Start by focusing on the bow instead of lugging that heavy rifle around, since arrows are way lighter and you can reuse them. When it comes to those heavy tools like hatchets, keep them at your base camp unless you really need them for something specific, and just gather sticks for your fire instead. Try to keep your pack under 55 pounds when exploring, though you can push it to around 65 if you've got the moose-hide satchel or technical backpack.

For regular runs you'll want the basics: a few bandages and pills, couple liters of water, enough food for a day or two, and just the essential gear for making fires and emergency shelters. Maybe interesting to know that knives are way more practical than crowbars since they're lighter and do most of the same jobs. Setting up small supply caches in different regions really helps manage the weight, and you can always make quick trips back to grab specific tools when needed.

A good trick is traveling light when checking out new areas, then coming back loaded up once you know what's worth grabbing. Remember, being able to move quickly is usually more important than carrying everything you might possibly need, so don't be afraid to leave stuff behind if you're getting weighed down too much. Something to keep in mind - repair your clothes before heading out, that way you won't need to carry extra cloth for fixes.