Backpacking is the outdoor recreation of carrying gear on one's back while hiking for more than a day. It is often an extended journey and may involve camping outdoors. In North America, tenting is common, where simple shelters and mountain huts, widely found in Europe, are rare. In New Zealand, hiking is called tramping, and tents are used alongside a nationwide network of huts. Hill walking is equivalent in Britain (but this can also refer to a day walk), though backpackers make use of a variety of accommodation, in addition to camping. Backpackers use simple huts in South Africa. Trekking and bushwalking are other words used to describe such multi-day trips.
Backpacking as a method of travel is a different activity, which mainly uses public transport during a journey that can last months.
Backpacking is an outdoor recreation where gear is carried in a backpack. This can include food, water, bedding, shelter, clothing, stove, and cooking kit. Given that backpackers must carry their gear, the total weight of their bag and its contents is a primary concern of backpackers. Backpacking trips range from one night to weeks or months, sometimes aided by planned resupply points, drops, or caches.
Anthropologists argue carrying weight, via a backpack, was likely more common than running. And carrying loads is an extreme difference and quality humans had over other animals.
They hypothesize, humans used running to catch prey, and humans evolved to carry food and weight over longer distances.
A weighted carry from backpacking taxes muscles. A weighted load stresses the shoulders, delts, back, abs, obliques, hips, quads, hamstrings and the knees. Research highlights a weighted carry for exercise helps avoid injuries.
A differential exists between a man running in comparison to a man walking whilst carrying a backpack. A 175-pound man running, without a backpack, loads his knees with 1,400 pounds of stress per stride. Whilst a 175-pound walking man, carrying a 30-pound pack, loads his knees with 555 pounds of stress per step.