That is why you should try super back bags (2025)

I faced for the first time Backpack ideas in 1994, in an article in the Backpacker magazine that has now ended (and expanded). Entitled “Less more,” Written by Mark Jenkins. (I still have a PDF version that I wiped in light years ago.) Jenkins wrote a long journey throughout Europe and Africa. In the end, he and his travel partner threw all the equipment they thought he needed, save what they were wearing, and their jackets, and some spoons.

Although I had no desire to steal all my country’s equipment as Jenkins do as at some point in Africa, the idea of ​​lower travel is farther, faster and lighter, striking a chord. Not only with me, but with many other people. Genkins’ article is widely attributed to the start of the movement of light back bags.

At that time, there was not much light equipment available. The motivation behind a lot of early movement was DIY ethics. I built my alcohol stoves from neglected tuna cans, and I made a bowl Outside the reflectionThe windshield gangs of heavy aluminum foil. As a result, the weight of my cooking set decreased by 14 ounces.

Today, light travelers are more common than traditional, at least from the people you met on the road. But exactly what He is Light backpacks? How can you throw all this weight without giving up comfort?

Light, specific, specific bags

In order for everything to be on the same page, I will determine the “Ultralight” backpack as a basic weight of 10 pounds or less. This means that all your equipment, minus you wear on the path, minus consumables (primarily food), weighs 10 pounds.

If this seems hard, then think that some of those who travel under the title “Super Ultralight” who shoot a basic weight of 5 pounds or less. At the other end, there is something that I call lightweight, which will be 15 lbs or less. I have never tried a very extraordinary journey, but I spent more than a decade with a basic weight of 10 pounds and I never felt that I was doing or suffering in any way. Quite the opposite. It is revelation, and you will never want to return.

Now that our conditions have been determined, how can one reach the weight of a light base of 10 pounds or less?

Before we get into the details of the equipment, know that the most important thing you can do to make your package less is to bring less things. For most people, the largest gains (ER, loss) will be in what you do not bring instead of what you do.

When you think about what to bring, make sure you need it instead of just wanting to do so. I like to make coffee on a bowl of Moka, but not enough for one song in the back country. Me, no Need So, so I leave it at home and Make Turkish coffee On the road. Go through everything you bring on the corridor and honestly ask yourself: Is this something I need?