If you enjoy going backpacking, you are probably aware of how easy it is to end up with gear that is way to heavy. When you backpack with gear that is too heavy, not only will it keep you going at a snails pace, but it can also start up joint or back problems as well. Working to lighten the load can take a bit of work, but one of the first things to do is to make sure that everything you pack can be used for more than one thing. This will mean that you will not have to pack as much gear and your load will be a great deal lighter, which will lead to a more pleasurable time backpacking.

Believe it or not, you can get more than just one use out of much of your backpacking gear if you use a bit of creativity on your part. The following are some helpful and creative ways that you can lighten up you load.

1. Candles - One of the first things you can use for multiple tasks are candles. Now as you probably know, candles do not weight much, and they are usually a part of your pack for the light they commonly provide. Candles can be used for other things as well, such as lighting a fire, or waterproofing something. Instead of packing that hefty lantern, throw in a few candles to your pack.

2. Safety Pins - You probably never really thought about safety pins as backpacking gear, but they are really great to have along. Besides that fact that they obviously weigh almost nothing at all, they can really come in handy. You can use safety pins to use as a spare fishhook, to keep a bandage secure, to hang up various items, and even to act like a clothespin. No doubt you will come up with some other uses of them on your own as well.

3. A Parachute Cord - Even if you are not going to go parachuting, it is a great idea to take a parachute cord along. There are a variety of ways that you can use this cord, such as a tie for an emergency splint, to tie up food supplies, and you can even use it as a clothesline too.

4. Plastic Placemats - More than likely you have never thought about taking along a placemat when backpacking, but they are very lightweight and can definitely come in handy. You can use them for preparing your meals, to sit on if the ground is damp and muddy, and even as a place to set your shoes to avoid getting too much dirt inside of your tent.

5. Duct Tape - Now, who would go anywhere without duct tape? We all know that duct tape is already known as something that you can use for almost anything, so why not pack it in your backpack. Duct tape is great to have along because a roll goes a long way and it is very durable and strong as well. Some of the uses you will find for duct tape include fixing your tent, fixing up a backpack, and even for wrapping up an emergency bandage.

With only five pieces of gear we have come up with various ways to use them. Each piece can be used for a variety of different things and they are all lightweight too. Just taking the time to get creative and thinking outside of the box can help you come up with other pieces of gear that will be multifunctional as well.

Gunnar Berglund has been a “internet- hardworker” since 2000. He runs meonit.com meonit.com , exodustravel.net exodustravel.net, where he also writes about his favourite holiday pleasures.