Episode #12
Ultralight Backpacking for Women Over 40 with Lee Warren
What does ultralight backpacking really mean, and why is reducing pack weight especially important for women? Solo backpacker Lee Warren shares practical ultralight backpacking tips for women over 40, including how to evaluate gear, reduce base weight and hike more comfortably. In this episode of the Just Hyke Podcast, Melanie talks with Lee Warren, a 57-year-old solo backpacker, outdoor writer and creator of Gen X Outdoors. Lee began backpacking seriously in her 50s and has since taken on trails including the Cranberry Lake 50, Trans-Catalina Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail and Colorado Trail. Lee shares how a 28-pound backpack inspired her to start weighing every item, evaluating what she truly needed and gradually building a lighter backpacking setup. Her approach isn’t about chasing the lowest possible number it’s about carrying less weight so hiking feels safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable. In this conversation, we discuss: Why ultralight backpacking can be especially valuable for women How pack weight affects the knees, ankles, back and shoulders Simple ways to lighten your backpack without replacing everything Why you should weigh and track your hiking gear How to decide which clothes and comfort items you really need Affordable ways to upgrade gear through sales and used marketplaces Backpacking food, calorie density and emergency cold-soak meals Camp shoes, puffy jackets and learning through experimentation Solo backpacking, confidence and making smart decisions on the trail Why it’s never too late to begin hiking or backpacking Lee reminds us that there is no single perfect gear list. Start with what you have, learn from every trip and take time to discover what works best for your body and your adventures. Resources from Lee Lee’s Colorado Trail blog on The Trek: https://thetrek.co/author/lee-warren/ Why I Think Ultralight Is More Important for Women: https://thetrek.co/ultralight-is-more-important-for-women/ Free LighterPack tool for evaluating your pack weight: https://lighterpack.com/welcome Lee’s Colorado Trail gear list on LighterPack: https://lighterpack.com/r/37jk5n About the Just Hyke Podcast The Just Hyke Podcast encourages women—especially women over 40—to get outside, explore more and build confidence through hiking and nature. We talk about trails, backpacking, outdoor gear, food, clothing, training, personal growth and the many benefits of spending time outside. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the Just Hyke Podcast, share it with a hiking friend and leave a review wherever you listen.
