As the workweek concludes this Friday evening, why not grab some gear and disconnect from it all with a whole weekend spent in the outdoors? For those seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and ultralight backpackers among us, the majority of that which is to follow is already standard practice. But for those looking to extend those day hikes into a full weekend of adventure – this guide is for you.
Whether you are hiking the Wicklow Way or exploring the wilds of Connemara, when it comes to multi-day trips, smart packing is generally the difference between freedom and frustration. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to pack light for 48 hours in the wild – without compromising on safety or comfort.
The Core Principles:
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Function over Fashion:
That Stanley Flip Straw Cup is not your lightest water bottle. As your Mammy might say, “Sure who’s going to be looking at you?” – Bring only what serves a real purpose.
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Multi-use Items:
A down or synthetic jacket can double as a great alternative to a camping pillow – choose gear that works a double shift.
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Pack for Layers, Not Bulk:
Wearing three or four light layers is preferable to a t-shirt and heavy jacket stuffed in your backpack – layering helps manage unpredictable weather without overstuffing your bag.
The Packing List:
Shelter & Sleep System
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Tent:
For a solo trip, anything larger than a two-man tent is unnecessary. One-man tents are, of course, preferable due to their small pack size and low weight, but a two-man tent provides just that extra bit of space to keep your backpack and other essentials at arm’s reach. Irrespective of occupancy, your tent/shelter should ideally be less than 2kg.*
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Sleeping Pad:
No, not that one in the hot press you’ve been using for guests or festivals. If multi-day trips are your intention, it’s worth investing in a quality sleeping pad, as the quality of your adventure is often dictated by the quality of your sleep. Inflatable or foam pads are ideal.*
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Sleeping Bag:
More often than not, the bulkiest item in the novice adventurer’s kit. Down-filled sleeping bags and quilts have a greater warmth-to-weight ratio and generally pack away a lot smaller, but the barrier to acquiring them is usually price, as quality, lightweight sleeping bags are generally quite expensive. At a minimum, choose a three-season sleeping bag that is either supplied or compatible with a compression sack. **
Clothing/Layering System
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Base Layer:
NO COTTON! A moisture-wicking base layer is essential. Cotton t-shirts and the like are great for comfort but provide minimal opportunity to allow sweat to evaporate – leading to overheating on the move and overcooling when you come to rest. Consider a technical T-shirt or base layer made from synthetic fibres or, ideally, merino wool. (Many on the market are anti-microbial, meaning your body odour will be greatly reduced compared to that of cotton fibres.)
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Mid-Layer:
This can be tailored to the conditions – for warmer weather, a lightweight fleece should be more than suitable. In colder conditions, consider a synthetic or down-filled jacket. I personally would bring both, especially when camping overnight.
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Outer Shell:
Your most important layer – This is your first line of defence against the elements and can be essential to survival if the weather takes an unexpected and nasty turn. * At the very minimum, bring a rain jacket, preferably something with a hydrostatic head of 10,000mm or greater. (10,000mm hydrostatic head = 5 hours of waterproofing before “wet out”.) Ideally, the combination of rain jacket and rain pants can be stuffed in a compression sack, ready to rock should the weather take a turn.
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Accessories:
Gloves, hats and buffs are generally small, lightweight items that can be very easily accommodated into your pack – Not always essential, but they have been the difference between a good night’s sleep and tossing and turning on more than one occasion.
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Spares:
Underwear and socks – Goes without saying, really – Whatever you think you’ll need, double it.
Food/Cook System
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Food:
Planning your meals ahead is a given. I don’t recall a restaurant on the peak of any of the Twelve Bens or the Wicklow Mountains for that matter – so your choice of food is equally important to weight saving as any of the aforementioned. Think calorie-to-weight ratio.
Tinned or canned goods are generally out of the question, as their weight tends to exceed the calorific payoff of their contents.
If you are fortunate enough to have access to a dehydrator, the world is your oyster in terms of what you can prepare and pack. Alternatively, there is a slew of outdoor gear brands that provide pre-packed dehydrated meals (catering to all dietary preferences), meaning all you need to do is add boiling water, stir, wait and enjoy.
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Stove:
For the hardcore ultralight adventurers among us, this is often left behind in favour of eating cold meals (but let’s allow for at least some comfort). If dehydrated meals are your choice, a small pocket-sized stove in combination with a small aluminium/titanium pot will be all you need. An aluminium/titanium mug and spork, cloth/sponge for wash-up, and, of course, fuel for your stove complete your cook system.
Gear and Tools
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Map and Compass:
Even if you plan on sticking to the trail from A to B and all the way to Z, know how to use them and have them on you. Maps available on your phone are a fantastic tool and are notoriously easy to use. But service drops, technology fails and batteries die, so err on the side of caution.
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Small First Aid Kit:
Things don’t need to go detrimentally wrong for this to be an essential. Items like blister plasters and paracetamol pay huge dividends when the situation calls for them. It goes without saying that a first aid kit is one thing you’d rather have and not need than need and not have.
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Headlamp:
A camping lantern can be used alternatively, but the versatility of a headlamp is hard to beat. (Remember to charge before use and pack a spare battery where possible.)
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Pocketknife or Multitool:
Not an absolute essential, but the applications are broad, and some tasks just can’t be completed without. Seeing as it is the definition of gear that works a double shift, it’s probably worth packing.
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Biodegradable wipes:
Aside from the obvious application, biodegradable wipes provide a pretty comprehensive shower alternative where running water sources are not available. Though after more than two days on the move, your hiking companions will likely disagree with that.
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Lightweight Towel:
The outdoor gear market is swamped with options here, many that come with their own pack-away pouch. Versatile, lightweight, quick-drying and small in profile – it’s a no-brainer.
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Water Filtering/Purification:
An issue you may not have faced before if your water bottle has been sufficient to keep you hydrated on day hikes. Even the cleanest appearing sources of flowing water can be detrimental to your health. Consider the possibility of an animal carcass or faecal matter upstream.
Waterborne pathogens like Cryptosporidium and Giardia can end your adventure within hours. Having a water filter or purification tablets in your pack is a convenient way to ensure you’re drinking water that is safe for consumption, without the need to boil. (If boiling your water is convenient, this is also a safe and viable option.)
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Dry Bags:
Most hiking backpacks on the market are not waterproof, and even those with a rain cover will eventually succumb to heavy, persistent rain. Dry bags are an excellent way to ensure beyond doubt that the contents of your pack remain dry, irrespective of the weather conditions.
They are also an excellent way to organise your gear. Dry bags are widely available in a variety of volumes and colours – consider using different coloured dry bags to make differentiating between your pack’s contents that much easier.
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Backpack:
Your choice of backpack dictates more than anything what you can and cannot bring with you. Where a 20L backpack is sufficient for your average day hike, you’ll be looking for a backpack with a capacity of at least 35L – 45L. Sure, there are bigger-capacity backpacks available, but in my experience, greater capacity provides greater opportunity for overpacking. At the end of the day (and indeed all day), you’ll be the one carrying it.
Your total pack weight should be less than 20kg at a maximum. Bearing this in mind, you’ll want a backpack equipped with hip and chest straps to evenly distribute weight and ensure your hips and legs are carrying most of the load – not your back.
Water reservoir compatibility, pockets on hip straps, integrated rain covers, and airflow zones are all features that make living out of a backpack for a weekend all the more convenient and enjoyable, but as with any of the aforementioned, the more features your gear offers, the more expensive it is likely to be.
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Footwear:
The runners are not going to cut it any longer. If your intention is to set out for a sustained period of physical exercise with as much as 20kg added to the weight your ankles, knees, hips and back are accustomed to dealing with, the likelihood of injury increases without footwear that has been designed precisely to combat this issue.
A simple rule of thumb to follow when choosing footwear for your planned route is:
The Steeper the Slope, the Stiffer the Sole.
A soft-soled running shoe is great for low inclines and flat surfaces, where foot fatigue is going to be far less of an issue. For the same reason you wouldn’t run a road race in hiking boots, invest in something comfortable and built for purpose.*
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.”
Edward Abbey
The “Ultralighting” community takes these basic principles and practices and takes them to their limits, typically travelling with less than 4.5kg of base weight (excluding food, water, and fuel.) Such is their loathing of unnecessary weight that many a toothbrush has been cut within a finger-width of its bristles to save a milligram or two.
Packing light pays off with every step you take. With just a bit of planning and the above guide to get you started, you’ll be equipped for 48 hours of wild freedom, without dragging half your home on your back.
Notes*
*I use the term shelter here as well as tents because a bivvy bag, hammock or improvised tarp shelter are all viable options depending on factors like environment, weather and your ability to erect them.
*Make sure to check the “R-Value” of your sleeping pad (higher R-Value = better insulation from the ground).
*As with your sleeping pad, make sure to check the temperature rating of your sleeping bag is suitable for the season. (Higher comfort limit = Colder temperatures you can sleep in.)
*Compression sacks can equally be used to pack clothing (as well as other squashable items) extremely efficiently.
*The weather forecast at the base of a mountain can vary immensely from the weather at the peak. Likewise, from one valley to another. Plan in advance and anticipate the unexpected.
*It is also possible to have too much support. Mountaineering boots, for example, would be too stiff for gently inclined hikes, as the same restriction of foot and ankle movement that prevents injury at high inclines causes additional friction and heat within the boot at low inclines – leading to blisters.
