How to Pack Lightly for a Backpacking Trip

What should you take when backpacking? First, you need to remember that the goal is to be as light as possible and to eliminate any extra weight. The lighter your equipment is, the easier time you will have on the trail.

Where do you find light equipment? It’s going to cost money. Don’t bring along that cheap $150 tent you bought at Canadian Tire. That tent is fine for camping at a drive-in campsite, but when you’re carrying it on your back, it’s going to weigh too much.

What about lawn chairs, or makeup? Those are unnecessary. When backpacking, you should only bring along the essentials.

The item that is going to weigh the most is going to be your food. For this reason, it’s important to bring along freeze-dried food. It will help keep your weight as low as possible. Brands like Mountain House, while expensive, really help to lower the amount of weight you have to carry.

The list I have provided below is what I take when backpacking. It is designed for 3 to 5 day hikes. The weights listed beside each item are the actual weight of my equipment. Most of the equipment I have would be considered middle-of-the-road. Nothing is overly expensive, but it’s also not something you’re going to find for bargain shop prices.

While my backpack weighs 30 pounds, the total amount of your backpack will vary depending on the quality of the supplies you bring along.

I also didn’t include any photography equipment. I usually bring a DSLR camera and drone along on my expeditions. Including these would add another 5 pounds to my total.

Total: 30.4lbs