams/12.62 oz.

[Unflappabledelladuck]

I thought you meant there was a million videos about you not wearing a hat. 🤣 tf

[ronink.]

A great thing to do if you have a stubborn knot, use the cork screw on your Swiss Army knife, screw it into the knot and loosen it using the cork screw. It works great!

[Motorep]

I carry a sharpie and mark my fuel canister every time I boil water. When I get up to 10-12 boils on a can it goes into the car camping bin. I can typically get 15-18 boils on a canister though.

[justrusty]

When I first starting hiking after a 25 year hiatus, I basically didn't stop to think that I was no longer the ex-college athlete who could carry over 1/3rd his body weight in a pack. (Seriously, when I was 21 I went on a 117 mile hike, body weight 145, pack weight 55 lbs.) So in my late 40s I was out hiking with friends and relatives and I herniated a disk (had a 40+ lb. backpack.) While waiting for one of us to go get the car, we took an inventory of my pack. I had a key ring.. yes a frickin' key ring, with so many rings on it I looked like a high school janitor. It weighed 1.5 pounds all on its own. It was just what I normally had with me so I tossed it into the top of the pack after we parked the car. Just habit. No thought. The rest of my inventory was just as bad - useless stuff or too heavy. Now while I don't subscribe to going overboard on ultralight (it can get out of hand also) at least now I can go for an extended trip with a starting pack weight around 27 pounds (all in, 7 days of food, water, everything) and even that is because I tend to carry a lot of water (having run out once in a desert, I'm now paranoid. about it.) Now at 62, the lighter weight is important.

[savannahl]

I have been sifting through so much information preparing for my first solo backpacking trip and your channel is a breath of fresh air! I am introduced to new gear and practical ideas without being force fed the same overly expensive brands I see all over the place. Excellent content, very helpful for a first timer! ❤️

[timd]

I learned to also take a change of underwear after the bear incident.

[fearsomefawkes]

Dan, your scale has a 'units' button to do the conversions for you.

[rolfdenver]

One more point: some of us (me included) should try to lose some weight ourselves. Our knees will thank us.

[andrewgelston]

Concerning the fuel canister, i always bring two of the small ones. One is from the previous trip and is used until it's out of fuel, then i have a fresh one. Also having two provides a backup in-case of failure also.

[iviewthetube]

I don't bring those extra things so that I can bring my camping chair.

[henrikwillaume-jantzen]

You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself... I’m a bushcrafter and i learned a lot from this video. You got me on the knives, the cook wear and the extra clothes. Especially the knifes is a soft spot on for the bushcrafters. I bring five - FIVE - knives when i take a trip to the woods. And it’s NOT necessary...
Great show by the way...

[liryco]

Great video ! As for the knife, I recently changed my backpacking knife for the Opinel n°8. 45g French made foldable knife with locking mechanism. Great and light and cheap option (at least here in France).
Keep up with the good work!
Hi from France

[hollyhopalong]

All your ideas are great! The best pack solution (for me) is a detailed pack list, describes what’s in each ditty bag, choice of cook gear set ups, which sleep system for different weather expectations, clothing set ups, etc . This way I don’t forget anything important, and don’t toss in those seemingly light weight “just in case, why not” that add up so fast. Last pack update included 3x Imodium and bring a survival blanket (the cheap Mylar kind) for other less prepared day hikers. I’m not giving up my down bag if your too dumb to bring a sweater, but I will front you a $1.99 survival blanket 😉

[jdeekaye]

Love that little Victorinox multitool, I've had one on my car keys for about 7 years, moved house twice and unpacked all the boxes with it. I would say I use the tool at least once a day, couldn't live without it!

[testodude]

One area where newbs (like this one) can trim weight is the med kit and toiletries you bring along for a weekend trip. I started out with two-thirds of my medicine cabinet in several zip locks.

[AnonYmous-bevw]

I'm a 48 year old frequent car camper in the Inland Northwest USA with a compromised lower back, and I'm learning about backpacking set ups and gear from your channel that are helping me prepare. Thanks!

[alexanderweaver]

These are all great tips, Dan. I'm one of those guys who tends to over pack, especially when it comes to tools. Always a proponent for the right tool to properly accomplish a task, I carry an Emerson chest pack. I could survive with just the contents having the capabilities to build a shelter, fire, fish, hunt for food, "glass" my surroundings and orienteering. I was raised by parents who were survivalists and prepared for life contingencies and emergencies. I became a buddy care/survival instructor in the military, a paramedic instructor teaching our EMT's, security police and firemen and always carried tools and teaching aides. It's hard to get over bad habits :) My backpacking gear consists of military surplus items and you know that weight is not a primary concern, that durability is. Having 60+ years of outdoor experience age is determining my load weight. Thanks to you and others I'm learning how to accomplish the lightweight goals.

[jeromebullard]

I bring some extra toys because it keeps me entertained, and part of the reason I backpack is for the exercise. So I’m not afraid to carry 35 lbs of gear and food. I’m not a small guy. It’s different for everyone.