Saving weight when hiking – five key tips

Im Vordergrund eine Frau, die ihren Rucksack packt. Dahinter noch eine Person, die ebenfalls den Rucksack packt. Im Hintergrund ein Bergpanorama.

Published on: 05.09.2023Updated on: 21.11.2024

Hiking is demanding enough: you don’t need a heavy backpack to make it even harder! We’ve put together a few tips for you so you can save weight and keep your backpack nice and light.

When your hikes involve making great gains in elevation, you don’t necessarily need to carry a heavy backpack. If your adventure entails carrying lots of equipment for a long time, it’s worth opting for lightweight models with a small packing size. Your backpack, tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat, in particular, are great places to trim down the weight.

Even on shorter hikes, though, you can save weight by packing your backpack correctly. We’ve put together a few tips so you can leave unnecessary items at home and keep your backpack as light as possible on your hike.

Our tips to keep your backpack light

Zwei Personen bis zur Hüfte, sie tragen Wanderkleidung, ihre Rucksäcke liegen am Boden. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Small packing volume

You’ll always fill a big backpack, so pick one with a small packing volume. This means you won’t even be tempted to try and add a couple of extra bits and bobs. You’ll automatically carry less and have a better overview of your equipment, too.

Ein Wanderer packt unterwegs eine Wanderkarte aus. — Photo © Jonas Jäggy

Leave rubbish at home

Cereal bars taste just as nice if you don’t transport them in their cardboard box, and toilet paper will stay rolled up even without its inner tube. Remove anything unnecessary and leave it at home: you’ll be amazed how much weight this saves! Getting rid of packaging, in particular, is a great way to save weight.

Nahaufnahme von Essen, eine kalte Platte mit Fleisch, Brot, Tomaten. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Plan your food and drink

Before you set off, find out where you can fill up your drinking bottle. If you can refill it, a one-litre bottle is more than enough for a multi-day hike. Are there huts where you can have a meal or shops where you can restock your supplies? If so, you only need to take what you require for the day. Plus, you’ll have the chance to enjoy regional delicacies and talk to locals.

Drei Wanderer, sie stehen im Wald, tragen Rucksäcke und gehen mit Stöcken. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Share things within your group

If you’re travelling in a pair or as a group, it’s worth discussing your packing list ahead of time. You can share a two-man tent, one first aid kit is more than enough and you don’t need more than one GPS device, either.

Drei Personen in Wanderkleidung vor einer Hütte, sie packen ihren Rucksack. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Put together the right combinations

Don’t pack much, but ensure that what you pack is versatile. You can wear tops on their own or with others, for instance. Use long briefs as pyjama bottoms, while the neck warmer that protects your neck from draughts during the day can serve as an eye mask at night. And if you’re out for several days, use a versatile, biodegradable all-in-one-soap for washing.