What is you pack weight?

[KillerKarma]

I did my first section hike with a full pack (kind of) this weekend. My bf went with, so we split some of the gear between us. He had a much smaller pack. Mine weighed in around 29lbs. I'm just curious about how much you plan on carrying. I know this will change along the way. Just looking for an idea of where I want to start out. Thanks!!

[SteelCut]

My base weight is currently 16 lbs (which does not include food and water). I'm using a fairly heavy pack as I find that the ultra-light packs hurt my back. If I could find a lighter acceptable pack I could knock another 2 lbs off that weight.

[swjohnsey]

About 18 lbs with 3 days food and 1 liter of water.

[KillerKarma]

Do you know what the food and water usually adds on?

[meat803]

My base weight is currently 16 lbs (which does not include food and water). I'm using a fairly heavy pack as I find that the ultra-light packs hurt my back. If I could find a lighter acceptable pack I could knock another 2 lbs off that weight.

Have you tried an Osprey Exos?

Summer = 12 lbs base
Winter = 15 lbs

[jimmyjam]

my base weight is about 13.75 pounds currently.

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[Many Moons]

32lbs. Out of town. Too heavy, but I am still learning. Hike On!!!

Miller

[denefi]

My sleeping bag, pad, tent and pack is at 9 pounds. I might shave a pound off by switching out the pack, but I need to see what other gear I get first. So, I guess, 9 pounds plus several more! I'm expecting to land somewhere in the 15 lb range sans water/food/fuel.

[SteelCut]

Have you tried an Osprey Exos?

Yes, I own the Exos 58 and this is the pack that I've switched away from. I like the trampoline back but hate the waist belt. I've had no problems after switching back to a pack with a better frame and a real waist belt. I'll happily add 1.5-2.0 lbs to my base weight in order to be more comfortable and pain free.

[Deacon]

Summer base weight at 9 pounds, but I had to spend a lot of money to get there. Most of my stuff is Zpacks cuben.

[swjohnsey]

Do you know what the food and water usually adds on?

For me about 8 lbs, 3 days food 6, 1 l water 2.

[colorado_rob]

Yes, I own the Exos 58 and this is the pack that I've switched away from. I like the trampoline back but hate the waist belt.

Yep, horrible waist belt. The Exos was my go-to for a few years (the 46L), but then I "discovered" the ULA Ohm 2.0, lighter then the Exos and a real waist belt, so OP, check those out (ULA's) if you care to lighten up and still have a supportive pack. Talked about all the time on WB.

FWIW: My base weight, depending on time of year (spring - fall) is 10-12 pounds, but with some damn expensive gear (zpacks tent, WM sleeping bag).

[SteelCut]

Yep, horrible waist belt. The Exos was my go-to for a few years (the 46L), but then I "discovered" the ULA Ohm 2.0, lighter then the Exos and a real waist belt, so OP, check those out (ULA's) if you care to lighten up and still have a supportive pack. Talked about all the time on WB.

Thanks for the tip. I've researched the ULA packs but haven't actually used one. My reluctance to them is that I've heard they are really hot on your back. Any thoughts on that ??

[colorado_rob]

Thanks for the tip. I've researched the ULA packs but haven't actually used one. My reluctance to them is that I've heard they are really hot on your back. Any thoughts on that ??

Well, it doesn't bother me at all. I tend to hike "cool" and don't sweat much, but we're all different in that aspect. Those Osprey mesh-backs are certainly nice in that aspect. WHY oh why does a great pack maker like Osprey have such a ridiculous waist belt on an other wise fine pack? Sigh.

[rafe]

Varies by season and the length of the trip. Base weight maybe 12-15 lbs. for midsummer, 15-18 for fall. With 3-4 days food and 2 liters water, probably 25 lbs. or so.

[Praha4]

my base weight for most 3-season hiking trips is ~ 13 lbs. Add food and water, which varies from day to day. usually with 2L water and 3-4 days food, my total pack weight is around 22-23 lbs.

[KillerKarma]

Okay. So the idea that I can get my full weight with food and water down to 25ish isn't completely crazy and isn't too crazy heavy compared to others it seems.

[Feral Bill]

On a recent trip, all up for four days, 32 lbs. That's without much attention to weight.

[Coffee]

Okay. So the idea that I can get my full weight with food and water down to 25ish isn't completely crazy and isn't too crazy heavy compared to others it seems.

I think that you will find that if your total pack weight is 25 pounds, you will be among the lightest of hikers actually on the trail. The number of ULers is very much overrepresented on White Blaze vs. the folks who actually seem to be on the trail. Over two weeks on the AT this spring, I only met a couple of hikers who had a pack weight much lower than mine (14 pound base weight plus avg of 6-8 pounds of consumables for total of 20-23 pounds). Same is true for my month on the Colorado Trial. Nearly everyone had a heavier pack and I'm definitely not a true UL backpacker.

[KillerKarma]

I don't consider myself to be UL at all, but felt like I was carrying much more than the SOBOers I saw out there. I did ok with 29lbs, but 25 would be awesome.