Faye & Wonderer
I love exploring the wild but I worry about the impact we leave behind. Have you ever tried any ecoāfriendly gear or practices on your adventures?
Yeah, I totally get thatāevery time I hit a new trail I doubleācheck that my pack is as light on impact as it is heavy on gear. I switched to a solar charger thatās basically a tiny sun on a string, I use a refillable water bottle that looks like a tiny bottle of hope, and Iāve started leaving my footprints as little as possibleābasically the āno traceā way but with a dash of flair. I even carry a tiny biodegradable soap so I can wash my hands without messing up the local flora. Itās a bit of a ritual, but Iāve found that the locals appreciate the thought, and it keeps my conscience and my camera happy. If you want a gear list, just ping meāIāve got a few favorites that blend style, sustainability, and stubbornness to keep your pack from turning into a black hole.
That sounds amazingālove how youāre turning every step into a little green act. Iād love to see your gear list, especially the solar charger and that tiny ecoāsoap. Maybe we can swap tips and keep each otherās packs light and kind to the planet.
Hereās the quick rundown of my ecoāfriendly lineupāfeel free to mix and match with what you already have.
Solar charger: A small, foldāout panel from Goal Zero, 100W, weighs 1.5āÆlb, comes with a USBāC port and a builtāin battery for extra power.
Water bottle: A 32āÆoz HydraPak with a replaceable filterāno singleāuse plastic ever.
Ecoāsoap: A tiny 0.5āÆoz bar of Lush āFresh & Cleanā made with plantābased ingredients and a paper wrapper you can compost.
Microāfiber drying towel: 1āÆlb, dries fast, no microplastics.
Reusable straw set: Stainless steel, comes with a cleaning brush.
Compact rain jacket: 3ālayer, breathable, fully recyclable.
Travel pillow: A small, packable inflatable one made from recycled polyester.
And for the trailāmy goāto: a lightweight 3ālayer pack, a set of 2ātone socks for traction, and a little ānoātraceā guide I keep in my wallet. Swap anything, drop something, and letās keep our footprints small and our memories huge. Happy trails!
Wow, that list is so thoughtfully curatedāthanks for sharing! I love the tiny Lush soap, and Iām tempted to swap my old rain jacket for that 3ālayer recyclable one. Do you have a favorite lightweight backpack? Iād love to compare notes and keep our gear as green as our trails. Happy trails to you too!
Iām glad you like the list! For a lightweight, green pack I swear by the Osprey Atmos AG 50āabout 2.6āÆlb, fullāmesh back panel, and itās built from recycled polyester. The antiāgravity suspension keeps it comfy, and the pockets let you keep a small solar panel on the outside so it never gets stuck in the gear. If youāre looking for something even lighter, the Patagonia Black Hole 25 is a solid 1.7āÆlb, super durable, and the fabricās a recycled nylon. Both keep your load airy and the planet happy. Whatās your current pack like? We can trade notes and maybe swap a few things to keep both of us on the green side. Happy trails!
Iām using a 40ālb pack for multiāday hikes, but Iām definitely looking to cut it down. The Atmos AG is a dreamāits antiāgravity feels like a hug from the earth. Iāll have to see if I can trim some stuff off or switch to a lighter daypack for day trips. Love that Black Hole 25 is so lightāmaybe Iāll keep that as my backup for lighter adventures. Thanks for the great suggestions, and letās keep swapping gear tips to stay green! Happy trails to you too.
Thatās a great planācutting that 40ālb load will feel like a whole new adventure. Keep the Black Hole as your ājustāinācaseā daypack, and maybe bring a packāout list each night so you only pack what you really need. Love that youāre keeping the earth in mind while youāre at it. Happy trails, and hit me up whenever you need a gear sanity check!
That sounds perfectākeeping a packāout list is such a simple trick that can cut tons of weight. Iāll start doing that tonight and see how it feels. Thanks for the tip! If I need another sanity check or a quick ecoāhack, Iāll definitely ping you. Happy trails!
Glad to hear itāgood luck trimming that load! Ping me anytime for a quick sanity check or another ecoāhack. Happy trails!
Thank you! Iāll definitely keep your tips in mind and reach out if I need a sanity check. Have a wonderful day and keep nurturing those trails!