Ultralight Backpacking Hacks You Can Find at a Gas Station

Sure, it’s expensive to achieve that elusive sub-10 pound base weight. But trimming a few pounds off your kit is shockingly affordable. You can spend less than $20 at your local gas station and trim more weight off your backpack than spending hundreds of dollars on a Dyneema ultralight tent. Here are the top ultralight backpacking hacks for saving weight while saving your wallet.

Smartwater Bottle
For years, there was an obvious tell for the likes of ultralight thru-hikers versus traditional weekend warriors. One group was carrying a trusty Nalgene (or two) in their backpack’s side pockets. The other had bedraggled smartwater bottles. Occasionally, it’d be a Vitamin water or Gatorade, but the slim profile — often with a Sawyer mini sticking out the top — of the Smartwater bottle was the most ubiquitous.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Laura Lancaster.

अंतिम अद्यतन

January 22, 2025

द्वारा लिखित
फोटो थंबनेल ब्लॉग लेखक

लौरा लैंकेस्टर

बाहरी जीवन

अधिक सामग्री का अन्वेषण करें

मीडिया मेंशन

This stuff flat-out works and this bottle from Sawyer is easy to apply, lasts for six weeks or six washes, and is less than $20.

फ्लाई लॉर्ड्स
फ्लाई लॉर्ड्स से मीडिया का उल्लेख

मीडिया मेंशन

Smart backpackers now combine a lightweight filter like the Sawyer Squeeze with chemical tablets as backup – a system that processes water from alpine streams and desert potholes alike.

Brave Words
Editorial Team

मीडिया मेंशन

This insect repellant's permethrin spray provides long-lasting insect and tick protection for clothing and gear, effective for up to 6 weeks.

Adam Oram
Senior Editor

दस्ते से

हमारे समुदाय के साथ कैम्प फायर वार्तालाप, स्क्वाड सदस्यों और राजदूतों से लेकर ब्रांड पार्टनर्स और सॉयर टीम तक।