Carry Less Water and Drink More

Water is one of the heaviest items you will bring in your pack; 1 L (34 fl. oz) = 1 Kg (2.2 lbs).  However, it is also one of the most necessary things to bring along on a hike. 

Dehydration should not be taken lightly as it can cause cramps, nausea, headaches, and a decrease in physical performance.  So, here are a few tips to keep you hydrated on your next hike while minimizing the extra weight.

Pre-hydrate

Start drinking water about two hours before you begin your hike.  It is good to have between 500 mL (17 fl. oz) to 1L (34 fl. oz) of water before your journey begins.  This will give your body more fluids to run on for the beginning portion of your climb.

Plan your water sources

It is recommended to drink about 500 mL (17 fl. oz) per hour of hiking (depending on the intensity of the hike, you may need more).  Use this amount as a guideline to plan how much water to bring.

If you know there is a running stream of clean water 3 hours in to your hike, plan your water intake for this.  I may only carry 1 L of water knowing I can re-fill and re-hydrate after 3 hours.  However, err on the side of caution if you are uncertain of the likelihood of running water.

Melt Snow

Only use this tip if there is a fresh and clean snowfall on the top of the snow pack.  You can reduce the amount of water you need to carry if you add a little bit of snow to your bottle every time you take a sip. 

In addition, you should always keep your water bottle handy – clip to your waist belt or put in a side mesh pocket of your backpack.  The swinging of the water bottle moves kinetic energy in to the water, melts the snow, and keeps it from freezing.  It is also better to have a small sip of water several times than to chug down after an hour of hard work.


Use these tips to reduce the water weight you bring out with you, but do not risk de-hydration.  Always remember to also re-hydrate after a hike by drinking another 500 mL (17fl. oz).

Stay safe, stay Savvy, and get out there!

Avi Kleiman
Founder, Savvy Touring Company Ltd.
For Life in the Backcountry