Backpacking Advice - Keeping It Cheap

Backpacking advice often is about which expensive pieces of equipment you need to buy. This can be especially true with ultralight backpacking. But how do you save money while still keeping it light and safe? There are a number of ways. We'll start with an example of recent technology.

The safety factor has motivated many to carry personal locator beacons when traveling in the wilderness.Some of them now allow you to call for help to 911 and family or friends. These devices can even locate you on Google maps so others can see your exact position. But at almost $200 for the device and an annual fee of $100 per year for the service, this can get expensive.

The cheaper alternative? A cell phone and GPS unit. You probably already own the phone, you might be able to borrow the GPS, and using it cost only the price of two batteries. Having the two allows you to call for help on your phone and give your coordinates. Anyone can type those coordinates into an online map service themselves to see where you are.

Of course, most cell phones aren't satellite based, so coverage won't be as good as the expensive locator, but then even a locator can have dead batteries. Carrying a cell phone alone or with a GPS unit is a reasonable way to save money backpacking. Five more follow.

1. Don't Go Far

Part of the expense of backpacking is the cost to travel to the trails you'll be hiking. Maybe you don't have to go 1,000 miles to backpack someplace great. In fact, if you have been meaning to hike some of the trails closer to home at some point, why not start with them now? Since there will always be destinations you never get to, why not have those missed one be the more expensive trips?

2. Buy Used Equipment

Okay, never buy an old sleeping bag, because the filling typically loses loft after a few years. But there is nothing wrong with used aluminum pans or tent stakes, or anything that clearly shows its condition.You can find some items in thrift stores for a fraction of what they cost originally. Decent backpacking equipment is also available online at either Ebay or in outdoor forums which allow users to sell their old things.

3. Use Regular Clothing

Outdoor clothing manufacturers try to convince us that we need a new high-tech wardrobe to get out into the wilderness, but it isn't true. To save money, skip the $18 super-wicking t-shirt, try a 50/50 cotton polyester blend t-shirt from Wal-Mart. It will cost about $4, its more comfortable, and it dries fast when wet. If all you're facing is brief summer showers you can forgo the $120 waterproof/breathable rain jacket in favor of a $20 low-tech one. If rain is unlikely, bring a $2 emergency poncho.

I have worn plain nylon dress socks for years, by the way. They cost about $4 for three pair, and weigh less than an ounce. They also dry fast if they get wet. You can save a lot of money on clothing if you consider where you'll be going and what is truly needed.

4. Skip The Backpack, Tent and Sleeping bag

Perhaps you just want to get out and hike. If so, you might consider camping in a van or in a cheap tent alongside your car. Hike all day with just water, food, and the few other things you need in any cheap day pack - buy it used at a thrift store to save even more money. Return to the car to sleep each night. This isn't a bad way to go.

Base camping like this means you don't need a great sleeping bag, backpack, tent or other expensive gear. You won't be spending your nights out there in the wilderness. Of course this isn't backpacking, but perhaps the point for you is just to see and hike in some beautiful places, and to keep the cost of the trip down.

5. Eat Real Foods

This is backpacking advice I often give: Skip the expensive freeze-dried meals-in-a-pouch. Instead take nuts, granola and other real foods. If you need cooked meals, bring instant brown rice and red lentils (they cook in minutes). Try some noodles with olive oil, Parmesan cheese and spices. The latter can be more delicious and cost only a fourth as much as a freeze-dried dinner.

There are many supermarket foods which are better than specialty "backpacking meals" - and they save you money.

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