I used to think lightweight backpacking was just for rich people who hate comfort

For like 3 years I refused to spend more than $50 on a sleeping bag and carried a 45 pound pack on purpose because I thought ultralight gear was a scam lol. Then last summer I did the John Muir Trail and borrowed my buddy's $300 quilt and a frameless pack. I figured I'd be miserable but honestly after day 2 my shoulders stopped hurting and I wasn't dreading the next climb. The real kicker was when I weighed my old pack at the end - 38 pounds vs his 18 pound setup with pretty much the same stuff. Now I'm slowly upgrading piece by piece but I'm never going back to carrying a brick. Anyone else have that moment where you realized heavy gear just isn't worth it even if it's cheaper?

2 comments

2 Comments

terry_thomas20d ago

I read somewhere that the average hiker carries about 20 pounds of stuff they never even touch, and that pretty much nailed my old setup. Once I started cutting out the extras, my back thanked me immediately.

terry_wood5120d ago

Did you find ditching the cook kit helped lighten your load the Most?

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