Should I Bring a Saw Backpacking?

By Michael Ferguson

Bringing a saw backpacking is a great idea if you plan to camp in areas with plenty of wood to cut. It can be used to build shelters, create furniture, and perform small repairs.

A saw can also be used to harvest wood for firewood, which is essential for any outdoor trip.

When deciding whether or not to bring a saw on your next backpacking trip, be sure to consider the type of terrain you will be exploring. Saws are typically heavier than other tools, so if you are going on an ultralight backpacking trip, a saw may not be the best option. On the other hand, if you plan on camping in an area with plenty of trees and shrubs, then a saw might come in handy.

Another factor to consider is the size of your group. If you are backpacking with a large group, it may make sense to split the weight between multiple people and bring a saw. But if it’s just you or a small group of two or three people, then bringing along a saw might not be worth it.

The type of saw you choose is also important. There are many different styles available such as folding saws, bow saws and handsaws.

Folding saws are light and compact but they don’t have as much cutting power as larger saws. Bow saws are lightweight and can cut through larger pieces of wood with ease but they require two hands to operate. Handsaws offer the most cutting power but they are also heavier than other styles.

Finally, consider how often you plan on using the saw during your trip. If you think that you won’t need it more than once or twice during your journey then it probably doesn’t make sense to bring one along.

Conclusion: Whether or not to bring a saw backpacking depends largely on the terrain, size of your group and type of activities planned for the trip.

If there will be plenty of wood available for cutting and if the weight can be shared between multiple people then bringing along a saw might be worth it otherwise it may not make sense given its weight and bulkiness compared to other tools available. Ultimately, deciding whether or not to bring a saw should depend on how often it will need to be used during the course of your journey.