Articles

 

Chapter 1: Ultralight Backpacking Basics
Why ultralight backpacking is more fun. How to carry less weight. Lightweight hiking in total comfort and safety.

Chapter 2: 201 Ultralight Backpacking Tips
Ultralight backpacking tips to carry less weight and have more fun.

Chapter 3: How I Started Hiking Lighter and How Only The Lightest Camping Equipment & Hikelight Started
Here's the short story of how it all started over 50 years ago.

Chapter 4: Ultralight Backpacking, Lighten Your Sleeping Pad, Rainwear, and Cooking Gear
Enjoy ultralight backpacking more by reducing the weight of your sleeping pad, rainwear, and cooking gear.

Chapter 5: Ultralight Backpacking, Sweat the Small Stuff
How to have more fun backpacking and hiking by reducing the weight of your small items of gear.

Chapter 6: Ultralight Backpacks
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by choosing an ultralight backpack.

Chapter 7: Ultralight Backpacking Sleeping Bags
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by choosing an ultralight sleeping bag.

Chapter 8: Ultralight Backpacking Tents and Shelters
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more my choosing an ultralight tent or other shelter.

Chapter 9: Ultralight Backpacking Clothing
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by carrying less clothing weight.

Chapter 10: Ultralight Backpacking Footwear
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by using lighter footwear.

Chapter 11: Ultralight Backpacking Food
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by carrying lightweight hiking food.

Chapter 12: Ultralight Backpacking’s 10 Essentials
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking and hiking more by carrying light versions of the 10 essentials.

Chapter 13: Ultralight Backpacking 3-Day Gear List
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by choosing the right gear for your 3-day hike.

Chapter 14: Ultralight Backpacking Long-Distance Hiking
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by carrying the lightest gear on your long-distance hikes.

Chapter 15: Ultralight Day Hiking
How to enjoy ultralight day hiking more by carrying less weight.

Chapter 16: Ultralight Backpacking and Sharing the Load
Enjoy lightweight hiking more by sharing the weight of some of your equipment such as your tent and cooking gear. This video shares some of the logistics of lightweight hiking and sharing the weight of your gear.

Chapter 17: Ultralight Backpacking and Solitude Camping
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by camping away from overused areas. Enjoy fewer insects, pests, and people by camping away from water and worn out campsites. Get back to nature and the essence of camping.

Chapter 18: Ultralight Backpacking Trail Hygiene
Feel fresher and backpack lighter with these ultralight backpacking trail hygiene tips.

Chapter 19: Ultralight Backpacking, Buy a Scale and Weigh Every Piece of Your Gear
Enjoy the fun of ultralight backpacking by carefully weighing all your gear on a scale. This video shares some of the best ways to lighten up.

Chapter 20: Ultralight Backpacking, Caring for Your Lightweight Clothing and Gear
How to clean and care for your ultralight backpacking clothing. Make your lightweight hiking gear last longer and perform better with the right care.

Chapter 21: Ultralight Backpacking, Mosquito and Insect Protection
Enjoy ultralight backpacking even more by keeping mosquitoes and other insects away. See how your body and your lightweight hiking equipment can be treated to repel insects.

Chapter 22: Ultralight Backpacking for Boy Scout Leaders and Youth
Scouts and leaders can enjoy every outing more by using these ultralight backpacking principles. Lightweight hiking tips apply to those who are young and in great shape, too.

Chapter 23: Ultralight Backpacking Sleeping Bag Care
How to clean and care for your ultralight sleeping bag. Make your lightweight sleeping bag last longer and perform better with the right care.

Chapter 24: How to Measure Your Torso
Having the correct torso measurement is a great help when you buy a new backpack and other gear. See how to quickly and accurately measure your torso.

Chapter 25: Ultralight Backpacking Gear Checklist
Use this handy gear checklist for your ultralight backpacking trips. Check off your lightweight hiking list on each of your adventures.

Chapter 26: Ultralight Backpacking With Kids
Ultralight backpacking with kids helps you enjoy your time because you’re carrying less and keeping it simple. Lightweight hiking with the kids is the perfect way to help them to begin to love the outdoors.

Chapter 27: Ultralight Backpacking First Aid Kit
You can cram a lot into an ultralight backpacking one or two-ounce first aid kit. Keep your lightweight hiking first aid kit versatile and light with these tips.

Chapter 28: Ultralight Backpacking Wilderness First Aid in Emergencies
Even when ultralight backpacking you should be ready for wilderness first aid emergencies. Review these lightweight hiking emergency tips to sharpen your skills.

Chapter 29: Ultralight Backpacking Water Purification
Even when ultralight backpacking there are ways to keep your water purification light. Watch these tips to see the lightest ways for each of the purifying techniques.

Chapter 30: Ultralight Backpacking and Leaving No Trace
Ultralight backpacking and leave no trace principles go hand in hand. Lightweight hiking by its very nature is easy on the environment. Review these leave no trace principles.

Chapter 31: Ultralight Backpacking and Finding Your Way With Map and Compass
Even when backpacking ultralight you need to know how to stay found and use a map and compass. Learn or review your skills at this handy website.

Chapter 32: Ultralight Backpacking and Finding Your Magnetic Declination
Even when backpacking ultralight you need to know your magnetic declination and how to stay found and use a map and compass. Learn or review your skills at this handy website.

Chapter 33: Ultralight Backpacking Pot Cozy Construction
A pot cozy can help your ultralight backpacking efforts because it will allow you to carry less fuel. This video tells you how to quickly and easily make a pot cozy.

Chapter 34: Leaving Your Itinerary Before Backpacking
Be sure to leave your itinerary so others know where you are if there's an accident or car breakdown.

Chapter 35: How to Choose a Backpacking Campsite
Enjoy backpacking more my choosing a great campsite.

Chapter 36: How to Pack Your Backpack
Simple tips for loading your backpack for more comfort.

Chapter 37: How to Adjust Your Pack
How to quickly and easily adjust your backpack for more comfort.

Chapter 38: How to Stuff Your Sleeping Bag
How to quickly and easily stuff your down sleeping bag.

Chapter 39: How to Decide on a Left or Right Zip Sleeping Bag
How to decide whether you would prefer a left or right zip sleeping bag.

Chapter 40: How to Repair a Separated, Stuck, or Sluggish Zipper
How to repair and maintain zippers.

Chapter 41: Pillow Choices That Are Light and Comfortable
How to choose an ultralight backpacking pillow.

Chapter 42: How to Use Hiking/Trekking Poles and How to Find Light Ones
How to use trekking poles and how to find some of the lightest hiking poles.

Chapter 43: The Advantages of an Ultralight Umbrella
Here's a look at some of the reasons you might like to use a lightweight umbrella when hiking.

Chapter 44: How To Find 8-Ounce Trail Running Shoes
How to enjoy ultralight backpacking more by using ultralight trail running shoes.

Chapter 45: How to Tie Your Shoes for Backpacking (or Anything)
How to keep your shoelaces tied when you are backpacking, or anything else.

Chapter 46: How to Care For Your Silk Clothing
How to care for silk backpacking clothing.

Chapter 47: How to Layer Clothing to Stay Warm or Cool
How to layer your clothing to stay comfortable when hiking and backpacking.

Chapter 48: How to Set Up (and Fold) An A-16 Bug Bivy
How to set up (and fold) an A-16 Buy Bivy.

Chapter 49: How to Use a Water Filter
How to use a backpacking water filter.

Chapter 50: How to Use the Steripen Adventurer Water Purifier
How to use the Steripen Adventurer Water Purifier.

Chapter 51: How to Use the mUV Water Purifier From Meridian Design
How to use the mUV Water Purifier from Meridian Design.

Chapter 52: How to Use an Isobutane/Propane Backpacking Stove
How to use an isobutene/propane backpacking stove.

Chapter 53: How to Use an Ultralight Alcohol Backpacking Stove
How to use an ultralight backpacking alcohol stove.

Chapter 54: How to Cook Freeze Dried Food
Review the basics of how to cook a freeze dried meal.

Chapter 55: How to Cook With Freezer Bag Cooking
Learn how freezer bag cooking provides quick, healthy, meals with easy cleanup.

Chapter 56: How to Poop in the Woods
Review the basics of how to poop in the woods.

Chapter 57: How to Apply Sunscreen, Insect Repellent, and Permethrin
How to apply sunscreen, insect repellent, and permethrin most effectively. Avoid too much DEET, too little sunscreen. How permethrin helps keep insects away.

Chapter 58: How to Prevent and Care for Blisters
Learn how to prevent and care for blisters when hiking and backpacking.

Chapter 59: How to Make Cheap, Ultralight Fire Starters
Check the effectiveness of several types of fire starters.

Chapter 60: How to Seam Seal a Tent and Other Outdoor Gear
Learn the correct steps to seam seal your backpacking tent and other hiking gear.

Chapter 61: How to Repair Gear With Specialized Sealants and Tape
Learn some tricks for repairing your camping equipment.

Chapter 62: How to Repair an Air Mattress or Inflatable Pad
Learn how to fix a leaky air mattress.

Chapter 63: How to Clean Pitch (Resin) and Tree Sap From Your Gear or Hands
Learn which of over 130 products works best to remove pitch from your backpacking gear or your hands.

Chapter 64: How to Restore Water Repellency to Your Tent or Clothing
Learn which products are right for restoring water repellency to your tent or clothing.

Chapter 65: How to Clean Your Waterproof/Breathable Clothing
Learn how to clean and revive your waterproof/breathable clothing.

Chapter 66: How to Repair the Netting on Your Tent
How to quickly and easily repair the netting on your tent.

Chapter 67: How to Remove Odors, Mold, and Mildew From Your Tent & Camping Gear
How to remove odors, mold, and mildew from your tent and camping gear.

Chapter 68: How to Keep Feathers From Passing Through Your Sleeping Bag
How to keep feathers from passing through your down sleeping bag.

Chapter 69: How to Keep Your Sleeping Bag Right Side Up
How to keep your sleeping bag right side up to keep most of the insulation on top of you.

Chapter 70: How to Measure the Volume of Your Hiking Gear
How to measure the volume of your hiking gear.

Chapter 71: Trail Etiquette
Trail etiquette.