When trekking an entire long-distance trail from end to end, packing efficiently can greatly enhance your comfort and mobility. To help with this, we've compiled 21 camping gear hacks ideal for thru-hikers, ultralight campers, and bikepackers who aim to reduce pack weight without compromising utility.
Thru-hikers typically choose the smallest or lightest versions of items, avoid single-use products, and prioritise minimising clutter almost as much as reducing weight. The key is to embrace multipurpose gear, space-saving solutions, and clever tricks.
While there are a few exceptions for safety and healthcare items, we're pleased to present...
21 of our favourite camping gear hacks for thru-hiking
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Multi-Purpose Neck Buffs
We're huge fans of using items with a multi-use function. The simple neck buff is one of these items. Beyond warming your neck, neck buffs can be used to wipe condensation away from your tent, serve as a hat on cold mornings, used as an eye mask to help you sleep in bright mornings, and double up as a sweatband. Typically made from moisture-wicking fabric, they dry quickly and are easy to clean. Take a peek at the Buff Original Ecostretch Neckwear.
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Puffy Jacket Pillow Trick
Your puffy jacket can double as insulation and a cosy pillow when stuffed into its own sack. This space-saving gear hack ensures you're warm and comfortable without extra bulk. The Superstrand LT Insulated Hoodie by Outdoor Research provides excellent warmth, essential for cold nights, and when used as a pillow, supports your head and neck.
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Cold Soaking Meals
Embrace cold soaking for hassle-free meals without the need for stoves or fuel. Instant mashed potatoes, refried beans, and oatmeal rehydrate superbly with cold water.
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Trekking Pole Versatility
Trekking poles do more than just enhance your hiking stride by offering stability and reducing strain on your legs and knees. They can also serve as tent and tarp supports, gear dryers (bring extra cordage for a drying line inside your tent), or even makeshift camera tripods. Additionally, trekking poles can be used to set up a porch space, gauge water depth, and check for potential hazards like slippery surprises underfoot, adding an extra layer of safety to your hike. Check out Compact Pro Trekking Poles by Fizan.
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Triple-Duty Wash
Products like Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash pull triple duty—personal hygiene, dishwashing, and gear upkeep in one bottle. Streamline toiletries with dual-purpose hair and body washes, like the versatile offerings from Intrepid Explorer. Many of these products are biodegradable, minimising your impact on the environment. No need for multiple bottles!
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Wool Socks as Mittens
Wool socks are known for their durability and can handle the rough conditions of the trail. They do double duty as mittens, keeping hands nimble yet snug while still being able to handle poles, gear, and cameras. Merino wool socks by Darn Tough provide excellent insulation and moisture-wicking properties for this hack.
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Air-Dry Socks with Safety Pin
Speaking of socks, attach a safety pin to your pack for drying socks or light damp gear while hiking.
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Sleeping Mat as Seat
Ditch the chair! A versatile closed-cell foam sleeping mat ( the accordion style pads) can double as a comfortable seat during snack time. They can also function as a frame for your backpack to provide rigid support. Sleeping mats can also be doubled up with an air mat for extra warmth, comfort and protection.
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Camp Quilts for Comfort
Lightweight quilts offer warmth and flexibility—perfect for sleep and lounging fireside. Combine them with a sleeping mat for a flexible sleep system rivalling traditional sleeping bags or layer on top of your sleeping bag for those colder camps. Quilts by Enlightened Equipment, Therm-A-Rest or Big Agnes can be easily adjusted for temperature control, providing comfort in various conditions.
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Tea Bags for Fresh(er) Feet
After a tough trek, freshen up pungent footwear with a tea bag in each boot—an aromatic rescue for weary feet. Lightweight and easy to carry, tea bags take up minimal space in your pack but most importantly, can be used to brew a comforting cup of tea in your Kupilka classic cup at the end of a long day!
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Dual-Function Tent Pegs
Robust tent stakes moonlight as potty trowels—digging cat holes with ease. Tent pegs can also be used for other tasks like securing gear or making impromptu repairs. This dual-function tool is a valuable addition to your camping gear.
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All-in-One Cutlery
Sporks and Splayds merge fork, spoon, and knife—a space-saving marvel that’s indispensable for lightweight camping. Combining multiple utensils into one saves space and reduces the number of items you need to carry.
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Multi-Functional Cooking Pots
One cooking pot doubles as a plate and bowl, lightening your load with one multipurpose vessel. Ideal for cooking, eating, and storage, these pots are made from lightweight but sturdy materials, ensuring they last through many adventures.
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Cutlery to Toothbrush Hack
The 2g Trailbrush allows you to convert your long-handled spoon into a toothbrush. Designed to securely fit in most trail utensil clips, it ensures practical tooth cleaning without the need for a separate handle. Unlike shorter brushes that necessitate hand contact, the Trailbrush provides the leverage for effective cleaning. By eliminating unnecessary plastic, it reduces waste and simplifies your gear list, offering a clutter-free trail experience. Plus, it doubles as a pot scrubber—although you might want to pack another Trailbrush for that!
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Gore-Tex Socks
Don't take camp shoes, just take a pair of Goretex socks (also double as rain mitts) or plastic bags so you can wear shoes at camp and keep your feet dry.
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Versatile Nalgene Water Bottle Trick X5
A nalgene water bottle is incredibly versatile and probably warrants its own dedicated blog post but, for now, here are several ways you can use it:
1. Use Nalgene as a hot water bottle, wrapped in a wool sock to cosy up to in your sleeping bag; it's a lifesaver on cold nights or when experiencing cramping. It withstands very high temperatures (boiled water) without deforming. Plus you'll have drinking water for when you wake up!
2. The Nalgene wide mouth bottle is ideal for capturing and transferring water, which is important in the wild when it comes to collecting water before filtering it.
3. A bandana or cotton handkerchief makes a great makeshift pre-filter. Position it over the wide mouth of your bottle and collect moving water (always against the current); you can then filter the water and chemically treat it (with Katadyn, for example).
4. Use the attachment loop of the cap to attach a carabiner. You can easily attach your bottle to your bag or a branch. A Nalgene is 100% waterproof; it can even be used to carry your money, mini playing cards...
5. The mouth is wide enough to pass an egg through, then fill your bottle with flour or rice, and you can transport your eggs without risking breaking them!
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Pillow Grip Trick
Place a jumper, a T-shirt or a neck buff over your inflatable pillow for added warmth and pillow grip.
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Winter Water Bottle Hack
Here's a handy winter hack: flip your water bottle upside down. Ice forms from the top down, so keeping the bottle's opening at the bottom prevents it from freezing over. This simple trick ensures your water bottle remains usable even in freezing temperatures.
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DIY Lantern with Water Bottle
To create ambient light in your tent using a clear water bottle, turn on the flashlight on your phone and place a clear water bottle on top of your phone. The water will diffuse the light and illuminate the tent!
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Extra Warmth for Cold feet
If you have cold feet at night, place the foot of your sleeping bag inside your empty rucksack. This adds an extra layer of insulation, providing a bit more warmth. It's amazing how much difference an extra layer can make.
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Save Silica Gel Pouches
These are often found in food packages. They absorb moisture to prevent food from spoiling. These pouches are great for preventing rust in your cooking pots. Simply place a couple in your pot to keep it dry and rust-free. You can also purchase these gel pouches online.
Many people emphasise the importance of organising your gear effectively. For example, using small zippered pouches can help you keep your items accessible and well-organised. Roll-top dry bags are also useful for keeping your gear dry inside your backpack, and packing cubes can be a great addition for fitting inside your pack.
Whether embarking on a thru-hike, cycle tour, or wild camping trip, these space-saving gear hacks empower you to optimise gear and balance preparedness with simplicity.
Happy trails!