Hiking Tips – Outdoor Empire https://outdoorempire.com Gear Up and Get Outside! Thu, 03 Aug 2023 19:35:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://outdoorempire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cropped-OutdoorEmpire_LogoDesign_ClearBack-Color-08-32x32.png Hiking Tips – Outdoor Empire https://outdoorempire.com 32 32 Ultralight Backpacking Food Tips and Meal Planning Guide https://outdoorempire.com/ultralight-backpacking-food-tips/ Tue, 13 Jun 2023 09:52:45 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=26924 Packing the right food is essential if you’re heading out on an ultralight backpacking adventure. You want to balance weight reduction and nutritional value, ensuring you have enough fuel to keep you going without weighing down your pack. One of the great things about ultralight backpacking is that because your gear will be much lighter, ... Read more

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Packing the right food is essential if you’re heading out on an ultralight backpacking adventure. You want to balance weight reduction and nutritional value, ensuring you have enough fuel to keep you going without weighing down your pack.

One of the great things about ultralight backpacking is that because your gear will be much lighter, you can indulge a little extra weight in your meals and snacks. Even still, there are some general guidelines and tricks to follow for choosing ultralight backpacking food.

What Do Ultralight Backpackers Eat?

Ultralight backpackers prioritize calorie-dense, lightweight food. Choosing food like instant oatmeal, dried fruits, jerky, tortillas, and dehydrated meals can help keep your pack light while meeting your energy needs.

How to Plan a Full Day of Ultralight Backpacking Food

The most important thing to do when packing food for an ultralight backpacking trip is meal planning. This way, you’ll stay organized, ensure you have enough calories per day, and avoid over or underpacking.

Consider the nutrients and calories you’ll need to sustain your energy levels and support your mileage.

Here are some steps to help you create a well-rounded backpacking meal plan.

1. Determine your daily calorie intake.

Calculate the approximate calories you’ll need to consume during your backpacking trip. This can vary depending on your body weight, hiking speed, and trail conditions.

Generally, you can expect to burn about 150 calories or more per mile. Multiply this by your daily mileage to get a rough estimate of your caloric needs.

2. Factor in nutrition.

In addition to calories, it’s helpful to ensure you’re getting a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Ideally, aim for a diet that supports overall health and muscle recovery while promoting high energy levels.

I prefer a protein-rich diet while hiking, as I find it brings the best-sustained energy throughout the day without any crashes. (Like those you may deal with if you’re relying on sugar and carbs.) You can also supplement with electrolyte powders, green drink mixes, or protein powders to ensure you cover all of your bases.

3. Choose lightweight, calorie-dense foods.

Choose foods with a high ratio of calories per ounce. Some examples include dried fruits, trail mixes, nuts, and protein bars.

Freeze-dried or dehydrated meals are also convenient options that are lightweight, require minimal preparation, and often provide a good mix of nutrients and high calories.

4. Plan your meals.

Divide your day into meals and ensure you’re packing adequate snacks, too. See a few ideas and options below.

Meal Food Options
Breakfast Instant oatmeal and dried fruit

Dehydrated egg scramble

Granola and nuts

Instant single-serving coffee packets

Lunch Beef jerky

Tortillas with nut butter and trail mix

Cheese and crackers

Tuna salad packets

Salami or other cured meats

Snacks Dried fruit

Trail mixes and nuts

Nut butter packets

Lightweight candies

Protein bars

Dinner Ramen, mac and cheese, or other noodle dishes

Pre-cooked, dry-packaged meals

Instant mashed potatoes

Dehydrated or freeze-dried meals like stews, chilis, etc.

Best Ultralight Snacks

trailmix

Snacks provide quick energy bursts and help keep you going between meals. On a long-distance trip, I like to use the pro tip of eating a small snack roughly once an hour. Below are some of the best options for ultralight backpacking snacks.

Nuts and trail mix: Nuts are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and calories. Trail mixes live up to their name and are calorie-dense and easy to pack.

Dried fruit: Dried fruits like banana chips, cubed pineapple, mango strips, or craisins are lightweight, natural sources of sugar. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious snack choice.

Fruit snacks: You can buy a box of fruit snacks, which usually come in a bunch of small, single-serving packets. A little package of fruit snacks made with real fruit juice is one of my favorite ways to get a burst of sugar.

Jerky and other dried meat: Jerky and other dried meats are excellent sources of protein, making them an ideal snack for replenishing energy during long hikes. I’ve even brought air-dried beef slices that are more lightweight than jerky.

Nut butter packets: Almond or peanut butter packets are a convenient way to pump up your protein and fat consumption on a hike.

Small cheeses: Some cheeses are lightweight and resistant to spoiling on a backpacking trip. I like Babybels and Laughing Cow spreadable cheeses as they last a while without refrigeration.

Protein bars: While there are endless options for bars available these days, try to pick bars with high levels of protein rather than junk calories based on sugar. ProBars are my favorite because they’re lightweight and are high in protein with clean ingredients.

Energy blocks and gels: Energy blocks and gels are basically highly-concentrated sugars and electrolytes. They’re great when you really need a pick-me-up mid-hike.

Tips to Make Your Backpacking Food Lighter

The ultralight backpacker seems to be always searching for ways to cut down on pack weight. It’s a never-ending game, and ultralight backpacking food storage is one area where you can shed some grams!

Food will always get lighter as your trip goes on since it’s a consumable, but it’s great to be as lightweight as possible to begin with. In addition to choosing lightweight snacks, here are a few tips to make your backpacking food lighter:

1. Remove everything from its original packaging.

Transfer your ultralight backpacking food items to resealable bags (e.g. Ziploc). This eliminates unnecessary bulk and weight. And it really simplifies the Tetris game of packing your food, especially if you need to use a bear canister (like in some national parks and parts of the Pacific Crest Trail).

2. Don’t bring canned food.

Cans are heavy, take up too much space in your pack, and create awkward trash you’ll have to carry around.

3. Make a detailed plan.

Calculate precisely how much food you need for your trip, then add one extra meal for emergencies. Consider your daily calorie requirements and pack accordingly.

While it’s better to overpack than under-pack, making a meal plan for your backpacking trip will help you to avoid bringing excess food. And that will help cut weight that you don’t need.

4. Consider a food cache.

Consider a food cache if you’re taking a longer backpacking trip, a trek, or a thru-hike. Rather than packing food for the whole trip, just take enough for a few days or until you’ll intersect another trailhead or road.

On your drive to your starting point, swing by that spot and hide a food container from public view, where you can find it a few days later. Just make sure it’s in a bear and varmint-proof container and that you’re not breaking any rules.

Once you pick up your fresh batch of food, you can even ditch some of your trash or other used items. Just don’t forget to pick it up on your way home.

How to Find Cheap Backpacking Food Anywhere

man doing grocery

If you are embarking on a thru-hike, by necessity, you’re eventually going to become an expert at finding cheap backpacking food at random places. Even if you’re only going on a shorter adventure, you can still benefit from buying backpacking food at a supermarket, rather than a specialty outdoors store, to keep your food costs low.

Any grocery store or gas station will have light, cheap, non-perishable food suitable for backpacking. Look for options like:

Ramen: Ramen noodles are a staple for many backpackers due to their low cost, availability, ease, and low weight. They can also be enhanced with additional ingredients like dehydrated vegetables or meat.

Mac and cheese: Instant mac and cheese is another budget-friendly and easy-to-prepare option. Look for single-serving boxes.

Instant mashed potatoes: These come in several different-sized bags and are a calorie-dense, inexpensive, and extremely lightweight option.

Ramen bombs: Combine a regular-sized bag of Idahoan instant mashed potatoes with a package of ramen noodles, and you have a super cheap base for two ultralight backpacking dinners. Put these into two separate Ziploc bags in advance for less hassle.

At camp, you’ll just add half to 1 cup of boiling water, gobble it up quickly, and sleep like a baby when you’re done. You can combine different flavors of ramen or potatoes and even add a pack of tuna or pre-cooked chicken for some protein.

Pre-packaged meals: I’ve used pre-packaged rice and Indian or Asian-inspired meals from the grocery store on trips. Tasty Bites or similar options are fully cooked and flavorful.

Instant oatmeal: Buy a box of single-serving oatmeal packets for convenience and flavor variety, or purchase a big box of instant oatmeal and portion it in ziplocks.

Tuna and chicken salad packets: Single-serving packets of tuna or chicken salad can be eaten with crackers or tortillas. I usually look for little boxed chicken salad meals with crackers and a plastic serving spoon.

Trail mixes and small nut packages: Look for small packages of nuts or trail mixes in the snack aisle. Sometimes these are only 99 cents at a gas station!

Toaster pastries: High in calories and sugar but actually sometimes fortified with vitamins, toaster pastries are available in any grocery store. I like to buy mine in advance from health food stores for a slightly more nutritious breakfast option on the trail, but you can find Pop Tarts anywhere.

Candy: While not the most nutritious option, candy can provide a quick burst of energy when you need it. Choose lightweight options like gummies, M&M’s, or small candy bars.

How to Find Cheap Backpacking Food at a Grocery Store

So you find yourself in a supermarket or gas station looking for cheap backpacking food. Wading through aisles of food for something suitable to throw in your pack doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Just ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is it shelf-stable?

Look for food that does not require refrigeration.

2. Is it lightweight?

Choose foods that are lightweight and easily packable. Avoid cans and other bulky items that can’t be re-packaged for your trip.

3. Is it calorie-dense?

Read the nutritional labels and choose items that provide a good number of calories per serving. High protein is a plus.

Does it meet all of these requirements? If so, bring it along. Congratulations, you’ve successfully shopped for your ultralight backpacking trip at a grocery store without spending a bunch of money at an outdoor retailer!

Homemade vs. Store-bought Backpacking Food

food sachet

There are plenty of nutritious, lightweight, and tasty backpacking meals on the market. You can have a variety of good meals on the trail just by purchasing pre-made dehydrated food.

These pouches are convenient, lightweight, and calorie-dense. Most can be cooked in the package they come in just by adding boiling water, saving you from dish cleanup.

However, building an entire trip around pre-packaged, dehydrated meals can get expensive.

Some hikers make their own backpacking meals using a dehydrator. Dehydrating food at home allows you to save money in the long run. Plus, you can also cook and bring almost whatever you want!

While there is an initial investment in the dehydrator, the cost-per-meal can be significantly lower than purchasing pre-packaged meals.

Homemade backpacking meals do require an extra level of preparation and planning. Dehydrating food can be time-consuming. Additionally, homemade dehydrated food has a shorter shelf life than store-bought, pre-packaged backpacking meals.

Ultimately, deciding between homemade and store-bought backpacking food depends on your personal meal preferences, budget, and the time you’re willing to dedicate to food preparation.

Some of the best hiking meals I’ve ever had have been homemade, but there are great pre-made options on the market, too. It’s up to you how much time and preparation you want to put into creating your backpacking meals.

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14 Ridiculous Backpacking Tips and Tricks (Hacks You Gotta Know) https://outdoorempire.com/backpacking-tips-and-tricks/ Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:26:28 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=26853 When it comes to backpacking, no one knows absolutely everything. Those who are just starting will quickly learn the best backpacking tips and tricks from the moment they step on the trail. These insightful hacks stem from extensive experiences in the woods, where countless mistakes were made. The lessons learned from those errors, as well ... Read more

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When it comes to backpacking, no one knows absolutely everything. Those who are just starting will quickly learn the best backpacking tips and tricks from the moment they step on the trail.

These insightful hacks stem from extensive experiences in the woods, where countless mistakes were made. The lessons learned from those errors, as well as the weighty loads borne in the past, now contribute to making your life considerably easier.

On my first backpacking trip, I was an absolute mess. My pack weighed nearly 60 pounds, my gear was everywhere, and I was always the last to pack up. Over time, the systems that work for me have become routine. Every time I pack up and get ready to head out, I know exactly what goes where and what to leave at home.

The best backpacking hacks will make your life so much better on the trail. From trying out lightweight gear to slicing off your backpack straps and hoarding condiment packets for the next trip, making life more comfortable is hard, but valuable.

These are just a few of the backpacking tips and tricks that have been picked up over the years by everyone on the trail. Try some of these out and add them to your own toolbox to make life on the trail a little bit easier.

What Is and Isn’t Worth the Weight

Talk to anyone and you’ll hear tips about cutting weight when it comes to backpacking. Everything comes down to shedding an ounce of weight here and another ounce there in ultralight backpacking. While it can become extreme, the extra weight lost will add up quickly and you can truly feel the difference as the miles stack.

That being said, leaving everything at home isn’t the answer either. There are certain bits and bobs that are well worth bringing along, even if it means a heavier pack. Some people are sworn ultralighters and will refuse to bring anything that isn’t 100% necessary.

While being ultralight isn’t our goal here, getting down to just lightweight status is worth our time and effort. Check out our Backpacking Base Weight Guide to have an idea of how much your bag should weigh with all your non-consumable gear.

What’s worth it to you is something that you have to determine for yourself, but the following suggestions are where I’ve found it easy to shed weight and where it’s okay to put on a couple more ounces.

1. Cut your Backpack Straps

One of the biggest practices in the backpacking game is to cut weight by literally cutting gear. Backpack straps are often far too long for what you need and you can shed a few ounces right out of the gate by trimming those straps down.

Obviously, you’ll need to keep them long enough to adjust slightly while hiking, but when there are so many different straps, you can trim them down quickly before heading out.

2. Trade out Nalgenes for Smart Water Bottles

A 1L Nalgene bottle weighs around 6.1 ounces and costs around $10, depending on where you buy it. A Smart Water bottle on the other hand weighs in at 1.2 ounces and will only cost a couple of dollars at the closest gas station.

Many different backpacking brands and pieces of gear work perfectly with a Smart Water bottle. For example, the well-loved Sawyer Squeeze filter will screw directly onto the bottle, unlike with a Nalgene. Not only will switching your bottles over save a lot of weight, but it will also save money and provide convenience on the trail.

3. Save your Feet with Camp Shoes

One of the best ways to actually add weight to your pack is to bring along a pair of camp shoes. Nothing is better than slipping out of your hiking boots at the end of the day and into a comfortable pair of shoes that let your feet breathe and rest when you aren’t hiking.

Crocs tend to be one of the best picks for camp shoes because they are ultra-lightweight and breathable. They’re cheap, easy to find, and will last for many years.

Backpacking Hacks on When to Save and When to Spend

piggy bank

Cutting down on weight can be easy when you can spend a small fortune on all of the lightweight gear you want. There are certain instances where it’s worth spending that money, but there are also several pieces of gear that will cost a bit more but aren’t worth the price tag.

4. If You Can, Buy Lightweight Gear

As mentioned, ultralight backpacking gear can be incredibly pricey. If you can do so, buying some lightweight gear is well worth the price.

In general, there are three main items that you can shed a lot of weight by buying ultralight.

Tent: A tent is likely the heaviest item (other than food) you’ll carry. With a lightweight backpacking tent, you can shave multiple pounds. Keep an eye out for tents that utilize hiking poles that you already have. Your hiking poles can become tent poles for some great tents. This can make a massive difference in the long run.

Sleeping Bag: Dependent upon the weather, going lightweight on a sleeping bag is a great move. Down bags pack down to almost nothing and weigh significantly less than synthetics. Big Agnes even makes sleeping bags that don’t have insulation on the bottom portion and instead have a sleeve for your sleeping pad.

Backpack: A big backpack is often heavy and clunky. While a heavier, clunkier pack is more durable, the best ultralight backpack can cut pounds off your entire setup.

5. Don’t Waste Money on a Titanium Spoon

While buying ultralight with the big three items, the little stuff can be unnecessary. Many ultralight hikers will argue this point, but the cost to weight ratio of small pieces of gear like a titanium spoon doesn’t work out in your favor.

6. Choose Maps over GPS

Modern-day GPS systems likely save lives almost every day. That being said, they cost a ton of money to buy initially and to keep a subscription for.

Maps are now considered old school but are debatably better for navigation in the backcountry. If you know how to use a map properly, you can find your location and never have to worry about running out of battery. Learning how to use a map and compass is generally considered one of the biggest safety points while backpacking.

Once I learned how to use a map and compass, I not only felt far more competent and confident in the backcountry, but I felt that GPS devices were no longer necessary. I was able to sell my GPS and have yet to get (really) lost.

Backpacking Ideas on How to Care for Your Gear

waterproof backpacking

Part of being out in the woods is ensuring you take care of your gear so you can stay there for a long time without issue. This requires close attention to detail and knowing how to fix things when they inevitably break.

Taking good care of your gear doesn’t mean you must carry multiple sleeping bags or more than one pair of good pants. It just means taking preventative measures rather than letting the elements and heavy use destroy everything.

7. Pack a Spares and Repairs Kit

My spares and repairs kit for backpacking is quite small. Each item will add weight and space, so I am incredibly picky about what to bring. The things that have always made it into my spares and repairs kit are:

  • Sewing needle with 50 feet of heavy-duty thread
  • Spare lighter with duct tape wrapped around it
  • Single spare large buckle
  • Sleeping pad patch kit

8. Keeping Dry

Getting wet on the trail can be dangerous, not to mention absolutely miserable. Wet clothes and gear can lead to hypothermia in higher temperatures, rashes and blisters, and severe discomfort. When gear gets wet, it can be difficult to dry it out, so it’s imperative that you keep dry from the get-go.

The best way to stay dry is to have a solid layering system with an exterior waterproof shell and moisture-wicking base layers that can be easily removed to prevent too much sweating. In addition to keeping yourself dry, use a pack cover to keep your bag as dry as possible.

I will always line the interior of my backpack with a thick garbage bag to take care of any heavy downpours or overnight surprise floods. If the outside of my bag gets wet, that’s okay. It only becomes a problem when everything inside is wet.

Even with the liner, everything inside the backpack goes into its little dry bag. This may be overdoing it, but I always sleep in a dry sleeping bag.

9. Bring a Butt Pad

The most important piece of gear you need to take care of is your body. It’s doing all the heavy lifting and hard work. Keeping comfortable when sitting on uneven and rocky terrain for days on end is hard to do.

Bringing a butt pad along for the ride is a multi-faceted backpacking trick. It keeps you comfortable and warm and can save your pants from getting ripped by sharp rocks you didn’t see coming.

This can just be a small chunk of an old closed-cell foam pad that you may have used before getting an inflatable sleeping pad, but they also sell small pads made specifically for this use.

How to Eat Like a King or Queen

cooking outdoors

Anyone that’s ever been backpacking knows that one of the best moments of the day is finally sitting down to eat dinner after walking all day. A lot of the time, I can eat just about anything and be grateful for it, but having a nice meal is one of those things that you thank yourself for after a long day on the trail.

10. Try it Out Beforehand

You can always go with the premade dehydrated backpacking meals, but the cost adds up fast, and in my opinion, homemade food can be just as good.

Try out some meals and different ideas at home in the kitchen. You can recognize that it won’t be as well-made in the backcountry, but it will give you a good idea of what’s possible.

You should try your meals beforehand, and you can easily repackage them and throw spices into the Ziploc baggy with the rice and beans, or whatever it is you’re eating. This will make the cooking much easier when you arrive at camp and want to eat as quickly as possible.

11. Collect Condiment Packets

Every time you swoop through the grocery store or a restaurant with packets of ketchup, mayonnaise, salt, or pepper, grab a few and bring them along backpacking. They don’t weigh much, but they can make a drastic difference when you throw them on the same meal you’ve eaten for the past few nights.

12. Food Cozy

A backpacking pot cozy is one of the most brilliant backpacking hacks out there. This insulating sleeve helps save fuel and keep food warm, making a great insulating barrier between your hand and your morning’s hot coffee.

When you’re on the trail, saving fuel by using a cozy can mean that you carry less fuel between resupplies. This is a great way to save both money and weight that you must carry daily.

13. Electrolytes and Fats

Many people will eat high-sugar foods that provide a short burst of energy when exercising, and think the same applies to backpacking. In reality, backpacking is all about playing the long game. Fats are a rule of thumb for making good backpacking meals.

Fatty foods provide nutrition that burns slower in your body over long periods. While fats are essential, you must also pay attention to the sugars and electrolytes you’re packing.

Sugar is in almost everything these days, so that isn’t too hard. Electrolytes, or salty foods, can also be pretty easy to find. You can ensure that you have enough by simply bringing along electrolyte packets for your water that will likely have salts and sugars.

14. Always Bring More

No matter how much you think you’ll eat, you’ll probably want to eat more. A good backpacking calorie calculator is a great way to determine how many calories you need per day, but bringing more than you think you’ll need is always a good idea.

The reason for this is two-fold. First, you’ll probably be hungrier than you think and will love yourself for packing a few extra Snickers bars.

Second, if something goes wrong in the backcountry, you may find that you’re stuck out for an extra day before making it to town where you can get more food. Having a thousand, or even two thousand, extra calories is always a good move worth its weight in gold.

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Ultralight Backpacking is Ridiculous https://outdoorempire.com/ultralight-backpacking-is-crazy/ Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:20:43 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=25997 I found myself sitting around a campfire surrounded by strangers at two o’clock in the morning in the high desert just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. We were at an aid station at mile 80 of the 100-mile Bryce Canyon Ultra Marathon. Every so often, a zombie dressed as a runner would stumble into ... Read more

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I found myself sitting around a campfire surrounded by strangers at two o’clock in the morning in the high desert just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. We were at an aid station at mile 80 of the 100-mile Bryce Canyon Ultra Marathon.

Every so often, a zombie dressed as a runner would stumble into the fire light from out of the cold and darkness. I was waiting for my zombie to arrive so that I could give him aid and run with him for the last 20 miles of his race.

As I sat there waiting, a runner came stumbling up to the fire, sat down, then immediately threw up. After cleaning herself up the best she could and with her head still between her knees, she mumbled to no one in particular, “This is a stupid sport!”

After this profound proclamation, she got up, helped herself to some self-serve M&Ms on the communal table, refilled her water bottles, and trudged off into the night to join the zombie migration to the finish line.

I have often felt the same way while tired, dirty, and sore multiple days into a backpacking trip. Like ultramarathoning, ultralight backpacking is a ridiculous sport. I will think in self-pity before picking up my ultralight pack and setting off the trail toward some arbitrary finish line.

What is the Point of Ultralight Backpacking

You would think from the introduction that I don’t like ultralight backpacking, but that is not true. I enjoy it despite, or maybe because of, the challenges and difficulties we face on the trail. I enjoy it because of the incredibly beautiful places it has taken me and the relationships I have developed and cultivated along the way.

Boy with ultralight backpack on a trail.
Ultralight backpacking can allow kids to enjoy being out in the woods.

If you’re unsure what I’m talking about here, you’re in the right place to learn more about what ultralight backpacking is.

Everyone has their own “why” when it comes to ultralight backpacking, and as the saying goes, if the purpose is greater than pain, purpose wins. While it is always fun to feel smug and superior because of the size of your pack, ultralight just for the sake of ultralight is not the reason that I do it.

There are many reasons to get into ultralight backpacking. Usually, it is a progression from traditional backpacking to lightweight backpacking to ultralight as your mileage increases or your knees get worse.

I enjoy moving long distances through the wilderness efficiently, and ultralight backpacking allows me to do that.

Ultralight backpacking is not for everyone but if it fits into your “why,” it can be amazing.

For me, ultralight backpacking is the most fun when there is a balance between purpose, skill, fitness, and equipment. One follows the other like dominos. I know it will be a good trip when all of these things line up.

1. Purpose

It starts with a map and a dream. I am unsure how much of my life has been spent poring over maps, but it is significant. When I was younger, it was paper maps. I still have a box full of paper maps in my closet.

Now I’ve moved on to electronic maps, but the point is still the same: to come up with a route that inspires and to some degree scares me.

2. Fitness

After my purpose is set and I have convinced my wife to let me go, I work on training my fitness. There are some people out there that can do this kind of stuff “off the couch,” but I find that I am not one of them. I usually train for specific trips and find that I enjoy them more when I am prepared physically for the challenge.

Man uses map and compass.
Learning skills will allow you to leave weight at home.

3. Skill

Skill comes with not only experience but with a conscious effort to become better. As your skill level increases, you can rely less on gear. When planning a trip, it is essential to know your skill level and the level of skill of your companions because as the gear gets lighter, the margin for error shrinks.

4. Gear

Last comes gear selection. I try to tailor my kit to the specific conditions I will find. I don’t try for a specific base weight. Instead, I take the lightest weight that I feel will be safe and try to balance comfort while hiking with safety and comfort in camp.

Is Ultralight Backpacking Gear Worth It?

I was preparing for my very first true ultralight backpacking trip. In the past, I had dabbled a bit here and there with ultralight gear but had never fully committed. I had planned a 150-mile trip in the mountains around Stanley in Central Idaho.

The plan was to spend five days hiking through the White Cloud Mountains, the Frank Church Wilderness Area, and the Sawtooth Mountains.

I marveled at how light my gear was. I was also trying to hide from my long-suffering wife due to how much of our retirement I had spent to make it happen. Instead of showing her my new (and expensive) sleeping quilt and tent, I showed her my cat food can that I had converted into a cooking stove. See, not all ultralight gear has to be expensive.

As I started out, it was amazing how great it felt and how easily the miles flew by. This was the perfect combination of purpose, fitness, skill, and gear. I don’t even have any funny stories to tell because everything went so smoothly. Kind of a bummer, really.

It is a trip I will remember for the rest of my life, and it would not have been possible if I had to haul around a massive pack that weighed a ton.

Mountain landscape with peaks and valleys.
Ultralight Backpacking will take you to some amazing places, like Antz Basin in the White Cloud Mountains of Central Idaho.

Advantages of Going Ultralight

  • Can go farther
  • Easier on the joints
  • Makes the hiking part of backpacking more enjoyable
  • Ultralight gear has become easier to find
  • Looks cool

Disadvantages of Ultralight Backpacking Gear

  • Harder to find in traditional brick-and-mortar stores
  • Can be less comfortable
  • May be more fragile
  • Often ultra-expensive
  • Easy to outpace skill and experience and get in over your head

Ultralight gear is definitely worth it when you have the skills and experience to use it, and it fits into the purpose of the trip that you want to do. But if you just want to sit around camp in comfort and eat like a king, by all means, carry a ridiculously heavy pack.

When It’s Dumb

One fall day, two friends and I woke up in one of the best places in the whole world to wake up, on the edge of the Grand Canyon. The goal was to hike down the rugged, remote, and beautiful Thunder River Trail and camp on Tapeats Creek. The next day we planned on hiking back out the way we came.

To save weight, we took two tarps that we would tie together to create a shelter. After getting the tarps set up, it was immediately apparent that it would not be big enough to fit all three of us comfortably.

We rock, paper, and scissored for who would get the highly coveted middle spot. I lost and had to sleep on the less desirable side.

Overnight it rained and between the rain leaking in and the condensation from the three of us breathing all night, I and the other loser were soaking wet. When we woke up in the morning, the guy in the middle sat up completely dry and well-rested. He looked at the two of us on the sides and said, “I feel like a pretty princess.”

In our attempt to carry less weight, we compromised our good night’s sleep and ended up having to carry soaking-wet sleeping bags out of the Grand Canyon.

In case you were curious, here is a list of some of the best tents for backpacking. You won’t find blue tarps from Walmart on this list!

It is easy to get caught up in trying to drop as much weight as you can from your pack, but it becomes dumb when you save ounces but gain pounds. Even worse is when you go too light and it endangers your safety.

In Conclusion, Ultralight Backpacking is Ridiculous

In our modern day, when it is possible to jump on a jet and be halfway around the world in comfort, it seems ridiculous to pack a small, light pack and head off into the woods.

However, there is something immensely satisfying about going places that can only be reached by your own two feet and the sweat of your brow. And the further away it is from any form of civilization the better.

When done right, ultralight backpacking isn’t ridiculous at all. In fact, it can be sublime.

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Backpacking Base Weight Guide (Ultralight to Traditional) https://outdoorempire.com/backpacking-base-weight-guide/ Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:14:22 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=25471 Ultralight backpacking is nothing new. In fact, Emma Gatewood, AKA Grandma Gatewood, first thru-hiked the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail in 1955 at the age of 67 while carrying her ultralight kit in a gunny sack draped over her shoulder. Do you know the first thing other hikers probably asked her on the trail? “What’s your base ... Read more

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Ultralight backpacking is nothing new. In fact, Emma Gatewood, AKA Grandma Gatewood, first thru-hiked the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail in 1955 at the age of 67 while carrying her ultralight kit in a gunny sack draped over her shoulder.

Do you know the first thing other hikers probably asked her on the trail?

“What’s your base weight?“

Several things have changed in the past 70 or so years, including gear, materials, and styles. But the one thing that has not changed is a backpacker’s obsession with the amount of weight that is carried on their back.

What Base Weight Means in Backpacking

In the modern era, when we talk about pack weight, it is divided into two categories. Base weight and overall weight. Both are important, but base weight is what we will discuss in this article.

Base weight is the total weight of your pack, as you will carry it, minus any consumable items you use along the way like food, water, and fuel. Primary items like a sleeping system, tent, and backpack are included in your base weight. Clothing is generally not included.

You can choose if you want to include your toilet paper or not.

How to Measure Base Weight

A scale showing the weight of an ultralight backpack.
Using a hand-held scale like this can help you accurately track the weight of your pack.

Measuring base weight is a straightforward process. Pack your backpack with everything that you are going to carry in it, minus clothing, food, water, fuel, and maybe toilet paper, then weigh the pack.

Your base weight does not include the clothes you will wear while hiking or anything in your pockets. You can stuff your pants pockets with items that should be in your pack just so you can claim a lower base weight, but you are only fooling yourself.

The key here is to have a system and do it the same way each time.

What’s a Good Base Weight for Backpacking?

backpacks and hiking shoes

In general, there are three different categories of backpacking, each of which is associated with varying base weights. They are standard or traditional backpacking, lightweight backpacking, and ultralight backpacking. In the last several years, a fourth category has also emerged, called fastpacking.

In this section, we will discuss each of these categories and discuss acceptable base weights, pros and cons, and average daily mileage. We will also talk about the best places to find equipment.

Backpacking Base Weight Chart

Type of 

Backpacking

Base weight Miles per Day Pros Cons
Traditional 15 to 20 lbs Under 10 Comfortable while in Camp Uncomfortably heavy while hiking
Lightweight 10 to 20 lbs 10 to 20 Best of both worlds Very Few
Ultralight Under 20 lbs Over 20 Makes your backpack feel like a day pack Gear is less comfortable at camp

Traditional Backpacking Base Weight

Traditional Backpacking

Traditional backpacking is what comes to mind when most people think about backpacking. This includes big robust packs, comfy sleeping pads, and large heavy tents. Imagine a Boy Scout troop doing a weeklong 50-mile trip with large overstuffed packs.

Base Weight

The base weight of traditional backpacking is generally 15 to 20 pounds.

Pros

  • Most of the stuff in this category is very comfortable
  • There are generally cheap options
  • The equipment is more durable
  • You can eat like a king

Cons

  • You have to carry all that comfort on your back
  • Heavy
  • The weight limits the distance you can travel in a day
  • The weight makes the hiking portion of the day uncomfortable
  • Off-trail travel becomes more difficult

Trade-Offs

With a traditional set up you are choosing comfort and durability over weight. This means you will be more comfortable in camp but more miserable while hiking. Traditional backpacking also requires less skill than ultralight backpacking.

Miles Per Day Recommendation and Types of Trips

Traditional gear is best used when hiking less than 10 miles per day. I use a more conventional setup when I plan on walking into an area, then setting up a base camp and exploring the area on day hikes from there. I also tend to carry a traditional setup when camping with my kids, as they can be hard on the less durable ultralight gear.

Best Place to Buy Traditional Backpacking Gear

If you want a traditional backpacking setup, then just go to REI or a similar store, and ask the sales associate to deck you out for a weeklong backpacking trip, and you will be set.

Lightweight Backpacking Base Weight

Lightweight Backpacking

Lightweight backpacking has really come into its own over the last 20 years. With improvements in material and manufacturing techniques, it is possible to have all the comforts of a traditional setup with less weight. Plus, you don’t have to sacrifice durability like you once did.

With this new lighter gear, lightweight backpacking has become accessible for more people. It also does not require the same level of skill or neuroticism as ultralight backpacking.

To be honest, this is the category that I find myself in for 90% of my trips. It is the “one size fits most” category and where I push most beginner and intermediate backpackers especially if they are not interested in really long mile days.

Base Weight

10 to 15 pounds is an acceptable base weight for this category.

Pros

  • Light enough for most trips
  • Not as expensive as ultralight-weight backpacking gear
  • You don’t have to lose sleep over whether you overpacked by 3 ounces
  • The gear is easy to get

Cons

  • To be honest, I am having a hard time coming up with any cons
  • Ok, maybe it is a little heavy if your objective is to hike 20 or more miles per day

Trade-Offs

While lightweight backpacking is most often the best of both worlds, it can sometimes be the worst—kind of the opposite of the Goldilocks setup. If you don’t balance weight and comfort appropriately, it can end up being too heavy while hiking and not as comfortable as it should be in camp.

Miles Per Day Recommendation and Types of Trips

Lightweight setups are designed for trips between 10 and 20 miles per day. This is also a good weight for shorter off-trail outings.

Best Places to Buy Lightweight Backpacking Gear

More and more places are offering lightweight setups. REI has come out with a great setup in this range. But when you walk in the door, you must be specific about what you are looking for.

Local outfitters are also a great resource but once again, you have to be specific and come prepared with the research already done. The biggest advantage to brick-and-mortar stores is that you can try out the gear before you buy it.

The internet is also a great place to look for lightweight gear. There is a multitude of cottage industries and direct-to-consumer companies that cater to the lightweight crowd. The hard part is that you can’t try before you buy.

It is best to do your homework and read reviews from a trusted source before buying online. I also try to find companies with liberal return policies.

Ultralight Backpacking Base Weight

Ultralight Backpacking

Imagine a person deep in the backcountry with what looks like a day pack striding confidently along the trail. There is no way a full overnight kit fits in a small pack, right?

Also, it is best not to get too close to an ultralight backpacker. Because a toothbrush weighs too much and there is no use bringing extra clothes when you can just keep wearing the ones you used yesterday.

To tell you the truth, one of the best parts of ultralight backpacking is the look on people’s faces as you blow past them on the trail, out in the middle of nowhere, with a pack half the size of what they are carrying.

Total Base Weight

Anything under 10 pounds is considered ultralight.

Pros

  • The lack of weight makes covering long miles easier
  • Feeling smug about your base weight compared to those around you
  • Ultralight-weight materials have come a long way in the last ten years
  • Allows you to explore areas that you otherwise couldn’t access
  • Great for the time-crunched backpacker
  • Great for backpackers with knee or ankle issues

Cons

  • You give up a certain amount of comfort and accessories while in camp
  • Ultralight gear is not as durable and needs to be treated with more care
  • Requires skills that are not necessary with standard backpacking

Trade-Offs

As I mentioned above, ultralight backpacking is a tradeoff between comfort while hiking versus comfort while in camp. While those two sides have come a lot closer recently, there is still a need to decide what is more important to you.

The other thing you are trading here is experience and skills for weight. As you learn to pick a better spot to pitch your tent, you can start to carry a lighter shelter. With every new skill you acquire, there is a lighter piece of gear that becomes available, or better yet, you can just leave it at home altogether.

Miles Per Day Recommendation and Types of Trips

Any time my trips exceed 20 miles per day my base weight tends to dip closer to the ultralight spectrum. Also, if there will be a significant amount of off-trail hiking or large amounts of vertical gain, then I want an ultralight pack.

The other group of people that tend to fall in this category are long-distance backpackers and through-hikers.

Best Places to Buy Ultralight Backpacking Gear

The best place to buy ultralight backpacking gear is online. There are companies that cater to the ultralight crowd. Only make your purchases after doing a significant amount of research and reading reviews. Some specialty shops are also starting to carry ultralight gear but you have to go prepared with your research or find a sales associate that really understands what you want.

Fastpacking

Fastpacking

In recent years there has been a new category that has been created called fastpacking, and it is a subset of ultralight backpacking. While ultralight backpacking came from traditional backpackers who have whittled their gear down to the bare minimum, fastpacking came from trail runners who wanted to take their runs overnight.

Simply put, fastpacking is ultralight backpacking, but with some running thrown in for fun.

The Best Base Weight Is a Matter of Perspective

Several years ago, a friend and I decided to backpack into a remote lake in the Sawtooth Mountains of Central Idaho. We knew that there were no trails to the lake and that the access would be difficult, steep, and rocky. We decided to pack as light as possible and ended up at around 20 pounds of total weight for the three-day trip.

After enjoying the solitude of the remote lake, we hiked out and spent the last night at a popular, easy-to-reach lake. In the morning, we each ate the last of our dismal oatmeal packets and started toward our ride home.

On the other side of the lake, we encountered a friend finishing up a breakfast of fried potatoes who offered us generous portions of his leftovers.

As we wolfed them down, we discovered he was heading into the same remote lake we had just left, but his pack weighed an incredible 80 pounds. He had different objectives from us and, being a former Army Ranger, a much higher tolerance for suffering.

The moral of the story is that the ideal base weight is personal and different for everybody. Plus, the perfect base weight might differ for each trip. My base weight varies considerably depending on how far I plan to hike in a day, the time of year that I am going, who is going with me, and the trip’s main objectives.

If my goal is to hike all day and cover as many miles as possible, I strive for the lowest base weight that is possible and safe. However, if I am hiking a couple of miles to camp out overnight with my kids, I will pack more and be more worried about camp comfort than pack weight.

Also, if I am going to backpack during the shoulder season or winter, my base weight will be more so that I can add to my margin of safety.

How Much Base Weight is too Much?

dog in backpack
Just let your dog walk to lose the extra weight.

Except for specific circumstances, anything over 20 to 25 pounds is too much base weight. We live in a time with amazing lightweight gear. Even if you are on a budget, finding comfortable and safe equipment that will keep your base weight under 20 to 25 pounds should be easy.

Here are some reasons you might find your base weight creeping up over that mark and it’s ok.

  1. You are taking your significant other on their first backpacking trip, and you want it to go great so you carry some of their gear.
  2. You are taking your kids backpacking and need to carry some of their gear.
  3. You are backpacking in extreme conditions and need to be extra prepared.
  4. You have a specific objective in mind that requires more and heavier gear, like climbing or photography.

How to Lower Your Backpacking Base Weight

Supplies for a lightweight backpack.
You can see that for an ultralight backpack, you have to narrow your supplies down to the basics. But you can still bring items to keep you comfortable.

Here is a quick guide on how to lower your base weight. Remember that this section could be a whole article itself, so these are just the high points. The initial investment can be spendy, but keep in mind that you don’t have to do it all at once. It can be dangerous to do it like that.

Take your time, and as you get more skilled and comfortable in the backcountry, you can take off more weight. In reality, this is a lifelong process of tweaking your setup until you get it just right. Actually, there is no such thing as “just right,” so you can research and buy gear your whole life. Enjoy that process.

1. Put Your “Big Three” on a Diet

The fastest way to lose weight off your back is to reduce the weight of your tent, sleep set up, and pack. Why these three, you ask? Because this is where you can stand to lose the most weight.

By cutting the end off your toothbrush, you lose an ounce or two, but if you can reduce the weight of your actual backpack from 6 pounds down to 2 pounds, you have instantly dropped 4 pounds! Similar drops can be made in your shelter and sleep system.

2. Optimize the Rest of your Kit and Reduce Redundancy

After the big three, you are not usually losing pounds but ounces, but those ounces add up. Take your time and think about each part of your kit. Do you really need a pot, a bowl, and a cup? Or can you just use your pot for everything?

Evaluate everything you put in your pack and decide if you really need it or if there is a lighter version of it after every trip. Reevaluate your kit and see what you used and what you didn’t.

We tend to pack our fears so as you become more skilled and comfortable, you will probably realize that you didn’t really need that ax after all.

3. Weigh Everything

This is where some people can go down a rabbit hole. There are people with spreadsheets of every piece of gear they own. I haven’t gone that far, but I suggest buying a high-quality scale so you can make informed decisions. I generally use the scale to help me decide between two options.

4. Avoid Last Minute Add-Ons

This is also not a good idea, just like throwing that last-minute Snickers bar and Mt Dew into your cart while you’re standing in the checkout line while your wife’s head is turned. Last-minute additions to your pack can add up.

Most last-minute items are thrown in on a whim without much thought, but a couple of ounces here and there can add up to pounds in a hurry.

5. Be OK With Being Uncomfortable

This is more an editorial than a tip. I think as a society, we have spent so much energy and money trying to be comfortable that we have forgotten that sometimes it’s ok not to be. In fact, all growth comes from discomfort.

I also believe that being miserable is something that we are taught. My kids were playing in the rain one time. They were wet and cold, but they did not realize they were miserable until I told them they were. Up until that point, they thought that they were having fun.

Sometimes ultralight backpacking is uncomfortable, but you know what? That’s ok.

6. Don’t be “Stupid Light”

There are two parts to this one. I know I just told you it is ok to be uncomfortable, but you must pack enough to be safe. Shaving weight off your pack can be addicting, but it can also be dangerous. Do your research, know the conditions, and pack accordingly.

The second part is don’t cut so much weight off a piece of gear that it becomes unusable. One time I cut the end off my spoon saving an ounce or so. I was so proud of myself and excited about how hardcore I was.

I spent the first several days of the trip so frustrated that I eventually put the spoon at the bottom of the pack and fashioned a new one out of wood. My new wooden spoon was functional but twice as heavy as the original would have been.

Concluding Thoughts

Figuring out the perfect base weight for you and the type of backpacking you want to do takes time and a lot of trial and error. Luckily that just means more backpacking, which is great.

My advice is don’t get too caught up in the numbers and have fun along the way. Also, don’t let your significant other see all of your {expensive} gear in one place at one time. That is very important.

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Are Ultralight Backpacks Worth It? (Agenda-Free Advice) https://outdoorempire.com/are-ultralight-backpacks-worth-it/ Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:10:15 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=25756 Let me start with my personal bias. I enjoy moving quickly through the mountains, and that requires ultralight gear. So, do I recommend ultralight backpacks? Spoiler alert: the answer is yes. However, there are some caveats to that recommendation; we will talk about those below. I understand that not everyone likes to go light and ... Read more

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Let me start with my personal bias. I enjoy moving quickly through the mountains, and that requires ultralight gear. So, do I recommend ultralight backpacks?

Spoiler alert: the answer is yes. However, there are some caveats to that recommendation; we will talk about those below.

I understand that not everyone likes to go light and fast, but I hate heavy packs even on shorter trips with my family. I have a runner’s body and it was not meant to carry ridiculous loads.

Gear has also come a long way in the past 20 years, and you don’t necessarily have to be uncomfortable to be light, and one of the first steps to lightening your load is buying a light pack.

Are Ultralight Backpacks Comfortable?

This is the first question that I generally get when someone starts looking at ultralight packs. The answer to this is also easy. Yes, ultralight backpacks can be comfortable. They can also be very uncomfortable if used in a way that they weren’t designed.

A lineup of backpacks.
Packs come in all shapes and sizes. Can you guess which one is mine?

Here are the three things you must do to make your ultralight pack comfortable.

1. Don’t Exceed the Manufacturer’s Weight Recommendation

Ultralight packs come with a weight recommendation. If you use an ultralight pack, everything else needs to be ultralight, such as your tent and sleeping setup. This is important. An ultralight pack is not designed to carry a heavy load; if you load it too heavy, it will be uncomfortable.

2. Pack it Right

With a traditional backpack, you can pretty much jam your gear in however you want, and the suspension system and back panel will protect you. With an ultralight pack, the suspension system and back panel are minimal or non-existent. Instead, how you pack your backpack gives it the structure it needs.

This is a learnable skill but it takes some practice and trial and error to get it right.

3. Get the Right Size

Traditional packs can sometimes be customized to fit a wide range of sizes, but with an ultralight pack, you might need to do some measuring to ensure you have the right fit. Most ultralight packs come in small, medium, and large and have a sizing chart on their website.

If you are unsure or are in between sizes, call the manufacturer’s customer service to see if they can help.

Also, check to see what the return policy is before you buy. It might come in handy.

How Much Do Ultralight Packs Cost?

The cost of an ultralight pack is similar to that of a traditional pack and will be between $200 and $400.

The cost mainly depends on what material is used to make the pack. More traditional pack materials like ripstop nylon will be in the $200 to $300 range. More exotic materials such as Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) will be more in the $300 to $400 range.

If you are patient, you can usually find what you want on sale.

Tradeoffs of Ultralight vs. Traditional Backpacks

There are several things that you trade off by buying an ultralight pack.

Robustness

The first thing that you trade off is robustness. I have an old, traditional pack, the Arcteryx Bora 80, that I have owned for the past 20 years. I have beat the crap out of that thing, plus loaned it out to multiple people who used it like a stolen car. It still looks awesome, except where a squirrel crewed its way into the top pocket.

For the most part, ultralight packs are less robust and you have to take better care of them, but if you do, there is no reason it won’t last a long time.

Accessories & Features

The second compromise is accessories and features. One of the ways that ultralight packs keep the weight down is to ruthlessly cut off anything that is not necessary. Ultralight packs like the Gossamer Gear Gorilla are pretty bare bones.

Versatility

Ultralight backpacks are designed to carry a light load over long distances and they do that very well. It is not very surprising, then, that they do not tend to be very versatile. Think of the ultralight pack as a tool you buy for a specific use.

An ultralight backpack won’t be the same pack you grab for a family trip where you carry all the gear for the group. Nor for a hunting trip in the back woods.

That said, I have grabbed my Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 2400 for all sorts of things over the past year like day hikes and backcountry skiing.

Load Weight Limit

Load-carrying capacity is the last trade-off that we are going to talk about. Most ultralight packs max out at about 30 pounds of capacity, while traditional packs allow you to carry heavier loads. Although a 50-pound pack is never going to be fun to carry.

Pros of Ultralight Packs

  • An ultralight pack helps set the tone for an ultralight setup
  • Simplicity makes it easier to use
  • Ultralight packs loaded properly allow you to explore areas that would be difficult with a heavy pack
  • Ultralight packs are easier on joints
  • They allow you to hike further in a day comfortably

Cons of Ultralight Packs

  • Not as robust
  • Lack of many features and accessories
  • Can be uncomfortable if not packed right
  • Have a fairly low weight limit

When Ultralight Packs Don’t Make Sense

While I enjoy ultralight backpacking, there are times when a larger, heavier load and by extension a larger and heavier backpack just make sense.

Specific backcountry activities, by their very nature, require more gear. I have a friend that loves technical rock climbing in the backcountry and another that is into backcountry hunting. These activities require heavy gear making it difficult to use an ultralight backpack.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying some creature comforts like a camp chair in the backcountry. I just don’t like carrying them on my back. Sometimes, however, it is worth it or necessary. When I do a short hike into a lake and set up a base camp for the weekend, I carry extra gear and use a heavier pack.

Man and daughter with packs.
Me rocking my ultra-heavy pack while my daughter goes super-ultralight.

Another use that I get out of the heavy pack is when I am camping with my kids and I end up carrying the bulk of the food, water, and equipment. As they got older, I gave them more gear to carry themselves. But when they were just starting out it was important that they had a good time and stuck with it, so I did the heavy lifting.

The last reason I keep my old Bora 80 in the garage is when I need to lend it out. I was a Boy Scout leader for a long time and I was not about to trust my nice ultralight backpack to a 15-year-old.

Recommendations

I love ultralight backpacking and one of the first steps is to buy an ultralight pack. Luckily, we live in a time where there are many options to choose from and a pack for every budget and need.

If you are looking for a great ultralight pack, check out our review of some of the best out there!

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How To Use Pepper Spray On Animals To Fend Off Attacks https://outdoorempire.com/how-to-use-pepper-spray-on-animals/ Fri, 25 Mar 2022 14:30:21 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=21616 You may think of dangerous animals as something that lurks in the woods or on backcountry trails. However, the reality is not quite so clear-cut. There are millions of aggressive animals located throughout populated areas around the world. They may be a feral animal, a pet that has gotten out, or an injured wild animal ... Read more

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You may think of dangerous animals as something that lurks in the woods or on backcountry trails. However, the reality is not quite so clear-cut.

There are millions of aggressive animals located throughout populated areas around the world. They may be a feral animal, a pet that has gotten out, or an injured wild animal that lashes out in fear or pain.

Regardless of the animal type, it is good to take precautions, so these potentially dangerous animals do not hurt you.

While you obviously want to avoid an attack, that isn’t always possible, so you should have a clear defense strategy. This leads to the question, “Can you use pepper spray on animals?” While it would be great to provide a simple answer, the reality of interacting with aggressive animals is a little more complex.

Keep reading to learn more about when and how to use pepper spray on animals.

Can You Use Pepper Spray on Animals?

Whether you are planning a backcountry hike in the Alaskan wilderness or just want to get safely through your neighborhood park, you may have considered carrying pepper spray to ward off aggressive animals. So, can you pepper spray animals?

In short, you can use pepper spray to stop a wide variety of aggressive animals, both wild and domestic, from attacking. When used correctly, it is one of the most effective and simplest ways to stay safe if you are attacked.

If you’re concerned about hurting the animal, there is no need to worry.

First of all, if your own life or well-being is threatened, you must defend yourself.

Secondly, pepper spray is designed to be non-fatal. While it is terribly uncomfortable for any human or animal, it is an effective way to deter an attack without putting an animal down.

Recommended: Best Pepper Sprays Reviewed (Strongest Self-Defense Sprays)

Using Pepper Spray on Different Types of Animals

Pepper sprays work by irritating the mucous membranes of animals or people — think eyes, nose, throat. Depending on the spray type, it may contain varying types and levels of irritants.

Capsaicin is a popular ingredient and is used in pepper sprays. Because they tend to be universally irritating, you can effectively use them to repel several different animals, including:

Dogs: In most cases, a standard pepper spray will work well on dogs — even on breeds like pit bulls or German shepherds that have reputations for being aggressive. 

Cats: Feral cats can be more aggressive than you might think. Luckily, pepper spray is an effective way to prevent a cat attack. 

Big cats: If, for some reason, you find yourself facing down a big cat like a mountain lion or bobcat, you want something more potent than a standard pepper spray. Look for a product labeled as “bear spray” for better protection.

Coyotes: You can use pepper spray to deter a coyote from attacking. However, making yourself as loud and big as possible will usually keep these typically-skittish canines at a distance. Hopefully, you won’t even need to remove the spray from its holder. The same thing goes for foxes. 

Bears: If you think you may encounter a bear, you should carry bear spray. This is an FDA-regulated product that contains capsaicin. You can spray it far distances to help deter a charging bear. While bear spray has been shown very effective, you should not use a standard personal defense pepper spray against bears.

Bear spray is similar to pepper spray, but they are not exactly the same. Bear deterrent generally contains a higher concentration of the irritant for a greater effect on large bears. The canisters are larger to contain more product, and designed to spray farther (more than 25 feet). 

Related: Best Bear Sprays To Save Your Life (Reviewed & Tested)

How To Use Pepper Spray on Animals

Using pepper spray is relatively straightforward. Many of the same rules for using it for personal defense against a human attacker apply to using it for an animal attack. Consider these tips for using pepper spray against an attacking animal safely.

1. Practice Ahead of Time

Woman practices using pepper spray for animal attacks

For not a lot of money you can buy an inert practice spray can. These simulate pepper spray and how it behaves.

It’s a good idea to buy one or two of these when you buy your pepper spray. That way you can test it out on a fence post and know what to expect if you ever have to use the real thing.

2. Use Slow, Deliberate Movements

Any sudden movements can provoke an immediate attack, which will make getting away from the animal harder. So keep every action — including taking the spray from its holder — slow, controlled, and small.

3. Check the Date

Expired pepper spray may not be effective since it loses potency over time. Propellants may also fail to work. That means that a particularly aggressive animal may just get more irritated, but not deterred.

4. Know Your Spray’s Maximum Distance

Each product will have an effective use distance. Deploying the spray too early means that it won’t be strong enough to work. Waiting too long may allow the animal to get too close.

5. Know Where To Spray

Some animals should be sprayed directly in the face while you want to spray a cloud in front of others, like bears, to slow their charge. However, if an animal is very close, you may need to lay on the ground and spray the air around you to create a safety zone.

6. Get Away From the Animal

Using pepper spray on animals is a temporary means to give you time to get away from it.

Deploy your spray and then get to safety while the animal is disabled or distracted. You could completely throw the animal off course, or you may only have a few seconds, so just go.

7. Clean Overspray

You may get pepper spray on yourself while using it. If that happens, you must clean any overspray according to manufacturer directions. It is also a good idea to change clothes after using pepper spray since it can linger in the material and cause irritation.

When To Use Pepper Spray on Animals

Learning when to use pepper spray on an animal is just as important as learning how to use it safely. Most animals do not attack as the first line of defense, and neither should you. So, just because you have pepper spray and know how to use it does not mean you should immediately reach for it.

It is good practice to make some noise on the trail. Wild animal attacks often happen because an animal is startled by a person.

Protective mothers will also defend territory where their young are feeding or playing, so you’ll want to stay out of known nest or den areas.

You can prevent some wild animal attacks by making yourself appear bigger than the animal. Try this first before deploying your spray. This may also work for domesticated animals like dogs or cats. However, when these acts fail, pepper spray can be an effective way to get yourself to safety.

Conclusion

One popular self-defense option against an animal attack is to use pepper spray. There are sprays explicitly designed for use on animals, but any pepper spray product intended for personal defense can be used against some animals in a pinch.

If you think you will be facing a large, wild animal, you may want to carry bear repellant. No matter what type of spray you use, you should know how to use it and what to do afterward.

Further reading:

Pepper Spray Vs Gel Vs Foam Vs Tear Gas – Full Comparison!

How To Use Bear Spray Properly to Survive a Bear Attack

Bear Scat: What Bear Poop Looks Like and More Crappy Facts

The post How To Use Pepper Spray On Animals To Fend Off Attacks appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

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How To Use Bear Spray Properly to Survive a Bear Attack https://outdoorempire.com/how-to-use-bear-spray/ https://outdoorempire.com/how-to-use-bear-spray/#comments Wed, 23 Mar 2022 14:14:50 +0000 https://outdoorempire.com/?p=21612 Whether you love to hike or can’t wait for hunting season, to enjoy the outdoors safely, you need to come prepared. In bear country, that means knowing how to use bear spray correctly. A bear deterrent is one of the essential tools for protecting yourself against an attack. Learning what to do and what to ... Read more

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Whether you love to hike or can’t wait for hunting season, to enjoy the outdoors safely, you need to come prepared. In bear country, that means knowing how to use bear spray correctly.

A bear deterrent is one of the essential tools for protecting yourself against an attack. Learning what to do and what to avoid can save your life.

How Do You Use Bear Spray?

Treat a can of bear deterrent like a weapon to be used in self-defense.

First off, always keep your bear spray ready to go in a belt or chest holder in the woods. Don’t carry it in your pack. It would take too long to get it out in an emergency.

Bear deterrent can in a holster on man's hip
Bear spray in your pack won’t help. Wear it on your waist or chest.

If you must use it, follow these bear spray instructions:

1. Slip the canister out of your holster.

Man removing can of bear spray from belt holster2. Remove the safety clip.

Every can of bear deterrent has a safety clip covering the nozzle. Use your thumb to pull it up and away.

Removing safety clip from can of bear deterrent3. Spray from a distance.

Brown bears run at 35 mph (the same as horses), so you want to shoot from a distance to have time to react.

Man spraying bear spray from a distance
Most bear spray is rated for around 30 feet.

4. Aim slightly downward.

Spraying at a slight down angle helps keep the mist close to the ground. The wind will cause it to billow up in the bear’s path.

Spraying deterrent at a downward angle
Spray deterrent at a slight downward angle.

5. Don’t overthink it.

Bear spray is very forgiving. As long as you’re aiming in the general direction of the bear, there’s a good chance you’ll hit it even in high winds. Though if possible, try not to spray upwind. You might become the subject of the irritant more than the bear.

Man raising hand and yelling while spraying bear deterrent
Don’t forget to keep yelling and making yourself appear big while spraying!

6. Spray in short bursts at first.

You have about six seconds of continuous spray, but you don’t need to use it all at once. Try a short burst first to see where the cloud goes, adjust to the bear’s movements, and spray again.

Animation of man spraying bear deterrent
Spray in short bursts to maintain control and make it last as long as possible.

Recommended: Best Bear Sprays To Save Your Life (Reviewed & Tested)

How Close Do You Have To Be To Use Bear Spray?

Graphic showing 30 feet of distance between man and bear
Standard bear deterrent has a range of about 30 feet.

Brands of bear spray have different distance ratings. All bear deterrents should have a minimum effective range of 25 feet.

Many outdoor organizations recommend spraying anywhere from 30 feet to 60 feet away. The idea is to put the cloud in front of the bear while it’s still out of attack range.

What if you accidentally stumble upon a bear up close? If it becomes aggressive, don’t hesitate. Whip out your spray and aim at the bear’s face/frontal area.

Standing your ground and using a bear deterrent is always better than running.

How Do You Aim Bear Spray Correctly?

Looking over man's shoulder aiming bear spray
Thankfully, aiming does not have to be precise since it creates a cloud.

You want to make a large shield of irritating mist that bears would have to cross to reach you. While a bear is still approximately 50–60 feet away, spray a blast of the product in the bear’s direction.

If the bear keeps approaching, spray a longer burst, moving the nozzle slightly from side to side. This creates a wider cloud.

Do you prefer to learn by seeing? This bear mace video from Yellowstone National Park shows how to use bear spray and what the cloud should look like if you’re doing things right.

Practice Using Bear Deterrent Ahead of Time

Buy a few cans of inert bear spray made for practicing and go somewhere outdoors. You need to experience how wind direction affects the spray pattern.

  • Stand about 30 feet away from a fence post or rock and use it as a target.
  • Try to consistently get a cloud of spray to cover it.
  • Practice spraying with the wind, against the wind, and with a crosswind.
New can of inert training bear spray
I picked up this canister of inert training bear spray at Sportsman’s Warehouse for $15.

Part of practicing how to use bear spray is lifting the safety clip. Taking the canister out of its holster and getting it ready should feel natural in your hand. You want to have the muscle memory to whip it out in seconds in an emergency.

What Does Bear Spray Do?

The main ingredient of bear spray is oleoresin capsicum (OC), the same spicy oil used in pepper spray.

OC comes from cayenne peppers, and it produces an intense burning feeling when it gets into the eyes, nose, and respiratory system of bears. An aerosol propellent shoots the contents of the can a large distance.

When appropriately used, bear spray is effective approximately 90% of the time. In one study mentioned by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, out of 175 people that used bear spray, only 3 were injured, and none of them seriously.

Reaching for a can is a better idea than using a rifle (only effective about 65% of the time) against a charging bear!

How Does Bear Spray Work?

Big male brown bear forest in the background

Related: Largest Bear Ever and 8 Biggest Bear Species In the World

Bear spray can stop a bear in its tracks. The effect is similar to when riot police deploy tear gas to break up rioters. When bears come across the irritating mist, they feel burning pain.

Bear spray affects the animal’s ability to breathe and causes problems with its sense of smell. Often, it also blinds the bear for quite a while.

This causes a distraction and acts as a strong deterrent to an attack. Sometimes, the animal gives up pursuit immediately. Other times, it has trouble locating you. In either case, you can take advantage of the opportunity to put distance between yourself and the bear.

How Long Is Bear Mace Good For?

Bear deterrent label on canister showing expiration date
The expiration date can be found on the canister’s label.

Bear spray usually lasts around three or four years, but you’ll want to check the expiration date on your canister to be sure.

Never head into the wilderness with an expired can.

Do you really need to replace the old bear mace that hasn’t been used at all? Yes.

The aerosol propellant in the can stop working eventually. An expired can won’t provide the range you need, and it may not spray out at all.

Do’s and Don’ts

A can of inert bear spray laying next to a can of actual bear deterrent
Get an inert practice can along with your bear deterrent.

How do you use bear spray when you’re in a life-or-death situation?

Follow these tips to stay safe while you’re out hunting, hiking, exercising, or exploring in bear country:

Do handle bear deterrent carefully: The capsaicin in this spray is very strong, and it can affect humans just as much as bears. Getting it in your eyes can force your eyelids to shut reflexively, leaving you unable to see for up to 45 minutes.

Do keep bear spray close by: If you’re camping in the woods, your bear spray needs to be at arm’s length at all times. When you sleep, keep it in your tent. When you eat breakfast, have it close to the table.

Don’t apply it to your clothing: Bear mace doesn’t work like mosquito repellent. The smell won’t keep wild animals away from you or your camp. It’s only effective as a defensive measure when you’re under threat of attack.

Don’t use all of your spray at once: Use short bursts so you still have something saved in case a bear is getting in your face or more than one bear appears.

Don’t run away after using it: Put distance between yourself and the bear you sprayed, but never run. Walk away calmly, keeping your eyes on the bear and your surroundings. Running from bears can trigger their attack instinct. You’re also more likely to fall and hurt yourself because of the adrenaline rush.

Don’t leave canisters in a hot vehicle: Bear spray can explode if it hits 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A glove compartment on a hot day can easily reach that temperature. Keep cans away from campfires as well.

Don’t aim bear deterrent at people: The pressurized jet from the can travels at approximately 70 mph, enough to cause permanent eye damage if you’re close to someone.

FAQs

Frontiersman Bear Spray

1. How Long Do the Effects of Bear Spray Last?

It takes an hour or two for the effects of bear mace to wear off for bears. You should leave the area right away, but there’s no need for you to run.

2. Can You Use Pepper Spray Instead of Bear Spray?

Never replace bear mace with pepper spray. Bear deterrent has a longer range and duration. It can contain almost double the amount of capsaicin as pepper spray, so it’s much stronger.

3. Does Bear Spray Attract Bears?

When you follow bear spray instructions, there’s no risk of attracting bears with deterrent sprays. If you spray the product on your clothing or around your campsite, though, bears may come to investigate. Many wild animals are naturally curious about strong odors.

4. Where Can You Buy Bear Deterrent?

On vacation, you can find high-quality bear spray at national park visitor centers and many local shops. You can also buy it at stores that focus on hunting and outdoor recreation. Superstores may carry it in the hunting section.

What about online? Only buy it from companies you trust.

Outdoor retailers like Sportsman’s Warehouse, Sportsman’s Guide, Cabela’s, or Bass Pro Shops are reliable options.

However, buying it from sellers on Amazon isn’t usually the best idea. You can’t see the expiration date on the cans and you don’t always have confidence in various sellers.

5. How Can You Pick the Right Type?

Look for an EPA-approved product that specifically says “bear spray” or “bear deterrent” on the label. At a minimum, it should have the following:

  • Net weight of 225 grams or 7.9 ounces
  • Range of 25 feet
  • Duration of six seconds
  • Ingredients containing oleoresin of capsicum
  • Capsaicin concentration of 1.4–1.8%

If you can afford a bear deterrent with more capsaicin, a longer range, and a longer duration, that’s even better. Some last nine seconds and travel 35–40 feet. Those extra three seconds could save your life.

Original photos by Harper Fly

Related: Bear Scat: What Bear Poop Looks Like and More Crappy Facts

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