For my one-year trek across Europe, I needed a hiking trailer that could lighten my load on easy terrain and still be practical to carry on my back when the trails became more challenging. My priorities were clear: minimal added weight, and a quick transition between trailer and backpack mode.
Many hiking trailers work well on flat or easy trails but fall short in tough terrain—either they’re too heavy for extended carrying, or switching modes takes too much time. Since I spend around 40% of my journey carrying my gear on my back and often switch between pulling and carrying, these were dealbreakers for me.
After extensive research, I found the “Trekkers Friend” in Australia, and it perfectly met my needs. Its design allows it to fit almost any backpack, which gave me the flexibility to adapt it to my specific gear and requirements. By customizing the setup, I managed to reduce the trailer’s weight to just 1kg.
I also adjusted the axle attachment point, moving it from the hip belt to the back of my pack, near the ice axe loops. This innovation allowed me to switch between trailer and backpack mode in under 5 seconds. Additionally, by tweaking the materials, I saved even more weight, tailoring the system precisely to my needs.
The “Trekkers Friend” is not your typical hiking pulk. It’s a highly flexible solution for weight-conscious long-distance hikers who frequently transition between easy and challenging terrain.
See here for more information.