Authored by Susan Guillory

When it comes to luggage, my preference is to travel with a suitcase, with enough clothing options to satisfy my whim. So when the opportunity arose for a week long trek through the Dolomite Mountains, my first thought was: “Oh crap. I’m not going to be able to pack much.”

I dove into hiking blogs to figure out exactly how I was supposed to pack a 40-liter Deuter backpack with everything I would need. Here’s what I learned on the trail. May it help you!

6 Tips for Packing Light for a Trek

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I dove into hiking blogs to figure out exactly how I was supposed to pack a 40-liter Deuter backpack with everything I would need.

I dove into hiking blogs to figure out exactly how I was supposed to pack a 40-liter Deuter backpack with everything I would need.

Take Our Everything You Think You’ll Need…Then Get Rid of Half

Any fan of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild can appreciate the desire to pack for every eventuality on the trail. A bear whistle. Bug spray. Condoms…maybe not. So I encourage you to go ahead and pile everything on your bed, including that fur-lined parka, as you start to pack.

Step away from the pile for a few hours, then come back and give it a hard look. Pick up each item and find a reason you need it. Will the weather justify that fur-lined parka? Are mosquitoes even prevalent where you’re headed? Make a discard pile and make peace with it.

Don’t Bring a Ginormous Camera

Photographers may disagree with me here, but I was much happier with my mirrorless Sony RX100. It takes fantastic photos, didn’t bang against my pack or the landscape while I was hiking, and it was easy to access when I needed to take a photo. Also, it was light weight and didn’t take up much space.

It’s also nice to use the camera on your phone once in a while, as you can more easily post photos to social media without the hassle of uploading images to your computer.

Speaking of Computer…

I’m a writer, so I needed my computer. Only I didn’t. I had an extra duffel bag stowed at the hotel during my hike and left the laptop in it for the rest of my trip. But trust me: even if you think you’re going to use your computer, at the end of a long day of hiking straight up a mountain, it’s the last thing you’re thinking about.

That being said, I did bring my tablet, and I was glad. I used the Kindle app, and enjoyed having books to read and games to play before I conked out at 8 pm each night.

Use Packing Cubes

I don’t know how I traveled so long without packing cubes. My world changed forever as soon as I discovered them!

The cubes I bought were too big, so I would definitely recommend starting small, but they organized my clothes (one for clean, one for dirty, one for inclement weather options) and toiletries so I could easily slide out the cube I needed without completely unpacking my bag.

This convenience is super useful if you’re staying in a rifugio (mountain hut) and everyone in your room is asleep when you need something from your pack!

Invest in Dry-Wick Clothing

While you may not have to limit your underwear if you’ve got more space, you can easily bring two or three pairs of ExUfficio or other dry-wick underwear and wash them every night.

I also bought a few Brooks quick dry shirts and lightweight cargo pants. If something didn’t dry overnight, I’d attach it to the outside of my pack during the day.

Work Out a System

The biggest tip for packing light is simply having a place for everything in your pack. Most packs come with a lot of pockets, so strategically pack each one. Keep blister pads (Compeed rocks!) and Band-Aids in an easy-access pocket, but put things like your passport and money in an internal zippered pocket. Then all you have to do is remember where you put everything!

I managed my hike of the Dolomite’s with a pack weighing just 19 pounds. It was a miracle! While I never thought I’d enjoy packing so light, I loved the freedom it afforded me. No checked bags. No toting a suitcase up steps at the train station. I’d travel again this light in a heartbeat.

BACKPACKS WE RECOMMEND FOR A TREK: CLICK FOR BAG INFO ↓

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I dove into hiking blogs to figure out exactly how I was supposed to pack a 40-liter Deuter backpack with everything I would need.

I dove into hiking blogs to figure out exactly how I was supposed to pack a 40-liter Deuter backpack with everything I would need.

When Susan Guillory isn’t running her marketing company, she’s traveling and writing about it on The Unexplorer. She’s written several books (business, as well as travel) and has been published on Forbes, Mashable and other sites. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.