Backpacking Advice: Less Isn't More, It's Less
You've probably heard the saying "less is more,” but when it comes to backpacking less is actually less and that's the way it should be.
Since my summer of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I've come across a number of old pictures from prior backpacking trips and it pains to think of how many items I must have been carrying with me in those packs that were unnecessary for what I was doing on those trips.
Looking back, I realize that I thought I needed everything for every situation I could think of in the backcountry at all times. There was this image in my head of what backpacking was supposed to look like so I did my best to make sure I had with me what it took to complete that picture. No matter the situation that would arise, I’d be ready for it, and I probably was.
Streamline, streamline, streamline!
Realities of Backpacking Gear Choices
The reality is that more often than not, our backpacking trips are pretty average and done mostly in nice weather. It’s pretty rare that you’ll find yourself in a gnarly situation unless you know for sure that could be the case OR you’ve failed to do your research beforehand. The average of all my backpacking has been done within an hour or two of the trailhead and in nice weather which means if I would just spend some time thinking about what I actually needed instead of what I was afraid of, my pack would have likely been a lot smaller. Furthermore, optimizing for those conditions could have drastically reduced my overall pack weight.
It goes without saying you should always be prepared for changing conditions, but there’s a limit to what you actually need for that depending on your location and unique situation.
But how in the world are you supposed to know what to bring with you on a backpacking trip when you go into your local store and see a million different sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and half a dozen tents hanging on the wall? Play the game of "pick your expert" at your local outdoor store and you'll likely get five different answers from five different experts on which pad to bring with you on your trip to the Sierra Mountains. Riddle me this - if they’re all experts, wouldn't they all come to the same conclusion on which gear I need?
One expert thinks you need a crazy ultralight pad because they are okay with sleeping on one while the other thinks you need a thick insulated one that blows up with three easy farts of air. So who's right and who's wrong? These experts are playing wheel of fortune with my gear needs and by the time I leave the store, I’m loaded down with stuff I don’t need because the situation doesn’t call for it but I have it “just in case.”
To be fair to myself, I was hauling gear for two people…
Backpacking and hunting make for a pretty amazing adventure but you can easily overdo it with gear.
Who’s Right and Who’s Wrong; Ultra-lighters or the Ultra-prepared?
I hate to tell you this, but they're all right and they're all wrong... Everyone has their own preferences on what they like, don’t like, and what they’re willing to go without, but if you're new to this game then you really don't know where you land on the scale. It’s a literal trial by fire and the scary part is that learning where you are on the scale can be expensive and painful. So what do you do about it?
Here’s my best advice - if you're buying backpacking gear, stay away from the extremes on either end. Don't buy yourself the warmest sleeping bag and the thickest sleeping pad you can find and don't do the opposite either. Aim for somewhere in the middle and you'll likely be pretty happy with the result. Don't buy the pack with a million zippers and pockets and don't buy the tiny pack those ultra hikers use when they're covering 45 miles a day (they are dialed into an extreme and you are not). Landing somewhere in the middle is a good place to be when it comes to pretty much everything (miles covered included).
How To Pack Less for Backpacking
A good rule of thumb is to remember "less is less." The fewer features a piece a kit has, the less it likely weighs. The less room you have in your pack to stow things, the less crap you can take with you because it forces you to keep things simple. The fewer accessories and gadgets you bring with you in the field, the less you have to worry about losing them or charging them which then leads to even less gear. And finally, the less weight you carry on your back, the less you'll hurt, the less you'll hate hills, and the less likely you'll be to find yourself saying "I F#@KING HATE BACKPACKING!!!"
See how that works? When it comes to backpacking, less is actually better for most things.
When Less Isn’t Better For Backpacking
Of course, less of everything isn’t always a hard and fast rule. Your goal to bring less shouldn’t force you into a scenario in which you’re at risk of your own personal safety. I personally know I probably carry too much water on me. There are times when I know I can get away with only having a liter of water in my pack, but still choose to carry two liters because, well, that’s just what makes me feel comfortable.
The same goes for food and calories. You can’t be skimping on caloric intake when you’re backpacking. Your body NEEDS calories to fuel itself so make sure there are plenty of those calories in your pack somewhere so you’re not risking the bonk or a body that begins shutting down on itself (been there…it’s not fun).
Advocating for “less” when it comes to backpacking also doesn’t extend to what keeps you safe. If you’re planning winter camp and choose your 3-season tent over a 4-season because it weighs “less,” please reconsider your decision. Bring the right gear for the job. Meet the requirements as they stand and be smart about where you’re choosing to take “less.”
Backpacking is an exercise in cause and effect so be thoughtful about what you bring with you and leave at home.
Final Thoughts and Advice On Backpacking Gear
When it comes to backpacking, the only time that the phrase "less is more" is true is when you bring LESS with you for MORE enjoyment. With less in your pack, you'll have more fun hiking hills and attacking those higher mileage days. You'll find more enjoyment in putting on your pack in the morning, and you'll have more time to focus on what it is you're really doing out there in the first place.
Backpacking is supposed to be simple so don't make it harder or more complex than it needs to be. Bring less, and enjoy more.
