I'm into it to go far, and get away from people, and get to places less people go.

So optimizing weight (and my fitness) allows me to out range day trippers faster.

Some people are more in it for the journey than the exercise

Personally I'm in it for both so at this point I've started optimizing my gear less to get some challenge back in it for me

My buddies were definitely surprised when I busted out my 8 inch cast iron on the first night of a multi day backpacking trip though

If turning your exercise into a hobby makes it more fun, I don't see the harm. At the end of the day that just makes it entertainment that's good for you

Good exercise > bad exercise.

With hikes, it's fun and interesting to go far.

It's not too complicated.

Eh... Because the point isn't to workout like you would lifting iron in a gym? People who do rucking do it so it's hard, people who do hiking do it to reach stuff they want to see.

Cause my knees and hips are shit.

More than the actual message, I have a different issue with this comment.

It's how it's one of the most incredibly Uncool things to do to make fun of someone caring too much for their hobbies when you're an outsider. The moment it implied that this user is not an hiker, it instantly corrupted everything about it. That edit carries malice.

There's a word for it, and I refuse to do anything but downvote those people on sight.

I used to walk over mountains with bottom barrel gear, canned food, and old Army boots. My entire setup probably weighed 80 pounds. But I'm a middle aged man now, with a lifetime of injuries, and a desk job. I'm definitely going for all the UL gear I can get my hands on. My big 3 are only 6 pounds now. My full pack weight without food and water is under 10 pounds, and I love it.

It’s absolutely hilarious that you think you offended hikers while it was nothing more than you missing that everyone in the world uses available tools to make their lives easier.

What’s a hobby of yours? I bet you’re using modern tech on it instead of just banging a rock on it.

That's nothing, come to the ADV motorcycle world, where a 135 kilogram man will spend $150 for a set of brake and clutch levers for his 270 kg 1250GSA because they're 30 grams lighter.

I agree. The only thing I wouldn't be cheap about in hiking is footwear and safety equipment. Only a casual hiker though so I don't need much to take a 3 mile trail.

Hiking for me isn't for exercise. When I'm exercising, I put 20# pound plates in a rucksack and walk the neighborhood. When I'm hiking (like the 1000 miles I did last year) I'm out there to enjoy nature and have an adventure, not be miserable every night with cramping feet.

Not only that, but there's plenty of evidence that extra weight brings a greater chance of injury when hiking every day. Being able to do 1000 miles over 3 months means you have be able to perform consistently and without injuries building up.

I think it's simply that these activities are more enjoyable with less weight. Hewhen hiking it matters a lot, carrying heavy load on your back sucks. In cycling people definitely obsess a bit too much because most people aren't competing, but climbing is definitely easier on a lightweight bike. And people are apparently willing to spend a lot of money on this stuff, so companies gladly make carbon everything to save 5% weight at 500% the price.

Not everybody: My bike weighs 40 lbs with parts and my ebike weighs 80 lol

My camping gear probably weighs about 30-40 lbs, so, not crazy heavy but not exactly ultraight either.

Pick up a light dumbbell and see how long you can hold it. Take a rest and pick a heavier dumbbell and see if you can hold it for as long as you could with the lighter dumbbell.

You can also try and see how far you can walk while holding either the lighter or the heavier dumbbell.

I spend a fair bit for multi-day stuff, but most of that is bedding, shelter, and first aid/emergency devices—shit that matters. Much else is dependent on bushcraft and resources around me so I don't have to carry gear like some numpty with no clue. Flint, a good knife, and a container get you really far if you know how to use nature around you and are the kind of person that doesn't have to have a fork to eat food.