Kanken Backpack? The weight range doesn’t go up nearly as high (7-33 pounds), and it requires an infant insert that you have to purchase separately (if your baby is under 12 pounds), and it doesn’t have the “bucket” adjustments to accommodate both infants and toddlers thighs. So you end up with the four positions and need to purchase the infant insert to make that 5. We also thought it needed a small storage pouch to carry a paci, keys, phone, etc, and that the Velcro around the waist was great but also quite loud to use. So those are the reasons we chose the LILLEBaby as #1, though honestly, it was a close call. The Ergobaby is just so comfortable for parents and babies, and it is less bulky and can adjust down to suit relatively petite parents, so it was a difficult decision. A truly excellent baby carrier with just some small shortcomings. Usually about $150 and available in a ton of colors and patterns. Note also that the new and pricier Ergobaby Omni 360 is now available and is more similar to the LILLEBaby in versatility, supporting babies and toddlers from 7 to 45 pounds, and offering 6 different carry positions.

Dinner: Look for all-in-one meals such as packaged noodle or rice entrees. Boxed meals can be removed and placed in a plastic bag for easier packing. Lunches and snacks: Bring high-calorie, high-protein energy bars and trail mix to munch on during the day because backpacking burns a lot of metabolic fuel. Keep thing simple by making lunch a trailside affair with ample snacks and a longer rest. Other backpacking lunch options include bagels, jerky, dried fruit and nuts. Breakfast: This can range from a cooked entrée (pancakes anyone?) to hot oatmeal from a mix to two or three breakfast bars. You have to weigh the advantages of starting your day warmed up and fueled up versus hitting the trail earlier. If you can’t go without your caffeinated beverage, your simplest option is an instant coffee mix or tea bags. Find more info at backpacks with shoe compartment.

You can also learn the primitive skill of creating a fire with a bow-drill. It’s empowering to know that you can start a fire with some raw materials. Just make sure you keep the fire under control. People trying to signal a rescue with fire have started forest fires that burned thousands of acres. Repair Kit and Tools: If you need to build a shelter, find food, etc., you’ll need some tools. I look at this hiking essential as a general pool of things that I might need to solve a variety of problems, not just repair something. Duct tape or Tenacious Tape to repair gear, Knife and multi-tool, Utility cord to rig up a shelter or trap, tent footprint which you can use to haul wood and other materials.

Reducing backpack weight trick : Use Lithium batteries. They are more expensive, but last longer and weigh less. Go stoveless. There are plenty of non-cook, nutritious and tasty meal plans out there. Leaving the stove, cup, fuel and spork at home can save pounds. Tooth powder vs toothpaste. Yep, there is a “dehydrated toothpaste” and it makes a good substitute for the real thing on trail. See tooth powder recipes. Stuff the fluff manually. Leave extra sleeping bag compression sacks and tent bags at home. Instead, mash your sleeping bag and tent down by hand inside your bag. They will be more ‘flexible’ like this as well… not like an overly compressed ball. Read even more info at https://www.backpackultra.com/.