Exo Journal — Backpacking

As much as we love new gear, our budgets are limited. If you are a hunter that is looking to get into backcountry, backpack-style hunting, we wanted to discuss how we would shop for backpacking gear and make budget-minded decisions. In this episode, Mark and Steve discuss how they would spend $700-$800 to purchase a shelter, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, backpacking stove, water filtration system, a reliable light source, and footwear for western-style hunting.

If you want to effectively train for backcountry hunting in mountainous terrain, you need to train specifically for the demands of that pursuit. You are not a runner training for a marathon. You are not a powerlifter training to raise your lift total. You are not a Crossfitter training for a score. You are not a bodybuilder training to sculpt an aesthetic physique. You are a hunter, and you should be training to hunt more effectively.

If all your prep work goes into shooting and fitness without paying any attention to practicing the skills required to backpack, then you’re neglecting half of the skills required for backpack hunting. How many times throughout the year do you focus purely on your efficiency in backpacking?

Reducing your pack weight doesn’t need to be a complicated and expensive exercise.  Here are three easy methods for reducing your weight immediately without making a single purchase…