| What it is | Hiking with your gear shuttled ahead |
| You carry | Only a light daypack |
| Arranged via | Hostels, shuttles, support |
| Difficulty | Easier on the body |
Slackpacking is hiking a long trail while someone else transports your overnight gear, so you carry only a light day pack between points. Often arranged through hostels or shuttle services, it lets hikers cover trail miles with far less weight, trading some self-sufficiency for comfort and speed.
How it works
Your pack is shuttled ahead while you hike with a near-empty pack — effectively a day-hike load on a long trail, dropping your base weight to almost nothing.
On a thru-hike
Many thru-hikers slackpack occasionally to rest, often with help from a trail angel or hostel.
Frequently asked questions
What is slackpacking?
Slackpacking is hiking a stretch of a long trail while a shuttle, hostel, or support person carries your overnight gear to the next stop, so you walk with only a light daypack. You still cover the trail miles, just without the heavy load.
Is slackpacking cheating?
Among long-distance hikers it's a friendly debate, but most consider it a legitimate way to enjoy a trail — you still hike every mile. Purists prefer carrying everything; many thru-hikers slackpack occasionally to rest their bodies or push bigger days.
How does slackpacking work?
You arrange for your pack to be moved ahead — often through trail-town hostels or shuttle services — then hike between points carrying only water, food, and essentials. You rejoin your gear at the day's end.
Sources
- Long-distance hiking — American Hiking Society