“He who would travel happily must travel light.” -Antoine de Sain Exupery.

As any seasoned backpacker or camper would tell you, weight matters when it comes to outdoor adventures.

After all, it does not make sense to lug around a heavy bag while hiking, as it will deplete your energy and stamina. However, trimming your backpacking gear down to only the ultralight necessities may take creativity and ingenuity. You may even go overboard and go crazy trying to count every gram and leave yourself only with the barest necessities. To avoid this situation, you can make smart upgrades to your already existing setup. So before you start shopping for Frontrunner Philippines camping items, you need to take a realistic look at the camping gear you need for your trip. To ensure that you will not be weighed down on your next trip, below is a list of camping gear you need for ultralight camping.

IS IT REALLY IMPORTANT TO CAMP OR GO BACKPACKING ULTRALIGHT?

Some of you may be asking yourselves if you really need to go ultralight if you can cart off all of your gear in your car. Before deciding whether it is appropriate to go ultralight, you need to consider the kind of outdoor adventure you want. In inclement weather, ultralight camping may not make sense as you will need the extra gear to stay warm.

If you already have an idea of what you can expect, put together a list of things you actually need. This means necessities, not wants. That said, consider if you really need to bring your Alpicool car fridge, camping tables and chairs and similar stuff. They may be nice to have, but they are not necessities. Instead, pare down your weight from gear categories that you do not need and choose ultralight gear.

CHOOSING BETWEEN A TENT AND A TARP

Besides food and water, your camping tent is likely the heaviest item on your checklist. For this reason, you may want to invest in an ultralight tent. They may be expensive, but they weigh next to nothing. Alternatively, consider using a tarp, wing, or just a ground cover. These alternatives are inexpensive and ultralight, which weigh next to nothing. Be sure to stake your tarps down or purchase a simple tarp system, so it does not get blown away.

THE RIGHT ULTRALIGHT SLEEP SYSTEM

A pivotal player in pack weight is your sleep system. It may cost more to buy ultralight sleeping backs, but it is worth the investment if it weighs just under the 2lb mark. Sleeping pads are also an excellent and quick way to save weight, as they are proven lightweight while keeping you warm at night. Upgrading your sleeping pad or bag can instantly drop pounds from your pack weight.

ULTRALIGHT COOKING

Another way to cut down on extra weight is to use an ultralight stove. These stoves help you save weight and take up less room. As a result, you will have a smaller pack that is lighter. Unlike their bulky counterparts, ultralight stoves take skill to use. This means cooking on flat surfaces and away from fire hazards (such as outside your tent or tarp). Practice cooking at home so that you can keep your outdoor kitchen stable.

WATER FILTRATION

If you are going on an extended camping trip, you cannot bring several bottles of drinking water with you, which means you need water filtration gear. Look for a water filtration system that you can fill and squeeze, as these will trim a lot of weight without having to forego performance. More importantly, these filters are generally inexpensive, do not take up too much room, and weigh next to nothing. That said, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce weight from your pack.

CLOTHING AND OTHERS

While you may want to skimp on clothing and pack the bare necessities, clothing is essential in keeping you cozy and warm outdoors. There are instances wherein you will need layers of clothing, as skipping those would often mean hypothermia. That said, pack the essential layers and always have a pair of hiking or camp socks with you, as you will be looking for a pair at the end of a long trail. Be sure to choose lightweight fabric and materials such as merino wool. These may cost more than their synthetic parts, but they are lightweight.

It is worth noting that there are items you cannot skip out on, such as a first aid kit. Of course, always have your prescription medication with you, but to save weight on personal essentials and effects, below are some handy tips:

• Only take extra pairs of pants, shorts, and shirts for exceptionally long journeys that take more than five days.
• Opt for chewable toothpaste tablets instead of a tube of toothpaste
• Use the same pair of underwear twice by wearing it inside and out.

BOTTOMLINE

Traveling ultralight and trimming weight can be done with the tips above. This way, you have a streamlined pack that weighs much less than what you started with. With a few simple upgrades and smart investments, you can really shed the extra pounds from your pack.