Pack Weight

[phishpapond]

I just got my pack together.
This is my first trip going out more then a night.
My weight is betwwen 50-55 ponuds.I Think I can get it down to about 45 pounds

My question is what is your pack weight and what have you done to get it down.
I thought it was a little heavy but judge by the size of pack I have seen on here maybe not.

[skinny minnie]

If you could list ALL of your gear, it would be easier to make suggestions. (Kind of a pain to do, but it would really help)

How many nights will you be out for? 50 is definitely heavy... in my opinion.

[KG4FAM]

I started the the hundred mile wilderness this summer with 10 days of food and without water at 29lbs. This was with only my hammock tarp being the ultralite silnylon stuff, everything else was normal stuff. I don't carry crap that I don't need. Most folks carry a ****load of clothes that they don't need.

[jesse]

That is probably where I was a few years ago when I started. It nearly killed me. I hated walking uphill. But I enjoyed wilderness camping enough to gradualy whittle my weight down. Last May I did a 50 mile BMT hike, total weight including food and water, 16lbs.
I started with the big three, tent, pack, and bag. I decided to learn to sew, and made all three, 4.1lbs.
From there I bought a lite weight stove, and dehydrated my own meals, instead of bringing canned food.
Clothes: Go all synthetic, and only bring what you need.
If you are like me, I had a lot of unnecessary gear, a lantern, axe, extra pair of shoes, etc. The best thing you can do is go out there, and see all the stuff you bring and don;t use, and leave it next time.

[Tipi Walter]

Just my pack and tent together weigh in at 16 pounds and so my total weight on a 10 day trip is around 65-70 pounds when you include the books I like to take and the always-extra food. I could lighten my pack a bunch by carrying a lighter tent and much less food(and of course no books), and on shorter trips I do pare down the weight. But on long trips, esp in the winter, there's the extra white gas(32 ozs), the down jacket and the heavier fleece with gloves and hats, along with the beefier thermarest.

Over the years I've gone thru phases of light shelters and packs, winters in a tarp, cowboy camping in a bivy in the snow, everything lashed on the outside of a 2000 cubic inch ruck, but eventually when the storms come in and conditions turn south I always run back to what keeps me dry and out of the wind blown snow. Hence, heavier weight. The dilemma of the modern backpacker is how to endure harsh conditions and still carry a light pack. And not turn back or curtail a trip just because the weather turns mean.

[jersey joe]

I just got my pack together.
This is my first trip going out more then a night.
My weight is betwwen 50-55 ponuds.I Think I can get it down to about 45 pounds

My question is what is your pack weight and what have you done to get it down.
I thought it was a little heavy but judge by the size of pack I have seen on here maybe not.
When I started my thru hike my pack weighed 65lbs. One thing I did to get my weight down was to send home a bunch of extra clothes. I didn't need more than one set of hiking clothes and one set of camp clothes. That cut down about 8lbs for me.

[Tipi Walter]

Plus, it's not all that hard to carry a lighter pack when you can resupply every 3-4 days as is common on the AT(or is it every 4-5 days?). Unforunately, nowadays it's offset by the drought which possibly requires carrying more water when the springs run dry.

[BigToe]

My skin-out pack weight for 10 day section hikes with one mail drop comes in at about 36 lbs.

Weight of "Big Four" (Backpack, Shelter, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad) (lbs) --- 9.33
Total Calculated Base Weight (Total Pack Weight minus water weight, food, cooking fuel) (lbs) --- 17.37
Total Calculated Pack Weight (lbs) --- 32.71
Total Calculated Wear Weight (lbs) --- 3.76
Total Calculated Skin-Out Weight (lbs) --- 36.47

Big Four is my GG Ozone pack and hammock w/quilts & tarp
Max water carry is 3 liters
Wear weight includes trekking poles

Usually my calculated weight comes within ounces of my measured weights but this year (just returned from hike) I was off by a pound. My actual skin-out weight was ~35 lbs. Probably a mistake in my spreadsheet on food items.

My biggest gains (or losses) recently have been in cutting down clothing to the bare minimum while staying safe and comfortable (but maybe smelly), and reviewing food choices for weight and realistic needs. Prior to that I've carefully selected gear with the help of WhiteBlaze inhabitants.

Of course, almost seven pounds of this is water which is easiliy adjusted according to needs/availability. But I like to be able to carry 3 liters if necessary.

I listened to a talk by Andrew Skurka, the guy who hiked the Sea to Sea route. He had some great tips (web site AndrewSkurka.com) but the one that really stuck was an equation he drew: <weight = >fun. This is a theme here on Whtieblaze and I can concur. The less weight I carry, the more I enjoy my hike. As with other comments in this thread, I started out with a VERY heavy pack (things like a GPS, C cell maglite, full size multitool were involved) and I was miserable. As I've lightened up my time in the woods has become significantly more enjoyable.

While I hike I make notes on what works/doesn't for next time. As I pack for the next hike, I examine every item that goes in my pack and really think about if I've used it or if it could be replaced by something else with multiple use. That being said I don't short my safety gear or meds like spare light, whistle, compass, Benadryl, Immodium, etc.

Lighten up and enjoy!

[bigcranky]

My question is what is your pack weight and what have you done to get it down.
I thought it was a little heavy but judge by the size of pack I have seen on here maybe not.

I think pack weight declines with hiking experience. I certainly started with a 65 pound pack -- I thought getting it under 50 pounds was a great accomplishment! Now my three-season load is around 25 pounds including 4 days of food and two liters of water. So what have I done to get it down?

Rule #1. Carry less stuff.

Rule #2. Carry lighter stuff.

Rule #1 seems obvious -- but it's amazing how difficult it becomes to actually accomplish. Rule #2 also seems obvious -- just whip out the credit card and buy a bunch of "ultralight" gear, but then you are in direct conflict with Rule #1.

As you gain experience hiking, you learn what you can do without. So, a lot of extra "just in case" clothing an gear gets left at home. I don't need a huge repair kit, for example, or extra "town" clothes, or clean clothes for each day on the trail.

That same experience helps when choosing new gear. The 8 pound, double-wall two-person "bomb proof" tent gets replaced, first with a 2-pound tarptent, then perhaps with a 12-ounce tarp. The 2-pound white gas stove is replaced with a 3-ounce canister stove, then with a 10-gram alcohol stove. The set of steel pots is replaced with a large aluminum pot, then with a titanium mug. The huge multi tool is replaced by the smallest Swiss Army knife.

I can't make any recommendations on how you might trim your pack weight. I don't know where you are hiking or what time of year. (50-55 pounds is kinda heavy for a late summer load, but might be just what you need in the Whites in November.) If you post a gear list, and give some specifics on your upcoming hike (and you have a thick skin), you might get the benefit of other hikers' experience.

[wrongway_08]

You should get a electronic gram scale (kind they sell for weighing spices - about $24.00, most stores) and then list EVERYTHING you plan on taking and its weight. Post it up and we can help you better.

My pack weight for winter is around 30lbs, 25 for summer, with food and water. I thought I had my pack weight down good but after being on the trail a few days, I started bouncing junk ahead and sending home a good deal of items towards the end of my trip. My pack is around 23 pounds now - food and water heading through the last 200 miles of my thru-hike.

You'll also learn that you dont need 2 litters of water all the time and that your food bag doesnt need to weigh 15 pounds for 3/4 days.

Best thing to do is go out on some 3 or 4 night trips (in the winter time also) and see what you really use. You'll be surprized how fast the weight comes down.

[john gault]

I just got my pack together.
This is my first trip going out more then a night.
My weight is betwwen 50-55 ponuds.I Think I can get it down to about 45 pounds

My question is what is your pack weight and what have you done to get it down.
I thought it was a little heavy but judge by the size of pack I have seen on here maybe not.
Like someone else already asked: Need to post you equipment list.
Does that weight include food?
I also carry a heavy pack, but that's because I don't stop in towns very often, thus carry a lot of food. However, reading a little into your post, you're only going out for a couple nights, so this may be a little heavy.

[Auntie Mame]

To throw in a word for the middle ground, I hiked 870 miles from GA to VA this year, and numerous section hikes in NH and ME, on-going. Pack weight is between 25 and, absolute tops, 32#. I use a heavier pack than some, for comfort. Harness on Mountainsmith Boundary is cush. #4.6. Tent is #2, a tarptent double rainbow. Bag is #2 in cold weather, #1 in summer. Pad is #1.6. Total base, 10.2. The only knife is a mini Swiss army, I carry one plastic spoon, a pocket rocket stove and small canister, etc. I concur with others about one set of hiking clothes, and one set of camp clothes. One pair of hiking socks, one dry pair to sleep in. I wear hiking boots but carry those ridiculous but light and comfy Crocs. I use a lot of larger zip lock storage bags, not many stuff sacks. One light raincoat, and one 2 oz windshirt. And so on.
Good luck with the challenge of getting the things you want to have in a package that weighs as little as possible. Lots of good gearr lists on this site and on Trailjournals.com. Others as well, I'm sure.

[TwoForty]

I hope this isn't considered too much of a topic deviation, but why don't YOU list what you take? I bet we could easily whittle 15 pounds off and give you suggestions to take off 20 more.

[Blissful]

Your pack weight is way too much. Need to cut it ten more lbs. If just a weekend hike, you can probably get it down to 25 lb. Mine on the second part of my hike was no more than 28 - though I did divide some of it with my son who carried around 32 lb.

[_terrapin_]

I had at least 50-55 pounds on my back heading into the 100-mile wilderness in 1990. I was prepared for a 10-day trek. Somehow, I made it in seven days and had a great time. Nowadays, I'd do everything in my power to cut that weight, drastically.

A few weeks ago I embarked on what I thought would be 7- or 8-day hike on the JMT. Unfortunately I was back to around 40 lbs on my back, due to the need for 7+ days of food and a bear canister.

Except for a couple of places, there's hardly ever a need for such extensive provisioning on the AT. Resupply every 3-5 days is the norm. I'd guess most AT thru-hikers these days are carrying 25-30 lbs "full-up" -- ie., with a couple liters of water, and 3-5 days worth of food. PCT hikers probably carry a bit more, due to longer resupply intervals.

[WILLIAM HAYES]

30lbs includes 7 days food 2 liters H2O If you want to get your weight down read some of the packing lists at Backpackinglight there is no reason to carry the kind of weight you mentioned good luck it takes discipline I know it took me five years to get comfortable with the decision process of what to carry and what to leave out Hillbilly

[Tagless]

If you email me I will be glad to share my gear list (consumable and nonconsumable) for an upcoming 7 day October hike on the AT in Virginia. It is an Excel spreadsheet. Base weight 14 pounds and total pack weight (7 days food / 2 liters water average) 29 pounds. It might give you some ideas to consider. FYI - I hike with my wife and she carries our 23 ounce "kitchen."

[phishpapond]

Hey I will get some photos and post a list here soon.
Yes 50 pounds is everthing I will need for 6-7 days.
I could take less water but 4 liters did not seem like much.
Without food and water my comes in just under 30 pounds

[phishpapond]

Okay, here goes the packing list. Remember, I set this pack up on the cheap, so some of my gear is Ozark Trail and Swiss Gear.
My pack is a Eureka Vectra, but I'm not sure of the cubic inches.
Ozark Trail fleece sleeping bag.
3lb 4oz A-frame tent.
Plastic Rope- 70 feet.
(2) Swiss Gear Trecking Poles.
4oz Pocket Stove.
(3) MSR Fuel Canisters.
Tarp.
(4) Bungee Cords.
(1) Coleman Max Self Inflating Sleeping Mat.
(1) Headlamp.
(1) MP3 Player
(10) AAA Batteries.
(2) PATC Maps- North and Central.
(2) Ozark Trail Clear Ponchos - For me and the Pack.
Sufficient amount of first aid supplies and Snake Venom Extractor Kit.
Ozark Trail MultiTool.
This includes the clothing I will be wearing: (4) Pairs Socks, (4) Pairs Boxer Briefs, (2) Pairs Lightweight Hiking Pants, (1) Pair Shorts, (2) Shirts, (1) Towel
(1) Zip Up Fleece
(1) Roll Toilet Paper
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Bodywash, Shampoo (These are all trial size)
(1) Aluminum Pot (2 Cups)
(1) Larger Pot from Car Camping Cook Set (Maybe 2 Liters) to boil water, not taking a filter.
(4) 1-Liter Bottles of Water.
Between 10-13 Pounds of Food, all from the Grocery Store, no Mountain House type meals.
Ex. Instant Rice, Ramen Noodles, Power Bars, Canned Chicken, etc.

Okay, there it is. I tried to stay light and only pack what I think I'll need, but I still came in around 50 pounds. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Cuffs]

drop
the bungee cords
1/2 the TP
mouthwash
body wash
shampoo
2 of the 1 liter bottles

count out each meal so that you dont take more than you need. if leaving on a Friday afternoon, you wont need breakfast and lunch packed, just dinner, then B, L, D, for each day on the trail and plan your last day. I usually end by lunch time, so I can go get some 'real' food at a local restaurant!

[jessicacomp]

you definitely dont need 3 canisters of fuel. also, you dont need bungee cords at all, in my opinion. and lastly, do you need both pots?

[TwoForty]

In addition to what has been said, I bet you could loose a lot of those batteries. Drop the tarp.
You could drop a lot of the fuel and a pot by using Aqua Mira. It's like $10 for a bottle that should last 2 weeks or maybe more.

[aaronthebugbuffet]

Okay, here goes the packing list. Remember, I set this pack up on the cheap, so some of my gear is Ozark Trail and Swiss Gear.
My pack is a Eureka Vectra, but I'm not sure of the cubic inches.
Ozark Trail fleece sleeping bag.
3lb 4oz A-frame tent.
Plastic Rope- 70 feet. You won't even need half that
(2) Swiss Gear Trecking Poles.
4oz Pocket Stove.
(3) MSR Fuel Canisters. Thats a lot of fuel for 6-7 days. One should be enough for cooking.
Tarp. Why a tarp? You have a tent and ponchos.
(4) Bungee Cords. What are these for? If your pack is internal frame, everything should go inside.
(1) Coleman Max Self Inflating Sleeping Mat.
(1) Headlamp.
(1) MP3 Player
(10) AAA Batteries.How many of these are you taking?
(2) PATC Maps- North and Central.
(2) Ozark Trail Clear Ponchos - For me and the Pack.
Sufficient amount of first aid supplies and Snake Venom Extractor Kit. Snake kit is useless. What else in your kit?
Ozark Trail MultiTool. A small knife would probably work.
This includes the clothing I will be wearing: (4) Pairs Socks, (4) Pairs Boxer Briefs, (2) Pairs Lightweight Hiking Pants, (1) Pair Shorts, (2) Shirts, (1) Towel Too many clothes. Take ,including what you are wearing, 3 pair of socks , 1 pants, 1 shorts, 1 underwear, 1 shirt.
(1) Zip Up Fleece
(1) Roll Toilet Paper Maybe 1/4 of a roll.
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Bodywash, Shampoo (These are all trial size)Toothbrush and toothpaste only. Leave the rest.
(1) Aluminum Pot (2 Cups)
(1) Larger Pot from Car Camping Cook Set (Maybe 2 Liters) to boil water, not taking a filter. Get some Aqua Mira if you want to treat water. Leave this pot and you will only need 1 fuel cannister.
(4) 1-Liter Bottles of Water. Ask about water sources before leaving. You may not need to carry that much water at a time. What type of bottles are these?
Between 10-13 Pounds of Food, all from the Grocery Store, no Mountain House type meals.
Ex. Instant Rice, Ramen Noodles, Power Bars, Canned Chicken, etc. Foil pack chicken and tuna instead of cans.

Okay, there it is. I tried to stay light and only pack what I think I'll need, but I still came in around 50 pounds. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Just a few things I thought you could do.
What type of pack do you have? Internal?

[karoberts]

I think you are going to be really unhappy with a pack that weighs 45 lbs or more. You might even hike one day and decide to go home and forget the whole thing. My max comfort line is 35 lbs - anything over and I just don't feel like hiking.

I would dump a bunch of that gear you listed and replace some of it. If you don't want to spend a lot of money try to hit an REI used gear sale.

[wrongway_08]

You have all the gear, so I would at least take the pack to a local park or hiking area and hike around with it for 4 or 5 hours. That will give you a good feel of how its going to effect you.

One liter of water is more then plenty to hike with in most areas, I try to keep it down to 1/2 a liter on my back at any given time most days. just fill up at streams or other water crossings.
That'll take off a little over 7 pounds just in water. Bring along a small water filter like the hiker pro and it only adds 8 oz to your weight (after tossing all the worthless attachments and extra hose the give you), this way you dont have to wait for the pills or liquid water treatment to work.

A thru-hiker (Hike-Farm - not sure if he is on white blaze or not) hiked with a little over 60 pound pack (we weighed this sucker at the town stop on a ditigital postal scale)! He was not all that big of a guy, I guess around 180 at the most, had long arse legs. He kept a fast pace of around 3 miles while hiking, he finished the trail a good 5 weeks before I will (I should be done around Sept. 13th?). He was happy and had a good time.

I guess if you can deal with the weight, its cool but I'd try to cut it back - lots more fun to me.

[Panzer1]

My warm weather pack comes in at 25 pounds, not counting food and water.

Panzer

[Hooch]

While not a professional or even an expert, for that matter, my advice unto thee is this:

Drop 2 of the fuel canisters
Lose the plastic rope (Get 550 cord or mason's line instead)
Lose the bungee cords
Lose the 10 AAA batteries (a fresh bettery in your headlamp and mp3 player instead)
Lose the snake bite kit
Lose the boxer briefs except the pair you're wearing, possibly one extra pair
Drop the shorts, use zip off pants instead
Lose the extra pair of pants
Forget the towel, use bandanas instead
Leave the mouthwash, bodywash and shampoo behind
Leave the 2 liter pot behind, get a filter or AquaMira
Drop 2 of your 1 liter bottles
Use foil pouch meats instead of canned

The end.

[dessertrat]

"Ozark Trail fleece sleeping bag."

Ditch the fleece bag and get a slumberjack 40 degree or something similar, not too expensive, but lighter.

"Plastic Rope- 70 feet."

All you need is some thin line, if bear bagging or pitching a tarp. Don't take real rope.

"(3) MSR Fuel Canisters." (1 or 2 maximum-- one should last four or five days at least).

"(4) Bungee Cords." (Get rid of them. Some utility straps to strap things to your pack may be useful, though).

"Sufficient amount of first aid supplies and Snake Venom Extractor Kit." (first aid is fine, but the snake bite extractor is excessive, it seems to me).

"This includes the clothing I will be wearing: (4) Pairs Socks, (4) Pairs Boxer Briefs, (2) Pairs Lightweight Hiking Pants, (1) Pair Shorts, (2) Shirts, (1) Towel"

(Too much clothing. Cut it in half. Think about getting convertible pants if you can afford it-- the legs zip off to make shorts).

(1) Larger Pot from Car Camping Cook Set (Maybe 2 Liters) to boil water, not taking a filter. (Not good. You can't boil enough water to keep yourself supplied without spending all day boiling water. Take chlorine dioxide tablets, or filter).


See my comments above in parentheses.

[Captn]

Only take the clothes your wearing, plus your insulation layer(s), two extra pairs of socks, and a shirt to sleep in. Toss in a lightweight pair of swim trunks ... you can swim in them and also wear them when you're washing the others (if you need to).

Ditch the pot, ditch 2 fuel canisters, and pick up some Aqua Mira or some Iodine (some people don't respond well to iodine, I'd go to the aqua mira)

Small knife.

Drop the rope and just carry some paracord.

get rid of the fleece bag ... way too heavy and only good in the 60's (50's if you sleep warm)

ditch the extra batteries.

Do you really need all that first aid gear? Drop the snake bite kit ... won't do you any good.

Advice .... put your weight where it does the most good, Insulation, Shelter, and Water. This insures your SURVIVAL. Food comes next as it's the fuel your body needs. Comfort comes next (you'd be amazed at the things you can be comfortable without), then the nice to haves.

[kanga]

I just got my pack together.
This is my first trip going out more then a night.
My weight is betwwen 50-55 ponuds.I Think I can get it down to about 45 pounds

My question is what is your pack weight and what have you done to get it down.
I thought it was a little heavy but judge by the size of pack I have seen on here maybe not.


depends on how you want to spend your hike. are you looking to take along your creature comforts or do you want a light pack?
i guarantee you, tho, that you go heavy, you won't use 1/2 the stuff you tote along.

if you go lite, cut out the junk:


Okay, here goes the packing list. Remember, I set this pack up on the cheap, so some of my gear is Ozark Trail and Swiss Gear.
My pack is a Eureka Vectra, but I'm not sure of the cubic inches.
Ozark Trail fleece sleeping bag.
3lb 4oz A-frame tent. - get a tarp tent, loose 2 1/2 lbs
Plastic Rope- 70 feet. - you only need 30 at most
(2) Swiss Gear Trecking Poles.
4oz Pocket Stove.
(3) MSR Fuel Canisters. - loose 1 for 7-10 days
Tarp. - loose it
(4) Bungee Cords. - loose it
(1) Coleman Max Self Inflating Sleeping Mat.
(1) Headlamp.
(1) MP3 Player
(10) AAA Batteries. - put new batteries in your headlamp and mp3 before heading out and carry 1 spare set for the mp3, loose the rest
(2) PATC Maps- North and Central.
(2) Ozark Trail Clear Ponchos - For me and the Pack.
Sufficient amount of first aid supplies and Snake Venom Extractor Kit. - my first aid weighs 5 oz: neosporin, benadryl, ibuprofen, bandaids, moleskin, emergency blanket. that's all that's really going to help you anyway. loose the snake kit, too
Ozark Trail MultiTool. - won't use it, at most take a small penknife.
This includes the clothing I will be wearing: (4) Pairs Socks, (4) Pairs Boxer Briefs, (2) Pairs Lightweight Hiking Pants, (1) Pair Shorts, (2) Shirts, (1) Towel - loose 2 socks, 2 boxers, 1 pair pants, and towel (wear a bandana)
(1) Zip Up Fleece
(1) Roll Toilet Paper
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Bodywash, Shampoo (These are all trial size) - you're in the woods, loose the mouthwash, bodywash, shampoo. take a small piece of soap (like what you get at hotels) if you feel that soap will help.
(1) Aluminum Pot (2 Cups)
(1) Larger Pot from Car Camping Cook Set (Maybe 2 Liters) to boil water, not taking a filter. - loose it, use the Al pot
(4) 1-Liter Bottles of Water. - loose 2
Between 10-13 Pounds of Food, all from the Grocery Store, no Mountain House type meals.
Ex. Instant Rice, Ramen Noodles, Power Bars, Canned Chicken, etc. - don't take canned chicken. right next to it in the grocery aisle is chicken in a pouch. you loose the metal weight, packed in and packed out.

Okay, there it is. I tried to stay light and only pack what I think I'll need, but I still came in around 50 pounds. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[phishpapond]

Hey evryone you thanks alot.
After thinking about it I fill like an idiot for asking.
The tarp is what is going to keep me dry. My tent is pretty cheap and I really don't think it will hold up.

[knicksin2010]

I went into the 100 mile wilderness with under 20 lbs total. Your pack is so heavy because you haven't cut your tooth brush handle off. :p

[Panzer1]

Leave the mouthwash, bodywash and shampoo behind

Leave that stuff at home if you want to stink. I would bring it. Your hiking partners will appreciate it.

Panzer

[Bear Cables]

I had asked a very similar question back in April or May. If you go back and check the threads there is one on pack weight with some very detailed help from other hikers. With their input I got my weight down from 35 lbs to just over 20 counting a five day supply of food.

[Scrapes]

Leave that stuff at home if you want to stink. I would bring it. Your hiking partners will appreciate it.

Panzer

If you use this stuff you'll stink. Where would you use it any way, in a water source? Leave it home get some Dr Bronners.

[dessertrat]

If you use this stuff you'll stink. Where would you use it any way, in a water source? Leave it home get some Dr Bronners.

It's easy to sponge off away from a water source, and actually does make a difference in how some people feel (and smell), and for some people, actually prevents skin problems such as chafing and rashes. Bronners is not necessary, IMHO. (It is also overrated as a soap, IMHO). A plain old bar of soap, or some regular shampoo in a trial size bottle goes a long way.

[ZeroC]

Dr. Bronners is just your standard oil (fat) and lye soap, nothing really special about it. Though now a days most "soaps" are really detergents so make sure it's a lye based soap so it's more eco friendly for the ground it falls on (atleast 200 feet from water please).