Realized I was overpacking my overnighters for 6 years

Ngl, I always packed my 45L pack to the brim for 2 night trips, even just doing the Appalachian section near Harpers Ferry. Last month a buddy brought a 28L with room to spare, and I finally weighed my load at the hostel scale: 31 pounds vs his 17. I was carrying a full change of clothes for each day, a camp chair, and three fuel canisters for one stove. That weight difference on the 14 mile climb made me question every trip I've done. Anyone else find their 'essential' list was just comfort junk?

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the_rowan12d ago

That weight scale moment hits different, but the camp chair is the one that gets me. A chair is the first thing people question when I see their pack, and honestly, there's a reason it's a common joke. Three fuel canisters for one stove is wild though, one canister lasts like 6 to 8 meals if you're cooking smart. The full change of clothes each day is the real trap since you end up wearing the same sweaty stuff anyway. The trick is to cut weight on the stuff you barely use, not the stuff you actually need for safety. Once you start going lighter, you'll never go back to the 45L for overnights.