How Do I Weigh My Backpacking Gear?

By Alice Nichols

Weighing your backpacking gear is an important step in ensuring that you have everything you need while also keeping your load light. But how do you go about it? Here’s what to consider when weighing your backpacking gear.

Choose the Right Scale

The first step is to choose a scale that is up for the job. Digital scales are best as they will give you a more precise weight reading than analog scales.

Look for a scale that has a capacity at least double the weight of your expected load. That way you won’t overload the scale and get inaccurate readings.

Gather Your Gear

Next, gather all of your gear together in one spot. This includes everything from your tent and sleeping bag to your clothes and cooking supplies. Make sure to include anything that might be going with you on the trip, including food, water, and fuel.

Weigh Each Piece

Now it’s time to weigh each piece of gear individually. Place each piece on the scale one at a time and record its weight. Be sure to use the same units of measure (ounces or grams) for all items so that your calculations will be accurate.

Calculate Your Total Load Weight

Once you have weighed all of your gear, add up all of the individual weights to get an idea of what your total load weight will be. This is an important number to know as it can help you decide if you need to leave something behind or if there’s room for more items in your pack.

Weigh Yourself

Finally, weigh yourself with all of the gear on (including food and water). This will give you an idea of how much weight you’ll be carrying during the trip so that you can plan accordingly.

Conclusion:
Weighing your backpacking gear is an essential part of planning a successful trip. By choosing the right scale and weighing each item individually, along with yourself with all the gear on, you can ensure that you have everything necessary while still keeping your load light.