“Back in the day” it was macho to carry a heavy pack. Now it’s macho to carry an ultra-light pack. Both are extremes for what would suit most backpackers, yet in truth there really is no “one size fits all” for wilderness backpacking. The backpacking equipment you should take for your backpacking adventure depends on a variety of factors, mostly personal. Those who insist that everyone should go lightweight today are as dogmatic as those who insisted on packing heavy thirty years ago.
For my part I have backpacked all manner of styles with all manner of pack weights. In 1977, after being informed I would never complete a couple hundred mile stretch through the Sierra Nevada without taking sidetrips down to town, I started the section carrying a 102 pound pack (as weighed at an airport hangar). I also carried a light daypack for eleven days through the Bitterroots, without sleeping bag or other “essentials,” because I wanted to emulate John Muir. I’ve carried all sizes and weights of packs in between as well, and enjoyed it all. There are just different expectations you should have depending on how you pack.
Carrying a light pack provides greater mobility, which helps in some types of survival situations. Carrying a heavy pack allows for more gear and food, which helps in other types of survival situations. Carrying a light pack means more energy conserved. Carrying a heavy pack means more luxuries. Carrying a light pack minimizes the impact of weight on aggravating injuries. Carrying a heavy pack maximizes the impact of weight training that all serious athletes use to enhance performance and durability. I owe my longevity and intensity in the “sport” to mainly carrying heavy packs when I started backpacking and lighter packs as I grew older.
I have a confession to make — I’m not really a “gearhead.” However, I realize I can provide a service on this blog by perusing the reports of others on backpacking equipment with the varied perspective of how it might benefit the “lightweight” backpacker or the “heavy weight” backpacker.
Tags: Then and Now