Long-distance hiking doesn't have to mean a 20 kg pack crushing your shoulders for days on end. Enter slackpacking — a growing trend among trail hikers that promises the scenery without the suffering. But like most shortcuts in the outdoors, it comes with trade-offs worth knowing before you commit.
What Is Slackpacking?
Slackpacking is a style of hiking where you travel a trail with only a light daypack, while your main luggage — tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, and extra clothing — is transported ahead to your next overnight stop by vehicle, shuttle, or support crew.
The term blends "slack" (as in, taking it easy) with "backpacking." It's popular on multi-day trails like South Africa's Otter Trail, Drakensberg routes, and hut-to-hut trails where accommodation is available at each stop.
In short: you hike the kilometres, someone else moves the kilos.
The Disadvantages of Slackpacking
While slackpacking sounds ideal, it's not without its downsides:
1. You're Dependent on Logistics
Your entire trip hinges on a shuttle, vehicle, or support service running on time. If the transfer fails, you could arrive at camp without your gear, food, or shelter — a serious problem in remote terrain.
2. It's More Expensive
Shuttle services, porters, and hut-to-hut accommodation add up quickly. Slackpacking is often significantly pricier than traditional backpacking, making it inaccessible for budget-conscious hikers.
3. Limited Trail Options
Slackpacking only works on trails with road access at regular intervals or established hut systems. Many of South Africa's most spectacular wilderness routes simply aren't set up for it.
4. Less Self-Sufficiency
Traditional backpacking builds real wilderness skills — navigation, camp setup, emergency preparedness. Slackpacking can create a false sense of security, leaving hikers underprepared if something goes wrong.
5. Environmental and Social Impact
Vehicle shuttles on dirt roads increase erosion and carbon footprint. On popular trails, the demand for support services can also put pressure on local ecosystems and communities.
6. You Miss Part of the Experience
Many hikers argue that carrying your own kit is part of the journey — the weight builds character, and the self-contained camp at the end of a hard day feels earned. Slackpacking can feel like a highlight reel without the full story.
What Should You Eat When Slackpacking?
Here's where it gets interesting. Even without a heavy pack, your nutrition still matters — arguably more so, because you're covering serious distance with less buffer.
Slackpackers often make the mistake of under-fuelling because they feel lighter and faster. But your muscles still need quality calories, electrolytes, and fast-absorbing carbohydrates to perform across multiple days.
Freeze-dried meals are a natural fit for slackpacking:
- Lightweight — even in your daypack, they add almost nothing
- No refrigeration needed — perfect for hut environments without cold storage
- Fast to prepare — just add hot water, no pots or pans required
- Nutritionally dense — real ingredients, real fuel, no compromise
Whether you're slackpacking the Otter Trail or a weekend hut route in the Drakensberg, your food should be the last thing you worry about.
The Bottom Line
Slackpacking is a legitimate and enjoyable way to experience multi-day trails — especially for those returning from injury, hiking with mixed-ability groups, or simply wanting to cover more ground. But go in with eyes open: the logistics, cost, and dependency on external support are real limitations.
Whatever style you choose, fuel it properly. Your legs will thank you.
Explore our range of freeze-dried trail meals — built for every kind of adventure, heavy pack or light.
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