8 Ways to Lighten Your Camping Load

Good camping food shouldn't mean a week of protein bars. Freeze-dried meals solve that problem directly: the freeze-drying process removes about 98% of a food's moisture, and its weight along with it, while keeping the nutrition, taste, and texture close to the original. Rehydrating is as simple as adding warm water and waiting a few minutes — which makes real meals like macaroni and cheese, chili, scrambled eggs, soup, grilled chicken, biscuits and gravy, loaded potato casserole, lasagna, or vegetable ratatouille all realistic to pack on a trail.

That's way one. Here are seven more that make a real difference in overall pack weight.

1. Choose Layers Over Bulk

Pack lightweight layers of clothing rather than a few heavy items, and skip cotton and wool — both hold moisture and add weight fast once they're wet.

2. Skip the Guidebook

Leave the trail guidebook at home. Photocopy just the pages you need, or keep a digital copy on your phone instead of carrying the whole thing.

3. Pack Minimal Clothing

One extra change of clothes is usually enough. Wear one outfit while the other dries, and you avoid carrying a full spare wardrobe.

4. Portion Your Toiletries

Transfer sunscreen and insect repellent into small travel bottles instead of packing full-size containers — about 1 ounce per 3 days is a reasonable estimate for most trips.

5. Weigh Your Big Gear

If your sleeping bag or tent weighs more than about 40 ounces, it's worth pricing out a lighter alternative. Big gear items are where the largest weight savings usually hide.

6. Skip the Towel

Dry off with the clean shirt you're about to put on instead of packing a separate towel — one less item, one less thing to keep damp in your pack.

7. Think Twice About Gadgets

Outdoor retailers are full of gear that sounds useful in the store and ends up dead weight on the trail. Be honest about what you'll actually use before it goes in the pack.

More Ways to Pack Light

Packing light: freeze-dried food for road trips covers the same idea for road trips instead of backpacking, and freeze-dried snacks for runners is worth a look if you're covering ground on foot rather than setting up camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight does freeze-drying remove from food?
Freeze-drying removes about 98% of a food's moisture, and its weight along with it, while keeping the nutrition, taste, and texture close to the fresh version.

What are good freeze-dried meals to pack for camping?
Macaroni and cheese, chili, scrambled eggs, soup, grilled chicken, biscuits and gravy, loaded potato casserole, lasagna, and vegetable ratatouille all freeze-dry and rehydrate well for a camping trip.

What's the easiest way to cut camping pack weight besides food?
Focus on your biggest items first — a heavy sleeping bag or tent (over about 40 ounces) usually offers the largest single weight savings of anything in your pack.

Do I need to pack a towel while camping?
Not necessarily — drying off with the clean shirt you're about to change into eliminates one more item from your pack.