10 ways lighten load of your backpack | Ultralight hiking tips | Gear Hacks for a lighter pack
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- Опубликовано: 6 авг 2024
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let me know your top tips for a lighter pack
Links i chat about in the video
www.thehikinglife.com/2020/08...
bom.gov.au/climate/data/
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Thanks for watching all please add your thoughts below on other tips/hacks I might not have touched on here. I’m already planning a follow up vid based on a few great comments. Love ti. Cheers
Thanks for this K8i. Wise advice based on experience - thank you for sharing. One of the really important functions of sharing is that it gives us the audience the ‘license’ to buy wisely, to pack less for more, to enjoy an experience rather than ensure it.
If I have a choice of listening to the advice from you or someone selling me gear on line, or in a shop, I will definitively listen to you. One of the wisdoms I picked up from you in this vid is the ‘license’ to wear the correct footwear. I am ex army from when Noah sailed. I’ve been a big fan of boots, but they are heavy, and heavy is exhausting. Get the great footwear and zip of to a chemists to source the specialist supports - which are going to be less weight than heavy duty boots. I like that concept better. I also like you zip bag ideas on food storage and use. It just makes sense when you stop and think about it. Thanks.
Thanks a lot. I’m glad to hear. I guess an even better level could be to touch base with your physio and see that sort of brace/ support they would recommend. Best of luck with it. Hope it works for you
Totally agree with everything in this video. Also especially agree about trail runners! The only time I wear boots is walking off track in spinifex country to avoid needles going through the mesh into my feet. Great video with realistic advice to hikers new and experienced :)
Thanks so much for that. And OMG yes you are right about spinifex. I learnt this the very hard way up near Exmouth. There is always an exception. I feel like every time I make a video there are so many great comments I want to make a follow up video with all the good comments. Cheers
Thank you for Kate for helping to raise awareness of the benefits of trail runners. People are always told they need ankle support but the science just doesn’t back up that hiking boots provide the desired benefits. Anecdotally my knees are much better since going from heavy boots to trail runners, I find having some movement in my ankles to be a good thing as the forces then aren’t transferred up my legs to my knees. Also people are often told they need goretex, but as you mentioned why increase moisture retention in your shoes, one of the factors that increases likelihood of blisters. Unlined shoes dry just so much quicker. I used to take my boots off before water crossings. Now I just go straight through. Much safer than going barefoot.
Thanks James. Yes totally agree re water crossings. Love just plowing through in my trail runners. So great to hear you are feeling the benefits of lighter footwear. Happy hiking to you mate
Great set of advice Kate, I've become a massive car bag enjoyer since seeing your past videos. Especially the salt and vinegar chips.
Omg how bloody good are they. So good to hear
Top advice Kate. With you 100% on that advice, especially the trail runners and empty pack weight. I cut off every label on my clothes. Amazing the extra few grams in them, when every gram counts. If you take sugar, in tea or coffee, you can also save a ton of weight by using diabetic sweeteners for your hike, so much lighter. The stevia ones are also pretty healthy as made by reducing down the sap of the stevia cactus. Pack them in a tiny pill box and stash in with your tea or coffee. I have also recently moved to wearing a merino tee shirt as my base layer, with my usual safari shirt as my top layer for warm days, for fabulous pockets and sun protection. That way I often do not need to carry a merino jumper, as well as my fleecy and/ or puff jacket. Not for the middle of winter obviously though!
Thanks Fiona. Oh some goodies in there thanks. Happy hiking to you
Awesome tips Kate! Thanks! X
Thanks for the lovely comment. Hope you are well
Brilliant video!!!
Thank you! Cheers! Happy hiking
This was an awesome video Kate! Such good advice.
Thanks Laura hope you are well.
I had a macpac 70 canvas backpack for years great pack but heavy, now I have an exped lightning 45 can’t believe how much better it is 👍
So great to hear. Yeah I’ve been so impressed with my lightweight pack. Even bashing through thick Australian natives it’s never had a hold. Just a bit of soot from the fires.
Great advice Kate. Agree with everything you said 100%
Thanks so much! Happy hiking to you Alex
I love your content. It’s helped me so much in my journey of hiking!
Thanks so much for letting me know. Love hearing it. Keeps me inspired to keep making them. Cheers
Informative and beneficial video!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks
This is so useful! Especially the trail runners vs boots. I am coming from very unfit perspective so I feel every bit of weight on my feet. Completion is my goal. Thank you!
Thanks a lot. It can sometimes take a little time to get used to trail runners or minimalist shoes. So start wearing them around home and build your activity slowly. I love them so much. Happy hiking
Thanks Kate, great video. I agree that non-waterproof trail runners are a good option. I pair them with waterproof socks (Sealskinz) if I expect conditions will be constantly wet for a multi-day hike. I also use this combo for snowshoeing.
Thanks a lot. I’m keen to check out waterproof socks now cheers. Do you have problems with sweating in them?
Have used Sealskinz for decades on trips if expecting days of rain or knowing I'll have multiple stream crossing in cold temps. Have avoided foot problems in these conditions.
@@geraldwald3473 so cool. I’m going to try them cheers
Great video.
Thanks
❤ Nice one Kate! I know gear videos are not your favourite to make, this one was gold. All the tips I try to share with my friends rolled into one neat list. Now I can just share this video. 🎉
Thanks so much mate. Really appreciate the lovely comment and spreading the love. Happy hiking to you
the absolute greatest birthday present i ever received from my amazing wife was a food dehydrator , absolute game changer , Yummy food prepped and portioned how i like , ways a lot less , 0 food prep as you pour from your ziplock into the stove so less chance of contamination and significantly cheaper than purchasing , you can pick a nice one up for a few hundred or a cheap aldi / kmart for $50. Great list and advise and for most hikes trail runners are brilliant
Oh yes the ultimate ultralight. So good nick. Thanks for watching and the comment. I’m keen to do a follow up vid now there are so many great tips
Also a big fan of trail runners, but due to an ankle injury I need to use an ankle brace and orthotics. Trail runners aren't deep enough in the heel so when I wear them with braces my foot isn't 'in' the shoe properly and I end up with ankle slippage. I really miss trail shoes, wish they made them a little deeper to fit the braces!
Oh so interesting thanks for sharing. Hopefully there are some ultralight hybrid boots out there for you
Lots of good advice here. You have learned to be very methodical and clear about determining your needs and how to meet them efficiently, not carrying too much just in case because you're not sure. Thanks for sharing. Having separate mild and extreme/winter condition kits makes a lot of sense but might be beginning to stretch the 'without spending any money' criterion!
Thanks. Yeah good point. Was a hard balance Even the boot thing requires money. Perhaps I could remove the money bit. Great to have this feedback before I open it up to the public. Thanks
The ‘heavy’ boots, like scarpas, damage tracks too. Had to backtrack on the overland track one day. The track wear & tear was really surprising & it was really obvious where walkers had use the edge of their boots to climb over obstacles. Shoes gave better ankle flexion & conformed to the ground better.
John thanks so much for that intel. That’s a worry indeed and a great example of why to ditch the boots. Thanks for the info. Happy hiking
Good reasonable advice, based on common sense. So much is simply a necessity/luxury judgment, not a right/wrong issue. To each his own. Thanks.
Absolutely. I love my mate who carries an entire bottle of baileys. Thanks for watching.
Great video Kate. I thought I knew most of these things but that compression sack thing to have all your sleeping in gear in one bag is a great idea!!
Although I'm never going to stop wearing my boots 🤣
Haha thanks mate. Controversial one in there hey 😀😀😀 hope you are well mate.
Totally agree with all that - it's great advice. Although, I do wear a pair of (light weight) Arc'teryx boots, they're the absolute lightest hiking boots I've ever worn. The hidden weight in a backpack - had to learn that hard way. Most of my early backpacks had a 'brain' - thank goodness I don't bother about that anymore. Both my Day & O'Night packs both have roll down tops these days, and no frame.
So good Shaz. Might have to check out the acterix boots. Yeah the new ones are great re weight. It’s more the epic full leather ones. Thanks.
Love this video, but I had to laugh when you said you didn't bring your puffer jacket. Then the next shot is you in your puffer in your sleeping bag 😂 you made me laugh.
Haha I did wonder about that edit. It was from another trip but yes didn’t have good footage of me in my bag without the puff. Cheers
@KateGrarock I love that you used it, it made my laugh, so that's a good thing 😄
I love my ASOLO boots. So comfortable and light. I have never tried trial runners. I will try and pick up a pair at the next Mont clearance sale but boots do offer more protection for off track walking.
Yeah totally if you love them then maybe stick with it. Also one thing I probably should have said in the vid is that some of the newer “hybrid” hiking books are actually pretty good on how much they weight. So maybe yours aren’t too heavy. And oh gees you just got me excited to see when the next mont sale is.
Great video Kate! I also remove most bags that things come in. I managed to get my weight down to 18kg, from 20kg on the GOW haha.
So good. Every little bit counts hey.
Great advice! Laughed at the pizza story, I frequently take way too much food. Biggest learning for me was the trail runners I admit this makes perfect sense, and think that's likely my next investment.
Haha yeah tried so hard to eat it. So cool re trail runners. Just be sure to build up to the change eg hiking round town especially if you go with a minimalist shoe like Altra
I use a Nalgene water bottle in winter, then double it as a hottie for those chilly nights. I'm loving my new Sportiva hiking boots, coming in at 900gms; much lighter than my older hiking boots. I also waterload when I'm sure of water sources. :)
So good. Yes they are getting some lovely lightweight boots these days. So good to hear. Cheers
Onya Katie! 🎉
Thanks mate
Great video Kate. I always wear my steel cap work boots because they're super comfortable but I never really thought about it as carrying extra weight. As for waterproof trail runners, as soon as you step in a deep enough puddle, that goes out the window. Lol. ...and I guarantee I'll find that puddle 🤣😂
Loads of great info in this video. Thanks again Kate.😃
Thanks a lot mate. Hey if the work for you I’d say don’t change it. That’s cool you hike in steelcaps. That’s epic. Thanks
@@KateGrarock as for the ankle support, because of my bad hip, which is pretty much bone on bone now, I don't have the flexibility to reach my laces and get them as tight as I would like anyway, so my boots really only protect against bumps & scrapes I suppose. They definitely help keep my feet warm though. Been thinking about investing in some thermal socks.
@@BlackshacksBushcraft Give trail runners a go. You may find the reduced weight to be beneficial for your hips. I found going from heavy leather boots to trail runners that my knees were so much happier at the end of the day.
Hey Kate, love your work. Very helpful video. I've watched a fewer of your older videos and you admit that you went from being a traditional type hiker to ultralight then decided to wind back on the ultralight style. Have you found a happy medium or have you decided that ultralight is the way to go? Beginner hiker here, cheers, Dan.
Hey Dan thanks a lot for the comment. I guess I feel my style hasn’t changed so much. More that true ultralight these days has gone next level and would probably be classed as having a 5kg pack. Or that there is a new category of Uberlight where you are under 3kg and don’t carry a stove or cook food. There is a point where the fun of gram counting tips the balance of enjoyable safe hiking. And some people might think 7kg is way to low. I’m more around 7kg sometimes more. I’m learning now it’s more about the trail you are on and the weather conditions. Sometimes I just want to hike short distances and sit around the fire with friends. Other times I want to do 30km days over a week or more. I tend to pack quite differently for both. For example I once camped on top of the castle in the budawangs with a tarp. It’s a rocky cliff top and it was very windy. Yeah my pack was lite but Wowzers that tarp whipped around all night and was kinda miserable - like being in a wind tunnel. A free standing tent would have been a much nicer experience. But yes probably would have weighed 1kg more. I feel I used to be a little too obsessed with gram counting. I still do it but make comfort choices that I know will make my experience better despite a weight penalty. But hopefully it’s an informed and calculated weight penalty. Hope that makes some sense. Everyone has a different hiking style. Hopefully you can find yours. Sing out if you have any questions/thoughts on that.
@KateGrarock thank you Kate, really appreciate the reply and the advice. Completely makes sense. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Dan.
@@danvk3ndg104 my pleasure Dan. Best of luck on your hiking journey.
I do NOT embrace the stink. My comfort items are extra clothes and wet wipes for wiping down every night, which are also recycled into toilet paper the next day. I'm still under 4.5 kilos for 3 season gear so. Altra Lone Peaks were a game changer for me too. No more sprained ankles! Nice video.
thanks mate good to hear re weight. my only question would be how well do the wet wipes breakdown if you are burying them? I've been thinking about this a lot even with toilet paper and hope to put out a vid soon about how well toilet paper breaks down, I should try testing wet wipes.
@@KateGrarock I pack them back out in doubled up zip locks in sensitive areas. Otherwise I bury them 6 inches deep. They're biodegradable "flushable" wipes btw.
@@spuriouseffect amazing I’m keen to start doing the pack out. Bloody good on you. Cheers
@@KateGrarock👌pack it in, pack it out. Even TP. LNT😊
Always worn hiking shoes, but reading everyone's comments about trail runners, I bought a pair and wore them for the first time on a hike through Surrey (UK) last weekend. While they were comfortable, I found my shoes filling up with seeds and little rocks, and having to stop several times to empty them out. Maybe they're not the right ones for my skinny ankles, or maybe they weren't laced up properly (I've always worn shoes just lose enough that I can slip in and out of them without re-tying the laces). My hiking shoes aren't boots, but I guess they're less open around the ankles than these trail runners. An option might be gaiters for keeping muck out of my shoes, but I've never needed them before, and don't want to start unless I have to (no snakes to worry about where I'm hiking). I wonder if anyone else has had the same experience with trail runners.
Snug up your shoe laces and get gaitors.
Interesting that’s for sure. I guess it’s a good point that we all have different styles and I guess some things work better for some people. I’d say if you are happy with your old shoes and you have tried trail runners then just go with what works for you. Happy hiking and I hope you find a good solution
**edit: I meant switch from boots to trail runners (I love Altra Lone Peaks) and to keep junk from falling into shoes get lightweight gaitors. I was attempting to reply to another commenter. 😉
One perpective about ankles... Directionally, ankles have more give than knees. If the ankle is encased especially with a heavy boot, there is a good chance of messing with the knees... that would have been avoided by the more flexible movement of the ankle.
Amazing thanks for sharing. Makes so much sense. Thanks Jane going to remember that gem.
@@KateGrarock yes I can take it a step further... I have genetically weak ankles but after a few thru hikes and several thousand miles i havent had ankle troubles in trail runners. I do better with some padding. Also, when i went with a wider toe box shoes and zero drop, a decades old ski injury/ meniscus problem went away. A million years ago when I was at university i was in a hiking group. We had a special guest, Willi Unsoeld an original usa everest climber. In a hiking prep i complained about my boots and blisters and he said just wear your "sneakers" you'll be far more comfortable. Thus an ultralight principal took root for me in the 70's and I haven't looked back. In general I just feel more nimble and balanced. Of course for winter conditions it's another story.
brilliant thanks for that, will have to share with a few friends. So amazing to hear the transformation you have had@@janefreeman995
I need you to explain how you were gonna cook the pizza
Haha was already cooked. I guess just eat it cold.
Definitely fallen into the trap of buying things that will do everything lol(3kg 4 season tent) but can’t justify or afford to re buy and replace stuff😢
Yeah it’s rough hey. I’ve had a lot of success selling and buying on Facebook marketplace. But yeah I get it hiking gear is horribly expensive. Best of luck with your hiking.
You should change your name to kate hikes it would make alot of sense
Ha I just put Kate hikes in the search term and a lot of my vids came up. Might have to start using it as a hashtag. Cheers
What, no one else takes a porter?
Haha I have a friend who almost is. She pulls all sorts of amazing things out of her pack like a whole bottle of baileys
Sorry, you lost me with embracing the stink.
Haha. Yeah fair enough.