9 Minimalist Backpacking Tips for Hiking (Budget Friendly)

When you’re out on the trail, every ounce matters. And some of those ounces are easier to get rid of than others. Here are 9 minimalist backpacking tips for hiking to help you pack light and still have what you need, even if you’re sticking to a budget.

1) Ditch The Mini Stove And Bring Only Dry Food

Depend on dry food and leave the stove system at home. Even the super tiny MSR Pocket Rocket stove can take up valuable space, especially if you use the red triangle case it comes with. Along with carrying that stove/case, you would also have to carry enough fuel for the trip.

Realize that trail mix is the best thing in the world while hiking (not only my opinion but pure fact) and it can be picked up at any convenient store. Peanut M&Ms are a close second, along with beef jerky, pop tarts, granola/energy bars. A jar of peanut butter and a package of small flour tortillas is a really solid combo. The more peanut butter tortilla wraps you eat, the lighter the load gets. The Jetboil system and the Pocket Rocket cannot compete with that. Save the hot meal for days in town or that reward meal after the trip.

Read more about packing without a stove here.

2) Split Gear If Not Hiking Alone

If you’re hiking with someone else and maybe they own a 2-person tent that y’all are using, share carrying the load. One person carrying the food while the other carries the tent.

Or each person carries their share of food and split the tent system up. Placing the primary tent body in one pack and the poles/rain fly in the other. The poles/stakes can be strapped onto the outside of your pack, allowing for more packing flexibility within it.

3) Grab A Hammock

A good friend of mine ditched his tent all together for summer hiking and went with a Wal-Mart hammock, which he loves. It packs really small and barely takes up any space, but you would need to be comfortable with figuring out some sort of rain shelter.

Whether it is a simple tarp or hiking poncho, it would be necessary to keep you dry. I’ll get his setup on here soon. How he put his rain fly together, along with his strap setup.

4) Carry A Water Filter

On multi day adventures, instead of bringing countless liters of water, you should pickup a water filter. There are many great water filtering systems out there but I use the Sawyer System because of its great weight & price. You can also attach it directly to a Smartwater bottle so you can essentially use the filter as a straw.

Just be sure that where-ever you are hiking where there are places to fill up your water. I’m based on the east coast, so I generally do not have any issues filling up if I am on the Appalachian Trail. There’s normally fill up spots at least once a day or more depending on what section you are at.

5) Opt For A NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad

Sleeping pads are another great area to cut weight if on a budget. For a limited budget you should try the NEMO Switchback or Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad for around $50.

If you are a side sleeper they are not as comfortable as an inflatable sleeping pad, but for the most part you’ll be able to cut some weight. There are some pretty lightweight inflatable sleeping pads out there, but they can get a little more expensive.

REI lists the NEMO Switchpack Sleeping Pad at 14.5 ounces for the regular version, while the short version is 10.5 ounces. The NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad comes in at 15 oz for the regular model. While it’s regular wide comes in at 1 lb. 3 oz and long wide comes in a 1 lb. 5 oz. The Nemo Tensor also costs between $189.95 – $219.95, depending on the version you get. So take that into consideration.

The NEMO Switchback sleeping pad does provide decent enough protection from rocks/roots, will not pop or deflate over the course of the night, and it provides great ground insulation for warmth. The NEMO Switchback also folds up accordion style, can go on the outside of the pack, and weighs next to nothing. Plus you can grab it quickly for an after lunch nap or want a little bit of cushion when leaning up against logs around the campfire at night.

minimalist backpacking tips for hiking
My lightweight summer load-out for a 4 day hike on the AT

6) Ditch Unnecessary Items

Ditch unnecessary items such as chairs, pillows, camp shoes, pots/pans and even that shovel that sits on the back of your pack that you never use.

I always carry a ¼ zip fleece that not only keeps me warm at camp but also doubles as a pillow and an extra cushion if I ever carry my DSLR in my pack. Pickup a pair of Crocs or even sandals to use as your camp shoes.

As for the shovel, you can of course use a stick or even one of those fancy trowels. They make a worthy waste hole-digging device. Depending on what you used that trowel for earlier in the trip, you could even use it to help direct water into your Sawyer system bladder.

7) Do Not Use Compression Sacks

Do not use compression sacks or bags for your extra clothing. This creates a less flexible bulky object in your pack. Instead, stuff them in extra holes or gaps within your pack. This can also help provide further impact protection for your camera and lenses.

8) Go Lighter With Down-Filled

If you do not own any down-filled items, this is where you can make a solid investment, open up space in your pack and shave off a ton of weight. Down-filled sleeping bags are lighter and pack smaller than synthetic sleeping bags, but cost more.

I bought my 40-degree down Montbell sleeping bag towards the end of summer a few years ago for a discounted rate and cannot think of hiking life without it.

Down jackets are also amazing, but depending on the weather, you may get more use out of your trusty fleece jacket if you make your own pillow out of camping clothes.

9) Hike In Warmer Weather

This last one is probably the best.

The hotter it is, the less gear you need. It’s that simple.

I have a 15 degree long synthetic sleeping bag that is heavy and packs horribly. Whenever I camp in the colder months, I have to switch out my 33L backpack for a 65L backpack. That right there is a huge bump in weight and space.

Now, yes, I could upgrade to a down bag like I previously mentioned. But I do not camp often enough in the winter to justify the cost.

You would also have to carry more layers, hats/gloves and thicker clothing. In summertime, I don’t even bring pants. I only depend on a pair of running shorts or two, depending on the length of the trip. I could carry 3 pairs of running shorts in the space of one pair of hiking pants.