Backpack Weight Calculator

Base weight, pack weight and skin-out weight

Backpackers use three weights. Base weight is your pack and gear with no food, water or fuel. Pack weight adds those consumables, so it is what you feel at the trailhead. Skin-out weight adds everything you wear or carry in hand, such as boots, clothes and trekking poles. This calculator totals all three so you can compare trips and gear lists on equal terms.

A popular guide says a loaded pack should stay near 20 percent of body weight, or less for long or hard trips. Some people aim for 10 to 15 percent, and stronger hikers go higher. Treat these as targets you choose, not safety lines. The tool lets you pick the target and then shows how much room you have under it. Base weight classes are common community labels: under 10 pounds is ultralight, 10 to 20 is lightweight, and over 20 is traditional.

Here is the default. Base weight is 15 pounds. Three days of food at 1.75 pounds a day adds 5.25 pounds. Two quarts of water at about 2.09 pounds per quart adds 4.2. Half a pound of fuel finishes the load at 24.9 pounds, or 14.7 percent of a 170-pound hiker. Add 4 pounds of worn items and the skin-out weight is 28.9 pounds. Under a 20 percent target of 34 pounds, there is about 9 pounds of room.

To cut weight, start with the big three: pack, shelter and sleep system. Then trim food and water by planning refills with the hiking water calculator. A heavier load slows you down, so check your timing with the hiking time calculator. Convert kilograms with the pounds to kilograms converter if your gear list is metric. Weigh every item on a kitchen scale and keep a spreadsheet, since small items like cords, stuff sacks and a second spare layer often add a full pound you never counted.

Where these numbers come from

The formulas and default values in this calculator are based on:

• Adventure Calcs weight worksheet
• water weight from 8.34 lb per gallon (2.09 lb per quart). Note: percent-of-body-weight targets and base weight classes are common community guides, and food per day is an editable example

This is a planning estimate, not medical, legal or immigration advice. Fees, allowances, limits and entry rules change, so confirm the figures with your airline, cruise line, customs agency or the official government source before you book or travel, and follow their rules if they differ from this page.