Lightweight Hiking – A Complete Guide for Those Who Want to Pack Lighter
Most first-time hikers carry too much weight, and their bodies feel the strain. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right knowledge and mindful choices, you can drastically reduce your pack weight without compromising on comfort or safety.
Lightweight hiking is about carrying the right things, not just fewer things. The goal isn’t to suffer with as little as possible, but to ensure that every item you carry earns its place in your pack. This applies whether you’re aiming for a 5 kg or 12 kg base weight.
Two out of three hikers who have completed the Gröna Bandet (1,300 km through the Swedish mountains) carry under 10 kg in base weight, and if they can do it, so can you.
This guide shows you how, based on data from hikers who have completed the Green Belt combined with our experience and expertise in-store since 2012.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Understanding and mapping out your pack— what base weight is, where the weight hides, and how to take control
- Choosing the right gear — tent, backpack, sleeping system, shoes, clothing, and cooking gear
- Planning food and resupply — food strategies and resupply packages
- Packing list — download our packing list based on what hikers actually pack
- Common mistakes — what experienced hikers wish they had done differently
- Frequently asked questions about lightweight hiking
1. Understand and assess your gear
Before you swap out a single item, you need to know what you have. It sounds obvious, but most people who pack heavy have never weighed their gear. This is where it all starts.
What is base weight?
Base weight is the weight of everything you carry except food, water, and fuel—in other words, the permanent weight you always carry on your back, whether the hike is a day or a week. It’s the only number that matters when talking about light packing, since food and water vary while your gear doesn’t.
In hiking circles, three approximate levels are used:
- Light hiking: 10–14 kg base weight — conscious choices with traditional gear
- Lightweight hiking: 6–10 kg base weight — systematic weight reduction, often with specialized gear
- Ultralight: under 5 kg base weight — optimized in every detail
How heavy is a backpack?
Most experienced hikers have a base weight of 6–10 kg. In our surveys of Gröna Bandet hikers, 65% had a base weight under 10 kg, and 34% were under 7 kg.
When asked “how weight-conscious were you during planning?” (scale 0–10), the average was 7.9. This shows that packing light isn’t extreme; it’s mainstream among those who actually hike long distances.
Weigh everything you own
This step is not optional. Without weight data, packing light is a guessing game.
Get out a scale and weigh every single item—toothbrush, socks, charger, everything. Write it down in a list. We recommend lighterpack.com, a free service where you can see exactly what your weight distribution looks like in percentages.
When you see your first list, you’ll almost always be surprised.
Identify where the weight is—"The Big Three"
In lightweight hiking, we talk about “the big three”: the tent, the backpack, and the sleeping system (sleeping bag and pad). Together, they account for the largest portion of your base weight, often 40–60%. These three items determine whether your pack feels light or heavy, and this is where you’ll make the biggest savings. Switching from a heavy tent to a lighter alternative can save you several pounds on a single item, and that changes the entire experience.
Chasing grams on small items can become a sport in itself, and it can definitely make a difference in the long run, but the biggest difference by far lies in those three big items. Read more about The Big Three under 3 kg.
Once you’ve got the three big items under control, go through the rest of your list. Ask yourself three questions about each item:
- Does it weigh more than it needs to for its function?
- Is there a lighter alternative that does the same job?
- Do I even need it?
Test, learn, and adjust
Your first hike with your new pack is rarely perfect. You’ll realize that something is missing, that something else was unnecessary, and that a third item didn’t work as intended. That’s not a failure—it’s the process.
The same pattern is clearly visible in our data: hikers who have completed the Green Trail multiple times report a changed base weight for each new trip. One hiker went from 8 kg to 4.8 kg to 5.5 kg to 6 kg over four years.
Now that you know where the weight is, it’s time to look at each piece of gear, what works, what doesn’t, and what products experienced hikers actually use.
2. Choose the right gear
Backpack
Which backpack you should choose, and what size it should be, depends on your body shape and what you’ll be carrying. That’s why the backpack should really be chosen last. Read more about choosing the right backpack. If you have a narrow or short back, a backpack designed for women can make a big difference on longer hikes.
If you have a lightweight tent, sleeping system, and cooking gear, you suddenly don’t need the same large, heavy backpack. A backpack designed for a 25 kg load when you’re carrying 10 kg means you’re lugging around unnecessary frame and padding. Read more about How to pack your backpack—lighter, smarter, and more efficiently
When trying on a backpack, fill it with gear and see how it feels. How does it sit on your hips? How does it feel on your shoulders? The most important thing is that it fits your body. Among experienced Bandet hikers, we see that the most satisfied hikers carry backpacks weighing less than 1 kg. That doesn’t mean you have to start there, but it shows where the journey often leads. See our top backpack list.
Read more: Choosing a backpack – complete guide
Read more: Backpacks for women
Read more: How to pack your backpack – lighter, smarter, and more efficiently
See our top picks: Best backpacks
Check out: all backpacks in the store
Tents
The type of tent you choose affects both weight and comfort more than almost anything else in your pack. The difference between a traditional mountaineering tent and a lighter alternative can be a few pounds.
The most important thing is to match the tent to the conditions you’ll actually be hiking in. Does the tent need to withstand storms, rain, and snow, or simpler forest trails in the summer that have different requirements? A tent that works perfectly in a birch forest might be completely wrong above the tree line, and vice versa. Consider whether you need a freestanding tent, or if a lighter tent supported by hiking poles is sufficient for your trips. Read more about how to choose a tent.
Are you hiking alone? Then a one-person tent is the obvious choice. If you’re hiking with a partner, a two-person tent may still be lighter per person than two separate tents, but only if you share the weight.
Read more: Choosing the Right Tent
See our top list: Top tents
Also check out: all tents in the store
Sleeping system
How you sleep affects everything. Our survey responses clearly show that hikers who chose a sleeping bag that was too cold or the wrong sleeping pad regret it. One hiker switched sleeping bags halfway through the trip and described how the experience became completely different afterward. Sleeping well isn’t a luxury on a hike—it’s a necessity.
The most important factor when choosing a sleeping bag is insulation. Down is lighter and packs down smaller, but loses its warmth if it gets wet. Synthetic is heavier but works even in damp conditions. Which one you choose depends on when and where you’re hiking, and how careful you are about keeping your sleeping bag dry.
The sleeping pad insulates you from below and affects both warmth and comfort. A thin foam mat weighs almost nothing but provides limited insulation, while an inflatable pad offers more warmth and comfort. Many experienced hikers combine the two: an inflatable pad as the main insulation and a thin foam mat as extra insulation and a backup in case something breaks.
Don’t forget the pillow. It may sound like a luxury item, but a good night’s sleep in the mountains is worth every gram.
Read more: Choosing a sleeping system
Read more : Sleeping gear—what really works on the Green Belt
See all our sleeping bags
See all our sleeping pads
Shoes
The wrong shoes make a difference. Maybe not on the first day, but after a few days of blisters and chafing, your shoes can ruin an entire trip. Blisters and chafing are the most common problems among hikers, and they can be caused by everything from the wrong fit and size to moisture, the wrong socks, or shoes that aren’t broken in enough. Many hikers changed their shoes during the trip, either because they were worn out or because they didn’t work as intended.
Many who start with lightweight hiking discover they no longer need heavy boots; with a lower base weight, you need less support. Among experienced Green Ribbon hikers, trail runners dominate, accounting for about 60% of all footwear. Trail runners also require almost no breaking in compared to traditional leather boots, which can take weeks of use before they fit properly.
Read more: Trail runners or boots? How to choose the right shoes for mountain hiking
See all our trail shoes in the store
See all our boots in the store
See also snowshoes for winter and snowy conditions
Clothing
Another common mistake among hikers is bringing too many clothes. In the survey responses, nearly 30% of respondents noted that: "you need less than you think."
The key is layering—a modular system where each garment serves a specific purpose and can be combined in different ways depending on the weather and temperature. A thin merino base layer next to the skin, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof shell go a long way, even in the mountains. Merino is popular among long-distance hikers because it retains heat even when damp and doesn’t start to smell as quickly.
See all clothing in the store
Kitchen
The kitchen is the gear category with the highest satisfaction rating in our surveys, 9.2 out of 10. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Most long-distance hikers use a simple gas stove and a titanium pot—nothing more.
Hot food after a long day in the mountains is important, not just for energy but for your mood and recovery. For many hikers, food is one of the highlights of the trip. At the same time, there are hikers who skip the kitchen entirely and eat cold food or just heat water—it depends on your priorities.
One pot is usually enough. Always weigh the cookset and fuel together; it’s the total weight that matters.
Read more: Best cooksets for the Green Belt – what 88 hikers actually use
See all our stoves in the store
Hiking poles
Hiking poles make hiking easier on your knees and hips, especially on downhill slopes and with heavier packs. Another advantage is that the poles can replace tent poles. If you choose a pole tent, you save weight both on the tent and in your backpack, since the poles are already carried in your hand.
Packing system
Keep it simple. Multiple packing bags work better than one large waterproof bag; they make it easier to stay organized and distribute the weight in your backpack. Pack what you need first at the top and the heavy items close to your back.
Read more about how to pack your backpack
Electronics
It’s easy to underestimate the weight of electronics. A power bank, a phone with offline maps, and emergency communication tools are what most experienced hikers carry. A headlamp might seem like a no-brainer, but on summer hikes in the Nordic countries with long, light nights, it’s rarely necessary. Think about what you’ll actually use and need—every charger and cable adds weight.
3. Plan your food and resupply
The lighter your gear is, the larger a portion of the total weight will be food. 46% of Gröna Bandet hikers send resupply packages to themselves, and 39% buy food along the way. Both strategies work; satisfaction is rated at 8.2 out of 10 regardless of the method.
Some dry and pack their own food. A hot meal every evening makes a big difference for your mood and recovery. Don’t underestimate the portion sizes either; several hikers noticed they were eating too little after a few days.
Read more: Meal planning for mountain hiking – supply drops or shopping along the way
4. Packing List
Use our packing list based on what experienced hikers actually pack. It helps you keep track of what to bring, how much it weighs, and what you can leave at home. You can also download it as a PDF and print it out before your trip.
→ Packing list for lightweight hiking — based on what experienced hikers actually pack
5. Common Mistakes
We asked hikers who’ve completed the Green Belt Trail what they wish they’d done differently. The same issues come up time and again: too many clothes, a sleeping bag that’s too cold, the wrong shoes, and unrealistic meal planning. Most mistakes can be avoided with better planning and by testing your gear before the trip.
Read more about Common packing mistakes – what experienced hikers leave at home
6. Frequently Asked Questions About Lightweight Hiking
Is lightweight hiking safe?
Yes, as long as you don’t compromise on safety features. Lightweight hiking is about choosing lighter solutions for weather protection, warmth, food, and navigation—not about going without them. The right lightweight tent can handle the Swedish mountains, and a lighter sleeping bag doesn’t have to mean a colder one. It’s about choosing smarter, not worse. Read more about how to choose the right tent and sleeping system.
Do I have to buy all new gear?
No. Start by weighing what you already have. You can often reduce the weight significantly by removing unnecessary items and duplicates. Then replace one or two large items where it makes the biggest difference. Read more about The Big Three Under 3 kg.
How much does it cost to start lightweight hiking?
It doesn’t have to be expensive. Weighing your pack and removing unnecessary items costs nothing. The biggest weight savings come from the tent, sleeping system, and backpack, and there are options in various price ranges. Many hikers upgrade one item at a time instead of everything all at once.
Does lightweight gear work in bad weather?
Yes. A lightweight tent designed for wind and rain can handle tough conditions. A down sleeping bag will keep you warm if you keep it dry. The key is to match your gear to your trip, not to choose the lightest option available regardless of the conditions.
What is the difference between lightweight hiking and ultralight packing?
Lightweight hiking involves a base weight of about 6–10 kg. You reduce the weight through conscious choices without making major compromises. Ultralight packing is under 5 kg base weight and requires more optimization in every detail. Most hikers end up with lightweight gear, which offers a good balance between comfort and low weight.
How much should my backpack weigh in total?
It depends on how long the stage is. A base weight (everything except food, water, and fuel) of 6–10 kg is a good lightweight level. With food for 3–4 days, you’ll end up with a total of 10–14 kg. That’s a weight most people can handle well without wearing out their bodies. Read more about how to choose a backpack.
Read more:
Weight awareness among Green Ribbon hikers
Principles of lightweight hiking
Winter sleeping systems
Waterproof tent seams
About the White and Green Ribbon
Page guides:
Best tents—according to Bandet hikers
How to pack your backpack—lighter, smarter, and more efficiently
Sleeping gear—what really works on the Green Belt
Trail runners or hiking boots? How to choose the right shoes for mountain hiking
Best cooking gear for the Green Belt – what 88 hikers actually use
Meal planning for mountain hiking – supply packages or shopping along the way
Common packing mistakes – what experienced hikers leave at home
Packing list for lightweight hiking — based on what experienced hikers actually pack