Are you planning your first backpacking adventure with your friends? Going for a backpacking trip is fun and one of the best ways for you to explore nature. If this is your first time and you’re unsure of what to prepare, you can try minimalist backpacking.
Minimalist or ultra light backpacking allows you to carry the essential and lightest gears for your adventure. Experts claim carrying a light backpack enables you to walk longer distances before tiring out and it lessens the stress on your body. This article discusses the essential things to prepare as a minimalist backpacker and some useful tips for your adventure.
Essential Items to Prepare as a Minimalist Backpacker
When you’re traveling, prepare the must-haves rather than the nice-to-haves for your trip. Pack up only the most important stuff to avoid inconveniences during your exploration of nature. Here are some of the things that you should pack in your bag:
- Adaptable clothing – Prepare clothes that can be easily matched and paired and do not need ironing. Pack only a week’s worth of clothes or less.
- Packing cubes/pouches – This accessory allows you to separate your things like your clean clothes and unwashed apparel. You can also access your stuff quickly by placing them in separate packs.
- Toiletries and toiletry bag – Choose a toiletry bag with a hook for more convenience. Among the personal care products to pack are your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, shampoo, laundry soap, and a microfibertowel. You can include your other grooming essentials if your bag can still carry it.
- Walking shoes or sandals – Wear heavy-duty sandals or boots to protect you in your long walks.
- Water bottle – You will lose lots of body fluids when backpacking. Make sure you have sufficient water to drink to stay hydrated.
- Headlamp – This is particularly important if you’re camping and hiking. You’d require some amount of light, especially when it starts becoming night.
- First aid kit – Bring medicines to treat minor injuries and illnesses like headaches, fever, and flu, and band-aids for any cuts or scratches.
- Powerbank and smartphone – Make sure you have the means to communicate with your family back home. You don’t want to get into trouble without having a way to call your family.
- Swiss army knife – This do-it-all tool is a handy backpacking essential. You can cut, saw wood, or open a can with this little tool.
- Bungee clothesline – You can use this to dry your clothes.
- Sling bag – This is where you put important things like your wallet, passport, power bank, phone, and water bottle.
Useful Tips and Tricks of Minimalist Backpacking
Minimalist backpacking allows you to travel conveniently without too much burden on your body. With lightweight gears, you can focus on exploring the beauty of wildlife and nature. Here are some practical recommendations when backpacking:
- Choose the place you want to visit. If it’s your first time, pick a destination that is not too risky.
- Check if you need permits and secure one if required.
- Make sure to pack all your essentials, including a sufficient amount of food and water.
- Travel with your friends or family for a more enjoyable adventure.
- Inform your family about your itinerary so that they will know where to look in case of emergencies.
- Learn about the ‘Leave No Trace Principles’ to become a responsible backpacker.
Backpacking is fun and exciting. By learning the strategies of minimalist backpacking, you can enjoy your travel with your friends and families to the fullest.
