If you’re going on a backpacking trip, your goal is to pack light. Remember, you will be carrying that weight most of the time. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice things, you just need to have a lightweight package. With proper organization, you’ll be able to carry all your essentials without breaking your back lugging your backpack around.

Follow these effective tips for packing light:

Pack the right clothes

Choosing the type of clothing and footwear to wear will have a huge impact on your backpacking trip. Not only will it do a lot for your comfort on the trail, but it will also affect the weight of your pack. When choosing clothes, opt for light synthetic materials. Not only do they weigh less than most materials, but they’re also great at wicking away moisture and sweat. Don’t bring cotton or denim, they are not good on the trail and also get very heavy when wet.

Also, get rid of the boots; opt for trail runners instead, as they are more comfortable and lighter.

drink it all

All hikers and backpackers know that having enough water on the trail is a must. You also know that the water you carry is a large part of the weight of your backpack. What you can do is drink at the water source, then fill your bottle with enough to get the next one.

dry your gear

Dew and moisture can cover the entire surface area of ​​your tent, adding a few ounces to its weight. It might not sound like much, but your clothes, tarps, and other camping gear are probably covered too, adding more weight to your pack than you think. Make sure to dry them before putting them away!

Go for a down sleeping bag

Compared to a sleeping bag made of synthetic material, a down sleeping bag is lighter and more compact. It’s also warmer, which is great for backpacking. Be sure to pack a good quality dry liner to prevent getting wet!

Distribute the weight

If you are backpacking with family or friends, it doesn’t make sense for everyone to bring their own cooking equipment, their own tent, etc. Calculate your settings for cooking and sleeping and share the load between members of your group. So each one carries less!

Follow these 5 effective ways to pack light for your next backpacking trip and you won’t have to worry about the weight of your backpack!