Reasons For Purchasing Ultralight Camping Gear

When you're out camping, it's best to be prepared with anything that you'll need for a trip. However, if you've ever had to carry a pack that weighs more than fifty pounds, than chances are you know just how hard that can be on your shoulders and back! Other people have kept that in mind and have developed a philosophy of using ultralight camping gear, where you can be prepared with all that you need on your camping trip without straining your back. If you haven't given much thought to putting together a set of ultralight camping gear, there are a few reasons why you should.

Less Load, More Energy

Even though many backpacks distribute the load on it rather evenly on your shoulders, a heavy load can still be tiring. Ultralight camping gear lowers the weight in your pack, which means you're spending less energy supporting your pack and more energy hiking up a trail. Anyone that's taken off a heavy pack notices how much easier it is to move around without a big load weighing you down, but someone who's packed ultralight camping gear has less load on his legs, and thus has more energy for farther hikes.

Good For Families

One of the great things about ultralight camping gear is that the lighter packs made with this philosophy can be easily carried by younger campers. This means that on family camping trips, the kids can carry a light load themselves, leaving more room in Mom and Dad's packs for other essentials. It also gives the kids a sense of really participating and contributing to the trip. The light packs are also useful if you've got a child involved in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, allowing them to pack for their troop's camping trips without overburdening themselves.

Low Weight At A Cost

In the interest of full disclosure, there is a cost to putting together a set of ultralight camping gear, one that's measured in dollars. Ultralight camping gear, because it's designed specifically to provide the same benefit as typical gear, but with lightweight materials, can command a higher price than comparable gear with heavier weights. Of course, as time goes on and technology improves, the prices will get less and standard camping gear itself will get lighter; after all, years ago, nylon tents were new and heavy canvas ones were standard. But until that time, the trade-off for ultralight camping gear is a bigger price tag. But given the benefit, it's one that many are willing to pay.