Can we talk about ultralight backpacking not being the best for everyone

I tried going super light on a weekend trip and honestly missed my regular sleeping pad and a proper camp chair. I get the point for long trails, but for most short trips, a little extra comfort weight feels worth it. Am I the only one who finds the push to cut every single ounce a bit much?

3 comments

3 Comments

dianac153mo ago

Totally get that, I tried the same thing last month and hated how cold I got with a thin pad. My back was killing me by morning, lol, and I missed having a real book instead of on my phone. For a couple nights, carrying a few extra pounds for a good sleep is totally worth it.

shane_carr3mo ago

Learned that the hard way too...

cora_jenkins1mo ago

Ah yeah, I gotta disagree hard with the whole 'a little extra comfort is worth it' take. See, once you start adding that 'little extra' for a camp chair or a thicker pad, it snowballs fast and suddenly you're carrying an extra 5-8 pounds for a weekend. @shane_carr probably knows that feeling when you get to the trailhead and realize your pack weighs the same as a small child. The whole point of going light is so you don't dread the hike in and can actually enjoy the miles, not just the campsite. A book on your phone is way lighter than a paperback, and with a decent inflatable pad you can sleep just as warm if you pair it right. Your mileage may vary, but I've seen way too many people bail on trips because their pack was a burden from step one.