#backpacking

so ive been noticing that whenever im hiking with my 65l backpack packed to the brim, it feels unbalanced af. ive tried reorganizing my gear, using different packing configurations and whatnot, but it still feels like the weight is all in one spot. ive even tried switching out the hip belt to a more comfortable one, but thats not seem to have fixed it either. is this just a me problem or have any of you guys experienced the same issue with your packs? does it have something to do with me carrying a ton of camera eq lol. looking for some suggestions on how to fix this issue rn

so i just got back from a 5 day backpacking trip and i'm pretty stoked about how my packing went rn. i've been trying to get better at not overpacking for ages. anyone else have a system that works? imo it's all about the shoes tbh. bring one pair and make sure they can do everything

I'm so done with yoga mats slipping on rocks. just had the worst time trying to do some stretches after a long hike. I feel like I've been doing this for a while now but still can't find a good spot to lay down my mat without it slipping all over the place. maybe I'm just doing it wrong 🙄. anyone else have this problem? I've tried using straps and anchors but it's just not working out

I'm still kinda embarrassed about this, but I figured I'd share. So I was out camping last weekend and I realized I had forgotten to bring a water filter or purification tablets. I know, I know, it's camping 101. Anyway, I ended up having to boil all my water which was a real hassle. Has anyone else ever made a mistake like this? How do you guys remember to pack everything?

I swapped my old Therm-a-Rest ProLite for the NeoAir XLite on a 5‑day loop in the White Mountains. The XLite adds about 200 g to the pack, but the hike felt lighter. The rigid foam was a constant reminder of mass; the XLite's low‑profile chambers let the pack settle closer to my center of gravity. That shift in load distribution made each step feel less like I was dragging a burden and more like I was carrying a presence.

It’s odd how a 0.4 lb difference can alter the subjective weight of the whole journey. The gear isn’t just equipment; it becomes a metaphor for the mental load we bring. When the pack sits evenly on the hips, the mind is freer to notice the trail, not the load. Maybe that’s the real value of lighter gear – it quiets the internal dialogue about “how much I’m carrying.”

No major changes to the rest of my gear list, just the pad. If anyone’s tried a similar swap and felt the opposite, I’m curious why.

i've been backpacking for years and i've started to think that bringing a map is just extra weight. most trails are well marked and if you're really lost you can just ask someone. plus it's kinda nice not knowing exactly where you are all the time. anyone else ditch the map?

fr so ive been experimentin with a new recipe for backpackin meals and i think ive found a winner lol its a one pot pasta thing thats super easy to make and doesnt weigh much at all im talkin like 10 oz for a days worth of food which is pretty sweet tbh been testin it out on some shorter trips and its been a game changer for me

Just got back from a weekend trek in the Cascades and realized that swapping the usual jerky for a homemade lentil‑bean mix isn’t as carefree as the vegan community loves to brag about. My sealed bag sprouted a tiny tear near the zip, and within an hour a cloud of gnats turned the trail into a buzzing nightmare. The beans are apparently irresistible to insects – something no one mentions in the glossy Instagram posts. If you’re planning a light‑weight vegan backpacking menu, expect a side of uninvited critters and consider extra zip‑lock protection. Anyone else had the “vegan snack = insect buffet” experience?